bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr Virus Glycoprotein gB and gHgL Can Mediate Fusion and Entry in
trans
, and Heat Can Act as a Partial Surrogate for gHgL and Trigger a Conformational Change in gB
Authors: Chesnokova Liudmila S. , Ahuja Munish K. , Hutt-Fletcher Lindsey M.
Published: August 2014

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) fusion with an epithelial cell requires virus glycoproteins gHgL and gB and is triggered by an interaction between gHgL and integrin αvβ5, αvβ6, or αvβ8. Fusion with a B cell requires gHgL, gp42, and gB and is triggered by an interaction between gp42 and human leukocyte antigen class II. We report here that, like alpha- and betaherpesviruses, EBV, a gammaherpesvirus, can mediate cell fusion if gB and gHgL are expressed in
trans
. Entry of a gH-null virus into an epithelial cell is possible if the epithelial cell expresses gHgL, and entry of the same virus, which phenotypically lacks gHgL and gp42, into a B cell expressing gHgL is possible in the presence of a soluble integrin. Heat is capable of inducing the fusion of cells expressing only gB, and the proteolytic digestion pattern of gB in virions changes in the same way following the exposure of virus to heat or to soluble integrins. It is suggested that the Gibbs free energy released as a result of the high-affinity interaction of gHgL with an integrin contributes to the activation energy required to cause the refolding of gB from a prefusion to a postfusion conformation.

IMPORTANCE
The core fusion machinery of herpesviruses consists of glycoproteins gB and gHgL. We demonstrate that as in alpha- and betaherpesvirus, gB and gHgL of the gammaherpesvirus EBV can mediate fusion and entry when expressed in
trans
in opposing membranes, implicating interactions between the ectodomains of the proteins in the activation of fusion. We further show that heat and exposure to a soluble integrin, both of which activate fusion, result in the same changes in the proteolytic digestion pattern of gB, possibly representing the refolding of gB from its prefusion to its postfusion conformation.
Residue 82 of the Chikungunya Virus E2 Attachment Protein Modulates Viral Dissemination and Arthritis in Mice
Authors: Ashbrook Alison W. , Burrack Kristina S. , Silva Laurie A. , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Heise Mark T. , Morrison Thomas E. , Dermody Terence S.
Published: August 2014

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that has reemerged to cause profound epidemics of fever, rash, and arthralgia throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Like other arthritogenic alphaviruses, mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis are not well defined. Using the attenuated CHIKV strain 181/25 and virulent strain AF15561, we identified a residue in the E2 viral attachment protein that is a critical determinant of viral replication in cultured cells and pathogenesis
in vivo
. Viruses containing an arginine at E2 residue 82 displayed enhanced infectivity in mammalian cells but reduced infectivity in mosquito cells and diminished virulence in a mouse model of CHIKV disease. Mice inoculated with virus containing an arginine at this position exhibited reduced swelling at the site of inoculation with a concomitant decrease in the severity of necrosis in joint-associated tissues. Viruses containing a glycine at E2 residue 82 produced higher titers in the spleen and serum at early times postinfection. Using wild-type and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and soluble GAGs, we found that an arginine at residue 82 conferred greater dependence on GAGs for infection of mammalian cells. These data suggest that CHIKV E2 interactions with GAGs diminish dissemination to lymphoid tissue, establishment of viremia, and activation of inflammatory responses early in infection. Collectively, these results suggest a function for GAG utilization in regulating CHIKV tropism and host responses that contribute to arthritis.

IMPORTANCE
CHIKV is a reemerging alphavirus of global significance with high potential to spread into new, immunologically naive populations. The severity of CHIKV disease, particularly its propensity for chronic musculoskeletal manifestations, emphasizes the need for identification of genetic determinants that dictate CHIKV virulence in the host. To better understand mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis, we probed the function of an amino acid polymorphism in the E2 viral attachment protein using a mouse model of CHIKV musculoskeletal disease. In addition to influencing glycosaminoglycan utilization, we identified roles for this polymorphism in differential infection of mammalian and mosquito cells and targeting of CHIKV to specific tissues within infected mice. These studies demonstrate a correlation between CHIKV tissue tropism and virus-induced pathology modulated by a single polymorphism in E2, which in turn illuminates potential targets for vaccine and antiviral drug development.
Intrabronchial Infection of Rhesus Macaques with Simian Varicella Virus Results in a Robust Immune Response in the Lungs
Authors: Haberthur Kristen , Meyer Christine , Arnold Nicole , Engelmann Flora , Jeske Daniel R. , Messaoudi Ilhem
Published: August 2014

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the etiological agent of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Primary VZV infection is believed to occur via the inhalation of virus either in respiratory droplets or from shedding varicella lesions or by direct contact with infectious vesicular fluid. However, the ensuing immune response in the lungs remains incompletely understood. We have shown that intrabronchial inoculation of rhesus macaques with simian varicella virus (SVV), a homolog of VZV, recapitulates the hallmarks of acute and latent VZV infection in humans. In this study, we performed an in-depth analysis of the host immune response to acute SVV infection in the lungs and peripheral blood. We report that acute SVV infection results in a robust innate immune response in the lungs, characterized by the production of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors as well as an increased frequency of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs) that corresponded with alpha interferon (IFN-α) production and a rapid decrease in viral loads in the lungs. This is followed by T and B cell proliferation, antibody production, T cell differentiation, and cytokine production, which correlate with the complete cessation of viral replication. Although terminally differentiated CD8 T cells became the predominant T cell population in bronchoalveolar lavage cells, a higher percentage of CD4 T cells were SVV specific, which suggests a critical role for these cells in the resolution of primary SVV infection in the lungs. Given the homology between SVV and VZV, our data provide insight into the immune response to VZV within the lung.

IMPORTANCEAlthough primary VZV infection occurs primarily via the respiratory route, the host response in the lungs and its contribution to the cessation of viral replication and establishment of latency remain poorly understood. The difficulty in accessing lung tissue and washes from individuals infected with VZV has hampered efforts to address this knowledge gap. SVV infection of rhesus macaques is an important model of VZV infection of humans; therefore, we utilized this animal model to gain a comprehensive view of the kinetics of the immune response to SVV in the lung and its relationship to the resolution of acute infection in respiratory tissues. These data not only advance our understanding of host immunity to VZV, a critical step in developing new vaccines, but also provide additional insight into immunity to respiratory pathogens.
Mesenteric vein thrombosis; not going with the flow
Authors: Lee Lennard Y W , Aubrey-Jones Harriet , Lacey Rachel , De Silva Aminda
Published: August 2014

A 71-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting; on examination she demonstrated signs of peritonism. CT imaging was performed and this demonstrated extensive thrombosis of the superior mesenteric, omental and portal veins with infarction of the distal small bowel. A non-operative approach was initiated and anticoagulation rapidly started. Within 48 h the patient demonstrated significant clinical improvement and she subsequently made a full recovery.
Multiple territory watershed infarcts following spinal anaesthesia
Authors: Abkur Tarig Mohammed , Mohamed Mohamed Bakri , Peters Catherine
Published: August 2014

Hypotension is one of the most common complications of spinal anaesthesia (SA). The intraoperative drop in the blood pressure is clearly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In order to increase the awareness of this complication, we report a case of devastating stroke following an SA in a previously well woman with risk factors for vascular diseases. The patient developed multiple territory watershed infarcts and she eventually died from aspiration pneumonia 14 days after hospitalisation. The case highlights the risk of hypotension complicating SA.
Intraperitoneal insulin therapy for a patient with type 1 diabetes with insulin injection site inflammation
Authors: Lee Siang Ing , Narendran Parth
Published: August 2014

A 36-year-old man with type 1 diabetes developed skin inflammation at the site of subcutaneous insulin injection after 10 years of basal bolus subcutaneous insulin therapy. This inflammation led to poor insulin absorption, poorly controlled blood glucose and subsequently to ketoacidosis. The problem persisted despite a trial of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. The patient went on to be treated with continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion. Three months after the procedure, he was achieving good glucose control and was able to resume his normal life, with the only complication being an episode of cellulitis surrounding the port site.
Paratesticular sarcomas: two cases with different evolutions
Authors: Matias Margarida , Carvalho Miguel , Xavier Luisa , Teixeira José Alberto
Published: August 2014

Paratesticular sarcomas are rare and account for less than 1% of all adult sarcomas. Intrascrotal tumours can be testicular or paratesticular, paratesticular tumours being rarer (7–10%). Only 30% of paratesticular tumours are malignant and 90% of these are sarcomas. Histological subtypes include leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma. Recurrence is frequent in this type of tumour and can occur years from initial diagnosis. These reports show two cases of paratesticular sarcoma with very distinct evolutions. The first case concerns a patient who presented with low-grade leiomyosarcoma with two local recurrences treated with surgery, and distance recurrence with cutaneous, subcutaneous, pulmonary and hepatic metastasis 30 years after surgery of the primary tumour. The second case reports of a patient who presented with high-grade myxoid liposarcoma with local and distance recurrence 3 years after surgery of the primary tumour, which progressed after chemotherapy; the patient died 7 months after diagnosis of recurrence.
Intravascular lymphoma: an unusual cause of rapid cognitive decline and the role of brain biopsy
Authors: Chaturvedi Sujata , Pant Ishita , Kushwaha Suman , Jha Deepak Kumar
Published: August 2014

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare extra nodal variant of non Hodgkin's lymphoma characterised by neoplastic lymphoid cells growing inside the lumina of medium and small vessels. IVL limited to the central nervous system (CNS) is an extremely rare condition as IVL is usually found with systemic lesions. Most cases of IVL are not diagnosed until post mortem because of variable clinical presentation and non-specific laboratory findings. Even if diagnosed early the disease is clinically aggressive and usually fatal, even with early detection and treatment. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a short history of behavioural abnormality, rapidly progressive cognitive decline and seizures. There were no cutaneous manifestations. Diagnosis was established only after the brain biopsy. The case is presented for the rarity of its presentation and role of brain biopsy in diagnosis.
Acupuncture for patients with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Zhou Jing , Peng Weina , Li Wang , Liu Zhishun
Published: August 2014

Introduction

The aim of this protocol is to provide the methods used to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods and analysis

We will search the following electronic databases: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Medical Current Contents and China National Knowledge Infrastructure without restriction of language and publication status. Other sources such as Chinese acupuncture journals and the reference list of selected studies will also be searched. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials will be conducted, if possible. Results expressed as risk ratios for dichotomous data and standardised or weighted mean differences for continuous data, will be used for data synthesis.

Dissemination

The protocol of this systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42014009619
Association of nucleated red blood cells with mortality in critically ill dogs
Authors: Müller M. , Dörfelt R. , Hamacher L. , Wess G.
Published: August 2014

The occurrence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in the peripheral blood of critically ill human patients is associated with increased mortality. In dogs, the presence of NRBCs in peripheral blood has been used as a sensitive and specific marker of complications and outcome associated with heatstroke. However, no study has investigated their prevalence in critically ill dogs. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NRBCs in the peripheral blood, and to evaluate their occurrence as a prognostic factor in critically ill dogs. One hundred and one dogs were prospectively included; the presence of NRBCs was studied on a daily basis from the time of admission until day 3 in the intensive care unit (or less if discharged or death occurred earlier). Dogs fulfilled at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and suffered from various diseases. Survival was defined as being alive 28 days postdischarge from hospital. In 42 dogs, NRBCs were detected at least once; 59 patients were NRBC negative. Mortality was significantly higher in NRBC‐positive than NRBC‐negative patients (54.8 v 30.5 per cent) (P=0.014). However, this association was not present when anaemic dogs were excluded from the analysis. Detection of NRBCs in the peripheral blood may be an indicator for regenerative anaemia and may have potential for use as a prognostic tool or in addition to established scoring systems in critically ill dogs.
Functional role of arginine 425 in the mammalian Na+/H+ exchanger
Authors: Li Xiuju , Ma Yike , Fliegel Larry
Published: August 2014

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is the principal plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger of mammalian cells and functions by exchanging one intracellular proton for one extracellular sodium ion. Critical transmembrane segments of Na+/H+ exchangers have discontinuous transmembrane helices, which result in a dipole within the membrane. Amino acid R425 has been suggested to play an important role in neutralizing one such helix dipole. To investigate this hypothesis, R425 was mutated to alanine, glutamine, histidine, or lysine and the mutant NHE1 proteins were expressed and characterized in NHE1-deficient cells. The R425A and R425E mutants exhibited complete loss of expression of mature, fully glycosylated NHE1, reduced expression overall, and greatly reduced cell surface targeting. The cell surface targeting, expression, and activity of the R425H and R425K mutant proteins were also impaired, though residual NHE1 activity remained. When reduced targeting and expression were accounted for, the R425H and R425K mutant proteins had activity similar to that of the wild-type protein. The results suggest that R425 is critical for NHE1 expression, targeting, and activity and that replacement with another basic residue can rescue activity. The findings are consistent with a role for R425 in both neutralizing a helix dipole and maintaining NHE1 structure and function.
Thomas precession and spin interaction energy in very special relativity
Authors: Ganjitabar Hassan , Shojai Ali
Published: August 2014

Very Special Relativity (VSR), proposed by Cohen and Glashow, considers one of the subgroups of Poincaré group as the symmetry of spacetime. This paper investigates the transformations of electromagnetic fields under boosts of VSR, and by the aid of them studies the interaction energy between spin of an electron and external electromagnetic fields. Here, we argue that Thomas precession, one of the consequences of Special Relativity (SR), does not exist in HOM(2) avatar of VSR. The predictions of SR and VSR about the spin interaction energy in a certain case are compared, and despite the absence of Thomas precession in VSR, no noticeable departure is seen.
Indirect searches for dark matter with the Fermi LAT instrument
Authors: Mazziotta M. N. ,   On behalf of the Fermi-LAT Collaboration
Published: August 2014

In this review the current status of several searches for particle dark matter with the Fermi Large Area Telescope instrument is presented. In particular, the current limits on the weakly interacting massive particles, obtained from the analyses of gamma-ray and cosmic ray electron/positron data, will be illustrated.
Status of neutrino mass and mixing
Authors: Altarelli Guido
Published: August 2014

In the last two decades experiments have established the existence of neutrino oscillations and most of the related parameters have by now been measured with reasonable accuracy. These results have accomplished a major progress for particle physics and cosmology. At present neutrino physics is a most vital domain of particle physics and cosmology and the existing open questions are of crucial importance. We review the present status of the subject, the main lessons that we have learnt so far and discuss the great challenges that remain in this field.
Clues towards unified textures
Authors: Sharma Samandeep , Fakay Priyanka , Ahuja Gulsheen , Gupta Manmohan
Published: August 2014

The issue of texture specific mass matrices has been discussed by incorporating Weak Basis transformations and the concept of "naturalness." Interestingly, we find that starting from the most general mass matrices, one can arrive at texture four zero mass matrices which can fit both quark as well as lepton mixing data and are similar to the original Fritzsch ansatze.
Effective masses in a dense fermion background — Applied to neutrinos, dark matter and dark energy
Authors: McKellar Bruce H. J. , Goldman T. J. , Stephenson G. J.
Published: August 2014

If fermions interact with a scalar field, and there are many fermions present the scalar field may develop an expectation value and generate an effective mass for the fermions. This can lead to the formation of fermion clusters, which could be relevant for neutrino astrophysics and for dark matter astrophysics. Because this system may exhibit negative pressure, it also leads to a model of dark energy.
Muon anomalous magnetic moment and penguin loops in warped extra dimensions
Authors: Beneke M. , Moch P. , Rohrwild J.
Published: August 2014

We describe the computation of the one-loop muon anomalous magnetic moment and radiative penguin transitions in the minimal and custodially protected Randall–Sundrum model. A fully five-dimensional (5D) framework is employed to match the 5D theory onto the Standard Model extended by dimension-six operators. The additional contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment from the gauge-boson exchange contributions is [Formula: see text] where the first (second) number refers to the minimal (custodially-protected) model. Here 1/T denotes the location of the TeV brane in conformal coordinates, and is related to the mass of the lowest gauge-boson KK excitation by M KK ≈2.35T. We also determine the Higgs-exchange contribution, which depends on the 5D Yukawa structure and the precise interpretation of the localization of the Higgs field near or at the TeV brane.
On the polarized DIS spin structure function g1 at small x
Authors: Ermolaev B. I. , Greco M. , Troyan S. I.
Published: August 2014

In the present paper we summarize our recent results on the structure function g1 and present explicit expressions for the nonsinglet and singlet components of g1, which can be also used at arbitrary x and Q2. These expressions combine the well-known DGLAP-results for the anomalous dimensions and coefficient functions with the total resummation of the leading logarithmic contributions and the shift of Q2 →Q2 + μ2. In contrast to DGLAP, these expressions do not require the introduction of singular parametrizations for the initial parton densities. We have also applied our results to describe the experimental data in the kinematic region of the COMPASS experiment, which is beyond the reach of DGLAP. For a more detailed review of our results see Ref. 1.
Composite weak bosons
Authors: Fritzsch Harald
Published: August 2014

In a composite model of the weak bosons the excitations of the weak bosons are studied. The state with the lowest mass is identified with the boson, which has been detected recently at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Moreover there should exist eleven other bosons with masses below 1 TeV, among them six bosons with electric charge (+1) or (-1).
Photon production in high energy nuclear collision of quark–gluon plasma
Authors: Singh S. Somorendro , Kumar Yogesh
Published: August 2014

We extend to investigate photon production through annihilation with scattering (AWS), and Compton and annihilation processes from a stabilized high energy nuclear collision of quark–gluon plasma (QGP) incorporating finite value of quark mass obtained through a strong coupling value. The production rate is represented in the region of low and intermediate photon energy and it is observed to be a decreasing function with temperature. The calculation is extended to the case of photon spectra with the photon transverse momentum. The current observation shows little enhancement in both processes at the temperature T = 0.25 GeV and it is in conformity with the recent direct photon production of other works at temperature T = 0.30 GeV .
On the possibility of mixed phases in disordered quantum paraelectrics
Authors: Das Nabyendu
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we present a theory of phase transition in quantum critical paraelectrics in presence of quenched random-Tc disorder using replica trick. The effects of disorder induced locally ordered regions and their slow dynamics are included by breaking the replica symmetry at vector level. The occurrence of a mixed phase at any finite value of disorder strength is argued. A broad power law distribution of quantum critical points and and its finite temperature consequences are predicted. Results are interesting in the context of a certain class of disordered materials near quantum phase transition.
Probing the quantum entanglement under finite temperature environment in nonineritial frames
Authors: Zhang Ren-Jie , Xu Shuai , Song Xue-Ke , Shi Jia-Dong , Ye Liu
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of quantum entanglement of a two-qubit quantum system coupled with generalized amplitude damping (GAD) channel of nonzero temperature in noninertial frames. The results show that the concurrence decreases with the increase of acceleration and channel parameter r has a decisive impact on the entanglement. Accidentally, we manifest the inequivalence of the quantization for a Dirac field under the GAD channel in the noninertial frames.
Power spectrum density in a paraelectric particle in zero-frequency limit
Authors: Hudak Ondrej , Hudak Matej
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we study the behavior of the particle in the paraelectric phase near the bulk critical temperature (a = 0) (in our units) and near the particle critical temperature (ad) using the fluctuation–dissipation theorem through the power spectrum density S(ω) at zero frequency ω = 0 in the particle. This power spectrum density is found here to have three regimes as concerning the temperature dependence for a given particle diameter. The first one is above the bulk critical temperature, the second one is at the bulk critical temperature and the third is below the bulk critical temperature and above the particle critical temperature. Decreasing temperature fluctuations of the order parameter (polarization) change from the bulk-like to the particle-like due to particle form. Divergency of the bulk spectrum density Sb(0) at the bulk critical temperature a = 0 is compensated in the particle by the contribution ≈a2due to the particle form. The power spectrum density S(0) near the particle critical temperature diverges with the exponent 2, we obtain [Formula: see text], where Tc, dis the particle critical temperature in the temperature variable T. Our results are new and are exact within the model used.
The influence of size effect on interface phonons in core-shell quantum dot: a resonant Raman study
Authors: Zhong Qing-Hu , Wu Yu , Xiao Yun-Chang , Hu Liang-Bin , Wang Rui-Qiang
Published: August 2014

In this paper, the interface phonons in a core-shell quantum dot are theoretically studied by a resonant Raman scattering (RRS) process. Fröhlich electron–phonon interaction is considered in the framework of the dielectric continuum approach. The Raman peaks are found to be sensitive to the size of strongly confined shell. The shift of the Raman resonant peaks is a consequence of the change of observed dispersion of the phonon frequency. The Raman intensity changes in the system with shell thickness, originating from the competition between the spacial distribution of electron wave function and the number of phonons joining in the RRS process. The analysis of the Raman spectra gives a physical explanation to the size-selective nature of the Raman process and some experimental results.
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Policy Implications in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Erogul Murat Sakir , Horne Constance Van
Published: August 2014

The paper provides an overview of entrepreneurial innovation and aspiration in the United Arab Emirates to help policy makers facilitate Emirati entrepreneurs establish small and medium size enterprises that develop and utilize new technology and innovation through research and development. The findings indicate that firstly, business activity in the UAE among Emiratis is concentrated in consumer and service oriented ventures, such as retail, restaurants, health, education and social services. Secondly, UAE businesses in general are skilled at technology adoption, but not technology innovation. Thirdly, it has been found that new and young businesses in the UAE have minimal involvement in the high/medium technology sectors. These findings indicate that the UAE government should focus on developing a highly innovative entrepreneurial sector and on supporting high value added new companies that have the potential to grow and to develop internationally. For this to take place and to create efficient support programs that add value, policy makers and business developers need to collaborate with universities and research establishments to develop support systems that work towards supply oriented policies by focusing on innovation, infrastructure and ecological sustainability, rather than on the traditional tools of local demand.
Enterprises' Business Practices and the Regional Institutional Environment in the Republic of Karelia in Russia
Authors: Kozyreva Galina , Ledyaeva Svetlana
Published: August 2014

This study uses theories on trust and opportunism to investigate the economic behaviour and business practices of enterprises in the Republic of Karelia, one of Russia's northern territories. Three enterprise types that have emerged during transition period in the Republic ("passives", "realists" and "innovators") have been identified on the basis of this analysis. Furthermore, both formal and informal market institutions in the Republic of Karelia were found to be underdeveloped, which creates numerous possibilities for opportunistic behaviour, both by authorities and by business actors. This, in turn, stimulates the creation of informal business networks and the use of particularly cautious business practices. The study is largely based on the results of a standardised survey and in-depth interviews conducted with the heads of 100 enterprises operating in the Republic of Karelia. The interviews were conducted in June and July of 2004 by the Institute of Economics research group in the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Surface Roughness Characterization of ZnO: TiO2-Organic Blended Solar Cells Layers by Atomic Force Microscopy and Fractal Analysis
Authors: Ţălu Ştefan , Stach Sebastian , Ikram Muhammad , Pathak Dinesh , Wagner Tomas , Nunzi Jean-Michel
Published: August 2014

The objective of this work is to quantitatively characterize the 3D complexity of ZnO : TiO 2-organic blended solar cells layers by atomic force microscopy and fractal analysis. ZnO : TiO 2-organic blended solar cells layers were investigated by AFM in tapping-mode in air, on square areas of 25 μm2. A detailed methodology for ZnO : TiO 2-organic blended solar cells layers surface fractal characterization, which may be applied for AFM data, is presented. Detailed surface characterization of the surface topography was obtained using statistical parameters, according with ISO 25178-2: 2012. The fractal dimensions Df values (all with average ± standard deviation), obtained with morphological envelopes method, for: blend D1 ( P 3 HT : PCBM : ZnO : TiO 2 blend with ratio 1:0.35:0.175:0.175 mg in 1 ml of Chlorobenzene) is Df = 2.55 ± 0.01; and for blend D2 ( P 3 HT : PCBM : ZnO : TiO 2 blend with ratio 1:0.55:0.075:0.075 mg in 1 ml of Chlorobenzene) is Df = 2.45 ± 0.01. Denoting the ratios in 1 ml of Chlorobenzene with D1 and D2 articles. The 3D surface roughness of samples revealed a fractal structure at nanometer scale. Fractal and AFM analysis may assist manufacturers in developing ZnO : TiO 2-organic blended solar cells layers with better surface characteristics and provides different yet complementary information to that offered by traditional surface statistical parameters.
Optimal bank management under capital and liquidity constraints
Authors: Astic Fabian , Tourin Agnès
Published: August 2014

We propose a model of a bank that invests in both liquid and illiquid assets and whose goal is to maximize its shareholders' profit while satisfying some regulatory constraints. We study the sensitivity of the shareholders' gain and optimal portfolio allocations, as well as the associated bondholders' payoff, to the minimal capital requirement and liquidity ratio. We find that tightening the liquidity constraint adversely affects their rates of return, while preventing some large losses that occur when the portfolio is very illiquid. Stiffening the minimal capital requirement penalizes the shareholders but seems to have little influence on the bondholders.
Multicopy Cache
Authors: Chakraborty Arup , Homayoun Houman , Khajeh Amin , Dutt Nikil , Eltawil Ahmed , Kurdahi Fadi
Published: August 2014

Caches are known to consume a large part of total microprocessor energy. Traditionally, voltage scaling has been used to reduce both dynamic and leakage power in caches. However, aggressive voltage reduction causes process-variation-induced failures in cache SRAM arrays, thus compromising cache reliability. We present MultiCopy Cache (MC
2
), a new cache architecture that achieves significant reduction in energy consumption through aggressive voltage scaling while maintaining high error resilience (reliability) by exploiting multiple copies of each data item in the cache. Unlike many previous approaches, MC
2
does not require any error map characterization and therefore is responsive to changing operating conditions (e.g., Vdd noise, temperature, and leakage) of the cache. MC
2
also incurs significantly lower overheads compared to other ECC-based caches. Our experimental results on embedded benchmarks demonstrate that MC
2
achieves up to 60% reduction in energy and energy-delay product (EDP) with only 3.5% reduction in IPC and no appreciable area overhead.
Exponential Time Complexity of the Permanent and the Tutte Polynomial
Authors: Dell Holger , Husfeldt Thore , Marx Dániel , Taslaman Nina , Wahlén Martin
Published: August 2014

We show conditional lower bounds for well-studied #P-hard problems:

The number of satisfying assignments of a 2-CNF formula with
n
variables cannot be computed in time exp(
o
(
n
)), and the same is true for computing the number of all independent sets in an
n
-vertex graph.

The permanent of an
n
×
n
matrix with entries 0 and 1 cannot be computed in time exp(
o
(
n
)).

The Tutte polynomial of an
n
-vertex multigraph cannot be computed in time exp(
o
(
n
)) at most evaluation points (
x
,
y
) in the case of multigraphs, and it cannot be computed in time exp(
o
(
n
/poly log
n
)) in the case of simple graphs.

Our lower bounds are relative to (variants of) the Exponential Time Hypothesis (ETH), which says that the satisfiability of
n
-variable 3-CNF formulas cannot be decided in time exp(
o
(
n
)). We relax this hypothesis by introducing its counting version #ETH; namely, that the satisfying assignments cannot be counted in time exp(
o
(
n
)). In order to use #ETH for our lower bounds, we transfer the sparsification lemma for
d
-CNF formulas to the counting setting.
Principles of Robust Medium Access and an Application to Leader Election
Authors: Awerbuch Baruch , Richa Andrea , Scheideler Christian , Schmid Stefan , Zhang Jin
Published: August 2014

This article studies the design of medium access control (MAC) protocols for wireless networks that are provably robust against arbitrary and unpredictable disruptions (e.g., due to unintentional external interference from co-existing networks or due to jamming). We consider a wireless network consisting of a set of
n
honest and reliable nodes within transmission (and interference) range of each other, and we model the external disruptions with a powerful adaptive adversary. This adversary may know the protocol and its entire history and can use this knowledge to jam the wireless channel at will at any time. It is allowed to jam a (1-ϵ)-fraction of the timesteps, for an arbitrary constant ϵ > 0 unknown to the nodes. The nodes cannot distinguish between the adversarial jamming or a collision of two or more messages that are sent at the same time. We demonstrate, for the first time, that there is a local-control MAC protocol requiring only very limited knowledge about the adversary and the network that achieves a constant (asymptotically optimal) throughput for the nonjammed time periods under any of the aforementioned adversarial strategies. The derived principles are also useful to build robust applications on top of the MAC layer, and we present an exemplary study for leader election, one of the most fundamental tasks in distributed computing.
The complexity of counting homomorphisms to cactus graphs modulo 2
Authors: Göbel Andreas , Goldberg Leslie Ann , Richerby David
Published: August 2014

A homomorphism from a graph
G
to a graph
H
is a function from
V
(
G
) to
V
(
H
) that preserves edges. Many combinatorial structures that arise in mathematics and in computer science can be represented naturally as graph homomorphisms and as weighted sums of graph homomorphisms. In this article, we study the complexity of counting homomorphisms modulo 2. The complexity of modular counting was introduced by Papadimitriou and Zachos and it has been pioneered by Valiant who famously introduced a problem for which counting modulo 7 is easy but counting modulo 2 is intractable. Modular counting provides a rich setting in which to study the structure of homomorphism problems. In this case, the structure of the graph
H
has a big influence on the complexity of the problem. Thus, our approach is graph-theoretic. We give a complete solution for the class of cactus graphs, which are connected graphs in which every edge belongs to at most one cycle. Cactus graphs arise in many applications such as the modelling of wireless sensor networks and the comparison of genomes. We show that, for some cactus graphs
H
, counting homomorphisms to
H
modulo 2 can be done in polynomial time. For every other fixed cactus graph
H
, the problem is complete in the complexity class ⊕
P
, which is a wide complexity class to which every problem in the polynomial hierarchy can be reduced (using randomised reductions). Determining which
H
lead to tractable problems can be done in polynomial time. Our result builds upon the work of Faben and Jerrum, who gave a dichotomy for the case in which
H
is a tree.
Computer scientist in profile
Authors: Shehu Amarda
Published: August 2014

"Yes, I did have a band in college, and I still love music," says Yang, who now has his own highly-successful computational biology laboratory at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While most of us are quick to associate his name with top protein structure prediction servers, such as I-TASSER and QUARK, not many of us know that Yang's first passion was music. "When I was young," he recalls, "my dream was to roam around the world with my guitar." His dream did not last long, as he made a conscious decision to pursue a graduate degree after completing his undergraduate studies in physics in China. His Ph.D. thesis was on the interaction of elementary particles, such as quarks (that explains a lot). He was awarded the prestigious Humboldt fellowship, which allowed him to study quarks at the Free University in Berlin for two years.
Personalized procedural map generation in games via evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Raffe William L.
Published: August 2014

In digital games, the
map
(sometimes referred to as the
level
) is the virtual environment that outlines the boundaries of play, aids in establishing rule systems, and supports the narrative. It also directly influences the challenges that a player will experience and the pace of gameplay, a property that has previously been linked to a player's enjoyment of a game [1]. In most industry leading games, creating maps is a lengthy manual process conducted by highly trained teams of designers. However, for many decades
procedural content generation
(PCG) techniques have posed as an alternative to provide players with a larger range of experiences than would normally be possible. In recent years, PCG has even been proposed as a means of tailoring game content to meet the preferences and skills of a specific player, in what has been termed
Experience-driven PCG
(EDPCG) [2].
Lunch isn't free --- but cells are
Authors: Sipper Moshe , Elyasaf Achiya
Published: August 2014

The application of computational intelligence techniques within the vast domain of games has been increasing at a breath-taking speed. Over the past several years our research group has produced a plethora of results in numerous games of different natures, evidencing the success and efficiency of evolutionary algorithms in general --- and genetic programming in particular --- at producing top-notch, human-competitive game strategies. Herein, we describe our study of the game of FreeCell, which produced two Gold Humie Awards. Our top evolved FreeCell player is the best published player to date, able to convincingly beat high-ranking human players.
Where the Boys Are: Understanding online learning and gender
Authors: Carr-Chellman Alison
Published: August 2014

This opinion piece explores the nature of the learners in elearning environments with a special focus on gender. Unexpectedly, more girls than boys are enrolling in all levels of online learning and the implications for elearning professionals are explored here.
Pericyte contractility controls endothelial cell cycle progression and sprouting: insights into angiogenic switch mechanics
Authors: Durham Jennifer T. , Surks Howard K. , Dulmovits Brian M. , Herman Ira M.
Published: August 2014

Microvascular stability and regulation of capillary tonus are regulated by pericytes and their interactions with endothelial cells (EC). While the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway has been implicated in modulation of pericyte contractility, in part via regulation of the myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), the mechanisms linking Rho GTPase activity with actomyosin-based contraction and the cytoskeleton are equivocal. Recently, the myosin phosphatase-RhoA-interacting protein (MRIP) was shown to mediate the RhoA/ROCK-directed MLCP inactivation in vascular smooth muscle. Here we report that MRIP directly interacts with the β-actin-specific capping protein βcap73. Furthermore, manipulation of MRIP expression influences pericyte contractility, with MRIP silencing inducing cytoskeletal remodeling and cellular hypertrophy. MRIP knockdown induces a repositioning of βcap73 from the leading edge to stress fibers; thus MRIP-silenced pericytes increase F-actin-driven cell spreading twofold. These hypertrophied and cytoskeleton-enriched pericytes demonstrate a 2.2-fold increase in contractility upon MRIP knockdown when cells are plated on a deformable substrate. In turn, silencing pericyte MRIP significantly affects EC cycle progression and angiogenic activation. When MRIP-silenced pericytes are cocultured with capillary EC, there is a 2.0-fold increase in EC cycle entry. Furthermore, in three-dimensional models of injury and repair, silencing pericyte MRIP results in a 1.6-fold elevation of total tube area due to EC network formation and increased angiogenic sprouting. The pivotal role of MRIP expression in governing pericyte contractile phenotype and endothelial growth should lend important new insights into how chemomechanical signaling pathways control the “angiogenic switch” and pathological angiogenic induction.
A highly potent agonist to protease-activated receptor-2 reveals apical activation of the airway epithelium resulting in Ca2+-regulated ion conductance
Authors: Sherwood Cara L. , Daines Michael O. , Price Theodore J. , Vagner Josef , Boitano Scott
Published: August 2014

The airway epithelium provides a barrier that separates inhaled air and its various particulates from the underlying tissues. It provides key physiological functions in both sensing the environment and initiating appropriate innate immune defenses to protect the lung. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is expressed both apically and basolaterally throughout the airway epithelium. One consequence of basolateral PAR2 activation is the rapid, Ca2+-dependent ion flux that favors secretion in the normally absorptive airway epithelium. However, roles for apically expressed PAR2 activation have not been demonstrated, in part due to the lack of specific, high-potency PAR2 ligands. In the present study, we used the newly developed PAR2 ligand 2at-LIGRLO( PEG 3 -Pam)-NH2 in combination with well-differentiated, primary cultured airway epithelial cells from wild-type and PAR2−/− mice to examine the physiological role of PAR2 in the conducting airway after apical activation. Using digital imaging microscopy of intracellular Ca2+ concentration changes, we verified ligand potency on PAR2 in primary cultured airway cells. Examination of airway epithelial tissue in an Ussing chamber showed that apical activation of PAR2 by 2at-LIGRLO( PEG 3 -Pam)-NH2 resulted in a transient decrease in transepithelial resistance that was due to increased apical ion efflux. We determined pharmacologically that this increase in ion conductance was through Ca2+-activated Cl− and large-conductance K+ channels that were blocked with a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel inhibitor and clotrimazole, respectively. Stimulation of Cl− efflux via PAR2 activation at the airway epithelial surface can increase airway surface liquid that would aid in clearing the airway of noxious inhaled agents.
Impact of early life ovariectomy on blood pressure and body composition in a female mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Gilbert Emily L. , Ryan Michael J.
Published: August 2014

Because of the preponderance of women affected by the chronic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), estrogen is thought to contribute to SLE disease progression. This is supported by evidence from experimental animal models of SLE showing that removal of estrogen in young female mice delays autoantibody production and renal injury and lengthens survival. Blood pressure and changes in body composition are important cardiovascular risk factors that can be regulated by estrogens. Because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with SLE, we used an established female mouse model of SLE (NZBWF1) to test whether early life removal of estrogen impacts the development of hypertension and changes in body composition commonly associated with SLE. Eight-week-old female SLE and control mice (NZW/LacJ) underwent either a sham operation or ovariectomy. Body weight, body composition (fat and lean masses), and renal injury (albuminuria) were monitored until mice reached 34 wk of age, at which time mean arterial pressure was assessed in conscious animals by a carotid catheter. Early life removal of the ovaries delayed the onset of autoantibody production and albuminuria while causing an increase in body weight and fat mass. Blood pressure in the adult was not altered by early life removal of the ovaries. These data suggest that estrogens may have a permissive role for the development of SLE while helping to maintain normal body weight and composition, which is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk.
Differential effects of omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid and palmitate on the circadian transcriptional profile of clock genes in immortalized hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Greco James A. , Oosterman Johanneke E. , Belsham Denise D.
Published: August 2014

Diets high in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are associated with the development of circadian dysregulation, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conversely, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have recently been identified to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce weight gain, and relieve obesity-induced inflammation. While saturated fatty acids, such as the prevalent dietary fatty acid palmitate, have been implicated in circadian disruption, there is a paucity of studies regarding the effects of PUFAs on circadian parameters. Therefore, the immortalized murine neuronal model, mHypoE-37, was utilized to examine the effects of the SFA palmitate and omega-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on circadian rhythms. The mHypoE-37 neurons express the core clock genes, Bmal1, Per2, and Rev-erbα, in a circadian manner. 25 μM of palmitate significantly increased the transcriptional expression of Bmal1, without altering the expression of inflammatory markers TLR4, IκBα, and IL-6, nor the orexigenic neuropeptide AgRP, suggesting that the observed disruption of the molecular clock is the result of a mechanism distinct from that of hypothalamic cellular inflammation. Furthermore, treatment with the PUFA DHA resulted in alterations in the circadian expression profile of Bmal1, although differentially from the effects of palmitate. In the presence of DHA, the disruptive effects of palmitate on Bmal1 were less pronounced, suggesting a protective effect of DHA. These studies are the first to identify the potential for omega-3 PUFAs to protect against palmitate-mediated dysregulation of circadian parameters and will ultimately improve the understanding of circadian control mechanisms.