bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical behaviour of ferrocenes in tributylmethylphosphonium methyl sulfate mixtures with water and 1,2-dichloroethane
Authors: Stockmann T. Jane , Ding Zhifeng
Published: March 2014

Electron transfer (ET) reactions in ionic liquid (IL)|organic solvent (1,2-dichloroethane, DCE) and IL|water mixtures were investigated using a Pt disk ultramicroelectrode (UME) along with ferrocene (Fc) and ferrocenemethanol (FcCH2OH) redox probes as electroactive species dissolved in the respective mixtures. The IL utilized was tributylmethylphosphonium methyl sulfate (P4441CH3SO4). The diffusion coefficient of each redox species was determined at each incremental increase of DCE or water to the IL using a chronoamperometric technique that is concentration independent. The IL|DCE mixture exhibited little change in the Fc diffusion coefficient, DFc, up to a DCE mole fraction (χDCE) of 0.5; the observed value, 2.0 × 10−8 cm2 s−1, agrees well with that typically reported for ILs in the literature. After which, the DFc quickly rose to a value commonly found in conventional molecular solvents, 1.3 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 (at χDCE = 0.8). An analogous result was not observed for IL|water mixtures using FcCH2OH, such that [Formula: see text] varied from 0.2 to 1.2 × 10−9 cm2·s−1 at a [Formula: see text] of 0 to 0.8. It was proposed that a large increase in the DFc in the IL|DCE mixture versus [Formula: see text] in the IL|water series was owing to P4441CH3SO4’s more hydrophobic character. Its hydrophobicity was quantified by measuring the formal ion transfer potentials of the IL component ions at a water|DCE immiscible interface.
Phosphonate-functionalized heteroleptic ruthenium(II) bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) complexes
Authors: Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E. , Šmídková Markéta , Zampese Jennifer A.
Published: March 2014

The heteroleptic complexes [Ru(1)(4)][PF6]2, [Ru(2)(4)][PF6]2, [Ru(Phtpy)(4)][PF6]2, and [Ru(pytpy)(4)][PF6]2 (Phtpy = 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 1 and 2 = 4-methyl ester substituted derivatives of Phtpy and pytpy, 4 = ethyl 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine-4′-phosphonate) have been prepared. The single crystal structure of ligand 1 (1 = methyl 4-carboxy-4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) is reported. The introduction of the 4-methyl ester group causes a small red shift in the MLCT band of the ruthenium(II) complexes and a small shift to a more positive potential for the Ru2+/Ru3+ couple. The new complexes should serve as a useful starting point for development of ruthenium(II) dyes suited for sensitization of p-type semiconductors.
Almost periodic oscillations in a generalized Mackey–Glass model of respiratory dynamics with several delays
Authors: Zhang Tianwei
Published: March 2014

By using some analytical techniques, modified inequalities and Mawhin's continuous theorem of coincidence degree theory, some simple sufficient conditions for the existence of at least one positive almost periodic solution of a generalized Mackey–Glass model of respiratory dynamics are obtained. Further, the global attractivity of positive almost periodic solution of the above model is also studied. To the best of the author's knowledge, so far, the result of this paper is completely new. Finally, three examples are given to illustrate the main results in this paper.
Riemannian manifolds with local symmetry
Authors: van Limbeek Wouter
Published: March 2014

We give a classification of many closed Riemannian manifolds M whose universal cover [Formula: see text] possesses a nontrivial amount of symmetry. More precisely, we consider closed Riemannian manifolds M such that [Formula: see text] has noncompact connected components. We prove that in many cases, such a manifold is as a fiber bundle over a locally homogeneous space. This is inspired by work of Eberlein (for non-positively curved manifolds) and Farb-Weinberger (for aspherical manifolds), and generalizes work of Frankel (for a semisimple group action). As an application, we characterize simply-connected Riemannian manifolds with both compact and finite volume noncompact quotients.
Cerebral vascular regulation and brain injury in preterm infants
Authors: Brew Nadine , Walker David , Wong Flora Y.
Published: March 2014

Cerebrovascular lesions, mainly germinal matrix hemorrhage and ischemic injury to the periventricular white matter, are major causes of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. Cerebrovascular lesions and neuromorbidity increase with decreasing gestational age, with the white matter predominantly affected. Developmental immaturity in the cerebral circulation, including ongoing angiogenesis and vasoregulatory immaturity, plays a major role in the severity and pattern of preterm brain injury. Prevention of this injury requires insight into pathogenesis. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is low in the preterm white matter, which also has blunted vasoreactivity compared with other brain regions. Vasoreactivity in the preterm brain to cerebral perfusion pressure, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and neuronal metabolism is also immature. This could be related to immaturity of both the vasculature and vasoactive signaling. Other pathologies arising from preterm birth and the neonatal intensive care environment itself may contribute to impaired vasoreactivity and ineffective CBF regulation, resulting in the marked variations in cerebral hemodynamics reported both within and between infants depending on their clinical condition. Many gaps exist in our understanding of how neonatal treatment procedures and medications have an impact on cerebral hemodynamics and preterm brain injury. Future research directions for neuroprotective strategies include establishing cotside, real-time clinical reference values for cerebral hemodynamics and vasoregulatory capacity and to demonstrate that these thresholds improve long-term outcomes for the preterm infant. In addition, stimulation of vascular development and repair with growth factor and cell-based therapies also hold promise.
Ammonia transport in the kidney by Rhesus glycoproteins
Authors: Weiner I. David , Verlander Jill W.
Published: March 2014

Renal ammonia metabolism is a fundamental element of acid-base homeostasis, comprising a major component of both basal and physiologically altered renal net acid excretion. Over the past several years, a fundamental change in our understanding of the mechanisms of renal epithelial cell ammonia transport has occurred, replacing the previous model which was based upon diffusion equilibrium for NH3and trapping of NH4+with a new model in which specific and regulated transport of both NH3and NH4+across renal epithelial cell membranes via specific membrane proteins is required for normal ammonia metabolism. A major advance has been the recognition that members of a recently recognized transporter family, the Rhesus glycoprotein family, mediate critical roles in renal and extrarenal ammonia transport. The erythroid-specific Rhesus glycoprotein, Rh A Glycoprotein (Rhag), was the first Rhesus glycoprotein recognized as an ammonia-specific transporter. Subsequently, the nonerythroid Rh glycoproteins, Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhcg), were cloned and identified as ammonia transporters. They are expressed in specific cell populations and membrane domains in distal renal epithelial cells, where they facilitate ammonia secretion. In this review, we discuss the distribution of Rhbg and Rhcg in the kidney, the regulation of their expression and activity in physiological disturbances, the effects of genetic deletion on renal ammonia metabolism, and the molecular mechanisms of Rh glycoprotein-mediated ammonia transport.
The renal circulation in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia: is there a place for relaxin?
Authors: Conrad Kirk P. , Davison John M.
Published: March 2014

During the first trimester of human pregnancy, the maternal systemic circulation undergoes remarkable vasodilation. The kidneys participate in this vasodilatory response resulting in marked increases in renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Comparable circulatory adaptations are observed in conscious gravid rats. Administration of the corpus luteal hormone relaxin (RLN) to nonpregnant rats and humans elicits vasodilatory changes like those of pregnancy. Systemic and renal vasodilation are compromised in midterm pregnant rats by neutralization or elimination of circulating RLN and in women conceiving with donor eggs who lack a corpus luteum and circulating RLN. Although RLN exerts both rapid (minutes) and sustained (hours to days) vasodilatory actions through different molecular mechanisms, a final common pathway is endothelial nitric oxide. In preeclampsia (PE), maternal systemic and renal vasoconstriction leads to hypertension and modest reduction in GFR exceeding that of RPF. Elevated level of circulating soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 arising from the placenta is implicated in the hypertension and disruption of glomerular fenestrae and barrier function, the former causing reduced Kfand the latter proteinuria. Additional pathogenic factors are discussed. Last, potential clinical ramifications include RLN replacement in women conceiving with donor eggs and its therapeutic use in PE. Another goal has been to apply knowledge gained from investigating circulatory adaptations in pregnancy toward identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies for renal and cardiovascular disease in the nonpregnant population. So far, one candidate to emerge is RLN and its potential therapeutic use in heart failure.
Altered Behavior Associated with Damage to the Ventromedial Hypothalamus: A Distinctive Syndrome
Authors: Flynn Frederick G. , Cummings Jeffrey L. , Tomiyasu Uwamie
Published: March 2014

An adult manifested a tetrad of neurobehavioral findings consisting of episodic rage, emotional lability, hyperphagia with obesity, and memory impairment with intellectual decline following surgical removal of a craniopharyngioma. Post-mortem investigation of the topography of the lesion as well as review of previously reported cases suggest that this tetrad represents a specific neurobehavioral syndrome referable to damage to the ventromedial hypothalamus.
Psychiatry and the Necker Cube. Neurological and Psychological Conceptions of Psychiatric Disorder
Authors: Rogers D.
Published: March 2014

Neurological and psychological conceptions of psychiatric disorder are in conflict at the present time. This conflict is considered in the context of the history of psychiatry and the philosophy of science. Its practical consequences are considered for the motor disorder of schizophrenia, the cognitive impairment in psychiatric illnesses, the use of the terms organic and functional and the association of neurological disorder with psychotic and neurotic disorders. The conflict is also examined in individual cases and the implications for treatment assessed.
Some Personality Variables in Functional Neurological Disorders
Authors: Robertson Mary M. , Trimble M. R.
Published: March 2014

Patients with spasmodic torticollis, writer's cramp and the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) were given rating scales to assess personality dimensions, especially hostility and obsessionality. The data have been compared with age and sex matched controls. Significant differences arose, especially for hostility for the GTS and writer's cramp patients, whereas those with spasmodic torticollis do not differ from controls.
Persistent Left Unilateral Apraxia and a Disconnection Theory
Authors: Yamadori Atsushi , Osumi Yukio , Imamura Toru , Mitani Yoko
Published: March 2014

A case of persistent left unilateral apraxia caused by a post-traumatic callosal lesion is reported. Based on an analysis of the nature of the motor disturbances it is concluded that the disconnection is neither for linguistic nor mnemonic information about praxis but motor control information which is activated through conscious intention.
Language, Culture and the Neurobiology of Pain: A Theoretical Exploration
Authors: Fabrega Horacio
Published: March 2014

Language and culture, as conceptualized in traditional anthropology, may have an important influence on pain and brain-behavior relations. The paradigm case for the influence of language and culture on perception and cognition is stipulated in the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis which has been applied to phenomena “external” to the individual. In this paper, the paradigm is applied to information the person retrieves from “inside” his body; namely, “noxious” stimuli which get registered in consciousness as pain.
Conversion “V” Profiles in Torticollis
Authors: Jahanshahi M. , Marsden C. D.
Published: March 2014

The assumption that spasmodic torticollis represents a conversion reaction was examined by evaluating profiles of 61 patients on the hypochondriasis, depression, and hysteria scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Thirty-six per cent of the sample had normal profiles. A conversion “V” profile with scores above 70 was found in a minority (9%) of the patients. The profile of the majority of the group was characterized by the presence of mild depression. It was concluded that a personality profile suggestive of conversion reaction is not typical of patients with spasmodic torticollis.
Clock-Drawing in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Dal Pan Gerald , Stern Yaakov , Sano Mary , Mayeux Richard
Published: March 2014

Clock-drawing is a widely used bedside test of constructional ability, but it has never been systematically studied or standardized. We examined 87 clocks drawn by neurologically impaired patients and age-matched controls, and propose a set of criteria for scoring clocks. Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease and other dementias have gross impairments in clock-drawing. These deficits include poor spatial arrangement of numbers, incorrect numerical sequence, insertion of stray lines, and addition of extra numbers. In Alzheimer's disease, the total score on the clock-drawing test correlates with the score on the Modified “Mini-Mental State” Examination. Non-demented patients with Parkinson's disease showed only defects in the spatial organization of the numbers, and non-demented patients with other diseases perform as well as controls.
The Psychopathology of Basal Ganglia Calcification
Authors: Philpot Michael P. , Lewis Shon W.
Published: March 2014

Basal ganglia calcification (BGC) was found in 36 of 4122 patients undergoing computed tomography as part of a clinical investigation of their psychiatric illness. The prevalence of BGC increased with age in both men and women. No psychiatric diagnosis was specifically associated with BGC although calcification of the putamen and the caudate was only found in patients with functional disorders. No abnormalities of calcium or phosphate metabolism were found. The results do not support the hypothesis that BGC is an aetiological factor in schizophrenia-like psychoses.
Patterns of Neglect Dissociation
Authors: Barbieri Cristina , De Renzi Ennio
Published: March 2014

Extinction in the visual, tactile and auditory modality, and visual, tactile and motor neglect were investigated in 40 right brain-damaged (RBD) and 50 left brain-damaged (LBD) patients. The presence of neglect was assessed with reference to the performance of 50 control patients. Visual neglect was only found in RBD patients and its severity could vary from one test to another. Tactile neglect was much rarer and it occurred with lesions in either hemisphere. Five cases of motor neglect were found in patients with right parietal damage. Both extinction and neglect could be present either confined to I modality or involving 2 or more. The assumption that extinction always represents an attenuated form of neglect was challenged by the finding of 1 patient with visual neglect but no visual extinction and of3 patients with extinction in all modalities and no sign of neglect. Exploration of contralateral space would appear to be a process monitored by mechanisms decentralized at the level of the single modality rather than by a supramodal supervisor.
Rett Syndrome: Some Behavioural Aspects and an Overview
Authors: Elian Marta , Rudolf Noel De M.
Published: March 2014

A brief review of the Rett syndrome is presented. The main clinical features are onset of mental deterioration, in girls only, between the ages of6 and 18 months, all of whom later develop peculiar stereotyped repetitive movements resembling hand washing. The cause is unknown; the condition occurs more often than phenylketonuria and laboratory tests are normal. Random sequences of hyper-ventilation-apnoea-normal breathing appear in a considerable number of girls and are accompanied by certain EEG features. The nature of the repetitive manual and respiratory phenomena is discussed. We suggest that these behavioural peculiarities may be a form of communication, possibly pleasurable and to some extent interchangeable.
Affective Disorders in Epilepsies: A Neuropsychiatric Review
Authors: Taylor David C.
Published: March 2014

Psychiatry and neurology are well-established as separate disciplines and they may view an issue of mutual concern, such as affective disorder in people with epilepsy, from such different premises that the important synthesis of behavioural neurology, or neuropsychiatry, will be made ineffective. Nosological problems stemming from the use of diagnostic manuals are discussed and revealed in case reports. Reports of affective disorder in persons with brain disorders are relatively rare, possibly as a consequence of nosological problems which stem from a maintenance of a tradition of “functional” disorder. New cases of bipolar disorder and organic mania are given with commentary on the preponderant lateralization of cerebral dysfunction to the right cerebral hemisphere in manic cases.
Transient Crossed Aphasia: A Case Study with SPECT
Authors: Ferro José M. , Cantinho Guilhermina , Baeta Élia
Published: March 2014

A 45-year-old right-handed man developed “crossed” anomie aphasia, neglect and inaccurate reaching of his left arm in both hemispaces due to a right parietal haemorrhage. Aphasia cleared in a few days. SPECT failed to demonstrate crossed left hemispheric diaschisis. This report emphasizes the importance of evaluating patients in the acute stage and of coupling “static” and “functional” imaging methods when studying brain-behavior relationships.
Emotionalism Following Brain Damage
Authors: Allman Peter
Published: March 2014

Emotionalism is an heightened tendency to cry, or more rarely, laugh. It is commonly associated with brain damage and is often distressing to both patients and carers. Emotionalism is easily confused with depression, and when severe it can interfere with treatment. The aetiology is poorly understood but its response to drugs with different modes of action suggests that there is more than one underlying mechanism. When the components of emotionalism are studied separately a wide range is observed and they combine in a more complex and varied way than commonly held stereotyped views suggest. Most patients with emotionalism are helped by simple education and reassurance. Some severe cases respond dramatically to tricyclic antidepressants, levodopa or fluoxetine.
Delusional Misidentification Incident in a Right Hemisphere Stroke Patient
Authors: Young Andrew W. , Flude Brenda M. , Ellis Andrew W.
Published: March 2014

We report a delusional misidentification incident lasting some hours in which a man who had suffered a right hemisphere stroke, HW, mistook a student for his daughter. Investigation of HW's face processing abilities showed unimpaired ability to recognize familiar faces and match facial expressions, but severe impairments of unfamiliar face matching both on the Benton test and a task requiring the matching of disguised and undisguised faces. The incident shows some similarity to the Frégoli delusion, which has also been noted following brain injury affecting the right cerebral hemisphere.
Long-Term Perseveration in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Sullivan Edith V.
Published: March 2014

The most common clinical sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive memory loss. Presented here is a case of AD who, despite ultimate profound dementia with severe amnesia, showed retention of a perseverative response she developed during 26 encounters, over 4.5 years, with the Brown–Peterson distractor test. From Test 9 onwards, she responded from the first distractor-filled trial with one consonant trigram, appearing in none of the seven test forms given her. At Test 26, she could not repeat heard trigrams yet faithfully responded with her perseverative trigram. The trigram, ostensibly declarative information, apparently became part and parcel of the task's procedure. Although perseveration is a form of impairment probably resulting from Alzheimer pathology involving frontal and parietal cortex, it may also reflect a form of preserved memory, albeit distorted, supported by posterior cortical regions spared in AD.
Alien Hand Sign and Other Cognitive Deficits following Ruptured Aneurysm of the Anterior Communicating Artery
Authors: Parkin Alan J. , Barry Caroline
Published: March 2014

We describe a right-handed patient who suffered a ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) which was clipped successfully. Computerized tomography indicated a low density area in the genu of the corpus callosum and the infero-lateral aspect of the left frontal lobe. On recovery the patient's most notable deficit was the “alien hand sign” whereby the left hand would frequently interfere with the actions of the right hand. Problems in response initiation were also evident. There was significant memory loss and performance was impaired on some tests of frontal lobe function. Discussion centres on the functional locus of the alien hand sign but other aspects of the patient's deficits are also considered.
Neurobehavioural Correlates of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviour
Authors: Ford R. A.
Published: March 2014

Conditions in which echolalia and echopraxia occur are reviewed, followed by an attempt to elicit possible mechanisms of these phenomena. A brief description of stereotypical and perseverative behaviour and obsessional phenomena is given. It is suggested that abnormal repetitive behaviour may occur partly as a result of central dopaminergic dysfunction.
Specificity of Cognitive Impairment in Neurological Disease: A Methodological Critique of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sagar H. J.
Published: March 2014

Multiple cognitive deficits have been recognized in many neurological disorders but the specificity of the findings and the relationship to the underlying neuropathology remain obscure. Definitions of dementia have been proposed based on symptom profiles of the cognitive disorder and qualitative differences have been claimed between dementias of different aetiology. Some conditions have been claimed to show patterns of cognitive deficit that are distinguished from dementia and related to specific neuropathology or psychological processes, e.g. frontal lobe deficits in Parkinson's disease. Sometimes, a relationship has been established between certain cognitive deficits and particular neurochemical deficits which has led to the notion of specific drug treatment, e.g. cholinergic deficits and memory failure in Alzheimer's disease. However, these conclusions are often potentially flawed by methodological inadequacies. This critique presents some methodological issues relevant to the study of brain-behaviour and drug-behaviour relationships in syndromes of multiple cognitive deficit, using Parkinson's disease as the model. The following recommendations are made: rigid diagnostic criteria; representative patient groups; avoidance of arbitrary quantitative criteria to limit definitions of dementia; matching of groups for overall level of cognitive impairment in the search for qualitative cognitive differences related to neuropathology or effects of particular drugs; the use of suitable controls in patient groups, neuropsychological tests and treatment regimes; the use of specific quantitative tests of cognition, affect and motor disability; and longitudinal, compared with cross-sectional, study design.
Posterior Fossa Tumours Presenting to Psychiatrists
Authors: Bristow M. F.
Published: March 2014

Posterior fossa tumours may in their early stages give rise to dizziness, nausea and subjective unsteadiness. Such symptoms are commonly accompanied by psychological distress and are not always easy to diagnose. In the presence of a past psychiatric history, they may be wrongly interpreted as exacerbations of neurotic disorder. Two examples of this are given. Because of the commonness of vestibular symptoms and the rapid growth of these tumours, a normal scan early in the history may be misleading.
Ideomotor Apraxia in Left Thalamic Hemorrhage: Discrepancy between Clinical Course and SPECT
Authors: Schnider Armin , Landis Theodor , Rösler Helmuth R.
Published: March 2014

We present a patient who developed severe ideomotor apraxia (IA) and subcortical aphasia after a hemorrhage involving the posterior part of the left thalamus and the posterior limb of the internal capsule. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the left hemisphere as measured by 99Tc-HM-PAO SPECT was initially diminished as compared to the right hemisphere. The apraxia and aphasia eventually resolved. Despite this clinical improvement CBF of the left hemisphere worsened. Our findings do not support the view that apraxia and aphasia following lesion of deep subcortical structures is due to cortical derangement induced by disruption of unspecific activating thalamo-cortical pathways. The results call for caution in the functional interpretation of perfusion deficits detected by SPECT.
Symptomatic Schizophrenia with Moya Moya Disease
Authors: McDade Gerard
Published: March 2014

A young man with Moya Moya disease diagnosed in childhood following two episodes of transient hemiplegia, presented 12 years later with a schizophrenia-like psychosis. A causal link is suggested on the basis of the main site of the cerebral lesion.
Speech and the Right Hemisphere
Authors: Critchley E. M. R.
Published: March 2014

Two facts are well recognized: the location of the speech centre with respect to handedness and early brain damage, and the involvement of the right hemisphere in certain cognitive functions including verbal humour, metaphor interpretation, spatial reasoning and abstract concepts. The importance of the right hemisphere in speech is suggested by pathological studies, blood flow parameters and analysis of learning strategies. An insult to the right hemisphere following left hemisphere damage can affect residual language abilities and may activate non-propositional inner speech. The prosody of speech comprehension even more so than of speech production—identifying the voice, its affective components, gestural interpretation and monitoring one's own speech—may be an essentially right hemisphere task. Errors of a visuospatial type may occur in the learning process. Ease of learning by actors and when learning foreign languages is achieved by marrying speech with gesture and intonation, thereby adopting a right hemisphere strategy.
Impulse Regulation in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: Some Formulations
Authors: Sohlberg Staffan
Published: March 2014

Empirical observations imply that impulsivity is specifically associated with poor prognosis in eating disorders. The present paper cites studies suggesting that this factor is predominantly associated with the bulimic pattern of eating disturbance, while “restriction” may be associated rather with hypercontrol of behaviour. Further evidence is cited suggesting that the relationship between hyper- and hypocontrol is actually very intimate, both on a behavioural and biochemical level. Rather than bulimics being generally impulsive and “restrictors” generally hypercontrolled, future studies may reveal impulse regulation difficulties of both kinds in both groups. Single-minded preoccupation with dieting may be an ill-equipped individual's effort to simplify life in periods of change and environmental challenge that demand capacity for flexible impulse regulation.
Visuoconstructional Impairment in Dementia Syndromes
Authors: Reichman William E. , Cummings Jeffrey L. , McDaniel Keith D. , Flynn Frederick , Gornbein Jeffrey
Published: March 2014

Dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) affects most neuropsychological domains including language, memory, and visuo-spatial skills. The latter are usually assessed by poorly quantifiable copying tasks. We assessed constructional abilities using the Developmental Test of Visuomotor Integration (VMI) comprised of a series of model drawings of increasing complexity. Twenty-six patients meeting NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for DAT, 21 normal aged subjects with normal mental status examinations, and 14 patients with vascular dementia were tested. In DAT, we found significant correlations between visuoconstructive ability and memory registration, delayed recall, and language functions such as confrontation naming and word-list generation. Less marked, but significant correlations were found in the vascular dementia group between visuoconstructive ability and memory registration and word-list generation. A few normal elderly subjects were unable to copy the most challenging figures. The study demonstrates that: (1) VMI is a convenient method for quantifying constructional deficits in DAT and other dementing illnesses; (2) constructional deficits are highly correlated with dementia severity and memory and language deficits in DAT; (3) neuropsychological deficits are less highly inter-correlated in vascular dementia than in DAT; and (4) abnormal constructional skills are present in some normal elderly.
Potential Novel Biomarkers for Diabetic Testicular Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Nerve Growth Factor Beta and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Authors: Sisman Ali Rıza , Kiray Muge , Camsari Ulas Mehmet , Evren Merve , Ates Mehmet , Baykara Basak , Aksu Ilkay , Guvendi Guven , Uysal Nazan
Published: March 2014

Background. It is well known that diabetes mellitus may cause testicular damage. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor beta (NGF-β) are important neurotrophic factors for male reproductive system.Objective. We aimed to investigate the correlation between testicular damage and testicular VEGF and NGF-βlevels in diabetic rats.Methods. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg/i.p.) in adult rats. Five weeks later testicular tissue was removed; testicular VEGF and NGF-βlevels were measured by ELISA. Testicular damage was detected by using hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiff staining, and apoptosis was identified by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Seminiferous tubular sperm formation was evaluated using Johnsen’s score.Results. In diabetic rats, seminiferous tubule diameter was found to be decreased; basement membrane was found to be thickened in seminiferous tubules and degenerated germ cells. Additionally, TUNEL-positive cells were increased in number of VEGF+ cells and levels of VEGF and NGF-βwere decreased in diabetic testes. Correlation between VEGF and NGF-βlevels was strong.Conclusion. These results suggest that the decrease of VEGF and NGF-βlevels is associated with the increase of the apoptosis and testicular damage in diabetic rats. Testis VEGF and NGF-βlevels could be potential novel biomarkers for diabetes induced testicular damage.
A Rare Case of Perforated Descending Colon Cancer Complicated with a Fistula and Abscess of Left Iliopsoas and Ipsilateral Obturator Muscle
Authors: Cacurri Alban , Cannata Gaspare , Trastulli Stefano , Desiderio Jacopo , Mangia Antongiulio , Adamenko Olga , Pressi Eleonora , Giovannelli Giorgio , Noya Giuseppe , Parisi Amilcare
Published: March 2014

Perforation of descending colon cancer combined with iliopsoas abscess and fistula formation is a rare condition and has been reported few times. A 67-year-old man came to our first aid for an acute pain in the left iliac fossa, in the flank, and in the ipsilateral thigh. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a left abdominal wall, retroperitoneal, and iliopsoas abscess that also involved the ipsilateral obturator muscle. It proceeded with an exploratory laparotomy that showed a tumor of the descending colon adhered and perforated in the retroperitoneum with abscess of the iliopsoas muscle on the left-hand side, with presence of a fistula and liver metastases. A left hemicolectomy with drainage of the broad abscess was performed. Pathologic report findings determined adenocarcinoma of the resected colon.
ECN-Based Congestion Probability Prediction over Hybrid Wired-Wireless Networks
Authors: Ye Jin , Huang Jiawei , Wang Jianxin , Zhang Shigeng , Zhang Zhenrong
Published: March 2014

Network congestions and wireless link errors are both potential reasons for packet losses in hybrid wired-wireless networks. Their coexistence necessitates the design of new mechanisms that can differentiate network states more precisely. In this paper, a method is proposed to distinguish between the two reasons of packet losses in hybrid wired-wireless networks (i.e., congestions and wireless link errors) and calculate the probability of network congestion in the former case. This method combines the information contained in CE bits of a sequence of ECN-enabled acknowledge packets to calculate the probability of network congestion; thus it is more accurate than methods using CE bits of a single acknowledge packet. Analysis on the effectiveness of the proposed method in calculating congestion probability is performed via simulations. The ability to differentiate precise network states helps a TCP source response to ECN feedback more adaptively. We discuss how to enhance existing TCP variants with the proposed method. Simulation results show that the enhanced TCP variants can effectively improve network performance.
Water Effects on the First-Order Transition in a Model of Earthquakes
Authors: Dongmo M. W. , Kagho L. Y. , Pelap F. B. , Tanekou G. B. , Makenne Y. L. , Fomethe A.
Published: March 2014

The study of 1D spring-block model of earthquake dynamics with consideration of water effects in preexisting fault deals with new forms of frictional force. An analytical study of the equation of motion enables us to establish that motion of geological fault is accelerated by water pressure. In the same setting the critical value of frictional velocity for which appears the discontinuous (first-order) transition from a stick-slip behavior to a creep motion strongly depends on water pressure. The investigation also displays the magnitude and probability of events as a function of water pressure; these two quantities decrease and increase, respectively, with the variation of water pressure.
Optical Frequency Upconversion Technique for Transmission of Wireless MIMO-Type Signals over Optical Fiber
Authors: Shaddad R. Q. , Mohammad A. B. , Al-Gailani S. A. , Al-Hetar A. M.
Published: March 2014

The optical fiber is well adapted to pass multiple wireless signals having different carrier frequencies by using radio-over-fiber (ROF) technique. However, multiple wireless signals which have the same carrier frequency cannot propagate over a single optical fiber, such as wireless multi-input multi-output (MIMO) signals feeding multiple antennas in the fiber wireless (FiWi) system. A novel optical frequency upconversion (OFU) technique is proposed to solve this problem. In this paper, the novel OFU approach is used to transmit three wireless MIMO signals over a 20 km standard single mode fiber (SMF). The OFU technique exploits one optical source to produce multiple wavelengths by delivering it to a LiNbO3external optical modulator. The wireless MIMO signals are then modulated by LiNbO3optical intensity modulators separately using the generated optical carriers from the OFU process. These modulators use the optical single-sideband with carrier (OSSB+C) modulation scheme to optimize the system performance against the fiber dispersion effect. Each wireless MIMO signal is with a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz carrier frequency, 1 Gb/s data rate, and 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The crosstalk between the wireless MIMO signals is highly suppressed, since each wireless MIMO signal is carried on a specific optical wavelength.
Global Property in a Delayed Periodic Predator-Prey Model with Stage-Structure in Prey and Density-Independence in Predator
Authors: Fan Xiaolin , Teng Zhidong , Jiang Haijun
Published: March 2014

We study the global property in a delayed periodic predator-prey model with stage-structure in prey and density-independence in predator. The sufficient conditions on the ultimate boundedness of all positive solutions are obtained, and the sufficient conditions of the integrable form for the permanence and extinction are further established, respectively. Some well-known results on the predator density-dependency are improved and extended to the predator density-independent cases. The theoretical results are confirmed by the special examples and the numerical simulations.
Protein Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Carriers for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lohcharoenkal Warangkana , Wang Liying , Chen Yi Charlie , Rojanasakul Yon
Published: March 2014

Nanoparticles have increasingly been used for a variety of applications, most notably for the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. A large number of nanoparticle drug delivery systems have been developed for cancer treatment and various materials have been explored as drug delivery agents to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety of anticancer drugs. Natural biomolecules such as proteins are an attractive alternative to synthetic polymers which are commonly used in drug formulations because of their safety. In general, protein nanoparticles offer a number of advantages including biocompatibility and biodegradability. They can be prepared under mild conditions without the use of toxic chemicals or organic solvents. Moreover, due to their defined primary structure, protein-based nanoparticles offer various possibilities for surface modifications including covalent attachment of drugs and targeting ligands. In this paper, we review the most significant advancements in protein nanoparticle technology and their use in drug delivery arena. We then examine the various sources of protein materials that have been used successfully for the construction of protein nanoparticles as well as their methods of preparation. Finally, we discuss the applications of protein nanoparticles in cancer therapy.
Roles of the Chemokine System in Development of Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Yao Longbiao , Herlea-Pana Oana , Heuser-Baker Janet , Chen Yitong , Barlic-Dicen Jana
Published: March 2014

The escalating epidemic of obesity has increased the incidence of obesity-induced complications to historically high levels. Adipose tissue is a dynamic energy depot, which stores energy and mobilizes it during nutrient deficiency. Excess nutrient intake resulting in adipose tissue expansion triggers lipid release and aberrant adipokine, cytokine and chemokine production, and signaling that ultimately lead to adipose tissue inflammation, a hallmark of obesity. This low-grade chronic inflammation is thought to link obesity to insulin resistance and the associated comorbidities of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, which increase risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this review, we focus on and discuss members of the chemokine system for which there is clear evidence of participation in the development of obesity and obesity-induced pathologies.
Cylindroma with Stromal Adipose Tissue Metaplasia versus Arising in a Background of Nevus Lipomatosus
Authors: Yu Ryan , Alowami Salem
Published: March 2014

Nevus lipomatosus superficialis is a rare type of connective tissue nevus. Cylindroma is a benign skin appendage tumor with a predilection for the scalp of older females. We describe the case of a 56-year-old woman with a scalp lesion demonstrating histopathologic features consistent with benign cylindroma arising within a nevus lipomatosus superficialis. To our knowledge, this lesion has not been raised in the literature in the differential for cylindroma with what is presumed to be stromal adipose metaplasia.
Stability and Sensitivity Analysis of a Plant Disease Model with Continuous Cultural Control Strategy
Authors: Zhonghua Zhang , Yaohong Suo
Published: March 2014

In this paper, a plant disease model with continuous cultural control strategy and time delay is formulated. Then, how the time delay affects the overall disease progression and, mathematically, how the delay affects the dynamics of the model are investigated. By analyzing the transendental characteristic equation, stability conditions related to the time delay are derived for the disease-free equilibrium. Specially, whenR0=1, the Jacobi matrix of the model at the disease-free equilibrium always has a simple zero eigenvalue for allτ≥0. The center manifold reduction and the normal form theory are used to discuss the stability and the steady-state bifurcations of the model near the nonhyperbolic disease-free equilibrium. Then, the sensitivity analysis of the threshold parameterR0and the positive equilibriumE*is carried out in order to determine the relative importance of different factors responsible for disease transmission. Finally, numerical simulations are employed to support the qualitative results.
Strichartz Inequalities for the Wave Equation with the Full Laplacian on H-Type Groups
Authors: Liu Heping , Song Manli
Published: March 2014

We generalize the dispersive estimates and Strichartz inequalities for the solution of the wave equation related to the full Laplacian on H-type groups, by means of Besov spaces defined by a Littlewood-Paley decomposition related to the spectral of the full Laplacian. The dimension of the center on those groups ispand we assume thatp>1. A key point consists in estimating the decay in time of theL∞norm of the free solution. This requires a careful analysis due also to the nonhomogeneous nature of the full Laplacian.
Proteomic Profiling of the Dystrophin-DeficientmdxPhenocopy of Dystrophinopathy-Associated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Holland Ashling , Ohlendieck Kay
Published: March 2014

Cardiorespiratory complications are frequent symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a neuromuscular disorder caused by primary abnormalities in the dystrophin gene. Loss of cardiac dystrophin initially leads to changes in dystrophin-associated glycoproteins and subsequently triggers secondarily sarcolemmal disintegration, fibre necrosis, fibrosis, fatty tissue replacement, and interstitial inflammation. This results in progressive cardiac disease, which is the cause of death in a considerable number of patients afflicted with X-linked muscular dystrophy. In order to better define the molecular pathogenesis of this type of cardiomyopathy, several studies have applied mass spectrometry-based proteomics to determine proteome-wide alterations in dystrophinopathy-associated cardiomyopathy. Proteomic studies included both gel-based and label-free mass spectrometric surveys of dystrophin-deficient heart muscle from the establishedmdxanimal model of dystrophinopathy. Comparative cardiac proteomics revealed novel changes in proteins associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism, glycolysis, signaling, iron binding, antibody response, fibre contraction, basal lamina stabilisation, and cytoskeletal organisation. This review summarizes the importance of studying cardiomyopathy within the field of muscular dystrophy research, outlines key features of themdxheart and its suitability as a model system for studying cardiac pathogenesis, and discusses the impact of recent proteomic findings for exploring molecular and cellular aspects of cardiac abnormalities in inherited muscular dystrophies.
Influence of Pore Structure on Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar
Authors: Zhao Haitao , Xiao Qi , Huang Donghui , Zhang Shiping
Published: March 2014

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the pore structure of cement mortar using mercury porosimeter. Ordinary Portland cement, manufactured sand, and natural sand were used. The porosity of the manufactured sand mortar is higher than that of natural sand at the same mix proportion; on the contrary, the probable pore size and threshold radius of manufactured sand mortar are finer. Besides, the probable pore size and threshold radius increased with increasing water to cement ratio and sand to cement ratio. In addition, the existing models of pore size distribution of cement-based materials have been reviewed and compared with test results in this paper. Finally, the extended Bhattacharjee model was built to examine the relationship between compressive strength and pore structure.
Biomarkers for Sepsis: A Review with Special Attention to India
Authors: Nelson George E. , Mave Vidya , Gupta Amita
Published: March 2014

Sepsis is a serious infection and still a common cause of morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings such as India. Even when microbiologic diagnostics are available, bacteremia is only identified in a proportion of patients who present with sepsis and bloodstream infections. Biomarkers have been used in a variety of disease processes and can help aid in diagnosing bacterial infections. There have been numerous biomarkers investigated to aid with diagnosis and prognostication in sepsis with the majority suffering from lack of sensitivity or specificity. Procalcitonin has been heralded as the biomarker that holds the most promise for bloodstream infections. Data are emerging in India, and in this review, we focus on the current data of biomarkers in sepsis with particular attention to how biomarkers could be used to augment diagnosis and treatment in India.
RFID Localization Using Angle of Arrival Cluster Forming
Authors: Alsalih Waleed , Alma'aitah Abdallah , Alkhater Wadha
Published: March 2014

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) has been increasingly used to identify and track objects automatically. RFID has also been used to localize tagged objects. Several RFID localization schemes have been proposed in the literature; some of these schemes estimate the distance between the tag and the reader using the Received Signal Strength Index (RSSI). From a theoretical point of view, RSSI is an excellent approach to estimate the distance between a sender and a receiver. However, our experiments show that there are many factors that influence the RSSI value substantially and that, in turn, has a negative effect on the accuracy of the estimated distance. Another approach that has been recently proposed is utilizing transmission power control from the reader side. Our experiments show that power control results are more stable and accurate than RSSI results. In this paper, we present a test-bed comparison between the power control and the RSSI distance estimation approaches for active RFID tags. We also present the Angle of arrival Cluster Forming (ACF) localization scheme that uses both the angle of arrival of the tag's signal and the reader's transmission power control to localize active tags. Our experiments show that ACF is very accurate in estimating the location of active RFID tags.