bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRPV1 Activation Attenuates High-Salt Diet-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis through PPAR-δUpregulation
Authors: Gao Feng , Liang Yi , Wang Xiang , Lu Zongshi , Li Li , Zhu Shanjun , Liu Daoyan , Yan Zhencheng , Zhu Zhiming
Published: July 2014

High-salt diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are associated with increased reactive oxygen species production. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), a specific receptor for capsaicin, exerts a protective role in cardiac remodeling that resulted from myocardial infarction, and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptorsδ(PPAR-δ) play an important role in metabolic myocardium remodeling. However, it remains unknown whether activation of TRPV1 could alleviate cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and the effect of cross-talk between TRPV1 and PPAR-δon suppressing high-salt diet-generated oxidative stress. In this study, high-salt diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are characterized by significant enhancement of HW/BW%, LVEDD, and LVESD, decreased FS and EF, and increased collagen deposition. These alterations were associated with downregulation of PPAR-δ, UCP2 expression, upregulation of iNOS production, and increased oxidative/nitrotyrosine stress. These adverse effects of long-term high-salt diet were attenuated by chronic treatment with capsaicin. However, this effect of capsaicin was absent in TRPV1−/−mice on a high-salt diet. Our finding suggests that chronic dietary capsaicin consumption attenuates long-term high-salt diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. This benefit effect is likely to be caused by TRPV1 mediated upregulation of PPAR-δexpression.
Application of CFD, Taguchi Method, and ANOVA Technique to Optimize Combustion and Emissions in a Light Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Xiao Senlin , Sun Wanchen , Du Jiakun , Li Guoliang
Published: July 2014

Some previous research results have shown that EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) rate, pilot fuel quantity, and main injection timing closely associated with engine emissions and fuel consumption. In order to understand the combined effect of EGR rate, pilot fuel quantity, and main injection timing on the NOx (oxides of nitrogen), soot, and ISFC (indicated specific fuel consumption), in this study, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation together with the Taguchi method and the ANOVA (analysis of variance) technique was applied as an effective research tool. At first, simulation model on combustion and emissions of a light duty diesel engine at original baseline condition was developed and the model was validated by test. At last, a confirmation experiment with the best combination of factors and levels was implemented. The study results indicated that EGR is the most influencing factor on NOx. In case of soot emission and ISFC, the greatest influence parameter is main injection timing. For all objectives, pilot fuel quantity is an insignificant factor. Furthermore, the engine with optimized combination reduces by at least 70% for NOx, 20% in soot formation, and 1% for ISFC, in contrast to original baseline engine.
Physiological Responses to Nutrient Accumulation in Trees Seedlings Irrigated with Municipal Effluent in Indian Desert
Authors: Singh G. , Bhati Madhulika , Rathod T. R. , Tomar U. K.
Published: July 2014

Leaf water potential (Ψl), net photosynthesis rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gS), and water use efficiency (WUE) are greatly influenced by the nutrient composition of water which is used for irrigating trees. The above-mentioned physiological variables and foliage mineral concentrations were observed for Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, and Dalbergia sissoo plants irrigated with municipal effluent (ME) at 1/2 PET (potential evapotranspiration; T1), 1 PET (T2), and 2 PET (T3) rates and the control plants irrigated with canal water at 1PET (T4). Increased mineral concentrations in order T1 < T2 < T3 enhanced Ψl, PN, E, and gS. Relatively greater increase in E than PN reduced WUE. Available nutrient in ME enhanced physiological function in T2, whereas reduced quantity of water lowered it in T1 than in T4 plants. Differential minerals uptake increased concentrations of N and P in D. sissoo, Mn in E. camaldulensis, and the rest in A. nilotica. PN was more sensitive to environment than E. Enhanced mineral concentration through ME was beneficial but its differential uptake and accumulation influenced physiological functions and WUE. E. camaldulensis is better for high and continuous loading of effluent and A. nilotica is best for high nutrient uptake. D. sissoo is efficient water user.
Multipoint Iterative Methods for Finding All the Simple Zeros in an Interval
Authors: Lotfi T. , Soleymani F. , Sharifi S. , Shateyi S. , Haghani F. Khaksar
Published: July 2014

Two new families of multipoint without memory iterative methods with eighth- and sixteenth-orders are constructed using the symbolic software Mathematica. The key idea in constructing such methods is based on producing some generic suitable functions to reduce the functional evaluations and increase the order of convergence along the computational efficiency. Again by applying Mathematica, we design a hybrid algorithm to capture all the simple real solutions of nonlinear equations in an interval. The application of the new schemes in producing fractal pictures is also furnished.
An Approach for Economic Analysis of Intermodal Transportation
Authors: Sahin Bahri , Yilmaz Huseyin , Ust Yasin , Guneri Ali Fuat , Gulsun Bahadir , Turan Eda
Published: July 2014

A different intermodal transportation model based on cost analysis considering technical, economical, and operational parameters is presented. The model consists of such intermodal modes as sea-road, sea-railway, road-railway, and multimode of sea-road-railway. A case study of cargo transportation has been carried out by using the suggested model. Then, the single road transportation mode has been compared to intermodal modes in terms of transportation costs. This comparison takes into account the external costs of intermodal transportation. The research reveals that, in the short distance transportation, single transportation modes always tend to be advantageous. As the transportation distance gets longer, intermodal transportation advantages begin to be effective on the costs. In addition, the proposed method in this study leads to determining the fleet size and capacity for transportation and the appropriate transportation mode.
Analytical Approximate Solutions for a General Class of Nonlinear Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Căruntu Bogdan , Bota Constantin
Published: July 2014

We use the polynomial least squares method (PLSM), which allows us to compute analytical approximate polynomial solutions for a very general class of strongly nonlinear delay differential equations. The method is tested by computing approximate solutions for several applications including the pantograph equations and a nonlinear time-delay model from biology. The accuracy of the method is illustrated by a comparison with approximate solutions previously computed using other methods.
Elemene Injection Induced Autophagy Protects Human Hepatoma Cancer Cells from Starvation and Undergoing Apoptosis
Authors: Lin Yan , Wang Keming , Hu Chunping , Lin Lin , Qin Shukui , Cai Xueting
Published: July 2014

Elemene, a compound found in an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promising anticancer effects against a broad spectrum of tumors. In an in vivo experiment, we found that apatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits VEGFR2, combined with elemene injection (Ele) for the treatment of H22 solid tumor in mice resulted in worse effectiveness than apatinib alone. Moreover, Ele could protect HepG2 cells from death induced by serum‐free starvation. Further data on the mechanism study revealed that Ele induced protective autophagy and prevented human hepatoma cancer cells from undergoing apoptosis. Proapoptosis effect of Ele was enhanced when proautophagy effect was inhibited by hydroxychloroquine. Above all, Ele has the effect of protecting cancer cells from death either in apatinib induced nutrient deficient environment or in serum‐free induced starvation. A combination of elemene injection with autophagy inhibitor might thus be a useful therapeutic option for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Man with a Forehead Mass: Detection of a Forehead Pseudoaneurysm with Bedside Ultrasonography
Authors: Abdi Amin , Armijo Erick , Seif Dina , Kang Tarina
Published: July 2014

A vascular pseudoaneurysm can present similarly to an abscess; yet incision and drainage of a pseudoaneurysm can lead to uncontrolled bleeding and expose the patient to further morbidity. This is a case of a patient with a forehead pseudoaneurysm who presented to our emergency room after blunt head trauma. Here we review different diagnostic modalities as well as some of the treatment options that are described in the literature.
In Situ Study of Thermal Stability of Copper Oxide Nanowires at Anaerobic Environment
Authors: Zhang Lihui , Feng Qiong , Nie Anmin , Liu Jiabin , Wang Hongtao , Fang Youtong
Published: July 2014

Many metal oxides with promising electrochemical properties were developed recently. Before those metal oxides realize the use as an anode in lithium ion batteries, their thermal stability at anaerobic environment inside batteries should be clearly understood for safety. In this study, copper oxide nanowires were investigated as an example. Several kinds of in situ experiment methods including in situ optical microscopy, in situ Raman spectrum, and in situ transmission electron microscopy were adopted to fully investigate their thermal stability at anaerobic environment. Copper oxide nanowires begin to transform as copper(I) oxide at about 250°C and finish at about 400°C. The phase transformation proceeds with a homogeneous nucleation.
N-Screen Aware Multicriteria Hybrid Recommender System Using Weight Based Subspace Clustering
Authors: Ullah Farman , Sarwar Ghulam , Lee Sungchang
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a recommender system for N-screen services in which users have multiple devices with different capabilities. In N-screen services, a user can use various devices in different locations and time and can change a device while the service is running. N-screen aware recommendation seeks to improve the user experience with recommended content by considering the user N-screen device attributes such as screen resolution, media codec, remaining battery time, and access network and the user temporal usage pattern information that are not considered in existing recommender systems. For N-screen aware recommendation support, this work introduces a user device profile collaboration agent, manager, and N-screen control server to acquire and manage the user N-screen devices profile. Furthermore, a multicriteria hybrid framework is suggested that incorporates the N-screen devices information with user preferences and demographics. In addition, we propose an individual feature and subspace weight based clustering (IFSWC) to assign different weights to each subspace and each feature within a subspace in the hybrid framework. The proposed system improves the accuracy, precision, scalability, sparsity, and cold start issues. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and prove the aforementioned statements.
Note on the Persistence of a Nonautonomous Lotka-Volterra Competitive System with Infinite Delay and Feedback Controls
Authors: Shi Chunling , Wang Yiqin , Chen Xiaoying , Chen Yuli
Published: July 2014

We study a nonautonomous Lotka-Volterra competitive system with infinite delay and feedback controls. We establish a series of criteria under which a part ofn-species of the systems is driven to extinction while the remaining part of the species is persistent. Particularly, as a special case, a series of new sufficient conditions on the persistence for all species of system are obtained. Several examples together with their numerical simulations show the feasibility of our main results.
A Numerical Convolution Representation of Potential for a Disk Surface Density in 3D
Authors: Yen Chien-Chang
Published: July 2014

This study presents a numerical convolution representation of a potential induced from a disk of surface density, which has often been investigated in the center region of galaxies. The advantage of this representation is to release the softening length for theN-body method and artificial boundary conditions for the spectral methods. With the help of fast Fourier transform, the computational complexity is onlyO(M2(log2⁡M)), whereMis the number of zones in one dimension. Numerical results show an almost second order of accuracy on a Cartesian coordinate system. A comparison study also demonstrates that this method can calculate the potential for disk surface density based on the uniform grids.
Multifeature Fusion Vehicle Detection Algorithm Based on Choquet Integral
Authors: Li Wenhui , Liu Peixun , Wang Ying , Ni Hongyin
Published: July 2014

Vision-based multivehicle detection plays an important role in Forward Collision Warning Systems (FCWS) and Blind Spot Detection Systems (BSDS). The performance of these systems depends on the real-time capability, accuracy, and robustness of vehicle detection methods. To improve the accuracy of vehicle detection algorithm, we propose a multifeature fusion vehicle detection algorithm based on Choquet integral. This algorithm divides the vehicle detection problem into two phases: feature similarity measure and multifeature fusion. In the feature similarity measure phase, we first propose a taillight-based vehicle detection method, and then vehicle taillight feature similarity measure is defined. Second, combining with the definition of Choquet integral, the vehicle symmetry similarity measure and the HOG + AdaBoost feature similarity measure are defined. Finally, these three features are fused together by Choquet integral. Being evaluated on public test collections and our own test images, the experimental results show that our method has achieved effective and robust multivehicle detection in complicated environments. Our method can not only improve the detection rate but also reduce the false alarm rate, which meets the engineering requirements of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS).
An Automatic High Efficient Method for Dish Concentrator Alignment
Authors: Wang Yong , Li Song , Xu Jinshan , Wang Yijiang , Cheng Xu , Gu Changgui , Chen Shengyong , Wan Bin
Published: July 2014

Alignment of dish concentrator is a key factor to the performance of solar energy system. We propose a new method
for the alignment of faceted solar dish concentrator. The isosceles triangle configuration of facet’s footholds determines a fixed relation between light spot displacements and foothold movements, which allows an automatic determination of the amount of adjustments. Tests on a 25 kW Stirling Energy System dish concentrator verify the feasibility, accuracy, and efficiency of our method.
AVQS: Attack Route-Based Vulnerability Quantification Scheme for Smart Grid
Authors: Ko Jongbin , Lim Hyunwoo , Lee Seokjun , Shon Taeshik
Published: July 2014

A smart grid is a large, consolidated electrical grid system that includes heterogeneous networks and systems. Based on the data, a smart grid system has a potential security threat in its network connectivity. To solve this problem, we develop and apply a novel scheme to measure the vulnerability in a smart grid domain. Vulnerability quantification can be the first step in security analysis because it can help prioritize the security problems. However, existing vulnerability quantification schemes are not suitable for smart grid because they do not consider network vulnerabilities. We propose a novel attack route-based vulnerability quantification scheme using a network vulnerability score and an end-to-end security score, depending on the specific smart grid network environment to calculate the vulnerability score for a particular attack route. To evaluate the proposed approach, we derive several attack scenarios from the advanced metering infrastructure domain. The experimental results of the proposed approach and the existing common vulnerability scoring system clearly show that we need to consider network connectivity for more optimized vulnerability quantification.
FLT3 Gene Mutation in Childhood Acute Leukemia: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zulkafli Zefarina , Zainun Zuraida , Hassan Mohd Nazri , Wan Ab Rahman Wan Suriana , Othman Nurul Azhan , Ghazali Selamah , Hassan Rosline
Published: July 2014

Introduction. FLT3 is a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. There are two types of common FLT3 gene mutation, internal tandem duplication and the D835 mutation, which are known to be associated with a poor clinical outcome in acute leukemia patients. Methods. This study evaluates the incidence of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) in 38 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. DNA extraction was done from archive bone marrow samples to determine FLT3-ITD mutations using polymerase chain reaction. Results. In this pediatric series, the age ranges were 2–14 years. However, no FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in any of the samples. Conclusion. This preliminary study suggested that the incidence of FLT3 gene mutation most probably was very low in pediatrics patients diagnosed with acute leukemia. A further study with larger number of patient samples is necessary to confirm the findings and to further appreciate the prognostic value of FLT3-ITD mutation among pediatrics patients.
Computerized Neuropsychological Assessment in Aging: Testing Efficacy and Clinical Ecology of Different Interfaces
Authors: Canini Matteo , Battista Petronilla , Della Rosa Pasquale Anthony , Catricalà Eleonora , Salvatore Christian , Gilardi Maria Carla , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: July 2014

Digital technologies have opened new opportunities for psychological testing, allowing new computerized testing tools to be developed and/or paper and pencil testing tools to be translated to new computerized devices. The question that rises is whether these implementations may introduce some technology-specific effects to be considered in neuropsychological evaluations. Two core aspects have been investigated in this work: the efficacy of tests and the clinical ecology of their administration (the ability to measure real-world test performance), specifically (1) the testing efficacy of a computerized test when response to stimuli is measured using a touch-screen compared to a conventional mouse-control response device; (2) the testing efficacy of a computerized test with respect to different input modalities (visual versus verbal); and (3) the ecology of two computerized assessment modalities (touch-screen and mouse-control), including preference measurements of participants. Our results suggest that (1) touch-screen devices are suitable for administering experimental tasks requiring precise timings for detection, (2) intrinsic nature of neuropsychological tests should always be respected in terms of stimuli presentation when translated to new digitalized environment, and (3) touch-screen devices result in ecological instruments being proposed for the computerized administration of neuropsychological tests with a high level of preference from elderly people.
Predicting Click‐Through Rates of New Advertisements Based on the Bayesian Network
Authors: Fang Zhipeng , Yue Kun , Zhang Jixian , Zhang Dehai , Liu Weiyi
Published: July 2014

Most classical search engines choose and rank advertisements (ads) based on their click‐through rates (CTRs). To predict an ad’s CTR, historical click information is frequently concerned. To accurately predict the CTR of the new ads is challenging and critical for real world applications, since we do not have plentiful historical data about these ads. Adopting Bayesian network (BN) as the effective framework for representing and inferring dependencies and uncertainties among variables, in this paper, we establish a BN‐based model to predict the CTRs of new ads. First, we built a Bayesian network of the keywords that are used to describe the ads in a certain domain, called keyword BN and abbreviated as KBN. Second, we proposed an algorithm for approximate inferences of the KBN to find similar keywords with those that describe the new ads. Finally based on the similar keywords, we obtain the similar ads and then calculate the CTR of the new ad by using the CTRs of the ads that are similar with the new ad. Experimental results show the efficiency and accuracy of our method.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Having Surgery Are Less Associated with Glaucoma
Authors: Chen Hsin-Yi , Chang Yue-Cune , Lin Che-Chen , Sung Fung-Chang , Chen Wen-Chi
Published: July 2014

Objective.To investigate if different treatment strategy of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated glaucoma risk in Taiwanese population.Methods.Population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using data sourced from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. We included 2528 OSA patients and randomly selected and matched 10112 subjects without OSA as the control cohort. The risk of glaucoma in OSA patients was investigated based on the managements of OSA (without treatment, with surgery, with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, and with multiple modalities). The multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) after adjusting for sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease.Results.The adjusted HR of glaucoma for OSA patients was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.46–2.42), compared with controls. For patients without treatment, the adjusted HR was 2.15 (95% CI: 1.60–2.88). For patients with treatments, the adjusted HRs of glaucoma were not significantly different from controls, except for those with CPAP (adjusted HR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.09–2.49).Conclusions.OSA is associated with an increased risk of glaucoma. However, surgery reduces slightly the glaucoma hazard for OSA patients.
Effects of Chemical Reactions on Unsteady Free Convective and Mass Transfer Flow from a Vertical Cone with Heat Generation/Absorption in the Presence of VWT/VWC
Authors: Pullepu Bapuji , Sambath P. , Viswanathan K. K.
Published: July 2014

A mathematical model for the effects of chemical reaction and heat generation/absorption on unsteady laminar free convective flow with heat and mass transfer over an incompressible viscous fluid past a vertical permeable cone with nonuniform surface temperature and concentration is considered here. The dimensionless governing boundary layer equations of the flow that are transient, coupled, and nonlinear partial differential equations are solved by an efficient, accurate, and unconditionally stable finite difference scheme of Crank‐Nicholson type. The velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles have been studied for various parameters, namely, chemical reaction parameter λ, the heat generation and absorption parameter Δ, Schmidt number Sc, Prandtl number Pr, buoyancy ratio parameter N, surface temperature power law exponent n, and surface concentration power law exponent m. The local as well as average skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are discussed and analyzed graphically. The present results are compared with available results in open literature and are found to be in excellent agreement.
Applications of the Exponential Function of the Euclidean Motion Group to the Theory of Gearing
Authors: Lei Baozhen , Löwe Harald , Wang Xunwei
Published: July 2014

The present paper provides a first step to a new approach to the theory of gearing, which uses modern differential geometry in order to ensure a strict and coordinate-independent formulation. Here, we are mainly concerned with a basic equation, namely, the equation of meshing, of two rotating surfaces in mesh. Since we are able to solve this equation by the time parameter, we derive parameterizations of the mating pinion from a bevel gear as well as a parameterization for gears produced by special machine tools.
Cubic Bezier Curve Approach for Automated Offline Signature Verification with Intrusion Identification
Authors: Vijayaragavan Arun , Visumathi J. , Shunmuganathan K. L.
Published: July 2014

Authentication is a process of identifying person’s rights over a system. Many authentication types are used in various systems, wherein biometrics authentication systems are of a special concern. Signature verification is a basic biometric authentication technique used widely. The signature matching algorithm uses image correlation and graph matching technique which provides false rejection or acceptance. We proposed a model to compare knowledge from signature. Intrusion in the signature repository system results in copy of the signature that leads to false acceptance. Our approach uses a Bezier curve algorithm to identify the curve points and uses the behaviors of the signature for verification. An analyzing mobile agent is used to identify the input signature parameters and compare them with reference signature repository. It identifies duplication of signature over intrusion and rejects it. Experiments are conducted on a database with thousands of signature images from various sources and the results are favorable.
Novel Techniques to Speed Up the Computation of the Automorphism Group of a Graph
Authors: López-Presa José Luis , Chiroque Luis F. , Fernández Anta Antonio
Published: July 2014

Graph automorphism (GA) is a classical problem, in which the objective is to compute the automorphism group of an input graph. Most GA algorithms explore a search tree using the individualization-refinement procedure. Four novel techniques are proposed which increase the performance of any algorithm of this type by reducing the depth of the search tree and by effectively pruning it. We formally prove that a GA algorithm that uses these techniques correctly computes the automorphism group of an input graph. Then, we describe how these techniques have been incorporated into the GA algorithm conauto, asconauto-2.03, with at most an additive polynomial increase in its asymptotic time complexity. Using a benchmark of different graph families, we have evaluated the impact of these techniques on the size of the search tree, observing a significant reduction both when they are applied individually and when all of them are applied together. This is also reflected in a reduction of the running time, which is substantial for some graph families. Finally, we have compared the search tree size of conauto-2.03 against those of other popular GA algorithms, observing that, in most cases, conauto explores less nodes than these algorithms.
SOM Neural Network Fault Diagnosis Method of Polymerization Kettle Equipment Optimized by Improved PSO Algorithm
Authors: Wang Jie-sheng , Li Shu-xia , Gao Jie
Published: July 2014

For meeting the real-time fault diagnosis and the optimization monitoring requirements of the polymerization kettle in the polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) production process, a fault diagnosis strategy based on the self-organizing map (SOM) neural network is proposed. Firstly, a mapping between the polymerization process data and the fault pattern is established by analyzing the production technology of polymerization kettle equipment. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a new dynamical adjustment method of inertial weights is adopted to optimize the structural parameters of SOM neural network. The fault pattern classification of the polymerization kettle equipment is to realize the nonlinear mapping from symptom set to fault set according to the given symptom set. Finally, the simulation experiments of fault diagnosis are conducted by combining with the industrial on-site historical data of the polymerization kettle and the simulation results show that the proposed PSO-SOM fault diagnosis strategy is effective.
A Facile Synthesis of Graphene-WO3Nanowire Clusters with High Photocatalytic Activity for O2Evolution
Authors: Zhou M.-J. , Zhang N. , Hou Z. H.
Published: July 2014

In the present work, graphene-WO3nanowire clusters were synthesizedviaa facile hydrothermal method. The obtained graphene-WO3nanowire clusters were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) techniques. The photocatalytic oxygen (O2) evolution properties of the as-synthesized samples were investigated by measuring the amount of evolved O2from water splitting. The graphene-WO3nanowire clusters exhibited enhanced performance compared to pure WO3nanowire clusters for O2evolution. The amount of evolved O2from water splitting after 8 h for the graphene-WO3nanowire clusters isca.0.345 mmol/L, which is more than 1.9 times as much as that of the pure WO3nanowire clusters (ca.0.175 mmol/L). The high photocatalytic activity of the graphene-WO3nanowire clusters was attributed to a high charge transfer rate in the presence of graphene.
Synthesized Attributes of Water Use by Regional Vegetation: A Key to Cognition of “Water Pump” Viewpoint
Authors: Huang Xin-hui , Yu Fu-ke , Li Xiao-ying , Zheng Yuan , Yuan Hua , Ma Jian-gang , Wang Yan-xia , Qi Dan-hui , Shao Hong-bo
Published: July 2014

Recently, the frequent seasonal drought in Southwest China has brought considerable concerns and continuous heated arguments on the “water pump” viewpoint (i.e., the water demand fromHeveaspp. andEucalyptusspp. can be treated as a water pump) once again. However, such viewpoint just focused on water consumption from vegetation transpiration and its ecoenvironment impacts, which had not considered other attributes of vegetation, namely, water saving and drought resistance, and hydrological regulation (water conservation) into consideration. Thus, in this paper, the synthesized attributes of regional vegetation water use had been mainly discussed. The results showed that the study on such aspects as the characters of water consumption from vegetation transpiration, the potential of water saving and drought resistance, and the effects of hydrological regulation in Southwest China lagged far behind, let alone the report on synthesized attributes of water utilization with the organic combination of the three aspects above or the paralleled analysis. Accordingly, in this paper, the study on the synthesized attributes of water use by regional vegetation in Southwest China was suggested, and the objectives of such a special study were clarified, targeting the following aspects: (i) characters of water consumption from transpiration of regional typical artificial vegetation; (ii) potential of water saving and drought resistance of regional typical artificial vegetation; (iii) effects of hydrological regulation of regional typical artificial vegetation; (iv) synthesized attributes of water use by regional typical artificial vegetation. It is expected to provide a new idea for the scientific assessment on the regional vegetation ecoenvironment effects and theoretical guidance for the regional vegetation reconstruction and ecological restoration.
Beyond Networks: Health, Crime, and Migration in Mexico
Authors: Martinez Jose N.
Published: July 2014

Two rounds of a longitudinal survey from Mexico, representative at the national, urban, rural, and regional level, are used to examine the determinants of local, domestic, and international migration. Aside from the typical covariates in the migration decision, this study considers health conditions, crime, and individual’s perspectives on life as explanatory variables. Coefficient estimates for most health variables do not offer significant support to the healthy migrant hypothesis. In terms of crime, the results suggest that females respond to worsening safety conditions in Mexico by migrating domestically, but not abroad. The decision to migrate domestically or abroad for males is not statistically correlated with increases in crime. Overall, having access to international migration networks continues to play a significant role in the decision to migrate to the US.
RB Family Tumor Suppressor Activity May Not Relate to Active Silencing of E2F Target Genes
Authors: Vormer Tinke L. , Wojciechowicz Kamila , Dekker Marleen , de Vries Sandra , van der Wal Anja , Delzenne-Goette Elly , Naik Sjalin H. , Song Ji-Ying , Dannenberg Jan-Hermen , Hansen Jacob B. , te Riele Hein
Published: July 2014

The retinoblastoma protein pRB and its two homologs p130 and p107 form the family of pocket proteins and play a major role in cell-cycle regulation and suppression of human and mouse tumorigenesis. Pocket proteins regulate the activity of E2F transcription factors during G1–S transition. Two mechanisms have been described: (i) pocket protein binding blocks the transactivation domain of activator E2Fs, inhibiting E2F-dependent transcription and (ii) E2F-bound pocket proteins can recruit chromatin remodeling proteins containing an LxCxE motif (x encoding any amino acid), resulting in active repression of E2F target genes. To investigate the importance of pRB's LxCxE-interacting motif in cell-cycle control and tumor suppression, we generated mouse embryonic fibroblasts and mice expressing a mutant pRB protein carrying an asparagine for phenylalanine substitution at position 750, abrogating LxCxE binding. Because p130 may compensate for loss of pRB, we studied pRBN750F activity in the presence and absence of p130. The pRB–LxCxE interaction was not required for cell-cycle arrest upon mitogen deprivation and cell-cell contact, but did contribute to RASV12- and radiation-induced cell-cycle arrest. Remarkably, the pRB–LxCxE interaction was not required for suppression of in vitro and in vivo transformation, even in the absence of p130. These results indicate that pRB's tumor suppressor activity is not effectuated by active silencing of E2F target genes, but rather by regulation of activator E2Fs or another unidentified mechanism. Furthermore, the in vitro response of pocket protein–perturbed cells to mitogen deprivation and cell–cell contact seems a better predictor of tumor development than the response to ectopic RASV12 expression. Cancer Res; 74(18); 5266–76. ©2014 AACR.
Integrative and Comparative Genomic Analysis of HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Seiwert Tanguy Y. , Zuo Zhixiang , Keck Michaela K. , Khattri Arun , Pedamallu Chandra S. , Stricker Thomas , Brown Christopher , Pugh Trevor J. , Stojanov Petar , Cho Juok , Lawrence Michael S. , Getz Gad , Brägelmann Johannes , DeBoer Rebecca , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Langerman Alexander , Portugal Louis , Blair Elizabeth , Stenson Kerstin , Lingen Mark W. , Cohen Ezra E.W. , Vokes Everett E. , White Kevin P. , Hammerman Peter S.
Published: July 2014

Purpose: The genetic differences between human papilloma virus (HPV)–positive and –negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) remain largely unknown. To identify differential biology and novel therapeutic targets for both entities, we determined mutations and copy-number aberrations in a large cohort of locoregionally advanced HNSCC.

Experimental Design: We performed massively parallel sequencing of 617 cancer-associated genes in 120 matched tumor/normal samples (42.5% HPV-positive). Mutations and copy-number aberrations were determined and results validated with a secondary method.

Results: The overall mutational burden in HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC was similar with an average of 15.2 versus 14.4 somatic exonic mutations in the targeted cancer-associated genes. HPV-negative tumors showed a mutational spectrum concordant with published lung squamous cell carcinoma analyses with enrichment for mutations in TP53, CDKN2A, MLL2, CUL3, NSD1, PIK3CA, and NOTCH genes. HPV-positive tumors showed unique mutations in DDX3X, FGFR2/3 and aberrations in PIK3CA, KRAS, MLL2/3, and NOTCH1 were enriched in HPV-positive tumors. Currently targetable genomic alterations were identified in FGFR1, DDR2, EGFR, FGFR2/3, EPHA2, and PIK3CA. EGFR, CCND1, and FGFR1 amplifications occurred in HPV-negative tumors, whereas 17.6% of HPV-positive tumors harbored mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor genes (FGFR2/3), including six recurrent FGFR3 S249C mutations. HPV-positive tumors showed a 5.8% incidence of KRAS mutations, and DNA-repair gene aberrations, including 7.8% BRCA1/2 mutations, were identified.

Conclusions: The mutational makeup of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC differs significantly, including targetable genes. HNSCC harbors multiple therapeutically important genetic aberrations, including frequent aberrations in the FGFR and PI3K pathway genes. Clin Cancer Res; 21(3); 632–41. ©2014 AACR.

See related commentary by Krigsfeld and Chung, p. 495
Female sex as a risk factor for thromboembolism and death in patients with incident atrial fibrillation
Authors: Rasmussen Lars Hvilsted , Skjøth Flemming , Overvad Kim , Albertsen Ida Ehlers , Lane Deirdre , Overvad Thure Filskov , Lip Gregory , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard
Published: July 2014

Several studies have demonstrated sex differences in risk of thromboembolism and death among patients with atrial fibrillation, but it is unclear to what extent these associations relate to actual physiological differences. To date, no study has investigated sex differences with concomitant control for lifestyle related factors known to influence stroke risk. We used data from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study, including 57,053 participants (52% female) aged 50–64 years. The study population for this study included the 2,895 patients (36% female) with incident atrial fibrillation after inclusion. Data were linked to outcomes identified using nationwide registries. Risk of thromboembolism and death according to female sex were analysed using Cox proportional hazards models. After a median follow-up of 5.0 years, 137 men and 62 women suffered a thromboembolic event, and 349 men and 151 women died. In a crude analysis, female sex was associated with a non-significant lower risk of thromboembolism (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–1.11). Adjustment for differences in antithrombotic therapy, relevant comorbidities and lifestyle did not change this association (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.55–1.13). In the final model, female sex was associated with a lower risk of death (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.84). The associations were similar in a sensitivity analysis of women not taking hormone replacement therapy, and the effect of hormone replacement therapy use within females was non-significant for both endpoints of thromboembolism and death. In conclusion, in a relatively young population of patients with atrial fibrillation, female sex was associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism and death.
Notas para o estudo das relações dos banqueiros alemães com o emprendimento colonial dos Países Ibéricos na América do século XVI
Authors: Petrone Maria Thereza Schorer
Published: July 2014

O artigo descreve a importante, mas pouco conhecida, participação dos principais banqueiros alemães nos empreendimentos coloniais dos países ibéricos, na América no século XVI, e a tentativa, afinal fracassada, da casa bancária dos Welser de fundar uma colônia na Venezuela
Os projetos de colonização e comércio toscanos no Brasil ao tempo do Grão Duque Fernando I (1587-1609)
Authors: Holanda Sérgio Buarque de
Published: July 2014

O artigo examina, com base em documentação inédita reproduzida em anexo, as atividades comerciais e os projetos de colonização na América portuguesa empreendidos por Fernando I da Toscana no final do século XVI e início do XVII; bem como examina a política marítima de Florença antes de sua transformação em Principado.
Alguns aspectos do monasticismo irlandês, através da “História Ecclesiástica Gentis Anglorum” do Venerável Beda
Authors: Schorer Maria Thereza
Published: July 2014

(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)A Irlanda, transofrmando-se logo após sua evangelização por São Patrício na Insula sanctorum et doctorum, oferece-nos uma exuberência de fontes para o estudo dos primeiros séculos da Igreja Irlandesa. É realmente espantoso o número de anais, martiriológicos e de vitae sanctorum que ai surgiram após a cristianização.
História e lenda na poesia heróica espanhola. Estudo paleográfico-diplomático do primeiro cantar épico espanhol, o “Poema de Mio Cid”
Authors: Roman Blanco Ricardo
Published: July 2014

(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)Todas as nações têm, umas mais, outras menos, sua Literatura Heróica. É todas igualmente não tem visto nela, falando em geral, mais do que lendas, muito belas, sim, mas no fim, lendas.
A Idade Média na conquista da América
Authors: Weckman Luis
Published: July 2014

(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)O propósito que me animou a escrever o presente ensaio não foi tanto o de esclarecer os membros desta Academia sobre algum ponto concreto. como o de chamar sua atenção para o estudo de um grande número de sobrevivências medievais que se encontram dispersas na história colonial e independente da América Latina e para as quais, por razão inexplicável, se tem dado pouca ou nenhuma atenção.
Novo Mundo e fim do mundo
Authors: Bataillon Marcel
Published: July 2014

(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)Quando dizemos que Cristóvão Colombo descobriu a América a 12 de outubro de 1492, sabemos que essa expressão é insadequada, pois, realmente, Colombo abriu o caminho a uma série de descobrimentos ao cabo dos quais há a América como a conheceram e a transformaram os europeus.
O “Problema Colombino” resolvido
Authors: Naia Alexandre Gaspar da
Published: July 2014

(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)Impressionados pela enorme vultuosidade da chamada bibliografia Colombina e pelo alto prestígio de vários autores nela incluídos, admiram-se alguns comentaristas que ainda haja quem ouse contrapor o navegador português Salvador Ftz (Xpo Ferens) ao "lanério" genovês Cristoforo Colombo.
Notícias e Anúncios do Jornal
Authors: Costa J. Cruz
Published: July 2014

QUINTAS (Amaro). - Notícias e Anúncios do Jornal. Prefácio de Gilberto Freyre(Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo)Já aqui tivemos ocasião de nos referir, mais de uma vez, aos interessantes trabalhos do Prof. Amaro Quintas. Publica agora, o ilustre professor de História, da Universidade do Recife, um opúsculo sobre Notícias e Anúncios do Jornal.
Esm1 Modulates Endothelial Tip Cell Behavior and Vascular Permeability by Enhancing VEGF Bioavailability
Authors: Rocha Susana F. , Schiller Maria , Jing Ding , Li Hang , Butz Stefan , Vestweber Dietmar , Biljes Daniel , Drexler Hannes C.A. , Nieminen-Kelhä Melina , Vajkoczy Peter , Adams Susanne , Benedito Rui , Adams Ralf H.
Published: July 2014

Rationale:

Endothelial cell–specific molecule 1 (Esm1) is a secreted protein thought to play a role in angiogenesis and inflammation. However, there is currently no direct in vivo evidence supporting a function of Esm1 in either of these processes.

Objective:

To determine the role of Esm1 in vivo and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

We generated and analyzed
Esm1
knockout (
Esm1

KO

) mice to study its role in angiogenesis and inflammation.
Esm1
expression is induced by the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in endothelial tip cells of the mouse retina.
Esm1

KO

mice showed delayed vascular outgrowth and reduced filopodia extension, which are both VEGF-A–dependent processes. Impairment of Esm1 function led to a decrease in phosphorylated Erk1/2 (extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2) in sprouting vessels. We also found that
Esm1

KO

mice displayed a 40% decrease in leukocyte transmigration. Moreover, VEGF-induced vascular permeability was decreased by 30% in
Esm1

KO

mice and specifically on stimulation with VEGF-A
165
but not VEGF-A
121
. Accordingly, cerebral edema attributable to ischemic stroke–induced vascular permeability was reduced by 50% in the absence of Esm1. Mechanistically, we show that Esm1 binds directly to fibronectin and thereby displaces fibronectin-bound VEGF-A
165
leading to increased bioavailability of VEGF-A
165
and subsequently enhanced levels of VEGF-A signaling.

Conclusions:

Esm1 is simultaneously a target and modulator of VEGF signaling in endothelial cells, playing a role in angiogenesis, inflammation, and vascular permeability, which might be of potential interest for therapeutic applications.
Practice Patterns and Clinical Outcomes After Hybrid Coronary Revascularization in the United States
Authors: Harskamp Ralf E. , Brennan J. Matthew , Xian Ying , Halkos Michael E. , Puskas John D. , Thourani Vinod H. , Gammie James S. , Taylor Bradley S. , de Winter Robbert J. , Kim Sunghee , O’Brien Sean , Peterson Eric D. , Gaca Jeffrey G.
Published: July 2014

Background—

Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) involves a combination of surgical and percutaneous techniques, which in selected patients may present an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods and Results—

Patients were included who underwent HCR (staged/concurrent) or isolated CABG in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (July 2011 to March 2013). HCR represented 0.48% (n=950; staged=809, concurrent=141) of the total CABG volume (n=198 622) during the study period, and was performed in one-third of participating centers (n=361). Patients who underwent HCR had higher cardiovascular risk profiles in comparison with patients undergoing CABG. In comparison with CABG, median sternotomy (98.5% for CABG, 61.1% for staged HCR, and 52.5% for concurrent HCR), direct vision harvesting (98.9%, 66.0%, and 68.1%) and cardiopulmonary bypass (83.4%, 45%, and 36.9%) were less frequently used for staged and concurrent HCR, whereas robotic assistance (0.7%, 33.0%, and 30.5%) was more common. After adjustment, no differences were observed for the composite of in-hospital mortality and major morbidity (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–1.16;
P
=0.53 for staged HCR, and odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–1.56;
P
=0.80 for concurrent HCR in comparison with CABG). There was no statistically significant association between operative mortality and either treatment group (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–1.30;
P
=0.29 for staged HCR, and odds ratio, 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–5.17;
P
=0.053 for concurrent HCR in comparison with CABG).

Conclusion—

HCR, either as a staged or concurrent procedure, is performed in one-third of US hospitals and is reserved for a highly selected patient population. Although HCR may appear to be an equally safe alternative for CABG surgery, further randomized study is warranted.