bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Three Formulations of Culture Media for Isolation ofBrucellaspp. regarding Their Ability to Inhibit the Growth of Contaminating Organisms
Authors: Vicente Acácia F. , Antunes João M. A. P. , Lara Gustavo H. B. , Mioni Mateus S. R. , Allendorf Susan D. , Peres Marina G. , Appolinário Camila M. , Listoni Fernando J. P. , Ribeiro Marcio G. , Megid Jane
Published: April 2014

Three culture media (Brucellaagar, Farrell medium, and CITA) were compared for their effectiveness in inhibiting contamination and for isolatingBrucellaspp. One hundred lymph nodes from pigs (n= 50) and wild boars (n= 50) with lymphadenitis were collected in slaughterhouses in the State of São Paulo and were assessed on these three selective media forBrucellaspp. All of the samples were negative forBrucellaspp. on the three culture media. On the agar medium, fungal (70 plates) and Gram-positive bacterial (59 plates) contaminants were observed; in the CITA medium, the absence of fungal and Gram-positive bacteria on 15 plates was observed; no bacterial or fungal growth was observed on the Farrell media. The results demonstrated that the CITA and Farrell media inhibited the growth of contaminants better than theBrucellaagar.
Capacity and Delay Estimation for Roundabouts Using Conflict Theory
Authors: Qu Zhaowei , Duan Yuzhou , Hu Hongyu , Song Xianmin
Published: April 2014

To estimate the capacity of roundabouts more accurately, the priority rank of each stream is determined through the classification technique given in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM2010), which is based on macroscopical analysis of the relationship between entry flow and circulating flow. Then a conflict matrix is established using the additive conflict flow method and by considering the impacts of traffic characteristics and limited priority with high volume. Correspondingly, the conflict relationships of streams are built using probability theory. Furthermore, the entry capacity model of roundabouts is built, and sensitivity analysis is conducted on the model parameters. Finally, the entrance delay model is derived using queuing theory, and the proposed capacity model is compared with the model proposed by Wu and that in the HCM2010. The results show that the capacity calculated by the proposed model is lower than the others for an A-type roundabout, while it is basically consistent with the estimated values from HCM2010 for a B-type roundabout.
Energy Efficiency of Task Allocation for Embedded JPEG Systems
Authors: Fan Yang-Hsin , Wu Jan-Ou , Wang San-Fu
Published: April 2014

Embedded system works everywhere for repeatedly performing a few particular functionalities. Well-known products include consumer electronics, smart home applications, and telematics device, and so forth. Recently, developing methodology of embedded systems is applied to conduct the design of cloud embedded system resulting in the applications of embedded system being more diverse. However, the more energy consumes result from the more embedded system works. This study presents hyperrectangle technology (HT) to embedded system for obtaining energy saving. The HT adopts drift effect to construct embedded systems with more hardware circuits than software components or vice versa. It can fast construct embedded system with a set of hardware circuits and software components. Moreover, it has a great benefit to fast explore energy consumption for various embedded systems. The effects are presented by assessing a JPEG benchmarks. Experimental results demonstrate that the HT, respectively, achieves the energy saving by 29.84%, 2.07%, and 68.80% on average to GA, GHO, and Lin.
Boundary Stabilization of a Semilinear Wave Equation with Variable Coefficients under the Time-Varying and Nonlinear Feedback
Authors: Gong Bei , Zhao Xiaopeng
Published: April 2014

We study the boundary stabilization of a semilinear wave equation with variable coefficients under the time-varying and nonlinear feedback. By the Riemannian geometry methods, we obtain the stability results of the system under suitable assumptions of the bound of the time-varying term and the nonlinearity of the nonlinear term.
Complete Controllability for Fractional Evolution Equations
Authors: Yang Xia , Gu Haibo
Published: April 2014

The paper is concerned with the complete controllability of fractional evolution equation with nonlocal condition by using a more general concept for mild solution. By contraction fixed point theorem and Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem, we obtain some sufficient conditions to ensure the complete controllability. Our obtained results are more general to known results.
An Approach for Integrating the Prioritization of Functional and Nonfunctional Requirements
Authors: Dabbagh Mohammad , Lee Sai Peck
Published: April 2014

Due to the budgetary deadlines and time to market constraints, it is essential to prioritize software requirements. The outcome of requirements prioritization is an ordering of requirements which need to be considered first during the software development process. To achieve a high quality software system, both functional and nonfunctional requirements must be taken into consideration during the prioritization process. Although several requirements prioritization methods have been proposed so far, no particular method or approach is presented to consider both functional and nonfunctional requirements during the prioritization stage. In this paper, we propose an approach which aims to integrate the process of prioritizing functional and nonfunctional requirements. The outcome of applying the proposed approach produces two separate prioritized lists of functional and non-functional requirements. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been evaluated through an empirical experiment aimed at comparing the approach with the two state-of-the-art-based approaches, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and hybrid assessment method (HAM). Results show that our proposed approach outperforms AHP and HAM in terms of actual time-consumption while preserving the quality of the results obtained by our proposed approach at a high level of agreement in comparison with the results produced by the other two approaches.
Progesterone and Mental Rotation Task: Is There Any Effect?
Authors: Noreika Donatas , Griškova-Bulanova Inga , Alaburda Aidas , Baranauskas Mindaugas , Grikšienė Ramunė
Published: April 2014

Mental rotation task (MRT) incorporates elements of spatial abilities, important in many professions, with people of both genders involved. Importantly, these are the areas where spatial tasks might be performed for long time periods; thus adverse effects of mental fatigue are highly unwanted. Substantial variation of MRT performance in relation to estrogen levels has been observed in many studies, whereas the role of progesterone remains elusive. Here we aimed to elucidate the effect of progesterone level on the long-duration (1.5 hours) performance of MRT. We included three groups of subjects: a group of males as a control, a group of females in their follicular phase (low progesterone) and a group of females in their luteal phase (high progesterone), MRT accuracy and response time, subjective fatigue ratings and cardiovascular measures together with 17β-estradiol and progesterone concentrations were analyzed. We found that subjective ratings of fatigue increased, performance accuracy increased, and mean response times decreased during the task in all groups. Females in luteal phase were significantly slower not only than men, but also than females in their follicular phase. An increase in subjective fatigue ratings was positively related to progesterone level—at higher progesterone levels, females felt more tired.
Salivary Creatinine Estimation as an Alternative to Serum Creatinine in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Venkatapathy Ramesh , Govindarajan Vasupradha , Oza Nirima , Parameswaran Sreejith , Pennagaram Dhanasekaran Balamurali , Prashad Karthikshree V.
Published: April 2014

Context. Sampling blood for serum analysis is an invasive procedure. A noninvasive alternative would be beneficial to patients and health care professionals.Aim. To correlate serum and salivary creatinine levels and evaluate the role of saliva as a noninvasive alternative to serum for creatinine estimation in chronic kidney disease patients.Study Design. Case-control study.Methods. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 37 healthy individuals and 105 chronic kidney disease patients. Serum and salivary creatinine levels were estimated using automatic analyser.Statistical Analysis. The serum and salivary creatinine levels between controls and cases were compared usingt-test. Correlation between serum and salivary creatinine was obtained in controls and cases using Pearson correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was done to assess the diagnostic performance of salivary creatinine. Cut-off values were established for salivary creatinine.Results. Serum and salivary creatinine levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than controls. The correlation was negative in controls and positive in cases. Area under the curve for salivary creatinine was found to be 0.967. A cut-off value of 0.2 mg/dL gave a sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 86.5%.Conclusion. Saliva can be used as a noninvasive alternative to serum for creatinine estimation.
Distinct Characteristics of Mandibular Bone Collagen Relative to Long Bone Collagen: Relevance to Clinical Dentistry
Authors: Matsuura Takashi , Tokutomi Kentaro , Sasaki Michiko , Katafuchi Michitsuna , Mizumachi Emiri , Sato Hironobu
Published: April 2014

Bone undergoes constant remodeling throughout life. The cellular and biochemical mechanisms of bone remodeling vary in a region-specific manner. There are a number of notable differences between the mandible and long bones, including developmental origin, osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells, and the rate of bone turnover. Collagen, the most abundant matrix protein in bone, is responsible for determining the relative strength of particular bones. Posttranslational modifications of collagen, such as intermolecular crosslinking and lysine hydroxylation, are the most essential determinants of bone strength, although the amount of collagen is also important. In comparison to long bones, the mandible has greater collagen content, a lower amount of mature crosslinks, and a lower extent of lysine hydroxylation. The great abundance of immature crosslinks in mandibular collagen suggests that there is a lower rate of cross-link maturation. This means that mandibular collagen is relatively immature and thus more readily undergoes degradation and turnover. The greater rate of remodeling in mandibular collagen likely renders more flexibility to the bone and leaves it more suited to constant exercise. As reviewed here, it is important in clinical dentistry to understand the distinctive features of the bones of the jaw.
A cDNA Cloning of a Novel Alpha-Class Tyrosinase ofPinctada fucata: Its Expression Analysis and Characterization of the Expressed Protein
Authors: Takgi Ryousuke , Miyashita Tomoyuki
Published: April 2014

Tyrosinase plays an important role in the formation of the shell matrix and melanin synthesis in mollusks shells. A cDNA clone encoding a 47 kDa protein was isolated from the pearl oysterPinctada fucata. The cDNA was 1,957 base pairs long and encodes a 417 residue protein that has extensive sequence identity with tyrosinase (polyphenol oxidase: EC 1.14.18.1). This tyrosinase-like protein, termed PfTy, contains an N-terminal signal sequence and the two copper-binding domain signatures (CuA and CuB), suggesting that PfTy belongs to theα-subclass of type-3 copper proteins. Enzyme activity of PfTy was examined by a spectrophotometric method using the translation product derived from an S30 T7 high-yield protein expression system. Tyrosinase activity was seen in this recombinant product. RT-PCR analysis showed that PfTy mRNA was expressed in the mantle pallial, but not in the mantle edge. Therefore, PfTy may participate in insoluble shell matrix formation of the nacreous layer. PfTy expression was also observed in the foot, liver, and adductor muscle, suggesting that PfTy participates in the synthesis of melanins, which are effective scavengers of free radicals formed in multiple intracellular oxidative processes. This is the first report of a novelα-class tyrosinase from the pearl oysterP. fucata.
The Impact of Climate Changes on the Thermal Performance of a Proposed Pressurized Water Reactor: Nuclear-Power Plant
Authors: Ibrahim Said M. A. , Ibrahim Mohamed M. A. , Attia Sami. I.
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a methodology for studying the impact of the cooling water temperature on the thermal performance of a proposed pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant (PWR NPP) through the thermodynamic analysis based on the thermodynamic laws to gain some new aspects into the plant performance. The main findings of this study are that an increase of one degree Celsius in temperature of the coolant extracted from environment is forecasted to decrease by 0.39293 and 0.16% in the power output and the thermal efficiency of the nuclear-power plant considered, respectively.
Canthium parviflorumLeaves: Antioxidant Activity in Food and Biological Systems, pH, and Temperature Stability
Authors: Reddy Palvai Vanitha , Mahalingu Sowmya , Urooj Asna
Published: April 2014

Canthium parviflorumleaves were analyzed for their proximate and phytochemical composition. The leaves were extracted with methanol (ME) and analyzed for antioxidant activity by radical scavenging method, reducing power, ferric reducing capacity, andin vitroinhibition of Fenton’s reagent induced oxidation in oil emulsion and microsomes. In addition, the effect of high temperature (100°C, 15 and 30 min) and pH (4.5, 7, and 9) on the antioxidant activity of ME was investigated. The leaves were rich in polyphenols, flavonoidsβ-carotene, glutathione,α-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. The ME exhibited varying degree of antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The RSA was 68%–500 μg. Reducing potency was 0.34 and FRAP was 1.377.Canthiumexhibited greater inhibition of oxidation in microsomes (73%) than in the oil emulsion (21%). Heat treatment resulted in reduction of radical scavenging activity of extract from 68% to 40%. At pH 4.5 and 7 methanol extract exhibited some percent of antioxidant activity which ranged between 18 and 32%. Data indicatesCanthiumas a good source of antioxidants and methanol extract exhibited good antioxidant activity.
Reproducibility of the Optical Biometer OA-1000 (Tomey)
Authors: Goebels Susanne Christiane , Seitz Berthold , Langenbucher Achim
Published: April 2014

Aim. The OA-1000 (Tomey, Japan) is a new optical biometer, which measures axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and central corneal thickness (CT) utilizing optical interference technology. The aim of this study was to prove the reproducibility which is considered fundamental for other clinical investigations.Methods. 55 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. For each measurement of AL, ACD, and CT the biometer is grabbing a sequence of 10 shots and mean value (mean) and standard deviation (SD) are displayed. Five consecutive measurements were performed and average and standard deviation were assessed. Cronbach’sαwas derived as a quality measure for reproducibility.Results. For AL measurement Cronbach’sαwas 1.000, for CT 0.999, and for ACD 0.979, respectively. Mean value for AL was23.36±1.03 mm, for ACD it was3.60±0.687 mm, and for CT it was552.08±29.70 μm, respectively. Standard deviation for AL was0.013±0.022 mm, for ACD0.09±0.11 mm, and for CT2.18±1.75 μm. One correlation was found between mean values for AL and ACD (R = 0.388,P = 0.005); no other correlations were found between mean values or values of standard deviation of AL, ACD, or CT.Conclusion. The OA-1000 shows an excellent reproducibility for measurement of AL, ACD, and CT and can be used in clinical practice.
The Generalization Complexity Measure for Continuous Input Data
Authors: Gómez Iván , Cannas Sergio A. , Osenda Omar , Jerez José M. , Franco Leonardo
Published: April 2014

We introduce in this work an extension for the generalization complexity measure to continuous input data. The measure, originally defined in Boolean space, quantifies the complexity of data in relationship to the prediction accuracy that can be expected when using a supervised classifier like a neural network, SVM, and so forth. We first extend the original measure for its use with continuous functions to later on, using an approach based on the use of the set of Walsh functions, consider the case of having a finite number of data points (inputs/outputs pairs), that is, usually the practical case. Using a set of trigonometric functions a model that gives a relationship between the size of the hidden layer of a neural network and the complexity is constructed. Finally, we demonstrate the application of the introduced complexity measure, by using the generated model, to the problem of estimating an adequate neural network architecture for real-world data sets.
A Complete Hierarchical Key Management Scheme for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Chien-Ming , Zheng Xinying , Wu Tsu-Yang
Published: April 2014

Heterogeneous cluster-based wireless sensor networks (WSN) attracted increasing attention recently. Obviously, the clustering makes the entire networks hierarchical; thus, several kinds of keys are required for hierarchical network topology. However, most existing key management schemes for it place more emphasis on pairwise key management schemes or key predistribution schemes and neglect the property of hierarchy. In this paper, we propose a complete hierarchical key management scheme which only utilizes symmetric cryptographic algorithms and low cost operations for heterogeneous cluster-based WSN. Our scheme considers four kinds of keys, which are an individual key, a cluster key, a master key, and pairwise keys, for each sensor node. Finally, the analysis and experiments demonstrate that the proposed scheme is secure and efficient; thus, it is suitable for heterogeneous cluster-based WSN.
The Role of Androgen Hormones in Early Follicular Development
Authors: Gervásio Catiele Garcia , Bernuci Marcelo Picinin , Silva-de-Sá Marcos Felipe , Rosa-e-Silva Ana Carolina Japur de Sá
Published: April 2014

Background. Although chronic hyperandrogenism, a typical feature of polycystic ovary syndrome, is often associated with disturbed reproductive performance, androgens have been shown to promote ovarian follicle growth in shorter exposures. Here, we review the main effects of androgens on the regulation of early folliculogenesis and the potential of their application in improving follicular in vitro growth. Review. Androgens may affect folliculogenesis directly via androgen receptors (ARs) or indirectly through aromatization to estrogen. ARs are highly expressed in the granulosa and theca cells of early stage follicles and slightly expressed in mature follicles. Short-term androgen exposure augments FSH receptor expression in the granulosa cells of developing follicles and enhances the FSH-induced cAMP formation necessary for the transcription of genes involved in the control of follicular cell proliferation and differentiation. AR activation also increases insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its receptor gene expression in the granulosa and theca cells of growing follicles and in the oocytes of primordial follicles, thus facilitating IGF-1 actions in both follicular recruitment and subsequent development. Conclusion. During the early and intermediate stages of follicular maturation, locally produced androgens facilitate the transition of follicles from the dormant to the growing pool as well as their further development.
Endogenous Ceramide Contributes to the Transcytosis of oxLDL across Endothelial Cells and Promotes Its Subendothelial Retention in Vascular Wall
Authors: Li Wenjing , Yang Xiaoyan , Xing Shasha , Bian Fang , Yao Wanjing , Bai Xiangli , Zheng Tao , Wu Guangjie , Jin Si
Published: April 2014

Oxidized low density of lipoprotein (oxLDL) is the major lipid found in atherosclerotic lesion and elevated plasma oxLDL is recognized to be a risk factor of atherosclerosis. Whether plasma oxLDL could be transported across endothelial cells and initiate atherosclerotic changes remains unknown. In an establishedin vitrocellular transcytosis model, the present study found that oxLDL could traffic across vascular endothelial cells and further that the regulation of endogenous ceramide production by ceramide metabolizing enzyme inhibitors significantly altered the transcytosis of oxLDL across endothelial cells. It was found that acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor, desipramine (DES), andde novoceramide synthesis inhibitor, myriocin (MYR), both decreasing the endogenous ceramide production, significantly inhibited the transcytosis of oxLDL. Ceramidase inhibitor, N-oleoylethanolamine (NOE), and sphingomyelin synthase inhibitor, O-Tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-9-yl dithiocarbonate potassium salt (D609), both increasing the endogenous ceramide production, significantly upregulated the transcytosis of oxLDL.In vivo, injection of fluorescence labeled oxLDL into mice body also predisposed to the subendothelial retention of these oxidized lipids. The observations provided in the present study demonstrate that endogenous ceramide contributes to the transcytosis of oxLDL across endothelial cells and promotes the initiating step of atherosclerosis—the subendothelial retention of lipids in vascular wall.
An Analysis of a Severe Turbulence Event Encountered by an Aircraft over the South China Sea and the Application of Numerical Weather Prediction Models in the Early Alerting of the Event
Authors: Chan P. W. , Wong W. K.
Published: April 2014

In the literature, there is rather limited number of accounts of significant turbulence over the South China Sea, which is an area of busy air traffic. The present paper documents the meteorological observations of an aircraft over the seas west of the Philippines on encountering severe turbulence associated with an area of convection. From the valuable flight data available from this aircraft, it is found that, on encountering the significant turbulence, the aircraft experienced increase in wind speed, strong downdraft, high windshear hazard factor, and, most importantly, high level of eddy dissipation rate, which is a measure of turbulence intensity in civil aviation. The application of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models in the forecasting of this severe turbulence case is also studied. It turns out that the cumulonimbus extent and in-cloud turbulence potential products from World Area Forecast System may have some indication of the occurrence of significant turbulence associated with convection in the area concerned. A mesoscale NWP model even forecasts the possibility of moderate-to-severe turbulence about 24 to 27 hours ahead of the event.
A Variational Principle for Three-Point Boundary Value Problems with Impulse
Authors: Yang Dianwu
Published: April 2014

We construct a variational functional of a class of three-point boundary value problems with impulse. Using the critical points theory, we study the existence of solutions to second-order three-point boundary value problems with impulse.
Targeted Inhibition of mTOR Signaling Improves Sensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells to Cisplatin
Authors: Hou Guiqin , Yang Shuai , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wang Cong , Zhao Wen , Lu Zhaoming
Published: April 2014

mTOR is an evolutionarily conserved serine-threonine kinase with a central role in cell growth, invasion, and metastasis of tumors, and is activated in many cancers. The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of mTOR in ESCC tissues and its relationship with progression of ESCC and measure the changes of sensitivity of ESCC cells to cisplatin after cells were treated with mTOR siRNA by WST-8 assays, TUNEL, RT-PCR, and western blots in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the expression of mTOR was higher in ESCC specimens than that in normal esophageal tissues and its expression was closely correlated with the TNM stage of ESCC. mTOR siRNA significantly increased the sensitivity of the EC9706 cells to cisplatin at proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The growth of ESCC xenografts was significantly inhibited by mTOR siRNA or cisplatin, and the cell number of apoptosis was obviously increased after xenografts were treated with mTOR siRNA or cisplatin alone, especially when mTOR siRNA combined with cisplatin. The present study demonstrates that the expression of mTOR has important clinical significance and inhibition of mTOR pathway by mTOR siRNA can improve the sensitivity of ESCC cells to cisplatin.
Large Complex Odontoma of Mandible in a Young Boy: A Rare and Unusual Case Report
Authors: Reddy G. Siva Prasad , Reddy G. V. , Sidhartha B. , Sriharsha K. , Koshy John , Sultana Rehana
Published: April 2014

Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumors. They are broadly classified in to Compound Odontoma and Complex Odontoma. Among them complex odontoma is a rare tumor. Occasionally this tumor becomes large, causing expansion of bone followed by facial asymmetry. Otherwise these tumors are asymptomatic and are generally diagnosed on radiographic examination. We report a rare case of complex odontoma of mandible in a young boy. The tumor was treated by surgical excision under general anesthesia.
Monitoring Grassland Tourist Season of Inner Mongolia, China Using Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Ge Quansheng , Yang Xi , Qiao Zhi , Liu Haolong , Liu Jun
Published: April 2014

Phenology-driven events, such as spring wildflower displays or fall tree colour, are generally appreciated by tourists for centuries around the world. Monitoring when tourist seasons occur using satellite data has been an area of growing research interest in recent decades. In this paper, a valid methodology for detecting the grassland tourist season using remote sensing data was presented. On average, the beginning, the best, and the end of grassland tourist season of Inner Mongolia, China, occur in late June (±30 days), early July (±30 days), and late July (±50 days), respectively. In south region, the grassland tourist season appeared relatively late. The length of the grassland tourist season is about 90 days with strong spatial trend. South areas exhibit longer tourist season.
Improved Multiobjective Harmony Search Algorithm with Application to Placement and Sizing of Distributed Generation
Authors: Sheng Wanxing , Liu Ke-yan , Li Yunhua , Liu Yuan , Meng Xiaoli
Published: April 2014

To solve the comprehensive multiobjective optimization problem, this study proposes an improved metaheuristic searching algorithm with combination of harmony search and the fast nondominated sorting approach. This is a kind of the novel intelligent optimization algorithm for multiobjective harmony search (MOHS). The detailed description and the algorithm formulating are discussed. Taking the optimal placement and sizing issue of distributed generation (DG) in distributed power system as one example, the solving procedure of the proposed method is given. Simulation result on modified IEEE 33‐bus test system and comparison with NSGA‐II algorithm has proved that the proposed MOHS can get promising results for engineering application.
Distinct Action of Flavonoids, Myricetin and Quercetin, on Epithelial Cl−Secretion: Useful Tools as Regulators of Cl−Secretion
Authors: Sun Hongxin , Niisato Naomi , Nishio Kyosuke , Hamilton Kirk L. , Marunaka Yoshinori
Published: April 2014

Epithelial Cl−secretion plays important roles in water secretion preventing bacterial/viral infection and regulation of body fluid. We previously suggested that quercetin would be a useful compound for maintaining epithelial Cl−secretion at a moderate level irrespective of cAMP-induced stimulation. However, we need a compound that stimulates epithelial Cl−secretion even under cAMP-stimulated conditions, since in some cases epithelial Cl−secretion is not large enough even under cAMP-stimulated conditions. We demonstrated that quercetin and myricetin, flavonoids, stimulated epithelial Cl−secretion under basal conditions in epithelial A6 cells. We used forskolin, which activates adenylyl cyclase increasing cytosolic cAMP concentrations, to study the effects of quercetin and myricetin on cAMP-stimulated epithelial Cl−secretion. In the presence of forskolin, quercetin diminished epithelial Cl−secretion to a level similar to that with quercetin alone without forskolin. Conversely, myricetin further stimulated epithelial Cl−secretion even under forskolin-stimulated conditions. This suggests that the action of myricetin is via a cAMP-independent pathway. Therefore, myricetin may be a potentially useful compound to increase epithelial Cl−secretion under cAMP-stimulated conditions. In conclusion, myricetin would be a useful compound for prevention from bacterial/viral infection even under conditions that the amount of water secretion driven by cAMP-stimulated epithelial Cl−secretion is insufficient.
Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Ethylcellulose and Polymethacrylate Resins Loaded Microparticles Containing Hydrophilic Drug
Authors: Pandav Satish , Naik Jitendra
Published: April 2014

Objective. The purpose of the recent study was to prepare and estimate sustained release of Ethylcellulose (300 cps) and Eudragit (RS 100 and RL 100) microparticles containing Propranolol hydrochloride used as a treatment of cardiovascular system, especially hypertension. Method. Propranolol hydrochloride was microencapsulated with different polymers (Ethylcellulose, Eudragit RS, and Eudragit RL) using modified hydrophobic (O/O) solvent evaporation method using 1 : 1 combination of acetone and isopropanol as the internal phase. Obtained microparticles were showing higher batch yield with higher encapsulation efficiency. Microparticles were prepared with different ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 3, 1 : 5, and 1 : 7 (%, wt/wt) using span 80 (%, v/v) as a surfactant. Results. The influence of formulation factors like drug: polymer ratio, internal phase, and type of polymers on obtained microparticles was characterized with respect to particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, percentage yield, FTIR, and FE-SEM. Higher encapsulation efficiencies were obtained with various polymers like Ethylcellulose (96.63 ± 0.5) compared to Eudragit RS 100 (83.70 ± 0.6) and RL 100 (89.62 ± 0.6). The in vitro release study was characterized by initial burst. Conclusion. The result of study displays that Ethylcellulose and Eudragit loaded microparticles of Propranolol hydrochloride can be effectively prepared using modified hydrophobic emulsification solvent evaporation technique. Therefore, the modified hydrophobic emulsion technique can also be applied to the preparation of microparticles for low molecular weight and highly water soluble drugs.
Evaluation of Seismic Performance of Buildings Constructed on Hillside Slope of Doronka Village-Egypt
Authors: Farghaly Ahmed Abdelraheem
Published: April 2014

Construction on the hillside slope is more challenging to the structural engineer, especially under seismic load due to the presence of a powerful earthquake in addition to the forces of sliding slope itself. Regarding the population growth and narrowness of available lands, people take hillside slopes to build their houses. One of the main sources of seismic vulnerability in Egypt is represented by the instability of slopes; therefore, this is a subject of great significance, particularly in view of the growing attention that has been recently dedicated to the reduction of seismic hazard. This paper evaluates the seismic performance of Doronka city buildings constructed on rocky hillside slope and its foundations system by studying base shear, acceleration, and displacements. The stability of the slope was first evaluated under seismic loads and then the stability of constructed buildings was checked on the hillside slope. The results of study show that these buildings will collapse if subjected to earthquake even if its peak ground acceleration (PGA) magnitude is less than 0.25 g, but the hillside slope remains stable within a high earthquake magnitude.
An Interior Point Method forL1/2-SVM and Application to Feature Selection in Classification
Authors: Yao Lan , Zhang Xiongji , Li Dong-Hui , Zeng Feng , Chen Haowen
Published: April 2014

This paper studies feature selection for support vector machine (SVM). By the use of theL1/2regularization technique, we propose a new modelL1/2-SVM. To solve this nonconvex and non-Lipschitz optimization problem, we first transform it into an equivalent quadratic constrained optimization model with linear objective function and then develop an interior point algorithm. We establish the convergence of the proposed algorithm. Our experiments with artificial data and real data demonstrate that theL1/2-SVM model works well and the proposed algorithm is more effective than some popular methods in selecting relevant features and improving classification performance.
Associations between Estrogen Receptor–Negative Breast Cancer and Timing of Reproductive Events Differ between African American and European American Women
Authors: Ambrosone Christine B. , Zirpoli Gary R. , Bovbjerg Dana Howard , Shankar Jyoti , Hong Chi-Chen , McCann Susan E. , Ruszczyk Melanie , Khoury Thaer , Yao Song , Ciupak Gregory L. , Jandorf Lina , Pawlish Karen S. , Bandera Elisa V.
Published: April 2014

The effects of reproductive factors on breast cancer risk seem to differ by estrogen receptor (ER) status. Menarche and first live birth (FLB) tend to occur at younger ages in African Americans (AA) than European Americans (EA), and could play a role in breast cancer disparities. In the Women's Circle of Health Study, a case–control study of breast cancer in EA and AA women, in-person interviews were conducted to collect epidemiologic data, including reproductive histories. Data on ER status, abstracted from pathology reports, were available for 814 AA and 538 EA breast cancer cases, and were analyzed with 1015 AA and 715 EA controls, to evaluate associations between subgroups and age at menarche, age at FLB, and the interval between those ages. Among AA women, later age at menarche (≥14 years) was associated with reduced risk of both ER+ and ER− breast cancer, with ORs strongest for ER− disease [OR = 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37–0.88]; associations were weaker and nonsignificant for EA women. There were no significant associations with age at FLB, but AA women with a FLB within 15 years of menarche had increased risk of ER− disease (OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.29–3.95), with no significant associations among EAs. In our data, earlier age at menarche and shorter intervals until FLB are associated with ER− breast cancer in AA women; differential distributions by race of these and other reproductive risk factors could contribute to the higher prevalence of ER− breast cancer in AA women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(6); 1115–20. ©2014 AACR.
Sustained Inhibition of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and Macrophage Depletion by PLX3397 and Rapamycin as a Potential New Approach for the Treatment of MPNSTs
Authors: Patwardhan Parag P. , Surriga Oliver , Beckman Michael J. , de Stanchina Elisa , Dematteo Ronald P. , Tap William D. , Schwartz Gary K.
Published: April 2014

Purpose: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a highly aggressive tumor type that is resistant to chemotherapy and there are no effective therapies. MPNSTs have been shown to have gene amplification for receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), PDGFR and c-Kit. We tested the c-Kit inhibitor, imatinib, and PLX3397, a selective c-Fms and c-Kit inhibitor, to evaluate their efficacy against MPNST cells in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: We tested the efficacy of imatinib or PLX3397 either alone or in combination with TORC1 inhibitor rapamycin in a cell proliferation assay in vitro and by immunoblotting to determine target inhibition. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis was further carried out using xenograft samples in vivo.

Results: Our in vitro studies show that imatinib and PLX3397 similarly inhibit cell growth and this can be enhanced with rapamycin with comparable target specificity. However, in vivo studies clearly demonstrate that compared with imatinib, PLX3397 results in sustained blockade of c-Kit, c-Fms, and PDGFRβ, resulting in significant suppression of tumor growth. Moreover, staining for Iba-1, a marker for macrophages, indicates that PLX3397 results in significant depletion of macrophages in the growing tumors. The combination of PLX3397 and rapamycin results in even greater macrophage depletion with continued growth suppression, even when the drug treatment is discontinued.

Conclusions: Taken together, our data strongly suggest that PLX3397 is superior to imatinib in the treatment of MPNSTs, and the combination of PLX3397 with a TORC1 inhibitor could provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 20(12); 3146–58. ©2014 AACR.
An Unexpected Cause of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Kidney Transplant Patient
Authors: Schlageter Manuel , Jahn Kathleen D. , Tzankov Alexandar , Wiese Mark , Bubendorf Lukas , Tamm Michael , Savic Spasenija
Published: April 2014

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent treatment. There are many different treatment-relevant causes of DAH, making the diagnostic approach to these patients complex and necessitating a multidisciplinary team. We report the case of a kidney transplant recipient in whom all diagnostic efforts did not reveal the cause of DAH, and only autopsy was able to establish an unexpected diagnosis.
Unique Metabolic Features of Stem Cells, Cardiomyocytes, and Their Progenitors
Authors: Gaspar John Antonydas , Doss Michael Xavier , Hengstler Jan Georg , Cadenas Cristina , Hescheler Jürgen , Sachinidis Agapios
Published: April 2014

Recently, growing attention has been directed toward stem cell metabolism, with the key observation that the plasticity of stem cells also reflects the plasticity of their energy substrate metabolism. There seems to be a clear link between the self-renewal state of stem cells, in which cells proliferate without differentiation, and the activity of specific metabolic pathways. Differentiation is accompanied by a shift from anaerobic glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration. This metabolic switch of differentiating stem cells is required to cover the energy demands of the different organ-specific cell types. Among other metabolic signatures, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism is most prominent in undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, whereas the fatty acid metabolic signature is unique in cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem cells. Identifying the specific metabolic pathways involved in pluripotency and differentiation is critical for further progress in the field of developmental biology and regenerative medicine. The recently generated knowledge on metabolic key processes may help to generate mature stem cell–derived somatic cells for therapeutic applications without the requirement of genetic manipulation. In the present review, the literature about metabolic features of stem cells and their cardiovascular cell derivatives as well as the specific metabolic gene signatures differentiating between stem and differentiated cells are summarized and discussed.
Markets for Land, Labour and Capital in Late Antique Iraq, AD 200-700
Authors: Rezakhani Khodadad , Morony Michael G.
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Lack of direct evidence on the functioning of factor markets in Sasanian/Late Antique Iraq makes it difficult to present a clear picture of the production side of economy during this period. However, relying on the Talmudic evidence, as well as what is mentioned in the Mādayān ī Hezār Dādestān (mhd), this article aims to provide an idea of factor markets during the Sasanian period, as well as demonstrating the areas where further evidence and research could render better results and allow us to understand the economy of this region in more depth.
La représentation du droit dans la communauté des diplomates européens des « Trente Heureuses » (1713–1740)
Authors: Dhondt Frederik
Published: April 2014

Diplomatic representation in the community of the European diplomacy of the ‘Trente heureuses’ (1713–1740). – The study of Ancien Régime public international law compels researchers to broaden the traditional scope of legal history (treaties and doctrine). A broader understanding of normativity in international relations, inspired by sociology, cultural or international relations history leads to an analysis of diplomatic behaviour. Practice is of paramount importance to grasp the working of implicit principles, expressed in correspondence and legal memoranda. The three decades following the Peace of Utrecht (1713) illustrate how state consent-based international organisation operated in the 18th century, separate from doctrinal concepts. French and British archival material and existing prosopographic literature sketch a map of the European arena. Treaty interpretation and legal reasoning were the backbone of international relations. Consequently, jurists were more than apologists, and fulfilled an indispensable role in an interactional system.
The case for the lost captain
Authors: Zwalve Willem J.
Published: April 2014

This article is about the text constitution of D. 19,2,15,6, a text which has been considered as corrupt by most, if not all, legal historians discussing it. It puts forward an emendation advanced by Haloander and considers whether that can stand up to close scrutiny. After a discussion among Dutch Romanists to whom the text was put up for debate, it turns out that it cannot. The text, especially the much debated opening line (‘cum quidam nave amissa vecturam, quam pro mutua acceperat, repeteretur’), makes perfectly acceptable Latin, as was already suggested by the Austrian philologist Ernst Kalinka in 1927. The only minor emendation suggested is to correct ‘promutuo’ for ‘pro mutua’, a reading supported by D. 40,7,40,5 (and its ‘kata podas’) and the Greek summae of D. 19,2,15,6.
Hit by Populism: Democracy in Ruins?
Authors: Soare Sorina
Published: April 2014

Populist parties’ dazzling success has been registered in numerous new and old Member states for a while; populism has occupied a crucial position in Romanian politics since the onset of post-communism, with constant emphasis on the iconic role of the people in the democracy, the role of the leader in public statements and in the party’s organisation, the promotion of Manichean and simplistic solutions to the political/economic agenda, as well as the constant use of direct and emotional appeals, etc. Within this framework, the research question is: can Romanian populism be understood as a “temporary” problem of adjustment and adaptation, or is it a deeper structural effect, which requires further attention, considering its potential threats to the stability of the post-communist regime? Considering populism as a multi-faceted phenomenon that cannot be traced to a unique structure or a single/specific agency, the conclusions suggest the existence of an osmotic relationship between deep-rooted populism and democracy in Romania, in the sense that it is difficult to clearly identify which is the cause of the other. As such, the Romanian specificity stems from the constancy of this phenomenon and, above all, from its potential for contamination: populist cries become national mainstream catchwords.
Keeping Up with the Changing Climate: The WTO’s Evolutive Approach in Response to the Trade and Climate Conundrum
Authors: Kent Avidan , Jha Vyoma
Published: April 2014

Canada – Certain Measures Affecting the Renewable Energy Sector (Canada FIT), appears to be the first-ever case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address the tenuous ‘trade versus climate’ debate in the context of renewable energy policies. Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) for renewable energy, which have emerged as a popular domestic policy tool to address climate change, share an extremely controversial relationship with the international trade regime, especially with the legality of such support schemes increasingly coming under the WTO scanner. In this article, the authors focus on four aspects that emerge from the decisions made by the WTO’s Panel and Appellate Body in this case, namely the clarification of the blurred legal status of renewable energy support schemes under WTO law; a new ‘public goods’ exception; an evolving, “activist” WTO jurisprudence; and the imminent end of domestic content requirements in renewable energy policies. The authors argue in this article that the WTO Panel and Appellate Body’s decisions represent a development of the law, one that is aimed at settling the ever-so-contentious clash between the WTO law on subsidies and climate change support schemes.
Diabatic Damping of Zonal Index Variations
Authors: Xia Xiaoming , Chang Edmund K. M.
Published: April 2014

Zonal index variations, or north–south shifts of the midlatitude jet, are the dominant mode of zonal wind variability in the Southern Hemisphere. Previous studies have shown that synoptic-time-scale eddy momentum flux provides a positive feedback and acts to increase the persistence and low-frequency variance of the zonal index. However, the impact of diabatic heating due to the precipitation associated with these eddies has not been investigated. In this study, regression analyses have been conducted to demonstrate that a robust precipitation anomaly can be found to accompany the jet and eddy momentum flux anomalies associated with a poleward shift of the jet, with enhanced precipitation on the poleward flank of the jet and reduced precipitation on the equatorward flank. Diabatic heating associated with such a precipitation anomaly is expected to reduce the temperature gradient across the jet anomaly, thus decreasing eddy generation and damping the anomaly. This expectation is confirmed by three sets of mechanistic model experiments, using three different ways to mimic the impact of moist heating in a dry model. Results of this study suggest that diabatic heating provides a negative feedback to zonal index variations, partially offsetting the positive feedback provided by eddy momentum flux. These results could partially explain why zonal index variations have been found to be very persistent in dry mechanistic model experiments since this negative diabatic feedback is absent in dry models. These results suggest that these models may be overly sensitive to climate forcings that produce a jet shift response.