bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coherent and Incoherent Neutral Current Scattering for Supernova Detection
Authors: Divari P. C.
Published: June 2012

The total cross sections as well as the neutrino event rates are calculated in the neutral current neutrino scattering off40Ar and132Xe isotopes at neutrino energies (Ev<100 MeV). The individual contribution coming from coherent and incoherent channels is taking into account. An enhancement of the neutral current component is achieved via the coherent (0gs+→0gs+) channel which is dominant with respect to incoherent (0gs+→Jf) one. The response of the above isotopes as a supernova neutrino detection has been considered, assuming a two parameter Fermi-Dirac distribution for the supernova neutrino energy spectra. The calculated total cross sections are tested on a gaseous spherical TPC detector dedicated for supernova neutrino detection.
An Efficient Multi‐Core SIMD Implementation for H.264/AVC Encoder
Authors: Bariani M. , Lambruschini P. , Raggio M.
Published: June 2012

The optimization process of a H.264/AVC encoder on three different architectures is presented. The architectures are multi‐ and singlecore and SIMD instruction sets have different vector registers size. The need of code optimization is fundamental when addressing HD resolutions with real‐time constraints. The encoder is subdivided in functional modules in order to better understand where the optimization is a key factor and to evaluate in details the performance improvement. Common issues in both partitioning a video encoder into parallel architectures and SIMD optimization are described, and author solutions are presented for all the architectures. Besides showing efficient video encoder implementations, one of the main purposes of this paper is to discuss how the characteristics of different architectures and different set of SIMD instructions can impact on the target application performance. Results about the achieved speedup are provided in order to compare the different implementations and evaluate the more suitable solutions for present and next generation video‐coding algorithms.
Changes in the Th1 : Th2 Cytokine Bias in Pregnancy and the Effects of the Anti-Inflammatory Cyclopentenone Prostaglandin 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-ProstaglandinJ2
Authors: Sykes Lynne , MacIntyre David A. , Yap Xiao J. , Ponnampalam Sathana , Teoh Tiong Ghee , Bennett Phillip R.
Published: June 2012

Pregnancy is a complex immunological state in which a bias towards T helper 2 (Th2) protects the fetus. Evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines increase the risk of poor neonatal outcome, independently of the direct effect of preterm labour. The anti-inflammatory prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2(15dPGJ2) inhibits nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) in amniocytes and myocytesin vitroand is a ligand for the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) receptor. Here we examine the Th1:Th2 cytokine bias in pregnancy and whether 15dPGJ2could be used to inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB while simultaneously promoting Th2 interleukin 4 (IL-4) synthesis via CRTH2 in T helper cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from women at 28 weeks, term pre-labour, term labour as well as non-pregnant female controls were cultured with 15dPGJ2or vehicle control and stimulated with phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA)/ionomycin. The percentage of CD4+cells producing interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in response to PMA/ionomycin was significantly reduced in pregnancy. 15dPGJ2reduced IFN-γand TNF-αproduction in stimulated T helper cells, but did not alter IL-4 production in CRTH2+vecells. 15dPGJ2also reduced phospho-p65 in stimulated PBMCs. In summary, 15dPGJ2suppresses the Th1 response of PBMCs during pregnancy and active labour whilst maintaining the Th2 response suggesting a therapeutic benefit in reducing neonatal morbidity in inflammation-induced PTL.
Spatial Images Feature Extraction Based on Bayesian Nonlocal Means Filter and Improved Contourlet Transform
Authors: Han Pengcheng , Du Junping
Published: June 2012

Spatial images are inevitably mixed with different levels of noise and distortion. The contourlet transform can provide multidimensional sparse representations of images in a discrete domain. Because of its filter structure, the contourlet transform is not translation‐invariant. In this paper, we use a nonsubsampled pyramid structure and a nonsubsampled directional filter to achieve multidimensional and translation‐invariant image decomposition for spatial images. A nonsubsampled contourlet transform is used as the basis for an improved Bayesian nonlocal means (NLM) filter for different frequencies. The Bayesian model adds a sigma range in image a priori operations, which can be more effective in protecting image details. The NLM filter retains the image edge content and assigns greater weight to similarities for edge pixels. Experimental results both on standard images and spatial images confirm that the proposed algorithm yields significantly better performance than nonsubsampled wavelet transform, contourlet, and curvelet approaches.
Regional Climate Simulation for Arizona: Impact of Resolution on Precipitation
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Huang Huei-Ping
Published: June 2012

This study performs regional climate simulations for Arizona, a region with complicated terrain. The dependence of simulated rainfall on model resolution is explore by climate downscaling experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. The model’s horizontal resolution was refined from 12 to 6, then to 3 km. The total rainfall for winter and for different subdomains of Arizona is found to increase substantially with the refinement from 12 to 6 km grid. A further refinement to 3 km leads to a smaller change in rainfall, indicating numerical convergence at that scale. Comparisons with observations revealed that the 6 and 3 km runs produced excessive rainfall for winter while the 12 km simulations are closer to observation. This implies that the parameterization schemes for rainfall are not resolution independent, thus a refinement of resolution does not guarantee better results. It cautions against hastily pushing for increasingly higher resolution in practical downscaling simulations. An analysis of the simulated hourly rainfall shows that the 3 km runs produce significantly more extreme rainfall events than the 12 km runs. The 6 and 3 km runs also produced more complicated spatial patterns of seasonal rainfall and vertical velocity, reflecting the influence of fine-scale topography.
Putting the (R) Ural in Preceptorship
Authors: Jackman Deirdre , Myrick Florence , Yonge Olive
Published: June 2012

Rural nursing is recognized as a unique health care domain. Within that context, the preceptorship experience is purported to be an important approach to preparing safe and competent rural practitioners. Preceptorship is the one-to-one pairing of a nursing student with a professional nurse who assumes the mandate of teacher and role model in a designated clinical/contextual setting, in this case the rural setting. A research gap exists in the literature in which rural preceptorship is specifically explored. The purpose of this paper is to review preceptorship in relation to preparing nursing students specifically for the rural setting. Understanding how preceptorship as an educational model can prepare nursing students to transition to rural practice is an important endeavor. An authentic rural preceptorship may serve to influence the recruitment and retention needs for registered nurses in rural areas. A greater understanding of rural preceptorship serves to illustrate the appropriate support, socialization and contextual competence required to prepare nursing students for rural nursing practice. This paper's review may serve to highlight the research that currently exists related to rural preceptorship and where additional research can contribute to further understanding and development for authentic rural nursing preparation.
On the Well‐Posedness of the Boussinesq Equation in the Triebel‐Lizorkin‐Lorentz Spaces
Authors: Xiang Zhaoyin , Yan Wei
Published: June 2012

We establish the local well‐posedness and obtain a blow‐up criterion of smooth solutions for the Boussinesq equations in the framework of Triebel‐Lizorkin‐Lorentz spaces. The main ingredients of our proofs are Littlewood‐Paley decomposition and the paradifferential calculus.
Structural Analysis of Large‐Scale Power Systems
Authors: Zhang K. F. , Dai X. Z.
Published: June 2012

Some fundamental structural characteristics of large‐scale power systems are analyzed in the paper. Firstly, the large‐scale power system is decomposed into various hierarchical levels: the main system, subsystems, sub‐subsystems, down to its basic components. The proposed decomposition method is suitable for arbitrary system topology, and the relations among various decomposed hierarchical levels are explicitly expressed by introducing the interface concept. Then, the structural models of various hierarchical levels are constructed in a bottom‐up manner. The constructed hierarchical model can reveal the self‐similarity characteristic of large‐scale power systems.
Intersphincteric Resection and Coloanal Anastomosis in Treatment of Distal Rectal Cancer
Authors: Cipe Gokhan , Muslumanoglu Mahmut , Yardimci Erkan , Memmi Naim , Aysan Erhan
Published: June 2012

In the treatment of distal rectal cancer, abdominoperineal resection is traditionally performed. However, the recognition of shorter safe distal resection line, intersphincteric resection technique has given a chance of sphincter-saving surgery for patients with distal rectal cancer during last two decades and still is being performed as an alternative choice of abdominoperineal resection. The first aim of this study is to assess the morbidity, mortality, oncological, and functional outcomes of intersphincteric resection. The second aim is to compare outcomes of patients who underwent intersphincteric resection with the outcomes of patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection.
Let Continuous Outcome Variables Remain Continuous
Authors: Bakhshi Enayatollah , McArdle Brian , Mohammad Kazem , Seifi Behjat , Biglarian Akbar
Published: June 2012

The complementary log-log is an alternative to logistic model. In many areas of research, the outcome data are continuous. We aim to provide a procedure that allows the researcher to estimate the coefficients of the complementary log-log model without dichotomizing and without loss of information. We show that the sample size required for a specific power of the proposed approach is substantially smaller than the dichotomizing method. We find that estimators derived from proposed method are consistently more efficient than dichotomizing method. To illustrate the use of proposed method, we employ the data arising from the NHSI.
Comprehensive Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Placenta and Fetal Membrane and Their Response to Osteoactivin Stimulation
Authors: Raynaud C. M. , Maleki M. , Lis R. , Ahmed B. , Al-Azwani I. , Malek J. , Safadi F. F. , Rafii A.
Published: June 2012

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most promising seed cells for cell therapy and can be isolated from various sources of human adult tissues such as bone marrow (BM-MSC) and adipose tissue. However, cells from these tissues must be obtained through invasive procedures. We, therefore, characterized MSCs isolated from fresh placenta (Pl-MSC) and fetal membrane (Mb-MSC) through morphological and fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS). MSC frequency is higher in membrane than placenta (2.14%  ± 0.65 versus 15.67%  ± 0.29%). Pl/Mb-MSCsin vitroexpansion potential was significantly higher than BM-MSCs. We demonstrated that one of the MSC-specific marker is sufficient for MSC isolation and that culture in specific media is the optimal way for selecting very homogenous MSC population. These MSCs could be differentiated into mesodermal cells expressing cell markers and cytologic staining consistent with mature osteoblasts and adipocytes. Transcriptomic analysis and cytokine arrays demonstrated broad similarity between placenta- and membrane-derived MSCs and only discrete differences with BM-MSCs with enrichment of networks involved in bone differentiation. Pl/Mb-MSCs displayed higher osteogenic differentiation potential than BM-MSC when their response to osteoactivin was evaluated. Fetal-tissue-derived mesenchymal cells may, therefore, be considered as a major source of MSCs to reach clinical scale banking in particular for bone regeneration.
Autoantigen TRIM21/Ro52 as a Possible Target for Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Yoshimi Ryusuke , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki , Ozato Keiko
Published: June 2012

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic, and autoimmune disease, whose etiology is still unknown. Although there has been progress in the treatment of SLE through the use of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive drugs, these drugs have limited efficacy and pose significant risks of toxicity. Moreover, prognosis of patients with SLE has remained difficult to assess. TRIM21/Ro52/SS-A1, a 52-kDa protein, is an autoantigen recognized by antibodies in sera of patients with SLE and Sjögren's syndrome (SS), another systemic autoimmune disease, and anti-TRIM21 antibodies have been used as a diagnostic marker for decades. TRIM21 belongs to the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) super family, which has been found to play important roles in innate and acquired immunity. Recently, TRIM21 has been shown to be involved in both physiological immune responses and pathological autoimmune processes. For example, TRIM21 ubiquitylates proteins of the interferon-regulatory factor (IRF) family and regulates type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokines. In this paper, we summarize molecular features of TRIM21 revealed so far and discuss its potential as an attractive therapeutic target for SLE.
Metabolic Context Regulates Distinct Hypothalamic Transcriptional Responses to Antiaging Interventions
Authors: Stranahan Alexis M. , Martin Bronwen , Chadwick Wayne , Park Sung-Soo , Wang Liyun , Becker Kevin G. , WoodIII William H. , Zhang Yongqing , Maudsley Stuart
Published: June 2012

The hypothalamus is an essential relay in the neural circuitry underlying energy metabolism that needs to continually adapt to changes in the energetic environment. The neuroendocrine control of food intake and energy expenditure is associated with, and likely dependent upon, hypothalamic plasticity. Severe disturbances in energy metabolism, such as those that occur in obesity, are therefore likely to be associated with disruption of hypothalamic transcriptomic plasticity. In this paper, we investigated the effects of two well-characterized antiaging interventions, caloric restriction and voluntary wheel running, in two distinct physiological paradigms, that is, diabetic (db/db) and nondiabetic wild-type (C57/Bl/6) animals to investigate the contextual sensitivity of hypothalamic transcriptomic responses. We found that, both quantitatively and qualitatively, caloric restriction and physical exercise were associated with distinct transcriptional signatures that differed significantly between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. This suggests that challenges to metabolic homeostasis regulate distinct hypothalamic gene sets in diabetic and non-diabetic animals. A greater understanding of how genetic background contributes to hypothalamic response mechanisms could pave the way for the development of more nuanced therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic disorders that occur in diverse physiological backgrounds.
Identification of RD5-EncodedMycobacterium tuberculosisProteins As B-Cell Antigens Used for Serodiagnosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Zhang Miao-Miao , Zhao Jun-Wei , Sun Zhan-Qiang , Liu Jun , Guo Xiao-Kui , Liu Wen-Di , Zhang Shu-Lin
Published: June 2012

Comparative genomic studies have identified severalMycobacterium tuberculosis-specific genomic regions of difference (RDs) which are absent in the vaccine strains ofMycobacterium bovisBCG and which may be useful in the specific diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). In this study, all encoded proteins from DNA segment RD5 ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, that is, Rv3117–Rv3121, were recombined and evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for antibody reactivity with sera from HIV-negative pulmonary TB patients (n=60) and healthy controls (n=32). The results identified two immunodominant antigens, that is, Rv3117 and Rv3120, both of which revealed a statistically significant antigenic distinction between healthy controls and TB patients (P<0.05). In comparison with the well-known early-secreted antigen target 6 kDa (ESAT-6) (sensitivity 21.7%, specificity 90.6%), the higher detection sensitivity and higher specificity were achieved (Rv3117: sensitivity 25%, specificity 96.9%; Rv3120: sensitivity 31.7%, specificity 96.9%). Thus, the results highlight the immunosensitive and immunospecific nature of Rv3117 and Rv3120 and indicate promise for their use in the serodiagnosis of TB.
Inverse Estimation of Temperature Profiles in Landfills Using Heat Recovery Fluids Measurements
Authors: Solisio C. , Reverberi A. P. , Del Borghi A. , Dovi′ V. G.
Published: June 2012

In addition to leachate and gas emission analysis, temperature variations in municipal solid waste landfills are routinely monitored for safety and health reasons, such as the increased production of biogas or the danger of spontaneous combustion phenomena if the temperature exceeds 70–75°C. The increasing constraints on greenhouse gas emissions and the convenience of fuel and heat recovery have helped develop a global approach to landfills′ operation and maintenance, generally referred to as bioreactor landfill management. The heat recovery piping we are presently designing can be a significant part of this approach. The heat gained by a fluid circulated in a closed network through the landfill is transferred to an external heat exchanger or used directly as warm water. Additionally, it can help reduce landfill temperature levels and control biogas generation. Since the pipes diameter is large enough to allow for a radial temperature gradient, this information can be used for an inverse estimation of the temperature profile in the landfill which constitutes the boundary conditions of the resulting heat transfer problem. In this paper, we describe an algorithm for regularising the resulting ill‐posed free boundary estimation problem using sampled data of the heat recovery fluid on exiting the landfill.
Quantitative Analysis of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soils: Comparison between Reflectance Spectroscopy and Solvent Extraction by 3 Certified Laboratories
Authors: Schwartz Guy , Ben-Dor Eyal , Eshel Gil
Published: June 2012

The commonly used analytic method for assessing total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil, EPA method 418.1, is usually based on extraction with 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon 113) and FTIR spectroscopy of the extracted solvent. This method is widely used for initial site investigation, due to the relative low price per sample. It is known that the extraction efficiency varies depending on the extracting solvent and other sample properties. This study’s main goal was to evaluate reflectance spectroscopy as a tool for TPH assessment, as compared with three commercial certified laboratories using traditional methods. Large variations were found between the results of the three commercial laboratories, both internally (average deviation up to 20%), and between laboratories (average deviation up to 103%). Reflectance spectroscopy method was found be as good as the commercial laboratories in terms of accuracy and could be a viable field-screening tool that is rapid, environmental friendly, and cost effective.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of the Interface LaAlO3/TiO2 Anatase from Density Functional Theory
Authors: Weissmann Mariana , Ferrari V.
Published: June 2012

Ab initio calculations using the local spin density approximation and also including the Hubbard U have been performed for three low‐energy configurations of the interface between LaAlO3 and TiO2 anatase. Two types of interfaces have been considered: LaO/TiO2 and AlO2/TiO, the latter with Ti termination and therefore a missing oxygen. A slab‐geometry calculation was carried out, and all the atoms were allowed to relax in the direction normal to the interface. In all the cases considered, the interfacial Ti atom acquires a local magnetic moment, and its formal valence is less than +4. When there are oxygen vacancies, this valence decreases abruptly inside the anatase slab, while in the LaO/TiO2 interface, the changes are more gradual.
Insulin Resistance and Cancer Risk: An Overview of the Pathogenetic Mechanisms
Authors: Arcidiacono Biagio , Iiritano Stefania , Nocera Aurora , Possidente Katiuscia , Nevolo Maria T. , Ventura Valeria , Foti Daniela , Chiefari Eusebio , Brunetti Antonio
Published: June 2012

Insulin resistance is common in individuals with obesity or type 2 diabetes (T2D), in which circulating insulin levels are frequently increased. Recent epidemiological and clinical evidence points to a link between insulin resistance and cancer. The mechanisms for this association are unknown, but hyperinsulinaemia (a hallmark of insulin resistance) and the increase in bioavailable insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) appear to have a role in tumor initiation and progression in insulin-resistant patients. Insulin and IGF-I inhibit the hepatic synthesis of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), whereas both hormones stimulate the ovarian synthesis of sex steroids, whose effects, in breast epithelium and endometrium, can promote cellular proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Furthermore, an increased risk of cancer among insulin-resistant patients can be due to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage DNA contributing to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. On the other hand, it is possible that the abundance of inflammatory cells in adipose tissue of obese and diabetic patients may promote systemic inflammation which can result in a protumorigenic environment. Here, we summarize recent progress on insulin resistance and cancer, focusing on various implicated mechanisms that have been described recently, and discuss how these mechanisms may contribute to cancer initiation and progression.
Protein Markers for the Differential Diagnosis of Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Simonsen A. H. , Hagnelius N.-O. , Waldemar G. , Nilsson T. K. , McGuire J.
Published: June 2012

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia found in all human populations worldwide, while vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common form of dementia. New biomarkers for early and specific diagnosis of AD and VaD are needed to achieve greater insight into changes occurring in the brain and direct therapeutic strategies. The objective of this explorative study was to discover candidate protein biomarkers for the differential diagnosis between VaD and AD. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) TOF-MS was used to differentially profile proteins and peptides in CSF samples from 28 AD patients and 21 patients with VaD. A combination of univariate (Kruskal-Wallis) and multivariate (independent component analysis) statistical approaches produced a list of 27 proteins and peptides that could differentiate between VaD and AD. These markers represent various physiological processes, such as protein degradation (ubiquitin), protease inhibition (cystatin C and alpha-1-antichymoptrypsin), and inflammation (C3a and C4a) that are known to be represented in neurodegenerative diseases.
Research on Plants for the Understanding of Diseases of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Origin
Authors: Spampinato Claudia P. , Gomez-Casati Diego F.
Published: June 2012

Different model organisms, such asEscherichia coli,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Caenorhabditis elegans,Drosophila melanogaster, mouse, cultured human cell lines, among others, were used to study the mechanisms of several human diseases. Since human genes and proteins have been structurally and functionally conserved in plant organisms, the use of plants, especiallyArabidopsis thaliana, as a model system to relate molecular defects to clinical disorders has recently increased. Here, we briefly review our current knowledge of human diseases of nuclear and mitochondrial origin and summarize the experimental findings of plant homologs implicated in each process.
Beneficial Effect ofBupleurumPolysaccharides on Autoimmune-Prone MRL-lpr Mice
Authors: Jiang Yi-Wen , Li Hong , Zhang Yun-Yi , Li Wen , Jiang Yi-Fan , Ou Ying-Ye , Chen Dao-Feng
Published: June 2012

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease leading to inflammatory tissue damage in multiple organs. The crude polysaccharides (BPs) isolated from the roots ofBupleurum smithiivar.parvifoliumhave anticomplementary activity and immunomodulatory functions on macrophages. To study its potential benefit on SLE, we examined effects of BPs on MRL-lpr mice, which have similar disease features to human SLE. MRL-lpr mice were treated orally with BPs 15, 30, or 60 mg kg−1day−1for 12 weeks and their SLE characteristics were evaluated. The results revealed that BPs elongated life span, improved kidney function, delayed lymphadenopathy, and reduced autoantibodies. It seemed to be mediated by inhibition of complement and macrophages activation and suppression of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene expression in the kidney. These results implicate that BPs may be an immunomodulator for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like SLE.
Vibro‐Impact System Based on Forced Oscillations of Heavy Mass Particle along a Rough Parabolic Line
Authors: Jović Srdjan , Raičević Vladimir , Garić Ljubiša
Published: June 2012

This paper analyses motion trajectory of vibro‐impact system based on the oscillator moving along the rough parabolic line in the vertical plane, under the action of external single‐frequency force. Nonideality of the bond originates of sliding Coulomb’s type friction force with coefficient μ = tgα0. The oscillator consists of one heavy mass particle whose forced motion is limited by two angular elongation fixed limiters. The differential equation of motion of the analyzed vibro‐impact system, which belongs to the group of common second order nonhomogenous nonlinear differential equations, cannot be solved explicitly (in closed form). For its approximate solving, the software package WOLFRAM Mathematica 7 is used. The results are tested by using the software package MATLAB R2008a. The combination of analytical‐numerical results for the defined parameters of analyzed vibro‐impact system is a base for the motion analysis visualization, which was the primary objective of this analytic research. Upon the phase portrait of the heavy mass particle obtained, the energy of the considered vibro‐impact system is analyzed. During the graphical visualization of the energetic changes, one of the steps is the process of the phase trajectory equations determination. For this determination, we have used interpolation process that utilizes Lagrange interpolation polynomial.
Leader‐Following Consensus in Networks of Agents with Nonuniform Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Tang Zhao-Jun , Huang Ting-Zhu , Hu Jiang-Ping , Shao Jin-Liang
Published: June 2012

This paper is concerned with a leader‐following consensus problem for networks of agents with fixed and switching topologies as well as nonuniform time‐varying communication delays. By employing Lyapunov‐Razumikhin function, a necessary and sufficient condition is derived in the case of fixed topology, and a sufficient condition is obtained in the case when the interconnection topology is switched and satisfies certain condition. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.
First Record ofPyramica epinotalis(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for the United States
Authors: Chen Xuan , MacGown Joe A. , Adams Benjamin J. , Parys Katherine A. , Strecker Rachel M. , Hooper-Bui Linda
Published: June 2012

Pyramica epinotalisis an arboreal dacetine ant previously known only from Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and southern Mexico. Here we report the first records ofP. epinotalisfor the United States. Collections were made in three parishes across southern Louisiana in cypress-tupelo swamps using floating pitfall traps placed in floating vegetation and arboreal pitfall traps placed on trunks and limbs of three wetland tree species. One additional specimen of this species was collected in Highlands County, Florida. Based on collections of specimens in Louisiana, including multiple dealate females at different localities,P. epinotalisappears to be well established in this state. We discuss the design and implementation of modified arboreal pitfall traps that were instrumental in this discovery.
Nonlinear Stability and D‐Convergence of Additive Runge‐Kutta Methods for Multidelay‐Integro‐Differential Equations
Authors: Yuan Haiyan , Zhao Jingjun , Xu Yang
Published: June 2012

This paper is devoted to the stability and convergence analysis of the Additive Runge‐Kutta methods with the Lagrangian interpolation (ARKLMs) for the numerical solution of multidelay‐integro‐differential equations (MDIDEs). GDN‐stability and D‐convergence are introduced and proved. It is shown that strongly algebraically stability gives D‐convergence, DA‐ DAS‐ and ASI‐stability give GDN‐stability. A numerical example is given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Microsatellites Cross-Species Amplification across Some African Cichlids
Authors: Bezault Etienne , Rognon Xavier , Gharbi Karim , Baroiller Jean-Francois , Chevassus Bernard
Published: June 2012

The transfer of the genomic resources developed in the Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus, to other Tilapiinessensu latoand African cichlid would provide new possibilities to study this amazing group from genetics, ecology, evolution, aquaculture, and conservation point of view. We tested the cross-species amplification of 32O. niloticusmicrosatellite markers in a panel of 15 species from 5 different African cichlid tribes: Oreochromines (Oreochromis, Sarotherodon), Boreotilapiines (Tilapia), Chromidotilapines, Hemichromines, and Haplochromines. Amplification was successfully observed for 29 markers (91%), with a frequency of polymorphic (P95) loci per species around 70%. The mean number of alleles per locus and species was 3.2 but varied from 3.7 withinOreochromisspecies to 1.6 within the nontilapia species. The high level of cross-species amplification and polymorphism of the microsatellite markers tested in this study provides powerful tools for a wide range of molecular genetic studies within tilapia species as well as for other African cichlids.
A Multilevel Finite Difference Scheme for One‐Dimensional Burgers Equation Derived from the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Li Qiaojie , Zheng Zhoushun , Wang Shuang , Liu Jiankang
Published: June 2012

An explicit finite difference scheme for one‐dimensional Burgers equation is derived from the lattice Boltzmann method. The system of the lattice Boltzmann equations for the distribution of the fictitious particles is rewritten as a three‐level finite difference equation. The scheme is monotonic and satisfies maximum value principle; therefore, the stability is proved. Numerical solutions have been compared with the exact solutions reported in previous studies. The L2, L∞ and Root‐Mean‐Square (RMS) errors in the solutions show that the scheme is accurate and effective.
Alzheimer's Disease Promotion by Obesity: Induced Mechanisms—Molecular Links and Perspectives
Authors: Businaro Rita , Ippoliti Flora , Ricci Serafino , Canitano Nicoletta , Fuso Andrea
Published: June 2012

The incidence of AD is increasing in parallel with the increase in life expectancy. At the same time the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in western populations. Stress is one of the major inducers of visceral fat and obesity development, underlying accelerated aging processes. Adipose tissue is at present considered as an active endocrine organ, producing important mediators involved in metabolism regulation as well as in inflammatory mechanisms. Insulin and leptin resistance has been related to the dysregulation of energy balance and to the induction of a chronic inflammatory status which have been recognized as important cofactors in cognitive impairment and AD initiation and progression. The aim of this paper is to disclose the correlation between the onset and progression of AD and the stress-induced changes in lifestyle, leading to overnutrition and reduced physical activity, ending with metabolic syndrome and obesity. The involved molecular mechanisms will be briefly discussed, and advisable guide lines for the prevention of AD through lifestyle modifications will be proposed.
A Zebrafish Model to Study and Therapeutically Manipulate Hypoxia Signaling in Tumorigenesis
Authors: Santhakumar Kirankumar , Judson Emma C. , Elks Philip M. , McKee Sarah , Elworthy Stone , van Rooijen Ellen , Walmsley Sarah S. , Renshaw Stephen A. , Cross Simon S. , van Eeden Fredericus J.M.
Published: June 2012

Hypoxic signaling is a central modulator of cellular physiology in cancer. Core members of oxygen-sensing pathway including the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) and the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors have been intensively studied, but improved organismal models might speed advances for both pathobiologic understanding and therapeutic modulation. To study HIF signaling during tumorigenesis and development in zebrafish, we developed a unique in vivo reporter for hypoxia, expressing EGFP driven by prolyl hydroxylase 3 (phd3) promoter/regulatory elements. Modulation of HIF pathway in Tg(phd3::EGFP) embryos showed a specific role for hypoxic signaling in the transgene activation. Zebrafish vhl mutants display a systemic hypoxia response, reflected by strong and ubiquitous transgene expression. In contrast to human VHL patients, heterozygous Vhl mice and vhl zebrafish are not predisposed to cancer. However, upon exposure to dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), the vhl heterozygous fish showed an increase in the occurrence of hepatic and intestinal tumors, a subset of which exhibited strong transgene expression, suggesting loss of Vhl function in these tumor cells. Compared with control fish, DMBA-treated vhl heterozygous fish also showed an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive renal tubules. Taken together, our findings establish Vhl as a genuine tumor suppressor in zebrafish and offer this model as a tool to noninvasively study VHL and HIF signaling during tumorigenesis and development. Cancer Res; 72(16); 4017–27. ©2012 AACR.
Dysfunction of Nucleus Accumbens-1 Activates Cellular Senescence and Inhibits Tumor Cell Proliferation and Oncogenesis
Authors: Zhang Yi , Cheng Yan , Ren Xingcong , Hori Tsukasa , Huber-Keener Kathryn J. , Zhang Li , Yap Kai Lee , Liu David , Shantz Lisa , Qin Zheng-Hong , Zhang Suping , Wang Jianrong , Wang Hong-Gang , Shih Ie-Ming , Yang Jin-Ming
Published: June 2012

Nucleus accumbens-1 (NAC1), a nuclear factor belonging to the BTB/POZ gene family, has emerging roles in cancer. We report here that NAC1 acts as a negative regulator of cellular senescence in transformed and nontransformed cells, and dysfunction of NAC1 induces senescence and inhibits its oncogenic potential. We show that NAC1 deficiency markedly activates senescence and inhibits proliferation in tumor cells treated with sublethal doses of γ-irradiation. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts from NAC1 knockout mice, following infection with a Ras virus, NAC1−/− cells undergo significantly more senescence and are either nontransformed or less transformed in vitro and less tumorigenic in vivo when compared with NAC1+/+ cells. Furthermore, we show that the NAC1-caused senescence blunting is mediated by ΔNp63, which exerts its effect on senescence through p21, and that NAC1 activates transcription of ΔNp63 under stressful conditions. Our results not only reveal a previously unrecognized function of NAC1, the molecular pathway involved and its impact on pathogenesis of tumor initiation and development, but also identify a novel senescence regulator that may be exploited as a potential target for cancer prevention and treatment. Cancer Res; 72(16); 4262–75. ©2012 AACR.
PRAK Suppresses Oncogenic ras-Induced Hematopoietic Cancer Development by Antagonizing the JNK Pathway
Authors: Yoshizuka Naoto , Lai Maoyi , Liao Rong , Cook Ryan , Xiao Changchun , Han Jiahuai , Sun Peiqing
Published: June 2012

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates multiple physiologic and pathologic processes, including cancer development. PRAK, a p38 substrate protein kinase, has previously been implicated in the suppression of skin carcinogenesis. In the current study, we show that PRAK deletion accelerates hematopoietic cancer development in a mouse model harboring an oncogenic ras allele, Eμ-N-RasG12D, specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells. Further investigation reveals that enhanced hematopoietic tumorigenesis by PRAK deficiency is associated with hyperactivation of the c-jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) pathway both in vivo and in primary hematopoietic cells isolated from spleens. In primary splenocytes, PRAK deficiency further enhanced oncogenic ras-induced cell proliferation and promoted ras-mediated colony formation on semisolid medium in a JNK-dependent manner. In addition, deletion of PRAK leads to abrogation of ras-induced accumulation of senescence markers. These findings indicate that PRAK suppresses hematopoietic cancer formation in this mouse model by antagonizing oncogenic ras-induced activation of the JNK pathway. Our results suggest that PRAK may function as a tumor suppressor in multiple types of cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 10(6); 810–20. ©2012 AACR.
Comparison of Late Potentials for 24 Hours Between Brugada Syndrome and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Using a Novel Signal-Averaging System Based on Holter ECG
Authors: Abe Atsuko , Kobayashi Kenzaburo , Yuzawa Hitomi , Sato Hideyuki , Fukunaga Shunji , Fujino Tadashi , Okano Yoshifumi , Yamazaki Junichi , Miwa Yosuke , Yoshino Hideaki , Ikeda Takanori
Published: June 2012

Background—

Late potentials (LP) detected with signal-averaged ECGs are known to be useful in identifying patients at risk of Brugada syndrome (BS) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Because the pathophysiology is clearly different between these disorders, we clarified the LP characteristics of these disorders.

Methods and Results—

This study included 15 BS and 12 ARVC patients and 20 healthy controls. All BS patients had characteristic ECG changes and symptomatic episodes. All ARVC patients had findings that were consistent with recent criteria. Three LP parameters (filtered QRS duration, root mean square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the filtered QRS complex, and duration of low-amplitude signals [<40 µV] in the terminal, filtered QRS complex) were continuously measured for 24 hours using a novel Holter-based signal-averaged ECG system. The incidences of LP determination in BS (80%) and ARVC (91%) patients were higher than in healthy controls (5%;
P
<0.0001 in both) but did not differ between BS and ARVC patients. In BS patients, the dynamic changes of all LP parameters were observed, and they were pronounced at nighttime. On the contrary, these findings were not observed in ARVC patients. When the SD values of the 3 LP parameters (filtered QRS duration, root mean square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the filtered QRS complex, and duration of low-amplitude signals [<40 µV] in the terminal, filtered QRS complex) over 24 hours were compared for the 2 patient groups, those values in BS patients were significantly greater than those in ARVC patients (
P
<0.0001 in all).

Conclusions—

LP characteristics detected by the Holter-based signal-averaged ECG system over 24 hours differ between BS and ARVC patients. Dynamic daily variations of LPs were seen only in BS patients. This may imply that mechanisms of lethal ventricular arrhythmia in BS may be more correlated with autonomic abnormality than that of ARVC.
Early Results of Fenestrated Endovascular Repair of Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ambler G. , Boyle J.R. , Cousins C. , Hayes P.D. , Metha T. , See T.C. , Varty K. , Winterbottom A. , Adam D.J. , Bradbury A.W. , Clarke M.J. , Jackson R. , Rose J.D. , Sharif A. , Wealleans V. , Williams R. , Wilson L. , Wyatt M.G. , Ahmed I. , Bell R.E. , Carrell T.W. , Gkoutzios P. , Sabharwal T. , Salter R. , Waltham M. , Bicknell C. , Bourke P. , Cheshire N. , Franklin I. , James A. , Jenkins M.P. , Tyrrell M.R. , Wilkins C.J. , Bown M. , Choke E. , McCarthy M. , Sayers R. , Tamberaja A. , Farquharson F. , Serracino-Inglott F. , Davis M. , Hamilton G. , Brennan J.A. , Canavati R. , Fisher R.K. , McWilliams R.G. , Naik J.B. , Vallabhaneni S.R. , Hardman J. , Black S. , Hinchliffe R. , Holt P. , Loftus I.M. , Loosemore T. , Morgan R , Thompson M.M. , Agu O. , Bishop C. , Boardley D. , Cross J. , Hague J. , Harris P.L. , Ivancev K. , Raja J. , Richards T. , Simring D. , Fisher A.C. , Smith D. , Copeland G.P.
Published: June 2012

Background—

Fenestrated endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been proposed as an alternative to open surgery for juxtarenal and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. At present, the evidence base for this procedure is predominantly limited to single-center or single-operator series. The aim of this study was to present nationwide early results of fenestrated endovascular repair in the United Kingdom.

Methods and Results—

All patients who underwent fenestrated endovascular repair between January 2007 and December 2010 at experienced institutions in the United Kingdom(>10 procedures) were retrospectively studied by use of the GLOBALSTAR database. Site-reported data relating to patient demographics, aneurysm morphology, procedural details, and outcome were recorded. Data from 318 patients were obtained from 14 centers. Primary procedural success was achieved in 99% (316/318); perioperative mortality was 4.1%, and intraoperative target vessel loss was observed in 5 of 889 target vessels (0.6%). The early reintervention (<30 days) rate was 7% (22/318). There were 11 deaths during follow-up; none were aneurysm-related. Survival by Kaplan–Meier analysis was 94% (SE 0.01), 91% (0.02), and 89% (0.02) at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Freedom from target vessel loss was 93% (0.02), 91% (0.02), and 85% (0.06), and freedom from late secondary intervention (>30 days) was 90% (0.02), 86% (0.03), and 70% (0.08) at 1, 2, and 3 years.

Conclusions—

In this national sample, fenestrated endovascular repair has been performed with a high degree of technical and clinical success. Late survival and target vessel patency are satisfactory. These results support continued use and evaluation of this technique for juxtarenal aneurysms, but illustrate the need for a more robust evidence base.
Chronic Hypoxia Suppresses Pregnancy-Induced Upregulation of Large-Conductance Ca
2+
-Activated K
+
Channel Activity in Uterine Arteries
Authors: Hu Xiang-Qun , Xiao Daliao , Zhu Ronghui , Huang Xiaohui , Yang Shumei , Wilson Sean M. , Zhang Lubo
Published: June 2012

Our previous study demonstrated that increased Ca
2+
-activated K
+
(BK
Ca
) channel activity played a key role in the normal adaptation of reduced myogenic tone of uterine arteries in pregnancy. The present study tested the hypothesis that chronic hypoxia during gestation inhibits pregnancy-induced upregulation of BK
Ca
channel function in uterine arteries. Resistance-sized uterine arteries were isolated from nonpregnant and near-term pregnant sheep maintained at sea level (≈300 m) or exposed to high-altitude (3801 m) hypoxia for 110 days. Hypoxia during gestation significantly inhibited pregnancy-induced upregulation of BK
Ca
channel activity and suppressed BK
Ca
channel current density in pregnant uterine arteries. This was mediated by a selective downregulation of BK
Ca
channel β1 subunit in the uterine arteries. In accordance, hypoxia abrogated the role of the BK
Ca
channel in regulating pressure-induced myogenic tone of uterine arteries that was significantly elevated in pregnant animals acclimatized to chronic hypoxia. In addition, hypoxia abolished the steroid hormone-mediated increase in the β1 subunit and BK
Ca
channel current density observed in nonpregnant uterine arteries. Although the activation of protein kinase C inhibited BK
Ca
channel current density in pregnant uterine arteries of normoxic sheep, this effect was ablated in the hypoxic animals. The results demonstrate that selectively targeting BK
Ca
channel β1 subunit plays a critical role in the maladaption of uteroplacental circulation caused by chronic hypoxia, which contributes to the increased incidence of preeclampsia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction associated with gestational hypoxia.
Targeting Horizontal Inequalities: Ethnicity, Equity, and Entrepreneurship in Malaysia
Authors: Gomez Edmund Terence
Published: June 2012

This study examines whether the horizontal inequality policies in Malaysia that preferentially target the indigenous ethnic groups (Bumiputera) are the ideal tool to reduce racial conflict. It also reviews whether the employment of race-based (Bumiputera-biased) policies is an effective method to help nurture highly entrepreneurial small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The case of large Bumiputera enterprises indicates that horizontal inequality-based policies has unproductive outcomes. Although well-connected Malay “corporate captains” did emerge by the mid 1990s, many of them lost control of their businesses during the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis, and these conglomerates did not actively foster Bumiputera SMEs. Malaysia has well-formulated programs that support SMEs, but their procedures, specifically involving creating Bumiputera capital as well as redistributing equity, do not promote an environment for productive entrepreneurship. The new economic policy regime, recently unveiled, continues emphasizing the distribution of wealth along ethnic lines at its essence, although now the emphasis will be on “picking winners” from among entrepreneurial Bumiputeras in a transparent manner. These assertions will not result in a fairer system of picking and supporting Bumiputera SMEs as these documents do not discuss devolution of power to key oversight institutions to ensure checks and balances in the award of state-generated rents.
Transient Tropospheric Forcing of Sudden Stratospheric Warmings
Authors: Sjoberg Jeremiah P. , Birner Thomas
Published: June 2012

The amplitude of upward-propagating tropospherically forced planetary waves is known to be of first-order importance in producing sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). This forcing amplitude is observed to undergo strong temporal fluctuations. Characteristics of the resulting transient forcing leading to SSWs are studied in reanalysis data and in highly truncated simple models of stratospheric wave–mean flow interaction. It is found in both the reanalysis data and the simple models that SSWs are preferentially generated by transient forcing of sufficiently long time scales (on the order of 1 week or longer). The time scale of the transient forcing is found to play a stronger role in producing SSWs than the strength of the forcing. In the simple models it is possible to fix the amplitude of the tropospheric forcing but to vary the time scale of the forcing. The resulting frequency of occurrence of SSWs shows dramatic reductions for decreasing forcing time scales.