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Work productivity loss (WPL) is a major contributor to the indirect costs of psoriasis. Newer biologic therapies are effective at reducing disease symptoms and improving quality of life, but their impact on WPL and associated indirect cost savings compared to previously approved biologic therapies is largely unknown. To compare the effects of guselkumab and adalimumab on WPL and associated indirect cost savings in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Using data from the VOYAGE 1 (NCT02207231) trial, improvements from baseline in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) work/study domain scores were compared for patients receiving guselkumab or adalimumab at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment. Improvements in WPL and associated cost savings were calculated using a previously established DLQI-WPL algorithm. Among patients who could not work/study at baseline (DLQI work/study domain score = 3), a significantly greater proportion of guselkumab-treated patients could work/study without problems (DLQI work/study domain score = 0) than adalimumab-treated patients at Weeks 24 and 48. Improvements from baseline in WPL and associated cost savings were greater with guselkumab than with adalimumab at Week 48. Guselkumab was superior to adalimumab for improvement in WPL and associated indirect cost savings, and its use may reduce the economic burden of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of precision moulding mechanism for cylindrical gears with arcuate tooth trace (arc gear), the equation for tooth flank of arc gear was derived preliminarily and the ideal concave and convex tooth flanks were got by MATLAB simulation to achieve graphics rendering. On this basis, with UG NX8.0, the accurate three-dimensional modelling of arc gear was established to be used for the finite element analysis. Then, for the problem that there is no standardised bending strength calculation formula of arc gear, with the aid of finite element method (FEM) this paper studied the relationship between tooth line radius and bending strength. With FEM analysis performed, it was confirmed that under the same conditions, the bending strength of arc gear could be significantly improved compared with that of spur gear and helical gear, and that variation curve of tooth root stress was obtained under the different tooth line radius. Therefore, the analysis method provides engineering applications value under the high-speed and heavy-load working conditions and theoretical basis for the strength theory and design of arc gear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-time block code and spatial multiplexing are promising approaches that exploit the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel to provide high diversity and multiplexing gain without sacrifice in bandwidth. In this paper, a hybrid MIMO scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems is proposed to achieve various multiplexing gains according to the channel condition. The existing hybrid MIMO schemes are appropriate for limited integer multiplexing rates without taking into account the channel condition, whereas the proposed scheme can attain various multiplexing rates according to the channel condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and osteoporosis are age-related diseases in older aged women. Both POP and bone metabolism may be associated with collagen metabolism. Our study determined the relationship between POP and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femur neck in postmenopausal women. We selected 554 postmenopausal women (aged 50-79 years) and divided them into two groups (moderate to severe POP and absent to mild POP). We compared the BMDs of the lumbar spine and femur neck between the moderate to severe POP and absent to mild POP groups. Lumbar spine BMD was inversely correlated with POP severity (p = 0.001). However, after adjusting for age, time since menopause, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and vaginal delivery, the BMDs of both the lumbar spine and femur neck were not significantly different between the moderate to severe POP and absent to mild POP groups (p = 0.583 and p = 0.305, respectively). A lower BMD is associated with increased fracture risk and we postulated that women with severe POP would have an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N atom is one of the most frequent foreign interstitial atoms in α-iron along with C atoms. The Fe–C potential has been well-developed and can reproduce many significant interactions of C with point defects present in α-iron. However, there exists no satisfactory Fe–N potential to describe the interactions of N with point defects. Here, we develop a many-body potential for N in α-iron. The potential parameters are determined by fitting to ab initio data, which includes energetics, configurations, and relaxations of Fe atoms close to N atom. This potential successfully describes the interactions of Fe–N across a wide range of defect environments. The potential employs the embedded atom method form and hence is appropriate for large-scale molecular dynamics simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: T-cell-specific T-box transcription factor (T-bet) is a member of the T-box family of transcription factors regulating type 1 T-helper (Th1) cell development and is thought to be linked with several autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether T-bet gene ( TBX21) polymorphisms or its haplotypes are associated with SLE in a Chinese population. Methods: The study included 248 cases with SLE and 261 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. The polymorphisms T-1993C (rs4794067) and T-1514C (rs17250932) in the TBX21 promoter were identified by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Results: The frequency of both the -1993T and the -1514T allele were significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls. By haplotype analysis, there was significantly decreased frequency of the haplotype at positions -1993C/-1514C in the case group compared with the control group (p = 0.0002). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with CC/CC haplotype homozygotes had a decreased susceptibility to SLE [p = 0.0004, odds ratio (OR) 0.316, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.167–0.599]. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the -1993C/-1514C haplotype may be a protective factor for genetic susceptibility to SLE in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle Miocene Climate Optimum (MMCO), which occurred at about 15 Ma, is the most recent global warming episode. Given the fact that no dramatic tectonic movement had taken place, this historical warming episode mirrors the present warming event induced mostly by human activities. Proxy data indicate that the MMCO had a global mean surface temperature of ∼3-4°C higher than the present, equivalent to the warming predicted for the next century by the mid-range scenarios of the IPCC Fourth Report (AR4). With this comparable magnitude of warming, it is therefore of scientific interest to examine whether or not the present warming is similar to the MMCO warming. Since the MMCO boundary conditions such as paleogeography and paleobathymetry were not greatly different from today, contentious scientific issues on possible forcing mechanisms can be assessed. The MMCO climate was simulated using the latest National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model CAM3.1 and Land Model CLM3.0 coupled to a slab ocean model. Two simulations were conducted, the MG700 with a near-present equator-pole meridional sea-surface temperature (SST) gradient and a CO2 level of 700 ppmv and the HG350 with a higher equator-pole meridional SST gradient and a CO2 level of 350 ppmv. These two simulations give the closest proxy global mean surface temperature of 18.4°C with a difference of ±0.6°C. This study analyses these two simulations and provides an insight into possible mechanisms of the MMCO. Results show that the north and south poles respond differently to a 50% reduction in CO2 from the upper bound value of 700 ppmv (an approximate doubling of the present CO2) and a change in equator-pole meridional SST gradient. The Arctic response to a 50% reduction in CO2 is balanced by a 50% decrease in surface temperature but shows no response to the increase in equator-pole meridional SST gradient. The Antarctic situation is opposite to the Arctic: the western Antarctic's response to the increase in the equator-pole meridional SST gradient is nearly balanced by a doubling of the maximum surface temperature, but shows no response to a 50% reduction in CO2; the eastern Antarctic shows a weak response to either a 50% reduction in CO2 or to an increase in the equator-pole meridional SST gradient. This may explain why the Arctic warms much more than the Antarctic in the MMCO and the decoupling of CO2 with temperature as determined by the proxy SST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO), which occurred between 17 and 15 Ma, was the last of a series of warming events to have punctuated the Cenozoic and is the warmest the planet has been since 35 Ma (∼6°C warmer than present at middle latitudes). Paradoxically, CO2 concentrations during the MMCO are reported at present-day values or less and an explanation for warming has yet to be established. We test the sensitivity of version three of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) and Community Land Model (CLM) to changes in Middle Miocene paleotopography using prescribed sea-surface temperatures. We create four separate global paleotopography datasets based on altered Andean and Tibetan Plateau elevations as well as changes to global sea-level. We find that the largest warming is achieved with a lowering of the Tibetan Plateau from 4700 to 2600 m, resulting in a local temperature increase of up to 9°C—consistent with the modern-day lapse rate measured in China—and a global mean ground temperature increase of 0.5°C. An additional effect of this lowering is to weaken the summer and winter monsoons, and we discuss implications such changes may have for coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations. We conclude that while changes to topography significantly affect local temperatures, they do little to reconcile the disagreement between temperature and CO2 measurements derived from the geological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a computationally efficient approach of estimating a sampling frequency offset (SFO) in multi-band ultra wideband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems. In order to devise the post-FFT based SFO estimator with low complexity, the partial pilot subset is chosen such that it provides an equivalent estimation performance to the conventional SFO estimator using the full pilot symbols. Mean square error of the low-overhead frequency estimation scheme is derived and simulation results are provided to verify our analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a joint estimation of carrier frequency offset and sampling frequency offset is suggested for multi-band ultra-wideband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (UWB-OFDM) systems. The basic idea of our approach is based on the fact that two adjacent OFDM symbols carry the identical information in the UWB-OFDM system, thus removing the need of pilot symbols. The system performance of using our algorithm is demonstrated in terms of mean square error and bit error rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, the loss of orthogonality between the subcarriers due to carrier frequency offset (CFO) can degrade the performance of the system. In this paper, a residual CFO synchronization method is proposed for ultra wideband OFDM (UWB-OFDM) systems. The proposed fine frequency synchronization scheme uses a channel estimation sequence and physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header information which are equipped with frequency-domain spreading. A UWB-OFDM receiver with algorithm for fine frequency error synchronization is simulated and is evaluated in terms of mean square error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fine carrier frequency offset synchronizer is presented for ultra-wideband multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (UWB MB-OFDM) systems. The proposed scheme uses a channel estimation (CE) sequence provided in the current UWB MB-OFDM system and is designed to be insensitive to a sampling clock frequency offset. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed fine frequency synchronizer, comparisons are made with the conventional frequency synchronizer in terms of mean square error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with multiband frequency hopping (FH) is regarded as a promising solution for realizing ultra-wideband (UWB) systems. This paper deals with a modified maximum likelihood approach for frequency ambiguity resolution in the multiband UWB system. By using computer simulation, the synchronization performance of the traditional and proposed methods is evaluated in terms of probability of synchronization failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant activity in longan fruit were investigated during storage. Fruits were dipped for 5 mm in a solution containing 1 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor. They were then packed into polyethylene bags and stored for 6 d at 28°C. Changes in pericarp browning index, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the rate of superoxide production, the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT), α,αdiphenyl-β-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and reducing power were measured. Treatment with SNP inhibited pericarp browning and suppressed increases in membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation. These effects were associated with lower LOX activity, higher APX and CAT activities, better maintenance of DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, and lower superoxide production rate. However, SOD activity was higher in control (non-SNP- treated) fruit than in SNP-treated fruit over the first 4 d of storage. Overall, these findings suggest that treatment with NO enhanced the anti-oxidant activity in pericarp tissue of longan fruit during storage, and contributed to reduced lipid peroxidation. Reduced lipid damage apparently maintained the compartmentation of enzymes and substrates and, thereby, lessened enzymatic browning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background IFN-α has been shown to be effective against hematologic malignancies. However, it is ineffective against most solid tumors and has not been satisfactory because of its toxicity. Methods The NGR (Asn-Gly-Arg) peptide is a tumor-homing peptide. In order to increase the anti-tumor activity of IFN-α2a and lower the dose, we coupled a cyclic NGR peptide with the C terminus of IFN-α2a (named IFN-α2a-NGR). Results The fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. The purity of IFN-α2a-NGR was >98% and the final purification yield of IFN-α2a-NGR was approximately 18 mg/L. The anti-tumor efficacy and the binding ability of IFN-α2a-NGR with tumor vasculature were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Discussion Our study has demonstrated that the anti-tumor efficacy of IFN-α2a-NGR is significantly increased in comparison with IFN-α2a, and IFN-α2a-NGR could selectively target tumor vessels. These data indicate that the tumor-homing peptide (NGR) can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-α2a against tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is concerned with the inverse problem to retrieve the shape of a three dimensional obstacle from near-field measurements of the scattering of time-harmonic point source waves. A numerical method for solving the inverse obstacle scattering problem is presented, which is achieved by solving an ill-posed linear system and a well-posed minimization problem independently. Such a separate numerical treatment for the ill-posedness and nonlinearity of the inverse problem makes the numerical implementation of the proposed method very easy and fast since there involves only the solution of a small scale minimization problem with one unknown function in the nonlinear optimization step for reconstructing the shape of the obstacle. Another attractive feature of the scheme is that it needs only the knowledge of the near-field measurements of the scattered fields due to point source incident fields at a finite number of incidence and observation points distributed over a limited aperture. Some numerical examples based on synthetic near-field data are given, showing that this method produces reasonable reconstructions for low wavenumbers even when the incidence and observation aperture is as small as the possible π/4 solid angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered double hydroxides are antitype 2/1 clay minerals that can be synthesized rapidly under laboratory conditions. Due to their high anion exchange capacities, layered double hydroxides have been investigated as potential adsorbents for removal of anionic contaminants from aqueous systems. In this study, uncalcined and calcined layered double hydroxides were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, with the products evaluated for their ability to adsorb As(III) in aqueous solutions. Results indicated that As(III) could be adsorbed on chloride layered double hydroxide and calcined layered double hydroxide, but no adsorption occurred for carbonate layered double hydroxide. The adsorption isotherms of As(III) on chloride layered double hydroxide and calcined layered double hydroxide were typical L and H-type curves, respectively. The adsorption of As(III) on calcined layered double hydroxide was a slow process and reached a quasi-equilibrium after a 20 hr reaction time. The layered double hydroxides had high pH buffering capacities and the As(III) adsorption on calcined layered double hydroxide was a function of pH. Competing anions strongly affected adsorption, with As(III) adsorption increasing in the order: HPO4 2− < SO4 2− < CO3 2− < F− < Cl− < Br− ≈ I− < NO3 −. Adsorbed As(III) on calcined layered double hydroxide could be desorbed by different anions, but there was no systematic relationship between As(III) desorption and anion affinities for the calcined layered double hydroxide. Calcination immobilized the As(III) adsorbed on calcined layered double hydroxides. Although layered double hydroxides could be recycled and used as an adsorbent, its adsorption efficiency was reduced with successive treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]