bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Electrostrictive Actuations of Flexible Circular Tubes
Authors: Huang Shih-Lin , Chu Chin-Chou , Chang Chien C. , Tzou H.-S.
Published: January 2012

This paper is aimed to study dynamic actuation of circular tubular shell structures coupled with distributed electrostrictive actuator segments. A mathematical model of the hybrid elastic/electrostrictive circular tubular shell, including the electrostrictive/elastic/control couplings, is derived. The generalized electrostrictive control actuation induced by an arbitrary electrostrictive actuator segment consists of three contributing components: the circumferential membrane control action, the longitudinal bending control action, and the circumferential bending control action. In particular, spatial modal actuation characteristics of the total actuation and the three contributing components corresponding to various design parameters (e.g., actuator thickness, shell radius, and thickness) are evaluated and compared with respect to actuator patch sizes. Analysis data suggest that the electrostrictive membrane control actuation dominates the overall control action in lower shell modes; however, the control moment becomes important in higher shell modes. Optimal placements of electrostrictive actuator segments on the circular tubular shell are identified. Modal filtering behaviors, due to cancellation of internal attenuation/amplification effects, occur when large-size actuators are used, rendering the actuation less effective.
Single-Molecule Lysozyme Dynamics Monitored by an Electronic Circuit
Authors: Choi Yongki , Moody Issa S. , Sims Patrick C. , Hunt Steven R. , Corso Brad L. , Perez Israel , Weiss Gregory A. , Collins Philip G.
Published: January 2012

Observing Protein Dynamics

Following the dynamics of protein conformational changes over the relatively long periods of time typical of enzyme kinetics can be challenging.

Choi
et al.

(p.
319
; see the Perspective by

Lu

) were able to observe changes in lysozyme conformation, which changes its electrostatic potential, by using a carbon-nanotube field-effect transistor. Slower hydrolysis steps were compared with faster, but unproductive, hinge motion, and changes in lysozyme activity that occur with pH were shown to arise from differences in the relative amount of time spent in processive versus nonprocessive states.
Engineered Superbugs Boost Hopes of Turning Seaweed Into Fuel
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: January 2012

In this week's issue of
Science
, researchers describe a strain of
Escherichia coli
that they have genetically engineered to break down and ferment alginate and all the other major sugars in seaweed into ethanol.
Explaining Exercise
Authors: Garber Ken
Published: January 2012

Cellular "self-eating," which helps cells meet their energy demands, may account for some of the benefits of exercise.
Pharmacological Inhibition of the ClpXP Protease Increases Bacterial Susceptibility to Host Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptides and Cell Envelope-Active Antibiotics
Authors: McGillivray Shauna M. , Tran Dan N. , Ramadoss Nitya S. , Alumasa John N. , Okumura Cheryl Y. , Sakoulas George , Vaughn Micah M. , Zhang Dawn X. , Keiler Kenneth C. , Nizet Victor
Published: January 2012

The ClpXP protease is a critical bacterial intracellular protease that regulates protein turnover in many bacterial species. Here we identified a pharmacological inhibitor of the ClpXP protease, F2, and evaluated its action in
Bacillus anthracis
and
Staphylococcus aureus
. We found that F2 exhibited synergistic antimicrobial activity with cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics that target the cell well and/or cell membrane, such as penicillin and daptomycin, in
B. anthracis
and drug-resistant strains of
S. aureus
. ClpXP inhibition represents a novel therapeutic strategy to simultaneously sensitize pathogenic bacteria to host defenses and pharmaceutical antibiotics.
PXR
Variants and Artemisinin Use in Vietnamese Subjects: Frequency Distribution and Impact on the Interindividual Variability of CYP3A Induction by Artemisinin
Authors: Piedade Rita , Schaeffeler Elke , Winter Stefan , Asimus Sara , Schwab Matthias , Ashton Michael , Burk Oliver , Gil José P.
Published: January 2012

Artemisinins induce drug metabolism through the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR)
in vitro
. Here, we report the resequencing and genotyping of
PXR
variants in 75 Vietnamese individuals previously characterized for CYP3A enzyme activity after artemisinin exposure. We identified a total of 31
PXR
variants, including 5 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and we identified significantly different allele frequencies relative to other ethnic groups. A trend of significance was observed between the level of CYP3A4 induction by artemisinin and two
PXR
variants, the 8118C→T (Y328Y) and 10719A→G variants.
In Vitro
Antimicrobial Resistance of Urinary Escherichia coli Isolates among U.S. Outpatients from 2000 to 2010
Authors: Sanchez Guillermo V. , Master Ronald N. , Karlowsky James A. , Bordon Jose M.
Published: January 2012

This study examines
in vitro
antimicrobial resistance data from
Escherichia coli
isolates obtained from urine samples of U.S. outpatients between 2000 and 2010 using The Surveillance Network (TSN). Antimicrobial susceptibility results (
n
= 12,253,679) showed the greatest increases in
E. coli
resistance from 2000 to 2010 for ciprofloxacin (3% to 17.1%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (17.9% to 24.2%), whereas nitrofurantoin (0.8% to 1.6%) and ceftriaxone (0.2% to 2.3%) showed minimal change. From 2000 to 2010, the antimicrobial resistance of urinary
E. coli
isolates to ciprofloxacin and TMP-SMX among outpatients increased substantially.
A Hybrid Multistage Protein Vaccine Induces Protective Immunity against Murine Malaria
Authors: Singh Balwan , Cabrera-Mora Monica , Jiang Jianlin , Moreno Alberto
Published: January 2012

We have previously reported the design and expression of chimeric recombinant proteins as an effective platform to deliver malaria vaccines. The erythrocytic and exoerythrocytic protein chimeras described included autologous T helper epitopes genetically linked to defined B cell epitopes. Proof-of-principle studies using vaccine constructs based on thePlasmodium yoeliicircumsporozoite protein (CSP) andP. yoeliimerozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) showed encouraging results when tested individually in this mouse malaria model. To evaluate the potential synergistic or additive effect of combining these chimeric antigens, we constructed a synthetic gene encoding a hybrid protein that combined both polypeptides in a single immunogen. The multistage vaccine was expressed in soluble form inEscherichia coliat high yield. Here we report that the multistage protein induced robust immune responses to individual components, with no evidence of vaccine interference. Passive immunization using purified IgG from rabbits immunized with the hybrid protein conferred more robust protection against the experimental challenge withP. yoeliisporozoites than passive immunization with purified IgG from rabbits immunized with the individual proteins. High antibody titers and high frequencies of CD4+- and CD8+-specific cytokine-secreting T cells were elicited by vaccination. T cells were multifunctional and able to simultaneously produce interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The mechanism of vaccine-induced protection involved neutralizing antibodies and effector CD4+T cells and resulted in the control of hyperparasitemia and protection against malarial anemia. These data support our strategy of using an array of autologous T helper epitopes to maximize the response to multistage malaria vaccines.
Adiaspiromycosis Causing Respiratory Failure and a Review of Human Infections Due to Emmonsia and Chrysosporium spp
Authors: Anstead Gregory M. , Sutton Deanna A. , Graybill John R.
Published: January 2012

We report a case of a 27-year-old male who presented with respiratory distress that required mechanical ventilation. Transbronchial biopsy revealed adiaspores of the fungus
Emmonsia crescens
within granulomata, a condition known as adiaspiromycosis. The patient received amphotericin products and corticosteroids, followed by itraconazole, and made a full recovery.
Emmonsia crescens
is a saprobe with a wide distribution that is primarily a rodent pathogen. The clinical characteristics of the 20 cases of human pulmonary adiaspiromycosis reported since the last comprehensive case review in 1993 are described here, as well as other infections recently reported for the genus
Emmonsia
. Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis has been reported primarily in persons without underlying host factors and has a mild to severe course. It remains uncertain if the optimal management of severe pulmonary adiaspiromycosis is supportive or if should consist of antifungal treatment, corticosteroids, or a combination of the latter two. The classification of fungi currently in the genus
Emmonsia
has undergone considerable revision since their original description, including being grouped with the genus
Chrysosporium
at one time. Molecular genetics has clearly differentiated the genus
Emmonsia
from the
Chrysosporium
species. Nevertheless, there has been a persistent confusion in the literature regarding the clinical presentation of infection with fungi of these two genera; to clarify this matter, the reported cases of invasive
Chrysosporium
infections were reviewed. Invasive
Chrysosporium
infections typically occur in impaired hosts and can have a fatal course. Based on limited
in vitro
susceptibility data for
Chrysosporium zonatum
, amphotericin B is the most active drug, itraconazole susceptibility is strain-dependent, and fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine are not active.
Evaluation of Adding a Second Marker To Overcome Staphylococcus aureus spa Typing Homoplasies
Authors: Basset P. , Nübel U. , Witte W. , Blanc D. S.
Published: January 2012

The utility of sequencing a second highly variable locus in addition to the
spa
gene (e.g., double-locus sequence typing [DLST]) was investigated to overcome limitations of a
Staphylococcus aureus
single-locus typing method. Although adding a second locus seemed to increase discriminatory power, it was not sufficient to definitively infer evolutionary relationships within a single multilocus sequence type (ST-5).
Performance Assessment of a Novel Two-Step Multiple Displacement Amplification-PCR Assay for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Sputum Specimens
Authors: Wu Na , Zhang Yuanyuan , Fu Jun , Zhang Ruifen , Feng Lan , Hu Yongfei , Li Xiaoliang , Lu Na , Zhao Xiuqin , Pan Yuanlong , Li Jing , Zhu Baoli , Wan KangLin
Published: January 2012

A novel two-step multiple displacement amplification-PCR (MDA-PCR) assay for tuberculosis detection in 200 sputum specimens was evaluated. The MDA-PCR assay indicated a significant increase in sensitivity and specificity compared with those of standard PCR alone.
Variation ofB1Gene and AF146527 Repeat Element Copy Numbers According to Toxoplasma gondii Strains Assessed Using Real-Time Quantitative PCR
Authors: Costa Jean-Marc , Bretagne Stéphane
Published: January 2012

Using the multicopyB1gene and AF146527 element for the amplification ofToxoplasma gondiiDNA raises the issue of reliable quantification for clinical diagnosis. We applied relative quantification to reference strains using the single-copyP30gene as a reference. According to the parasite type, the copy numbers for theB1gene and AF146527 element were found to be 5 to 12 and 4 to 8 times lower than the previous estimations of 35 and 230 copies, respectively.
Nosocomial Clustering of NDM-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 340 Strains in Four Patients at a South Korean Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Kim Mi-Na , Yong Dongeun , An Dongheui , Chung Hae-Sun , Woo Jun Hee , Lee Kyungwon , Chong Yunsop
Published: January 2012

In November 2010, NDM-1-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(NDMKP) was identified for the first time in South Korea from four patients with no history of traveling abroad who stayed for 21 to 205 days in a tertiary care hospital. All were sequence type (ST) 340 and had nearly identical XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. The
bla
NDM-1
-carrying plasmids were in the IncN group, with sizes ranging from 50 to 200 kb. These findings suggest that NDMKP had already been introduced into South Korea before this clustering was found.
Induction of Immunological Tolerance to Adenoviral Vectors by Using a Novel Dendritic Cell-Based Strategy
Authors: Kushwah Rahul , Oliver Jordan R. , Duan Rongqi , Zhang Li , Keshavjee Shaf , Hu Jim
Published: January 2012

The success of helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vector-mediated lung gene therapy is hampered by the host immune response, which limits pulmonary transgene expression following multiple rounds of vector readminstration. Here, we show that HD-Ad-mediated pulmonary gene expression is sustained even upon three rounds of readministration to immunodeficient mice, highlighting the need to suppress the adaptive immune response for sustained gene expression following vector readministration. Therefore, we devised a dendritic cell (DC)-based strategy for induction of immunological tolerance toward HD-Ad vectors. DCs derived in the presence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) are refractory to HD-Ad-induced maturation and instead facilitate generation of IL-10-producing Tr1 regulatory T cells which suppress HD-Ad-induced T cell proliferation. Delivery of HD-Ad-pulsed, IL-10-modified DCs to mice induces long-lasting immunological tolerance to HD-Ad vectors, whereby pulmonary DC maturation, the T cell response, and antibody response to HD-Ad vectors are suppressed even after three rounds of pulmonary HD-Ad readministration. Moreover, sustained transgene expression is also observed in the lungs of mice immunized with HD-Ad-pulsed, IL-10-modified DCs even after three rounds of pulmonary HD-Ad delivery. Taken together, these studies identify the use of DCs generated in the presence of IL-10 as a novel strategy to induce long-lasting immune tolerance to HD-Ad vectors.
Mapping of Chikungunya Virus Interactions with Host Proteins Identified nsP2 as a Highly Connected Viral Component
Authors: Bouraï Mehdi , Lucas-Hourani Marianne , Gad Hans Henrik , Drosten Christian , Jacob Yves , Tafforeau Lionel , Cassonnet Patricia , Jones Louis M. , Judith Delphine , Couderc Thérèse , Lecuit Marc , André Patrice , Kümmerer Beate Mareike , Lotteau Vincent , Desprès Philippe , Tangy Frédéric , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier
Published: January 2012

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that has been responsible for an epidemic outbreak of unprecedented magnitude in recent years. Since then, significant efforts have been made to better understand the biology of this virus, but we still have poor knowledge of CHIKV interactions with host cell components at the molecular level. Here we describe the extensive use of high-throughput yeast two-hybrid (HT-Y2H) assays to characterize interactions between CHIKV and human proteins. A total of 22 high-confidence interactions, which essentially involved the viral nonstructural protein nsP2, were identified and further validated in protein complementation assay (PCA). These results were integrated to a larger network obtained by extensive mining of the literature for reports on alphavirus-host interactions. To investigate the role of cellular proteins interacting with nsP2, gene silencing experiments were performed in cells infected by a recombinant CHIKV expressing
Renilla
luciferase as a reporter. Collected data showed that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP-K) and ubiquilin 4 (UBQLN4) participate in CHIKV replication
in vitro
. In addition, we showed that CHIKV nsP2 induces a cellular shutoff, as previously reported for other Old World alphaviruses, and determined that among binding partners identified by yeast two-hybrid methods, the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 7B (TTC7B) plays a significant role in this activity. Altogether, this report provides the first interaction map between CHIKV and human proteins and describes new host cell proteins involved in the replication cycle of this virus.
A Novel Approach for the Rapid Mutagenesis and Directed Evolution of the Structural Genes of West Nile Virus
Authors: Lin Tsai-Yu , Dowd Kimberly A. , Manhart Carolyn J. , Nelson Steevenson , Whitehead Stephen S. , Pierson Theodore C.
Published: January 2012

Molecular clone technology has proven to be a powerful tool for investigating the life cycle of flaviviruses, their interactions with the host, and vaccine development. Despite the demonstrated utility of existing molecular clone strategies, the feasibility of employing these existing approaches in large-scale mutagenesis studies is limited by the technical challenges of manipulating relatively large molecular clone plasmids that can be quite unstable when propagated in bacteria. We have developed a novel strategy that provides an extremely rapid approach for the introduction of mutations into the structural genes of West Nile virus (WNV). The backbone of this technology is a truncated form of the genome into which DNA fragments harboring the structural genes are ligated and transfected directly into mammalian cells, bypassing entirely the requirement for cloning in bacteria. The transfection of cells with this system results in the rapid release of WNV that achieves a high titer (∼10
7
infectious units/ml in 48 h). The suitability of this approach for large-scale mutagenesis efforts was established in two ways. First, we constructed and characterized a library of variants encoding single defined amino acid substitutions at the 92 residues of the “pr” portion of the precursor-to-membrane (prM) protein. Analysis of a subset of these variants identified a mutation that conferred resistance to neutralization by an envelope protein-specific antibody. Second, we employed this approach to accelerate the identification of mutations that allow escape from neutralizing antibodies. Populations of WNV encoding random changes in the E protein were produced in the presence of a potent monoclonal antibody, E16. Viruses resistant to neutralization were identified in a single passage. Together, we have developed a simple and rapid approach to produce infectious WNV that accelerates the process of manipulating the genome to study the structure and function of the structural genes of this important human pathogen.
Identification of a Specific Region in the E1 Fusion Protein Involved in Zinc Inhibition of Semliki Forest Virus Fusion
Authors: Liu Catherine Y. , Kielian Margaret
Published: January 2012

The enveloped alphaviruses infect cells via a low-pH-triggered membrane fusion reaction mediated by the viral transmembrane protein E1. During fusion, E1 inserts into the target membrane and refolds to a hairpin-like postfusion conformation in which domain III (DIII) and the juxtamembrane stem pack against a central core trimer. Although zinc has previously been shown to cause a striking block in alphavirus fusion with liposome target membranes, the mechanism of zinc's effect on the E1 fusion protein is not understood. Here we developed a cell culture system to study zinc inhibition of fusion and infection of the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV). Inclusion of 2 mM ZnCl
2
in the pH 5.75 fusion buffer caused a decrease of ∼5 logs in SFV fusion at the plasma membrane. Fusion was also inhibited by nickel, a chemically related transition metal. Selection for SFV zinc resistance identified a key histidine residue, H333 on E1 DIII, while other conserved E1 histidine residues were not involved. An H333N mutation conferred resistance to both zinc and nickel, with properties in keeping with the known pH-dependent chelation of these metals by histidine. Biochemical studies demonstrated that zinc strongly inhibits formation of the postfusion E1 trimer in wild-type SFV but not in an H333 mutant. Together our results suggest that zinc acts by blocking the fold-back of DIII via its interaction with H333.
FeCl3–SiO2 as heterogeneous catalysts for the preparation of dihydropyrano[3,2-b]chromenediones
Authors: Li Wei-Lin , Liang Jin-Ying , Wang Tian-Bao , Yang Ya-Qin
Published: January 2012

FeCl3–SiO2 is environment-friendly heterogeneous catalyst for the condensation of kojic acid and aldehydes with dimedone to afford dihydropyrano[3,2-b]chromenediones. The solid acid catalyst is stable and can be easily recovered and reused without appreciable change in its efficiency.
Stromal keratin expression in phyllodes tumours of the breast: a comparison with other spindle cell breast lesions
Authors: Chia Yifoong , Thike Aye Aye , Cheok Poh Yian , Yong-Zheng Chong Luke , Man-Kit Tse Gary , Tan Puay Hoon
Published: January 2012

Aim

To determine the frequency, pattern and distribution of stromal keratin expression in phyllodes tumours if any, which may impact diagnostic approaches.

Methods

The clinicopathological features of 109 phyllodes tumours comprising 70 (64.2%) benign, 30 (27.5%) borderline and nine (8.3%) malignant grades were evaluated, and the immunohistochemical expression of a keratin panel (MNF116, 34βE12, CK7, CK14, AE1/3, Cam5.2), p63 and CD34 in their stromal component was assessed.

Results

There was focal and patchy cytoplasmic keratin staining in 1–5% of stromal cells in 13 (11.9%), 24 (22%), 31 (28.4%), 2 (1.8%), 9 (8.3%) and 2 (1.8%) cases for MNF116, 34βE12, CK7, CK14, AE1/3, Cam5.2, respectively. CD34 was expressed in 79 (72.5%) cases. There was no stromal staining for p63. Stromal MNF116, 34βE12 and Cam5.2 reactivity was significantly associated with phyllodes tumour grade (p=0.027, p=0.034, p=0.009 respectively), while MNF116 stromal staining was observed in tumours with increasing cellularity (p=0.036), necrosis (p=0.015) and cystic change (p=0.048). Contrary to common understanding, these findings confirm that stromal cells in phyllodes tumours can sometimes express keratins, albeit focal and in a patchy distribution. In comparison, fibromatosis and dermatofibrosarcoma were uniformly negative for the same keratin panel, while spindle cell components of eight metaplastic carcinomas expressed at least two or more keratins in a wider distribution of up to 90% of positively stained spindle cells. All eight spindle cell sarcomas were negative for keratins.

Conclusion

The use of keratins as an adjunctive immunohistochemical diagnostic tool in the differential work-up of spindle cell tumours of the breast has to be interpreted with caution especially on limited core biopsy material.
Phosphorylated p120-catenin expression has predictive value for oral cancer progression
Authors: Ma Li-Wei , Zhou Zeng-Tong , He Qing-Bo , Jiang Wei-Wen
Published: January 2012

Aims

Recent studies have shown that phosphorylation of p120-catenin (p120) promotes progression and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the usefulness of phosphorylated p120-catenin (pp120) as a biomarker for predicting clinical behaviour in the carcinogenesis of potentially malignant oral lesions.

Methods

In a retrospective follow-up study, the expression pattern of pp120 protein was determined using immunohistochemistry in samples from 68 patients with potentially malignant oral lesions, including patients with untransformed lesions (n=38) and patients with malignant transformed lesions (n=30). Analysis of corresponding post-malignant lesions (OSCCs) was also performed.

Results

There was high expression of pp120 in 35 of 68 (51.5%) of general potentially malignant oral lesions and 23 of 30 (76.7%) of OSCCs compared with expression in normal oral mucosa. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with potentially malignant oral lesions expressing high levels of membranous pp120 had a significantly higher incidence of OSCC than those expressing low expressing pp120 (p=0.002; log-rank test). Cox regression analysis revealed that this pp120 expression pattern was significantly associated with a 3.43-fold increase in the risk of malignant progression (p=0.007). In addition, there was a significant correlation between high levels of membranous expression of pp120 in pre-malignant lesions and cytoplasmic expression in post-malignant lesions (p=0.028).

Conclusions

The data indicated that a high level of membranous expression of pp120 in potentially malignant oral lesions is an early event during oral carcinogenesis, and that the mislocalisation of expression of pp120 from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm is associated with oral cancer progression. pp120 may serve as a useful marker for the identification of a high risk of potentially malignant oral lesions progressing to OSCC.
MEASUREMENT-BASED QUANTUM COMPUTING WITH VALENCE-BOND-SOLIDS
Authors: KWEK LEONG CHUAN , WEI ZHAOHUI , ZENG BEI
Published: January 2012

Measurement-based quantum computing (MBQC) is a model of quantum computing that proceeds by sequential measurements of individual spins in an entangled resource state. However, it remains a challenge to produce efficiently such resource states. Would it be possible to generate these states by simply cooling a quantum many-body system to its ground state? Cluster states, the canonical resource states for MBQC, do not occur naturally as unique ground states of physical systems. This inherent hurdle has led to a significant effort to identify alternative resource states that appear as ground states in spin lattices. Recently, some interesting candidates have been identified with various valence-bond-solid (VBS) states. In this review, we provide a pedagogical introduction to recent progress regarding MBQC with VBS states as possible resource states. This study has led to an interesting interdisciplinary research area at the interface of quantum information science and condensed matter physics.
A STUDY OF PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY OF NEUTRON DOPED Si1-xGex-ALLOYS
Authors: YEVSEYEV V. , CHEKANOV V.
Published: January 2012

The research results of photoelectric, optical and recombination properties of neutron transmutation doped (NTD) semiconductor solid alloys Si 1-x Ge x(x = 0.008–0.112) are presented in spectral range 0.8–10.6 μm. It is shown that these properties of NTD Si 1-x Ge x are determined by creation of transmutation impurities of Se and Ga as well as by variation of Ge content and compensation. The theoretical and applied aspects of the NTD Si 1-x Ge x have been also considered.
ZERO INFLATED POISSON EWMA CONTROL CHART FOR MONITORING RARE HEALTH-RELATED EVENTS
Authors: FATAHI AMIR AFSHIN , NOOROSSANA RASSOUL , DOKOUHAKI PERSHANG , MOGHADDAM BABAK FARHANG
Published: January 2012

Recently, rare health events issue has motivated many researches in the field of control charting. Various methods such as g-type control chart, g-type CUSUM control chart, sets method, CUSCORE method, SHDA method and the Bernoulli CUSUM have been developed in this regard, in which each of them has a specific approach to the problem. As a relatively new approach, zero inflation in Poisson distribution, named ZIP distribution can be applied. In this paper, an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is developed for the ZIP random variable to monitor rare health-related events with a predefined performance measure value. Since the ZIP-EWMA plotted data are dependent, Markov chain approach is applied to calculate average run lengths (ARLs) as the control chart performance criteria. Based on the ARL measure, the ZIP-EWMA chart performs better in comparison with the methods available in the literature. As the main contribution of this paper is the development a control chart which performs better than the previously proposed charts. Also, a motivating real case study related to monitoring needle-stick rare occurrences in a hospital is investigated to show the applicability of the developed chart.
COMMENT ON "MIXING BELIEFS AMONG INTERACTING AGENTS"
Authors: GÓMEZ-SERRANO JAVIER , LE BOUDEC JEAN-YVES
Published: January 2012

We comment on the derivation of the main equation in the bounded confidence model of opinion dynamics. In the original work, the equation is derived using an ad-hoc counting method. We point that the original derivation does contain some small mistake. The mistake does not have a large qualitative impact, but it reveals the danger of the ad-hoc counting method. We show how a more systematic approach, which we call micro to macro, can avoid such mistakes, without adding any significant complexity.
ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL R&D PROGRAMS: THE CASE OF KOREA
Authors: LEE YOON BEEN , PARK JIYOUNG
Published: January 2012

Most assessments for R&D programs are conducted for on-going or finished programs. In order to streamline national R&D programs, Korean government is making a challenging attempt. It enacted a law for ex ante evaluation for national R&D programs and KISTEP, which specializes in evaluation and planning for R&D programs, took charge of the important role.

KISTEP created and developed guidelines for feasibility analysis on each category of R&D program. Many kinds of R&D programs, such as constructing facilities for nuclear fusion and developing IT components by organizing consortiums, were analyzed from the viewpoint of technology experts and policy makers. Various impacts expected to be made by R&D programs were crucial elements for the analysis too.

This paper presents processes for the feasibility analysis of R&D programs, cruces of the processes, and how we have improved the assessment system. It also provides how the assessment system contributed to the innovation of national R&D programs.
COMPATIBILITY STRATEGIES FOR AN ASYMMETRIC DUOPOLY CONSIDERING NETWORK EFFECTS AND MARKET SHARES
Authors: TSENG FAN-CHEN , WANG KUANG-CHENG ANDY
Published: January 2012

The network effect is a key factor influencing the development of e-business and technological innovation. At the same time, compatibility decisions can determine the success or failure of businesses and technologies. This study explores the compatibility strategies in the context of network effects using a two-stage game-theoretical model for a duopoly. In the first stage, two firms make their compatibility decisions, and in the second stage, two firms are engaged in Bertrand price competition. Major findings are (1) other things being fixed, two firms are more likely to be compatible with each other when they have similar market shares, (2) the compatibility decisions of firms will not be influenced by consumers' switching costs, (3) the order of their compatibility decisions will not change the resulting equilibrium, and (4) based on firms' compatibility decisions, the Bertrand price competition may still lead to market failure, necessitating governmental intervention or regulations.
Exacerbation of endothelial dysfunction during the progression of diabetes: role of oxidative stress
Authors: Huang An , Yang Yang-Ming , Feher Attila , Bagi Zsolt , Kaley Gabor , Sun Dong
Published: January 2012

To test the deterioration of endothelial function during the progression of diabetes, shear stress-induced dilation (SSID; 10, 20, and 40 dyn/cm2) was determined in isolated mesenteric arteries (80–120 μm in diameter) of 6-wk (6W), 3-mo (3M), and 9-mo (9M)-old male db/db mice and their wild-type (WT) controls. Nitric oxide (NO)-mediated SSID was comparable in 6W WT and db/db mice, but the dilation was significantly reduced in 3M db/db mice and declined further in 9M db/db mice. Vascular superoxide production was progressively increased in 3M and 9M db/db mice, associated with an increased expression of NADPH oxidase. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase significantly improved NO-mediated SSID in arteries of 3M, but not in 9M, db/db mice. Although endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was comparable in all groups, a progressive reduction in shear stress-induced eNOS phosphorylation existed in vessels of 3M and 9M db/db mice. Moreover, inducible NOS (iNOS) that was not detected in WT, nor in 6W and 3M db/db mice, was expressed in vessels of 9M db/db mice. A significantly increased expression of nitrotyrosine in total protein and immunoprecipitated eNOS was also found in vessels of 9M db/db mice. Thus, impaired NO bioavailability plays an essential role in the endothelial dysfunction of diabetic mice, which becomes aggravated when endothelial nitrosative stress is further activated via perhaps, an additional iNOS-mediated pathway during the progression of diabetes.
Carcinogens induce loss of the primary cilium in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells independently of effects on the cell cycle
Authors: Radford Robert , Slattery Craig , Jennings Paul , Blacque Oliver , Pfaller Walter , Gmuender Hans , Van Delft Joost , Ryan Michael P. , McMorrow Tara
Published: January 2012

The primary cilium is an immotile sensory and signaling organelle found on the majority of mammalian cell types. Of the multitude of roles that the primary cilium performs, perhaps some of the most important include maintenance of differentiation, quiescence, and cellular polarity. Given that the progression of cancer requires disruption of all of these processes, we have investigated the effects of several carcinogens on the primary cilium of the RPTEC/TERT1 human proximal tubular epithelial cell line. Using both scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescent labeling of the ciliary markers acetylated tubulin and Arl13b, we confirmed that RPTEC/TERT1 cells express primary cilium upon reaching confluence. Treatment with the carcinogens ochratoxin A (OTA) and potassium bromate (KBrO3) caused a significant reduction in the number of ciliated cells, while exposure to nifedipine, a noncarcinogenic renal toxin, had no effect on primary cilium expression. Flow cytometric analysis of the effects of all three compounds on the cell cycle revealed that only KBrO3resulted in an increase in the proportion of cells entering the cell cycle. Microarray analysis revealed dysregulation of multiple pathways affecting ciliogenesis and ciliary maintenance following OTA and KBrO3exposure, which were unaffected by nifedipine exposure. The primary cilium represents a unique physical checkpoint with relevance to carcinogenesis. We have shown that the renal carcinogens OTA and KBrO3cause significant deciliation in a model of the proximal tubule. With KBrO3, this was followed by reentry into the cell cycle; however, deciliation was not found to be associated with reentry into the cell cycle following OTA exposure. Transcriptomic analysis identified dysregulation of Wnt signaling and ciliary trafficking in response to OTA and KBrO3exposure.
Effect of contralateral pure tone stimulation on distortion emissions suggests a frequency-specific functioning of the efferent cochlear control
Authors: Althen H. , Wittekindt A. , Gaese B. , Kössl M. , Abel C.
Published: January 2012

Contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) with white noise and pure tone stimuli was used to assess frequency specificity of efferent olivocochlear control of cochlear mechanics in the gerbil. Changes of the cochlear amplifier can be monitored by distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), which are a byproduct of the nonlinear amplification by the outer hair cells. We used the quadratic DPOAE f2-f1 as ipsilateral probe, as it is known to be sensitive to efferent olivocochlear activity. White noise CAS, used to evoke efferent activity, had maximal effects on the DPOAE level for f2-stimulus frequencies of 5–7 kHz. The dominant effect during CAS was a DPOAE level increase of up to 13.5 dB. The frequency specificity of the olivocochlear system was evaluated by presenting pure tones (0.5–38 kHz) as contralateral stimuli to evoke efferent activity. Maximal DPOAE level changes were triggered by CAS frequencies close to the frequency of the DPOAE elicitor tones (tested f2 range: 2.5–15 kHz). The effective CAS frequency range covered 1.4–2.4 octaves and was centered 0.42 octaves below the DPOAE elicitor tone f2. The frequency-specific effect of CAS with pure tones suggests a dedicated central control of mechanical adjustments for peripheral frequency processing.
Convergence Time Analysis of Particle Swarm Optimization Based on Particle Interaction
Authors: Chen Chao-Hong , Chen Ying-ping
Published: January 2012

We analyze the convergence time of particle swarm optimization (PSO) on the facet of particle interaction. We firstly introduce a statistical interpretation of social-only PSO in order to capture the essence of particle interaction, which is one of the key mechanisms of PSO. We then use the statistical model to obtain theoretical results on the convergence time. Since the theoretical analysis is conducted on the social-only model of PSO, instead of on common models in practice, to verify the validity of our results, numerical experiments are executed on benchmark functions with a regular PSO program.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lesions in the Central Nervous System of a Dog with Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis
Authors: Lang Linda G. , Griffin John F. , Levine Jonathan M. , Breitschwerdt Edward B.
Published: January 2012

A ten-year-old neutered male dog was examined for tetraparesis, vestibular dysfunction, ataxia, and vertebral column hyperesthesia of 10 days duration. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there were multifocal, punctate, T2-hyperintense lesions in the brain and cervical spinal cord and intracranial leptomeningeal contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a predominantly mononuclear pleocytosis and mildly elevated protein.Ehrlichia caniswas diagnosed by serum immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) testing. The dog improved with administration of doxycycline. This report describes MRI central nervous system findings in a dog with ehrlichiosis.
Quality of Red Blood Cells Isolated from Umbilical Cord Blood Stored at Room Temperature
Authors: Zhurova Mariia , Akabutu John , Acker Jason
Published: January 2012

Red blood cells (RBCs) from cord blood contain fetal hemoglobin that is predominant in newborns and, therefore, may be more appropriate for neonatal transfusions than currently transfused adult RBCs. Post-collection, cord blood can be stored at room temperature for several days before it is processed for stem cells isolation, with little known about how these conditions affect currently discarded RBCs. The present study examined the effect of the duration cord blood spent at room temperature and other cord blood characteristics on cord RBC quality. RBCs were tested immediately after their isolation from cord blood using a broad panel of quality assays. No significant decrease in cord RBC quality was observed during the first 65 hours of storage at room temperature. The ratio of cord blood to anticoagulant was associated with RBC quality and needs to be optimized in future. This knowledge will assist in future development of cord RBC transfusion product.
Comparison of Overnight Pooled and Standard Sputum Collection Method for Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Mpagama Stellah G. , Mtabho Charles , Mwaigwisya Solomon , Mleoh Liberate J. , Boer I Marion Sumari-de , Heysell Scott K. , Houpt Eric R. , Kibiki Gibson S.
Published: January 2012

In Tanzania sputum culture for tuberculosis (TB) is resource intensive and available only at zonal facilities. In this study overnight pooled sputum collection technique was compared with standard spot morning collection among pulmonary TB suspects at Kibong’oto National TB Hospital in Tanzania. A spot sputum specimen performed at enrollment, an overnight pooled sputum, and single morning specimen were collected from 50 subjects and analyzed for quality, quantity, and time to detection in Bactec MGIT system. Forty-six (92%) subjects’ overnight pooled specimens had a volume ≥5 mls compared to 37 (37%) for the combination of spot and single morning specimens (P<0.001). Median time to detection was 96 hours (IQR 87–131) for the overnight pooled specimens compared to 110.5 hours (IQR is 137 right 137–180) for the combination of both spot and single morning specimens (P=0.001). In our setting of limited TB culture capacity, we recommend a single pooled sputum to maximize yield and speed time to diagnosis.
Role of New Functional MRI Techniques in the Diagnosis, Staging, and Followup of Gynecological Cancer: Comparison with PET-CT
Authors: Alvarez Moreno Elena , Jimenez de la Peña Mar , Cano Alonso Raquel
Published: January 2012

Recent developments in diagnostic imaging techniques have magnified the role and potential of both MRI and PET-CT in female pelvic imaging. This article reviews the techniques and clinical applications of new functional MRI (fMRI) including diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI, comparing with PET-CT. These new emerging provide not only anatomic but also functional imaging, allowing detection of small volumes of active tumor at diagnosis and early disease relapse, which may not result in detectable morphological changes at conventional imaging. This information is useful in distinguishing between recurrent/residual tumor and post-treatment changes and assessing treatment response, with a clear impact on patient management. Both PET-CT and now fMRI have proved to be very valuable tools for evaluation of gynecologic tumors. Most papers try to compare these techniques, but in our experience both are complementary in management of these patients. Meanwhile PET-CT is superior in diagnosis of ganglionar disease; fMRI presents higher accuracy in local preoperative staging. Both techniques can be used as biomarkers of tumor response and present high accuracy in diagnosis of local recurrence and peritoneal dissemination, with complementary roles depending on histological type, anatomic location and tumoral volume.
Dielectric Relaxation of Lanthanide‐Based Ternary Oxides: Physical and Mathematical Models
Authors: Zhao Chun , Zhao C. Z. , Tao Jing , Werner M. , Taylor S. , Chalker P. R.
Published: January 2012

Cerium‐doped hafnium oxides (CexHf1−xO2) and lanthanum‐doped zirconium oxides (LaxZr1−xO2) were investigated. The highest dielectric constants, k, were obtained from lightly doped oxides with an La content of x = 0.09 and a Ce content of x = 0.1, for which k‐values of 33 ~ 40 were obtained. The dielectric relaxation appears to be related to the size of crystal grains formed during annealing, which was dependent on the doping level. The physical and mathematical models were used to analyze the relationship between k‐values and frequencies. The variations in the k‐values up to megahertz frequencies for both CexHf1−xO2 and LaxZr1−xO2 are simulated based on the Curie‐von Schweidler (CS) or Havriliak‐Negami (HN) relationships. Concerning the lightly doped CexHf1−xO2 and LaxZr1−xO2, the data extracted are best modeled by the HN law, while LaxZr1−xO2 with doping level from x = 0.22 to 0.63 are best modelled based on the CS law.
Fertilizing Lychee Plants with Phosphorus at Time of Planting in Brazil
Authors: Prado Renato de Mello , Gondim Ancélio Ricardo de Oliveira , Correia Marcus André Ribeiro
Published: January 2012

The objective of this research was to study the effects of P fertilizers applied at time of planting on lychees’ nutritional status and on plant growth. The treatments consisted of five doses of P: zero, 50, 100, 200, and 300 g of P2O5per plant, furnished by triple superphosphate. Plant diameter was evaluated during two years and the plants’ nutritional status on the second year. The second year foliar levels of macro and micronutrients (with the exception of Zn) were increased by the P fertilizer. The orchard’s initial development, especially during the second year, was also influenced by the fertilizer. The P doses of 164 and 158 g of P2O5per plant resulted in the largest plant diameter after the first and the second year, respectively. These doses were found to be associated with a foliar P level of <1.4 g kg−1.
The Impact of MicroRNAs on Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Persengiev Stephan P. , Kondova Ivanela I. , Bontrop Ronald E.
Published: January 2012

The molecular instructions that govern gene expression regulation are encoded in the genome and ultimately determine the morphology and functional specifications of the human brain. As a consequence, changes in gene expression levels might be directly related to the functional decline associated with brain aging. Small noncoding RNAs, including miRNAs, comprise a group of regulatory molecules that modulate the expression of hundred of genes which play important roles in brain metabolism. Recent comparative studies in humans and nonhuman primates revealed that miRNAs regulate multiple pathways and interconnected signaling cascades that are the basis for the cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders during aging. Identifying the roles of miRNAs and their target genes in model organisms combined with system-level studies of the brain would provide more comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of brain deterioration during the aging process.
Expression and Localization of Ryanodine Receptors in the Frog Semicircular Canal
Authors: Perin Paola , Botta Laura , Tritto Simona , Laforenza Umberto
Published: January 2012

Several experiments suggest an important role for store-released Ca2+in hair cell organs: drugs targeting IP3and ryanodine (RyRs) receptors affect release from hair cells, and stores are thought to be involved in vesicle recycling at ribbon synapses. In this work we investigated the semicircular canal distribution of RyRs by immunofluorescence, using slice preparations of the sensory epithelium (to distinguish cell types) and flat mounts of the simpler nonsensory regions. RyRs were present in hair cells, mostly in supranuclear spots, but not in supporting cells; as regards nonsensory regions, they were also localized in dark cells and cells from the ductus. No labeling was found in nerve terminals, although nerve branches could be observed in proximity to hair cell RyR spots. The differential expression of RyR isoforms was studied by RT-PCR and immunoblotting, showing the presence of RyRαin both ampulla and canal arm and RyRβin the ampulla only.
An Efficient Key Management Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Du Dahai , Xiong Huagang , Wang Hailiang
Published: January 2012

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be used in a wide range of environments. Due to the inherent characteristics of wireless communications, WSNs are more vulnerable to be attacked than conventional networks. Authentication and data confidentiality are critical in these settings. It is necessary to design a useful key management scheme for WSNs. In this paper, we propose a novel key management scheme called MAKM (modular arithmetic based key management). The proposed MAKM scheme is based on the congruence property of modular arithmetic. Each member sensor node only needs to store a key seed. This key seed is used to compute a unique shared key with its cluster head and a group key shared with other nodes in the same cluster. Thus, MAKM minimizes the key storage space. Furthermore, sensor nodes in the network can update their key seeds very quickly. Performance evaluation and simulation results show that the proposed MAKM scheme outperforms other key-pool-based schemes in key storage space and resilience against nodes capture. MAKM scheme can also reduce time delay and energy consumption of key establishment in large-scale WSNs.