bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eating interrupted: the effect of intent on hand-to-mouth actions
Authors: Flindall Jason W. , Gonzalez Claudia L. R.
Published: July 2014

Evidence from recent neurophysiological studies on nonhuman primates as well as from human behavioral studies suggests that actions with similar kinematic requirements but different end-state goals are supported by separate neural networks. It is unknown whether these different networks supporting seemingly similar reach-to-grasp actions are lateralized, or if they are equally represented in both hemispheres. Recently published behavioral evidence suggests certain networks are lateralized to the left hemisphere. Specifically, when participants used their right hand, their maximum grip aperture (MGA) was smaller when grasping to eat food items than when grasping to place the same items. Left-handed movements showed no difference between tasks. The present study investigates whether the differences between grasp-to-eat and grasp-to-place actions are driven by an intent to eat, or if placing an item into the mouth (sans ingestion) is sufficient to produce asymmetries. Twelve right-handed adults were asked to reach to grasp food items to 1) eat them, 2) place them in a bib, or 3) place them between their lips and then toss them into a nearby receptacle. Participants performed each task with large and small food items, using both their dominant and nondominant hands. The current study replicated the previous finding of smaller MGAs for the eat condition during right-handed but not left-handed grasps. MGAs in the eat and spit conditions did not significantly differ from each other, suggesting that eating and bringing a food item to the mouth both utilize similar motor plans, likely originating within the same neural network. Results are discussed in relation to neurophysiology and development.
Principal components of hand kinematics and neurophysiological signals in motor cortex during reach to grasp movements
Authors: Mollazadeh Mohsen , Aggarwal Vikram , Thakor Nitish V. , Schieber Marc H.
Published: July 2014

A few kinematic synergies identified by principal component analysis (PCA) account for most of the variance in the coordinated joint rotations of the fingers and wrist used for a wide variety of hand movements. To examine the possibility that motor cortex might control the hand through such synergies, we collected simultaneous kinematic and neurophysiological data from monkeys performing a reach-to-grasp task. We used PCA, jPCA and isomap to extract kinematic synergies from 18 joint angles in the fingers and wrist and analyzed the relationships of both single-unit and multiunit spike recordings, as well as local field potentials (LFPs), to these synergies. For most spike recordings, the maximal absolute cross-correlations of firing rates were somewhat stronger with an individual joint angle than with any principal component (PC), any jPC or any isomap dimension. In decoding analyses, where spikes and LFP power in the 100- to 170-Hz band each provided better decoding than other LFP-based signals, the first PC was decoded as well as the best decoded joint angle. But the remaining PCs and jPCs were predicted with lower accuracy than individual joint angles. Although PCs, jPCs or isomap dimensions might provide a more parsimonious description of kinematics, our findings indicate that the kinematic synergies identified with these techniques are not represented in motor cortex more strongly than the original joint angles. We suggest that the motor cortex might act to sculpt the synergies generated by subcortical centers, superimposing an ability to individuate finger movements and adapt the hand to grasp a wide variety of objects.
Functional specialization in rat occipital and temporal visual cortex
Authors: Vermaercke Ben , Gerich Florian J. , Ytebrouck Ellen , Arckens Lutgarde , Op de Beeck Hans P. , Van den Bergh Gert
Published: July 2014

Recent studies have revealed a surprising degree of functional specialization in rodent visual cortex. Anatomically, suggestions have been made about the existence of hierarchical pathways with similarities to the ventral and dorsal pathways in primates. Here we aimed to characterize some important functional properties in part of the supposed “ventral” pathway in rats. We investigated the functional properties along a progression of five visual areas in awake rats, from primary visual cortex (V1) over lateromedial (LM), latero-intermediate (LI), and laterolateral (LL) areas up to the newly found lateral occipito-temporal cortex (TO). Response latency increased >20 ms from areas V1/LM/LI to areas LL and TO. Orientation and direction selectivity for the used grating patterns increased gradually from V1 to TO. Overall responsiveness and selectivity to shape stimuli decreased from V1 to TO and was increasingly dependent upon shape motion. Neural similarity for shapes could be accounted for by a simple computational model in V1, but not in the other areas. Across areas, we find a gradual change in which stimulus pairs are most discriminable. Finally, tolerance to position changes increased toward TO. These findings provide unique information about possible commonalities and differences between rodents and primates in hierarchical cortical processing.
Enhanced Thermostability of a Fungal Alkaline Protease by Different Additives
Authors: Nirmal Nilesh P. , Laxman R. Seeta
Published: July 2014

A fungal strain (Conidiobolus brefeldianus MTCC 5184) isolated from plant detritus secreted a high activity alkaline protease. Thermostability studies of the fungal alkaline protease (FAP) revealed that the protease is stable up to 50°C with 40% residual activity after one hour. Effect of various additives such as sugars, sugar alcohols, polyols, and salts, on the thermostability of FAP was evaluated. Among the additives tested, glycerol, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and trehalose were found to be very effective in increasing the stability of FAP, which was found to be concentration dependent. Fivefold increase in residual activity of FAP was observed in the presence of trehalose (50%) and sorbitol (50%) at 50°C for 4 h, compared to FAP without additive. Other additives like calcium at 20 mM and 10–15% ammonium sulphate showed lower stability improvement than trehalose and sorbitol. NaCl, MgCl2, K2HPO4, and glycine were found to be poor stabilizers and showed only a marginal improvement. PEG 6000 did not show any increase in stability but was found to be slightly inhibitory.
Effect of Angiotensin II and Small GTPase Ras Signaling Pathway Inhibition on Early Renal Changes in a Murine Model of Obstructive Nephropathy
Authors: Rodríguez-Peña Ana B. , Fuentes-Calvo Isabel , Docherty Neil G. , Arévalo Miguel , Grande María T. , Eleno Nélida , Pérez-Barriocanal Fernando , López-Novoa José M.
Published: July 2014

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a major feature of chronic kidney disease. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rodents leads to the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis consistent with histopathological changes observed in advanced chronic kidney disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of inhibiting angiotensin II receptors or Ras activation on early renal fibrotic changes induced by UUO. Animals either received angiotensin II or underwent UUO. UUO animals received either losartan, atorvastatin, and farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) L-744,832, or chaetomellic acid A (ChA). Levels of activated Ras, phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-Akt, fibronectin, andα-smooth muscle actin were subsequently quantified in renal tissue by ELISA, Western blot, and/or immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that administration of angiotensin II induces activation of the small GTPase Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system, suggesting an involvement of angiotensin II in the early obstruction-induced activation of renal Ras. Furthermore, upstream inhibition of Ras signalling by blocking either angiotensin AT1 type receptor or by inhibiting Ras prenylation (atorvastatin, FTI o ChA) reduced the activation of the Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system and decreased the early fibrotic response in the obstructed kidney. This study points out that pharmacological inhibition of Ras activation may hold promise as a future strategy in the prevention of renal fibrosis.
Could Pyelonephritic Scarring Be Prevented by Anti-Inflammatory Treatment? An Experimental Model of Acute Pyelonephritis
Authors: Bahat Özdoğan Elif , Özdemir Tuğba , Arslansoyu Çamlar Seçil , İmamoğlu Mustafa , Çobanoğlu Ümit , Sönmez Bircan , Tosun İlknur , Doğan İsmail
Published: July 2014

Objectives.This study aimed to demonstrate if the addition of anti-inflammatory treatment to antibiotic therapy shows any superiority to the treatment with antibiotic only.Methods.Forty-nine Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups. Pyelonephritis was performed byE. coliinjection to upper pole of kidneys except control group. Group 2 was not treated. Ceftriaxone, ketoprofen, “ceftriaxone + ketoprofen,” methylprednisolone, and “ceftriaxone + methylprednisolone” were given in the groups. The technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphies were performed in 3rd day to detect pyelonephritis and 10th week to detect renal scarring. All kidneys were also histopathologically evaluated.Results.When 3rd day and 10th week scintigraphies were compared, initial 2.00 ± 0.30 point pyelonephritis score resulted in 0.71 ± 0.36 renal scar score in “ceftriaxone + ketoprofen” group (P=0.039). Initial 2.00 ± 0.43 point pyelonephritis score resulted in 0.86 ± 0.26 renal scar score in “ceftriaxone + methylprednisolone” group (P=0.041). Renal scar score was declined in “ceftriaxone + ketoprofen” group and “ceftriaxone + methylprednisolone” group compared with no-treatment group on 10th week of the study (P=0.026,P=0.044). On histopathological evaluation, it was seen that renal scar prevalence and expansion declined significantly in “ceftriaxone + ketoprofen and ceftriaxone + methylprednisolone” (P=0.011,P=0.023).Conclusion.It was evidenced that ceftriaxone treatment in combination with ketoprofen or methylprednisolone declined scar formation in scintigraphic and histopathologic examinations of the kidneys.
Performance of a Novel Hydrophobic Mesoporous Material for High Temperature Catalytic Oxidation of Naphthalene
Authors: Zhao Guotao , Zhao Zhenxiao , Wu Junliang , Ye Daiqi
Published: July 2014

A high surface area, hydrophobic mesoporous material, MFS, has been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal synthesis method using a perfluorinated surfactant, SURFLON S-386, as the single template. N2adsorption and TEM were employed to characterize the pore structure and morphology of MFS. Static water adsorption test indicates that the hydrophobicity of MFS is significantly higher than that of MCM-41. XPS and Py-GC/MS analysis confirmed the existence of perfluoroalkyl groups in MFS which led to its high hydrophobicity. MFS was used as a support for CuO in experiments of catalytic combustion of naphthalene, where it showed a significant advantage over MCM-41 and ZSM-5. SEM was helpful in understanding why CuO-MFS performed so well in the catalytic combustion of naphthalene. Experimental results indicated that MFS was a suitable support for catalytic combustion of large molecular organic compounds, especially for some high temperature catalytic reactions when water vapor was present.
Multimodal Network Equilibrium with Stochastic Travel Times
Authors: Meng M. , Shao C. F. , Wong Y. D. , Zhang J.
Published: July 2014

The private car, unlike public traffic modes (e.g., subway, trolley) running along dedicated track‐ways, is invariably subject to various uncertainties resulting in travel time variation. A multimodal network equilibrium model is formulated that explicitly considers stochastic link capacity variability in the road network. The travel time of combined‐mode trips is accumulated based on the concept of the mean excess travel time (METT) which is a summation of estimated buffer time and tardy time. The problem is characterized by an equivalent VI (variational inequality) formulation where the mode choice is expressed in a hierarchical logit structure. Specifically, the supernetwork theory and expansion technique are used herein to represent the multimodal transportation network, which completely represents the combined‐mode trips as constituting multiple modes within a trip. The method of successive weighted average is adopted for problem solutions. The model and solution method are further applied to study the trip distribution and METT variations caused by the different levels of the road conditions. Results of numerical examples show that travelers prefer to choose the combined travel mode as road capacity decreases. Travelers with different attitudes towards risk are shown to exhibit significant differences when making travel choice decisions.
Comparison of Two Methods of RNA Extraction from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Specimens
Authors: Gouveia Gisele Rodrigues , Ferreira Suzete Cleusa , Ferreira Jerenice Esdras , Siqueira Sheila Aparecida Coelho , Pereira Juliana
Published: July 2014

The present study aimed to compare two different methods of extracting RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We further aimed to identify possible influences of variables—such as tissue size, duration of paraffin block storage, fixative type, primers used for cDNA synthesis, and endogenous genes tested—on the success of amplification from the samples. Both tested protocols used the same commercial kit for RNA extraction (the RecoverAll Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Optimized for FFPE Samples from Ambion). However, the second protocol included an additional step of washing with saline buffer just after sample rehydration. Following each protocol, we compared the RNA amount and purity and the amplification success as evaluated by standard PCR and real-time PCR. The results revealed that the extra washing step added to the RNA extraction process resulted in significantly improved RNA quantity and quality and improved success of amplification from paraffin-embedded specimens.
Coal Fly Ash Ceramics: Preparation, Characterization, and Use in the Hydrolysis of Sucrose
Authors: dos Santos Ricardo Pires , Martins Jorge , Gadelha Carlos , Cavada Benildo , Albertini Alessandro Victor , Arruda Francisco , Vasconcelos Mayron , Teixeira Edson , Alves Francisca , Lima Filho José , Freire Valder
Published: July 2014

Coal ash is a byproduct of mineral coal combustion in thermal power plants. This residue is responsible for many environmental problems because it pollutes soil, water, and air. Thus, it is important to find ways to reuse it. In this study, coal fly ash, obtained from the Presidente Médici Thermal Power Plant, was utilized in the preparation of ceramic supports for the immobilization of the enzyme invertase and subsequent hydrolysis of sucrose. Coal fly ash supports were prepared at several compaction pressures (63.66–318.30 MPa) and sintered at 1200°C for 4 h. Mineralogical composition (by X-ray diffraction) and surface area were studied. The ceramic prepared with 318.30 MPa presented the highest surface area (35 m2/g) and amount of immobilized enzyme per g of support (76.6 mg/g). In assays involving sucrose inversion, it showed a high degree of hydrolysis (around 81%) even after nine reuses and 30 days’ storage. Therefore, coal fly ash ceramics were demonstrated to be a promising biotechnological alternative as an immobilization support for the hydrolysis of sucrose.
Mediation Role of C-Reactive Protein on the Association between Smoking Quantity and Type 2 Diabetes in Current Chinese Smokers
Authors: Feng Dan , Liu Tao , Wang Hui , Karp Emma , Ling Wenhua , Chen Wei-Qing
Published: July 2014

Objective. Previous studies have indicated that cigarette smokers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and that both smoking and type 2 diabetes are associated with C-reactive protein (CRP). This study examined whether CRP mediates the association between smoking quantity and type 2 diabetes.Methods. Nine hundred and eighty-four current Chinese smokers were selected from a community-based chronic disease survey conducted in Guangzhou and Zhuhai. Type 2 diabetes was defined according to the WHO 1999 criteria. CRP was measured with flow cytometry. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the mediation.Results. A positive association was observed between smoking quantity and type 2 diabetes (P<0.05). After controlling for potential confounders, daily cigarette consumption was significantly associated with higher CRP levels. Current smokers with type 2 diabetes had higher CRP levels than smokers without type 2 diabetes. The association between the smoking quantity and type 2 diabetes was mediated by CRP, which accounted for 50.77% of the association.Conclusions. This study provides further evidence that smoking quantity is positively associated with type 2 diabetes and suggests that the association between smoking and type 2 diabetes might be mediated by CRP.
Cohesive Zone Model Based Numerical Analysis of Steel‐Concrete Composite Structure Push‐Out Tests
Authors: Lin J. P. , Wang J. F. , Xu R. Q.
Published: July 2014

Push‐out tests were widely used to determine the shear bearing capacity and shear stiffness of shear connectors in steel‐concrete composite structures. The finite element method was one efficient alternative to push‐out testing. This paper focused on a simulation analysis of the interface between concrete slabs and steel girder flanges as well as the interface of the shear connectors and the surrounding concrete. A cohesive zone model was used to simulate the tangential sliding and normal separation of the interfaces. Then, a zero‐thickness cohesive element was implemented via the user‐defined element subroutine UEL in the software ABAQUS, and a multiple broken line mode was used to define the constitutive relations of the cohesive zone. A three‐dimensional numerical analysis model was established for push‐out testing to analyze the load‐displacement curves of the push‐out test process, interface relative displacement, and interface stress distribution. This method was found to accurately calculate the shear capacity and shear stiffness of shear connectors. The numerical results showed that the multiple broken lines mode cohesive zone model could describe the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the interface between steel and concrete and that a discontinuous deformation numerical simulation could be implemented.
Identification of pBC218/pBC210 Genes of Bacillus cereus G9241 in Five Florida Soils Using qPCR
Authors: Luna Vicki Ann , Nguyen Kimmy , Gilling Damian H.
Published: July 2014

The distribution of the virulent plasmid pBC210 of B. cereus that carries several B. anthracis genes and has been implicated in lethal anthrax-like pulmonary disease is unknown. We screened our collection of 103 B. cereus isolates and 256 soil samples using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay that targeted three open reading frames putatively unique to pBC210. When tested with DNA from 2 B. cereus strains carrying pBC210, and 64 Gram-positive and 55 Gram-negative bacterial species, the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity. None of the DNA from the B. cereus isolates yielded positive amplicons but DNA extracted from five soils collected in Florida gave positive results for all three target sequences of pBC210. While screening confirms that pBC210 is uncommon in B. cereus, this study is the first to report that pBC210 is present in Florida soils. This study improves our knowledge of the distribution of pBC210 in soils and, of public health importance, the potential threat of B. cereus isolates carrying the toxin-carrying plasmid. We demonstrated that sequences of pBC210 can be found in a larger geographical area than previously thought and that finding more B. cereus carrying the virulent plasmid is a possibility in the future.
A Low-Interaction Automatic 3D Liver Segmentation Method Using Computed Tomography for Selective Internal Radiation Therapy
Authors: Goryawala Mohammed , Gulec Seza , Bhatt Ruchir , McGoron Anthony J. , Adjouadi Malek
Published: July 2014

This study introduces a novel liver segmentation approach for estimating anatomic liver volumes towards selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT). The algorithm requires minimal human interaction since the initialization process to segment the entire liver in 3D relied on a single computed tomography (CT) slice. The algorithm integrates a localized contouring algorithm with a modified k-means method. The modified k-means segments each slice into five distinct regions belonging to different structures. The liver region is further segmented using localized contouring. The novelty of the algorithm is in the design of the initialization masks for region contouring to minimize human intervention. Intensity based region growing together with novel volume of interest (VOI) based corrections is used to accomplish the single slice initialization. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using 34 liver CT scans. Statistical experiments were performed to determine consistency of segmentation and to assess user dependency on the initialization process. Volume estimations are compared to the manual gold standard. Results show an average accuracy of 97.22% for volumetric calculation with an average Dice coefficient of 0.92. Statistical tests show that the algorithm is highly consistent(P=0.55)and independent of user initialization (P=0.20and Fleiss’Kappa=0.77±0.06).
A Scheduled Activity Energy Aware Distributed Clustering Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks with Nonuniform Node Distribution
Authors: Nokhanji Nooshin , Mohd Hanapi Zurina , Subramaniam Shamala , Mohamed Mohamad Afendee
Published: July 2014

Nonuniform node deployment makes the cluster-based routing protocol less efficient in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Energy aware distributed clustering (EADC) is one of the cluster-based routing protocols proposed for networks with nonuniform node distribution, which can effectively balance the energy consumption among the nodes. However, due to the nonuniform node distribution, there is a redundancy in sensed and transmitted data in dense area. This unnecessary energy consumption is not considered in EADC. Therefore, in this paper, a new algorithm called scheduled activity EADC (SA-EADC) is proposed. SA-EADC exploits the redundant nodes and turns them off for the current round. The redundant nodes are scheduled based on their residual energy to work alternatively. The results show that SA-EADC significantly decreases the energy consumption and extends the network lifetime without degradation in coverage and sensing reliability of the network.
Nonlinear Instability for a Volume-Filling Chemotaxis Model with Logistic Growth
Authors: Gao Haiyan , Fu Shengmao
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with a Neumann boundary value problem for a volume-filling chemotaxis model with logistic growth in ad-dimensional boxTd=(0,π)d  (d=1,2,3). It is proved that given any general perturbation of magnitudeδ, its nonlinear evolution is dominated by the corresponding linear dynamics along a finite number of fixed fastest growing modes, over a time period of the orderln⁡(1/δ). Each initial perturbation certainly can behave drastically different from another, which gives rise to the richness of patterns.
Forecasting Daily Precipitation Using Hybrid Model of Wavelet-Artificial Neural Network and Comparison with Adaptive Neurofuzzy Inference System (Case Study: Verayneh Station, Nahavand)
Authors: Solgi Abazar , Nourani Vahid , Pourhaghi Amir
Published: July 2014

Doubtlessly the first step in a river management is the precipitation modeling over the related watershed. However, considering high-stochastic property of the process, many models are still being developed in order to define such a complex phenomenon in the field of hydrologic engineering. Recently artificial neural network (ANN) as a nonlinear interextrapolator is extensively used by hydrologists for precipitation modeling as well as other fields of hydrology. In the present study, wavelet analysis combined with artificial neural network and finally was compared with adaptive neurofuzzy system to predict the precipitation in Verayneh station, Nahavand, Hamedan, Iran. For this purpose, the original time series using wavelet theory decomposed to multiple subtime series. Then, these subseries were applied as input data for artificial neural network, to predict daily precipitation, and compared with results of adaptive neurofuzzy system. The results showed that the combination of wavelet models and neural networks has a better performance than adaptive neurofuzzy system, and can be applied to predict both short- and long-term precipitations.
Palladium Nanoparticles Induce Disturbances in Cell Cycle Entry and Progression of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Paramount Role of Ions
Authors: Petrarca Claudia , Clemente Emanuela , Di Giampaolo Luca , Mariani-Costantini Renato , Leopold Kerstin , Schindl Roland , Lotti Lavinia V. , Mangifesta Rocco , Sabbioni Enrico , Niu Qiao , Bernardini Giovanni , Di Gioacchino Mario
Published: July 2014

There is concern about the possible toxicity of palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NP), as they are released in the environment through many applications. We previously studied the toxicity of Pd-NP at high concentrations; here we address the possible toxicity of Pd-NP at low, subtoxic doses. In particular, we have exposed normal human PBMC entering into the first in vitro mitotic division to Pd-NP and to Pd(IV) ions to evaluate ROS generation and cell cycle progression. We have measured a statistically significant increase of intracellular ROS in Pd(IV) exposed cells, but not in Pd-NP exposed cells. TEM revealed accumulation of lipid droplets and autophagic and mitophagic vacuoles, which appeared more conspicuous in cells exposed to Pd(IV) ions than to Pd-NP. Pd-NP were visible in the cytoplasm of Pd-NP exposed cells. Pd-NP addition was associated with a significant increase of cells within the G0/G1-phase and a significant reduction in GS- and G2/M-phases. Cells exposed to Pd(IV) ions showed a significant amplification of these cell cycle alterations. These results suggest that ions, per se or released by NPs, are the true inducers of Pd toxicity. It will be essential to verify whether the observed disturbance represents a temporary response or might result in permanent alterations.
Functional Brain Correlates of Upper Limb Spasticity and Its Mitigation following Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Authors: Pundik Svetlana , Falchook Adam D. , McCabe Jessica , Litinas Krisanne , Daly Janis J.
Published: July 2014

Background.Arm spasticity is a challenge in the care of chronic stroke survivors with motor deficits. In order to advance spasticity treatments, a better understanding of the mechanism of spasticity-related neuroplasticity is needed.Objective.To investigate brain function correlates of spasticity in chronic stroke and to identify specific regional functional brain changes related to rehabilitation-induced mitigation of spasticity.Methods.23 stroke survivors (>6 months) were treated with an arm motor learning and spasticity therapy (5 d/wk for 12 weeks). Outcome measures included Modified Ashworth scale, sensory tests, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for wrist and hand movement.Results.First, at baseline, greater spasticity correlated with poorer motor function (P=0.001) and greater sensory deficits (P=0.003). Second, rehabilitation produced improvement in upper limb spasticity and motor function (P<0.0001). Third, at baseline, greater spasticity correlated with higher fMRI activation in the ipsilesional thalamus (rho=0.49,P=0.03). Fourth, following rehabilitation, greater mitigation of spasticity correlated with enhanced fMRI activation in the contralesional primary motor (r=-0.755,P=0.003), premotor (r=−0.565,P=0.04), primary sensory (r=−0.614,P=0.03), and associative sensory (r=−0.597,P=0.03) regions while controlling for changes in motor function.Conclusions.Contralesional motor regions may contribute to restoring control of muscle tone in chronic stroke.
Annealing Effects on Photocatalytic Activity of Zn0.2Cd0.8S Films Prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition
Authors: Chai Yi-Feng , Wang Ling-Ling , Huang Gui-Fang , Huang Wei-Qing , Zhu Yan-Hua
Published: July 2014

Zn0.2Cd0.8S alloyed films were prepared on glass substrates at room temperature using chemical bath deposition method. The obtained films were annealed at temperatures ranging from 200°C to 500°C with heating rate of 5°C/min and annealed at 400°C with heating rate of 2°C/min and 10°C/min. The films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and UV‐VIS spectrophotometer. The increasing of annealing temperature increases the crystallinity and the mean grain size of Zn0.2Cd0.8S alloyed films and significantly enhances the absorption in the visible region. The efficient visible light photocatalytic activity for annealed Zn0.2Cd0.8S alloyed films is associated with the larger size grain and the higher crystallinity.
Antagonizing Interferon-Mediated Immune Response by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Wang Rong , Zhang Yan-Jin
Published: July 2014

Interferons (IFNs) are important components in innate immunity involved in the first line of defense to protect host against viral infection. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) leads to severe economic losses for swine industry since being first identified in early 1990s. PRRSV interplays with host IFN production and IFN-activated signaling, which may contribute to the delayed onset and low level of neutralizing antibodies, as well as weak cell-mediated immune response in infected pigs. PRRSV encodes several proteins that act as antagonists for the IFN signaling. In this review, we summarized the various strategies used by PRRSV to antagonize IFN production and thwart IFN-activated antiviral signaling, as well as the variable interference with IFN-mediated immune response by different PRRSV strains. Thorough understanding of the interaction between PRRSV and host innate immune response will facilitate elucidation of PRRSV pathogenesis and development of a better strategy to control PRRS.
MAVTgsa: An R Package for Gene Set (Enrichment) Analysis
Authors: Chien Chih-Yi , Chang Ching-Wei , Tsai Chen-An , Chen James J.
Published: July 2014

Gene set analysis methods aim to determine whether an a priori defined set of genes shows statistically significant difference in expression on either categorical or continuous outcomes. Although many methods for gene set analysis have been proposed, a systematic analysis tool for identification of different types of gene set significance modules has not been developed previously. This work presents an R package, called MAVTgsa, which includes three different methods for integrated gene set enrichment analysis. (1) The one-sided OLS (ordinary least squares) test detects coordinated changes of genes in gene set in one direction, either up- or downregulation. (2) The two-sided MANOVA (multivariate analysis variance) detects changes both up- and downregulation for studying two or more experimental conditions. (3) A random forests-based procedure is to identify gene sets that can accurately predict samples from different experimental conditions or are associated with the continuous phenotypes. MAVTgsa computes thePvalues and FDR (false discovery rate)q-value for all gene sets in the study. Furthermore, MAVTgsa provides several visualization outputs to support and interpret the enrichment results. This package is available online.
Clonality and Resistome Analysis of KPC-ProducingKlebsiella pneumoniaeStrain Isolated in Korea Using Whole Genome Sequencing
Authors: Lee Yangsoon , Kim Bong-Soo , Chun Jongsik , Yong Ji Hyun , Lee Yeong Seon , Yoo Jung Sik , Yong Dongeun , Hong Seong Geun , D’Souza Roshan , Thomson Kenneth S. , Lee Kyungwon , Chong Yunsop
Published: July 2014

We analyzed the whole genome sequence and resistome of the outbreakKlebsiella pneumoniaestrain MP14 and compared it with those ofK. pneumoniaecarbapenemase- (KPC-) producing isolates that showed high similarity in the NCBI genome database. A KPC-2-producing multidrug-resistant (MDR)K. pneumoniaeclinical isolate was obtained from a patient admitted to a Korean hospital in 2011. The strain MP14 was resistant to all testedβ-lactams including monobactam, amikacin, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole, but susceptible to tigecycline and colistin. Resistome analysis showed the presence ofβ-lactamase genes includingblaKPC-2,blaSHV-11,blaTEM-169, andblaOXA-9. MP14 also possessedaac(6′-)Ib,aadA2,andaph(3′-)Iaas aminoglycoside resistance-encoding genes,mph(A)for macrolides,oqxAandoqxBfor quinolone,catA1for phenicol,sul1for sulfonamide, anddfrA12for trimethoprim. Both SNP tree and cgMLST analysis showed the close relatedness with the KPC producers (KPNIH strains) isolated from an outbreak in the USA and colistin-resistant strains isolated in Italy. The plasmid-scaffold genes in plasmids pKpQil, pKpQil-IT, pKPN3, or pKPN-IT were identified in MP14, KPNIH, and Italian strains. The KPC-2-producing MDRK. pneumoniaeST258 stain isolated in Korea was highly clonally related with MDRK. pneumoniaestrains from the USA and Italy. Global spread of KPC-producingK. pneumoniaeis a worrying phenomenon.
Laser Welded versus Resistance Spot Welded Bone Implants: Analysis of the Thermal Increase and Strength
Authors: Fornaini Carlo , Meleti Marco , Bonanini Mauro , Lagori Giuseppe , Vescovi Paolo , Merigo Elisabetta , Nammour Samir
Published: July 2014

Introduction.The first aim of this “ex vivo split mouth” study was to compare the thermal elevation during the welding process of titanium bars to titanium implants inserted in pig jaws by a thermal camera and two thermocouples. The second aim was to compare the strength of the joints by a traction test with a dynamometer.Materials and Methods.Six pigs’ jaws were used and three implants were placed on each side of them for a total of 36 fixtures. Twelve bars were connected to the abutments (each bar on three implants) by using, on one side, laser welding and, on the other, resistance spot welding. Temperature variations were recorded by thermocouples and by thermal camera while the strength of the welded joint was analyzed by a traction test.Results.For increasing temperature, means were 36.83 and 37.06, standard deviations 1.234 and 1.187, andPvalue 0.5763 (not significant). For traction test, means were 195.5 and 159.4, standard deviations 2.00 and 2.254, andPvalue 0.0001 (very significant).Conclusion.Laser welding was demonstrated to be able to connect titanium implant abutments without the risk of thermal increase into the bone and with good results in terms of mechanical strength.
Lung Sarcoidosis in Etanercept Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Thongpooswan Supat , Abrudescu Adriana
Published: July 2014

We report a 55-year-old female with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years who developed large mediastinal and hilar adenopathy while receiving etanercept therapy. Chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed mediastinal lymph nodes with size of2.3×3.1centimeters. Right paratracheal lymph node biopsy showed nonnecrotizing epithelioid granulomata. All infectious studies of pulmonary lymph node tissues were negative. Etanercept was discontinued. Follow-up HRCT 6 months later showed resolution of mediastinal lymph nodes. This report should increase awareness of pulmonary sarcoidosis development in patient treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agent, etanercept.
The Impact of Low Muscle Mass Definition on the Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Older Australians
Authors: Yu Solomon , Appleton Sarah , Adams Robert , Chapman Ian , Wittert Gary , Visvanathan Thavarajah , Visvanathan Renuka
Published: July 2014

Background.Sarcopenia is the presence of low muscle mass and low muscle function. The aim of this study was to establish cutoffs for low muscle mass using three published methods and to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia in older Australians.Methods.Gender specific cutoffs levels were identified for low muscle mass using three different methods. Low grip strength was determined using established cutoffs of <30 kg for men and <20 kg for women to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia.Results.Gender specific cutoffs levels for low muscle mass identified were (a) <6.89 kg/m2for men and <4.32 kg/m2for women, <2 standard deviation (SD) of a young reference population; (b) <7.36 kg/m2for men and <5.81 kg/m2for women from the lowest 20% percentile of the older group; and (c) <−2.15 for men and <−1.42 for women from the lowest 20% of the residuals of linear regressions of appendicular skeletal mass, adjusted for fat mass and height. Prevalence of sarcopenia in older (65 years and older) people by these three methods for men was 2.5%, 6.2%, and 6.4% and for women 0.3%, 9.3%, and 8.5%, respectively.Conclusions.Sarcopenia is common but consensus on the best method to confirm low muscle mass is required.
Field Squeezing in a Quantum-Dot Molecule Jaynes-Cummings Model
Authors: Chu Xu , Ma Xiaodong , Wang Ying , Zhou Qingchun , Zhou Yu
Published: July 2014

We investigate the field squeezing in a system composed of an initial coherent field interacting with two quantum dots coupled by electron tunneling. An approximate quantum-dot molecule Jaynes-Cummings model describing the system is given, and the effects of physical quantities, such as the temperature, phonon-electron interaction, mean photon number, field detuning, and tunneling-level detuning, are discussed in detail.
Cost-Sensitive Support Vector Machine Using Randomized Dual Coordinate Descent Method for Big Class-Imbalanced Data Classification
Authors: Tang Mingzhu , Yang Chunhua , Zhang Kang , Xie Qiyue
Published: July 2014

Cost-sensitive support vector machine is one of the most popular tools to deal with class-imbalanced problem such as fault diagnosis. However, such data appear with a huge number of examples as well as features. Aiming at class-imbalanced problem on big data, a cost-sensitive support vector machine using randomized dual coordinate descent method (CSVM-RDCD) is proposed in this paper. The solution of concerned subproblem at each iteration is derived in closed form and the computational cost is decreased through the accelerating strategy and cheap computation. The four constrained conditions of CSVM-RDCD are derived. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed method increases recognition rates of positive class and reduces average misclassification costs on real big class-imbalanced data.
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Parkinson’s Disease: Impact on Neuronal Survival and Plasticity
Authors: Regensburger Martin , Prots Iryna , Winner Beate
Published: July 2014

In Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, chronic neurodegeneration occurs within different areas of the central nervous system leading to progressive motor and nonmotor symptoms. The symptomatic treatment options that are currently available do not slow or halt disease progression. This highlights the need of a better understanding of disease mechanisms and disease models. The generation of newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus and in the subventricular zone/olfactory bulb system is affected by many different regulators and possibly involved in memory processing, depression, and olfaction, symptoms which commonly occur in PD. The pathology of the adult neurogenic niches in human PD patients is still mostly elusive, but different preclinical models have shown profound alterations of adult neurogenesis. Alterations in stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival as well as neurite outgrowth and spine formation have been related to different aspects in PD pathogenesis. Therefore, neurogenesis in the adult brain provides an ideal model to study disease mechanisms and compounds. In addition, adult newborn neurons have been proposed as a source of endogenous repair. Herein, we review current knowledge about the adult neurogenic niches in PD and highlight areas of future research.
Multiplex Evaluation of Influenza Neutralizing Antibodies with Potential Applicability to In-Field Serological Studies
Authors: Molesti Eleonora , Wright Edward , Terregino Calogero , Rahman Rafat , Cattoli Giovanni , Temperton Nigel J.
Published: July 2014

The increased number of outbreaks of H5 and H7 LPAI and HPAI viruses in poultry has major public and animal health implications. The continuous rapid evolution of these subtypes and the emergence of new variants influence the ability to undertake effective surveillance. Retroviral pseudotypes bearing influenza haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) envelope glycoproteins represent a flexible platform for sensitive, readily standardized influenza serological assays. We describe a multiplex assay for the study of neutralizing antibodies that are directed against both influenza H5 and H7 HA. This assay permits the measurement of neutralizing antibody responses against two antigenically distinct HAs in the same serum/plasma sample thus increasing the amount and quality of serological data that can be acquired from valuable sera. Sera obtained from chickens vaccinated with a monovalent H5N2 vaccine, chickens vaccinated with a bivalent H7N1/H5N9 vaccine, or turkeys naturally infected with an H7N3 virus were evaluated in this assay and the results correlated strongly with data obtained by HI assay. We show that pseudotypes are highly stable under basic cold-chain storage conditions and following multiple rounds of freeze-thaw. We propose that this robust assay may have practical utility for in-field serosurveillance and vaccine studies in resource-limited regions worldwide.
Bandwidth and Gain Enhancement of Patch Antenna with Stacked Parasitic Strips Based on LTCC Technology
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Yong , Wang Jinhong , Zhao Wei , Liu Shuang , Xu Ruimin
Published: July 2014

A compact patch antenna with stacked parasitic strips (SPSs) based on low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology is presented. By adding three pairs of SPSs above the traditional patch antenna, multiple resonant modes are excited to broaden the bandwidth. At the same time, the SPSs act as directors to guide the antenna radiation toward broadside direction to enhance the gain. The measured results show that the prototype antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth of 16% forS11<-10 dB (32.1–37.9 GHz) and a maximum gain of about 8 dBi at 35 GHz. Furthermore, the radiation patterns and gain are relatively stable within the operating bandwidth. The total volume of the antenna is only 8 × 8 × 1.1 mm3.
Complicated Gallstones after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Sioka Eleni , Zacharoulis Dimitris , Zachari Eleni , Papamargaritis Dimitris , Pinaka Ourania , Katsogridaki Georgia , Tzovaras George
Published: July 2014

Background.The natural history of gallstone formation after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), the incidence of symptomatic gallstones, and timing of cholecystectomy are not well established.Methods.A retrospective review of prospectively collected database of 150 patients that underwent LSG was reviewed.Results.Preoperatively, gallbladder disease was identified in 32 of the patients (23.2%). Postoperatively, eight of 138 patients (5.8%) became symptomatic. Namely, three of 23 patients (13%) who had evident cholelithiasis preoperatively developed complicated cholelithiasis. From the cohort of patients without preoperative cholelithiasis, five of 106 patients (4.7%) experienced complicated gallstones after LSG. Total cumulative incidence of complicated gallstones was 4.7% (95% CI: 1.3–8.1%). The gallbladder disease-free survival rate was 92.2% at 2 years. No patient underwent cholecystectomy earlier than 9 months or later than 23 months indicating the post-LSG effect.Conclusion.A significant proportion of bariatric patients compared to the general population became symptomatic and soon developed complications after LSG, thus early cholecystectomy is warranted. Routine concomitant cholecystectomy could be considered because the proportion of patients who developed complications especially those with potentially significant morbidities is high and the time to develop complications is short and because of the real technical difficulties during subsequent cholecystectomy.
Production of the Growth Factors GM-CSF, G-CSF, and VEGF by Human Peripheral Blood Cells Induced with Metal Complexes of Human Serumγ-Globulin Formed with Copper or Zinc Ions
Authors: Cheknev Sergey B. , Apresova Maria A. , Moryakova Nadezhda A. , Efremova Irina E. , Mezdrokhina Anna S. , Piskovskaya Lidya S. , Babajanz Alla A.
Published: July 2014

As it was established in our previous studies, the proteins of human serumγ-globulin fraction could interact with copper or zinc ions distributed in the periglobular space, form metal complexes, and become able to perform effector functions differing due to the conformational shifts from those mediated by them in native conformation of their Fc regions. In the present work we have evaluated ability of theγ-globulin metal complexes formed with copper or zinc ions in the conditions like to the physiological ones to induce production or to regulate induction in the culture of freshly isolated human peripheral blood cells (PBC) of granulocyte (G) and granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factors (CSF) as well as of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Theγ-globulin metal complexes formed with both copper and zinc ions were found to similarly reduce production of GM-CSF, G-CSF, and VEGF induced in normal human PBC cultures by the controlγ-globulins or by copper and zinc ions used alone. In context of theory and practice of inflammation the properties of theγ-globulin metal complexes might impact the basic knowledge in search of novel approaches to anti-inflammatory drugs development.
Prediction of Water Consumption in Hospitals Based on a Modified Grey GM (0, 1∣sin) Model of Oscillation Sequence: The Example of Wuhan City
Authors: Zhou Han , Huang Jiejun , Yuan Yanbin , Tang Biao
Published: July 2014

Water shortage is one of the main factors limiting urban construction and development. Scientific forecasting of water consumption is an important approach for the rational allocation of water resources. Taking the hospitals in Wuhan City as an example and basing the analysis on the characteristics of actual water consumption, we proposed a modified grey GM (0, 1∣sin) model of oscillation sequence. Using the grey theory, the variable weight-strengthening buffer operator (VWSBO) was introduced into this model to weaken the interference of the disturbance term on the data sequence. The actual quarterly total water consumption data for hospitals in Wuhan City during the period from 2010 to 2012 were used to verify the effectiveness and practicality of this modified grey GM (0, 1∣sin) model in predicting water consumption. In terms of the model’s fitting performance, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the modified model was 3.77%, indicating a higher prediction accuracy than the traditional grey GM (0, 1∣sin) model of oscillation sequences. Therefore, the modified grey GM (0, 1∣sin) model we established in this study can provide a scientific reference for administrative departments to forecast water consumption.