bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TOF-SIMS analysis of an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation-associated oncometabolite in cancer cells
Authors: Park Jungdae , Na Hee-Kyung , Shon Hyun Kyong , Son Hye Young , Huh Yong-Min , Lee Sang-Won , Lee Tae Geol
Published: January 2018

The development of analytical tools for accurate and sensitive detection of intracellular metabolites associated with mutated metabolic enzymes is important in cancer diagnosis and staging. The gene encoding the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) is mutated in various cancers, and mutant IDH1 could represent a good biomarker and potent target for cancer therapy. Owing to a mutation in an important arginine residue in the catalytic pocket, mutant IDH1 catalyzes the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) instead of its wild type product α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), which is involved in multiple cellular pathways involving the hydroxylation of proteins, ribonucleic acid, and deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). Since 2-HG is an α-KG antagonist, inhibiting normal α-KG-dependent metabolism, high intracellular levels of 2-HG result in abnormal histone and DNA methylation. Therefore, accurate and sensitive analytical tools for the direct detection of 2-HG in cancer cells expressing mutant IDH1 would benefit this field, as it would minimize the need both for complicated experimental procedures and for large amounts of biological samples. Here, the authors describe a useful analytical method for the direct detection of 2-HG in lysates from a mutant IDH1-expressing cell line by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis, a powerful surface analysis tool. In addition, the authors verified the efficacy of the specific mutant IDH1 inhibitor AGI-5198 by tracking the intracellular 2-HG concentration, which decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate the large potential of TOF-SIMS as an analytical tool for the simple, direct detection of oncometabolites during cancer diagnosis, and for verifying the efficiency of the targeted cancer drugs.
Acoustic behaviors of the microperforated panel absorber array in nonlinear regime under moderate acoustic pressure excitation
Authors: Chiang Y. K. , Choy Y. S.
Published: January 2018

The acoustic performance of a microperforated panel (MPP) absorber array in the nonlinear regime is investigated both numerically and experimentally. The MPP absorber array is constructed by three parallel-arranged MPP absorbers with different cavity depths. A finite element model is used to simulate the acoustic response of the MPP absorber array by adopting the nonlinear impedance model. The results show that the absorption of the MPP absorber array is affected by the incident sound pressure when it is beyond around 100 dB. With appropriate structural and perforation property of MPP, the MPP absorber array in non-linear regime outperforms that in linear regime due to the improvement of equivalent acoustic impedance matching with ambient air over wide frequency range. However, when the sound pressure excitation is too high, the local resonance effect of the resonating component MPP absorber is diminished and the sound absorption is decreased. With the carefully chosen properties of MPP, the performance degradation induced by panel vibration can be avoided. An optimal set of MPP properties to avoid the performance degradation induced by panel vibration is determined. The measured normal absorption coefficients of a prototype MPP absorber array compare well with the numerical prediction in both linear and nonlinear regimes.
Comments on “Killer whale (Orcinus orca) behavioral audiograms” [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 141, 2387–2398 (2017)]
Authors: Heffner Henry E. , Heffner Rickye S.
Published: January 2018

Branstetter and his colleagues present the audiograms of eight killer whales and provide a comprehensive review of previous killer whale audiograms. In their paper, they say that the present authors have reported a relationship between size and high-frequency hearing but that echolocating cetaceans might be a special case. The purpose of these comments is to clarify that the relationship of a species' high-frequency hearing is not to its size (mass) but to its “functional interaural distance” (a measure of the availability of sound-localization cues). Moreover, it has previously been noted that echolocating animals, cetaceans as well as bats, have extended their high-frequency hearing somewhat beyond the frequencies used by comparable non-echolocators for passive localization.
Binaural detection of a Gaussian noise target in the presence of a lead/lag masker
Authors: Braasch Jonas , Pastore M. Torben
Published: January 2018

Masked detection thresholds were measured for a noise target in the presence of a masker composed of (1) a lead/lag noise pair with the lead interaural time difference (ITD) set the same or opposite to the target, (2) a diotic masker, and (3) a dichotic pair of decorrelated noises. If the precedence effect actually eliminates a second, later arriving stimulus, a spatial release from masking would be expected when the lead ITD is opposite that of the target. Results for a range of lead/lag delays suggest that the precedence effect is not the result of a perceptual removal of the lag.
Fluorescent Ca
2+
indicators directly inhibit the Na,K-ATPase and disrupt cellular functions
Authors: Smith Nathan A. , Kress Benjamin T. , Lu Yuan , Chandler-Militello Devin , Benraiss Abdellatif , Nedergaard Maiken
Published: January 2018

Commonly used Ca
2+
indicators inhibit the Na,K-ATPase and cause cellular toxicity.
Surveillance of Omadacycline Activity Tested against Clinical Isolates from the United States and Europe as Part of the 2016 SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program
Authors: Pfaller Michael A. , Huband Michael D. , Shortridge Dee , Flamm Robert K.
Published: January 2018

Omadacycline was tested against 21,000 bacterial isolates collected prospectively from medical centers in Europe and the United States during 2016. Omadacycline was active against
Staphylococcus aureus
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.12/0.25 mg/liter), including methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA); streptococci (MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.06/0.12 mg/liter), including
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, viridans group streptococci, and beta-hemolytic streptococci;
Enterobacteriaceae
, including
Escherichia coli
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.5/2 mg/liter);
Haemophilus influenzae
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 1/1 mg/liter); and
Moraxella catarrhalis
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.25/0.25 mg/liter). Omadacycline merits further study in serious infections where resistant pathogens may be encountered.
Conserved Surface Residues on the Feline Calicivirus Capsid Are Essential for Interaction with Its Receptor Feline Junctional Adhesion Molecule A (fJAM-A)
Authors: Lu Zhengchun , Ledgerwood Emily D. , Hinchman Meleana M. , Dick Robert , Parker John S. L.
Published: January 2018

Host cell surface receptors are required for attachment, binding, entry, and infection by nonenveloped viruses. Receptor binding can induce conformational changes in the viral capsid and/or the receptor that couple binding with downstream events in the virus life cycle (intracellular signaling, endocytosis and trafficking, and membrane penetration). Virus-receptor interactions also influence viral spread and pathogenicity. The interaction between feline calicivirus (FCV) and its receptor, feline junctional adhesion molecule A (fJAM-A), on host cells is required for infection and induces irreversible, inactivating conformational changes in the capsid of some viral strains. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of FCV bound to fJAM-A showed several possible virus-receptor interactions. However, the specific residues on the viral capsid required for binding are not known. Capsid residues that may be involved in postbinding events have been implicated by isolation of soluble receptor-resistant (srr) mutants in which changes in the capsid protein sequence change the capacity of such srr mutants to be inactivated upon incubation with soluble fJAM-A. To clarify which residues on the surface of FCV are required for its interaction with fJAM-A and to potentially identify residues required for postreceptor binding events, we used the existing atomic-resolution structures of FCV and the FCV-fJAM-A cryo-EM structures to select 14 capsid residues for mutation and preparation of recombinant viral capsids. Using this approach, we identified residues on the FCV capsid that are required for fJAM-A binding and other residues that are not required for binding but are required for infection that are likely important for subsequent postbinding events.

IMPORTANCEFeline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cause of mild upper respiratory disease in cats. Some FCV isolates can cause virulent systemic disease. The genetic determinants of virulence for FCV are unknown. We previously found that virulent FCV isolates have fasterin vitrogrowth kinetics than less virulent isolates. Differences in viral growthin vitromay correlate with differences in virulence. Here, we investigated the roles of specific FCV capsid residues on the receptor-virus interaction and viral growthin vitro. We show that the capsid protein genes of the virulent FCV-5 isolate determine its fasterin vitrogrowth kinetics compared to those of the nonvirulent FCV-Urbana infectious clone. We also identified residues on the capsid VP1 protein that are important for receptor binding or for steps subsequent to receptor binding. Our data provide further insight into the specific molecular interactions between fJAM-A and the FCV capsid that regulate binding and infectious entry.
Modified Cross-Linking, Ligation, and Sequencing of Hybrids (qCLASH) Identifies Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus MicroRNA Targets in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Gay Lauren A. , Sethuraman Sunantha , Thomas Merin , Turner Peter C. , Renne Rolf
Published: January 2018

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumors are derived from endothelial cells and express Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) microRNAs (miRNAs). Although miRNA targets have been identified in B cell lymphoma-derived cells and epithelial cells, little has been done to characterize the KSHV miRNA targetome in endothelial cells. A recent innovation in the identification of miRNA targetomes, cross-linking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH), unambiguously identifies miRNAs and their targets by ligating the two species while both species are still bound within the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). We developed a streamlined quick CLASH (qCLASH) protocol that requires a lower cell input than the original method and therefore has the potential to be used on patient biopsy samples. Additionally, we developed a fast-growing, KSHV-negative endothelial cell line derived from telomerase-immortalized vein endothelial long-term culture (TIVE-LTC) cells. qCLASH was performed on uninfected cells and cells infected with either wild-type KSHV or a mutant virus lacking miR-K12-11/11*. More than 1,400 cellular targets of KSHV miRNAs were identified. Many of the targets identified by qCLASH lacked a canonical seed sequence match. Additionally, most target regions in mRNAs originated from the coding DNA sequence (CDS) rather than the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). This set of genes includes some that were previously identified in B cells and some new genes that warrant further study. Pathway analysis of endothelial cell targets showed enrichment in cell cycle control, apoptosis, and glycolysis pathways, among others. Characterization of these new targets and the functional consequences of their repression will be important in furthering our understanding of the role of KSHV miRNAs in oncogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
KS lesions consist of endothelial cells latently infected with KSHV. Cells that make up these lesions express KSHV miRNAs. Identification of the targets of KSHV miRNAs will help us understand their role in viral oncogenesis. The cross-linking and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH) protocol is a method for unambiguously identifying miRNA targetomes. We developed a streamlined version of CLASH, called quick CLASH (qCLASH). qCLASH requires a lower initial input of cells than for its parent protocol. Additionally, a new fast-growing KSHV-negative endothelial cell line, named TIVE-EX-LTC cells, was established. qCLASH was performed on TIVE-EX-LTC cells latently infected with wild-type (WT) KSHV or a mutant virus lacking miR-K12-11/11*. A number of novel targets of KSHV miRNAs were identified, including targets of miR-K12-11, the ortholog of the cellular oncogenic miRNA (oncomiR) miR-155. Many of the miRNA targets were involved in processes related to oncogenesis, such as glycolysis, apoptosis, and cell cycle control.
Limited Evidence for Infection of Urban and Peri-urban Nonhuman Primates with Zika and Chikungunya Viruses in Brazil
Authors: Moreira-Soto Andres , Carneiro Ianei de Oliveira , Fischer Carlo , Feldmann Marie , Kümmerer Beate M. , Silva Nama Santos , Santos Uilton Góes , Souza Breno Frederico de Carvalho Dominguez , Liborio Fernanda de Azevedo , Valença-Montenegro Mônica Mafra , Laroque Plautino de Oliveira , da Fontoura Fernanda Rosa , Oliveira Alberto Vinicius Dantas , Drosten Christian , de Lamballerie Xavier , Franke Carlos Roberto , Drexler Jan Felix
Published: January 2018

Since 2013, Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have infected millions of people in the Americas via urban transmission cycles. Nonhuman primates (NHP) are involved in sylvatic transmission cycles maintaining ZIKV and CHIKV in the Old World. We tested NHP sampled during 2012 to 2017 in urban and peri-urban areas severely affected by ZIKV and CHIKV in Brazil. Seroprevalence and antibody titers were low for both viruses. Additionally, we found evidence for infection by heterologous viruses eliciting cross-reactive antibodies. Our data suggest that urban or peri-urban NHP are not easily infected by ZIKV and CHIKV despite intense local transmission. These data may imply that the ZIKV and CHIKV outbreaks in the Americas cannot be sustained in urban or peri-urban NHP once human population immunity limits urban transmission cycles. Investigation of diverse animals is urgently required to determine the fate of the ZIKV and CHIKV outbreaks in the Americas.
Efficacy of additional topical betamethasone in persistent cystoid macular oedema after carbonic anhydrase inhibitor treatments in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Kitahata Shohei , Hirami Yasuhiko , Takagi Seiji , Kime Cody , Fujihara Masashi , Kurimoto Yasuo , Takahashi Masayo
Published: January 2018

Objective

We investigated the efficacy of additional topical betamethasone in persistent cystoid macular oedema (CMO) after carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) therapy.

Methods and analysis

This retrospective cohort study included 16 eyes of 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). All patients were previously administered CAI for at least 3 months to treat CMO secondary to RP and lacking an effective reduction (≥11%) of central foveal thickness (CFT). We administered topical 0.1% betamethasone daily in each affected eye following a preceding course of the CAI medication as a first treatment. CMO was diagnosed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. CFT was regarded as the average of vertical and horizontal foveal thickness. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were obtained from patient medical records. We compared the CFT and BCVA between baseline and the average of 1–3, 5–7, 10–14 and 16–20 months period.

Results

In treatments with brinzolamide in 14 eyes, dorzolamide in 2 eyes and bromfenac in 2 eyes, CFT effectively decreased in 12 of 16 eyes (81%). CFT decreased significantly in 1–3 months (326±102 µm; n=16; P=0.029) and 5–7 months (297±102 µm; n=12; P=0.022) compared with baseline but not within 10–14 months (271±96 µm; n=9; P=0.485) or 16–20 months (281±134 µm; n=9; P=0.289). There were no significant intergroup differences in BCVA throughout the study. Betamethasone treatment was stopped in three patients because of IOP elevation.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that additional betamethasone might improve treatments for persistent CMO. Topical steroids could be an alternative option for managing persistent CMO in RP.
What drives UK military personnel to seek mental healthcare, work strain or something else?
Authors: Jones Norman , Coetzee R
Published: January 2018

Background

The numbers of UK military personnel referred to military departments of community mental health (DCMH) have increased annually over recent years; the reasons for such an increase are unclear.

Method

Data for this study were derived from 549 DCMH attendees and 3682 serving regular military personnel. DCMH attendees completed a checklist of potential reasons for help-seeking. Cohort members provided data on perceived mental health problems and help-seeking from specialist mental health services. Both samples provided work strain and basic sociodemographic data. Work strain levels were compared among cohort and DCMH help seekers and non-help seekers using adjusted logistic regression analyses.

Results

Perceiving that mental health-related stigmatisation had reduced and being prompted to seek help by attending a health promotion event were among the least frequent reasons for seeking help in DCMH attendees. Realising that help was needed and being urged to seek help by one’s partner, friends or family were the most common. Working very hard and experiencing excessive work were the most common work strain factors. Overall, the greatest levels of work strain were found among DCMH attendees. In all subsamples, work strain was significantly associated with experiencing a perceived mental health problem irrespective of whether help was sought or not.

Conclusion

Work strain was significantly associated with experiencing a stressful, emotional, mental health or alcohol problem and was the highest among current DCMH help seekers. Recognising that help was required and being prompted by a significant other were the main drivers for help-seeking among DCMH attendees.
Relationship between lichen species composition, secondary metabolites and soil pH, organic matter, and grain characteristics in Manitoba
Authors: Zraik Mohanad , Booth Tom , Piercey-Normore Michele D.
Published: January 2018

Many lichen secondary metabolites have functions related to the environmental conditions of lichen habitats but few studies have compared soil characteristics with lichen species composition or their secondary products. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between soil characteristics with lichen species composition and secondary metabolites. Five locations were chosen in Manitoba, each with five sites (transects), and each transect with five quadrats (1 m × 1 m). All species were collected from each of the quadrats, presence of secondary metabolites was determined by thin layer chromatography, and soil characteristics were examined. The results revealed that rounded sand grains were significantly higher in southeastern Manitoba than in other locations, corresponding to a distinct species composition. Angular grains were significantly higher in northern locations, corresponding to a different group of species. Some of the significant relationships between soil characteristics and secondary metabolites include correlations of atranorin with pH, organic matter, and sand content; fumarprotocetraric acid with organic matter and sand content; and usnic acid with pH and organic matter. A better understanding of the role of lichens with respect to soil characteristics will be important for improving soil stabilization in land reclamation.
A water-soluble fluorescent chemosensor based on Asp functionalized naphthalimide for successive detection Fe3+ and H2PO4−
Authors: Zhang You-Ming , Chen Xiao-Peng , Liang Guo-Yan , Zhong Kai-Peng , Yao Hong , Wei Tai-Bao , Lin Qi
Published: January 2018

The selective recognition of target ions in water is very important and the development of novel water-soluble chemosensor is still an intriguing challenge. Herein, a novel water-soluble fluorescent sensor based on aspartic acid (Asp) functionalized 1,8-naphthalimide derivative (Asp-NI) has been designed and synthesized. The sensor Asp-NI could dissolve in water and successively detect Fe3+ and H2PO4− in water solution with high selectivity and sensitivity. The detection limits are 4.97 × 10−7 mol/L for Fe3+ and 5.27 × 10−6 mol/L for H2PO4−. Other coexistent competitive metal ions (Hg2+, Ag+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cr3+, and Mg2+) showed no interference in the Fe3+ detection process. The sensor Asp-NI could act as a Fe3+ and H2PO4− controlled “On–Off–On” fluorescent switch. More interestingly, the Fe3+ induced fluorescence quenching process could be totally reversed by the addition of H2PO4−, this “On–Off–On” switching process could be repeated several times with little fluorescence loss. Notably, the actual usage of sensor Asp-NI was further demonstrated by test kits.
Scattering of particles in the presence of harmonic confinement perturbed by a complex absorbing potential
Authors: Maghari A. , Kermani M. Mansoori
Published: January 2018

A system of two interacting atoms confined in 1D harmonic trap and perturbed by an absorbing boundary potential is studied using the Lippmann–Schwinger formalism. The atom–atom interaction potential was considered as a nonlocal separable model. The perturbed absorbing boundary potential was also assumed in the form of Scarf II complex absorbing potential. The model is used for the study of 1D optical lattices that support the trapping of a pair atom within a unit cell. Moreover, it allows to describe the scattering particles in a tight smooth trapping surface and to analyze the bound and resonance states. The analytical expressions for wavefunctions and transition matrix as well as the absorption probabilities are calculated. A demonstration of how the complex absorbing potential affecting the bound states and resonances of particles confined in a harmonic trap is described.
Strong coupling-like phenomenon in single metallic nanoparticle embedded in molecular J-aggregates
Authors: Feng Xin , Wang Chen , Ma Hongjing , Chen Yuanyuan , Duan Gaoyan , Zhang Pengfei , Song Gang
Published: January 2018

Strong coupling-like phenomenon between plasmonic cavities and emitters provides a new way to realize the quantum-like effect controlling at microscale/nanoscale. We investigate the strong coupling-like phenomenon in the structure of single metallic nanoparticle embedded in molecular J-aggregates by the classical simulation method and show that the size of the metallic nanoparticle and the oscillator strength of molecular J-aggregates impact the strong coupling-like phenomenon. The strong coupling-like phenomenon is induced by the interactions between two dipoles formed by the metallic nanoparticle and molecular J-aggregates or the interactions between the dipole generated from molecular J-aggregates and the quadrupole generated from the metallic nanoparticle. The strong coupling-like phenomenon appears evidently with the increase in oscillator strength of molecular J-aggregates. The detuning energy linearly decreases with the increase in radius of the metallic nanoparticle. Our structure has potential applications in quantum networks, quantum key distributions and so on.
Single image haze removal using integrated dark and bright channel prior
Authors: Singh Dilbag , Kumar Vijay
Published: January 2018

In recent years, the dark channel prior (DCP) has been proven to be an adequate haze removal model. However, its procedure causes annoying halo and gradient reversal artifacts. To remove these issues, numerous filtering techniques have been designed and integrated with DCP. But, these filters inevitably induce massive computational load and edge degradation problems. In this paper, a novel visibility restoration model is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems. It utilizes DCP, bright channel prior (BCP) and gain intervention filter. BCP is used to solve the sky-region problem associated with DCP based dehazing. The gain intervention filter is used to improve computational speed and edge preservation. The experimental results reveal that the proposed dehazing model provides better computational time as compared to the existing dehazing techniques. It also provides superior restored images over existing dehazing techniques. More significantly, the designed dehazing model possesses highest potential for real time applications due to its superior restoration results and computational speed.
Analyses of the response of a complex weighted network to nodes removal strategies considering links weight: The case of the Beijing urban road system
Authors: Bellingeri Michele , Lu Zhe-Ming , Cassi Davide , Scotognella Francesco
Published: January 2018

Complex network response to node loss is a central question in different fields of science ranging from physics, sociology, biology to ecology. Previous studies considered binary networks where the weight of the links is not accounted for. However, in real-world networks the weights of connections can be widely different. Here, we analyzed the response of real-world road traffic complex network of Beijing, the most prosperous city in China. We produced nodes removal attack simulations using classic binary node features and we introduced weighted ranks for node importance. We measured the network functioning during nodes removal with three different parameters: the size of the largest connected cluster (LCC), the binary network efficiency (Bin EFF) and the weighted network efficiency (Weg EFF). We find that removing nodes according to weighted rank, i.e. considering the weight of the links as a number of taxi flows along the roads, produced in general the highest damage in the system. Our results show that: (i) in order to model Beijing road complex networks response to nodes (intersections) failure, it is necessary to consider the weight of the links; (ii) to discover the best attack strategy, it is important to use nodes rank accounting links weight.
Minimum Cell Connection in Line Segment Arrangements
Authors: Alt Helmut , Cabello Sergio , Giannopoulos Panos , Knauer Christian
Published: January 2018

We study the complexity of the following cell connection problems in segment arrangements. Given a set of straight-line segments in the plane and two points [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in different cells of the induced arrangement:

[(i)] compute the minimum number of segments one needs to remove so that there is a path connecting [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] that does not intersect any of the remaining segments; [(ii)] compute the minimum number of segments one needs to remove so that the arrangement induced by the remaining segments has a single cell.

We show that problems (i) and (ii) are NP-hard and discuss some special, tractable cases. Most notably, we provide a near-linear-time algorithm for a variant of problem (i) where the path connecting [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] must stay inside a given polygon [Formula: see text] with a constant number of holes, the segments are contained in [Formula: see text], and the endpoints of the segments are on the boundary of [Formula: see text]. The approach for this latter result uses homotopy of paths to group the segments into clusters with the property that either all segments in a cluster or none participate in an optimal solution.
Finding Largest Common Point Sets
Authors: Yon Juyoung , Cheng Siu-Wing , Cheong Otfried , Vigneron Antoine
Published: January 2018

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two discrete point sets in [Formula: see text] of sizes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, and let [Formula: see text] be a given input threshold. The largest common point set problem (LCP) seeks the largest subsets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and there exists a transformation [Formula: see text] that makes the bottleneck distance between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at most [Formula: see text]. We present two algorithms that solve a relaxed version of this problem under translations in [Formula: see text] and under rigid motions in the plane, and that takes an additional input parameter [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the largest subset size achievable for the given [Formula: see text]. Our algorithm finds subsets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of size [Formula: see text] and a transformation [Formula: see text] such that the bottleneck distance between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is at most [Formula: see text]. For rigid motions in the plane, the running time is [Formula: see text]. For translations in [Formula: see text], the running time is [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text].
Gamma-ray burst afterglow blast waves
Authors: van Eerten Hendrik
Published: January 2018

The various stages of baryonic gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow blast waves are reviewed. These are responsible for the afterglow emission from which much of our understanding of gamma-ray bursts derives. Initially, the blast waves are confined to the dense medium surrounding the burster (stellar envelope or dense wind), giving rise to a jet-cocoon structure. A massive ejecta is released and potentially fed by ongoing energy release from the burster and a forward–reverse shock system is set up between ejecta and ambient density. Ultimately the blast wave spreads sideways and slows down, and the dominant afterglow emission shifts from X-rays down to radio. Over the past years significant progress has been made both observationally and theoretically/numerically in our understanding of these blast waves, unique in the universe due to their often incredibly high initial Lorentz factors of 100–1000. The recent discovery of a short gamma-ray burst counterpart to a gravitational wave detection (GW 170817) brings the promise of a completely new avenue to explore and constrain the dynamics of gamma-ray burst blast waves.
The meaning behind observed pT regions at the LHC energies
Authors: Suleymanov M.
Published: January 2018

We argue that [Formula: see text] distribution data from the LHC on the invariant differential yield of the charged primary particles in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] and in Pb–Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]TeV with six centrality bins contains several [Formula: see text] regions with special properties. These distributions were analyzed by fitting the data with exponential functions. We conclude that the regions reflect features of fragmentation and hadronization of partons through the string dynamics. The nuclear transparency results in negligible influence of the medium in the III region ([Formula: see text]), which has highest [Formula: see text] values. The effects and changes by the medium start to appear weakly in the II region ([Formula: see text]) and become stronger in the I region ([Formula: see text]). It seems that the II region has highest number of strings. The increase in string density in this region could lead to fusion of strings, appearance of a new string and collective behavior of the partons in the most central collisions. These phenomena can explain anomalous behavior of the Nuclear Modification Factor in the II region. We propose the II region as a possible area of Quark Gluon Plasma formation through string fusion. The first [Formula: see text] regions are the ones with the maximum number of hadrons and minimum number of strings due to direct hadronization of the low energy strings into two quark systems–mesons.
DETERMINISTIC CRITERIA FOR THE ABSENCE AND EXISTENCE OF ARBITRAGE IN MULTI-DIMENSIONAL DIFFUSION MARKETS
Authors: CRIENS DAVID
Published: January 2018

We derive deterministic criteria for the existence and nonexistence of equivalent (local) martingale measures for financial markets driven by multi-dimensional time-inhomogeneous diffusions. Our conditions can be used to construct financial markets in which the no unbounded profit with bounded risk condition holds, while the classical no free lunch with vanishing risk condition fails.
A systolic-like extremal genus two surface
Authors: Sabourau Stéphane , Yassine Zeina
Published: January 2018

It is known that the genus two surface admits a piecewise flat metric with conical singularities which is extremal for the systolic inequality among all nonpositively curved metrics. We prove that this piecewise flat metric is also critical for slow metric variations, without curvature restrictions, for another type of systolic inequality involving the lengths of the shortest noncontractible loops in different free homotopy classes.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: The Push for Economic Globalisation
Authors: YU Hong
Published: January 2018

There is growing resentment towards globalisation in the West. The Chinese leadership has leveraged on the various international platforms to promote China’s approach to global economic development. Promotion of its “Belt and Road” initiative overseas marks China’s attempt to put its own stamp on globalisation. Nevertheless, China still has much to do domestically in promoting the open economy at home before it could be a credible leader of economic globalisation.
Nocardia spp. Pneumonia in a Solid Organ Recipient: Role of Linezolid
Authors: Mwandia George , Polenakovik Hari
Published: January 2018

We describe a rare infection with Nocardia spp. (N. pseudobrasiliensis species identification based on high-performance liquid chromatography analysis) in a 68-year-old renal transplant recipient. He presented with pneumonia complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure. He was allergic to sulphonamides. He was initially successfully treated with linezolid. However, he suffered severe sensory neuropathy after 4 months of therapy, necessitating linezolid cessation and completion of treatment with azithromycin. He had clinical and radiological resolution of his pneumonia and was disease free at subsequent follow-up 4 years later. This case highlights the need for alternative therapies for nocardiosis for patients that cannot be treated with sulphonamides due to allergies or/and infection with multidrug-resistant pathogens. It also illustrates the treatment limiting side effects of long-term therapy with linezolid.
Seismic Behavior of Turbine‐Generator Foundation under Strong Earthquake Action in Different Directions
Authors: An Dong , Qu Tie-jun
Published: January 2018

In order to study seismic behavior of half‐speed turbine‐generator foundation under horizontal earthquake loading in different directions, the 1/10 scaled model was designed and fabricated. The rigid foundation of half‐speed turbine‐generator sets can be seen as a complex space frame system. The tests were conducted under eight earthquake waves in two directions separately. The loading directions were along the axis of longitudinal and transverse. The seismic response of displacement and story drift was investigated by a pseudodynamic test. The hysteresis behavior and crack propagation were analyzed. From the research, it is shown that the maximum displacement of the foundation under the earthquake of intensity 7 is 15.20 mm (longitudinal), basically in the range of elastic deformation. The seismic response of earthquake input in different directions is obviously different. Under the same earthquake input, the seismic displacement along the axis of longitudinal is larger than that of transverse. Under the rarely earthquake of intensity 8, the foundation still keeps good working condition. The maximum elastic‐plastic story drift is 1/191 under the limit value 1/50 provided in the Code for Seismic Design of Buildings. The deformation capacity of the structure meets the requirements of the current seismic design code of China.
Experimental Investigation on the Behavior of Bracing Damper Systems by Utilizing Metallic Yielding and Recentering Material Devices
Authors: Hu Jong Wan , Noh Myoung-hyun , Ahn Jun-hyuck
Published: January 2018

With the aim of effectively reducing the structural damage caused by earthquake events, bracing systems equipped with retrofitting damper devices, which take advantage of the energy dissipation and impact absorption, have been widely used in practical construction sites. These bracing dampers, however, have been recognized as expendable supplies for easily replacing the damaged ones after a strong earthquake because they are commonly designed to undergo concentrated force and deformation for the purpose of protecting the main structural members such as the columns and beams. In this paper, the use of new superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) dampers that can partially recover their original configuration is proposed to decrease the repair cost. In addition, the conventional steel dampers used for improving the energy dissipation arising due to metallic yielding are additionally integrated into the bracing member. The behaviors of such bracing systems with the damper devices were reproduced in experimental tests with the cyclic loading history, and then their strength capacity and recentering capability were estimated based on the experiment results. Finally, additional experimental tests were performed by imposing cyclic loading histories with different loading speeds on the superelastic SMA and steel plate damper specimens.
Link Protein N-Terminal Peptide as a Potential Stimulating Factor for Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: He Ruijun , Wang Baichuan , Cui Min , Xiong Zekang , Lin Hui , Zhao Lei , Li Zhiliang , Wang Zhe , Peggrem Shaun , Xia Zhidao , Shao Zengwu
Published: January 2018

Background. Link protein N-terminal peptide (LPP) in extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage could induce synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen type II in cartilaginous cells. Cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs), the endogenous stem cells in cartilage, are important in cartilage degeneration and regeneration. We hypothesized that LPP could be a stimulator for stem cell-based cartilage regeneration by affecting biological behaviors of CSPC.Methods. CSPCs were isolated from rat knee cartilage. We evaluated the promoting effect of LPP on proliferation, migration, and chondrogenic differentiation of CSPCs. The chondrogenic differentiation-related genes and proteins were quantitated. Three-dimensional culture of CSPC was conducted in the presence of TGF-β3 or LPP, and the harvested pellets were analyzed to assess the function of LPP on cartilage regeneration.Results. LPP stimulated the proliferation of CSPC and accelerated the site-directional migration. Higher expression of SOX9, collagen II, and aggrecan were demonstrated in CSPCs treated with LPP. The pellets treated with LPP showed more distinct characteristics of chondroid differentiation than those with TGF-β3.Conclusion. LPP showed application prospect in cartilage regeneration medicine by stimulating proliferation, migration, and chondrogenic differentiation of cartilage stem/progenitor cells.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Is Effective in Relieving Visceral Hypersensitivity in a Postinfectious Model
Authors: Bai Tao , Zhang Lei , Wang Huan , Qian Wei , Song Jun , Hou Xiaohua
Published: January 2018

Aim. To investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation on visceral hypersensitivity compared withBifidobacterium longum.Methods. Mice visceral hypersensitivity was induced byTrichinella spiralis. After 8 weeks, they were divided into three groups (controls,Bifidobacterium longum, and fecal microbiota transplantation) and were daily treated by gavage with 0.2 ml PBS,Bifidobacterium longumHB55020, or fecal microbiota for 7 days. Visceral hypersensitivity was tested with abdominal withdrawal reflex. Permeability of colon epithelium was assessed with Ussing chamber.Results. After administration ofBifidobacterium longum, compared with mice in postinfectious group, mice had higher pain threshold (p<0.05). After administration of fecal microbiota, compared with mice in postinfectious group, mice had higher pain threshold (p<0.05). Fecal microbiota transplantation was as effective asBifidobacteriumin relieving visceral hypersensitivity. Administration ofBifidobacterium longumor fecal microbiota transplantation improved colon epithelium permeability. Expression of occluding-1 was increased.Conclusion. Manipulation of microbiota is effective in relieving visceral hypersensitivity. Fecal microbiota transplantation is as effective asBifidobacterium longumadministration.
Oxidative Stress Markers Patients with Parotid Gland Tumors: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sowa Pawel , Misiolek Maciej , Pasinski Bartlomiej , Bartosz Grzegorz , Soszynski Miroslaw , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika , Sadowska-Bartosz Izabela
Published: January 2018

Salivary gland tumors account for 3–6% of tumors of the head and neck. About 80% of salivary gland tumors occur in parotid glands. Oxidative stress (OS) is implicated in the origin, development, and whole-body effects of various tumors. There are no data on the occurrence of OS in the parotid gland tumors. The aim of this study was to ascertain if whole-body OS accompanies parotid gland tumors, based first of all on oxidative modifications of blood serum proteins and other markers of OS in the serum of the patients. The group studied included 17 patients with pleomorphic adenoma, 9 patients with Warthin’s tumor, 8 patients with acinic cell carcinoma, and 24 age-matched controls. We found increased concentration of interleukin 4 in patients with acinic cell carcinoma, decreased plasma thiols, increased AOPP concentration, and decreased FRAP of blood serum in all groups of the patients while protein oxidative modifications assessed fluorimetrically, protein carbonyls, protein nitration, malondialdehyde concentration, and serum ABTS⁎-scavenging capacity were unchanged. These data indicate the occurrence of OS in patients with parotid gland tumors and point to various sensitivities of OS markers.
Which Kidney Transplant Recipients Can Benefit from the Initial Tacrolimus Dose Reduction?
Authors: Krzyżowska Kinga , Kolonko Aureliusz , Giza Piotr , Chudek Jerzy , Więcek Andrzej
Published: January 2018

Background. Observational data suggest that the fixed initial recommended tacrolimus (Tc) dosing (0.2 mg/kg/day) results in supratherapeutic drug levels in some patients during the early posttransplant period. The aim of the study was to analyze a wide panel of patient-related factors and their interactions which increase the risk for first Tc blood level > 15 ng/ml. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of 488 consecutive adult kidney transplant recipients who were initially treated with triple immunosuppressive regimen containing tacrolimus twice daily. The analysis included the first assessment of Tc trough blood levels and several demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, and comedication data. Results. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age > 55 years, BMI > 24.6 kg/m2, blood hemoglobin concentration > 9.5 g/dl, and the presence of anti-HCV antibodies independently increased the risk for first Tc level > 15 ng/ml. The relative risk (RR) for first tacrolimus level > 15 ng/ml was 1.88 (95% CI 1.35–2.64, p<0.001) for patients with one risk factor and 2.81 (2.02–3.89, p<0.001) for patients with two risk factors. Conclusions. Initial tacrolimus dose reduction should be considered in older, overweight, or obese kidney transplant recipients and in subjects with anti-HCV antibodies. Moreover, dose reduction of tacrolimus is especially important in patients with coexisting multiple risk factors.
Experimental Study on the Dynamic Performance of Water‐Lubricated Rubber Bearings with Local Contact
Authors: Ouyang Wu , Zhang Xuebing , Jin Yong , Yuan Xiaoyang
Published: January 2018

Accurate dynamic characteristic coefficients of water‐lubricated rubber bearings are necessary to research vibration of ship propulsion system. Due to mixed lubrication state of water‐lubricated rubber bearings, normal test rig and identification method are not applicable. This paper establishes a test rig to simulate shaft misalignment and proposes an identification method for water‐lubricated rubber bearings, which utilizes rotor unbalanced motion to produce self‐excited force rather than artificial excitation. Dynamic performance tests under different conditions are operated. The results show that when rotational speed is less than 700 r/min, even if specific pressure is 0.05 MPa, it is difficult to form complete water film for the rubber bearing which was investigated, and contact friction and collision of the shaft and bearing are frequent. In the mixed lubrication, water film, rubber, and contact jointly determine dynamic characteristics of water‐lubricated rubber bearings. The contact condition has a significant effect on the bearing stiffness, and water film friction damping has a significant effect on bearing damping. As for the particular investigated bearing, when rotational speed is in the range of 400~700 r/min and specific pressure is in the range of 0.03~0.07 MPa, bearing stiffness is in the range of 5.6~10.06 N/μm and bearing damping is in the range of 1.25~2.02 Ns/μm.
Adaptive Modified Function Projective Synchronization of Uncertain Complex Dynamical Networks with Multiple Time-Delay Couplings and Disturbances
Authors: Fang Jie , Liu Na , Sun Junwei
Published: January 2018

This paper studies the modified function projective synchronization of uncertain complex dynamic network model with multiple time-delay couplings and external disturbances. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, the positive definite function is designed and the sufficient conditions of synchronization are given. Both the uncertain parameters and the unknown bounded disturbances are estimated in accordance with the adaptive laws. With the adaptive feedback controller, the complex dynamic network can synchronize with reference node by a scaling function matrix. The reference node can be periodic orbit, equilibrium point, or a chaotic attractor. Finally, two numerical simulations are offered to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Effect of Metal (Mn, Ti) Doping on NCA Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Wan Dao Yong , Fan Zhi Yu , Dong Yong Xiang , Baasanjav Erdenebayar , Jun Hang-Bae , Jin Bo , Jin En Mei , Jeong Sang Mun
Published: January 2018

NCA (LiNi0.85Co0.10Al0.05-x MxO2, M=Mn or Ti, x < 0.01) cathode materials are prepared by a hydrothermal reaction at 170°C and doped with Mn and Ti to improve their electrochemical properties. The crystalline phases and morphologies of various NCA cathode materials are characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, and particle size distribution analysis. The CV, EIS, and galvanostatic charge/discharge test are employed to determine the electrochemical properties of the cathode materials. Mn and Ti doping resulted in cell volume expansion. This larger volume also improved the electrochemical properties of the cathode materials because Mn4+ and Ti4+ were introduced into the octahedral lattice space occupied by the Li-ions to expand the Li layer spacing and, thereby, improved the lithium diffusion kinetics. As a result, the NCA-Ti electrode exhibited superior performance with a high discharge capacity of 179.6 mAh g−1 after the first cycle, almost 23 mAh g−1 higher than that obtained with the undoped NCA electrode, and 166.7 mAh g−1 after 30 cycles. A good coulombic efficiency of 88.6% for the NCA-Ti electrode is observed based on calculations in the first charge and discharge capacities. In addition, the NCA-Ti cathode material exhibited the best cycling stability of 93% up to 30 cycles.