bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Approach to Existence of Fixed Points of Generalized Contractive Multivalued Mappings of Integral Type via Admissible Mapping
Authors: Ali Muhammad Usman , Kamran Tayyab , Karapınar Erdal
Published: July 2014

We investigate the existence of a fixed point of certain contractive multivalued mappings of integral type by using the admissible mapping. Our results generalize the several results on the topic in the literature involving Branciari, and Feng and Liu. We also construct some examples to illustrate our results.
Fabrication of Upconverting Hybrid Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Light Triggered Drug Release
Authors: Zhang Ranran , Yao Risheng , Ding Binbin , Shen Yuxin , Shui Shengwen , Wang Lei , Li Yu , Yang Xianzhu , Tao Wei
Published: July 2014

Low tissue penetration and harmful effects of (ultraviolet) UV or visible light on normal tissue limit exploiting nanocarriers for the application of light-controlled drug release. Two strategies may solve the problem: one is to improve the sensitivity of the nanocarriers to light to decrease the radiation time; the other one is using more friendly light as the trigger. In this work, we fabricated a core-shell hybrid nanoparticle with an upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) as the core and thermo- and light-responsive block copolymers as the shell to combine the two strategies together. The results indicated that the sensitivity of the block copolymer to light could be enhanced by decreasing the photolabile moieties in the polymer, and the UCNP could transfer near-infrared (NIR) light, which is more friendly to tissue and cell, to UV light to trigger the phase conversion of the block polymersin situ. Using Nile Red (NR) as the model drug, the hybrid nanoparticles were further proved to be able to act as carriers with the character of NIR triggered drug release.
Convergence Analysis of an Empirical Eigenfunction-Based Ranking Algorithm with Truncated Sparsity
Authors: Xu Min , Fang Qin , Wang Shaofan
Published: July 2014

We study an empirical eigenfunction-based algorithm for ranking with a data dependent hypothesis space. The space is spanned by certain empirical eigenfunctions which we select by using a truncated parameter. We establish the representer theorem and convergence analysis of the algorithm. In particular, we show that under a mild condition, the algorithm produces a satisfactory convergence rate as well as sparse representations with respect to the empirical eigenfunctions.
Pedagogical Visualization of a Nonideal Carnot Engine
Authors: Johansson Jonas
Published: July 2014

We have implemented a visualization tool for the demonstration of a nonideal Carnot engine, operating at finite time. The cycle time can be varied using a slide bar and the pressure-volume, temperature-entropy, power-time, and efficiency-time diagrams change interactively and are shown on one screen. We have evaluated the visualization tool among engineering students at university level during an introductory course on thermodynamics and we review and discuss the outcome of the evaluation.
Thermodynamic Properties of Vapors from Speed of Sound
Authors: Bijedić Muhamed , Begić Sabina
Published: July 2014

A numerical procedure for deriving the thermodynamic properties (Z, cv, and cp) of the vapor phase in the subcritical temperature range from the speed of sound is presented. The set of differential equations connecting these properties with the speed of sound is solved as the initial-value problem in T-ϕ domain (ϕ=ρ/ρsat). The initial values of Z and ∂Z/∂Tρ are specified along the isotherm T0 with the highest temperature, at a several values of ϕ [0.1, 1.0]. The values of Z are generated by the reference equation of state, while the values of ∂Z/∂Tρ are derived from the speed of sound, by solving another set of differential equations in T-ρ domain in the transcritical temperature range. This set of equations is solved as the initial-boundary-value problem. The initial values of Z and cv are specified along the isochore in the limit of the ideal gas, at several isotherms distributed according to the Chebyshev points of the second kind. The boundary values of Z are specified along the same isotherm T0 and along another isotherm with a higher temperature, at several values of ρ. The procedure is tested on Ar, N2, CH4, and CO2, with the mean AADs for Z, cv, and cp at 0.0003%, 0.0046%, and 0.0061%, respectively (0.0007%, 0.0130%, and 0.0189% along the saturation line).
Integer‐Valued Moving Average Models with Structural Changes
Authors: Yu Kaizhi , Zou Hong , Shi Daimin
Published: July 2014

It is frequent to encounter integer‐valued time series which are small in value and show a trend having relatively large fluctuation. To handle such a matter, we present a new first order integer‐valued moving average model process with structural changes. The models provide a flexible framework for modelling a wide range of dependence structures. Some statistical properties of the process are discussed and moment estimation is also given. Simulations are provided to give additional insight into the finite sample behaviour of the estimators.
A Hybrid DE‐RGSO‐ELM for Brain Tumor Tissue Categorization in 3D Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Kothavari K. , Arunadevi B. , Deepa S. N.
Published: July 2014

Medical diagnostics, a technique used for visualizing the internal structures and functions of human body, serves as a scientific tool to assist physicians and involves direct use of digital imaging system analysis. In this scenario, identification of brain tumors is complex in the diagnostic process. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique is noted to best assist tissue contrast for anatomical details and also carries out mechanisms for investigating the brain by functional imaging in tumor predictions. Considering 3D MRI model, analyzing the anatomy features and tissue characteristics of brain tumor is complex in nature. Henceforth, in this work, feature extraction is carried out by computing 3D gray‐level cooccurence matrix (3D GLCM) and run‐length matrix (RLM) and feature subselection for dimensionality reduction is performed with basic differential evolution (DE) algorithm. Classification is performed using proposed extreme learning machine (ELM), with refined group search optimizer (RGSO) technique, to select the best parameters for better simplification and training of the classifier for brain tissue and tumor characterization as white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tumor. Extreme learning machine outperforms the standard binary linear SVM and BPN for medical image classifier and proves better in classifying healthy and tumor tissues. The comparison between the algorithms proves that the mean and standard deviation produced by volumetric feature extraction analysis are higher than the other approaches. The proposed work is designed for pathological brain tumor classification and for 3D MRI tumor image segmentation. The proposed approaches are applied for real time datasets and benchmark datasets taken from dataset repositories.
Stepsize Restrictions for Nonlinear Stability Properties of Neutral Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Gu Wei , Wang Ming , Li Dongfang
Published: July 2014

The present paper is concerned with the relationship between stepsize restriction and nonlinear stability of Runge-Kutta methods for delay differential equations. We obtain a special stepsize condition guaranteeing global and asymptotical stability properties of numerical methods. Some confirmations of the conditions on Runge-Kutta methods are illustrated at last.
Survival of a Rifampicin-ResistantPseudomonas fluorescensStrain in Nine Mollisols
Authors: Stubbs Tami L. , Kennedy Ann C. , Skipper Horace D.
Published: July 2014

Pseudomonas fluorescensstrain D7 (P.f.D7) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that shows promise as a biological herbicide to inhibit growth of annual grass weeds, including downy brome (Bromus tectorumL.), in crop- and rangelands.Pseudomonas fluorescensstrain D7rif (P.f.D7rif) is a rifampicin-resistant strain ofP.f.D7. One of the greatest obstacles to successful biological weed control is survival of the organism under field conditions. Nine soils in the taxonomic order of Mollisols, collected from downy brome-infested areas of the Western and Central United States, were inoculated withP.f.D7rif and incubated in the laboratory to determine the effects of soil type, soil properties, incubation temperature, and soil water potential on survival ofP.f.D7rif over 63 days. Silt loam soils from Lind, Washington, and Moro, Oregon, sustained the highestP.f.D7rif populations, and recovery was the lowest from Pendleton, Oregon soil. Survival and recovery ofP.f.D7rif varied with soil type and temperature but not with the two soil water potentials tested. After 63 days,P.f.D7rif was recovered at levels greater than log 5.5 colony forming units (CFU) g−1soil from five of the nine test soils, a level adequate to suppress downy brome under field or range conditions.
SIMPLE Technique of Laparoscopic Nephrectomy for Ectopic Nonfunctioning Pelvic Kidney Secondary to Pelviureteric Junction Obstruction: A Feasible and Safe Technique
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Parmar Kalpesh Mahesh , Shankaregowda Ajjoor Sriharsha , Garg Nitin , Jayant Kumar , Singh Shrawan Kumar
Published: July 2014

Ectopic kidneys are rare developmental anomalies. Anomalous blood supply of the pelvic ectopic kidneys poses a problem for a minimally invasive surgery. Although laparoscopic nephrectomies have been described for symptomatic nonfunctioning pelvic ectopic kidney, this is the first case report that highlights the safety and feasibility of SIMPLE technique of laparoscopic nephrectomy in a pelvic kidney.
Hematite Nanoparticles-Modified Electrode Based Electrochemical Sensing Platform for Dopamine
Authors: Zangeneh Kamali Khosro , Alagarsamy Pandikumar , Huang Nay Ming , Ong Boon Hoong , Lim Hong Ngee
Published: July 2014

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized by the solid transformation of ferrous hydroxide and ferrihydrite in hydrothermal condition. The as-preparedα-Fe2O3nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis, PL, XRD, Raman, TEM, AFM, FESEM, and EDX analysis. The experimental results indicated the formation of uniform hematite nanoparticles with an average size of 45 nm and perfect crystallinity. The electrochemical behavior of a GC/α-Fe2O3electrode was studied using CV and EIS techniques with an electrochemical probe, [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−redox couple. The electrocatalytic activity was investigated toward DA oxidation in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) by varying different experimental parameters. The chronoamperometric study showed a linear response in the range of 0–2 μM with LoD of 1.6 μM for DA. Square wave voltammetry showed a linear response in the range of 0–35 μM with LoD of 236 nM for DA.
Effects of Car Accidents on Three‐Lane Traffic Flow
Authors: Chen Jianzhong , Peng Zhiyuan , Fang Yuan
Published: July 2014

A three‐lane traffic flow model is proposed to investigate the effect of car accidents on the traffic flow. The model is an extension of the full velocity difference (FVD) model by taking into account the lane changing. The extended lane‐changing rules are presented to model the lane‐changing behaviour. The cases that the car accidents occupy the exterior or interior lane, the medium lane, and two lanes are studied by numerical simulations. The time‐space diagrams and the current diagrams are presented, and the traffic jams are investigated. The results show that the car accident has a different effect on the traffic flow when it occupies different lanes. The car accidents have a more serious effect on the whole road when they occupy two lanes. The larger the density is, the greater the influence on the traffic flow becomes.
Nonlinear Secret Image Sharing Scheme
Authors: Shin Sang-Ho , Lee Gil-Je , Yoo Kee-Young
Published: July 2014

Over the past decade, most of secret image sharing schemes have been proposed by using Shamir's technique. It is based on a linear combination polynomial arithmetic. Although Shamir's technique based secret image sharing schemes are efficient and scalable for various environments, there exists a security threat such as Tompa-Woll attack. Renvall and Ding proposed a new secret sharing technique based on nonlinear combination polynomial arithmetic in order to solve this threat. It is hard to apply to the secret image sharing. In this paper, we propose a(t,n)-threshold nonlinear secret image sharing scheme with steganography concept. In order to achieve a suitable and secure secret image sharing scheme, we adapt a modified LSB embedding technique with XOR Boolean algebra operation, define a new variablem, and change a range of primepin sharing procedure. In order to evaluate efficiency and security of proposed scheme, we use the embedding capacity and PSNR. As a result of it, average value of PSNR and embedding capacity are 44.78 (dB) and1.74tlog2⁡mbit-per-pixel (bpp), respectively.
Roles of Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in the Development of Ectopic Fat Deposition
Authors: Liu Lulu , Mei Mei , Yang Shumin , Li Qifu
Published: July 2014

Pattern of fat distribution is a major determinant for metabolic homeostasis. As a depot of energy, the storage of triglycerides in adipose tissue contributes to the normal fat distribution. Decreased capacity of fat storage in adipose tissue may result in ectopic fat deposition in nonadipose tissues such as liver, pancreas, and kidney. As a critical biomarker of metabolic complications, chronic low-grade inflammation may have the ability to affect the process of lipid accumulation and further lead to the disorder of fat distribution. In this review, we have collected the evidence linking inflammation with ectopic fat deposition to get a better understanding of the underlying mechanism, which may provide us with novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.
Haar Wavelet Method for the System of Integral Equations
Authors: Zedan Hassan A. , Alaidarous Eman
Published: July 2014

We employed the Haar wavelet method to find numerical solution of the system of Fredholm integral equations (SFIEs) and the system of Volterra integral equations (SVIEs). Five test problems, for which the exact solution is known, are considered. Comparison of the results is obtained by the Haar wavelet method with the exact solution.
Video Object Tracking in Neural Axons with Fluorescence Microscopy Images
Authors: Yuan Liang , Zhu Junda
Published: July 2014

Neurofilament is an important type of intercellular cargos transmitted in neural axons. Given fluorescence microscopy images, existing methods extract neurofilament movement patterns by manual tracking. In this paper, we describe two automated tracking methods for analyzing neurofilament movement based on two different techniques: constrained particle filtering and tracking-by-detection. First, we introduce the constrained particle filtering approach. In this approach, the orientation and position of a particle are constrained by the axon’s shape such that fewer particles are necessary for tracking neurofilament movement than object tracking techniques based on generic particle filtering. Secondly, a tracking-by-detection approach to neurofilament tracking is presented. For this approach, the axon is decomposed into blocks, and the blocks encompassing the moving neurofilaments are detected by graph labeling using Markov random field. Finally, we compare two tracking methods by performing tracking experiments on real time-lapse image sequences of neurofilament movement, and the experimental results show that both methods demonstrate good performance in comparison with the existing approaches, and the tracking accuracy of the tracing-by-detection approach is slightly better between the two.
Tribological behavior of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb Alloys for Total Hip Prosthesis
Authors: Fellah Mamoun , Labaïz Mohamed , Assala Omar , Dekhil Leila , Taleb Ahlem , Rezag Hadda , Iost Alain
Published: July 2014

The aim of the study is to evaluate the friction and wear behavior of high-strength alloys Ti-6Al-7Nb used in femoral stem and compare it with a Ti-6Al-4V alloy cylindrical bar corresponding to ISO 5832-3 part 3/01-07-199 standard. The tribological behavior was investigated by wear tests, using ball-on-disc and pin-on-disc tribometers. These tests consisted of measuring the weight loss and the friction coefficient of samples. The oscillating friction and wear tests have been carried out in ambient with oscillating tribotester in accordance with standards ISO 7148, ASTM G99-95a, and ASTM G133-95 under different conditions of normal loads (3, 6, and 10 N) and sliding speeds (1, 15, and 25 mm·s−1). As counter pairs, a 100Cr6 steel ball with 10 mm in diameter was used. Results show that the two alloys had similar friction and wear performance, although their grain structures and compositions are different. Occurrence of large frictional occurred, is probably caused by formation and periodic, localized fracture of a transfer layer. Higher friction with larger fluctuation and higher wear rate was observed at the higher siding speed. The Ti-6Al-4V wear mechanism transforms from ploughing and peeling off wear at low sliding speed to plastic deformation and adhesive wear.
Summation Formulas Involving Binomial Coefficients, Harmonic Numbers, and Generalized Harmonic Numbers
Authors: Choi Junesang
Published: July 2014

A variety of identities involving harmonic numbers and generalized harmonic numbers have been investigated since the distant past and involved in a wide range of diverse fields such as analysis of algorithms in computer science, various branches of number theory, elementary particle physics, and theoretical physics. Here we show how one can obtain further interesting and (almost) serendipitous identities about certain finite or infinite series involving binomial coefficients, harmonic numbers, and generalized harmonic numbers by simply applying the usual differential operator to well-known Gauss’s summation formula for2F1(1).
Analysis of Yield of Eleutherosides B and E inAcanthopanax divaricatusandA. koreanumGrown with Varying Cultivation Methods
Authors: Lee Jeong Min , Lee Myoung-Hee , Pae Suk-Bok , Oh Ki-Won , Jung Chan-Sik , Baek In-Youl , Lee Sanghyun
Published: July 2014

An analysis of the yield of eleutherosides B and E inAcanthopanax divaricatusandA. koreanumwas performed using high performance liquid chromatography to evaluate production by different cultivation methods. InA. divaricatusandA. koreanum, the total content of eleutherosides B and E was 2.466–7.360 mg/g varying by plant section, 3.886–11.506 mg/g by pinching site, 3.655–10.083 mg/g by planting time, and 3.652–10.108 mg/g by fertilizer ratio. Thus the total content of eleutherosides B and E inA. divaricatusandA. koreanumdiffered depending on cultivation methods. These results present useful information for high eleutheroside content applications inA. divaricatusandA. koreanum. This information can affect selection of plant section and cultivation methods for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical material development.
Targeting Angiogenesis and Tumor Microenvironment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Role of Aflibercept
Authors: Giordano Guido , Febbraro Antonio , Venditti Michele , Campidoglio Serena , Olivieri Nunzio , Raieta Katia , Parcesepe Pietro , Imbriani Giusy Carmen , Remo Andrea , Pancione Massimo
Published: July 2014

In the last decades, we have progressively observed an improvement in therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment with a progressive prolongation of survival. mCRC prognosis still remains poor with low percentage of 5-year survival. Targeted agents have improved results obtained with standard chemotherapy. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasization and it has been investigated as a potential target for mCRC treatment. Accordingly, novel antiangiogenic targeted agents bevacizumab, regorafenib, and aflibercept have been approved for mCRC treatment as the result of several phase III randomized trials. The development of a tumor permissive microenvironment via the aberrant expression by tumor cells of paracrine factors alters the tumor-stroma interactions inducing an expansion of proangiogenic signals. Recently, the VELOUR study showed that addition of aflibercept to FOLFIRI regimen as a second-line therapy for mCRC improved significantly OS, PFS, and RR. This molecule represents a valid second-line therapeutic option and its peculiar ability to interfere with placental growth factor (PlGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) axis makes it effective in targeting angiogenesis, inflammatory cells and in overcoming resistances to anti-angiogenic first-line treatment. Here, we discuss about Aflibercept peculiar ability to interfere with tumor microenvironment and angiogenic pathway.
Left Ventricle Pseudoaneurysm: Contribution of Multimodality Imaging to the Diagnosis
Authors: Bertrand Fikahem Ellenga Mbolla , Franck Hardain Okemba-Okombi , Flore Solange Mongo-Ngamami , Christian Michel Kouala Landa , Thierry Raoul Gombet , Suzy-Gisèle Kimbally-Kaky
Published: July 2014

The left ventricle pseudoaneurysm is an anomaly of the left ventricle and is severed and joined with a pocket look. There may be secondary to a myocardial infarction, trauma, or surgical procedure. Sometimes the cause is not found. Complications are heart failure, arrhythmias, vascular embolism, and sudden death. The treatment is surgical only. The authors report the case of a black patient of 64 years old, without medical history, had seen to a deformation of the cardiac shadow in radiography. The left ventricle pseudoaneurysm and in situ thrombus are visualized in echocardiography and CT scan. The patient is waiting for heart surgery.
Monitoring of Nonlinear Time‐Delay Processes Based on Adaptive Method and Moving Window
Authors: Fan Yunpeng , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yingwei
Published: July 2014

A new adaptive kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) algorithm for monitoring nonlinear time‐delay process is proposed. The main contribution of the proposed algorithm is to combine adaptive KPCA with moving window principal component analysis (MWPCA) algorithm, and exponentially weighted principal component analysis (EWPCA) algorithm respectively. The new algorithm prejudges the new available sample with MKPCA method to decide whether the model is updated. Then update the KPCA model using EWKPCA method. And also extend MPCA and EWPCA from linear data space to nonlinear data space effectively. Monitoring experiment is performed using the proposed algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed method is effective.
Spectrum of Histomorphologic Findings in Liver in Patients with SLE: A Review
Authors: Grover Shrruti , Rastogi Archana , Singh Jyotsna , Rajbongshi Apurba , Bihari Chhagan
Published: July 2014

Collagen vascular diseases (CVDs) like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome (SS), and scleroderma are immunologically mediated disorders that typically have multisystem involvement. Although clinically significant liver involvement is rare, liver enzyme abnormalities are common in these patients. The reported prevalence of hepatic involvement in SLE, histopathologic findings, and its significance is very variable in the existing literature. It is important to be familiar with the causes of hepatic involvement in SLE along with histomorphological features which aid in distinguishing hepatitis of SLE from other hepatic causes as they would alter the patient management and disease course. Histopathology of liver in SLE shows a wide morphological spectrum commonly due to a coexisting pathology. Drug induced hepatitis, viral etiology, and autoimmune overlap should be excluded before attributing the changes to SLE itself. Common histopathologic findings in SLE include fatty liver, portal inflammation, and vascular changes like hemangioma, congestion, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, arteritis, and abnormal vessels in portal tracts.
Compressive Strength, Chloride Permeability, and Freeze-Thaw Resistance of MWNT Concretes under Different Chemical Treatments
Authors: Wang Xingang , Rhee Inkyu , Wang Yao , Xi Yunping
Published: July 2014

This study investigated compressive strength, chloride penetration, and freeze-thaw resistance of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) concrete. More than 100 cylindrical specimens were used to assess test variables during sensitivity observations, including water-cement ratios (0.75, 0.5, and 0.4) and exposure to chemical agents (including gum arabic, propanol, ethanol, sodium polyacrylate, methylcellulose, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and silane). To determine the adequate sonication time for MWNT dispersal in water, the compressive strengths of MWNT concrete cylinders were measured after sonication times ranging from 2 to 24 minutes. The results demonstrated that the addition of MWNT can increase the compressive strength of concrete by up to 108%. However, without chemical treatment, MWNT concretes tend to have poor freeze-thaw resistance. Among the different chemical treatments, MWNT concrete treated with sodium polyacrylate has the best compressive strength, chloride resistance, and freeze-thaw durability.
Use of Autoantibodies to Detect the Onset of Breast Cancer
Authors: Lacombe Jérôme , Mangé Alain , Solassol Jérôme
Published: July 2014

The widespread use of screening mammography has resulted in increased detection of early-stage breast disease, particularly forin situcarcinoma and early-stage breast cancer. However, the majority of women with abnormalities noted on screening mammograms are not diagnosed with cancer because of several factors, including radiologist assessment, patient age, breast density, malpractice concerns, and quality control procedures. Although magnetic resonance imaging is a highly sensitive detection tool that has become standard for women at very high risk of developing breast cancer, it lacks sufficient specificity and costeffectiveness for use as a general screening tool. Therefore, there is an important need to improve screening and diagnosis of early-invasive and noninvasive tumors, that is,in situcarcinoma. The great potential for molecular tools to improve breast cancer outcomes based on early diagnosis has driven the search for diagnostic biomarkers. Identification of tumor-specific markers capable of eliciting an immune response in the early stages of tumor development seems to provide an effective approach for early diagnosis. The aim of this review is to describe several autoantibodies identified during breast cancer diagnosis. We will focus on these molecules highlighted in the past two years and discuss the potential future use of autoantibodies as biomarkers of early-stage breast cancer.
Ablative Therapy for Esophageal Dysplasia and Early Malignancy: Focus on RFA
Authors: Tuttle Rebecca , Nurkin Steven J. , Hochwald Steven N.
Published: July 2014

Ablative therapies have been utilized with increasing frequency for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus with and without dysplasia. Multiple modalities are available for topical ablation of the esophagus, but radiofrequency ablation (RFA) remains the most commonly used. There have been significant advances in technique since the introduction of RFA. The aim of this paper is to review the indications, techniques, outcomes, and most common complications following esophageal ablation with RFA.
Using the Medical Research Council Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions in a Theory-Based Infant Feeding Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity: The Baby Milk Intervention and Trial
Authors: Lakshman Rajalakshmi , Griffin Simon , Hardeman Wendy , Schiff Annie , Kinmonth Ann Louise , Ong Ken K.
Published: July 2014

Introduction. We describe our experience of using the Medical Research Council framework on complex interventions to guide the development and evaluation of an intervention to prevent obesity by modifying infant feeding behaviours.Methods. We reviewed the epidemiological evidence on early life risk factors for obesity and interventions to prevent obesity in this age group. The review suggested prevention of excess weight gain in bottle-fed babies and appropriate weaning as intervention targets; hence we undertook systematic reviews to further our understanding of these behaviours. We chose theory and behaviour change techniques that demonstrated evidence of effectiveness in altering dietary behaviours. We subsequently developed intervention materials and evaluation tools and conducted qualitative studies with mothers (intervention recipients) and healthcare professionals (intervention deliverers) to refine them. We developed a questionnaire to assess maternal attitudes and feeding practices to understand the mechanism of any intervention effects.Conclusions. In addition to informing development of our specific intervention and evaluation materials, use of the Medical Research Council framework has helped to build a generalisable evidence base for early life nutritional interventions. However, the process is resource intensive and prolonged, and this should be taken into account by public health research funders. This trial is registered with ISRTCN:20814693Baby Milk Trial.
Effects of First-Time Overnight CPAP Therapy for Increasing the Complexity of the Patient’s Physiological System
Authors: Wu Hsien-Tsai , Chen Hong-Ruei , Pan Wen-Yao , Liu Cyuan-Cin , Su Mao-Chang , Lin Meng-Chih
Published: July 2014

Studies regarding the effects of short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are not sufficient. A total of 35 patients with moderate to severe untreated OSA were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 22 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) for one night, and Group 2 comprised 13 patients who received PSG combined with CPAP therapy. To evaluate the influence of receiving CPAP therapy for one night, we measured 5 min wrist pulse signals before and after the experiment to assess heart rate variability, as well as novel short time multiscale entropy (sMSE) indicator that examines complexity in physiological signals. The results show that the participants in Group 1 exhibited significant changes in normalized low-frequency power/normalized high-frequency power (nLF/nHF) (0.72 ± 0.09 versus 1.11 ± 0.11,P=0.006) values before and after the PSG study. By contrast, the participants in Group 2 showed no significant changes in the 3 indicators. Regarding the sMSE indicator, Group 2 patients exhibited significant increases in the sMSE. CPAP therapy administered for one night can reduce the sympathovagal imbalance in patients with moderate to severe untreated OSA and increase the complexity of the patient’s physiological system, thereby reflecting their overall improved health.
ON Modified(α-η)-Contractive Mappings
Authors: Kutbi Marwan Amin , Arshad Muhammad , Hussain Aftab
Published: July 2014

Hussain et al. (2013) established new fixed point results in complete metric space. In this paper, we prove fixed point results ofα-admissible mappings with respect toη, for modified contractive condition in complete metric space. An example is given to show the validity of our work. Our results generalize/improve several recent and classical results existing in the literature.
MAC Protocol for Ad Hoc Networks Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Elizarraras Omar , Panduro Marco , Méndez Aldo L. , Reyna Alberto
Published: July 2014

The problem of obtaining the transmission rate in an ad hoc network consists in adjusting the power of each node to ensure the signal to interference ratio (SIR) and the energy required to transmit from one node to another is obtained at the same time. Therefore, an optimal transmission rate for each node in a medium access control (MAC) protocol based on CSMA-CDMA (carrier sense multiple access-code division multiple access) for ad hoc networks can be obtained using evolutionary optimization. This work proposes a genetic algorithm for the transmission rate election considering a perfect power control, and our proposition achieves improvement of 10% compared with the scheme that handles the handshaking phase to adjust the transmission rate. Furthermore, this paper proposes a genetic algorithm that solves the problem of power combining, interference, data rate, and energy ensuring the signal to interference ratio in an ad hoc network. The result of the proposed genetic algorithm has a better performance (15%) compared to the CSMA-CDMA protocol without optimizing. Therefore, we show by simulation the effectiveness of the proposed protocol in terms of the throughput.
Successful Laparoscopic Management of Ruptured Tubal Pregnancy with an Ipsilateral Ectopic Pelvic Kidney
Authors: Belotte Jimmy , Belotte Jim , Alexis Mitchell , Awonuga Awoniyi O. , Aguin Tina Jessica
Published: July 2014

Objective.To report a case of successful laparoscopic management of a left ruptured tubal pregnancy in the setting of an ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney.Method.Case report was prepared at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. The patient is a young woman gravida 2 para 0 in her twenties who presented with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She had a plateaued beta HCG and ultrasonographic findings suggestive of ectopic left tubal pregnancy along with an ectopic ipsilateral pelvic kidney. The IRB approval is not needed, as this is a case report. The informed consent could not be obtained, as the patient was not reachable.Result.Multiple intraperitoneal adhesions, left ruptured ampullary ectopic pregnancy and left retroperitoneal pelvic mass consistent with ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney.Conclusion.Laparoscopic management of tubal pregnancy can be safely performed in the setting of an ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney.
Extract ofAntrodia camphorataExerts Neuroprotection against Embolic Stroke in Rats without Causing the Risk of Hemorrhagic Incidence
Authors: Lee Ye-Ming , Chang Chiu-Yun , Yen Ting-Lin , Geraldine Pitchairaj , Lan Chang-Chou , Sheu Joen-Rong , Lee Jie-Jen
Published: July 2014

In this study, the neuroprotective effect of an extract ofAntrodia camphorata(A. camphorata), a fungus commonly used in Chinese folk medicine for treatment of viral hepatitis and cancer, alone or in combination with aspirin was investigated in a rat embolic stroke model. An ischemic stroke was induced in rats by a selective occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) with whole blood clots and then orally treated withA. camphorata(0.25 and 0.75 g/kg/day) alone and combined with aspirin (5 mg/kg/day). Sixty days later, the brains were removed, sectioned, and stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride and analysed by a commercial image processing software program. Brain infarct volume, neurobehavioral score, cerebral blood perfusion, and subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage incidence were perceived. In addition, potential bleeding side effect of the combinative therapy was assessed by measuring hemoglobin (Hb) content during intracerebral hemorrhage and gastric bleeding, prothrombin time (PT), and occlusion time (OT) after oral administration. Posttreatment with high doseA. camphoratasignificantly reduced infarct volume and improved neurobehavioral score (P< 0.05). SinceA. camphorataalone or with aspirin did not alter the Hb level, this treatment is safe and does not cause hemorrhagic incident. Remarkably, the combination ofA. camphorataand aspirin did not show a significant effect on the bleeding time, PT and OT increase suggesting thatA. camphoratamay have the neuroprotective effect without the prolongation of bleeding time or coagulation time. From these observations, we suggest that combinative therapy ofA. camphorataand aspirin might offer enhanced neuroprotective efficacies without increasing side effects.
Using Polymeric Scaffolds for Vascular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Abruzzo Alida , Fiorica Calogero , Palumbo Vincenzo Davide , Altomare Roberta , Damiano Giuseppe , Gioviale Maria Concetta , Tomasello Giovanni , Licciardi Mariano , Palumbo Fabio Salvatore , Giammona Gaetano , Lo Monte Attilio Ignazio
Published: July 2014

With the high occurrence of cardiovascular disease and increasing numbers of patients requiring vascular access, there is a significant need for small-diameter (<6 mm inner diameter) vascular graft that can provide long-term patency. Despite the technological improvements, restenosis and graft thrombosis continue to hamper the success of the implants. Vascular tissue engineering is a new field that has undergone enormous growth over the last decade and has proposed valid solutions for blood vessels repair. The goal of vascular tissue engineering is to produce neovessels and neoorgan tissue from autologous cells using a biodegradable polymer as a scaffold. The most important advantage of tissue-engineered implants is that these tissues can grow, remodel, rebuild, and respond to injury. This review describes the development of polymeric materials over the years and current tissue engineering strategies for the improvement of vascular conduits.
Integrated System of Structural Health Monitoring and Intelligent Management for a Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Chen Bin , Wang Xu , Sun Dezhang , Xie Xu
Published: July 2014

It is essential to construct structural health monitoring systems for large important bridges. Zhijiang Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that was built recently over the Hangzhou Qiantang River (the largest river in Zhejiang Province). The length of Zhijiang Bridge is 478 m, which comprises an arched twin-tower space and a twin-cable plane structure. As an example, the present study describes the integrated system of structural health monitoring and intelligent management for Zhijiang Bridge, which comprises an information acquisition system, data management system, evaluation and decision-making system, and application service system. The monitoring components include the working environment of the bridge and various factors that affect bridge safety, such as the stress and strain of the main bridge structure, vibration, cable force, temperature, and wind speed. In addition, the integrated system includes a forecasting and decision-making module for real-time online evaluation, which provides warnings and makes decisions based on the monitoring information. From this, the monitoring information, evaluation results, maintenance decisions, and warning information can be input simultaneously into the bridge monitoring center and traffic emergency center to share the monitoring data, thereby facilitating evaluations and decision making using the system.
The Solutions of Sturm-Liouville Boundary-Value Problem for Fourth-Order Impulsive Differential Equation via Variational Methods
Authors: Tian Yu , Sun Dongpo
Published: July 2014

The Sturm-Liouville boundary-value problem for fourth-order impulsive differential equations is studied. The existence results for one solution and multiple solutions are obtained. The main ideas involve variational methods and three critical points theory.
Control of IntracellularFrancisella tularensisby Different Cell Types and the Role of Nitric Oxide
Authors: Newstead Sarah L. , Gates Amanda J. , Hartley M. Gillian , Rowland Caroline A. , Williamson E. Diane , Lukaszewski Roman A.
Published: July 2014

Reactive nitrogen is critical for the clearance ofFrancisella tularensisinfections. Here we assess the role of nitric oxide in control of intracellular infections in two murine macrophage cell lines of different provenance: the alveolar macrophage cell line, MH-S, and the widely used peritoneal macrophage cell line, J774A.1. Cells were infected with the highly virulent Schu S4 strain or with the avirulent live vaccine strain (LVS) with and without stimuli. Compared to MH-S cells, J774A.1 cells were unresponsive to stimulation and were able to control the intracellular replication of LVS bacteria, but not of Schu S4. In MH-S cells, Schu S4 demonstrated control over cellular NO production. Despite this, MH-S cells stimulated with LPS or LPS and IFN-γwere able to control intracellular Schu S4 numbers. However, only stimulation with LPS induced significant cellular NO production. Combined stimulation with LPS and IFN-γproduced a significant reduction in intracellular bacteria that occurred whether high levels of NO were produced or not, indicating that NO secretion is not the only defensive cellular mechanism operating in virulentFrancisellainfections. Understanding howF. tularensisinteracts with host macrophages will help in the rational design of new and effective therapies.
Spontaneous Postmenopausal Urethral Prolapse Treated Surgically and Successfully
Authors: Klein I. , Dekel Y. , Stein A.
Published: July 2014

Urethral prolapse (UP) is a circular complete eversion of the distal urethral mucosa through the external meatus. It is a rare condition seen mostly in African-American premenarcheal girls. Both a medical and a surgical approach to this condition have been described. We present a case of a spontaneous urethral prolapse in a 60-year-old postmenopausal Caucasian woman, who failed medical management and underwent successful surgical management. The patient is asymptomatic 18 months following the procedure.
The Research of Degradation about 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene by the Artificial Media in Microbe Enrichment
Authors: Xu Dong-ying
Published: July 2014

Artificial media were used to enrich microbe and improve the water resource quality; therefore trace quantity organic pollutants of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene were biodegraded. The result of the test showed that, after domestication, the microassociation enriched in the assembled medium could remove corresponding trace quantity organic pollutants in some concentration. When the temperature was 30 degree centigrade, and the pH was between 6 and 9, the effect about the removal on trace-quantity-organic pollutants water was the best. A strain of bacteria that could degrade 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was separated, and its degradation mechanism to 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was studied. At the same time, the congener trace quantity organic pollutants could be biodegraded. Biofilm after domestication can effectively degrade a certain concentration range of three trichlorobenzenes and the removal effect of HRT = 7 d was better than the removal effect of HRT = 5 d. It is evident that the trace quantity organic pollutants of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in the source water quality from Meiliang Bay in Taihu Lake can be well degraded by enriched microbes on the artificial media.
Tegmen Tympani Defect and Brain Herniation Secondary to Mastoid Surgery: Case Presentation
Authors: Egilmez Oguz Kadir , Hanege Fatih Mehmet , Kalcioglu M. Tayyar , Kaner Tuncay , Kokten Numan
Published: July 2014

Brain herniation into the middle ear is very rarely seen. In addition to reasons like congenital factors, trauma, and infection, tegmen defect may develop as a result of iatrogenic events secondary to chronic otitis media surgery with or without cholesteatoma. Since it may cause life-threatening complications, patients must be evaluated and monitored for tegmen defect. In this paper, diagnosis and treatment of a brain herniation case due to iatrogenic tegmen defect were described along with relevant literature.
First‐Principle Study of H2 Adsorption on LaFeO3(110) Surface
Authors: Chen Yu-Hong , Zhang Bing-Wen , Yang Liang , Zhang Mei-Ling , Zhang Cai-Rong , Kang Long , Luo Yong-Chun
Published: July 2014

The adsorption of H2 molecule on LaFeO3(110) surface was studied by first‐principle calculations. Based on the adsorption sites, adsorption energies, and electronic structures, it can be found that one H atom can be adsorbed on O atom and form –OH with the O atom, which is the most stable structure. One H atom can be adsorbed on one Fe atom, which makes Fe3+ turn to Fe2+. Two H atoms can form H2O molecule with O atom, which makes it possible to form oxygen vacancy on the surface.
Ultrasound Guided Stellate Ganglion Block in Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Comparison of Ketamine versus Morphine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine
Authors: Abdel Dayem Ola T. , Saeid Mostafa M. , Ismail Olfat M. , El Badrawy Adel M. , Abdel Ghaffar Nevert A.
Published: July 2014

Background. The postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is chronic pain after breast cancer surgery and is reported to influence quality of life. The aim of this study was to provide long term reduction of PMPS, improve range of motion of the shoulder, and decrease the need for postoperative analgesia using ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block. Method. Sixty patients with PMPS were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: bupivacaine group (group 1), bupivacaine plus ketamine group (group 2), and bupivacaine plus morphine group (group 3). Each patient received 3 blocks with an interval of one week in between. Patients were assessed for: pain visual analogue score (VAS), movement of the shoulder, skin temperature, and the need for analgesic drugs. Results. The pain VAS was significantly decreased in group 2 as compared to the other two groups. Shoulder movement improved significantly in the three studied groups with the best results observed after the third block. The need for the analgesic drugs in the form of gabapentin was more in the bupivacaine and bupivacaine plus morphine groups than in bupivacaine plus ketamine group. Conclusion. Treatment of PMPS with ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block using ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) as adjuvant to bupivacaine (0.25%) successfully decreased pain VAS and the need for analgesic drugs.
A Fuzzy-Decision Based Approach for Composite Event Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Shukui , Chen Hao , Zhu Qiaoming , Jia Juncheng
Published: July 2014

The event detection is one of the fundamental researches in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Due to the consideration of various properties that reflect events status, the Composite event is more consistent with the objective world. Thus, the research of the Composite event becomes more realistic. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of the Composite event; then we propose a criterion to determine the area of the Composite event and put forward a dominating set based network topology construction algorithm under random deployment. For the unreliability of partial data in detection process and fuzziness of the event definitions in nature, we propose a cluster-based two-dimensionalτ-GAS algorithm and fuzzy-decision based composite event decision mechanism. In the case that the sensory data of most nodes are normal, the two-dimensionalτ-GAS algorithm can filter the fault node data effectively and reduce the influence of erroneous data on the event determination. The Composite event judgment mechanism which is based on fuzzy-decision holds the superiority of the fuzzy-logic based algorithm; moreover, it does not need the support of a huge rule base and its computational complexity is small. Compared to CollECT algorithm and CDS algorithm, this algorithm improves the detection accuracy and reduces the traffic.
Comparison of Internal Fixations for Distal Clavicular Fractures Based on Loading Tests and Finite Element Analyses
Authors: Sakai Rina , Matsuura Terumasa , Tanaka Kensei , Uchida Kentaro , Nakao Masaki , Mabuchi Kiyoshi
Published: July 2014

It is difficult to apply strong and stable internal fixation to a fracture of the distal end of the clavicle because it is unstable, the distal clavicle fragment is small, and the fractured region is near the acromioclavicular joint. In this study, to identify a superior internal fixation method for unstable distal clavicular fracture, we compared three types of internal fixation (tension band wiring, scorpion, and LCP clavicle hook plate). Firstly, loading tests were performed, in which fixations were evaluated using bending stiffness and torsional stiffness as indices, followed by finite element analysis to evaluate fixability using the stress and strain as indices. The bending and torsional stiffness were significantly higher in the artificial clavicles fixed with the two types of plate than in that fixed by tension band wiring (P<0.05). No marked stress concentration on the clavicle was noted in the scorpion because the arm plate did not interfere with the acromioclavicular joint, suggesting that favorable shoulder joint function can be achieved. The stability of fixation with the LCP clavicle hook plate and the scorpion was similar, and plate fixations were stronger than fixation by tension band wiring.