bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution and compositional variations of plasma ions in Mercury's space environment: The first three Mercury years of MESSENGER observations
Authors: Raines Jim M. , Gershman Daniel J. , Zurbuchen Thomas H. , Sarantos Menelaos , Slavin James A. , Gilbert Jason A. , Korth Haje , Anderson Brian J. , Gloeckler George , Krimigis Stamatios M. , Baker Daniel N. , McNutt Ralph L. , Solomon Sean C.
Published: December 2012

We have analyzed measurements of planetary ions near Mercury made by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) over the first three Mercury years of orbital observations (25 March 2011 through 31 December 2011). We determined the composition and spatial distributions of the most abundant species in the regions sampled by the MESSENGER spacecraft during that period. In particular, we here focus on altitude dependence and relative abundances of species in a variety of spatial domains. We used observed density as a proxy for ambient plasma density, because of limitations to the FIPS field of view. We find that the average observed density is 3.9 × 10–2 cm–3 for He2+, 3.4 × 10–4 cm–3 for He+, 8.0 × 10–4 cm–3 for O+‐group ions, and 5.1 × 10–3 cm–3 for Na+‐group ions. Na+‐group ions are particularly enhanced over other planetary ions (He+ and O+ group) in the northern magnetospheric cusp (by a factor of ~2.0) and in the premidnight sector on the nightside (by a factor of ~1.6). Within 30° of the equator, the average densities of all planetary ions are depressed at the subsolar point relative to the dawn and dusk terminators. The effect is largest for Na+‐group ions, which are 49% lower in density at the subsolar point than at the terminators. This depression could be an effect of the FIPS energy threshold. The three planetary ion species considered show distinct dependences on altitude and local time. The Na+ group has the smallest e‐folding height at all dayside local times, whereas He+ has the largest. At the subsolar point, the e‐folding height for Na+‐group ions is 590 km, and that for the O+ group and He+ is 1100 km. On the nightside and within 750 km of the geographic equator, Na+‐group ions are enhanced in the premidnight sector. This enhancement is consistent with nonadiabatic motion and may be observational evidence that nonadiabatic effects are important in Mercury's magnetosphere.
Methanol oxidation by temperate soils and environmental determinants of associated methylotrophs
Authors: Stacheter Astrid , Noll Matthias , Lee Charles K , Selzer Mirjam , Glowik Beate , Ebertsch Linda , Mertel Ralf , Schulz Daria , Lampert Niclas , Drake Harold L , Kolb Steffen
Published: December 2012

The role of soil methylotrophs in methanol exchange with the atmosphere has been widely overlooked. Methanol can be derived from plant polymers and be consumed by soil microbial communities. In the current study, methanol-utilizing methylotrophs of 14 aerated soils were examined to resolve their comparative diversities and capacities to utilize ambient concentrations of methanol. Abundances of cultivable methylotrophs ranged from 106–108 gsoilDW−1. Methanol dissimilation was measured based on conversion of supplemented 14C-methanol, and occurred at concentrations down to 0.002 μmol methanol gsoilDW−1. Tested soils exhibited specific affinities to methanol (a0s=0.01 d−1) that were similar to those of other environments suggesting that methylotrophs with similar affinities were present. Two deep-branching alphaproteobacterial genotypes of mch responded to the addition of ambient concentrations of methanol (⩽0.6 μmol methanol gsoilDW−1) in one of these soils. Methylotroph community structures were assessed by amplicon pyrosequencing of genes of mono carbon metabolism (mxaF, mch and fae). Alphaproteobacteria-affiliated genotypes were predominant in all investigated soils, and the occurrence of novel genotypes indicated a hitherto unveiled diversity of methylotrophs. Correlations between vegetation type, soil pH and methylotroph community structure suggested that plant–methylotroph interactions were determinative for soil methylotrophs.
Magnetic interactions in Ge1−xCrxTe semimagnetic semiconductors
Authors: Kilanski L. , Podgórni A. , Dobrowolski W. , Górska M. , Reszka A. , Kowalski B. J. , Domukhovski V. , Szczerbakow A. , Szałowski K. , Anderson J. R. , Butch N. P. , Slynko V. E. , Slynko E. I.
Published: December 2012

We present the studies of magnetic properties of Ge1-xCrxTe diluted magnetic semiconductor with changeable chemical composition 0.016≤x≤0.061. A spin-glass state (at T≤35 K) for x = 0.016 and 0.025 and a ferromagnetic phase (at T<60 K) for x≥0.030 are observed. The long range carrier-mediated magnetic interactions are found to be responsible for the observed magnetic ordering for x<0.045, while for x≥0.045 the spinodal decomposition of Cr ions leads to a maximum and decrease of the Curie temperature, TC, with increasing x. The calculations based on spin waves model are able to reproduce the observed magnetic properties at a homogeneous limit of Cr alloying, e.g., x<0.04, and prove that carrier mediated Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction is responsible for the observed magnetic states. The value of the Cr-hole exchange integral, Jpd, estimated via fitting of the experimental results with the theoretical model, is in the limits 0.77…0.88 eV.
Numerical study of pulsatile channel flows undergoing transition triggered by a modelled stenosis
Authors: Molla Md. Mamun , Wang Bing-Chen , Kuhn David C. S.
Published: December 2012

In this research, we numerically investigate the physics of pulsatile flows confined within a 3-dimensional channel with a modelled stenosis formed eccentrically on the upper wall using the method of large-eddy simulation (LES). An advanced dynamic nonlinear subgrid-scale stress model was utilized to conduct numerical simulations and its predictive performance was examined in comparison with that of the conventional dynamic model. The Womersley number tested in the simulation was fixed at 10.5 and the Reynolds numbers tested were set to 750 and 2000, which are characteristics of human blood flows in large arteries. An in-house LES code, based on curvilinear Cartesian coordinates, has been developed to conduct the unsteady numerical simulations using three different grid systems. The physical characteristics of the flow field have been studied in terms of the resolved mean velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, viscous wall shear stress, resolved and subgrid-scale turbulent shear stresses, local kinetic energy fluxes between the filtered and subgrid scales, and turbulence energy spectra along the central streamline of the domain. Triggered by the stenosis, the flow field driven by the pulsatile inlet condition undergoes laminar-turbulent-laminar patterns in the streamwise direction. Correspondingly, the slope of the energy spectra deviates significantly from the well-known −5/3 law for the inertial subrange to reflect the transition in the flow patterns.
Impact of temperature-dependent hole injection on low-temperature electroluminescence collapse in ultraviolet light-emitting diodes
Authors: Moe Craig G. , Garrett Gregory A. , Rotella Paul , Shen Hongen , Wraback Michael , Shatalov Max , Sun Wenhong , Deng Jianyu , Hu Xuhong , Bilenko Yuri , Yang Jinwei , Gaska Remis
Published: December 2012

Optical and electronic properties of mid-ultraviolet light emitting diodes with a two-step p-AlGaN region are measured at temperatures from 8 to 300 K. While the electroluminescence intensity increases down to a temperature lower than that reported in InGaN light emitting diodes (LEDs), there is still a collapse at cryogenic temperatures. Capacitance-voltage measurements across the same range of temperatures reveal an increasing depletion region with decreasing temperature indicating that hole injection is a significant factor in the temperature dependent behavior, as well as the cause of electroluminescence collapse.
Effect of nonmagnetic zinc impurity on T
c in LaFe1−xZnxPO0.94F0.06 superconductors
Authors: Li Yuke , Lv Chen , Luo Yongkang , Yang Xiaojun , Shen Chengyi , Xu Di , Tao Qian , Cao Guanghan , Xu Zhu'an
Published: December 2012

We study the effect of nonmagnetic Zn impurity on superconductivity in the LaFe1−yZnyPO0.94F0.06 system by measuring the transport and magnetic properties. It is found that Zn doping drastically suppresses the superconducting transition temperature Tc. This is consistent with the theoretic prediction in the scenario of s±-wave or d-wave pairing.
Interface relaxation and band gap shift in epitaxial layers
Authors: Zhu Ziming , Zhang Ai , He Yan , Ouyang Gang , Yang Guowei
Published: December 2012

Although it is well known that the interface relaxation plays the crucial role for the electronic properties in semiconductor epitaxial layers, there is lack of a clear definition of relationship between interfacial bond-energy variation and interface bond-nature-factor (IBNF) in epitaxial layers before and after relaxation. Here we establish an analytical method to shed light on the relationship between the IBNF and the bond-energy change, as well as the relation with band offset in epitaxial layers from the perspective of atomic-bond-relaxation consideration and continuum mechanics. The theoretical predictions are consistent with the available evidences, which provide an atomistic understanding on underlying mechanism of interface effect in epitaxial nanostructures. Thus, it will be helpful for opening up to tailor physical-chemical properties of the epitaxial nanostructures to the desired specifications.
The Kondo effect and carrier transport in amorphous Cr-doped In2O3 thin films
Authors: Lin C. P. , Hsu C. Y. , Sun S. J. , Chou H.
Published: December 2012

Understanding the interaction between spin of the charge carriers and local magnetic moments in diluted magnetic oxide is an important issue for applications in spintronic devices. This study examines amorphous Cr-doped In2O3 diluted magnetic oxide thin films for the existence of the Kondo effect and a general s-d scattering effect on the magneto transport, as well as for the well known 3D weak localization effect that explains the low temperature transport behavior of transparent conducting oxides. The carrier transport behavior at low temperature can be accurately described and well fit by a combination of these effects. At temperatures lower than the minimum resistivity temperature, the Kondo effect dominates the magnetoresistance effect and is responsible for the enhancement of resistivity.
Growth of SrTiO3(110) film by oxide molecular beam epitaxy with feedback control
Authors: Feng Jiagui , Yang Fang , Wang Zhiming , Yang Yang , Gu Lin , Zhang Jiandi , Guo Jiandong
Published: December 2012

By controlling the growth of complex oxide films with atomic precision, emergent phenomena and fascinating properties have been discovered, and even been manipulated. With oxide molecular beam epitaxy (OMBE) we grow high-quality SrTiO3(110) films by evaporating Sr and Ti metals with separate controls of the open/close timing of the shutters. The incident electron beam angle of the reflective high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) is adjusted to make the (01) beam sensitive to surface chemical concentration. By monitoring such an intensity, we tune the shutter timing to synchronize the evaporation amount of Sr and Ti in real-time. The intensity is further used as a feedback control signal for automatic growth optimization to fully compensate the possible fluctuation of the source flux rates upon extended growth. A 22 nm-thick film is obtained with the precision of metal cation stoichiometry better than 0.5%.
The role of specialisation in the promotion of young football talents: A person‐oriented study
Authors: Zibung Marc , Conzelmann Achim
Published: December 2012

This paper investigates the controversial question whether it is more effective to promote specialisation in a specific sport at the beginning of a career or whether to encourage a broad range of sports when promoting competitive sports talents in order for them to achieve a high level of performance in adulthood. The issue of promoting talents depends on human developmental processes and therefore raises developmental scientific questions. Based on recent, dynamic‐interactionist concepts of development, we assume a person‐oriented approach focussing on the person as a whole rather than individual features. Theoretical considerations lead to four interacting factors being summarised to form a subsystem: childhood training. The relative weights of these factors lead to patterns. By relating these to a performance criterion at the age of peak performance, particularly promising developmental patterns may be identified. One hundred fifty‐nine former Swiss football talents were retrospectively interviewed about their career and the data analysed using the LICUR method. Two early career patterns were identified as having a favourable influence on adult performance. Both are characterised by an above‐average amount of in‐club training. One pattern also exhibits an above‐average amount of informal football played outside the club, the other above‐average scores for activity in other sports. Hence, comprehensive training and practice inside and outside the club form the basis for subsequent football expertise.
Monosporascus eutypoides, a Cause of Root Rot and Vine Decline in Tunisia, and Evidence that M. cannonballus and M. eutypoides Are Distinct Species
Authors: Salem I. Ben , Correia K. C. , Boughalleb N. , Michereff S. J. , León M. , Abad-Campos P. , García-Jiménez J. , Armengol J.
Published: December 2012

Three Monosporascus eutypoides–like isolates recovered from cucurbit plants with symptoms of Monosporascus root rot and vine decline in Tunisia were compared to 28 isolates of M. cannonballus from 12 countries for phenotypic, genomic, and pathogenicity characteristics. Morphologically, M. cannonballus and M. eutypoides–like cultures were similar, each producing fertile perithecia in culture containing globose, smooth, dark brown to black ascospores. Nevertheless, all M. cannonballus isolates had one ascospore per ascus, while M. eutypoides–like isolates had mainly two to three ascospores per ascus (rarely one). The employment of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, the elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), and the β-tubulin (β-tub) gene sequence diversity analyses and the resulting phylogenies identified a level of polymorphism that enabled separation of M. cannonballus and M. eutypoides–like isolates. All isolates of M. cannonballus had identical EF-1α and β-tub sequences irrespective of very diverse geographic origins, which were different from the EF-1α and β-tub sequences of the M. eutypoides–like isolates (96 and 97% similarity, respectively). Similar results were obtained for the ITS region of rDNA. In addition, of three M. eutypoides–like isolates tested for pathogenicity, all three were pathogenic on watermelon, two were pathogenic on muskmelon, but only one was pathogenic on cucumber. The results demonstrate that the M. eutypoides–like isolates belong to the species M. eutypoides, and that M. cannonballus and M. eutypoides are distinct species.
Functional Genomics Reveals That a Compact Terpene Synthase Gene Family Can Account for Terpene Volatile Production in Apple
Authors: Nieuwenhuizen Niels J. , Green Sol A. , Chen Xiuyin , Bailleul Estelle J.D. , Matich Adam J. , Wang Mindy Y. , Atkinson Ross G.
Published: December 2012

Terpenes are specialized plant metabolites that act as attractants to pollinators and as defensive compounds against pathogens and herbivores, but they also play an important role in determining the quality of horticultural food products. We show that the genome of cultivated apple (Malus domestica) contains 55 putative terpene synthase (TPS) genes, of which only 10 are predicted to be functional. This low number of predicted functional TPS genes compared with other plant species was supported by the identification of only eight potentially functional TPS enzymes in apple ‘Royal Gala’ expressed sequence tag databases, including the previously characterized apple (E,E)-α-farnesene synthase. In planta functional characterization of these TPS enzymes showed that they could account for the majority of terpene volatiles produced in cv Royal Gala, including the sesquiterpenes germacrene-D and (E)-β-caryophyllene, the monoterpenes linalool and α-pinene, and the homoterpene (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene. Relative expression analysis of the TPS genes indicated that floral and vegetative tissues were the primary sites of terpene production in cv Royal Gala. However, production of cv Royal Gala floral-specific terpenes and TPS genes was observed in the fruit of some heritage apple cultivars. Our results suggest that the apple TPS gene family has been shaped by a combination of ancestral and more recent genome-wide duplication events. The relatively small number of functional enzymes suggests that the remaining terpenes produced in floral and vegetative and fruit tissues are maintained under a positive selective pressure, while the small number of terpenes found in the fruit of modern cultivars may be related to commercial breeding strategies.
Trans-dimensional geoacoustic inversion of wind-driven ambient noise
Authors: Quijano Jorge E. , Dosso Stan E. , Dettmer Jan , Zurk Lisa M. , Siderius Martin
Published: December 2012

This letter applies trans-dimensional Bayesian geoacoustic inversion to quantify the uncertainty due to model selection when inverting bottom-loss data derived from wind-driven ambient-noise measurements. A partition model is used to represent the seabed, in which the number of layers, their thicknesses, and acoustic parameters are unknowns to be determined from the data. Exploration of the parameter space is implemented using the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm with parallel tempering, whereas jumps between parameterizations are controlled by a reversible-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Sediment uncertainty profiles from inversion of simulated and experimental data are presented.
Phylogenetic and Pathotypic Characterization of Newcastle Disease Viruses Circulating in West Africa and Efficacy of a Current Vaccine
Authors: Samuel Arthur , Nayak Baibaswata , Paldurai Anandan , Xiao Sa , Aplogan Gilbert L. , Awoume Kodzo A. , Webby Richard J. , Ducatez Mariette F. , Collins Peter L. , Samal Siba K.
Published: December 2012

Newcastle disease (ND) is a deadly avian disease worldwide. In Africa, ND is enzootic and causes large economic losses, but little is known about the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains circulating in African countries. In this study, 27 NDV isolates collected from apparently healthy chickens in live-bird markets of the West African countries Benin and Togo in 2009 were characterized. All isolates had polybasic fusion (F)-protein cleavage sites and were shown to be highly virulent in standard pathogenicity assays. Infection of 2-week-old chickens with two of the isolates resulted in 100% mortality within 4 days. Phylogenetic analysis of the 27 isolates based on a partial F-protein gene sequence identified three clusters: one containing all the isolates from Togo and one from Benin (cluster 2), one containing most isolates from Benin (cluster 3), and an outlier isolate from Benin (cluster 1). All the three clusters are related to genotype VII strains of NDV. In addition, the cluster of viruses from Togo contained a recently identified 6-nucleotide insert between the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and large polymerase (L) genes in a complete genome of an NDV isolate from this geographical region. Multiple strains that include this novel element suggest local emergence of a new genome length class. These results reveal genetic diversity within and among local NDV populations in Africa. Sequence analysis showed that the F and HN proteins of six West African isolates share 83.2 to 86.6% and 86.5 to 87.9% identities, respectively, with vaccine strain LaSota, indicative of considerable diversity. A vaccine efficacy study showed that the LaSota vaccine protected birds from morbidity and mortality but did not prevent shedding of West African challenge viruses.
Real-Time PCR Quantification of Methanobrevibacter oralis in Periodontitis
Authors: Bringuier Amélie , Khelaifia Saber , Richet Hervé , Aboudharam Gérard , Drancourt Michel
Published: December 2012

A real-time PCR assay developed to quantify
Methanobrevibacter oralis
indicated that its inoculum significantly correlated with periodontitis severity (
P
= 0.003), despite a nonsignificant difference in prevalence between controls (3/10) and patients (12/22) (
P
= 0.2, Fisher test). The
M. oralis
load can be used as a biomarker for periodontitis.
Dissecting the Role of COPI Complexes in Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Sun Eileen , He Jiang , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: December 2012

As an obligate pathogen, influenza virus requires host cell factors and compartments to mediate productive infection and to produce infectious progeny virus. Recently, several small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown screens revealed influenza virus host dependency proteins, all of which identified at least two subunits of the coat protein I (COPI) complex. COPI proteins oligomerize to form coated vesicles that transport contents between the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum, and they have also been reported to mediate endosomal trafficking. However, it remains unclear which steps in the influenza virus infection cycle rely on the COPI complex. Upon systematic dissection of the influenza virus infection cycle, from entry to progeny virion production, we found that prolonged exposure to COPI complex disruption through siRNA depletion resulted in significant defects in virus internalization and trafficking to late endosomes. Acute inhibition of COPI complex recruitment to the Golgi apparatus with pharmacological compounds failed to recapitulate the same entry defects as observed with the COPI-depleted cells but did result in specific decreases in viral membrane protein expression and assembly, leading to defects in progeny virion production. Taken together, our findings suggest that COPI complexes likely function indirectly in influenza virus entry but play direct roles in viral membrane protein expression and assembly.
Predation of hatchery-cultured juvenile red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in the wild
Authors: Daly Benjamin , Eckert Ginny L. , White Timothy D.
Published: December 2012

The ecologically and commercially important red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) is depleted throughout much of the North Pacific and thought to be recruitment-limited, making it an appropriate candidate for stock enhancement efforts. Information on predation of newly settled red king crabs in nearshore habitats is needed to assess the feasibility of large-scale releases. We tethered hatchery-cultured red king crabs of two sizes (range: 1.75–4.08 mm carapace width) in the field for 24 h trials in July and September 2011 and used underwater video cameras to identify predators and predation susceptibility. We identified hermit crabs (Pagurus spp.), Alaskan ronquil (Bathymaster caeruleofasciatus), Arctic shanny (Sticheus punctatus), northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra), and kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) as predators. Survival did not vary by body size or deployment month; however, small crabs were consumed sooner than large crabs. Most predation events occurred in daylight hours, with the exception of Alaskan ronquil. Our results suggest stock enhancement efforts should consider predator assemblages when developing release strategies. Future studies should investigate spatial variation in predation pressure at multiple locations on broad temporal scales to optimize release strategies and understand population-level effects.
Inflammatory cytokine TNF-α inhibits Na+–glutamine cotransport in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Talukder Jamilur R. , Boyd Brittney , Griffin Ashley , Jaima Antara , Rajendran Vazhaikkurichi M.
Published: December 2012

Glutamine (Gln), a preferred fuel source for enterocytes, is critical for intestinal epithelial cell integrity and barrier function. Chronic enteritis inhibits apical Na+–Gln cotransport. It is not known whether inflammatory cytokines that are secreted during inflammation inhibit Na+–Gln cotransport. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether TNF-α would affect apical Na+–Gln cotransport in intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, the presence of Na+–Gln cotransport was established by measuring Gln uptake in 10 days postconfluent IEC-6 cells grown on transwell plates. Cation, amino acid specificity, and siRNA transfection studies established that Na+–Gln cotransport is mediated via B0AT1. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence studies established the apical membrane localization of B0AT1 in IEC-6 cells. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibited Na+–Gln cotransport in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with an inhibitory concentration of 1.53 nmol·L−1. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses indicated that TNF-α did not alter B0AT1-specific transcripts or protein expression level. Kinetic studies revealed that TNF-α inhibited Na+–Gln cotransport by reducing the affinity of the cotransporters for Gln, and this effect was antagonized by genistein. Thus, we conclude that the TNF-α inhibition of Na+–Gln cotransport occurs at the post-translational level, and that the IEC-6 cell line is an excellent system to study the role of cytokines in Na+–Gln cotransport.
DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORM BASED CIRCUIT LAYOUT FINGERPRINTING USING CHAOTIC SYSTEM
Authors: LIAO CHEN , CHEN XIAODAO , HU SHIYAN
Published: December 2012

Tight time-to-market pressure requires CAD tools to heavily involve component reuse, or intellectual property (IP) reuse, which imposes intense security concerns on IP protection. For the IP providers, it is critical to protect their products against unauthorized reproduction. Thus, circuit layout fingerprinting becomes quite important which helps the IP providers to detect which user distributes the illegal IPs. However, previous works addressing the circuit fingerprinting all have large area and runtime overhead. In this paper, a novel efficient discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based key sensitive circuit layout fingerprinting technique using chaotic system is proposed. The new circuit layout fingerprinting technique targets to be applied after placement and routing, while before fabrication. Thus, it only slightly impacts the original design and introduces small runtime overhead as well. To further enhance the security, the chaotic system based on Fibonacci transformation is integrated. The experimental results demonstrate that our chaotic DWT-based technique largely outperforms a median-based technique for various attacks. The chaotic DWT-based technique improves the detection error rate by 68.5% for the gate swapping attack, by 65.8% for the random perturbation attack, by 54.8% for the partition-based perturbation attack and by 54.5% for the combined perturbation attack. In addition, the average wirelength overhead is only 0.0149% compared to the original design and the average runtime overhead is only 6.73 s. These demonstrate the effectiveness of our circuit layout fingerprinting technique.
High-intensity interval training increases in vivo oxidative capacity with no effect on Pi→ATP rate in resting human muscle
Authors: Larsen Ryan G. , Befroy Douglas E. , Kent-Braun Jane A.
Published: December 2012

Mitochondrial ATP production is vital for meeting cellular energy demand at rest and during periods of high ATP turnover. We hypothesized that high-intensity interval training (HIT) would increase ATP flux in resting muscle ( VPi→ATP) in response to a single bout of exercise, whereas changes in the capacity for oxidative ATP production ( Vmax) would require repeated bouts. Eight untrained men (27 ± 4 yr; peak oxygen uptake = 36 ± 4 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed six sessions of HIT (4–6 × 30-s bouts of all-out cycling with 4-min recovery). After standardized meals and a 10-h fast, VPi→ATPand Vmaxof the vastus lateralis muscle were measured using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 4 Tesla. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 15 h after the first training session, and 15 h after completion of the sixth session. VPi→ATPwas determined from the unidirectional flux between Piand ATP, using the saturation transfer technique. The rate of phosphocreatine recovery ( kPCr) following a maximal contraction was used to calculate Vmax. While kPCrand Vmaxwere unchanged after a single session of HIT, completion of six training sessions resulted in a ∼14% increase in muscle oxidative capacity ( P ≤ 0.004). In contrast, neither a single nor six training sessions altered VPi→ATP( P = 0.74). This novel analysis of resting and maximal high-energy phosphate kinetics in vivo in response to HIT provides evidence that distinct aspects of human skeletal muscle metabolism respond differently to this type of training.
High-fat/fructose feeding during prenatal and postnatal development in female rats increases susceptibility to renal and metabolic injury later in life
Authors: Flynn Elizabeth R. , Alexander Barbara T. , Lee Jonathan , Hutchens Zachary M. , Maric-Bilkan Christine
Published: December 2012

Accumulating evidence suggests that both an adverse prenatal and early postnatal environment increase susceptibility to renal and metabolic dysfunction later in life; however, whether exposure to adverse conditions during both prenatal and postnatal development act synergistically to potentiate the severity of renal and metabolic injury remains unknown. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a standard diet or a diet high in fat/fructose throughout pregnancy and lactation. After being weaned, female offspring were randomized to either standard diet or the high-fat/high-fructose diet, resulting in the following treatment groups: NF-NF, offspring of mothers fed a standard diet and fed a standard diet postnatally; NF-HF, offspring of mothers fed a standard diet and fed a high-fat/fructose diet postnatally; HF-NF, offspring of mothers fed a high-fat/fructose diet and fed a standard diet postnatally; HF-HF, offspring of mothers fed a high-fat/fructose diet and fed a high-fat/fructose diet postnatally. At the time of euthanasia (17 wk of age), HF-HF offspring weighed 30% more and had 110% more visceral fat than NF-NF offspring. The HF-HF offspring also had elevated blood glucose levels, glucose intolerance, 286% increase in urine albumin excretion, and 60% increase in glomerulosclerosis compared with NF-NF. In addition, HF-HF offspring exhibited a 100% increase in transforming growth factor-β protein expression and 116% increase in the abundance of infiltrated macrophages compared with the NF-NF offspring. These observations suggest that high-fat/fructose feeding during prenatal and throughout postnatal life increases the susceptibility to renal and metabolic injury later in life.
New Polarization Basis for Polarimetric Phased Array Weather Radar: Theory and Polarimetric Variables Measurement
Authors: Dong Jian , Liu Qingfu , Wang Xuesong
Published: December 2012

A novel scheme is developed for mitigating measurement biases in agile-beam polarimetric phased array weather radar. Based on the orthogonal Huygens source dual-polarized element model, a polarization measurement basis for planar polarimetric phased array radar (PPAR) is proposed. The proposed polarization basis is orthogonal to itself after a 90° rotation along the array’s broadside and can well measure the characteristics of dual-polarized element. With polarimetric measurements being undertaken in this polarization basis, the measurement biases caused by the unsymmetrical projections of dual-polarized element’s fields onto the local horizontal and vertical directions of radiated beam can be mitigated. Polarimetric variables for precipitation estimation and classification are derived from the scattering covariance matrix in horizontal and vertical polarization basis. In addition, the estimates of these parameters based on the time series data acquired with the new polarization basis are also investigated. Finally, autocorrelation methods for both the alternate transmission and simultaneous reception mode and the simultaneous transmission and simultaneous reception mode are developed.
Chyle Leak following Open Donor Nephrectomy: A Rare Complication—A Case Report
Authors: Harkar Sandeep , Singh Dharam Vir , Gupta Sanjay Kumar , Talwar Raghav , Rana Yajvender Pratap Singh
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Donor workup in renal transplantation is extensive. Despite this, chyle leakage following donor nephrectomy, a rare complication, has been reported in the literature. We encountered two cases of chyle leak in kidney donors in our series of open donor nephrectomies.Summary of Cases. After complete workup, standard open retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy with drain placement was performed in 684 living renal donors. We encountered chyle leak in two cases. The first case was a 33-year-old female who underwent an otherwise uneventful left donor nephrectomy but continued to have high drain output (upto 300–400 mL/24 hrs) in the postoperative period. The drain fluid was milky, raising the suspicion of chyle which was confirmed on biochemical analysis. The second case was a 42-year-old female with a similar case history. Both were managed conservatively with low-fat diet. The leak subsided spontaneously in three weeks and one week in the first and second patients, respectively. The drain was removed, and the patients remained symptom-free on followup.Conclusions. Both of our cases of chyle leak following open donor nephrectomy were managed successfully with conservative management. The management options and the experience of other centers are reviewed and discussed.
Autoantibodies in Senear-Usher Syndrome: Cross-Reactivity or Multiple Autoimmunity?
Authors: Pérez-Pérez María Elena , Avalos-Díaz Esperanza , Herrera-Esparza Rafael
Published: December 2012

Senear-Usher syndrome or pemphigus erythematosus is a pathology that overlaps clinically and serologically with pemphigus foliaceus and lupus erythematosus. Skin biopsies of patients with pemphigus erythematosus reveal acantholysis and deposits of immunoglobulins in desmosomes, and they are positive in the lupus band test. In the present paper, we determined whether the autoantibodies associated with pemphigus erythematosus targeted a single antigen or multiple antigens as a result of the stimulation of independent B cell clones. Our present paper demonstrates that patients with pemphigus erythematosus produce both antiepithelial antibodies specific for desmoglein 1 and 3 and antinuclear antibodies specific for Ro, La, Sm, and double-stranded DNA antigens. After eluting specific anti-epithelial or anti-nuclear antibodies, which were recovered and tested using double-fluorescence assays, a lack of cross-reactivity was demonstrated between desmosomes and nuclear and cytoplasmic lupus antigens. This result suggests that autoantibodies in pemphigus erythematosus are directed against different antigens and that these autoantibodies are produced by independent clones. Given these clinical and serological data, we suggest that pemphigus erythematosus behaves as a multiple autoimmune disease.
Ocular Circulation and Chronic Ocular Ischemic Syndrome before and after Carotid Artery Revascularization Surgery
Authors: Kawaguchi Shoichiro , Iida Jun-ichi , Uchiyama Yoshitomo
Published: December 2012

Background. We evaluated the effect of carotid revascularization surgery on ocular circulation and chronic ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS).Methods. We examined ninety patients with carotid artery stenosis (more than 50% stenosis) at its origin treated with carotid endarterectomy (N=56) or carotid artery stenting (N=34). Twenty-five patients (28%) complained of chronic OIS. Ocular circulation was examined before and after revascularization surgery using ophthalmic artery (OphAr) and central retinal artery (CRA) color Doppler flow imaging.Results. (1) Ocular circulation: preoperatively, the average OphAr peak systolic flow velocity (Vs) was 0.05 m/sec, and the average CRA Vs was 0.07 m/sec. At 1 week after surgery, the average OphAr Vs significantly increased to 0.32 (P<0.05), and the average CRA Vs significantly increased to 0.11 m/sec (P<0.05). These significant improvements were sustained throughout the three months of the followup. (2) OIS: during the follow-up period (mean: 3.6 years), 15 patients (60%) showed visual acuity improvement, and no patients complained of amaurosis fugax or worsening of the chronic OIS.Conclusion. Carotid revascularization surgery was effective in improving the ocular circulation, and it was also useful for the chronic OIS due to the carotid artery stenosis.
Risk Factors Associated with Peritoneal-Dialysis-Related Peritonitis
Authors: Kerschbaum Julia , König Paul , Rudnicki Michael
Published: December 2012

Background. Peritonitis represents a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this paper was to systematically collect data on patient-related risk factors for PD-associated peritonitis, to analyze the methodological quality of these studies, and to summarize published evidence on the particular risk factors.Methods. Studies were identified by searches of Pubmed (1990–2012) and assessed for methodological quality by using a modified form of the STROBE criteria.Results. Thirty-five methodologically acceptable studies were identified. The following nonmodifiable risk factors were considered valid and were associated with an increased risk of peritonitis: ethnicity, female gender, chronic lung disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, antihepatitis C virus antibody positivity, diabetes mellitus, lupus nephritis or glomerulonephritis as underlying renal disease, and no residual renal function. We also identified the following modifiable, valid risk factors for peritonitis: malnutrition, overweight, smoking, immunosuppression, no use of oral active vitamin D, psychosocial factors, low socioeconomic status, PD against patient’s choice, and haemodialysis as former modality.Discussion. Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors analyzed in this paper might serve as a basis to improve patient care in peritoneal dialysis.
Study on the Morphologies and Formational Mechanism of Poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) Ultrafine Fibers by Dry‐Jet‐Wet‐Electrospinning
Authors: Zhu Shuqi , Yu Hao , Chen Yanmo , Zhu Meifang
Published: December 2012

Dry‐jet‐wet‐electrospinning (DJWE) was carried out to study the formational mechanism of poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) electrospun fibers. Morphological comparison between normal electrospinning (NE) and DJWE was investigated. The results showed that jet could solidify quickly in DJWE to avoid bead collapse or fiber coherence. Jet structures could be maintained at very low collection distance. Beanpod‐like beads, which were named as primary beads, could be seen at the boundary of stability and instability section and divided into spindle‐like beads with longer collection distance. Bead‐free electrospun fibers from DJWE had few bonding points among each other, and fast solidification and double‐diffusion led to rough and shriveled fiber surface. DJWE mats were higher hydrophobic than that from NE due to more loose structure and higher surface porosity. Higher bead ratio on the surface and rounder bead structure resulted in higher hydrophobicity.
Study of the Effects of Monacolin K and Other Constituents of Red Yeast Rice on Obesity, Insulin-Resistance, Hyperlipidemia, and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Using a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Fujimoto Makoto , Tsuneyama Koichi , Chen Shao-Yuan , Nishida Takeshi , Chen Jiun-Liang , Chen Yen-Chen , Fujimoto Takako , Imura Johji , Shimada Yutaka
Published: December 2012

Purpose. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive and intractable disease associated with metabolic syndrome. Red yeast rice (RYR) contains monacolin K, a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and its consumption decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels. We examined the efficacy of RYR constituents using a novel metabolic syndrome-NAFLD mouse model (MSG mice).Methods. Two types of RYR grown under different culture conditions were used. 1P-DU contained only 0.002 g/100 g of monacolin K, whereas 3P-D1 contained 0.131 g/100 g. MSG mice were divided into three groups: control (C) group fed standard food, RYR-C group fed standard food with 1% 1P-DU, and RYR-M group fed standard food with 1% 3P-D1. Mice were examined from 12 to 24 weeks of age.Results. Serum insulin, leptin, and liver damage as well as macrophage aggregation in visceral fat in RYR-C and RYR-M groups were lower than those in C group. The serum adiponectin levels in RYR-C group were significantly higher than those in RYR-M and C groups.Conclusions. RYR was effective against obesity-related inflammation, insulin resistance, and NAFLD in MSG mice irrespective of monacolin K levels. GABA and various peptides produced during fermentation were determined as the active constituents of RYR.
Antihyperglycemic Effect ofGinkgo bilobaExtract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats
Authors: Cheng Daye , Liang Bin , Li Yunhui
Published: December 2012

TheGinkgo bilobaextract (GBE) has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effects of GBE on streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes in rats. Diabetes was induced in maleWistarrats by the administration of STZ (60 mg/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally. GBE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally once a day for a period of 30 days. Body weight and blood glucose levels were determined in different experimental days. Serum lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes in hepatic and pancreatic tissue were measured at the end of the experimental period. Significant decreases in body weight and antioxidant ability and increases in blood glucose, lipid profile, and lipid peroxidation were observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The administration of GBE and glibenclamide daily for 30 days in STZ-induced diabetic rats reversed the above parameters significantly. GBE possesses antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemia activities in STZ-induced chronic diabetic rats, which promisingly support the use of GBE as a food supplement or an adjunct treatment for diabetics.
Corrosion Inhibition of Tubing Steel during Acidization of Oil and Gas Wells
Authors: Yadav M. , Kumar Sumit , Yadav P. N.
Published: December 2012

Acidization is an oil reservoir stimulation technique for increasing oil well productivity. Hydrochloric acid is used in oil and gas production to stimulate the formation. The acid treatment occurs through N80 steel tubes. The process requires a high degree of corrosion inhibition of tubing material (N80 steel). In the present investigation effect of synthesized amino acid compounds, namely, acetamidoleucine (AAL) and benzamidoleucine (BAL) as corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel in 15% HCl solution was studied by polarization, AC impedance (EIS), and weight loss measurements. It was found that both the inhibitors were effective inhibitors and their inhibition efficiency was significantly increased with increasing concentration of inhibitors. Polarization curves revealed that the studied inhibitors represent mixed type inhibitors. AC impedance studies revealed that charge transfer resistance increases and double layer capacitance decreases in presence of inhibitors. Adsorption of inhibitors at the surface of N80 steel was found to obey Langmuir isotherm.
Associations of Daily Walking Activity with Biomarkers Related to Cardiac Distress in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Jehn Melissa , Schindler Christian , Meyer Anja , Tamm Michael , Koehler Friedrich , Witt Christian , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Stolz Daiana
Published: December 2012

Background: The prevalence of cardiovascular mortality is high in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the identification of clinical parameters to improve risk stratification is of great interest. Objectives: This study aims to assess the predictive strength of daily walking activity on expression of cardiac biomarkers in patients with COPD. Methods: One hundred and five patients with COPD (66.1 ± 8.7 years of age) were prospectively analyzed. Daily walking activity was measured by means of accelerometry. Stepwise multivariate regression analyses were employed with either midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MRproANP) or plasma proadrenomedullin (MRproADM) as dependent variables, and age, age-adjusted Charlson score, Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC), Saint Georges Respiratory Questionnaire total score and either total walk, steps per day or fast walk as covariates. Results: Independent predictors of MRproANP included age (p = 0.015) and either total walk or steps per day (both p < 0.0001). Total walk or steps per day were the only independent predictors of MRproADM (p < 0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation between fast walk and MMRC (R = -0.70; p < 0.001) and fast walk was only independently predictive of MRproANP but not MRproADM once MMRC was excluded from the list of covariates (p = 0.023 and p = 0.057, respectively). Conclusions: Daily walking activity independently predicts levels of circulating MRproANP and MRproADM in stable COPD patients, two prognostic biomarkers of cardiac distress associated with long-term survival upon exacerbation of COPD. Employing activity monitors in the stable state might simplify risk stratification in daily living.
Successful Management of a Possible Antibiotic-Related Acquired Factor V Inhibitor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Motwani Pooja , Howard Leslie , Ali Syed S.
Published: December 2012

Acquired factor inhibitors are rare. We report a case of an elderly male who presented with a bleeding diathesis associated with an elevated prothrombin time and an activated partial thromboplastin time. Work-up revealed undetectable factor V activity and a factor V inhibitor level of >50 Bethesda units. The inhibitor may have been triggered by antibiotics. With a multimodality approach using steroids, platelet transfusions, intravenous immunoglobulin, factor VIII inhibitor bypass activity agent and cyclophosphamide, we successfully eliminated the inhibitor and controlled the bleeding.
Intravenous Paracetamol Treatment in the Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Oncel Mehmet Yekta , Yurttutan Sadik , Degirmencioglu Halil , Uras Nurdan , Altug Nahide , Erdeve Omer , Dilmen Ugur
Published: December 2012

Background: Treatment options for the closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) include medical therapy such as ibuprofen and indomethacin and surgical ligation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol in preterm infants with hsPDA whose feeding was contraindicated or had feeding intolerance. Methods: Preterm infants with hsPDA were started on intravenous paracetamol treatment with parental consent. Paracetamol was administered at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day, in four divided doses, for a period of 3 days. In the absence of closure of hsPDA, treatment was extended up to 6 days, after which echocardiographic examination was performed. Results: A total of 10 preterm infants were included in the study with a median gestational age of 274/7 weeks (minimum–maximum: 24–29) and a median birth weight of 775 g (590–990). The first dose of intravenous paracetamol was given after a median of 6 days (2–15). On echocardiographic examination, median internal ductal diameter was 2 mm (1.5–3), with a median left atrium-to-aortic root ratio of 1.95 (1.6–2.2). Intravenous paracetamol resulted in successful closure of hsPDA in all patients. Conclusions: This study is the first case series in the literature which used intravenous paracetamol treatment for hsPDA. We believe that intravenous paracetamol could be used as an alternative drug for infants. Further prospective randomized-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol for the closure of hsPDA.