bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The tomato HD‐Zip I transcription factor SlHZ24 modulates ascorbate accumulation through positive regulation of the d‐mannose/l‐galactose pathway
Authors: Hu Tixu , Ye Jie , Tao Peiwen , Li Hanxia , Zhang Junhong , Zhang Yuyang , Ye Zhibiao
Published: November 2015

Ascorbate (AsA) is an antioxidant that can scavenge the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced when plants encounter stressful conditions. Here, it was revealed by a yeast one‐hybrid assay that a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) HD‐Zip I family transcription factor, SlHZ24, binds to the promoter of an AsA biosynthetic gene encoding GDP‐d‐mannose pyrophosphorylase 3 (SlGMP3). Both the transient expression system and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that SlHZ24 binds to a regulatory cis‐element in the SlGMP3 promoter, and further overexpression of SlHZ24 in transgenic tomato lines resulted in increased AsA levels. In contrast, suppressing expression of the gene using RNA interference (RNAi) had the opposite effect. These data suggest that SlHZ24 can positively regulate the accumulation of AsA, and in support of this it was shown that SlGMP3 expression increased in the SlHZ24‐overexpressing lines and declined in SlHZ24‐RNAi lines. SlHZ24 also affected the expression of other genes in the d‐mannose/l‐galactose pathway, such as genes encoding GDP‐mannose‐3′,5′‐epimerase 2 (SlGME2), GDP‐l‐galactose phosphorylase (SlGGP) and SlGMP4. The EMSA indicated that SlHZ24 bound to the promoters of SlGME2 and SlGGP, suggesting multi‐targeted regulation of AsA biosynthesis. Finally, SlHZ24‐overexpressing plants showed less sensitivity to oxidative stress; we therefore conclude that SlHZ24 promotes AsA biosynthesis, which in turn enhances oxidative stress tolerance.
Germostatin resistance locus 1 encodes a PHD finger protein involved in auxin‐mediated seed dormancy and germination
Authors: Ye Yajin , Gong Ziying , Lu Xiao , Miao Deyan , Shi Jianmin , Lu Juan , Zhao Yang
Published: November 2015

Seed dormancy and germination are important physiological processes during the life cycle of a seed plant. Recently, auxin has been characterized as a positive regulator that functions during seed dormancy and as a negative regulator during germination. Through chemical genetic screenings, we have identified a small molecule, germostatin (GS), which effectively inhibits seed germination in Arabidopsis. GSR1 (germostatin resistance locus 1) encodes a tandem plant homeodomain (PHD) finger protein, identified by screening GS‐resistant mutants. Certain PHD fingers of GSR1 are capable of binding unmethylated H3K4, which has been reported as an epigenetic mark of gene transcriptional repression. Biochemical studies show that GSR1 physically interacts with the transcriptional repressor ARF16 and attenuates the intensity of interaction of IAA17/ARF16 by directly interacting with IAA17 to release ARF16. Further results show that axr3‐1, arf10 arf16 are hyposensitive to GS, and gsr1 not only resists auxin‐mediated inhibition of seed germination but also displays decreased dormancy. We therefore propose that GSR1 may form a co‐repressor with ARF16 to regulate seed germination. Besides promoting auxin biosynthesis via upregulating expression of YUCCA1, GS also enhances auxin responses by inducing degradation of DΙΙ‐VENUS and upregulating expression of DR5‐GFP. In summary, we identified GSR1 as a member of the auxin‐mediated seed germination genetic network, and GS, a small non‐auxin molecule that specifically acts on auxin‐mediated seed germination.
Platelet indices in dogs with Babesia rossi infection
Authors: Goddard Amelia , Leisewitz Andrew L. , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Schoeman Johan P.
Published: November 2015

Background

Thrombocytopenia without clinical bleeding is a consistent finding in virulent canine babesiosis.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to investigate the platelet index phenotype in Babesia rossi‐infected dogs and the association with disease outcome. We hypothesized that an increased proportion of large, activated platelets would be present.

Methods

Ninety‐six infected and 15 control dogs were included. Babesia‐infected dogs were further divided into survivors and nonsurvivors. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet volume distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet mass (MPM), mean platelet component concentration (MPC), and platelet component distribution width (PCDW) were measured at presentation, and at 24 and 48 hours in admitted survivors.

Results

Mortality rate was 13% (12/96). At presentation, compared to controls, PLT and PCT were significantly decreased in survivors and nonsurvivors (P < .001 for both). Mean platelet volume was significantly increased in survivors and nonsurvivors compared to the controls (P < .001 for both); however, MPM was only significantly increased in the survivors (P < .001). There were no differences between the survivors and nonsurvivors for any of the indices at presentation. Platelet count and PCT were significantly increased at 24 and 48 hours, and MPC significantly increased at 24 hours for admitted survivors compared to the values at presentation.

Conclusion

Large, activated platelets were significantly increased and may play a role in the lack of a bleeding phenotype, despite severe thrombocytopenia, in canine babesiosis.
Adaptive Nonlinear Sliding Mode Control of Mechanical Servo System With LuGre Friction Compensation
Authors: Chen Qiang , Tao Liang , Nan Yurong , Ren Xuemei
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the parameter identification and control problem are investigated for a mechanical servo system with LuGre friction. First of all, an intelligent glowworm swarm optimization (GSO) algorithm is developed to identify the friction parameters. Then, by using a finite-time parameter estimate law and nonlinear sliding mode technique, an adaptive nonlinear sliding mode control (NSMC) based on GSO is designed to speed up the parameter convergence and to decrease the overshoot and steady-state time in control process. Finally, comparative simulations are given to show that the proposed parameters identification technique and adaptive NSMC law are both effective with respect to fast convergence speed and high tracking accuracy.
Guide-Vane Closing Schemes for Pump-Turbines Based on Transient Characteristics in S-shaped Region
Authors: Zeng Wei , Yang Jiandong , Hu Jinhong , Yang Jiebin
Published: November 2015

During the transitional processes of load rejection in a pumped-storage station, the S-shaped characteristics of the pump-turbines can result in relatively large water-hammer and pulsating pressures. These pressures and the high runaway speed during transient processes may directly damage the penstocks and shorten the life of the turbine. In this study, different guide-vane closing schemes for reducing the maximum transient pressures, including the water-hammer and pulsating pressures, and runaway speed were investigated, and the principles for improving the closing schemes were theoretically analyzed based on the transient characteristics in the S-shaped region. First, an analytical expression for the rate of change of relative water head during the transitional processes was deduced based on a simplified mathematical model. It reveals the relationship between the slopes of the trajectory at the pump-turbine operating points (defined as trajectory slopes) and the rigid water-column pressure, which approximates the water-hammer pressure considering compressibility. Then, based on the characteristics of the rigid water-column pressure during the transient process and the effects of guide-vane closure on the trajectory slopes, the selection method for a two-phase guide-vane closing scheme was proposed. The method included the technique for choosing the coordinates of the turning point and the closing speed of the guide vane. Furthermore, the pulsating pressures of pump-turbines were discussed under different working regions and guide-vane openings (GVOs). Considering the characteristics of the pulsating pressures and the runaway speed during the transient processes, the advantage of three-phase valve-closing schemes in controlling the pulsating pressures and the runaway speed was clarified. Finally, a series of model tests were conducted on a pumped-storage station model and the measured data fully validated the correctness of our analyses in this work.
Modeling of Light-Driven Bending Vibration of a Liquid Crystal Elastomer Beam
Authors: Li Kai , Cai Shengqiang
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we study light-driven bending vibration of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) beam. Inhomogeneous and time-dependent number fraction of photochromic liquid crystal molecules in cis state in an LCE beam is considered in our model. Using mode superposition method, we obtain semi-analytic form of light-driven bending vibration of the LCE beam. Our results show that periodic vibration or a statically deformed state can be induced by a static light source in the LCE beam, which depends on the light intensity and position of the light source. We also demonstrate that the amplitude of the bending vibration of the LCE beam can be regulated by tuning light intensity, damping factor of the beam, and thermal relaxation time from cis to trans state, while the frequency of the vibration in the beam mainly depends on the thermal relaxation time. The method developed in the paper can be important for designing light-driven motion structures and photomechanical energy conversion systems.
A Novel Method for Measuring Polyethylene Hip Liner Wear Using a Coordinate Measuring Machine and a Dual Stylus Probe
Authors: Cunkelman Benjamin P. , Jang Byoungwook , Van Citters Douglas W. , Collier John P.
Published: November 2015

Ex vivo high-resolution measurement of highly crosslinked (HXL) polyethylene hip liner wear is necessary to characterize the in vivo performance of these polymers that exhibit increased wear resistance. Current studies focus on using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to acquire data representing the bearing surface(s) of HXL hip liners and use this data to determine linear and volumetric wear. However, these current techniques are subject to error in both data acquisition and data analysis. The purpose of this study was to identify these sources of error and present a novel method for HXL wear measurement that minimizes these contributions to error: our novel methods use a CMM to measure both the articular and backside surfaces of HXL hip liners for subsequent data analysis in Geomagic Control and matlab. Our method involves a vertical orientation of the hip liner to enable one CMM scan of both sides of the hip liner. This method minimizes identified sources of error and proves to be an effective approach for data acquisition of HXL hip liner wear. We also find that our data analysis technique of calculating changes in wall thicknesses is effective in accounting for errors associated with data analysis. Validation of this technique occurred via measurement of two never-implanted HXL hip liners of different sizes (28 mm and 32 mm). In comparing the 32 mm hip liner to its corresponding computer-aided design (CAD) model, we found that our data acquisition technique led to a 0.0019 mm discrepancy between the scanned liner and its CAD model in measured thickness at the pole. We calculated 0.0588 mm and 0.0800 of linear wear for the 28 mm and 32 mm hip liners, respectively, based on our data analysis algorithm. We hypothesize that these reported linear wear values of the never-implanted hip liners are due to machining tolerances of the hip liners themselves.
A New Method to the Elastodynamic Response of a Spherical Shell Under the Impact Load
Authors: Xu Shugen , Wei Yang , Wang Chong , Wang Weiqiang
Published: November 2015

In this paper, a new methodology for solving response of a spherical shell based on developed solution structure theorem has been proposed. It can be used to solve the wave equation about the structural dynamic response of a spherical shell under the impact pressure. The proposed method can be used to solve a batch of partial differential equations having the similar governing equation with different initial and boundary conditions. A detailed solving procedure has been provided to show how to use this method correctly. Finally, a practical example is provided to show how to use the proposed method to solving the elastodynamic response of a spherical shell under inner impact load.
Simplified Formulation of Stress Concentration Factors for Spherical Pressure Vessel–Cylindrical Nozzle Juncture
Authors: Al-Gahtani Husain J. , Mukhtar Faisal M.
Published: November 2015

Parametric study of the thin shell solution of internally pressurized spherical vessel–cylindrical nozzle juncture is used to develop simplified closed-form formulas of stress concentration factor (SCF) as functions of the key vessel–nozzle geometric parameters known to influence the solution. The SCF values are not based on the vessel stresses alone; nozzle stresses are also analyzed and the corresponding SCF determined. Therefore, for a given vessel–nozzle juncture, the designer will be left with adequate information upon which to decide the controlling SCF. Predictions by the proposed equations are validated using finite element method (FEM). Consequently, design charts are presented based on both the vessel's and nozzle's SCF as predicted by the proposed expressions.
Electron-hole pair excitation determines the mechanism of hydrogen atom adsorption
Authors: Bünermann Oliver , Jiang Hongyan , Dorenkamp Yvonne , Kandratsenka Alexander , Janke Svenja M. , Auerbach Daniel J. , Wodtke Alec M.
Published: November 2015

Sticking hydrogen atoms to surfaces

The simplest case of adsorption at a surface—that of a hydrogen atom—is actually quite complicated. This is because it is not clear how this light atom can transfer enough momentum to the heavy surface that it can slow down and stick. Bünermann
et al.
prepared highly energetically controlled hydrogen atoms (see the Perspective by Brune). On a gold surface, inelastic collisions occurred during adsorption, but not when an insulating layer of xenon atoms was used.

Science
, this issue p.
1346
; see also p.
1321
Can Paris pledges avert severe climate change?
Authors: Fawcett Allen A. , Iyer Gokul C. , Clarke Leon E. , Edmonds James A. , Hultman Nathan E. , McJeon Haewon C. , Rogelj Joeri , Schuler Reed , Alsalam Jameel , Asrar Ghassem R. , Creason Jared , Jeong Minji , McFarland James , Mundra Anupriya , Shi Wenjing
Published: November 2015

Reducing risks of severe outcomes and improving chances of limiting warming to 2°C
Safety culture perceptions of pharmacists in Malaysian hospitals and health clinics: a multicentre assessment using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire
Authors: Samsuri Srima Elina , Pei Lin Lua , Fahrni Mathumalar Loganathan
Published: November 2015

Objective

To assess the safety attitudes of pharmacists, provide a profile of their domains of safety attitude and correlate their attitudes with self-reported rates of medication errors.

Design

A cross-sectional study utilising the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ).

Setting

3 public hospitals and 27 health clinics.

Participants

117 pharmacists.

Main outcome measure(s)

Safety culture mean scores, variation in scores across working units and between hospitals versus health clinics, predictors of safety culture, and medication errors and their correlation.

Results

Response rate was 83.6% (117 valid questionnaires returned).Stress recognition(73.0±20.4) andworking condition(54.8±17.4) received the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. Pharmacists exhibited positive attitudes towards:stress recognition(58.1%),job satisfaction(46.2%),teamwork climate(38.5%),safety climate(33.3%),perception of management(29.9%) andworking condition(15.4%). With the exception ofstress recognition, those who worked in health clinics scored higher than those in hospitals (p<0.05) and higher scores (overall score as well as score for each domain except forstress recognition) correlated negatively with reported number of medication errors. Conversely, those working in hospital (versus health clinic) were 8.9 times more likely (p<0.01) to report a medication error (OR 8.9, CI 3.08 to 25.7). Asstress recognitionincreased, the number of medication errors reported increased (p=0.023). Years of work experience (p=0.017) influenced the number of medication errors reported. For every additional year of work experience, pharmacists were 0.87 times less likely to report a medication error (OR 0.87, CI 0.78 to 0.98).

Conclusions

A minority (20.5%) of the pharmacists working in hospitals and health clinics was in agreement with the overall SAQ questions and scales. Pharmacists in outpatient and ambulatory units and those in health clinics had better perceptions of safety culture. As perceptions improved, the number of medication errors reported decreased. Group-specific interventions that target specific domains are necessary to improve the safety culture.
POVERTY AND NATURAL DISASTERS — A QUALITATIVE SURVEY OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
Authors: KARIM AZREEN , NOY ILAN
Published: November 2015

The last few years have seen an explosion of economic research on the consequences of natural disasters. This new interest is attributable first and foremost to a growing awareness of the potentially catastrophic nature of these events, but also a result of the increasing awareness that natural disasters are social and economic events: their impact is shaped as much by the structure and characteristics of the countries they hit as by their physical characteristics. Here, we survey the literature that examines the direct and indirect impact of natural disaster events specifically on the poor and their impact on the distribution of income within affected communities and societies. We also discuss some of the lacunae in this literature and outline a future agenda of investigation.
Off-shell supersymmetry
Authors: Ho Chiu Man , Okada Nobuchika
Published: November 2015

Supersymmetry does not dictate the way we should quantize the fields in the supermultiplets, and so we have the freedom to quantize the Standard Model (SM) particles and their superpartners differently. We propose a generalized quantization scheme under which a particle can only appear off-shell, while its contributions to quantum corrections are exactly the same as those in the usual quantum field theory. We apply this quantization scheme solely to the sparticles in the R-parity preserving Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Thus, sparticles can only appear off-shell. They could be light but would completely escape the direct detection at any experiments such as the LHC. However, our theory still retains the same desirable features of the usual MSSM at the quantum level. For instance, the gauge hierarchy problem is solved and the three MSSM gauge couplings are unified in the usual way. Although direct detection of sparticles is impossible, their existence can be revealed by precise measurements of some observables (such as the running QCD coupling) that may receive quantum corrections from them and have sizable deviations from the SM predictions. Also, the experimental constraints from the indirect sparticle search are still applicable.
Phenomenological modeling of the photon production rate from the QGP at finite quark chemical potential
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Jain Poonam
Published: November 2015

We show the extended calculation of leading order process for photon production from Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP) using a finite quark mass incorporating phenomenological parameter of quarks and gluons with the effect of quark chemical potential. The photon emission rate is observed in the range of low and intermediate transverse momentum. Our modified results of photon production give significant contribution in the range of quark phenomenological parameter, i.e. [Formula: see text] of high-energy heavy-ion collisions. The results obtained are compared with other results.
Properties of many-polaron in fractional dimensional space
Authors: Mohapatra K. M. , Kar S. , Panda B. K.
Published: November 2015

Polaron properties such as the binding energy and the effective mass are calculated in the fractional dimensional space approach using the second-order perturbation theory. The effect of carrier density on the static screening correction of the electron–phonon interaction is included in the Hubbard’s local field factor. It is found that the polaron properties decrease with increase in dimension due to quantum confinement. Since the screening of the electron–phonon interaction is enhanced with increase in doping, the polaron properties decrease with increasing density.
High Speed FPGA Implementation of Cryptographic KECCAK Hash Function Crypto-Processor
Authors: Kahri Fatma , Mestiri Hassen , Bouallegue Belgacem , Machhout Mohsen
Published: November 2015

Cryptographic hash functions are at the heart of many information security applications like message authentication codes (MACs), digital signatures and other forms of authentication. One of the methods to ensure information integrity is the use of hash functions, which generates a stream of bytes (hash) that must be unique. But most functions can no longer prevent malicious attacks and ensure that the information have just a hash. Because of the weakening of the widely used SHA-1 hash algorithm and concerns over the similarly-structured algorithms of the SHA-2 family, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has initiated the SHA-3 contest in order to select a suitable drop-in replacement. KECCAK hash function has been submitted to SHA-3 competition and it belongs to the final five candidate functions. In this paper, we present the implementation details of the hash function’s KECCAK algorithm, moreover, the proposed KECCAK design has been implemented on XILINX FPGAs. Its area, frequency, throughput and efficiency have been derived and compared and it is shown that the proposed design allows a trade-off between the maximum frequency and the area implementation.
Pore Aspect Ratio Spectrum Inversion from Ultrasonic Measurements and Its Application
Authors: Yan Fuyong , Han De-Hua , Chen Xue-Lian
Published: November 2015

We have conducted simultaneous ultrasonic velocity and pore volume change measurements on a carbonate rock sample. By including of pressure dependent porosity data, we have improved Cheng’s pore aspect ratio spectrum inversion methodology and made the inverted pore aspect ratio spectrum more realistic. Tang’s unified velocity dispersion and attenuation model is modified and extended to poroelastic media with complex pore structure under undrained condition. Using improved pore aspect ratio spectra inversion methodology and modified Tang’s model, we have explored the potential application of pore aspect ratio spectrum in prediction of seismic wave dispersion and attenuation.
3D NUMERICAL STUDY OF CELL DEFORMATION AND MIGRATION IN A FLOW CHAMBER
Authors: ZHAO NA , CUI YUHONG , WANG XIAOYU , ZHU ZHENZHEN , BAI LONG
Published: November 2015

In recent years, the physiological phenomena of cell displacement and deformation in blood vessels have gradually become an important topic in the field of biomechanics, and also have important theoretical significance and application value in clinical medicine. To study the migration and deformation of blood cell, the influence of elastic modulus on its behavior, and the effect of deformation on its migration. A numerical simulation of a single cell displacement and deformation in a flow chamber was conducted in the present study using a computer program based on the fluid–solid coupling. The displacement and deformation of the cells with different elastic modulus as well as the influence of deformation on the movement of the cell were investigated. The results showed that the cell with greater elastic modulus had a smaller deformation in the direction of gravity and fluid velocity. The deformation of the cell had obvious effect on the displacement in the direction of gravity. The smaller the deformation of the cell in the direction of gravity was, the higher the cell could jump. The three-dimensional numerical calculation method adopted in this paper and the results obtained can provide a reference for the study of the cell mechanic behavior in the vessels.
PRESSURE MONITORING OF MICRO-PIPETTING BASED ON ABSOLUTE DEGREE OF GREY COEFFICIENTS AND DOUBLE EXTREMES METHOD
Authors: ZHU LIANQING , DONG MINGLI , ZHANG WENCHANG , ZHOU ZHEHAI , LOU XIAOPING , ZHANG WENCHANG
Published: November 2015

Toward improving the real-time property and stability of the micro-pipetting process of an automatic enzyme-linked immunoassay analysis system, the fault detection of the process was studied by monitoring the pressure. A new method that combines the absolute degree of grey coefficients (ADGC) with the double extremes method (DEM) for monitoring pressure is proposed. The ADGC is used to demonstrate the variation of the pressure signal. In particular, the sectioning used is more flexible and is not constrained by the key timings of the micro-pipetting process. The data for a single point can be calculated in real time to obtain the double extremes (the extremes of the pressure and the first derivative) using the DEM. The DEM can therefore be performed without the need to reduce the sampling frequency, thereby guarantying the information integrity. By comparing the double extremes with the preset threshold, the fault types such as tip blockage, presence of air bubbles, and sample shortage can be distinguished. Moreover, a grey filtering technique based on the GM (1, 1) model is used to improve the stability of the pressure sensor output and significantly reduce the real-time computation requirements. Experiments were performed to verify the feasibility of the combined pressure monitoring method, and it was confirmed that it could be used to ensure real-time integrity of the information of the pressure curve. It can thus be confidently concluded that the method can be used to improve the accuracy and stability of monitoring the pressure of micro-pipetting.
Enterococcus faecalisSepticemia and Vertebral Osteomyelitis after Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of the Prostate
Authors: Virji Ayaz , Minces Lucio R. , Abbass Zargham
Published: November 2015

Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUS) has rarely been associated with disseminated infection, yet the occurrence appears to be increasing. Resistance to fluoroquinolones, the most commonly used prophylaxis, is one of the likely causes, withEscherichia colibeing the most commonly reported cause of these infections. Herein we present what is, to our knowledge, the first case ofEnterococcus faecalissepticemia and vertebral osteomyelitis after TRUS. Previously reported cases of this condition are referenced also.
On the Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations with Caputo Sequential Fractional Derivative
Authors: Ye Hailong , Huang Rui
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence of solutions to the following initial value problem for nonlinear fractional differential equation involving Caputo sequential fractional derivativeDc0α2Dc0α1yxp-2Dc0α1yx=fx,yx,x>0,y(0)=b0,Dc0α1y(0)=b1, whereDc0α1,Dc0α2are Caputo fractional derivatives,0<α1,α2≤1,p>1, andb0,b1∈R. Local existence of solutions is established by employing Schauder fixed point theorem. Then a growth condition imposed tofguarantees not only the global existence of solutions on the interval[0,+∞), but also the fact that the intervals of existence of solutions with any fixed initial value can be extended to[0,+∞). Three illustrative examples are also presented. Existence results for initial value problems of ordinary differential equations withp-Laplacian on the half-axis follow as a special case of our results.
Extended FRAM by Integrating with Model Checking to Effectively Explore Hazard Evolution
Authors: Duan Guihuan , Tian Jin , Wu Juyi
Published: November 2015

Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), which defines a systemic framework to model complex systems from the perspective of function and views accidents as emergent phenomenon of function’s variability, is playing an increasingly significant role in the development of systemic accident theory. However, as FRAM is typically taken as a theoretic method, there is a lack of specific approaches or supportive tools to bridge the theory and practice. To fill the gap and contribute to the development of FRAM, (1) function’s variability was described further, with the rules of interaction among variability of different functions being determined and (2) the technology of model checking (MC) was used for the analysis of function’s variability to automatically search the potential paths that could lead to hazards. By means of MC, system’s behaviors (normal or abnormal) are simulated and the counter example(s) that violates the safety constraints and requirements can be provided, if there is any, to improve the system design. The extended FRAM approach was applied to a typical air accident analysis, with more details drawn than the conclusions in the accident report issued officially by Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV).
Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Rectum Coexistent with Giant Rectal Villous Adenoma Presenting as McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome
Authors: Nakhla Sammy G. , Murakami Traci T. , Sundararajan Srinath
Published: November 2015

McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome is a rare disorder, noted for electrolyte and fluid depletion caused by secretory colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. We report here the first reported case of a 55-year-old man with a large rectal villous adenoma coexistent with a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of rectum presenting with McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome. Palliative chemotherapy resulted in complete resolution of symptoms and improved quality of life.
Study of Direct Bonding Ceramics with Metal Using Sn2La Solder
Authors: Koleňák Roman , Kostolný Igor
Published: November 2015

The aim of this research was to study the direct bonding of ceramic materials, mainly Al2O3and selected metals, with primary attention given to Cu substrate. Soldering was performed with Sn-based solder alloyed with 2% La. We found that the bond formation between Sn2La solder and Al2O3occurs at the activation of lanthanum phases in solder by ultrasound. Lanthanum in the solder becomes oxidised in air during the soldering process. However, due to ultrasonic activation, the lanthanum particles are distributed to the boundary with ceramic material. A uniformly thin layer containing La, 1.5 µm in thickness, is formed on the boundary with Al2O3material, ensuring both wetting and joint formation. The shear strength with Al2O3ceramics is 7.5 MPa. Increased strength to 13.5 MPa was observed with SiC ceramics.
Low Serum Vitamin D Is Associated with Anti-Thyroid-Globulin Antibody in Female Individuals
Authors: Wang Xinling , Zynat Jazyra , Guo Yanying , Osiman Reziwan , Tuhuti Aihemaitjan , Zhao Hongli , Abdunaimu Munira , Wang Huili , Jin Xiaoping , Xing Shuqing
Published: November 2015

Objectives. Some evidence has pointed out that vitamin D plays a significant role in reducing the incidence of autoimmune diseases, especially autoimmune thyroid diseases. The authors aimed to examine the relationship between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and thyroid autoantibody in a population-based health survey of Xinjiang Chinese population.Subjects and Methods. A total of 1714 Chinese adults were analyzed. 25(OH)D, anti-thyroid antibodies, and thyroid function were measured.Results. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 28.3% in Hans and 9.3% in Uyghurs, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 61.6% in Hans and 87.6% in Uyghurs. Overall prevalence of TgAb positivity was 6.2% (0.9% males; 5.3% females). In female subjects, mean serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in Hans and Uyghurs compared with males, and the difference was statistically significant. Importantly, after adjusting for age and ethnicity, a negative correlation (r=-0.121,P=0.014) was recognized between 25(OH)D and TgAb levels only in female subjects.Conclusion. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are prevalent among Chinese adults. Low serum 25(OH)D is related to the presence of TgAb in females. The causal effect of low vitamin D level on thyroid autoimmunity should be studied further more.
Luteolin Exerts Cardioprotective Effects through Improving Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Activity in Rats during Ischemia/Reperfusion In Vivo
Authors: Nai Changsheng , Xuan Haochen , Zhang Yingying , Shen Mengxiao , Xu Tongda , Pan Defeng , Zhang Congwei , Zhang Yanbin , Li Dongye
Published: November 2015

The flavonoid luteolin exists in many types of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. Our previous studies have demonstrated that luteolin reduced ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vitro, which was related with sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity. However, the effects of luteolin on SERCA2a activity during I/R in vivo remain unclear. To investigate whether luteolin exerts cardioprotective effects and to monitor changes in SERCA2a expression and activity levels in vivo during I/R, we created a myocardial I/R rat model by ligating the coronary artery. We demonstrated that luteolin could reduce the myocardial infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase release, and apoptosis during I/R injury in vivo. Furthermore, we found that luteolin inhibited the I/R-induced decrease in SERCA2a activity in vivo. However, neither I/R nor luteolin altered SERCA2a expression levels in myocardiocytes. Moreover, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway played a vital role in this mechanism. In conclusion, the present study has confirmed for the first time that luteolin yields cardioprotective effects against I/R injury by inhibiting the I/R-induced decrease in SERCA2a activity partially via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in vivo, independent of SERCA2a protein level regulation. SERCA2a activity presents a novel biomarker to assess the progress of I/R injury in experimental research and clinical applications.
Right Upper Lobe Shadow and Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica Confined to Right Main Bronchus: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Michaelides Stylianos A. , Bablekos George D. , Ionas George , Vgenopoulou Stephanie , Chorti Maria
Published: November 2015

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a well documented benign entity of endoscopic interest. We describe a case of 76-year-old patient who presented with fever, cough, purulent sputum during the past four days, and presence of an ovoid shadow in right upper zone of his chest X-ray. Medical history included diagnosis of colon diverticuli identified by colonoscopy 3 months ago. Chest CT revealed a compact elongated lesion containing air-bronchogram stripes. Bronchoscopy showed normal upper airways and trachea but presence of unequal sized mucosal nodules, protruding into the lumen, along the entire length of the right main bronchial mucosa. No other abnormal findings were detected. Moreover, brushing and washing smears from the apical segment of right upper lobe (RUL), where the compact lesion was located, were negative for malignancy. Biopsy from the mucosal nodules of right main bronchus showed presence of cartilaginous tissue in continuity through thin pedicles with submucosal cartilage. This finding posed the diagnosis of TO while RUL lesion was cleared by antibiotic treatment. Case is reported because, to our knowledge, it represents a unique anatomic location of TO which was confined exclusively in the right main bronchus mucosa without affecting trachea.
Controversies in Pediatric Perioperative Airways
Authors: Klučka Jozef , Štourač Petr , Štoudek Roman , Ťoukálková Michaela , Harazim Hana , Kosinová Martina
Published: November 2015

Pediatric airway management is a challenge in routine anesthesia practice. Any airway-related complication due to improper procedure can have catastrophic consequences in pediatric patients. The authors reviewed the current relevant literature using the following data bases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline (OVID SP), and Dynamed, and the following keywords: Airway/s, Children, Pediatric, Difficult Airways, and Controversies. From a summary of the data, we identified several controversies: difficult airway prediction, difficult airway management, cuffed versus uncuffed endotracheal tubes for securing pediatric airways, rapid sequence induction (RSI), laryngeal mask versus endotracheal tube, and extubation timing. The data show that pediatric anesthesia practice in perioperative airway management is currently lacking the strong evidence-based medicine (EBM) data that is available for adult subpopulations. A number of procedural steps in airway management are derived only from adult populations. However, the objective is the same irrespective of patient age: proper securing of the airway and oxygenation of the patient.
VP6‐SUMO Self‐Assembly as Nanocarriers for Gastrointestinal Delivery
Authors: Palmieri V. , Bugli F. , Papi M. , Ciasca G. , Maulucci G. , Galgano S. , Arcovito A. , Sanguinetti M. , De Spirito M.
Published: November 2015

High proteolytic degradation and poor absorption through epithelial barriers are major challenges to successful oral delivery of therapeutics. Nanoparticle platforms can enhance drug stability and extend the residence time in gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, drug delivery systems are often inactivated in acidic environment of stomach or suffer poor absorption from intestinal cells due to the mucus layer. To overcome these issues we developed a drug delivery system constituted by a protein construct made by a Rotavirus capsid protein (VP6) and the small ubiquitin‐like modifier SUMO. This chimeric construct allows specificity towards intestinal cells, the Rotavirus natural target, combined by an enhanced stability given by the eukaryotic protein transporter SUMO. Furthermore SUMO can act as a molecular switch that facilitates import/export of its ligand to the nucleus, the hypersensitive subcellular site target of many cell killing therapies. In this paper we show that SUMO‐VP6 constructs self‐assembly into stable nanocarriers. SUMO‐VP6 nanocarriers display ideal features for drug delivery: a small size and high monodispersity, a high stability in different pH conditions and a high uptake in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment of intestinal cells. These features make SUMO‐VP6 nanocarriers a promising novel system for oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs.
MYCAmplification in Angiosarcoma Arising from an Arteriovenous Graft Site
Authors: Paral Kristen M. , Raca Gordana , Krausz Thomas
Published: November 2015

Angiosarcoma arising in association with an arteriovenous graft (AVG) or fistula is a unique clinicopathologic scenario that appears to be gaining recognition in the literature. Among reported cases, none has described high-levelMYCgene amplification, a genetic aberration that is increasingly unifying the various clinicopathologic subdivisions of angiosarcoma. We therefore report theMYCgene status in a case of angiosarcoma arising at an AVG site.
Use of a Computed Tomography Based Approach to Validate Noninvasive Devices to Measure Rotational Knee Laxity
Authors: Neumann Simon , Maas Stefan , Waldmann Danièle , Ricci Pierre-Louis , Zürbes Arno , Arnoux Pierre-Jean , Walter Frédéric , Kelm Jens
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study is to validate a noninvasive rotational knee laxity measuring device called “Rotameter P2” with an approach based on Computed Tomography (CT). This CT-approach using X-rays is hence invasive and can be regarded as a precise reference method that may also be applied to similar devices. An error due to imperfect femur fixation was observed but can be neglected for small torques. The most significant estimation error is due to the unavoidable soft tissues rotation and hence flexibility in the measurement chain. The error increases with the applied torque. The assessment showed that the rotational knee angle measured with the Rotameter is still overestimated because of thigh and femur displacement, soft tissues deformation, and measurement artefacts adding up to a maximum of 285% error at +15 Nm for the Internal Rotation of female volunteers. This may be questioned if such noninvasive devices for measuring the Tibia-Femoral Rotation (TFR) can help diagnosing knee pathologies and investigate ligament reconstructive surgery.
Controlling Surface‐Induced Nanocomposites by Lipoplexes for Enhanced Gene Transfer
Authors: Sun Bingbing , Shen Hong
Published: November 2015

Surface‐induced biomineralization represents a flexible approach to immobilizing DNA onto biomaterial surfaces for surface‐mediated DNA delivery. Immobilized naked DNA is uniformly embedded in thin films of nanocomposites, which limits the internalization of DNA to some cell types, such as neuronal cells. In this study, DNA molecules were initially complexed with liposomes to form lipoplexes. Subsequently, these lipoplexes were immobilized onto a cell culture compatible surface through surface‐induced biomineralization. Under all the conditions we examined, lipoplexes were efficiently immobilized onto the surface and formed lipoplex‐nanocomposites. We have shown that the size of liposomes and the composition of mineralizing solutions have significant effects on the morphology and topology of nanocomposites and thus the organization and the intracellular levels of DNA. The transgene expression mediated by lipoplex‐nanocomposites was greatly enhanced in neuronal cells compared to the immobilized naked DNA.
Synthesis, DFT Calculation, and Antimicrobial Studies of Novel Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), and Mn(II) Heteroleptic Complexes Containing Benzoylacetone and Dithiocarbamate
Authors: Ekennia Anthony C. , Onwudiwe Damian C. , Olasunkanmi Lukman O. , Osowole Aderoju A. , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: November 2015

Heteroleptic complexes of zinc(II), copper(II), manganese(II), and cobalt(II) of the types [MLL′(H2O)2]·nH2O and [MLL′]·nH2O have been synthesized using sodiumN-methyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate (L) and benzoylacetone (L′). The metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility, infrared (IR), and UV-visible spectroscopic studies. The electrical conductance measurements revealed the nonelectrolytic nature of the synthesized complexes. The results of the elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and electronic spectra inferred that the Zn(II) complex adopted a four-coordinate geometry while the Co(II), Cu(II), and Mn(II) complexes assumed octahedral geometries. The IR spectra showed that the metal ions coordinated with the ligands via the S- and O-donor atoms. The geometry, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters of the complexes were obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The spin density distributions, relative strength of H–bonds, and thermodynamic parameters revealed that the order of stability of the metal complexes is Mn < Co < Cu > Zn. The agar diffusion methods were used to study the antimicrobial activity of the complexes against two Gram positive bacteria (S. aureusandS. pneumoniae), one Gram negative bacterium (E. coli), and two fungi organisms (A. nigerandA. candida) and the complexes showed a broad spectrum of activities against the microbes.
A Case of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn due to DiaAntibody
Authors: Jethava Ashif , Olivares Esperanza , Shariatmadar Sherry
Published: November 2015

Anti-Diais a clinically significant red cell antibody known to cause hemolytic disease of the newborn. Here, we report on a case of mild hemolytic disease of the newborn caused byDiaantibody. The mother had three prior pregnancies with no history of blood transfusion. She delivered a preterm 35-week-old female newborn by cesarean section. The neonate developed anemia and mild icterus on postnatal day five with hemoglobin of 9500 mg/dL and total bilirubin of 10 mg/dL. The direct antiglobulin test on the neonate’s red blood cells was positive. The maternal serum and an eluate from the infant RBCs were negative in routine antibody detection tests but were positive using commercially prepared Di(a+) red cells. The neonate was discharged home in stable condition following treatment with erythropoietin and phototherapy. When a newborn has a positive DAT in the absence of major blood group incompatibility or commonly detected RBC antibodies, an antibody to a low frequency antigen such asDiamust be considered. Further immunohematology tests are required to determine presence of the antibody and the clinician must be alerted to closely monitor the infant for signs of anemia and hemolysis.
Metals Exposures of Residents Living Near the Akaki River in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yard Ellen , Bayleyegn Tesfaye , Abebe Almaz , Mekonnen Andualem , Murphy Matthew , Caldwell Kathleen L. , Luce Richard , Hunt Danielle Rentz , Tesfaye Kirubel , Abate Moa , Assefa Tsigereda , Abera Firehiwot , Habte Kifle , Chala Feyissa , Lewis Lauren , Kebede Amha
Published: November 2015

Background. The Akaki River in Ethiopia has been found to contain elevated levels of several metals. Our objectives were to characterize metals exposures of residents living near the Akaki River and to assess metal levels in their drinking water.Methods. In 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 101 households in Akaki-Kality subcity (near the Akaki River) and 50 households in Yeka subcity (distant to the Akaki River). One willing adult in each household provided urine, blood, and drinking water sample.Results. Urinary molybdenum (p<0.001), tungsten (p<0.001), lead (p<0.001), uranium (p<0.001), and mercury (p=0.049) were higher in Akaki-Kality participants compared to Yeka participants. Participants in both subcities had low urinary iodine; 45% met the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for being at risk of moderate iodine deficiency. In Yeka, 47% of households exceeded the WHO aesthetic-based reference value for manganese; in Akaki-Kality, only 2% of households exceeded this value (p<0.001). There was no correlation between metals levels in water samples and clinical specimens.Conclusions. Most of the exposures found during this investigation seem unlikely to cause acute health effects based on known toxic thresholds. However, toxicity data for many of these metals are very limited.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Increase p27Kip1 by Affecting Its Ubiquitin‐Dependent Degradation through Skp2 Downregulation
Authors: Borriello Adriana , Naviglio Silvio , Bencivenga Debora , Caldarelli Ilaria , Tramontano Annunziata , Speranza Maria Carmela , Stampone Emanuela , Sapio Luigi , Negri Aide , Oliva Adriana , Sinisi Antonio Agostino , Spina Annamaria , Della Ragione Fulvio
Published: November 2015

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) represent an intriguing class of pharmacologically active compounds. Currently, some HDACIs are FDA approved for cancer therapy and many others are in clinical trials, showing important clinical activities at well tolerated doses. HDACIs also interfere with the aging process and are involved in the control of inflammation and oxidative stress. In vitro, HDACIs induce different cellular responses including growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis. Here, we evaluated the effects of HDACIs on p27Kip1, a key cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI). We observed that HDACI‐dependent antiproliferative activity is associated with p27Kip1 accumulation due to a reduced protein degradation. p27Kip1 removal requires a preliminary ubiquitination step due to the Skp2‐SCF E3 ligase complex. We demonstrated that HDACIs increase p27Kip1 stability through downregulation of Skp2 protein levels. Skp2 decline is only partially due to a reduced Skp2 gene expression. Conversely, the protein decrease is more profound and enduring compared to the changes of Skp2 transcript. This argues for HDACIs effects on Skp2 protein posttranslational modifications and/or on its removal. In summary, we demonstrate that HDACIs increase p27Kip1 by hampering its nuclear ubiquitination/degradation. The findings might be of relevance in the phenotypic effects of these compounds, including their anticancer and aging‐modulating activities.