bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasticity and Virus Specificity of the Airway Epithelial Cell Immune Response during Respiratory Virus Infection
Authors: Ioannidis Ioannis , McNally Beth , Willette Meredith , Peeples Mark E. , Chaussabel Damien , Durbin Joan E. , Ramilo Octavio , Mejias Asuncion , Flaño Emilio
Published: March 2012

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) provide the first line of defense in the respiratory tract and are the main target of respiratory viruses. Here, using oligonucleotide and protein arrays, we analyze the infection of primary polarized human AEC cultures with influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and we show that the immune response of AECs is quantitatively and qualitatively virus specific. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specifically induced by influenza virus and not by RSV included those encoding interferon B1 (IFN-B1), type III interferons (interleukin 28A [IL-28A], IL-28B, and IL-29), interleukins (IL-6, IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-23A, IL-17C, and IL-32), and chemokines (CCL2, CCL8, and CXCL5). Lack of type I interferon or STAT1 signaling decreased the expression and secretion of cytokines and chemokines by the airway epithelium. We also observed strong basolateral polarization of the secretion of cytokines and chemokines by human and murine AECs during infection. Importantly, the antiviral response of human AECs to influenza virus or to RSV correlated with the infection signature obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from patients with acute influenza or RSV bronchiolitis, respectively. IFI27 (also known as ISG12) was identified as a biomarker of respiratory virus infection in both AECs and PBMCs. In addition, the extent of the transcriptional perturbation in PBMCs correlated with the clinical disease severity. Our results demonstrate that the human airway epithelium mounts virus-specific immune responses that are likely to determine the subsequent systemic immune responses and suggest that the absence of epithelial immune mediators after RSV infection may contribute to explaining the inadequacy of systemic immunity to the virus.
Development of an Insect Vector Cell Culture and RNA Interference System To Investigate the Functional Role of Fijivirus Replication Protein
Authors: Jia Dongsheng , Chen Hongyan , Zheng Ailing , Chen Qian , Liu Qifei , Xie Lianhui , Wu Zujian , Wei Taiyun
Published: March 2012

An
in vitro
culture system of primary cells from white-backed planthopper, an insect vector of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), a fijivirus, was established to study replication of the virus. Viroplasms, putative sites of viral replication, contained the nonstructural viral protein P9-1, viral RNA, outer-capsid proteins, and viral particles in virus-infected cultured insect vector cells, as revealed by transmission electron and confocal microscopy. Formation of viroplasm-like structures in non-host insect cells upon expression of P9-1 suggested that the matrix of viroplasms observed in virus-infected cells was composed basically of P9-1. In cultured insect vector cells, knockdown of P9-1 expression due to RNA interference (RNAi) induced by synthesized double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from the
P9-1
gene strongly inhibited viroplasm formation and viral infection. RNAi induced by ingestion of dsRNA strongly abolished viroplasm formation, preventing efficient viral spread in the body of intact vector insects. All these results demonstrated that P9-1 was essential for viroplasm formation and viral replication. This system, combining insect vector cell culture and RNA interference, can further advance our understanding of the biological activities of fijivirus replication proteins.
Drug-induced movement disorders in children at paediatric emergency department: ‘dystonia’
Authors: Derinoz Oksan , Caglar Ayla Akca
Published: March 2012

Aim

To examine cases with drug-induced dystonic reactions (DIDRs), to identify the complaints of the application, to classify the drugs causing those dystonic reactions (DRs) and to determine the treatment options and protective measures to prevent DIDRs.

Method

The authors retrospectively analysed 55 cases with DIDRs at paediatric emergency department (PED) in a 5-year period.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 145.07±56.30 months, and of the 55 cases, 28 cases (50.9%) were boys. Antiemetics and antipsychotics were the most common causes of DIDRs. 35 (70%) patients developed DIDRs at therapeutic doses. Treatment side effect was the most common cause of the DIDRs (78.2%). The most common DIDRs were abnormal postures of the head and neck (56.6%). Laryngospasm was observed only in four cases (7.3%) that used either antipsychotics or psychostimulants. 51 (92.7%) children were treated with parenteral diphenhydramine successfully.

Conclusion

Dystonia is a common side effect of certain drugs, even when therapeutic doses are administered. Although the most common DIDRs were abnormal postures of the head and neck, rare life-threatening conditions, may develop particularly due to use of antipsychotics. In treatment, diphenhydramine could effectively be used through parenteral way to eliminate the cholinergic effects of those drugs. However, the easiest and the safest way to prevent the development of DRs is to avoid unnecessary drug usage. In conclusion, physicians should be aware that antiemetic and antipsychotic drugs are associated with DRs in normal doses and that those drugs should be prescribed with a correct indication.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF BLOOD SAMPLES OF ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS TO DETECT Ni POISONING
Authors: BALOURIA P. , OSWAL MUMTAZ , KUMAR SUNIL , GOVIL I. M. , MOHANTY B. P. , SINGH S. P. , GARG M. L.
Published: March 2012

The present study was carried out with the aim to determine if, orthodontic patients accumulate measurable concentration of Ni in blood or not, since the recent evidences shows the allergenic actions of Ni in various forms and orthodontic appliances have been reported to produce Ni allergy. In our experiment, the blood samples were taken before the insertion of appliance and at an interval of 6 months over a total time period of 18 months (four sets) from the Oral Health Department of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. In all the four sets of blood samples the common trace elements were detected viz. S , K , Ca , Cr , Fe , Cu , Zn and Br . Our result shows the complete absence of Ni in the blood.
HYPERKÄHLER ARNOLD CONJECTURE AND ITS GENERALIZATIONS
Authors: GINZBURG VIKTOR L. , HEIN DORIS
Published: March 2012

We generalize and refine the hyperkähler Arnold conjecture, which was originally established, in the non-degenerate case, for three-dimensional time by Hohloch, Noetzel and Salamon by means of hyperkähler Floer theory. In particular, we prove the conjecture in the case where the time manifold is a multidimensional torus and also establish the degenerate version of the conjecture. Our method relies on Morse theory for generating functions and a finite-dimensional reduction along the lines of the Conley–Zehnder proof of the Arnold conjecture for the torus.
SIMULATION OF STATIC SURFACE STATES IN AlGaN/GaN HEMT INCLUDING HOT ELECTRON AND QUANTUM EFFECTS
Authors: XIA HUI , WANG XIAO DONG , CAO ZHONG XING
Published: March 2012

Two-dimensional simulations of hot electron and quantum effects in AlGaN / GaN HEMT devices are performed. The effect of surface states is accounted for by defining effective net surface charges in our simulation. Simulation results show that surface states and surface traps which model the electron depletion play an important role in the electrical characteristic of AlGaN / GaN HEMT. Hot electrons play an important role in the charge transport by spilling over into the bulk GaN where they are captured by traps. Excessive net surface charges make the 2DEG much hotter through the role of vertical electric field above the channel. Lattice scattering and electron tunneling are enhanced with the increasing density of net surface charges, and electron mobility and saturation velocity are significantly reduced.
A ROUGHNESS MEASUREMENT METHOD BASED ON GENETIC ALGORITHM AND NEURAL NETWORK FOR MICROHETEROGENEOUS SURFACE IN DEEP-HOLE PARTS
Authors: LIU WEI , ZHENG XIUYAN , LIU SHUANGJUN , JIA ZHENYUAN
Published: March 2012

It is difficult to measure the surface roughness of microheterogeneous surface in deep-hole parts due to the limitation of measurement space. In this paper, we propose a new method based on microscopic vision to detect the surface roughness of R-surface in the valve. First, the clear microscopic image of R-surface is obtained by the established microscopic system, which is mainly fabricated by the long working distance lenses of digital microscopic camera. Thereafter, based on genetic algorithm (GA) and feed-forward back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN), a hybrid method is proposed to predict the surface roughness. In this method, the microscopic image features of R-surface are taken as the inputs to the hybrid model. GA is employed to search the optimal initial weights and thresholds of BP-ANN, which resolves the problem that training methods of BP-ANN are much sensitive to initial weight values and thresholds. In addition, in virtue of a three-dimensional surface profiler, the targets of hybrid model are calibrated by the actual roughness values of R-surface in the sample valves, where the sections of sample valves over R-surface are cut. Finally, experiments on the microscopic image acquisition and roughness calibration are conducted, as well as the prediction experiments. Moreover, the analysis results indicate that the proposed measurement method based on GA and BP-ANN exhibits high precision and stability for evaluating the microcosmic surface roughness of microheterogeneous surface in deep-hole parts.
IMPROVEMENT OF POWER EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT VOLTAGE RIPPLE OF EMBEDDED DC–DC CONVERTERS WITH THREE STEP DOWN RATIOS
Authors: BHATTACHARYYA KAUSHIK , KUMAR P. V. RATNA , MANDAL PRADIP
Published: March 2012

In this paper three embedded switched capacitor based DC–DC converters targeting Vdd/2, 2Vdd/3, and Vdd/3 output voltages have been designed with improved power efficiency and output voltage ripple. The performance of each of the converter is improved by nonoverlapped rotational time interleaving (NRTI) switching scheme. Current regulation scheme is included with each of the above NRTI switched capacitor converter to achieve better load and line regulation. The proposed converters are designed and simulated in a 0.18 μm n-well CMOS process with the total flying capacitance of 330 pF and load capacitor of 50 pF. The capacitance values are kept within on-chip implementable range. The maximum power efficiency and the output voltage ripple of the integrated NRTI DC–DC converters targeted for Vdd/2, 2Vdd/3 and Vdd/3 output generation are 71.5% and 5 mV, 69.23% and 13.27 mV and 58.09% and 10.5 mV, respectively.
REALIZATION OF A GENERAL RESISTORLESS ACTIVE BIQUAD USING CBTA
Authors: SAGBAS MEHMET , KOKSAL MUHAMMET
Published: March 2012

In this paper, a general electronically tunable resistorless biquad, which realizes current ratio transfer function using current backward transconductance amplifiers is proposed. The biquad contains only two active components and two grounded capacitors, which make it convenient for production by the integrated circuit technology. The proposed biquad realizes all of the basic second order filter characteristics: low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject, and finally all pass. It is convenient for cascading with other similar biquads as well as with any two-port circuit with low impedance input to achieve higher order filter characteristics. The simulations that are performed using PSPICE simulator exhibit satisfactory results coherent with the theory.
LEAST MEAN SQUARED BACKGROUND CALIBRATION FOR OFDM MULTICHANNEL RECEIVERS
Authors: PENTAKOTA KRISHNA , RAMIREZ MARIO A. , HOYOS SEBASTIAN
Published: March 2012

This paper presents a data estimation scheme for wide band multichannel charge sampling filter bank receivers together with a complete system calibration algorithm based on the least mean squared (LMS) algorithm. A unified model has been defined for the receiver containing all first order mismatches, offsets, imperfections, and the LMS algorithm is employed to track these errors. The performance of this technique under noisy channel conditions has been verified. Moreover, a detailed complexity analysis of the calibration algorithm is provided which shows that sinc filter banks have much lower complexity than traditional continuous-time filter banks.
MULTIFRACTALITY OF RADON CONCENTRATION FLUCTUATION IN EARTHQUAKE RELATED SIGNAL
Authors: GHOSH DIPAK , DEB ARGHA , DUTTA SRIMONTI , SENGUPTA ROSALIMA , SAMANTA SHUKLA
Published: March 2012

Radon anomaly acts as a precursor to seismic events. Hence the fluctuation pattern of time series of radon bears a lot of significance. Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) has been applied successfully in past to various geo-electrical signals. The time series of earthquake related radon signal of duration three years (November 2005–November 2008) obtained from our experiment performed at Kolkata, India was analyzed in the framework of MFDFA. The study revealed that the fluctuation of radon concentration is multifractal in nature.
Embedding CSR at Burckhardt Compression
Authors: Jammulamadaka Nimruji , Khonde Dinesh B.
Published: March 2012

This case deals with a medium-sized engineering company's experiences with initiating CSR. It covers aspects like the rationale for CSR, its relationship with strategy, participation in CSR and speed breakers on the path to building a CSR culture in the company. After sustained growth over a few years, the top management has decided to look beyond profits and embarked on CSR. They allocated 2% of their PBT to their Trust to oversee CSR activities. They began the activities about one and a half years ago. The engagement began with much enthusiasm but with time, it started losing steam. The senior management has also been having a rethink about CSR strategy. Mr. Khonde, the HR head now has to suggest ways of mainstreaming CSR within the company.
Disneyland in Hong Kong — Green Challenge (A)
Authors: Tsai Terence , Liu Shubo Philip
Published: March 2012

In mid-1999, the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government were involved in intense discussions about the possibility of building the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park on Lantau Island. This case presented detailed information about the proposed theme park and the associated decision making process with a particular emphasis on sustainable development. It also lays out the characteristics of the Hong Kong Government and Hong Kong people that might have played a role in decision making.

The case includes A and B parts concerning corporate and government decision making. It firstly summarizes the negotiation process between Disney and the Hong Kong Government, and considered the environmental impact on Hong Kong. The difficulties faced by governments in making decisions about this highly visible large-scale project are described. It then explains the rationale of the government decision, which illustrates how governmental structure and culture affect the decision making process. In the end, it showed improvements in Hong Kong Disneyland with respect to sustainable management and development.
SK Telecom — Going for the Global Leadership
Authors: Mack Daniel Z. , Cho Theresa S.
Published: March 2012

This case is set in the period after the worldwide financial crisis that started in mid 2007. Focusing on SK Telecom, one of South Korea's largest telecommunications providers, it reviews the previous strategies implemented by the Korean firm as well as the key challenges that SK Telecom has faced during the period of 2008–2009. This case also reviews the other global strategies undertaken by other major telecommunications companies from other countries. Faced with home market stagnation as well as distressed credit markets, SK Telecom requires a renewed strategy for further growth ahead. The case allows students to examine the threats and opportunities associated with the firm's internal and external environment, review its corporate portfolio, and formulate strategies for future growth of the firm. This case also highlights the different challenging market conditions in various markets and how these conditions affect the viability of SK Telecom seeking growth overseas.
Leadership Development and Succession Planning at ICICI Bank
Authors: Kang Lakhwinder Singh , Sidhu Harpreet
Published: March 2012

On 19 December 2008, ICICI bank named joint managing director Chanda Kochhar as its new CEO from May 2009 to lead India's second-largest lender at a time of declining market share, soaring bad debts and a tough global environment. She would be the successor of the 61-year-old visionary banker K. V. Kamath, MD and CEO of ICICI Bank who was to retire on 30 April 2009 after completing his successful tenure of 11 years.

ICICI bank with a network of 1,456 branches and 4,721 ATMs in India and presence in 18 countries, is India's second-largest bank with total assets of Rs. 3,793.01 billion (US$75 billion) and profit after tax of Rs. 37.58 billion for the year ending March 31, 2009. It offers a wide range of banking products and financial services to corporate and retail customers. The need for succession planning arose at ICICI as the term of one top level executive ended, one other retired and two left the company.

This case has been developed to provide understanding on how leaders are identified, nurtured and developed at ICICI bank, the strengths and weaknesses of CEO centric model of leadership development being followed by Kamath and the new institutionalized process of leadership development. It also provides the scope for discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of hiring an insider or outsider for the position of a CEO and the role of outgoing CEO in the development and selection of his/her successor.
GROWING HEARTS IN ASSOCIATIVE SYSTEMS
Authors: ANQUELA JOSÉ A. , CORTÉS TERESA
Published: March 2012

We show that associative systems with a sufficiently good module structure imbed in a primitive system with simple primitive heart, spanned by the original system and the heart, so extending the results of J. Pure Appl. Algebra 181 (2003) 131–139 to systems over more general rings of scalars. We also study associative systems with involution.
LIE SUPERALGEBRAS WITH SOME HOMOGENEOUS STRUCTURES
Authors: AYADI IMEN , BENAMOR HEDI , BENAYADI SAÏD
Published: March 2012

We generalize to the case of Lie superalgebras the classical symplectic double extension of symplectic Lie algebras introduced in [A. Aubert, Structures affines et pseudo-métriques invariantes à gauche sur des groupes de Lie, Thèse, Université Montpellier II (1996)]. We use this concept to give an inductive description of nilpotent homogeneous-symplectic Lie superalgebras. Several examples are included to show the existence of homogeneous quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras other than even-quadratic even-symplectic considered in [E. Barreiro and S. Benayadi, Quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras and Lie bi-superalgebras, J. Algebra 321(2) (2009) 582–608]. We study the structures of even (respectively, odd)-quadratic odd (respectively, even)-symplectic Lie superalgebras and odd-quadratic odd-symplectic Lie superalgebras and we give its inductive descriptions in terms of quadratic generalized double extensions and odd quadratic generalized double extensions. This study complete the inductive descriptions of homogeneous quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras started in [E. Barreiro and S. Benayadi, Quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras and Lie bi-superalgebras, J. Algebra 321(2) (2009) 582–608]. Finally, we generalize to the case of homogeneous quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras some relations between even-quadratic even-symplectic Lie superalgebras and Manin superalgebras established in [E. Barreiro and S. Benayadi, Quadratic symplectic Lie superalgebras and Lie bi-superalgebras, J. Algebra 321(2) (2009) 582–608].
ON SOME LEFT-SYMMETRIC SUPERALGEBRAS
Authors: ZHANG RUNXUAN , BAI CHENGMING
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we classify the left-symmetric superalgebras in dimensions two and three over the field of complex numbers. As a direct consequence, we obtain some explicit solutions of the graded classical Yang–Baxter equation in certain Lie superalgebras and their corresponding Lie bisuperalgebras.
MULTIPHASE EQUILIBRIUM, PHASE STABILITY AND PHASE TRANSFORMATION IN NANOCRYSTALLINE ALLOY SYSTEMS
Authors: XU W. W. , SONG X. Y. , ZHANG Z. X.
Published: March 2012

A nanoscale thermodynamic approach is developed to quantify the multiphase equilibrium in nanocrystalline alloy systems. The nanoscale multiphase equilibrium calculations indicate that the activities and mole numbers of phases in alloy systems change diversely as a function of the nanograin size at constant temperature, which results in distinctly different characteristics of phase stability and phase transformation behavior in nanocrystalline alloys with respect to coarse-grained polycrystalline counterparts. Take the nanocrystalline Sm–Co alloy system as an example, the diverse phase stabilities and phase transformations are demonstrated. To verify the thermodynamic predictions, a series of experiments on preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline SmCo3, Sm2Co7 and SmCo2 alloys have been performed. The experimental results are in agreement with the model calculations, which validate the present thermodynamic approach for nanoscale multiphase equilibrium.
ENERGY FEATURE EXTRACTION AND SVM CLASSIFICATION OF MOTOR IMAGERY-INDUCED ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAMS
Authors: ZHENG JIANING , HUANG LIYU , ZHAO JING
Published: March 2012

The precise classification for the electroencephalogram (EEG) in different mental tasks in the research on brain–computer interface (BCI) is the key for the design and clinical application of the system. In this paper, a new combination classification algorithm is presented and tested using the EEG data of right and left motor imagery experiments. First, to eliminate the low frequency noise in the original EEGs, the signals were decomposed by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and then the optimal kernel parameters for support vector machine (SVM) were determined, the energy features of the first three intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of every signal were extracted and used as input vectors of the employed SVM. The output of the SVM will be classification result for different mental task EEG signals. The study shows that mean identification rate of the proposed algorithm is 95%, which is much better than the present traditional algorithms.
PREPARATION OF SPHERICAL GRANULES OF OCTACALCIUM PHOSPHATE FOR MEDICAL APPLICATION
Authors: ITO NATSUKO , KAMITAKAHARA MASANOBU , IOKU KOJI
Published: March 2012

Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) is regarded as a precursor of hydroxyapatite (HA) which is an inorganic constituent of human bones and teeth. OCP is also becoming regarded as one of the important biomaterials. Despite some studies on OCP as biomedical materials, there are few methods for shape forming of OCP. The objective of this study is preparing spherical granules of OCP. The spherical granular shape has an advantage for handling. The spherical granules can achieve easy injection into the defect site by a catheter. In the present study, preparation of spherical granules of OCP from α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) was attempted. The starting material of α-TCP powder was dispersed in the gelatin solution. The resultant slurry was added into vegetable oil, and then the spherical granules of α-TCP/gelatin were formed by the surface tension of the slurry and the shearing force of stirring. By calcining the obtained α-TCP/gelatin granules, the spherical granules with α-TCP single phase were obtained. These spherical granules of α-TCP were immersed in the acetic acid buffer solution whose temperature and pH were controlled. The calcium phosphate spherical granules containing OCP were obtained. The shorter treatment time was favorable for preparing spherical granules containing more OCP.
EFFECT OF REDUCING ATMOSPHERE ON THE AFTERGLOW PROPERTIES OF RED-EMITTING CaS:Eu2+,Pr3+ PHOSPHORS
Authors: MORI KENTAROU , KOJIMA YOSHIYUKI , NISHIMIYA NOBUYUKI
Published: March 2012

The afterglow time of typical red-emitting phosphors is much shorter than those of green- or blue-emitting phosphors which afterglow time were longer than 1000 min. CaS has been used as an effective host material for afterglow phosphors because trapping centers can be easily created in the host by doping with an activator. This study reports on the effect of a reducing atmosphere on the afterglow properties of a red-emitting CaS:Eu2+,Pr3+ phosphor. The phosphor was prepared by reduction under an Ar-H2 (5%) or H2S atmosphere from a CaSO4:Eu3+,Pr3+ phosphor prepared using a liquid phase method. Heating the CaSO4:Eu3+,Pr3+ phosphor for 2 h under an Ar-H2 (5%) atmosphere at 1050°C gave CaO as by-product in addition to CaS . The resulting phosphor exhibited red-emission at 646 nm originating from Eu2+ ions upon visible light irradiation, and gave some afterglow after cessation of visible light irradiation. Addition of Li+ ions extended the afterglow time of the phosphor as a result of a slight change in the CaS host structure. For preparation of a CaSO4:Eu3+,Pr3+ phosphor under a H2S atmosphere, a CaS monophase was obtained. The emission and afterglow of the phosphor were similar to that prepared under the Ar-H2 (5%) atmosphere, but the afterglow time resulting from the CaS monophase was longer. The longest afterglow time obtained was about 60 min for a phosphor prepared under a H2S atmosphere with an initial Li/Ca atomic ratio of 0.04.
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SEQUENTIAL AUCTIONS: PRICING AND CALIBRATION ALGORITHMS
Authors: TADJOUDDINE EMMANUEL M.
Published: March 2012

We consider sequential auctions wherein seller and bidder agents need to price goods on sale at the 'right' market price. We propose algorithms based on a binomial model for both the seller and buyer. Then, we consider the problem of calibrating pricing models to market data. To this end, we studied a stochastic volatility model used for option pricing, derived, and analyzed Monte Carlo estimators for computing the gradient of a certain payoff function using Finite Differencing and Algorithmic Differentiation. We then assessed the accuracy and efficiency of both methods as well as their impacts into the optimization algorithm. Numerical results are presented and discussed. This work can benefit those engaged in electronic trading or investors in financial products with the need for fast and more precise predictions of future market data.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION ON COMPUTATIONAL FINANCE FOR GRID COMPUTING
Authors: PREVE NIKOLAOS P. , PROTONOTARIOS EMMANUEL N.
Published: March 2012

Monte Carlo methods are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. Monte Carlo methods are often used in simulating complex systems. Because of their reliance on repeated computation of random or pseudo-random numbers, these methods are most suited to calculation by a computer and tend to be used when it is infeasible or impossible to compute an exact result with a deterministic algorithm. In finance, Monte Carlo simulation method is used to calculate the value of companies, to evaluate economic investments and financial derivatives. On the other hand, Grid Computing applies heterogeneous computer resources of many geographically disperse computers in a network in order to solve a single problem that requires a great number of computer processing cycles or access to large amounts of data. In this paper, we have developed a simulation based on Monte Carlo method which is applied on grid computing in order to predict through complex calculations the future trends in stock prices.
Normal lactational environment restores cardiomyocyte number after uteroplacental insufficiency: implications for the preterm neonate
Authors: Black M. Jane , Siebel Andrew L. , Gezmish Oksan , Moritz Karen M. , Wlodek Mary E.
Published: March 2012

A reduced complement of cardiomyocytes in early life can adversely affect life-long cardiac functional reserve. In the present study, using a cross-fostering approach in rats, we examined the contributions of the prenatal and postnatal environments in the programming of cardiomyocyte growth. Rat dams underwent either bilateral uterine vessel ligation (Restricted) or sham surgery (Control) on day 18 of gestation. One day after birth, Control and Restricted pups were cross-fostered onto Control (normal lactation) or Restricted (impaired lactation due to impaired mammary gland formation) mothers. In male offspring, genes involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation, proliferation, hypertrophy and apoptosis were examined at gestational day 20 and postnatal days 1 and 7 to assess effects on cardiomyocyte growth. At postnatal day 7 cardiomyocyte number was determined stereologically. Offspring were examined at age 6 mo for evidence of hypertension and pathological cardiac gene expression. There was an increase in Igf1 and Igf2 mRNA expression in hearts of Restricted pups at gestational day 20. At postnatal day 7, Agtr1a and Agtr1b mRNA expression as well as Bcl2 and Cmyc were elevated in all hearts from offspring that were prenatally or postnatally growth restricted. There was a significant reduction (−29%) in cardiomyocyte number in the Restricted-on-Restricted group. Importantly, this deficit was prevented by optimization of postnatal nutrition (in the Restricted-on-Control group). At 6 mo, blood pressure was significantly elevated in the Restricted-on-Restricted group, but there was no difference in expression of the cardiac hypertrophy, remodeling or angiogenic genes across groups. In conclusion, the findings reveal a critical developmental window, when cardiomyocytes are still proliferating, whereby improved neonatal nutrition has the capacity to restore cardiomyocyte number to normal levels. These findings are of particular relevance to the preterm infant who is born at a time when cardiomyocytes are immature and still dividing.
Disruption of cyclooxygenase-2 prevents downregulation of cortical AQP2 and AQP3 in response to bilateral ureteral obstruction in the mouse
Authors: Nilsson Line , Madsen Kirsten , Topcu Sukru Oguzkan , Jensen Boye L. , Frøkiær Jørgen , Nørregaard Rikke
Published: March 2012

Bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) in rats is associated with increased cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) expression, and selective COX-2 inhibition prevents downregulation of aquaporins (AQPs) in response to BUO. It was hypothesized that a murine model would display similar changes in renal COX-2 and AQPs upon BUO and that targeted disruption of COX-2 protects against BUO-induced suppression of collecting duct AQPs. COX-2−/− and wild-type littermates (C57BL/6) were employed to determine COX-1, -2, AQP2, and AQP3 protein abundances and localization after BUO. In a separate series, sham and BUO wild-type mice were treated with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, parecoxib. The COX-2 protein level increased in wild-type mice in response to BUO and was not detectable in COX-2−/−. COX-1 protein abundance was increased in sham-operated and BUO mice. Total AQP2 and -3 mRNA and protein levels decreased significantly after BUO in the cortex+outer medulla (C+OM) and inner medulla (IM). The decrease in C+OM AQP2 and -3 levels was attenuated/prevented in COX-2−/− mice, whereas there was no change in the IM. In parallel, inhibition of COX-2 by parecoxib rescued C+OM AQP3 and IM AQP2 protein level in wild-type mice subjected to BUO. In summary, 1) In C57BL/6 mice, ureteral obstruction increases renal COX-2 expression in interstitial cells and lowers AQP2/-3 abundance and 2) inhibition of COX-2 activity by targeted disruption or pharmacological blockade attenuates obstruction-induced AQP downregulation. In conclusion, COX-2-derived prostaglandins contribute to downregulation of transcellular water transporters in the collecting duct and likely to postobstruction diureses in the mouse.
Repetitive spinal electromagnetic stimulation opens a window of synaptic plasticity in damaged spinal cord: role of NMDA receptors
Authors: Hunanyan Arsen S. , Petrosyan Hayk A. , Alessi Valentina , Arvanian Victor L.
Published: March 2012

As we reported previously, propagation of action potentials through surviving axons is impaired dramatically, resulting in reduced transmission to lumbar motoneurons after midthoracic lateral hemisection (HX) in rats. The aim of the present study was to evoke action potentials through the spared fibers using noninvasive electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) over intact T2 vertebrae in an attempt to activate synaptic inputs to lumbar motoneurons and thus to enhance plasticity of spinal neural circuits after HX. We found that EMS was able to activate synaptic inputs to lumbar motoneurons and motor-evoked potentials (MEP) in hindlimb muscles in adult anesthetized rats. Amplitude of MEP was attenuated in parallel with the decline of responses recorded from the motoneuron pool after HX. Repetitive EMS (50 min, 0.2 Hz) facilitated the amplitudes of responses elicited by electric stimulation of lateral white matter or dorsal corticospinal tracts in HX rats. Facilitation sustained for at least 1.5 h after termination of EMS. The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker MK-801, injected intraspinally close to the recording electrode prior to EMS, did not alter these responses but blocked the EMS-induced facilitation, suggesting that activation of NMDA receptors is required to initiate an EMS-evoked increase. When MK-801 was administered after EMS-induced facilitation was established, it induced depression of these elevated responses. Results suggest that repetitive EMS over intact vertebrae could be used as a therapeutic approach to open a window of synaptic plasticity after incomplete midthoracic injuries, i.e., to activate NMDA receptors in the lumbar motoneuron pool at synaptic inputs and to strengthen transmission in damaged spinal cord.
Encoding of reward expectation by monkey anterior insular neurons
Authors: Mizuhiki Takashi , Richmond Barry J. , Shidara Munetaka
Published: March 2012

The insula, a cortical brain region that is known to encode information about autonomic, visceral, and olfactory functions, has recently been shown to encode information during reward-seeking tasks in both single neuronal recording and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. To examine the reward-related activation, we recorded from 170 single neurons in anterior insula of 2 monkeys during a multitrial reward schedule task, where the monkeys had to complete a schedule of 1, 2, 3, or 4 trials to earn a reward. In one block of trials a visual cue indicated whether a reward would or would not be delivered in the current trial after the monkey successfully detected that a red spot turned green, and in other blocks the visual cue was random with respect to reward delivery. Over one-quarter of 131 responsive neurons were activated when the current trial would (certain or uncertain) be rewarded if performed correctly. These same neurons failed to respond in trials that were certain, as indicated by the cue, to be unrewarded. Another group of neurons responded when the reward was delivered, similar to results reported previously. The dynamics of population activity in anterior insula also showed strong signals related to knowing when a reward is coming. The most parsimonious explanation is that this activity codes for a type of expected outcome, where the expectation encompasses both certain and uncertain rewards.
Recruitment of motor units in two fascicles of the semispinalis cervicis muscle
Authors: Schomacher Jochen , Dideriksen Jakob Lund , Farina Dario , Falla Deborah
Published: March 2012

This study investigated the behavior of motor units in the semispinalis cervicis muscle. Intramuscular EMG recordings were obtained unilaterally at levels C2 and C5 in 15 healthy volunteers (8 men, 7 women) who performed isometric neck extensions at 5%, 10%, and 20% of the maximal force [maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)] for 2 min each and linearly increasing force contractions from 0 to 30% MVC over 3 s. Individual motor unit action potentials were identified. The discharge rate and interspike interval variability of the motor units in the two locations did not differ. However, the recruitment threshold of motor units detected at C2 ( n = 16, mean ± SD: 10.3 ± 6.0% MVC) was greater than that of motor units detected at C5 ( n = 92, 6.9 ± 4.3% MVC) ( P < 0.01). A significant level of short-term synchronization was identified in 246 of 307 motor unit pairs when computed within one spinal level but only in 28 of 110 pairs of motor units between the two levels. The common input strength, which quantifies motor unit synchronization, was greater for pairs within one level (0.47 ± 0.32) compared with pairs between levels (0.09 ± 0.07) ( P < 0.05). In a second experiment on eight healthy subjects, interference EMG was recorded from the same locations during a linearly increasing force contraction from 0 to 40% MVC and showed significantly greater EMG amplitude at C5 than at C2. In conclusion, synaptic input is distributed partly independently and nonuniformly to different fascicles of the semispinalis cervicis muscle.
A neuromechanical model explaining forward and backward stepping in the stick insect
Authors: Tóth T. I. , Knops S. , Daun-Gruhn S.
Published: March 2012

The mechanism underlying the generation of stepping has been the object of intensive studies. Stepping involves the coordinated movement of different leg joints and is, in the case of insects, produced by antagonistic muscle pairs. In the stick insect, the coordinated actions of three such antagonistic muscle pairs produce leg movements and determine the stepping pattern of the limb. The activity of the muscles is controlled by the nervous system as a whole and more specifically by local neuronal networks for each muscle pair. While many basic properties of these control mechanisms have been uncovered, some important details of their interactions in various physiological conditions have so far remained unknown. In this study, we present a neuromechanical model of the coupled protractor-retractor and levator-depressor neuromuscular systems and use it to elucidate details of their coordinated actions during forward and backward walking. The switch from protraction to retraction is evoked at a critical angle of the femur during downward movement. This angle represents a sensory input that integrates load, motion, and ground contact. Using the model, we can make detailed suggestions as to how rhythmic stepping might be generated by the central pattern generators of the local neuronal networks, how this activity might be transmitted to the corresponding motoneurons, and how the latter might control the activity of the related muscles. The entirety of these processes yields the coordinated interaction between neuronal and mechanical parts of the system. Moreover, we put forward a mechanism by which motoneuron activity could be modified by a premotor network and suggest that this mechanism might serve as a basis for fast adaptive behavior, like switches between forward and backward stepping, which occur, for example, during curve walking, and especially sharp turning, of insects.
Thermodynamic Equilibrium Analysis of Methanol Conversion to Hydrocarbons Using Cantera Methodology
Authors: Gunawardena Duminda A. , Fernando Sandun D.
Published: March 2012

Reactions associated with removal of oxygen from oxygenates (deoxygenation) are an important aspect of hydrocarbon fuels production process from biorenewable substrates. Here we report the equilibrium composition of methanol-to-hydrocarbon system by minimizing the total Gibbs energy of the system using Cantera methodology. The system was treated as a mixture of 14 components which had CH3OH, C6H6, C7H8, C8H10 (ethyl benzene), C8H10 (xylenes), C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, CH4, H2O, C, CO2, CO, H2. The carbon in the equilibrium mixture was used as a measure of coke formation which causes deactivation of catalysts that are used in aromatization reaction(s). Equilibrium compositions of each species were analyzed for temperatures ranging from 300 to 1380 K and pressure at 0–15 atm gauge. It was observed that when the temperature increases the mole fractions of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene pass through a maximum around 1020 K. At 300 K the most abundant species in the system were CH4, CO2, and H2O with mole fractions 50%, 16.67%, and 33.33%, respectively. Similarly at high temperature (1380 K), the most abundant species in the system were H2 and CO with mole fractions 64.5% and 32.6% respectively. The pressure in the system shows a significant impact on the composition of species.
Cytogenetics ofOryctes nasicornisL. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) with Emphasis on Its Neochromosomes and Asynapsis Inducing Premature Bivalent and Chromosome Splits at Meiosis
Authors: Dutrillaux B. , Dutrillaux A. M.
Published: March 2012

The chromosomes of specimens ofOryctes nasicornisfrom three locations in France and two locations in Greece were studied. All karyotypes have an X-Y-autosome translocation: 18, neoXY. Two male specimens from France (subspeciesnasicornis) displayed an unusual behaviour of their meiotic chromosomes in 30–50% of spermatocytes, with asynapsis at pachynema, premature bivalent and chromosome split at metaphases I and II. The karyotypes remained balanced at metaphase I, but not at metaphase II. These particularities mimic the meiotic behaviour of B chromosomes and question about their existence, reported earlier in Spanish specimens. Due to the variable character of B chromosomes, complementary analyses are needed. To our knowledge, such meiotic particularities have not been described, beside cases of infertility. In specimens from Corsica (subspecieslaevigatus) and Greece (subspecieskuntzeni), all spermatocytes I and II had a normal appearance. The meiotic particularity may thus be limited to male specimens from subspeciesnasicornis.
Optimal Control of a Fed‐Batch Fermentation Involving Multiple Feeds
Authors: Liu Chongyang , Gong Zhaohua , Huo Zhaoyi , Shen Bangyu
Published: March 2012

A nonlinear dynamical system, in which the feed rates of glycerol and alkali are taken as the control functions, is first proposed to formulate the fed‐batch culture of 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PD) production. To maximize the 1,3‐PD concentration at the terminal time, a constrained optimal control model is then presented. A solution approach is developed to seek the optimal feed rates based on control vector parametrization method and improved differential evolution algorithm. The proposed methodology yielded an increase by 32.17% of 1,3‐PD concentration at the terminal time.
Effects of Atelocollagen Formulation Containing Oligonucleotide on Endothelial Permeability
Authors: Hanai Koji , Kojima Takashi , Ota Mika , Onodera Jun , Sawada Norimasa
Published: March 2012

Atelocollagen is a major animal protein that is used as a highly biocompatible biomaterial. To date, atelocollagen has been used as an effective drug delivery technology to sustain the release of antitumor proteins and to enhance the antitumor activity of oligonucleotides inin vivomodels. However, the biological effects of this technology are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of atelocollagen on endothelial paracellular barrier function. An atelocollagen formulation containing oligonucleotides specifically increased the permeability of two types of endothelial cells, and the change was dependent on the molecular size, structure of the oligonucleotides used and the concentrations of the oligonucleotide and atelocollagen in the formulation. An immunohistochemical examination revealed that the formulation had effects on the cellular skeleton and intercellular structure although it did not affect the expression of adherens junction or tight junction proteins. These changes were induced through p38 MAP kinase signaling. It is important to elucidate the biological functions of atelocollagen in order to be able to exploit its drug delivery properties.
Electrokinetics in Earth Sciences: A Tutorial
Authors: Jouniaux L. , Ishido T.
Published: March 2012

We describe in this paper the theoretical background for the electrokinetics in rocks and in porous media, to be included in the special issue “Electrokinetics in Earth Sciences” of International Journal of Geophysics. We describe the methodology used for self-potential (SP) and for seismoelectromagnetic measurements, for both field and laboratory experiments and for modelling. We give a large bibliography on the studies performed in hydrology to detect at distance the water flow, to deduce the thickness of the aquifer and to predict the hydraulic conductivity. The observation of SP has also been proposed to detect fractures in boreholes, to follow the hydraulic fracturing, and to predict the earthquakes. Moreover, we detail the studies on geothermal applications.
Biologic and Genetics Aspects of Chagas Disease at Endemic Areas
Authors: Bellini Marilanda Ferreira , Silistino-Souza Rosana , Varella-Garcia Marileila , de Azeredo-Oliveira Maria Tercília Vilela , Silva Ana Elizabete
Published: March 2012

The etiologic agent of Chagas Disease is theTrypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through blood-sucking insect vectors of the Triatominae subfamily, representing one of the most serious public health concerns in Latin America. There are geographic variations in the prevalence of clinical forms and morbidity of Chagas disease, likely due to genetic variation of theT. cruziand the host genetic and environmental features. Increasing evidence has supported that inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are responsible for the generation of the inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms, protein expression levels, and genomic imbalances are associated with disease progression. This paper discusses these key aspects. Large surveys were carried out in Brazil and served as baseline for definition of the control measures adopted. However, Chagas disease is still active, and aspects such as host-parasite interactions, genetic mechanisms of cellular interaction, genetic variability, and tropism need further investigations in the attempt to eradicate the disease.
Berberine Improves Insulin Sensitivity by Inhibiting Fat Store and Adjusting Adipokines Profile in Human Preadipocytes and Metabolic Syndrome Patients
Authors: Yang Jing , Yin Jinhua , Gao Hongfei , Xu Linxin , Wang Yan , Xu Lu , Li Ming
Published: March 2012

Berberine is known to inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cellsin vitro,improve glycemic control, and attenuate dyslipidemia in clinical study. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of berberine on preadipocytes isolated from human omental fat and in metabolic syndrome patients treated with berberine for 3 months. We have shown that treatment with 10 μM berberine resulted in a major inhibition of human preadipocyte differentiation and leptin and adiponectin secretion accompanied by downregulation of PPARγ2, C/EBPα, adiponectin, and leptin mRNA expression. After 3 months of treatment, metabolic syndrome patients showed decrease in their BMI (31.5±3.6versus27.4±2.4 kg/m2) and leptin levels (8.01 versus 5.12 μg/L), as well as leptin/adiponectin ratio and HOMA-IR. These results suggest that berberine improves insulin sensitivity by inhibiting fat store and adjusting adipokine profile in human preadipocytes and metabolic syndrome patients.
Extended Precise Large Deviations of Random Sums in the Presence of END Structure and Consistent Variation
Authors: Wang Shijie , Wang Wensheng
Published: March 2012

The study of precise large deviations of random sums is an important topic in insurance and finance. In this paper, extended precise large deviations of random sums in the presence of END structure and consistent variation are investigated. The obtained
results extend those of Chen and Zhang (2007) and Chen et al. (2011). As an application, precise large deviations of the prospective‐ loss process of a quasirenewal model are considered.