bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synovial Chondrosarcoma Arising in Synovial Chondromatosis
Authors: Evans Scott , Boffano Michele , Chaudhry Samena , Jeys Lee , Grimer Robert
Published: March 2014

Primary synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare proliferative disorder that causes pain, swelling, and restriction of movement to the joints it affects. The disease frequently runs a protracted course, often requiring multiple surgical procedures to obtain some control. Few reports exist detailing the natural history of SC, although malignant transformation to synovial chondrosarcoma (CHS) is recognized to be a rare event. The aim of our study was to review a large orthopaedic oncology database in order to evaluate the incidence of CHS arising from SC. We identified 78 patients who have presented to our centre with primary synovial chondromatosis (SC). Of those patients, 5 went on to develop malignant change. This represents a 6.4% incidence of developing synovial chondrosarcoma (CHS) within preexisting primary synovial chondromatosis. The patients had a mean age of 28 years at first diagnosis with synovial chondromatosis with the median time from original diagnosis to malignant transformation being 20 years (range 2.7–39 yrs).
Obesity as a Consequence of Gut Bacteria and Diet Interactions
Authors: Kotzampassi Katerina , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J. , Stavrou George
Published: March 2014

Obesity is a major public health concern, caused by a combination of increased consumption of energy-dense foods and reduced physical activity, with contributions from host genetics, environment, and adipose tissue inflammation. In recent years, the gut microbiome has also been found to be implicated and augmented research in mice and humans have attributed to it both the manifestation and/or exacerbation of this major epidemic and vice versa. At the experimental level, analysis of fecal samples revealed a potential link between obesity and alterations in the gut flora (drop in Bacteroidetes and increase in Firmicutes), the specific gut microbiome being associated with the obese phenotype. Conventionally raised mice were found to have over 40% more total body fat compared with those raised under germ-free conditions, while conventionalization of germ-free mice resulted in a significant increase in total body fat. Similarly, the sparse data in humans supports the fact that fat storage is favoured by the presence of the gut microbiota, through a multifaceted mechanism. Efforts to identify new therapeutic strategies to modulate gut microbiota would be of high priority for public health, and to date, probiotics and/or prebiotics seem to be the most effective tools.
Removal Dynamics of Nitric Oxide (NO) Pollutant Gas by Pulse-Discharged Plasma Technique
Authors: Zhang Lianshui , Wang Xiaojun , Lai Weidong , Cheng Xueliang , Zhao Kuifang
Published: March 2014

Nonthermal plasma technique has drawn extensive attentions for removal of air pollutants such as NOxand SO2. The NO removal mechanism in pulse discharged plasma is discussed in this paper. Emission spectra diagnosis indicates that the higher the discharge voltage is, the more the NO are removed and transformed into O, N, N2, NO2, and so forth. Plasma electron temperatureTeis ranged from 6400 K at 2.4 kV discharge voltage to 9500 K at 4.8 kV. After establishing a zero-dimensional chemical reaction kinetic model, the major reaction paths are clarified as the electron collision dissociation of NO into N and O during discharge and followed by single substitution of N on NO to form N2during and after discharge, compared with the small fraction of NO2formed by oxidizing NO. The reaction directions can be adjusted by N2additive, and the optimal N2/NO mixing ratio is 2 : 1. Such a ratio not only compensates the disadvantage of electron competitive consumption by the mixed N2, but also heightens the total NO removal extent through accelerating the NO oxidization process.
Diagnosis of an Inguinal Hernia after a Blunt Inguinal Trauma with an Intestinal Perforation
Authors: Moustafa Farès , Avouac Julien , Vaz Marie-Aude , Schmidt Jeannot
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Inguinal hernias are very common in men. A clinical exam can do the diagnosis easily. But bowel perforation inside an inguinal hernia caused by a directly blunt trauma is rare and can have important consequences. Up to now, there have been a few case reports that described blunt injury to the inguinal area causing traumatic perforation of the bowel in the inguinal hernia.Case Report. We present a case of a 45-year-old Eastern European man with a small perforation of ileal bowels and a peritonitis after direct blunt trauma to the inguinal hernia region, with no inguinal hernia known by the patient, and show how the diagnosis can be difficult.Conclusion. This case shows that external forces, that may seem too trivial to cause intraperitoneal injury, can cause significant injury when applied to a patient with a hernia and shows how a careful examination, with the help of an abdominal CT scan, is important even if the patient do not seem to have an inguinal hernia.
Detection of Early Ischemic Changes in Noncontrast CT Head Improved with “Stroke Windows”
Authors: Mainali Shraddha , Wahba Mervat , Elijovich Lucas
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Noncontrast head CT (NCCT) is the standard radiologic test for patients presenting with acute stroke. Early ischemic changes (EIC) are often overlooked on initial NCCT. We determine the sensitivity and specificity of improved EIC detection by a standardized method of image evaluation (Stroke Windows). Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients with acute ischemic stroke who had NCCT at presentation. EIC was defined by the presence of hyperdense MCA/basilar artery sign; sulcal effacement; basal ganglia/subcortical hypodensity; and loss of cortical gray-white differentiation. NCCT was reviewed with standard window settings and with specialized Stroke Windows. Results. Fifty patients (42% females, 58% males) with a mean NIHSS of 13.4 were identified. EIC was detected in 9 patients with standard windows, while EIC was detected using Stroke Windows in 35 patients (18% versus 70%; P<0.0001). Hyperdense MCA sign was the most commonly reported EIC; it was better detected with Stroke Windows (14% and 36%; P<0.0198). Detection of the remaining EIC also improved with Stroke Windows (6% and 46%; P<0.0001). Conclusions. Detection of EIC has important implications in diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Utilization of Stroke Windows significantly improved detection of EIC.
Granular Computing Classification Algorithms Based on Distance Measures between Granules from the View of Set
Authors: Liu Hongbing , Liu Chunhua , Wu Chang-an
Published: March 2014

Granular computing classification algorithms are proposed based on distance measures between two granules from the view of set. Firstly, granules are represented as the forms of hyperdiamond, hypersphere, hypercube, and hyperbox. Secondly, the distance measure between two granules is defined from the view of set, and the union operator between two granules is formed to obtain the granule set including the granules with different granularity. Thirdly the threshold of granularity determines the union between two granules and is used to form the granular computing classification algorithms based on distance measures (DGrC). The benchmark datasets in UCI Machine Learning Repository are used to verify the performance of DGrC, and experimental results show that DGrC improved the testing accuracies.
The Application and Research of the GA-BP Neural Network Algorithm in the MBR Membrane Fouling
Authors: Li Chunqing , Yang Zixiang , Yan Hongying , Wang Tao
Published: March 2014

It is one of the important issues in the field of today's sewage treatment of researching the MBR membrane flux prediction for membrane fouling. Firstly this paper used the principal component analysis method to achieve dimensionality and correlation of input variables and obtained the three major factors affecting membrane fouling most obvious: MLSS, total resistance, and operating pressure. Then it used the BP neural network to establish the system model of the MBR intelligent simulation, the relationship between three parameters, and membrane flux characterization of the degree of membrane fouling, because the BP neural network has slow training speed, is sensitive to the initial weights and the threshold, is easy to fall into local minimum points, and so on. So this paper used genetic algorithm to optimize the initial weights and the threshold of BP neural network and established the membrane fouling prediction model based on GA-BP network. As this research had shown, under the same conditions, the BP network model optimized by GA of MBR membrane fouling is better than that not optimized for prediction effect of membrane flux. It demonstrates that the GA-BP network model of MBR membrane fouling is more suitable for simulation of MBR membrane fouling process, comparing with the BP network.
Spontaneous Rectus Sheath Hematoma in the Elderly: An Unusual Case and Update on Proper Management
Authors: Galyfos George , Karantzikos Georgios , Palogos Konstantinos , Sianou Argiri , Filis Konstantinos , Kavouras Nikolaos
Published: March 2014

Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma (SRSH) is an uncommon medical emergency in the elderly. We present a case of SRSH with an atypical clinical presentation and discuss literature regarding diagnosis and proper management. A 75-year-old female patient was transferred to the emergency department due to acute dyspnoea and confusion. Her medical history revealed a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, and no coughing or use of anticoagulants. The clinical examination showed tenderness of the left lower abdomen, although palpation was misleading due to patient’s obesity. Laboratory investigations showed light anaemia. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a large rectus sheath hematoma of the left abdominal wall. Despite further deterioration of the patient, conservative management including bed rest, fluid replacement, blood products transfusion, and proper analgesia was successful. No surgical intervention was needed. Prompt diagnosis and management of SRSH plays significant role in the prognosis, especially in elder patients. Independently of size and severity, conservative management remains the first therapeutic choice. Only by failure of supportive management, progressive and large hematoma or uncontrollable hemodynamic patients, interventional management including surgery or less invasive newer techniques is indicated.
Osteoporosis Health Beliefs of Women with Increased Risk of the Female Athlete Triad
Authors: Nguyen Vu H. , Wang Ze , Okamura Stephanie M.
Published: March 2014

Women with increased risk of the female athlete triad (Triad) are more susceptible to osteoporosis compared to other women. The study included 65 women with increased risk of the Triad who had their osteoporosis health beliefs measured to assess their concern for the disease. Participants were female collegiate cross-country runners at different levels of competition, including National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Divisions III, II, and I. Although these participants have an increased risk of the Triad and are more susceptible to osteoporosis, on a scale of 1 to 5, results showed that they had low to moderate perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis with a mean score as high as 2.81 and moderate perceived severity of osteoporosis with a mean score as high as 3.38. A statistically significant difference in perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis was found between female collegiate cross-country runners in the NAIA and those in the NCAA DIII. Reasons that could explain relatively low levels of concern for osteoporosis in female collegiate cross-country runners and reasons for significant differences in perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis are given, and recommendations for health education and intervention to help care for this population are provided.
Characterization and Quantification of Compounds in the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Leaves from Terminalia catappa Linn. (Combretaceae) and Their Mutagenic Activity
Authors: Mininel Francisco José , Leonardo Junior Carlos Sérgio , Espanha Lívia Greghi , Resende Flávia Aparecida , Varanda Eliana Aparecida , Leite Clarice Queico Fujimura , Vilegas Wagner , dos Santos Lourdes Campaner
Published: March 2014

Terminalia is a genus of Combretaceous plants widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Thus, the aim of this study was to quantify the majority compounds of the hydroalcoholic extract (7 : 3, v/v) of the leaves from T. catappa by HPLC‐PDA, chemically characterize by hyphenated techniques (HPLC‐ESI‐IT‐MSn) and NMR, and evaluate its mutagenic activity by the Salmonella/microsome assay on S. typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100, and TA102. The quantification of analytes was performed using an external calibration standard. Punicalagin is the most abundant polyphenol found in the leaves. The presence of this compound as a mixture of anomers was confirmed using HPLC‐PDA and 1H and 13C NMR. Mutagenic activity was observed in strains TA100 and TA97a. As the extract is a complex mixture of punicalagin, its derivatives, and several other compounds, the observed mutagenicity may be explained in part by possible synergistic interaction between the compounds present in the extract. These studies show that mutagenic activity of T. catappa in the Ames test can only be observed when measured at high concentrations. However, considering the mutagenic effects observed for T. catappa, this plant should be used cautiously for medicinal purposes.
Does the Equivalence between Gravitational Mass and Energy Survive for a Composite Quantum Body?
Authors: Lebed A. G.
Published: March 2014

We define passive and active gravitational mass operators of the simplest composite quantum body—a hydrogen atom. Although they do not commute with its energy operator, the equivalence between the expectation values of passive and active gravitational masses and energy is shown to survive for stationary quantum states. In our calculations of passive gravitational mass operator, we take into account not only kinetic and Coulomb potential energies but also the so-called relativistic corrections to electron motion in a hydrogen atom. Inequivalence between passive and active gravitational masses and energy at a macroscopic level is demonstrated to reveal itself as time-dependent oscillations of the expectation values of the gravitational masses for superpositions of stationary quantum states. Breakdown of the equivalence between passive gravitational mass and energy at a microscopic level reveals itself as unusual electromagnetic radiation, emitted by macroscopic ensemble of hydrogen atoms, moved by small spacecraft with constant velocity in the Earth’s gravitational field. We suggest the corresponding experiment on the Earth’s orbit to detect this radiation, which would be the first direct experiment where quantum effects in general relativity are observed.
A Retrospective Case-Control Study Evaluating the Bowel Preparation Quality during Surveillance Colonoscopy after Colonic Resection
Authors: Pontone Stefano , Leonetti Giovanni , Lamazza Antonietta , Fiocca Fausto , Filippini Angelo , Fanello Gianfranco , Cereatti Fabrizio , Fiori Enrico , Angelini Rita , Patrizi Gregorio , Brighi Manuela , Vetere Simone , Antoniozzi Angelo , Pironi Daniele , Manfredelli Simone , Pontone Paolo
Published: March 2014

Purpose. Bowel preparation for surveillance endoscopy following surgery can be impaired by suboptimal bowel function. Our study compares two groups of patients in order to evaluate the influence of colorectal resection on bowel preparation. Methods. From April 2010 to December 2011, 351 patients were enrolled in our retrospective study and divided into two homogeneous arms: resection group (RG) and control group. Surgical methods were classified as left hemicolectomy, right hemicolectomy, anterior rectal resection, and double colonic resection. Bowel cleansing was evaluated by nine skilled endoscopists using the Aronchick scale. Results. Among the 161 patients of the RG, surgery was as follows: 60 left hemicolectomies (37%), 62 right hemicolectomies (38%), and 33 anterior rectal resections (20%). Unsatisfactory bowel preparation was significantly higher in resected population (44% versus 12%; P value=0.000). No significant difference (38% versus 31%, P value=ns) was detected in the intermediate score, which represents a fair quality of bowel preparation. Conclusions. Our study highlights how patients with previous colonic resection are at high risk for a worse bowel preparation. Currently, the intestinal cleansing carried out by 4 L PEG based preparation does not seem to be sufficient to achieve the quality parameters required for the post-resection endoscopic monitoring.
Modulation of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in the Rat Kidney by Sulforaphane: Implications for Regulation of Blood Pressure
Authors: Elbarbry Fawzy , Vermehren-Schmaedick Anke , Balkowiec Agnieszka
Published: March 2014

Background. We investigated the effects of sulforaphane (SF), the main active isothiocyanate in cruciferous vegetables, on arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in the kidney and its effect on arterial blood pressure, using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as models.Methods. Rats were treated for 8 weeks with either drinking water alone (control) or SF (20 or 40 mg/kg) added to drinking water. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured at 7-day intervals throughout the study. At the end of treatment rats were euthanized, and kidneys were harvested to prepare microsomes and measure enzymes involved in regulation of vasoactive metabolites: CYP4A, the key enzyme in the formation of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, and the soluble epoxide hydrolase, which is responsible for the degradation of the vasodilator metabolites such as epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids. Effect of SF on kidney expression of CYP4A was investigated by immunoblotting.Results. We found that treatment with SF leads to significant reductions in both, the expression and activity of renal CYP4A isozymes, as well as the activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Consistent with these data, we have found that treatment with SF resisted the progressive rise in MAP in the developing SHR in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion. This is the first demonstration that SF modulates the metabolism of AA by both P450 enzymes and sEH in SHR rats. This may represent a novel mechanism by which SF protects SHR rats against the progressive rise in blood pressure.
Effective Passivation of Large Area Black Silicon Solar Cells bySiO2/SiNx:H Stacks
Authors: Zhao Zengchao , Zhang Bingye , Li Ping , Guo Wan , Liu Aimin
Published: March 2014

The performance of black silicon solar cells with various passivation films was characterized. Large area (156×156 mm2) black silicon was prepared by silver-nanoparticle-assisted etching on pyramidal silicon wafer. The conversion efficiency of black silicon solar cell without passivation is 13.8%. For the SiO2andSiNx:H passivation, the conversion efficiency of black silicon solar cells increases to 16.1% and 16.5%, respectively. Compared to the single film of surface passivation of black silicon solar cells, the SiO2/SiNx:H stacks exhibit the highest efficiency of 17.1%. The investigation of internal quantum efficiency (IQE) suggests that the SiO2/SiNx:H stacks films decrease the Auger recombination through reducing the surface doping concentration and surface state density of the Si/SiO2interface, andSiNx:H layer suppresses the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination in the black silicon solar cell, which yields the best electrical performance of b-Si solar cells.
Exact and Heuristic Methods for Network Completion for Time-Varying Genetic Networks
Authors: Nakajima Natsu , Akutsu Tatsuya
Published: March 2014

Robustness in biological networks can be regarded as an important feature of living systems. A system maintains its functions against internal and external perturbations, leading to topological changes in the network with varying delays. To understand the flexibility of biological networks, we propose a novel approach to analyze time-dependent networks, based on the framework of network completion, which aims to make the minimum amount of modifications to a given network so that the resulting network is most consistent with the observed data. We have developed a novel network completion method for time-varying networks by extending our previous method for the completion of stationary networks. In particular, we introduce a double dynamic programming technique to identify change time points and required modifications. Although this extended method allows us to guarantee the optimality of the solution, this method has relatively low computational efficiency. In order to resolve this difficulty, we developed a heuristic method for speeding up the calculation of minimum least squares errors. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methods through computational experiments using synthetic data and real microarray gene expression data. The results indicate that our methods exhibit good performance in terms of completing and inferring gene association networks with time-varying structures.
Moving Least Squares Method for a One-Dimensional Parabolic Inverse Problem
Authors: Wang Baiyu
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates the numerical solution of a class of one-dimensional inverse parabolic problems using the moving least squares approximation; the inverse problem is the determination of an unknown source term depending on time. The collocation method is used for solving the equation; some numerical experiments are presented and discussed to illustrate the stability and high efficiency of the method.
Disruption of Lipid Rafts Interferes with the Interaction ofToxoplasma gondiiwith Macrophages and Epithelial Cells
Authors: Cruz Karla Dias , Cruz Thayana Araújo , Veras de Moraes Gabriela , Paredes-Santos Tatiana Christina , Attias Marcia , de Souza Wanderley
Published: March 2014

The intracellular parasiteToxoplasma gondiican penetrate any warm-blooded animal cell. Conserved molecular assemblies of host cell plasma membranes should be involved in the parasite-host cell recognition. Lipid rafts are well-conserved membrane microdomains that contain high concentrations of cholesterol, sphingolipids, glycosylphosphatidylinositol, GPI-anchored proteins, and dually acylated proteins such as members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases. Disturbing lipid rafts of mouse peritoneal macrophages and epithelial cells of the lineage LLC-MK2 with methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MβCD) and filipin, which interfere with cholesterol or lidocaine, significantly inhibited internalization ofT. gondiiin both cell types, although adhesion remained unaffected in macrophages and decreased only in LLC-MK2 cells. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy confirmed these observations. Results are discussed in terms of the original role of macrophages as professional phagocytes versus the LLC-MK2 cell lineage originated from kidney epithelial cells.
Human Serum Albumin Cys34Oxidative Modifications following Infiltration in the Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Lepedda Antonio Junior , Zinellu Angelo , Nieddu Gabriele , De Muro Pierina , Carru Ciriaco , Spirito Rita , Guarino Anna , Piredda Franco , Formato Marilena
Published: March 2014

Objectives.To evaluate if the prooxidant environment present in atherosclerotic plaque may oxidatively modify filtered albumin.Methods.Fluorescein-5-maleimide labelled plasma samples and plaque extracts from 27 patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy were analysed through nonreducing SDS-PAGE for albumin-Cys34oxidation. Furthermore, degree and pattern of S-thiolation in both circulating and plaque-filtered albumin were assayed.Results.Albumin filtered in the atherosclerotic plaque showed higher levels of Cys34oxidative modifications than the corresponding circulating form as well as different patterns of S-thiolation.Conclusions.Data indicate that the circulating albumin, once filtered in plaque, undergoes Cys34oxidative modifications and demonstrate for the first time that albumin is a homocysteine and cysteinylglycine vehicle inside the plaque environment.
A Role of Lipid Metabolism during Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Maturation: Impact of Lipid Modulators to Improve Embryo Production
Authors: Prates E. G. , Nunes J. T. , Pereira R. M.
Published: March 2014

Oocyte intracellular lipids are mainly stored in lipid droplets (LD) providing energy for proper growth and development. Lipids are also important signalling molecules involved in the regulatory mechanisms of maturation and hence in oocyte competence acquisition. Recent studies show that LD are highly dynamic organelles. They change their shape, volume, and location within the ooplasm as well as their interaction with other organelles during the maturation process. The droplets high lipid content has been correlated with impaired oocyte developmental competence and low cryosurvival. Yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In particular, the lipid-rich pig oocyte might be an excellent model to understand the role of lipids and fatty acid metabolism during the mammalian oocyte maturation and their implications on subsequent monospermic fertilization and preimplantation embryo development. The possibility of using chemical molecules to modulate the lipid content of oocytes and embryos to improve cryopreservation as well as its biological effects during development is here described. Furthermore, these principles of lipid content modulation may be applied not only to germ cells and embryo cryopreservation in livestock production but also to biomedical fundamental research.
Carinal Resection and Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Primary Lung Cancer: Institutional Report
Authors: Matsumura Yuji , Minowa Muneo , Araki Osamu , Karube Yoko , Chida Masayuki
Published: March 2014

Carinal resection and reconstruction for lung cancer, termed carinaplasty, is a rare operation, and the procedure remains challenging and few reports have been presented. We analyzed complications, local control, and manner of recurrence in patients who underwent a carinaplasty and compared the results to those who underwent an ordinary bronchoplasty. Among 766 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer at our institutions, 82 bronchoplasty procedures were performed, while 6 of those who received a bronchoplasty underwent a carinaplasty. Three of 6 patients who received a carinaplasty underwent the montage method, and other 3 patients underwent the one-stoma method. There were no operative deaths in patients who underwent a carinaplasty, while there was 1 operative death in the group of patients who underwent an ordinary bronchoplasty. Complications in the anastomotic site were observed in 33% in the carinaplasty group and 5.3% in the ordinary bronchoplasty group (P=0.011). There was no significant difference in regard to local recurrence between the groups (P=0.620). In conclusion, our results show that a carinaplasty is a technically demanding but useful procedure to avoid a pneumonectomy in patients with locally advanced lung cancer.
Development of a Real-Time, Large Area, High Spatial Resolution Particle Tracker Based on Scintillating Fibers
Authors: Lo Presti D. , Bonanno D. L. , Longhitano F. , Pugliatti C. , Aiello S. , Cirrone G. A. P. , Giordano V. , Leonora E. , Randazzo N. , Reito S. , Romano F. , Russo G. V. , Russo M. , Sipala V. , Stancampiano C. , Ventura C.
Published: March 2014

The design of a detector for tracking charged particles is presented together with the characterization techniques developed to extract the main design specifications. The goals for the final detector are to achieve real-time imaging performances, a large detection area, and a high spatial resolution, particularly suitable for medical imaging applications. This paper describes the prototype of the tracker plane, which has a 20 × 20 cm2sensitive area consisting of two crossed ribbons of 500 μm square scintillating fibers. The information about the hit position extracted real-time tracker in an innovative way, using a reduced number of the read-out channels to obtain a very large detection area but with moderate costs and complexity. The performances of the tracker have been investigated usingβsources, cosmic rays, and a 62 MeV proton beam.
A Survey on Seifert Fiber Space Theorem
Authors: Préaux Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2014

We review the history of the proof of the Seifert fiber space theorem, as well as its motivations in 3-manifold topology and its generalizations.
External Validity and Model Validity: A Conceptual Approach for Systematic Review Methodology
Authors: Khorsan Raheleh , Crawford Cindy
Published: March 2014

Background. Evidence rankings do not consider equally internal (IV), external (EV), and model validity (MV) for clinical studies including complementary and alternative medicine/integrative health care (CAM/IHC) research. This paper describe this model and offers an EV assessment tool (EVAT©) for weighing studies according to EV and MV in addition to IV. Methods. An abbreviated systematic review methodology was employed to search, assemble, and evaluate the literature that has been published on EV/MV criteria. Standard databases were searched for keywords relating to EV, MV, and bias‐scoring from inception to Jan 2013. Tools identified and concepts described were pooled to assemble a robust tool for evaluating these quality criteria. Results. This study assembled a streamlined, objective tool to incorporate for the evaluation of quality of EV/MV research that is more sensitive to CAM/IHC research. Conclusion. Improved reporting on EV can help produce and provide information that will help guide policy makers, public health researchers, and other scientists in their selection, development, and improvement in their research‐tested intervention. Overall, clinical studies with high EV have the potential to provide the most useful information about “real‐world” consequences of health interventions. It is hoped that this novel tool which considers IV, EV, and MV on equal footing will better guide clinical decision making.
Opportunity Costs of REDD+ to the Communities of Mufindi District, Iringa, Tanzania
Authors: Nuru Faraji , Abdallah Jumanne Moshi , Ngaga Yonika Mathew
Published: March 2014

The study was done to assess the opportunity costs of REDD+ to the communities of Mufindi District which is located in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The specific objectives were, to identify and assess the economic value of alternative land uses, the aboveground carbon stock of Idewa Forest Reserve (IFR), and the profitability of each land use as compared to REDD+ incentives. Data were collected using questionnaire survey, key informant interview, and forest inventory and data were analyzed using the Excel programme. Results showed that the main land uses were agriculture and tree planting with economic values of $2958.52 and $3272.94 per ha per year, respectively. The total aboveground carbon was 39.23 t/ha (143.97/ha). The opportunity costs of REDD+ was varying depending on the price per ton of carbon. The opportunity costs of REDD+ will be profitable if the price per tCO2e will be at least $23. It can therefore be concluded that there is no general unit price per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), as it depends on REDD+ opportunity cost when compared with alternative land uses within a particular place. Therefore we recommend opportunity costs of REDD+ to communities be used to guide decision making on unit prices of carbon.
Role of the Vasa Vasorum and Vascular Resident Stem Cells in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kawabe Jun-ichi , Hasebe Naoyuki
Published: March 2014

Atherosclerosis is considered an “inside-out” response, that begins with the dysfunction of intimal endothelial cells and leads to neointimal plaque formation. The adventitia of large blood vessels has been recognized as an active part of the vessel wall that is involved in the process of atherosclerosis. There are characteristic changes in the adventitial vasa vasorum that are associated with the development of atheromatous plaques. However, whether vasa vasorum plays a causative or merely reactive role in the atherosclerotic process is not completely clear. Recent studies report that the vascular wall contains a number of stem/progenitor cells that may contribute to vascular remodeling. Microvessels serve as the vascular niche that maintains the resident stem/progenitor cells of the tissue. Therefore, the vasa vasorum may contribute to vascular remodeling through not only its conventional function as a blood conducting tube, but also its new conceptual function as a stem cell reservoir. This brief review highlights the recent advances contributing to our understanding of the role of the adventitial vasa vasorum in the atherosclerosis and discusses new concept that involves vascular-resident factors, the vasa vasorum and its associated vascular-resident stem cells, in the atherosclerotic process.
Parameter Studies on High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spraying of CoNiCrAlY Coatings Used in the Aeronautical Industry
Authors: Cabral-Miramontes J. A. , Gaona-Tiburcio C. , Almeraya-Calderón F. , Estupiñan-Lopez F. H. , Pedraza-Basulto G. K. , Poblano-Salas C. A.
Published: March 2014

The thermal spraying process is a surface treatment which does not adversely affect the base metal on which it is performed. The coatings obtained by HVOF thermal spray are employed in aeronautics, aerospace, and power generation industries. Alloys and coatings designed to resist oxidizing environments at high temperatures should be able to develop a surface oxide layer, which is thermodynamically stable, slowly growing, and adherent. MCrAlY type (M = Co, Ni or combination of both) coatings are used in wear and corrosion applications but also provide protection against high temperature oxidation and corrosion attack in molten salts. In this investigation, CoNiCrAlY coatings were produced employing a HVOF DJH 2700 gun. The work presented here focuses on the influences of process parameters of a gas-drive HVOF system on the microstructure, adherence, wear, and oxygen content of CoNiCrAlY. The results showed that spray distance significantly affects the properties of CoNiCrAlY coatings.
Crystallization and Structural Characterization of Dimeric and Trimeric Forms of (Neocuproine)CdFe(CO)4
Authors: Kolb Torsten , Arif Atta M. , Ernst Richard D.
Published: March 2014

The previously reported (neocuproine)CdFe(CO)4 has been found to crystallize as either a dimer or a trimer depending on the procedure used. These species exist as nearly planar four- and six-membered rings composed of alternating cadmium and iron atoms. The trimeric form is reasonably similar to its 2,2′-bipyridyl analogue, while the dimeric form had not been observed previously for a LxCdFe(CO)4 complex. The space group for the dimeric isomer is C2/c, with a=20.7044(3), b=12.2169(2), c=13.7837(2)  Å, and β=98.1226(11)°, while for the trimeric isomer the space group is P1̅, with a=14.5056(1), b=15.4331(1), c=17.3372(2)  Å, α=110.0059(3)°, β=104.2580(4)°, and γ=95.2796(5)°.
A Hybrid Approach of Using Symmetry Technique for Brain Tumor Segmentation
Authors: Saddique Mubbashar , Kazmi Jawad Haider , Qureshi Kalim
Published: March 2014

Tumor and related abnormalities are a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a superior modality due to its noninvasiveness and high quality images of both the soft tissues and bones. In this paper we present two hybrid segmentation techniques and their results are compared with well-recognized techniques in this area. The first technique is based on symmetry and we call it a hybrid algorithm using symmetry and active contour (HASA). In HASA, we take refection image, calculate the difference image, and then apply the active contour on the difference image to segment the tumor. To avoid unimportant segmented regions, we improve the results by proposing an enhancement in the form of the second technique, EHASA. In EHASA, we also take reflection of the original image, calculate the difference image, and then change this image into a binary image. This binary image is mapped onto the original image followed by the application of active contouring to segment the tumor region.
Toxic Damage Increases Angiogenesis and Metastasis in Fibrotic Livers via PECAM-1
Authors: Raskopf Esther , Gonzalez Carmona Maria Angeles , Van Cayzeele Christina Jay , Strassburg Christian , Sauerbruch Tilman , Schmitz Volker
Published: March 2014

Excessive ethanol consumption is one of the main causes of liver fibrosis. However, direct effects of ethanol exposure on endothelial cells and their contribution to fibrogenesis and metastasis were not investigated. Therefore we analysed whether ethanol directly affects endothelial cells and if this plays a role during fibrogenesis and metastasis in the liver. Murine and human endothelial cells were exposed to ethanol for up to 72 hours.In vitro, effects on VEGF, HIF-1alpha, PECAM-1, and endothelial cell functions were analysed.In vivo, effects of continuous liver damage on blood vessel formation and metastasis were analysed by PECAM-1 immunohistochemistry. Ethanol increased HIF-1alpha and VEGF levels in murine and human endothelial cells. This resulted in enhanced intracellular signal transduction, and PECAM-1 expression as well as tube formation and wound healing.In vivo, toxic liver damage increased angiogenesis during fibrogenesis. Metastasis was also enhanced in fibrotic livers and located to PECAM-1 positive blood vessels compared to nonfibrotic mice. In conclusion, ethanol had strong effects on endothelial cells, which—at least in part—led to a profibrotic and prometastatic environment mediated by PECAM-1. Blockade of increased PECAM-1 expression could be a promising tool to inhibit fibrogenesis and metastasis in the liver.
Safety and Efficacy of Misoprostol versus Oxytocin for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Rajaei Minoo , Karimi Samieh , Shahboodaghi Zohreh , Mahboobi Hamidreza , Khorgoei Tahereh , Rajaei Farzam
Published: March 2014

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the commonest cause of maternal death worldwide. Studies suggest that the use of misoprostol may be beneficial in clinical settings where oxytocin is unavailable. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of oxytocin and misoprostol when used in the prevention of PPH. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 400 pregnant women who had a vaginal delivery were assigned into two groups: to receive either 20 IU of oxytocin in 1000 mL Ringer’s solution and two placebo tablets or 400 mcg oral misoprostol (as two tablets) and 2 mL normal saline in 1000 mL Ringer’s solution. The quantity of blood loss was higher in the oxytocin group in comparison to the misoprostol group. There was no significant difference in the decrease in hematocrit and hemoglobin between the two groups. Although there was no significant difference in the need for transfusions between the two groups, the patients in the oxytocin group had greater need for additional oxytocin. Results from this study indicate that it may be considered as an alternative for oxytocin in low resource clinical settings. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01863706.
Mechanical Behavior of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Aqueous Cast Tapes and Laminates
Authors: Moreno V. , Bernardino R. M. , Hotza D.
Published: March 2014

Aqueous tape casting was used to produce yttria-stabilized zirconia films for electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Tape casting slurries were prepared varying the binder content between 20 and 25 wt%. A commercial acrylic emulsion served as binder. Rheological measurements of the two slurries were performed. Both slurries showed a shear-thinning behavior. Tapes with 25 wt% binder exhibited adequate flexibility and a smooth and homogeneous surface, free of cracks and other defects. Suitable conditions of lamination were found and a theoretical density of 54% in the laminates was achieved. Laminated tapes showed higher tensile strength compared to single sheets. Tape orientation has a significant influence on the mechanical properties. Tensile strength, elongation to strain, and Young’s modulus measured in samples produced in the direction of casting showed higher property values.
Numeric Evaluation on the System Efficiency of the EPC Gen-2 UHF RFID Tag Collision Resolution Protocol in Error Prone Air Interface
Authors: Yan Xin-Qing , Liu Yang , Li Bin , Liu Xue-Mei
Published: March 2014

Efficient resolution of the tag collisions is the key for the RFID systems to be universally adopted. To resolve the tag collision occurred in the UHF RFID system, the EPC Gen-2 protocol, proposed by the EPCglobal Inc., was adopted as an international standard and have been widely accepted in industry. However, little research works has been taken to evaluate the performance of this protocol in nonperfect and error prone air interface. In this paper, to evaluate the performance of the EPC Gen-2 protocol, a system efficiency model is proposed, and, based on the model, numeric simulations are performed to evaluate the EPC Gen-2 protocol in error prone air interface. Simulation results reveal that the system efficiency of the EPC Gen-2 protocol is seriously affected by the capture and noise effects.
On the Expected Discounted Penalty Function for the Classical Risk Model with Potentially Delayed Claims and Random Incomes
Authors: Zhu Huiming , Huang Ya , Yang Xiangqun , Zhou Jieming
Published: March 2014

We focus on the expected discounted penalty function of a compound Poisson risk model with random incomes and potentially delayed claims. It is assumed that each main claim will produce a byclaim with a certain probability and the occurrence of the byclaim may be delayed depending on associated main claim amount. In addition, the premium number process is assumed as a Poisson process. We derive the integral equation satisfied by the expected discounted penalty function. Given that the premium size is exponentially distributed, the explicit expression for the Laplace transform of the expected discounted penalty function is derived. Finally, for the exponential claim sizes, we present the explicit formula for the expected discounted penalty function.
Bearing Degradation Process Prediction Based on the Support Vector Machine and Markov Model
Authors: Dong Shaojiang , Yin Shirong , Tang Baoping , Chen Lili , Luo Tianhong
Published: March 2014

Predicting the degradation process of bearings before they reach the failure threshold is extremely important in industry. This paper proposed a novel method based on the support vector machine (SVM) and the Markov model to achieve this goal. Firstly, the features are extracted by time and time-frequency domain methods. However, the extracted original features are still with high dimensional and include superfluous information, and the nonlinear multifeatures fusion technique LTSA is used to merge the features and reduces the dimension. Then, based on the extracted features, the SVM model is used to predict the bearings degradation process, and the CAO method is used to determine the embedding dimension of the SVM model. After the bearing degradation process is predicted by SVM model, the Markov model is used to improve the prediction accuracy. The proposed method was validated by two bearing run-to-failure experiments, and the results proved the effectiveness of the methodology.
Brain Embolism Secondary to Cardiac Myxoma in Fifteen Chinese Patients
Authors: Long Youming , Gao Cong
Published: March 2014

Background. Heart myxoma-related embolisms commonly involve the central nervous system, but data are lacking in Chinese patients.Methods. 27 patients diagnosed with myxoma were reviewed retrospectively.Results. Among 27 patients, fourteen (51.9%) patients were women. Fifteen (55.6%) patients had brain embolisms. Rarely, patients were misdiagnosed with central nervous system vasculitis (n= 2), moyamoya disease (n= 1), and neuromyelitis optica (n= 1). We found positive associations between mRS (>3) and female gender (r= 0.873,P<0.0001), infection (r= 0.722,P= 0.002), severe complications (r= 0.722,P= 0.002), systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <120 mmHg (r= 0.6,P= 0.018), WBC count of >10×109/L (r= 0.722,P= 0.002), tumour size (r= 0.866,P<0.0001), bilateral brain lesions (r= 0.60,P= 0.018), and total anterior circulation infarction (TACI) (r= 0.667,P= 0.007). The independent relationships among these factors and outcomes could not be confirmed (P>0.05).Conclusions. Neurologic manifestations in Chinese patients with cardiac myxoma-related stroke were complicated and multifarious. Female gender, infection, other severe complications, low SBP, tumour size, bilateral brain lesions, TACI, and high WBC counts could be associated with a poor prognosis.
Immersion and Invariance‐Based Coordinated Generator Excitation and SVC Control for Power Systems
Authors: Kanchanaharuthai Adirak
Published: March 2014

A nonlinear coordinated control of excitation and SVC of an electrical power system is proposed for transient stability, and voltage regulation enhancement after the occurrence of a large disturbance and a small perturbation. Using the concept of Immersion and Invariance (I&I) design methodology, the proposed nonlinear controller is used to not only achieve power angle stability, frequency and voltage regulation but also ensure that the closed‐loop system is transiently and asymptotically stable. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller design, the simulation results illustrate that, in spite of the case where a large perturbation occurs on the transmission line or there is a small perturbation to mechanical power inputs, the proposed controller can not only keep the system transiently stable but also simultaneously accomplish better dynamic properties of the system as compared to operation with the existing controllers designed through a coordinated passivation technique controller and a feedback linearization scheme, respectively.
NonHodgkin's Lymphoma with Peritoneal Localization
Authors: Curakova E. , Genadieva-Dimitrova M. , Misevski J. , Caloska-Ivanova V. , Andreevski V. , Todorovska B. , Isahi U. , Trajkovska M. , Misevska P. , Joksimovic N. , Genadieva-Stavric S. , Antovic S. , Jankulovski N.
Published: March 2014

The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site involved with lymphoma accounting for 5–20% of all cases. Lymphoma can occur at any site of the body, but diffuse and extensive involvement of the peritoneal cavity is unusual and rare. We report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a 57-year-old female infiltrating the peritoneum and omentum and presenting with ascites and pleural effusion. The performed examinations did not discover any pathological findings affecting the digestive tract or parenchymal organs, except for diffuse thickening of the peritoneum and omentum. Peripheral, mediastinal, or retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy was not registered. The blood count revealed only elevated leukocytes and on examination there were no immature blood cells in the peripheral blood. The cytology from the ascites and pleural effusion did not detect any malignant cells. Due to the rapid disease progression the patient died after twenty-two days of admission. The diagnosis was discovered postmortem with the histological examination and immunohistochemical study of the material taken during the surgical laparoscopy performed four days before the lethal outcome. Although cytology is diagnostic in most cases, laparoscopy with peritoneal biopsy is the only procedure which can establish the definitive diagnosis of peritoneal lymphomatosis.