bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing and Experiencing Relativity — A New Tool for Teaching?
Authors: Kortemeyer Gerd , Fish Jordan , Hacker Jesse , Kienle Justin , Kobylarek Alexander , Sigler Michael , Wierenga Bert , Cheu Ryan , Kim Ebae , Sherin Zach , Sidhu Sonny , Tan Philip
Published: October 2013

“What would you see if you were riding a beam of light?” This thought experiment, which Einstein reports to have “conducted” at the age of 16,1 of course has no sensible answer: as Einstein published a decade later, you could never reach the speed of light.2 But it does make sense to ask what you would see if you were traveling close to the speed of light, and one of the first physicists to embark on this effort was George Gamow in his Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland.3 His protagonist is speeding on a bicycle through a city where the speed of light is lower, thus ingeniously taking advantage of the fact that special relativity scales with v/c: for it to kick in, you either have to move very fast (in rather unfamiliar territory), or light has to be slow (in which case special relativity kicks in at everyday velocities in everyday situations). Gamow provides drawings of what Mr. Tompkins and people at the curb would see in this slow-light city, at least, what they would see if one only took into account two of the effects: length contraction and time dilation.4
Plasmodium falciparum Polymorphisms Associated with
Ex Vivo
Drug Susceptibility and Clinical Effectiveness of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies in Benin
Authors: Dahlström Sabina , Aubouy Agnès , Maïga-Ascofaré Oumou , Faucher Jean-François , Wakpo Abel , Ezinmègnon Sèm , Massougbodji Achille , Houzé Pascal , Kendjo Eric , Deloron Philippe , Le Bras Jacques , Houzé Sandrine
Published: October 2013

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the main option to treat malaria, and their efficacy and susceptibility must be closely monitored to avoid resistance. We assessed the association of
Plasmodium falciparum
polymorphisms and
ex vivo
drug susceptibility with clinical effectiveness. Patients enrolled in an effectiveness trial comparing artemether-lumefantrine (
n
= 96), fixed-dose artesunate-amodiaquine (
n
= 96), and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (
n
= 48) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria 2007 in Benin were assessed.
pfcrt
,
pfmdr1
,
pfmrp1
,
pfdhfr
, and
pfdhps
polymorphisms were analyzed pretreatment and in recurrent infections. Drug susceptibility was determined in fresh baseline isolates by
Plasmodium
lactate dehydrogenase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A majority had 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) estimates (the concentration required for 50% growth inhibition) lower than those of the 3D7 reference clone for desethylamodiaquine, lumefantrine, mefloquine, and quinine and was considered to be susceptible, while dihydroartemisinin and pyrimethamine IC
50
s were higher. No association was found between susceptibility to the ACT compounds and treatment outcome. Selection was observed for the
pfmdr1
N86 allele in artemether-lumefantrine recrudescences (recurring infections) (4/7 [57.1%] versus 36/195 [18.5%]), and of the opposite allele, 86Y, in artesunate-amodiaquine reinfections (new infections) (20/22 [90.9%] versus 137/195 [70.3%]) compared to baseline infections. The importance of
pfmdr1
N86 in lumefantrine tolerance was emphasized by its association with elevated lumefantrine IC
50
s. Genetic linkage between N86 and Y184 was observed, which together with the low frequency of 1246Y may explain regional differences in selection of
pfmdr1
loci. Selection of opposite alleles in artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine recurrent infections supports the strategy of multiple first-line treatment. Surveillance based on clinical,
ex vivo
, molecular, and pharmacological data is warranted.
Correlates of Immune Protection following Cutaneous Immunization with an Attenuated Burkholderia pseudomallei Vaccine
Authors: Silva Ediane B. , Goodyear Andrew , Sutherland Marjorie D. , Podnecky Nicole L. , Gonzalez-Juarrero Mercedes , Schweizer Herbert P. , Dow Steven W.
Published: October 2013

Infections with the Gram-negative bacterium
Burkholderia pseudomallei
(melioidosis) are associated with high mortality, and there is currently no approved vaccine to prevent the development of melioidosis in humans. Infected patients also do not develop protective immunity to reinfection, and some individuals will develop chronic, subclinical infections with
B. pseudomallei
. At present, our understanding of what constitutes effective protective immunity against
B. pseudomallei
infection remains incomplete. Therefore, we conducted a study to elucidate immune correlates of vaccine-induced protective immunity against acute
B. pseudomallei
infection. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were immunized subcutaneously with a highly attenuated, Select Agent-excluded
purM
deletion mutant of
B. pseudomallei
(strain Bp82) and then subjected to intranasal challenge with virulent
B. pseudomallei
strain 1026b. Immunization with Bp82 generated significant protection from challenge with
B. pseudomallei
, and protection was associated with a significant reduction in bacterial burden in lungs, liver, and spleen of immunized mice. Humoral immunity was critically important for vaccine-induced protection, as mice lacking B cells were not protected by immunization and serum from Bp82-vaccinated mice could transfer partial protection to nonvaccinated animals. In contrast, vaccine-induced protective immunity was found to be independent of both CD4 and CD8 T cells. Tracking studies demonstrated uptake of the Bp82 vaccine strain predominately by neutrophils in vaccine-draining lymph nodes and by smaller numbers of dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes. We concluded that protection following cutaneous immunization with a live attenuated
Burkholderia
vaccine strain was dependent primarily on generation of effective humoral immune responses.
Does the width of the surgical margin of safety or premalignant dermatoses at the negative surgical margin affect outcome in surgically treated penile cancer?
Authors: Gunia Sven , Koch Stefan , Jain Anjun , May Matthias
Published: October 2013

Aims

To evaluate the prognostic impact of the width of negative surgical margins (NSM) and associated and preinvasive lesions at the NSM in patients with penile squamous cell cancer (PSC).

Methods

Enrolling 87 patients with NSM who underwent surgery for PSC, the archived margin slides and entirely wax-embedded surgical margins were retrieved from the pathology files. After step sections were cut, margins were stained with antibodies against CK5/6, p16, p53 and Ki-67 and subjected to in situ hybridisation for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). All NSM were histologically examined for squamous hyperplasia (SH), lichen sclerosus (LS) and subtypes of penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN). Then, histological findings were correlated with cancer-specific mortality (CSM, median follow-up 34 months; IQR 6–70).

Results

All NSM were negative for high-risk HPV and exhibited SH (p16 and p53 negative, Ki-67 variably positive), LS (p16 negative, variable p53 and Ki-67 positivity) and differentiated PeIN (dPeIN; p16 negative, Ki-67 positive, variable p53 positivity) in 28 (32%), 30 (34%) and 22 (25%) cases, respectively, whereas PeIN subtypes other then dPeIN did not occur. Pathological tumour stage was the only independent predictive parameter with respect to CSM in the multivariable analysis (p=0.001).

Conclusions

SH, LS and dPeIN are frequent histological findings at the NSM of surgically treated PSC. However, neither the width of the NSM nor dPeIN, LS or SH at the NSM influences prognostic outcome.
Old age mortality and macroeconomic cycles
Authors: Rolden Herbert J A , van Bodegom David , van den Hout Wilbert B , Westendorp Rudi G J
Published: October 2013

Background

As mortality is more and more concentrated at old age, it becomes critical to identify the determinants of old age mortality. It has counter-intuitively been found that mortality rates at all ages are higher during short-term increases in economic growth. Work-stress is found to be a contributing factor to this association, but cannot explain the association for the older, retired population.

Methods

Historical figures of gross domestic product (Angus Maddison) were compared with mortality rates (Human Mortality Database) of middle aged (40–44 years) and older people (70–74 years) in 19 developed countries for the period 1950–2008. Regressions were performed on the de-trended data, accounting for autocorrelation and aggregated using random effects models.

Results

Most countries show pro-cyclical associations between the economy and mortality, especially with regard to male mortality rates. On average, for every 1% increase in gross domestic product, mortality increases with 0.36% for 70-year-old to 74-year-old men (p<0.001) and 0.38% for 40-year-old to 44-year-old men (p<0.001). The effect for women is 0.18% for 70-year-olds to 74-year-olds (p=0.012) and 0.15% for 40-year-olds to 44-year-olds (p=0.118).

Conclusions

In developed countries, mortality rates increase during upward cycles in the economy, and decrease during downward cycles. This effect is similar for the older and middle-aged population. Traditional explanations as work-stress and traffic accidents cannot explain our findings. Lower levels of social support and informal care by the working population during good economic times can play an important role, but this remains to be formally investigated.
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD FOR SOLVING THE NONLINEAR DYNAMIC EQUATION OF UNDERWATER TOWED SYSTEM
Authors: YUAN ZHIJIANG , JIN LIANGAN , CHI WEI , TIAN HENGDOU
Published: October 2013

A wide body of work exists that describes numerical solution for the nonlinear system of underwater towed system. Many researchers usually divide the tow cable with less number elements for the consideration of computational time. However, this type of installation affects the accuracy of the numerical solution. In this paper, a newly finite difference method for solving the nonlinear dynamic equations of the towed system is developed. The mathematical model of tow cable and towed body are both discretized to nonlinear algebraic equations by center finite difference method. A newly discipline for formulating the nonlinear equations and Jacobian matrix of towed system are proposed. We can solve the nonlinear dynamic equation of underwater towed system quickly by using this discipline, when the size of number elements is large.
NONLINEAR BENDING ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADED PLATES UNDER PRESSURE LOADS USING A FOUR VARIABLE REFINED PLATE THEORY
Authors: BENATTA MOHAMED ATIF , KACI ABDELHAKIM , TOUNSI ABDELOUAHED , HOUARI MOHAMMED SID AHMED , BAKHTI KARIMA , BEDIA EL ABBAS ADDA
Published: October 2013

The novelty of this paper is the use of four variable refined plate theory for nonlinear analysis of plates made of functionally graded materials. The plates are subjected to pressure loading and their geometric nonlinearity is introduced in the strain–displacement equations based on Von–Karman assumptions. Unlike any other theory, the theory presented gives rise to only four governing equations. Number of unknown functions involved is only four, as against five in case of simple shear deformation theories of Mindlin and Reissner (first shear deformation theory). The plate properties are assumed to be varied through the thickness following a simple power law distribution in terms of volume fraction of material constituents. The theory presented is variationally consistent, does not require shear correction factor, and gives rise to transverse shear stress variation such that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness satisfying shear stress free surface conditions. The fundamental equations for functionally graded plates are obtained using the Von–Karman theory for large deflection and the solution is obtained by minimization of the total potential energy. Numerical results for functionally graded plates are given in dimensionless graphical forms; and the effects of material properties on deflections and stresses are determined. The results obtained for plate with various thickness ratios using the theory are not only substantially more accurate than those obtained using the CPT, but are almost comparable to those obtained using higher order theories having more number of unknown functions.
SOME NEWTON-TYPE ITERATIVE METHODS WITH AND WITHOUT MEMORY FOR SOLVING NONLINEAR EQUATIONS
Authors: WANG XIAOFENG , ZHANG TIE
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we present some three-point Newton-type iterative methods without memory for solving nonlinear equations by using undetermined coefficients method. The order of convergence of the new methods without memory is eight requiring the evaluations of three functions and one first-order derivative in per full iteration. Hence, the new methods are optimal according to Kung and Traubs conjecture. Based on the presented methods without memory, we present two families of Newton-type iterative methods with memory. Further accelerations of convergence speed are obtained by using a self-accelerating parameter. This self-accelerating parameter is calculated by the Hermite interpolating polynomial and is applied to improve the order of convergence of the Newton-type method. The corresponding R-order of convergence is increased from 8 to 9, [Formula: see text] and 10. The increase of convergence order is attained without any additional calculations so that the two families of the methods with memory possess a very high computational efficiency. Numerical examples are demonstrated to confirm theoretical results.
Durability assessment of natural stone
Authors: Přikryl Richard
Published: October 2013

Durability is one of the most significant aspects of the behaviours of natural stone in the real environment. As it is not a fundamental property, it cannot be measured
in situ
or by using any simple laboratory test. Therefore, durability is assessed by using several approaches such as (1) accelerated laboratory durability tests (freeze–thaw cycling, wetting–drying, salt crystallization resistance), (2) complex environmental testing in test cabinets, and (3) exposure site testing. In this review paper, the advantages and drawbacks of these approaches are discussed and compared with other approaches such as practical experience and/or indirect assessments of selected physical properties, which have been found empirically to have a strong influence upon the durability of materials. Based on current information, accelerated laboratory durability tests (although the most widespread type of tests) exhibit serious limitations in terms of oversimplified test methods. Complex environmental testing provides more reliable results, but is less accessible for common testing owing to experiments’ long duration and high operational costs. Similar drawbacks are applicable for
in situ
testing. Practical experience combines the value of the material’s exposure in real-life conditions and the duration of interactions; but it is highly impractical when the sampling of experimental materials is required. Extrapolation of the durability of natural stone from the results of some common laboratory tests (porosimetry approach for complex evaluation of pore space; mechanical properties under various degrees of saturation; response of a natural stone exposed to water (i.e. swelling behaviour)) seems to be an appropriate alternative to previous approaches.
The role of metamorphic fluids in the formation of ore deposits
Authors: Yardley Bruce W. D. , Cleverley James S.
Published: October 2013

Many ore deposits are hosted by metamorphic rocks, and metamorphic fluids have been invoked as a source for various deposits, especially gold deposits. Metamorphic fluid compositions reflect original sedimentary environment: continental shelf sequences yield saline metamorphic fluids with little dissolved gas while metasediments from accretionary and oceanic settings host less saline fluids with significant CO
2
contents.

The principal difficulty in reconciling ore deposits with a metamorphic origin is that many form quickly (
c.
1 Ma), whereas metamorphic heating is slow (
c.
10–20 °/Ma). Gravitational instability means that fluid cannot be retained. Metamorphic ores may nevertheless form by: (a) segregation leading to enrichment of pre-existing concentrations; (b) infiltration of water-rich fluids from schists into marbles at high temperature overstepping decarbonation reactions and allowing fast reaction that locally draws down temperature; and (c) rapid uplift driving dehydration reactions owing to pressure drop.

Some orogenic lode gold deposits fit well with a purely metamorphic origin during rapid uplift, but others are problematic. At Sunrise Dam, Western Australia, anomalies in Sr-isotope ratios and in apatite compositions indicate a partial mantle/magmatic source. Low salinity, H
2
O–CO
2
fluids commonly associated with hydrothermal gold reflect the effect of salt on gas solubility, not the origin of the fluid.
Early prediction of the highest workload in incremental cardiopulmonary tests
Authors: Baralis Elena , Cerquitelli Tania , Chiusano Silvia , D'elia Vincenzo , Molinari Riccardo , Susta Davide
Published: October 2013

Incremental tests are widely used in cardiopulmonary exercise testing, both in the clinical domain and in sport sciences. The highest workload (denoted Wpeak) reached in the test is key information for assessing the individual body response to the test and for analyzing possible cardiac failures and planning rehabilitation, and training sessions. Being physically very demanding, incremental tests can significantly increase the body stress on monitored individuals and may cause cardiopulmonary overload. This article presents a new approach to cardiopulmonary testing that addresses these drawbacks. During the test, our approach analyzes the individual body response to the exercise and predicts the Wpeakvalue that will be reached in the test and an evaluation of its accuracy. When the accuracy of the prediction becomes satisfactory, the test can be prematurely stopped, thus avoiding its entire execution. To predict Wpeak, we introduce a new index, the CardioPulmonary Efficiency Index (CPE), summarizing the cardiopulmonary response of the individual to the test. Our approach analyzes the CPE trend during the test, together with the characteristics of the individual, and predicts Wpeak. A K-nearest-neighbor-based classifier and an ANN-based classier are exploited for the prediction. The experimental evaluation showed that the Wpeakvalue can be predicted with a limited error from the first steps of the test.
Random walks down the mention graphs for event coreference resolution
Authors: Chen Bin , Su Jian , Tan Chew Lim
Published: October 2013

Event coreference is an important task in event extraction and other natural language processing tasks. Despite its importance, it was merely discussed in previous studies. In this article, we present a global coreference resolution system dedicated to various sophisticated event coreference phenomena. First, seven resolvers are utilized to resolve different event and object coreference mention pairs with a new instance selection strategy and new linguistic features. Second, a global solution—a modified random walk partitioning—is employed for the chain formation. Being the first attempt to apply the random walk model for coreference resolution, the revised model utilizes a sampling method, termination criterion, and stopping probability to greatly improve the effectiveness of random walk model for event coreference resolution. Last but not least, the new model facilitates a convenient way to incorporate sophisticated linguistic constraints and preferences, the related object mention graph, as well as pronoun coreference information not used in previous studies for effective chain formation. In total, these techniques impose more than 20% F-score improvement over the baseline system.
Viral Membrane Scission
Authors: Rossman Jeremy S. , Lamb Robert A.
Published: October 2013

Virus budding is a complex, multistep process in which viral proteins make specific alterations in membrane curvature. Many different viral proteins can deform the membrane and form a budding virion, but very few can mediate membrane scission to complete the budding process. As a result, enveloped viruses have developed numerous ways of facilitating membrane scission, including hijacking host cellular scission machinery and expressing their own scission proteins. These proteins mediate scission in very different ways, though the biophysical mechanics underlying their actions may be similar. In this review, we explore the mechanisms of membrane scission and the ways in which enveloped viruses use these systems to mediate the release of budding virions.
Uniformity Masks Design Method Based on the Shadow Matrix for Coating Materials with Different Condensation Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Lichao , Cai Xikun
Published: October 2013

An intuitionistic method is proposed to design shadow masks to achieve thickness profile control for evaporation coating processes. The proposed method is based on the concept of the shadow matrix, which is a matrix that contains coefficients that build quantitive relations between shape parameters of masks and shadow quantities of substrate directly. By using the shadow matrix, shape parameters of shadow masks could be derived simply by solving a matrix equation. Verification experiments were performed on a special case where coating materials have different condensation characteristics. By using the designed mask pair with complementary shapes, thickness uniformities of better than 98% are demonstrated for MgF2 (m = 1) and LaF3 (m = 0.5) simultaneously on a 280 mm diameter spherical substrate with the radius curvature of 200 mm.
Aluminum Silicate Nanotube Modification of Cotton-Like Siloxane-poly(L-lactic acid)-vaterite Composites
Authors: Lee Daiheon , Maeda Hirotaka , Obata Akiko , Inukai Keiichi , Kato Katsuya , Kasuga Toshihiro
Published: October 2013

In our earlier work, a cotton-like biodegradable composite, consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) with siloxane-containing vaterite, has been prepared by electrospinning. In the present work, the fibers skeleton of the cotton-like composites was modified successfully with imogolite, which is hydrophilic and biocompatible, via a dip process using ethanol diluted solution to improve the cellular initial attachment. Almost no change in the fiber morphology after the surface modification was observed. The surface-modified composite showed the similar calcium and silicate ions releasabilities, for activating the osteoblasts, as an unmodified one. Cell culture tests showed that the initial adhesion of murine osteoblast-like cells on the surface of the fibers was enhanced by surface modification.
An Adaptive Energy-Management Framework for Sensor Nodes with Constrained Energy Scavenging Profiles
Authors: Silva Agnelo R. , Liu Mingyan , Moghaddam Mahta
Published: October 2013

Modern energy harvesting systems for WSNs involve power scavenging sources, rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors. Typical energy-management systems calculate/predict the remaining energy stored in a node, and associated actions are dispatched involving the networking protocols. However, long-term characteristics of the mentioned hardware components are typically neglected preventing the achievement of very long maintenance-free lifetimes (e.g., >5 years) for the nodes. In this work, a systematic analysis of this problem is provided, and an open energy-management framework is proposed which promotes (a) the nontraditional combination of primary cells, supercapacitors, and harvesting systems, (b) the concept of a distributed system inside a node, and (c) the adoption of the dual duty-cycle (DDC) operation for the WSNs. The DDC's core component is a cross-layer protocol implemented as an application-layer overlay which maintains the operation of the network under very high energy efficiency. Its trade-off is the reduction of the network throughput. Therefore, the DDC system has mechanisms that dynamically switch the WSN operational mode according to application's needs. Detailed guidelines are provided in order to allow the implementation of the solution on existing WSN platforms. The energy efficiency of the low duty-cycle mode of the solution is demonstrated by simulated and empirical results.
Impacts of Land Cover Change on the Near-Surface Temperature in the North China Plain
Authors: Qu Ruijie , Cui Xiaolin , Yan Haiming , Ma Enjun , Zhan Jinyan
Published: October 2013

This study first tested and verified the ability of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to simulate the near-surface temperature in the North China Plain. Then the static land cover data in the WRF were replaced, and thereafter the modified WRF model was used to explore the impacts of land cover change on the near-surface temperature in the North China Plain in year 1992 and year 2005. The results indicated that the land cover change in the North China Plain, which was characterized by the regional urbanization, had led to significant changes in the near-surface temperature, increasing the regional near-surface temperature by 0.03°C/year on average. The spatial pattern of the climate change basically corresponded to that of the land cover change; for example, the temperature increased most significantly in the regions mainly consisting of cities and built-up area. Besides, there were some variations in the degree and range of influence of the land cover change on the temperature among seasons. The result can provide important theoretical support for the adaptation to climate change, scientific land cover change management, and land use planning.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Supercritical-Carbon Dioxide Fluid Extract from Flowers and Buds ofChrysanthemum indicumLinnén
Authors: Wu Xiao-Li , Li Chu-Wen , Chen Hai-Ming , Su Zu-Qing , Zhao Xiao-Ning , Chen Jian-Nan , Lai Xiao-Ping , Zhang Xiao-Jun , Su Zi-Ren
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and investigate the anti-inflammatory property of the supercritical-carbon dioxide extract from flowers and buds ofC. indicum(CISCFE). The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in four animal models including xylene-induced mouse ear edema, acetic acid-induced mouse vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced mouse hind paw edema, and cotton pellet-induced rat granuloma formation. The results indicated that CISCFEsignificantly attenuated xylene-induced ear edema, decreased acetic acid-induced capillary permeability, reduced carrageenan-induced paw, and inhibited the cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathologically, CISCFEabated inflammatory response of the edema paw. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that CISCFEdecreased the MDA level via increasing the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GRd), attenuated the productions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PGE2and NO, and suppressed the activities of iNOS and COX-2. In phytochemical study, 35 compounds were identified by GC-MS, and 5 compounds (chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, linarin, luteolin and acacetin) were reconfirmed and quantitatively determined by HPLC-PAD. This paper firstly analyzed the chemical composition by combining GC-MS with HPLC-PAD and explored possible mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effect of CISCFE.
Thermal Variation of Elastic Modulus on Nanocrystalline NiCuZn Ferrites
Authors: Murthy S. R.
Published: October 2013

The nanopowders of Ni0.38Cu0.12Zn0.5Fe2O4 with particle size, 20 nm have been synthesised using Microwave-Hydrothermal method and characterized. Then the ferrite samples were microwave sintered at different temperatures in an air atmosphere and characterized. The magnetic properties were measured at room temperature. The dielectric constant (ɛ), initial permeability (μi) and quality factor (Q) has been measured on sintered samples at 1 MHz. Thermal variation of initial permeability has been measured over temperature range of 300 K–600 K. A detailed study of elastic behaviour of NiCuZn ferrites has been under taken using a composite piezoelectric oscillator method over a temperature of 300 K–600 K. The room temperature elastic moduli is found to be slightly sample dependent and decreases with increasing the temperature, except near the Curie temperature, TC, where a small anomaly is observed. The internal friction at room temperature is also found to be more particle size dependent. The temperature variation of internal friction exhibits a broad maximum around 500 K, just below Curie temperature TC 530 K. The above observations were carried on in the demagnetized state; on the application of a 400 mT magnetic field allowed us to reach the saturated state of the sample at any of the measuring temperature. The anomaly observed in the thermal variation of elastic moduli and internal friction is explained with the help of temperature variation of magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant.
Faster Multistep Iterations for the Approximation of Fixed Points Applied to Zamfirescu Operators
Authors: Kang Shin Min , Ćirić Ljubomir B. , Rafiq Arif , Ali Faisal , Kwun Young Chel
Published: October 2013

By taking a counterexample, we prove that the multistep iteration process is faster than the Mann and Ishikawa iteration processes for Zamfirescu operators.
Approximate Solution of Inverse Problem for Elliptic Equation with Overdetermination
Authors: Ashyralyyev Charyyar , Dedeturk Mutlu
Published: October 2013

Afinite difference method for the approximate solution of the inverse problem for the multidimensional elliptic equation with overdetermination is applied. Stability and coercive stability estimates of the first and second orders of accuracy difference schemes for this problem are established. The algorithm for approximate solution is tested in a two-dimensional inverse problem.
Uniform Estimates for Damped Radon Transform on the Plane
Authors: Choi Youngwoo
Published: October 2013

Uniform improving estimates of damped plane Radon transforms in Lebesgue and Lorentz spaces are studied under mild assumptions on the rotational curvature. The results generalize previously known estimates. Also, they extend sharp estimates known for convolution operators with affine arclength measures to the semitranslation-invariant case.
Opposite Effects of Single-Dose and Multidose Administration of the Ethanol Extract of Danshen on CYP3A in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Qiu Furong , Jiang Jian , Ma Yueming , Wang Guangji , Gao Chenglu , Zhang Xinfeng , Zhang Liang , Liu Songcan , He Min , Zhu Leilei , Ye Yujie , Li Qiuye , Miao Ping
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single- and multidose administration of the ethanol extract of danshen on in vivo CYP3A activity in healthy volunteers. A sequential, open-label, and three-period pharmacokinetic interaction study design was used based on 12 healthy male individuals. The plasma concentrations of midazolam and its metabolite 1-hydroxymidazolam were measured. Treatment with single dose of the extract caused the meanCmaxof midazolam to increase by 87% compared with control. After 10 days of the danshen extract intake, the mean AUC0–12,Cmax, andt1/2of midazolam were decreased by 79.9%, 66.6%, and 43.8%, respectively. The mean clearance of midazolam was increased by 501.6% compared with control. The in vitro study showed that dihydrotanshinone I in the extract could inhibit CYP3A, while tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone could induce CYP3A. In conclusion, a single-dose administration of the danshen extract can inhibit intestinal CYP3A, but multidose administration can induce intestinal and hepatic CYP3A.
Convergent Homotopy Analysis Method for Solving Linear Systems
Authors: Nasabzadeh H. , Toutounian F.
Published: October 2013

By using homotopy analysis method (HAM), we introduce an iterative method for solving linear systems. This method (HAM) can be used to accelerate the convergence of the basic iterative methods. We also show that by applying HAM to a divergent iterative scheme, it is possible to construct a convergent homotopy-series solution when the iteration matrix G of the iterative scheme has particular properties such as being symmetric, having real eigenvalues. Numerical experiments are given to show the efficiency of the new method.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Traditional Chinese Medicine Must Search Chinese Databases to Reduce Language Bias
Authors: Wu Xin-Yin , Tang Jin-Ling , Mao Chen , Yuan Jin-Qiu , Qin Ying , Chung Vincent C. H.
Published: October 2013

Systematic reviews (SRs) that fail to search non-English databases may miss relevant studies and cause selection bias. The bias may be particularly severe in SRs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as most randomized controlled trials (RCT) in TCM are published and accessible only in Chinese. In this study we investigated how often Chinese databases were not searched in SRs of TCM, how many trials were missed, and whether a bias may occur if Chinese databases were not searched. We searched 5 databases in English and 3 in Chinese for RCTs of Chinese herbal medicine for coronary artery disease and found that 96.64% (115/119) eligible studies could be identified only from Chinese databases. In a random sample of 80 Cochrane reviews on TCM, we found that Chinese databases were only searched in 43 or 53.75%, in which almost all the included studies were identified from Chinese databases. We also compared SRs of the same topic and found that they may draw a different conclusion if Chinese databases were not searched. In conclusion, an overwhelmingly high percentage of eligible trials on TCM could only be identified in Chinese databases. Reviewers in TCM are suggested to search Chinese databases to reduce potential selection bias.
Three-Dimensional Investigation of the Stokes Eigenmodes in Hollow Circular Cylinder
Authors: El Baroudi Adil , Razafimahery Fulgence
Published: October 2013

This paper studies the influence of boundary conditions on a fluid medium of finite depth. We determine the frequencies and the modal shapes of the fluid. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and viscous. A potential technique
is used to obtain in three-dimensional cylindrical coordinates a general solution for a problem. The method consists
in solving analytically partial differential equations obtained from the linearized Navier-Stokes equation. A finite
element analysis is also used to check the validity of the present method. The results from the proposed method
are in good agreement with numerical solutions. The effect of the fluid thickness on the Stokes eigenmodes is also
investigated. It is found that frequencies are strongly influenced.
Late and Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection: Main Barrier to Long Term Graft Survival
Authors: Sun Qiquan , Yang Yang
Published: October 2013

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an important cause of graft loss after organ transplantation. It is caused by anti-donor-specific antibodies especially anti-HLA antibodies. C4d had been regarded as a diagnosis marker for AMR. Although most early AMR episodes can be successfully controlled or reversed, late and chronic AMR remains the leading cause of late graft loss. The strategies which work in early AMR have limited effect on late/chronic episodes. Here, we reviewed the lines of evidence that late/chronic AMR is the leading cause of late graft loss, characteristics of late AMR, and current strategies in managing late/chronic AMR. More effort should be put on the management of late/chronic AMR to make a better long term graft survival.
Synchrotron-Radiation X-Ray Investigation of Li+/Na+Intercalation into Prussian Blue Analogues
Authors: Moritomo Yutaka , Takachi Masamitsu , Kurihara Yutaro , Matsuda Tomoyuki
Published: October 2013

Prussian blue analogies (PBAs) are promising cathode materials for lithium ion (LIB) and sodium ion (SIB) secondary batteries, reflecting their covalent and nanoporous host structure. With use of synchrotron-radiation (SR) X-ray source, we investigated the structural and electronic responses of the host framework of PBAs against Li+and Na+intercalation by means of the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The structural investigation reveals a robust nature of the host framework against Li+and Na+intercalation, which is advantageous for the stability and lifetime of the batteries. The spectroscopic investigation identifies the redox processes in respective plateaus in the discharge curves. We further compare these characteristics with those of the conventional cathode materials, such as, LiCoO2, LiFePO4, and LiMn2O4.
Generation of Prostate Tumor–Initiating Cells Is Associated with Elevation of Reactive Oxygen Species and IL-6/STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Qu Yi , Oyan Anne Margrete , Liu Runhui , Hua Yaping , Zhang Jigang , Hovland Randi , Popa Mihaela , Liu Xiaojun , Brokstad Karl A. , Simon Ronald , Molven Anders , Lin Biaoyang , Zhang Wei-dong , McCormack Emmet , Kalland Karl-Henning , Ke Xi-Song
Published: October 2013

How prostate cancer is initiated remains a topic of debate. In an effort to establish a human model of prostate carcinogenesis, we adapted premalignant human prostate EPT2-D5 cells to protein-free medium to generate numerous tight prostate spheres (D5HS) in monolayer culture. In contrast to EPT2-D5 cells, the newly generated D5HS efficiently formed large subcutaneous tumors and subsequent metastases in vivo, showing the tumorigenicity of D5HS spheres. A striking production of interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA and protein was found in D5HS cells. The essential roles of IL-6 and the downstream STAT3 signaling in D5HS tumor sphere formation were confirmed by neutralizing antibody, chemical inhibitors, and fluorescent pathway reporter. In addition, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced upon protein depletion was required for the activation of IL-6/STAT3 in D5HS. Importantly, a positive feedback loop was found between ROS and IL-6 during tumor sphere formation. The association of ROS/IL-6/STAT3 to the carcinogenesis of human prostate cells was further examined in xenograft tumors and verified by limiting dilution implantations. Collectively, we have for the first time established human prostate tumor–initiating cells based on physiologic adaption. The intrinsic association of ROS and IL-6/STAT3 signaling in human prostate carcinogenesis shed new light on this relationship and define therapeutic targets in this setting. Cancer Res; 73(23); 7090–100. ©2013 AACR.
APG350 Induces Superior Clustering of TRAIL Receptors and Shows Therapeutic Antitumor Efficacy Independent of Cross-Linking via Fcγ Receptors
Authors: Gieffers Christian , Kluge Michael , Merz Christian , Sykora Jaromir , Thiemann Meinolf , Schaal René , Fischer Carmen , Branschädel Marcus , Abhari Behnaz Ahangarian , Hohenberger Peter , Fulda Simone , Fricke Harald , Hill Oliver
Published: October 2013

Cancer cells can be specifically driven into apoptosis by activating Death-receptor-4 (DR4; TRAIL-R1) and/or Death-receptor-5 (DR5; TRAIL-R2). Albeit showing promising preclinical efficacy, first-generation protein therapeutics addressing this pathway, especially agonistic anti-DR4/DR5-monoclonal antibodies, have not been clinically successful to date. Due to their bivalent binding mode, effective apoptosis induction by agonistic TRAIL-R antibodies is achieved only upon additional events leading to antibody-multimer formation. The binding of these multimers to their target subsequently leads to effective receptor-clustering on cancer cells. The research results presented here report on a new class of TRAIL-receptor agonists overcoming this intrinsic limitation observed for antibodies in general. The main feature of these agonists is a TRAIL-mimic consisting of three TRAIL-protomer subsequences combined in one polypeptide chain, termed the single-chain TRAIL-receptor–binding domain (scTRAIL-RBD). In the active compounds, two scTRAIL-RBDs with three receptor binding sites each are brought molecularly in close proximity resulting in a fusion protein with a hexavalent binding mode. In the case of APG350—the prototype of this engineering concept—this is achieved by fusing the Fc-part of a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)-mutein C-terminally to the scTRAIL–RBD polypeptide, thereby creating six receptor binding sites per drug molecule. In vitro, APG350 is a potent inducer of apoptosis on human tumor cell lines and primary tumor cells. In vivo, treatment of mice bearing Colo205-xenograft tumors with APG350 showed a dose-dependent antitumor efficacy. By dedicated muteins, we confirmed that the observed in vivo efficacy of the hexavalent scTRAIL–RBD fusion proteins is—in contrast to agonistic antibodies—independent of FcγR-based cross-linking events. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(12); 2735–47. ©2013 AACR.
Severe Cutaneous and Neurologic Toxicity in Melanoma Patients during Vemurafenib Administration Following Anti-PD-1 Therapy
Authors: Johnson Douglas B. , Wallender Erika K. , Cohen Daniel N. , Likhari Sunaina S. , Zwerner Jeffrey P. , Powers Jennifer G. , Shinn Lisa , Kelley Mark C. , Joseph Richard W. , Sosman Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2013

Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as ipilimumab and targeted BRAF inhibitors have dramatically altered the landscape of melanoma therapeutics over the past few years. Agents targeting the programmed cell death-1/ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) axis are now being developed and seem to be highly active clinically with favorable toxicity profiles. We report on two patients with BRAF V600E–mutant melanoma who were treated with anti-PD-1 agents as first-line therapy without significant toxicity, followed by vemurafenib at disease progression. Both patients developed severe hypersensitivity drug eruptions with multiorgan injury early in their BRAF inhibitor treatment course. One patient subsequently developed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and the other developed anaphylaxis upon low-dose vemurafenib rechallenge. Further investigation of the immune response during combination or sequences of melanoma therapeutics is warranted. Furthermore, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for these toxicities when vemurafenib is administered following an anti-PD-1 agent. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(6); 373–7. ©2013 AACR.
Multi-Modal Treatment Of Calciphylaxis With Sodium-Thiosulfate, Cinacalcet And Sevelamer Including Long-Term Data
Authors: Salmhofer Hermann , Franzen Michael , Hitzl Wolfgang , Koller Josef , Kreymann Bernhard , Fend Falko , Hauser-Kronberger Cornelia , Heemann Uwe , Berr Frieder , Schmaderer Christoph
Published: October 2013

Background: Calciphylaxis is a rare, yet life-threatening disease mainly occurring in dialysis patients. Traditional options of treatment remain unsatisfactory. Methods: Here we present a novel, combined approach, treating calciphylaxis with IV sodium thiosulfate, cinacalcet and sevelamer. In a case series five hemodialysis patients, have been successfully treated with this regimen. Treatment and survival data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: In all patients, a rapid decrease in pain, improvement of general condition and wound healing within six months occurred. Side effects were low. Drug dosages: IV sodium thiosulfate initial dose 119.4 +/- 84.9 g/m2/week, maintenance dose 40.6 +/- 9 g/m2/week; cinacalcet: maintenance dose 36 +/- 32.9 mg/d and sevelamer maintenance dose 3320 +/-1671 mg/d. One and two year survivals were 100 % and 80 %, respectively. We also report on long-term application of IV sodium thiosulfate of up to 52 months. Patient survival after diagnosis was 52, 84, 21, 36 and 30 months, respectively. Survival since initiation of hemodialysis was 76, 136, 89, 36 and 35 months, respectively. Conclusion: This novel combined approach, a multi-modal treatment of calciphylaxis with persistent hyperparathyroidism, using IV sodium thiosulfate, cinacalcet and sevelamer seems to improve the outcome of this devastating disease.
Analysis of Health Behaviour Change Interventions for Preventing Dental Caries Delivered in Primary Schools
Authors: Adair P.M. , Burnside G. , Pine C.M.
Published: October 2013

To improve oral health in children, the key behaviours (tooth brushing and sugar control) responsible for development of dental caries need to be better understood, as well as how to promote these behaviours effectively so they become habitual; and, the specific, optimal techniques to use in interventions. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the behaviour change techniques that have been used in primary school-based interventions to prevent dental caries (utilizing a Cochrane systematic review that we have undertaken) and to identify opportunities for improving future interventions by incorporating a comprehensive range of behaviour change techniques. Papers of five interventions were reviewed and data were independently extracted. Results indicate that behaviour change techniques were limited to information-behaviour links, information on consequences, instruction and demonstration of behaviours. None of the interventions were based on behaviour change theory. We conclude that behaviour change techniques used in school interventions to reduce dental caries were limited and focused around providing information about how behaviour impacts on health and the consequences of not developing the correct health behaviours as well as providing oral hygiene instruction. Establishing which techniques are effective is difficult due to poor reporting of interventions in studies. Future design of oral health promotion interventions using behaviour change theory for development and evaluation (and reporting results in academic journals) could strengthen the potential for efficacy and provide a framework to use a much wider range of behaviour change techniques. Future studies should include development and publication of intervention manuals which is becoming standard practice in other health promoting programmes.
Family Relationships as an Explanatory Variable in Childhood Dental Caries: A Systematic Review of Measures
Authors: Duijster D. , O'Malley L. , Elison S. , Van Loveren C. , Marcenes W. , Adair P.M. , Pine C.M.
Published: October 2013

It is widely acknowledged that parental beliefs (self-efficacy) about oral health and parental oral health-related behaviours play a fundamental role in the establishment of preventative behaviours that will mitigate against the development of childhood dental caries. However, little attention has been given to the wider perspective of family functioning and family relationships on child oral health. For oral health researchers, exploration of this association requires the use of reliable, valid and appropriate assessment tools to measure family relationships. In order to promote methodologically sound research in oral health, this systematic review aims to provide a guide on self-report psychometric measures of family functioning that may be suitable to utilize when exploring childhood dental caries. This systematic review has identified 29 self-report measures of family functioning and evaluated them in terms of their psychometric support, constructs measured and potential utility for oral health research. The majority of the measures reported adequate levels of reliability and construct validity. Construct evaluation of the measures identified five core domains of family functioning, namely ‘communication', ‘cohesion/engagement', ‘control', ‘involvement' and ‘authoritative/rigid parenting style'. The constructs were subsequently evaluated with respect to their potential relevance to child oral health. Herewith this review provides a framework to guide future research to explore family functioning in furthering our understanding of the development of childhood dental caries.