bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monte Carlo Simulation of Inclined Reactivity Control Rod and Boron Poisoning for the Canadian-SCWR Supercell
Authors: Raouafi Haykel , Marleau Guy
Published: June 2015

The Canadian-SCWR is a heavy-water moderated supercritical light-water-cooled pressure tube reactor. It is fueled with CANada deuterium uranium (CANDU)-type bundles (62 elements) containing a mixture of thorium and plutonium oxides. Because the pressure tubes are vertical, the upper region of the core is occupied by the inlet and outlet headers render it nearly impossible to insert vertical control rods in the core from the top. Insertion of solid control devices from the bottom of the core is possible, but this option was initially rejected because it was judged impractical. The option that is proposed here is to use inclined control rods that are inserted from the side of the reactor and benefit from the gravitational pull exerted on them. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the neutronic performance of the proposed inclined control rods. To achieve this goal, we first develop a three-dimensional (3D) supercell model to simulate an inclined rod located between four vertical fuel cells. Simulations are performed with the SERPENT Monte Carlo code at five axial positions in the reactor to evaluate the effect of coolant temperature and density, which varies substantially with core height, on the reactivity worth of the control rods. The effect of modifying the inclination and spatial position of the control rod inside the supercell is then analyzed. Finally, we evaluate how boron poisoning of the moderator affects their effectiveness.
Single-Point Power-Mooring Composite Cables for Wave Energy Converters
Authors: Miller Andrew , Albertani Roberto
Published: June 2015

This paper presents the analysis and design of single-point power-mooring cables applied to wave energy converters (WECs). A mooring cable design process is suggested, and effects of cable cross-sectional layout, material selection, and conductor design on cable properties are investigated. The study focuses on cable design and structural material for a long service life. Six designs and four structural materials were studied for a total of 18 different configurations. The materials used for the study included Vectran HS, Kevlar 49, carbon fibers in a vinyl ester matrix, and MP35N alloy. Cable design had minimal impact on cable properties. Material used and component helical angle exhibited significant impact on cable mechanical properties. Synthetic fiber designs exhibited more desirable mechanical properties and fatigue performance than both carbon fibers in a vinyl ester matrix and MP35N alloy. Wave device heave and cable tension were not affected by cable material.
State Legislation Related to Increasing Physical Activity: 2006–2012
Authors: Eyler Amy A. , Budd Elizabeth , Camberos Gabriela J. , Yan Yan , Brownson Ross C.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Strategies to improve physical activity prevalence often include policy and environmental changes. State-level policies can be influential in supporting access and opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of state legislation related to physical activity and identify the correlates of enactment of this legislation.

Methods:

An online legislative database was used to collect bills from 50 states in the U.S. from 2006 to 2012 for 1010 topics related to physical activity. Bills were coded for content and compiled into a database with state-level variables (eg, obesity prevalence). With enactment status as the outcome, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results:

Of the 1,542 bills related to physical activity introduced, 30% (N = 460) were enacted. Bills on public transportation and trails were more likely to be enacted than those without these topics. Primary sponsorship by the Republican Party, bipartisan sponsorship, and mention of specific funding amounts were also correlates of enactment.

Conclusion:

Policy surveillance of bills and correlates of enactment are important for understanding patterns in legislative support for physical activity. This information can be used to prioritize advocacy efforts and identify ways for research to better inform policy.
Accelerated modern human–induced species losses: Entering the sixth mass extinction
Authors: Ceballos Gerardo , Ehrlich Paul R. , Barnosky Anthony D. , García Andrés , Pringle Robert M. , Palmer Todd M.
Published: June 2015

Humans are causing a massive animal extinction without precedent in 65 million years.
IRE1 prevents endoplasmic reticulum membrane permeabilization and cell death under pathological conditions
Authors: Kanekura Kohsuke , Ma Xiucui , Murphy John T. , Zhu Lihua J. , Diwan Abhinav , Urano Fumihiko
Published: June 2015

The kinase activity of IRE1 prevents cell death triggered by permeabilization of the ER by Bax and Bak.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa High-Level Resistance to Polymyxins and Other Antimicrobial Peptides Requires
cprA
, a Gene That Is Disrupted in the PAO1 Strain
Authors: Gutu Alina D. , Rodgers Nicole S. , Park Jihye , Moskowitz Samuel M.
Published: June 2015

The
arn
locus, found in many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, mediates resistance to polymyxins and other cationic antimicrobial peptides through 4-amino-
l
-arabinose modification of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide. In
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, several two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) control the
arn
locus, which is necessary but not sufficient for these resistance phenotypes. A previous transposon mutagenesis screen to identify additional polymyxin resistance genes that these systems regulate implicated an open reading frame designated PA1559 in the genome of the
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 strain. Resequencing of this chromosomal region and bioinformatics analysis for a variety of
P. aeruginosa
strains revealed that in the sequenced PAO1 strain, a guanine deletion at the end of PA1559 results in a frameshift and truncation of a full-length open reading frame that also encompasses PA1560 in non-PAO1 strains, such as
P. aeruginosa
PAK. Deletion analysis in the PAK strain showed that this full-length open reading frame, designated
cprA
, is necessary for polymyxin resistance conferred by activating mutations in the PhoPQ, PmrAB, and CprRS TCSs. The
cprA
gene was also required for PmrAB-mediated resistance to other cationic antimicrobial peptides in the PAK strain. Repair of the mutated
cprA
allele in the PAO1 strain restored polymyxin resistance conferred by an activating TCS mutation. The deletion of
cprA
did not affect the
arn
-mediated lipid A modification, indicating that the CprA protein is necessary for a different aspect of polymyxin resistance. This protein has a domain structure with a strong similarity to the extended short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family that comprises isomerases, lyases, and oxidoreductases. These results suggest a new avenue through which to pursue targeted inhibition of polymyxin resistance.
AbaR-Type Genomic Islands in Non-baumannii Acinetobacter Species Isolates from South Korea
Authors: Kim Dae Hun , Ko Kwan Soo
Published: June 2015

To investigate the presence and structure of AbaR-type genomic islands (GIs) in non-
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolates, a total of 155 non-
baumannii Acinetobacter
isolates from a South Korean hospital were analyzed. GIs were found in three
Acinetobacter nosocomialis
and two
Acinetobacter seifertii
isolates. Their structures were similar to those in
A. baumannii
isolates from Asian countries, including South Korea. The existence of AbaR-type GIs in non-
baumannii Acinetobacter
isolates is believed to be due to interspecies transfer of GI.
Lack of the Transcription Factor Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) in Macrophages Accelerates the Necrosis of Mycobacterium avium-Induced Granulomas
Authors: Cardoso Marcos S. , Silva Tânia M. , Resende Mariana , Appelberg Rui , Borges Margarida
Published: June 2015

The establishment of mycobacterial infection is characterized by the formation of granulomas, which are well-organized aggregates of immune cells, namely, infected macrophages. The granuloma's main function is to constrain and prevent dissemination of the mycobacteria while focusing the immune response to a limited area. In some cases these lesions can grow progressively into large granulomas which can undergo central necrosis, thereby leading to their caseation. Macrophages are the most abundant cells present in the granuloma and are known to adapt under hypoxic conditions in order to avoid cell death. Our laboratory has developed a granuloma necrosis model that mimics the human pathology of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, using C57BL/6 mice infected intravenously with a low dose of a highly virulent strain of
Mycobacterium avium
. In this work, a mouse strain deleted of the hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) under the Cre-lox system regulated by the lysozyme M gene promoter was used to determine the relevance of HIF-1α in the caseation of granulomas. The genetic ablation of HIF-1α in the myeloid lineage causes the earlier emergence of granuloma necrosis and clearly induces an impairment of the resistance against
M. avium
infection coincident with the emergence of necrosis. The data provide evidence that granulomas become hypoxic before undergoing necrosis through the analysis of vascularization and quantification of HIF-1α in a necrotizing mouse model. Our results show that interfering with macrophage adaptation to hypoxia, such as through HIF-1α inactivation, accelerates granuloma necrosis.
ArcA Controls Metabolism, Chemotaxis, and Motility Contributing to the Pathogenicity of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Jiang Fengwei , An Chunxia , Bao Yinli , Zhao Xuefeng , Jernigan Robert L. , Lithio Andrew , Nettleton Dan , Li Ling , Wurtele Eve Syrkin , Nolan Lisa K. , Lu Chengping , Li Ganwu
Published: June 2015

Avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(APEC) strains cause one of the three most significant infectious diseases in the poultry industry and are also potential food-borne pathogens threating human health. In this study, we showed that ArcA (
a
erobic
r
espiratory
c
ontrol), a global regulator important for
E. coli
's adaptation from anaerobic to aerobic conditions and control of that bacterium's enzymatic defenses against reactive oxygen species (ROS), is involved in the virulence of APEC. Deletion of
arcA
significantly attenuates the virulence of APEC in the duck model. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses comparing the APEC wild type and the
arcA
mutant indicate that ArcA regulates the expression of 129 genes, including genes involved in citrate transport and metabolism, flagellum synthesis, and chemotaxis. Further investigations revealed that
citCEFXG
contributed to APEC's microaerobic growth at the lag and log phases when cultured in duck serum and that ArcA played a dual role in the control of citrate metabolism and transportation. In addition, deletion of flagellar genes
motA
and
motB
and chemotaxis gene
cheA
significantly attenuated the virulence of APEC, and ArcA was shown to directly regulate the expression of
motA
,
motB
, and
cheA
. The combined results indicate that ArcA controls metabolism, chemotaxis, and motility contributing to the pathogenicity of APEC.
Platelet-Dependent Neutrophil Function Is Dysregulated by M Protein from Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Hurley Sinéad M. , Kahn Fredrik , Nordenfelt Pontus , Mörgelin Matthias , Sørensen Ole E. , Shannon Oonagh
Published: June 2015

Platelets are rapidly responsive sentinel cells that patrol the bloodstream and contribute to the host response to infection. Platelets have been reported to form heterotypic aggregates with leukocytes and may modulate their function. Here, we have investigated platelet-neutrophil complex formation and neutrophil function in response to distinct agonists. The endogenous platelet activator thrombin gave rise to platelet-dependent neutrophil activation, resulting in enhanced phagocytosis and bacterial killing.Streptococcus pyogenesis an important causative agent of severe infectious disease, which can manifest as sepsis and septic shock. M1 protein fromS. pyogenesalso mediated platelet-neutrophil complex formation; however, these neutrophils were dysfunctional and exhibited diminished chemotactic ability and bacterial killing. This reveals an important agonist-dependent neutrophil dysfunction during platelet-neutrophil complex formation and highlights the role of platelets during the immune response to streptococcal infection.
Expression of the Oligopeptide Permease Operon of Moraxella catarrhalis Is Regulated by Temperature and Nutrient Availability
Authors: Jones Megan M. , Murphy Timothy F.
Published: June 2015

Moraxella catarrhalis
causes otitis media in children and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. Together, these two conditions contribute to enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide. The oligopeptide permease (
opp
) ABC transport system is a nutritional virulence factor important for the utilization of peptides. The substrate binding protein OppA, which binds peptides for uptake, is a potential vaccine antigen, but little was known about the regulation of gene expression. The five
opp
genes
oppB
,
oppC
,
oppD
,
oppF
, and
oppA
are in the same open reading frame. Sequence analysis predicted two promoters, one located upstream of
oppB
and one within the intergenic region between
oppF
and
oppA
. We have characterized the gene cluster as an operon with two functional promoters and show that cold shock at 26°C for ≤0.5 h and the presence of a peptide substrate increase gene transcript levels. Additionally, the putative promoter upstream of
oppA
contributes to the transcription of
oppA
but is not influenced by the same environmental cues as the promoter upstream of
oppB
. We conclude that temperature and nutrient availability contribute to the regulation of the Opp system, which is an important nutritional virulence factor in
M. catarrhalis
.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A-Induced Toxic Shock
Authors: Asano Krisana , Yoshimura Sayuri , Nakane Akio
Published: June 2015

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), which are mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from adipose tissues, exhibit immunomodulatory effects that are promising for several applications, including the therapeutics of inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the effect of ASCs on bacterial toxin-induced inflammation was investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of ASCs rescued mice from lethal shock induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) potentiated with lipopolysaccharide. In the sera and/or spleens of mice administered ASCs, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-2 was reduced. By quantitative real-time PCR, the expression of Foxp3 in the mice administered ASCs was not altered. On the other hand, the expression of IL-12 receptor and STAT4 was decreased with ASC administration. These results imply that the effect of ASCs is not involved in the lineage of regulatory T cells but that these cells may modulate TH1 differentiation. This information provides evidence that ASCs have properties that are effective to attenuate SEA-induced toxic shock and should prompt further exploration on other inflammatory diseases caused by bacterial toxins or bacterial infections.
A Mannose Family Phosphotransferase System Permease and Associated Enzymes Are Required for Utilization of Fructoselysine and Glucoselysine in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Miller Katherine A. , Phillips Robert S. , Kilgore Paul B. , Smith Grady L. , Hoover Timothy R.
Published: June 2015

Salmonella enteric
serovar Typhimurium, a major cause of food-borne illness, is capable of using a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. Fructoselysine and glucoselysine are Maillard reaction products formed by the reaction of glucose or fructose, respectively, with the ε-amine group of lysine. We report here that
S
. Typhimurium utilizes fructoselysine and glucoselysine as carbon and nitrogen sources via a mannose family phosphotransferase (PTS) encoded by
gfrABCD
(glucoselysine/fructoselysine PTS components EIIA, EIIB, EIIC, and EIID; locus numbers STM14_5449 to STM14_5454 in
S
. Typhimurium 14028s). Genes coding for two predicted deglycases within the
gfr
operon,
gfrE
and
gfrF
, were required for growth with glucoselysine and fructoselysine, respectively. GfrF demonstrated fructoselysine-6-phosphate deglycase activity in a coupled enzyme assay. The biochemical and genetic analyses were consistent with a pathway in which fructoselysine and glucoselysine are phosphorylated at the C-6 position of the sugar by the GfrABCD PTS as they are transported across the membrane. The resulting fructoselysine-6-phosphate and glucoselysine-6-phosphate subsequently are cleaved by GfrF and GfrE to form lysine and glucose-6-phosphate or fructose-6-phosphate. Interestingly, although
S
. Typhimurium can use lysine derived from fructoselysine or glucoselysine as a sole nitrogen source, it cannot use exogenous lysine as a nitrogen source to support growth. Expression of
gfrABCDEF
was dependent on the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ
54
) and an RpoN-dependent LevR-like activator, which we designated GfrR.

IMPORTANCE
Salmonella
physiology has been studied intensively, but there is much we do not know regarding the repertoire of nutrients these bacteria are able to use for growth. This study shows that a previously uncharacterized PTS and associated enzymes function together to transport and catabolize fructoselysine and glucoselysine. Knowledge of the range of nutrients that
Salmonella
utilizes is important, as it could lead to the development of new strategies for reducing the load of
Salmonella
in food animals, thereby mitigating its entry into the human food supply.
Stroke and patent foramen ovale: intervene or wait
Authors: Khistriya Arti , Nahas Rannie , Rahmani Muhammad Javaid Hameed
Published: June 2015

A 33-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with an acute left partial anterior circulation ischaemic stroke. Thrombolysis was not administered due to a rapidly improving National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and she was thereafter given appropriate treatment for secondary prevention. CT and MRI demonstrated a left basal ganglia infarct with haemorrhagic transformation. Initial investigations revealed no evidence of atrial fibrillation or large vessel disease. Further investigation with transthoracic, bubble contrast and transoesophageal echocardiogram all indicated the presence of a grade 1 tunnel-shaped patent foramen ovale (PFO) with some aneurysmal interatrial septum. No other cause for her stroke was found. There is no current evidence to support the routine use of percutaneous PFO closure in prevention of stroke or transient ischaemic attack. National guidelines advise transcatheter closure of PFO should only be considered for patients with recurrent cryptogenic stroke on optimal medical management.
Covered stents for exclusion of iatrogenic common carotid artery–internal jugular vein fistula and brachiocephalic artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Kooraki Soheil , Grohmann Jochen , Elshikh Samer , Urbach Horst , Meckel Stephan
Published: June 2015

Covered stents have rarely been used in neuroendovascular procedures. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with a complex iatrogenic vascular injury from attempted insertion of a hemodialysis catheter: concurrent brachiocephalic artery pseudoaneurysm and common carotid artery to internal jugular vein fistula. Both lesions were excluded successfully by using two balloon-expandable covered stents with a satisfactory short-term clinical and angiographic outcome.
Spatial delay-difference models for estimating spatiotemporal variation in juvenile production and population abundance
Authors: Thorson James T. , Ianelli James N. , Munch Stephan B. , Ono Kotaro , Spencer Paul D.
Published: June 2015

Many important ecological questions require accounting for spatial variation in demographic rates (e.g., survival) and population variables (e.g., abundance per unit area). However, ecologists have few spatial modelling approaches that (i) fit directly to spatially referenced data, (ii) represent population dynamics explicitly and mechanistically, and (iii) estimate parameters using rigorous statistical methods. We therefore demonstrate a new and computationally efficient approach to spatial modelling that uses random fields in place of the random variables typically used in spatially aggregated models. We adapt this approach to delay-difference dynamics to estimate the impact of fishing and natural mortality, recruitment, and individual growth on spatial population dynamics for a fish population. In particular, we develop this approach to estimate spatial variation in average production of juvenile fishes (termed recruitment), as well as annual variation in the spatial distribution of recruitment. We first use a simulation experiment to demonstrate that the spatial delay-difference model can, in some cases, explain over 50% of spatial variance in recruitment. We also apply the spatial delay-difference model to data for rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) in the Gulf of Alaska and show that average recruitment (across all years) is greatest near Kodiak Island but that some years show greatest recruitment in Southeast Alaska or the western Gulf of Alaska. Using model developments and software advances presented here, we argue that future research can develop models to approximate adult movement, incorporate spatial covariates to explain annual variation in recruitment, and evaluate management procedures that use spatially explicit estimates of population abundance.
1/f Noise in Ti–Au/n-Type GaAs Schottky Barrier Diodes
Authors: Klyuev Alexey V. , Yakimov Arkady V. , Zhukova Irene S.
Published: June 2015

We have studied the forward current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Ti–Au /n-type GaAs Schottky barrier diodes. However, we found some anomalies in I–V characteristics. Hence, we have considered a model that incorporates thermionic emission, thermionic-field emission and leakage components. Leakage component is linear and visible at rather small currents. The anomalies observed in the diode parameters were effectively construed in terms of the contribution of these multiple charge transport mechanisms across the interface of the diodes. It is shown that thermionic-field emission and leakage are the sources of low-frequency (1/f) noise in such type of diodes. Various Schottky diode parameters were also extracted from the I–V characteristics and current dependence of spectrum of 1/f voltage noise.
Al-dopedZnONanostructured Thin Films: Density Functional Theory and Experiment
Authors: Sarma J. V. N. , Rahman A. , Jayaganthan R. , Chowdhury Rajib , Haranath D.
Published: June 2015

Nanostructured Al -doped ZnO (AZO) films are deposited on glass substrates by electroless deposition technique in the present work. AZO films with Al concentration from 1 at.% to 5 at.% are investigated for their structural and morphological properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An excellent homogeneity is achieved with average crystallite sizes of below 32 nm and a nearly constant root mean square (RMS) surface roughness between 1 nm and 3 nm, for various Al doping concentrations. These smooth and uniform films are characterized for their optical and photoluminescence (PL) properties. A higher value of average transparency between 79% and 92% in the wavelength range of 300–800 nm is achieved, and the PL intensity is found to be a strong function of doping. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations agree with the measured transmittance values, in addition to their predicted electronic structure. Moreover, time-resolved PL measurements indicate that the luminescence decay time decreases with increased doping concentration.
THE ROLE OF HRM AND ICT COMPLEMENTARITIES IN FIRM INNOVATION: EVIDENCE FROM TRANSITION ECONOMIES
Authors: BOURKE JANE , CROWLEY FRANK
Published: June 2015

Innovation is of critical importance for business productivity and economic growth. Firm characteristics and economic geography have been identified as influential drivers of innovation output. More recently, scholars have investigated the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on firm performance. There is evidence that productivity gains from adapting HRM practices are higher if supported by investments in ICT. Therefore, we hypothesise that ICT-use and HRM practices are complementary inputs with respect to firm innovation. Our data source is the Management, Organisation, and Innovation (MOI) Survey which assesses management practices in manufacturing establishments in transition economies. We find that firms that employ HRM practices are more likely to innovate relative to firms that do not use HRM practices. Our analysis also reveals a complementary relationship between ICT-use and HRM practices which positively influences firm innovation performance.
Reviewing Strategic Environmental Assessment Practice in the Oil and Gas Sector
Authors: Lamorgese Lydia , Geneletti Davide , Partidario Maria Rosario
Published: June 2015

The exploitation of oil and gas resources poses several challenges to sustainability. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is broadly recognised as an important instrument to promote sustainability-driven decision-making. This paper aims at exploring to what extent current SEA processes for the oil and gas contribute, procedurally and substantively, to more strategic and sustainability-oriented decisions. To this purpose, we developed a framework for reviewing SEA reports, based on the strategic thinking model for SEA. The framework covers focal elements for enhancing SEA practice and it is structured into nine assessment parameters (object of assessment, entry point, interactivity, scope of assessment, strategic reference framework, process, participation, findings/outcomes, proposal for follow-up), and corresponding key questions. The framework was used to review 11 SEA reports related to both offshore and onshore oil and gas developments. The case studies are in different geographical contexts, and reflect examples of the broad range of SEA procedures existing worldwide. Our review provided evidences of those SEA aspects that play a crucial role in order to recognise more targeted and strategic information on which analysis should be based. This can provide substantive insights to improve the quality of SEA reports, as well as to better design more sustainability-oriented outcomes in the oil and gas sector. In particular, additional attention should be paid to stakeholders involvement from early stage of the procedures; identification of key environmental, social and economic factors; analysis of cumulative and synergistic effects in the long-run; fact-based provisions and recommendations for more integrated mitigation and monitoring management strategies for follow up.
The Development and use of Economic Instruments in Environmental Policy: The Case of Israel
Authors: Lavee Doron , Joseph-Ezra Hadas
Published: June 2015

Recently, Israel has undergone several changes in its environmental policy. This paper reviews the shift in environmental policy, from regulatory-based instruments to more flexible economic instruments in Israel. A substantial change has taken place in this respect over the last few decades in many OECD countries. In recent years, environmental policy in Israel has been going through a similar change, in part due to the recent accession to the OECD. Yet, Israel still lacks the use of certain main economic tools, such as greenhouse gas emissions trading and carbon taxes, which are available in many OECD countries.
Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Hallym Aging Study
Authors: Lee Seong Ho , Lee Sang Kon , Choo Min Soo , Ko Kyung Tae , Shin Tae Young , Lee Won Ki , Batsaikhan Tsolmon , Quan ShanAi , Jeong Jin Young , Kim Dong Hyun
Published: June 2015

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the metabolic syndrome (MS) is linked to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men. This was a longitudinal study that used data collected from 328 men aged 50–89 years who were randomly selected among 1,520 participants in 2004. We collected information from 224 (68.3%) men among the original responders on the biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic factors in 2007. The prevalence of the MS was 187/328 (57.0%) in 2004 and 125/224 (55.8%) in 2007 among men, respectively. There was no significantly greater increase in the IPSS in men with the MS than in men without the MS over a 3-year period of time (2.0±9.37versus3.0±8.44,p=0.402, resp.). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis with control for age and life style factors, the risk factors for moderate/severe LUTS were age and erectile dysfunction (p<0.05). However, the presence of the MS did not increase the risk of moderate/severe LUTS (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.63–1.89,p=0.748). Our cross-sectional and longitudinal risk factor analyses do not support the hypothesis that the MS is linked to LUTS in Korean men.
Effect of Cu Addition on the Electrochemical Corrosion Performance of Ni3Al in 1.0 M H2SO4
Authors: Porcayo-Calderon J. , Rodriguez-Diaz R. A. , Porcayo-Palafox E. , Colin J. , Molina-Ocampo A. , Martinez-Gomez L.
Published: June 2015

The effect of Cu addition on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Ni3Al intermetallic alloy was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, open-circuit potential, linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1.0 M H2SO4solution. Performance of the pure elements (Cu, Ni, and Al) was also evaluated. In general, Cu addition improved the corrosion resistance of Ni3Al. Electrochemical measurements show that corrosion resistance of Ni3Al-1Cu alloy is lower than that of other intermetallic alloys and pure elements (Ni, Cu, and Al) in 1.0 M H2SO4solution at 25°C. Surface analysis showed that the Ni3Al alloys are attacked mainly through the dendritic phases, and Cu addition suppresses the density of dendritic phases.
New Closeness Coefficients for Fuzzy Similarity Based Fuzzy TOPSIS: An Approach Combining Fuzzy Entropy and Multidistance
Authors: Collan Mikael , Fedrizzi Mario , Luukka Pasi
Published: June 2015

This paper introduces new closeness coefficients for fuzzy similarity based TOPSIS. The new closeness coefficients are based on multidistance or fuzzy entropy, are able to take into consideration the level of similarity between analysed criteria, and can be used to account for the consistency or homogeneity of, for example, performance measuring criteria. The commonly known OWA operator is used in the aggregation process over the fuzzy similarity values. A range of orness values is considered in creating a fuzzy overall ranking for each object, after which the fuzzy rankings are ordered to find a final linear ranking. The presented method is numerically applied to a research and development project selection problem and the effect of using two new closeness coefficients based on multidistance and fuzzy entropy is numerically illustrated.
Gold Nanoparticles Promote Oxidant-Mediated Activation of NF-κB and 53BP1 Recruitment-Based Adaptive Response in Human Astrocytes
Authors: Mytych Jennifer , Lewinska Anna , Zebrowski Jacek , Wnuk Maciej
Published: June 2015

Nanogold-based materials are promising candidate tools for nanobased medicine. Nevertheless, no conclusive information on their cytotoxicity is available. In the present study, we investigated the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on human astrocytesin vitro. Nanogold treatment in a wide range of concentrations did not result in cytotoxicity. In contrast, nanogold provoked changes in the astrocyte cell cycle and induced senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase activity. AuNPs promoted oxidative stress and caused activation of NF-κB pathway. After nanogold treatment, an inverse correlation between the formation of 53BP1 foci and micronuclei generation was observed. The robust 53BP1 recruitment resulted in reduced micronuclei production. Thus, nanogold treatment stimulated an adaptive response in a human astrocyte cell.
Myocardial Infarction in a Premenopausal Woman on Leuprolide Therapy
Authors: Perez Irving E. , Menegus Mark A. , Taub Cynthia C.
Published: June 2015

Premenopausal women with chest pain syndrome may have nonatherosclerotic coronary arteries with abnormal coronary flow. Estrogens have cardioprotective effect improving coronary vasodilatation. This case report discusses the consequences of leuprolide use by decreasing estrogen levels which led to acute myocardial infarction.
Numerical Simulation of Interaction between Hall Thruster CEX Ions and SMART-1 Spacecraft
Authors: Shan Kang , Chu Yuchuan , Li Qingyu , Zheng Liang , Cao Yong
Published: June 2015

The interaction between the plume of Hall thruster and the surface of the SMART-1 spacecraft is investigated by developing a three-dimensional IFE-PIC-MCC code, with the emphasis on the effect of the disturbance force and thermal loading caused by charge exchange ions (CEX) impingement on the surface of the spacecraft. The parameters such as heat flux and forces of CEX ions which impinge on SMART-1 and solar arrays are obtained. The disturbance force of CEX ions to the spacecraft is calculated for different divergence angles and different solar array rotation cases. The simulation results show that the disturbance force and heat flux on spacecraft change very little as the divergence angle changes. The effect of maximum disturbance force can be neglected since it is so small comparing with the nominal value of the main thrust. Solar arrays receive the least thermal heating from the CEX ions when the beam ions flow is perpendicular to the solar array plane.
Amrubicin Monotherapy for Patients with Platinum-Refractory Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Ando Takayuki , Hosokawa Ayumu , Yoshita Hiroki , Ueda Akira , Kajiura Shinya , Mihara Hiroshi , Nanjo Sohachi , Fujinami Haruka , Nishikawa Jun , Ogawa Kohei , Nakajima Takahiko , Imura Johji , Sugiyama Toshiro
Published: June 2015

Objective. Patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) have a poor prognosis. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy is commonly used as first-line treatment; however, the role of salvage chemotherapy remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of amrubicin monotherapy in patients with platinum-refractory gastroenteropancreatic NEC.Methods. Among 22 patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic NEC, 10 received amrubicin monotherapy between September 2007 and May 2014 after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. The efficacy and toxicity of the treatment were analyzed retrospectively.Results. Eight males and two females (median age, 67 years (range, 52–78)) received platinum-based chemotherapy, including cisplatin plus irinotecan (n=7, 70%), cisplatin plus etoposide (n=2, 20%), and carboplatin plus etoposide (n=1, 10%) before amrubicin therapy. Median progression-free survival and overall survival after amrubicin therapy were 2.6 and 5.0 months, respectively. Two patients had partial response (20% response rate), and their PFS were 6.2 months and 6.3 months, respectively. Furthermore, NEC with response for amrubicin had characteristics with a high Ki-67 index and receipt of prior chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan. Grade 3-4 neutropenia and anemia were observed in four and five patients, respectively.Conclusion. Amrubicin monotherapy appears to be potentially active and well-tolerated for platinum-refractory gastroenteropancreatic NEC.
Global Analysis of a Delayed Impulsive Lotka-Volterra Model with Holling III Type Functional Response
Authors: Wang Hui , Hu Xiaomin , Hu Zhixing , Liao Fucheng
Published: June 2015

A delayed impulsive Lotka-Volterra model with Holing III type functional response was established. With the help of Mawhin’s Continuation Theorem in coincidence degree theory, a sufficient condition is found for the existence of positive periodic solutions of the system under consideration. By applying the comparison theorem and constructing a suitable Lyapunov functional, the permanence and global attractivity of the model are proved. Two numerical simulations are also given to illustrate our main results.
Modeling and Querying Business Data with Artifact Lifecycle
Authors: Zhao Danfeng , Zhao Wei , Sun Le , Huang Dongmei
Published: June 2015

Business data has been one of the current and future research frontiers, with such big data characteristics as high-volume, high-velocity, high-privacy, and so forth. Most corporations view their business data as a valuable asset and make efforts on the development and optimal utilization on these data. Unfortunately, data management technology at present has been lagging behind the requirements of business big data era. Based on previous business process knowledge, a lifecycle of business data is modeled to achieve consistent description between the data and processes. On this basis, a business data partition method based on user interest is proposed which aims to get minimum number of interferential tuples. Then, to balance data privacy and data transmission cost, our strategy is to explore techniques to execute SQL queries over encrypted business data, split the computations of queries across the server and the client, and optimize the queries with syntax tree. Finally, an instance is provided to verify the usefulness and availability of the proposed method.
High-Level Codewords Based on Granger Causality for Video Event Detection
Authors: Huang Shao-nian , Huang Dong-jun , Khuhro Mansoor Ahmed
Published: June 2015

Video event detection is a challenging problem in many applications, such as video surveillance and video content analysis. In this paper, we propose a new framework to perceive high-level codewords by analyzing temporal relationship between different channels of video features. The low-level vocabulary words are firstly generated after different audio and visual feature extraction. A weighted undirected graph is constructed by exploring the Granger Causality between low-level words. Then, a greedy agglomerative graph-partitioning method is used to discover low-level word groups which have similar temporal pattern. The high-level codebooks representation is obtained by quantification of low-level words groups. Finally, multiple kernel learning, combined with our high-level codewords, is used to detect the video event. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed method achieves preferable results in video event detection.
General Voltage Feedback Circuit Model in the Two-Dimensional Networked Resistive Sensor Array
Authors: Wu JianFeng , Wang Lei , Li JianQing
Published: June 2015

To analyze the feature of the two-dimensional networked resistive sensor array, we firstly proposed a general model of voltage feedback circuits (VFCs) such as the voltage feedback non-scanned-electrode circuit, the voltage feedback non-scanned-sampling-electrode circuit, and the voltage feedback non-scanned-sampling-electrode circuit. By analyzing the general model, we then gave a general mathematical expression of the effective equivalent resistor of the element being tested in VFCs. Finally, we evaluated the features of VFCs with simulation and test experiment. The results show that the expression is applicable to analyze the VFCs’ performance of parameters such as the multiplexers’ switch resistors, the nonscanned elements, and array size.
Climate Warming: Is There Evidence in Africa?
Authors: Carcel Hector , Gil-Alana Luis A.
Published: June 2015

We have examined the temperature time series across several locations in Africa. In particular, we focus on three countries, South Africa, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire, examining the monthly averaged temperatures from three weather stations at different locations in each country. We examine the presence of deterministic trends in the series in order to check if the hypothesis of warming trends for these countries holds; however, instead of using conventional approaches based on stationaryI(0)errors, we allow for fractional integration, which seems to be a more plausible approach in this context. Our results indicate that temperatures have only significantly increased during the last 30 years for the case of Kenya.
Commutators of Multilinear Singular Integrals on Weighted Herz Spaces
Authors: Wang Baozhen , Wang Huimin
Published: June 2015

Supposeb→=(b1,…,bm)∈(BMO)m,TΠbis the iterated commutator ofb→and them-linear Calderón-Zygmund operatorT. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the boundedness properties ofTΠbon weighted Herz spaces with general Muckenhoupt weights.
Efficacy of a Telehealth Intervention on Colonoscopy Uptake When Cost Is a Barrier: The Family CARE Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Steffen Laurie E. , Boucher Kenneth M. , Damron Barbara H. , Pappas Lisa M. , Walters Scott T. , Flores Kristina G. , Boonyasiriwat Watcharaporn , Vernon Sally W. , Stroup Antoinette M. , Schwartz Marc D. , Edwards Sandra L. , Kohlmann Wendy K. , Lowery Jan T. , Wiggins Charles L. , Hill Deirdre A. , Higginbotham John C. , Burt Randall , Simmons Rebecca G. , Kinney Anita Y.
Published: June 2015

Background: We tested the efficacy of a remote tailored intervention Tele-Cancer Risk Assessment and Evaluation (TeleCARE) compared with a mailed educational brochure for improving colonoscopy uptake among at-risk relatives of colorectal cancer patients and examined subgroup differences based on participant reported cost barriers.

Methods: Family members of colorectal cancer patients who were not up-to-date with colonoscopy were randomly assigned as family units to TeleCARE (N = 232) or an educational brochure (N = 249). At the 9-month follow-up, a cost resource letter listing resources for free or reduced-cost colonoscopy was mailed to participants who had reported cost barriers and remained nonadherent. Rates of medically verified colonoscopy at the 15-month follow-up were compared on the basis of group assignment and within group stratification by cost barriers.

Results: In intent-to-treat analysis, 42.7% of participants in TeleCARE and 24.1% of participants in the educational brochure group had a medically verified colonoscopy [OR, 2.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59–3.52]. Cost was identified as a barrier in both groups (TeleCARE = 62.5%; educational brochure = 57.0%). When cost was not a barrier, the TeleCARE group was almost four times as likely as the comparison to have a colonoscopy (OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.85–7.24). The intervention was efficacious among those who reported cost barriers; the TeleCARE group was nearly twice as likely to have a colonoscopy (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.52).

Conclusions: TeleCARE increased colonoscopy regardless of cost barriers.

Impact: Remote interventions may bolster screening colonoscopy regardless of cost barriers and be more efficacious when cost barriers are absent. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1311–8. ©2015 AACR.
Changes in Occlusal Caries Lesion Management in France from 2002 to 2012: A Persistent Gap between Evidence and Clinical Practice
Authors: Doméjean Sophie , Léger Stéphanie , Maltrait Marie , Espelid Ivar , Tveit Anne B. , Tubert-Jeannin Stéphanie
Published: June 2015

A survey conducted in 2002 among French general dental practitioners (GPs) showed variations between treatment decisions and a tendency towards early restorative intervention for caries. The aims of the present questionnaire survey were to investigate, among a random sample of 2,000 French GPs, the management decisions for occlusal lesions in 2012 and to compare the results to those obtained in 2002. The response rate was 41.9%. The majority of the respondents (60.7%) would postpone their restorative decisions until the lesion was in the dentin, based on clinical and radiographic examinations. Almost 68% of the respondents suggested that the cavity preparation should be limited to the lesion (vs. a preparation extending to the occlusal fissure), and 81.6% chose composite as restorative material for the earliest lesion requiring restoration in a 20-year-old patient with his/her caries risk factors under control. Statistical analysis (χ2 and logistic regression) showed that the management decisions were influenced by certain demographic characteristics (gender, clinical experience and participation in cariology courses). When comparing the 2002 and 2012 responses, it appears that even if French GPs still tend to intervene surgically for occlusal lesions, which could benefit from noninvasive care such as therapeutic sealants, the restorative threshold has been delayed to later stages of carious progression (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the 2012 respondents were less likely to open the fissure system than the 2002 respondents (p = 0.032), and less amalgam restorations would have been placed in 2012 (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the results showed that the variability observed in 2002 toward caries management decisions was persisting in 2012.
Peritoneal Dialysis for Chronic Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: François Karlien , Ronco Claudio , Bargman Joanne M.
Published: June 2015

Maladaptive responses between a failing heart and the kidneys ultimately lead to permanent chronic kidney disease, referred to as cardiorenal syndrome type 2. In this narrative review, we discuss the pathophysiological pathways in the progression of cardiorenal failure and review the current evidence on peritoneal dialysis as a treatment strategy in cardiorenal syndrome type 2. A patient with heart failure can present with clinical symptoms related to venous congestion even in the absence of end-stage renal disease. Diuretics remain the cornerstone for the treatment of fluid overload related to heart failure. However, with chronic use, diuretic resistance can supervene. When medical therapy is no longer able to relieve congestive symptoms, ultrafiltration might be needed. Patients with heart failure tolerate well the gentle rate of fluid removal through peritoneal dialysis. Recent publications suggest a positive impact of starting peritoneal dialysis in patients with cardiorenal syndrome type 2 on the hospitalisation rate, functional status and quality of life.