bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PHOTODISINTEGRATION OF ALIGNED DEUTERONS AT ASTROPHYSICAL ENERGIES USING LINEARLY POLARIZED PHOTONS
Authors: SHILPASHREE S. P. , SIRSI SWARNAMALA , RAMACHANDRAN G.
Published: May 2013

Following the model independent approach to deuteron photodisintegration with linearly polarized γ-rays, we show that the measurements of the tensor analyzing powers on aligned deuterons along with the differential cross-section involve five different linear combinations of the isovector [Formula: see text]; j = 0, 1, 2 amplitudes interfering with the isoscalar M1s and E2s amplitudes. This is of current interest in view of the recent experimental finding [M. A. Blackston et al., Phys. Rev. C78 (2008) 034003] that the three [Formula: see text] amplitudes are distinct and also the reported experimental observation [B. D. Sawatzky, Ph.D. thesis, University of Virginia (2005)] on the front–back (polar angle) asymmetry in the differential cross-section.
A HEURISTIC CLUSTER-BASED EM ALGORITHM FOR THE PLANTED (l, d) PROBLEM
Authors: ZHANG YIPU , HUO HONGWEI , YU QIANG
Published: May 2013

The planted motif search problem arises from locating the transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) which are crucial for understanding the gene regulatory relationship. Many attempts in using expectation maximization for TFBSs discovery are successful in past. However, identifying highly degenerate motifs and reducing the effect of local optima are still an arduous task. To alleviate the vulnerability of EM to local optima trapping, we present a heuristic cluster-based EM algorithm, CEM, which refines the cluster subsets in EM method to explore the best local optimal solution. Based on experiments using both synthetic and real datasets, our algorithm demonstrates significant improvements in identifying the motif instances and performs better than current widely used algorithms. CEM is a novel planted motif finding algorithm, which is able to solve the challenging instances and easy to parallel since the process of solving each cluster subset is independent.
NEW CANDIDATES FOR A HERMITIAN APPROACH OF GRAVITY
Authors: ALDEA NICOLETA , MUNTEANU GHEORGHE
Published: May 2013

In this paper, some possible candidates for the study of gravity are proposed in terms of complex Finsler geometry. These mainly concern the complex Hermitian versions of weakly gravitational metric and Schwarzschild metric. For the weakly gravitational fields, we state few interesting geometrical and physical aspects such as the conditions under which a complex Finsler metrics are projectively related to the weakly gravitational metric. In the Kähler case, the geodesic curves of the weakly gravitational metric are obtained. Some applications concerning the deformations of the weakly gravitational Hermitian metric to a complex Randers metric are described. Another candidate for gravity is given by so-called Hermitian Schwarzschild metric for which some geodesic curves are highlighted. The last part of the paper is devoted to a generalization of the complex Klein–Gordon equations, in terms of Quantum field theory on a curved space.
HIGH FIDELITY VIRTUALIZATION OF CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: ZHANG YU , XIE FEI , DONG YUNWEI , YANG GANG , ZHOU XINGSHE
Published: May 2013

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) tightly integrate cyber and physical components and transcend discrete and continuous domains. It is greatly desired that the synergy between cyber and physical components of CPS is explored even before the complete system is put together. Virtualization has potential to play a significant role in exploring such synergy. In this paper, we propose a CPS virtualization approach based on the integration of virtual machine and physical component emulator. It enables real software, virtual hardware, and virtual physical components to execute in a holistic virtual execution environment. We have implemented this approach using QEMU as the virtual machine and Matlab/Simulink as the physical component emulator, respectively. To achieve high-fidelity between the real system and its virtualization, we have developed a strategy for synchronizing the virtual machine and the physical component emulator. To evaluate our approach, we have successfully applied it to real-world control systems. Experiments results have shown that our approach achieves high-fidelity in capturing dynamic behaviors of the entire system. This approach is promising in enabling early development of cyber components of CPS and early exploration of the synergy of cyber and physical components.
MODELING DRYING OF A COATED PAPER
Authors: KHANSARY MILAD ASGARPOUR , JOOGH FARZANEH KAZEMI QALEH , HOSSEINI ASHKAN , SAFARI JABER , ALLAHYARI EDRIS , ZADEH NAVID SHABAN , SANI AHMAD HALLAJI
Published: May 2013

Drying of a coated paper is modeled and simulated. The paper sheet is assumed to form three zones, and each zone has its own drying mechanism. Coupling of energy and mass balances must be used in order to solve differential equations. The simulations are carried out in various drying conditions i.e., only hot air drying, only radiant drying, and mixed hot air-radiant drying. Also the effect of one side and two side assumption on evaporation is studied. Effect of venting air speed and radiant heat source presence and its distance from the drying surface on the drying of a coated paper has been studied. It is found that both distance and venting air speed are inversely related to drying in mixed hot air-radiant drying. Both surfaces participate in evaporation however, during the last time of drying, no difference between the upper and the bottom surfaces exist.
THE GAP PROBABILITIES OF THE TACNODE, PEARCEY AND AIRY POINT PROCESSES, THEIR MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP AND EVALUATION
Authors: BERTOLA M. , CAFASSO M.
Published: May 2013

We express the gap probabilities of the tacnode process as the ratio of two Fredholm determinants; the denominator is the standard Tracy–Widom distribution, while the numerator is the Fredholm determinant of a very explicit kernel constructed with Airy functions and exponentials. The formula allows us to apply the theory of numerical evaluation of Fredholm determinants and thus produce numerical results for the gap probabilities. In particular we investigate numerically how, in different regimes, the Pearcey process degenerates to the Airy one, and the tacnode degenerates to the Pearcey and Airy ones.
POLYMERIZATION WITHIN CONFINED NANOCHANNELS OF POROUS METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS
Authors: HU ZHIGANG , ZHAO DAN
Published: May 2013

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been increasingly investigated as templates for precise control of polymerization. Polymerizations within confined nanochannels of porous MOFs have shown unique confinement and alignment effect on polymer chain structures and thus are promising ways to achieve well-defined polymers. Herein, this review will focus on illustrating the recent progress of polymerization within confined nanochannels of MOFs, including radical polymerization, coordination polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, catalytic polymerization, etc. It will demonstrate how the heterogeneous MOF structures (pore size, pore shapes, flexible structures, and versatile functional groups) affect the polymeric products' molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, tacticity, reaction sites, copolymer sequence, etc. Meanwhile, we will highlight some challenges and foreseeable prospects on these novel polymerization methods.
John Jeremiah Bigsby, MD: British Army physician and pioneer North American geologist
Authors: Wilson Leonard G.
Published: May 2013

In the years from 1817 to 1825 when Dr John Bigsby was stationed in Canada with the British Army, he studied the geology from the lower St Lawrence Valley to the centre of the continent. In sedimentary strata of the Great Lakes, he collected a wealth of fossils, many of unusual size. He described the mineralogy of the Canadian Shield, recognizing the igneous origin of the basalt precipices of the north shore of Lake Superior. In 1819 when the International Boundary Commission was surveying the western end of Lake Erie, the whole staff fell ill with malarial fevers and some died. Bigsby was appointed in 1820 as medical officer to the Commission. He accompanied the British survey team from 1820 to 1823 to provide medical care. In his leisure time he collected fossils from the shores of the Great Lakes. In 1823 Bigsby travelled by canoe with the surveyors completing the survey from Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods. During the journey he observed the great volcanic formations of that region. Bigsby returned to England in 1825, resigning from the British Army in 1830. He entered private medical practice but maintained a life-long interest in geology, particularly fossils.
Carbon, oxygen and strontium isotopes as a tool to decipher marine and non-marine environments: Implications from a case study of cyclic Upper Cretaceous sediments
Authors: Hofer Gerald , Wagreich Michael , Spötl Christoph
Published: May 2013

The interplay of Late Cretaceous basin subsidence and oscillations in sea level produced a mixed freshwater–marine succession within the Upper Cretaceous Gosau Group of the Northern Calcareous Alps. Cored sections from wells of the Glinzendorf and Gießhübl Syncline, as well as sediments from the outcrop area of Grünbach–Neue Welt and Slovakian equivalents have been investigated for their stable isotopic composition. Bulk carbonate δ
13
C and δ
18
O values of 116 fine-grained samples (shales, siltstones, marls) and
87
Sr/
86
Sr values of 10 samples from the borehole Markgrafneusiedl T1 were analysed in order to distinguish between non-marine and marine deposits and to compare and correlate isotope characteristics of the different Gosau synclines and basins.

Non-marine samples have significantly lower mean δ
13
C values compared to the mean of marine samples. The discrimination between a marine and non-marine group using δ
18
O is also highly significant statistically, even though the difference between the average non-marine and marine values is small. Strontium isotope values of marine intervals are near the range of values of normal Upper Cretaceous sea water but show a trend towards higher ratios in marginal marine and non-marine deposits. Although diagenesis and the detrital carbonate admixture partly influence the isotopic composition, the original environmental signal can still be reliably identified.
Does endoplasmic reticulum stress mediate endothelin-1-induced renal inflammation?
Authors: De Miguel Carmen , Pollock Jennifer S.
Published: May 2013

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide known. It exerts its actions through two pharmacologically different receptors: ETA and ETB receptors. In the renal vasculature, there is a majority of ETB receptors in the efferent arteriole, whereas a greater amount of ETA receptors are located in the afferent arteriole. The nephron is rich in ETB receptors, especially in the thick ascending limb and collecting ducts, while containing a smaller amount of ETA receptors. High levels of circulating or renal ET-1 have been described in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, diseases also associated to renal inflammation. Despite extensive evidence associating high levels of ET-1 to increased renal inflammation, the molecular mechanism(s) by which ET-1 leads to renal immune infiltration and/or immune activation remains unknown. In this minireview, we propose that the ET-1/ETA pathway mediates an increase in renal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, initially a survival mechanism that if prolonged, leads to the eventual death of the cell via apoptosis.
Inhibition of ROMK channels by low extracellular K+ and oxidative stress
Authors: Frindt Gustavo , Li Hui , Sackin Henry , Palmer Lawrence G.
Published: May 2013

We tested the hypothesis that low luminal K+ inhibits the activity of ROMK channels in the rat cortical collecting duct. Whole-cell voltage-clamp measurements of the component of outward K+ current inhibited by the bee toxin Tertiapin-Q ( ISK) showed that reducing the bath concentration ([K+]o) to 1 mM resulted in a decline of current over 2 min compared with that observed at 10 mM [K+]o. However, maintaining tubules in 1 mM [K+]o without establishing whole-cell clamp conditions did not affect ISK. The [K+]o-dependent decline was not prevented by increasing cytoplasmic-side pH or by inhibition of phosphatase activity. It was, however, abolished by the inclusion of 0.5 mM DTT in the pipette solution to prevent oxidation of the intracellular environment. Conversely, treatment of intact tubules with the oxidant H2O2 (100 μM) decreased ISK in a [K+]o-dependent manner. Treatment of the tubules with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 prevented the effect of low [K+]o, suggesting the involvement of this enzyme in the process. We examined these effects further using Xenopus oocytes expressing ROMK2 channels. A 50-min exposure to the permeant oxidizing agent tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP; 500 μM) did not affect outward K+ currents with [K+]o = 10 mM but reduced currents by 50% with [K+]o = 1 mM and by 75% with [K+]o = 0.1 mM. Pretreatment of the oocytes with U73122 prevented the effects of t-BHP. Under conditions of low dietary K intake, K+ secretion by distal nephron segments may be suppressed by a combination of low luminal [K+]o and oxidative stress.
ADAM17 mediates Nox4 expression and NADPH oxidase activity in the kidney cortex of OVE26 mice
Authors: Ford Bridget M. , Eid Assaad A. , Göőz Monika , Barnes Jeffrey L. , Gorin Yves C. , Abboud Hanna E.
Published: May 2013

Matrix protein accumulation is a prominent feature of diabetic nephropathy that contributes to renal fibrosis and decline in renal function. The pathogenic mechanisms of matrix accumulation are incompletely characterized. We investigated if the matrix metalloprotease a disintegrin and metalloprotease1 7 (ADAM17), known to cleave growth factors and cytokines, is activated in the kidney cortex of OVE26 type 1 diabetic mice and the potential mechanisms by which ADAM17 mediates extracellular matrix accumulation. Protein expression and activity of ADAM17 were increased in OVE26 kidney cortex. Using a pharmacological inhibitor to ADAM17, TMI-005, we determined that ADAM17 activation results in increased type IV collagen, Nox4, and NADPH oxidase activity in the kidney cortex of diabetic mice. In cultured mouse proximal tubular epithelial cells (MCTs), high glucose increases ADAM17 activity, Nox4 and fibronectin expression, cellular collagen content, and NADPH oxidase activity. These effects of glucose were inhibited when cells were pretreated with TMI-005 and/or transfected with small interfering ADAM17. Collectively, these data indicate a novel mechanism whereby hyperglycemia in diabetes increases extracellular matrix protein expression in the kidney cortex through activation of ADAM17 and enhanced oxidative stress through Nox enzyme activation. Additionally, our study is the first to provide evidence that Nox4 is downstream of ADAM17.
Acidosis-mediated regulation of the NHE1 isoform of the Na+/H+exchanger in renal cells
Authors: Odunewu Ayodeji , Fliegel Larry
Published: May 2013

The mammalian Na+/H+exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is a ubiquitous plasma membrane protein that regulates intracellular pH by removing a proton in exchange for extracellular sodium. Renal tissues are subject to metabolic and respiratory acidosis, and acidosis has been shown to acutely activate NHE1 activity in other cell types. We examined if NHE1 is activated by acute acidosis in HEK293 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Acute sustained intracellular acidosis (SIA) activated NHE1 in both cell types. We expressed wild-type and mutant NHE1 cDNAs in MDCK cells. All the cDNAs had a L163F/G174S mutation, which conferred a 100-fold resistance to EMD87580, an NHE1-specific inhibitor. We assayed exogenous NHE1 activity while inhibiting endogenous activity with EMD87580 and while inhibiting the NHE3 isoform of the Na+/H+exchanger using the isoform-specific inhibitor S3226. We examined the activation and phosphorylation of the wild-type and mutant NHE1 proteins in response to SIA. In MDCK cells we demonstrated that the amino acids Ser771, Ser776, Thr779, and Ser785are important for NHE1 phosphorylation and activation after acute SIA. SIA activated ERK-dependent pathways in MDCK cells, and this was blocked by treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126. Treatment with U0126 also blocked activation of NHE1 by SIA. These results suggest that acute acidosis activates NHE1 in mammalian kidney cells and that in MDCK cells this activation occurs through an ERK-dependent pathway affecting phosphorylation of a distinct set of amino acids in the cytosolic regulatory tail of NHE1.
Parkinsonism-related features of neuronal discharge in primates
Authors: Sanders Teresa H. , Clements Mark A. , Wichmann Thomas
Published: May 2013

Parkinson's disease is known to be associated with abnormal electrical spiking activities of basal ganglia neurons, including changes in firing rate, bursting activities and oscillatory firing patterns and changes in entropy. We explored the relative importance of these measures through optimal feature selection and discrimination analysis methods. We identified key characteristics of basal ganglia activity that predicted whether the neurons were recorded in the normal or parkinsonian state. Starting with 29 features extracted from the spike timing of neurons recorded in normal and parkinsonian monkeys in the internal or external segment of the globus pallidus or the subthalamic nucleus (STN), we used a method that incorporates a support vector machine algorithm to find feature combinations that optimally discriminate between the normal and parkinsonian states. Our results demonstrate that the discrimination power of combinations of specific features is higher than that of single features, or of all features combined, and that the most discriminative feature sets differ substantially between basal ganglia structures. Each nucleus or class of neurons in the basal ganglia may react differently to the parkinsonian condition, and the features used to describe this state should be adapted to the neuron type under study. The feature that was overall most predictive of the parkinsonian state in our data set was a high STN intraburst frequency. Interestingly, this feature was not correlated with parameters describing oscillatory firing properties in recordings made in the normal condition but was significantly correlated with spectral power in specific frequency bands in recordings from the parkinsonian state (specifically with power in the 8–13 Hz band).
Modulation of chest wall intermuscular coherence: effects of lung volume excursion and transcranial direct current stimulation
Authors: Tomczak Corey R. , Greidanus Krista R. , Boliek Carol A.
Published: May 2013

Chest wall muscle recruitment varies as a function of the breathing task performed. However, the cortical control of the chest wall muscles during different breathing tasks is not known. We studied chest wall intermuscular coherence during various task-related lung volume excursions in 10 healthy adults (34 ± 15 yr; 2 men, 8 women) and determined if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could modulate chest wall intermuscular coherence during these tasks. Simultaneous assessment of regional intercostal and oblique electromyographic activity was measured while participants performed standardized tidal breathing, speech, maximum phonation, and vital capacity tasks. Lung volume and chest wall kinematics were determined using variable inductance plethysmography. We found that chest wall area of intermuscular coherence was greater during tidal and speech breathing compared with phonation and vital capacity (all P < 0.05) and between tidal breathing compared with speech breathing ( P < 0.05). Anodal tDCS increased chest wall area of intermuscular coherence from 0.04 ± 0.09 prestimulation to 0.18 ± 0.19 poststimulation for vital capacity ( P < 0.05). Sham tDCS and cathodal tDCS had no effect on coherence during lung volume excursions. Chest wall kinematics were not affected by tDCS. Our findings indicate that lung volume excursions about the midrange of vital capacity elicit a greater area of chest wall intermuscular coherence compared with lung volume excursions spanning the entire range of vital capacity in healthy adults. Our findings also demonstrate that brief tDCS may modulate the cortical control of the chest wall muscles in a stimulation- and lung volume excursion task-dependent manner but does not affect chest wall kinematics in healthy adults.
Genetic architecture of Wistar-Kyoto rat and spontaneously hypertensive rat substrains from different sources
Authors: Zhang-James Yanli , Middleton Frank A. , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: May 2013

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has been widely used as a model for studies of hypertension and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The inbred Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat, derived from the same ancestral outbred Wistar rat as the SHR, are normotensive and have been used as the closest genetic control for the SHR, although the WKY has also been used as a model for depression. Notably, however, substantial behavioral and genetic differences among the WKY substrains, usually from the different vendors and breeders, have been observed. These differences have often been overlooked in prior studies, leading to inconsistent and even contradictory findings. The complicated breeding history of the SHR and WKY rats and the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the genetic background of different commercial substrains make the selection of control rats a daunting task, even for researchers who are mindful of their genetic heterogeneity. In this study, we examined the genetic relationship of 16 commonly used WKY and SHR rat substrains using genome-wide SNP genotyping data. Our results confirmed a large genetic divergence and complex relationships among the SHR and WKY substrains. This understanding, although incomplete without the genome sequence, provides useful guidance in selecting substrains and helps to interpret previous reports when the source of the animals was known. Moreover, we found two closely related, yet distinct WKY substrains that may provide novel opportunities in modeling psychiatric disorders.
Cinnamic Acid Is Partially Involved in Propolis Immunomodulatory Action on Human Monocytes
Authors: Conti Bruno José , Búfalo Michelle Cristiane , Golim Marjorie de Assis , Bankova Vassya , Sforcin José Maurício
Published: May 2013

Propolis is a beehive product used in traditional medicine due to its biological properties. It shows a complex chemical composition including phenolics, such as cinnamic acid (Ci). The mechanisms of action of propolis have been the subject of research recently; however, the involvement of Ci on propolis activity was not investigated on immune cells. Ci effects were evaluated on human monocytes, assessing the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), HLA-DR, and CD80. Cytokine production (TNF-αand IL-10) and the fungicidal activity of monocytes were evaluated as well. Data showed that Ci downregulated TLR-2, HLA-DR, and CD80 and upregulated TLR-4 expression by human monocytes. High concentrations of Ci inhibited both TNF-αand IL-10 production, whereas the same concentrations induced a higher fungicidal activity againstCandida albicans. TNF-αand IL-10 production was decreased by blocking TLR-4, while the fungicidal activity of monocytes was not affected by blocking TLRs. These results suggest that Ci modulated antigen receptors, cytokine production, and the fungicidal activity of human monocytes depending on concentration, and TLR-4 may be involved in its mechanism of action. Ci seemed to be partially involved in propolis activities.
Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Comorbid Frontotemporal Dementia with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Paul Sean , Goetz Jennifer , Bennett Jeffrey , Korah Tessy
Published: May 2013

Challenges encountered in the diagnosis and treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are further confounded when presented with comorbid psychiatric disorder. Here we report a case of progressive FTD in a patient with a long history of bipolar affective disorder (BAD) 1, depressed type. We also report beneficial effects of electroconvulsive therapy and its potential application in similar comorbid disorders.
Recent Progress on Submersions: A Survey and New Properties
Authors: Picavet Gabriel
Published: May 2013

This paper is a survey about recent progress on submersive morphisms of schemes combined with new results that we prove. They concern the class of quasicompact universally subtrusive morphisms that we introduced about 30 years ago. They are revisited in a recent paper by Rydh, with substantial complements and key results. We use them to show Artin-Tate-like results about the 14th problem of Hilbert, for a base scheme either Noetherian or the spectrum of a valuation domain. We look at faithfully flat morphisms and get “almost” Artin-Tate-like results by considering the Goldman (finite type) points of a scheme. Bjorn Poonen recently proved that universally closed morphisms are quasicompact. By introducing incomparable morphisms of schemes, we are able to characterize universally closed surjective morphisms that are either integral or finite. Next we consider pure morphisms of schemes introduced by Mesablishvili. In the quasicompact case, they are universally schematically dominant morphisms. This leads us to a characterization of universally subtrusive morphisms by purity. Some results on the schematically dominant property are given. The paper ends with properties of monomorphisms and topological immersions, a dual notion of submersions.
Mitomycin-C-Induced TTP/HUS Treated Successfully with Rituximab: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Shah Gunjan , Yamin Hanah , Smith Hedy
Published: May 2013

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, fever, renal failure, and neurologic symptoms comprise the cardinal features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Etiologies can include medications, infections, cancers, or transplantation. We present a patient with a history of rectal cancer treated with mitomycin-C who developed MAHA, acute kidney injury, and thrombocytopenia 6 months after completing therapy and to did not respond the plasmapheresis or steroids. She was treated with four weekly doses of rituximab with full recovery.
Photoperiod-Dependent Effects of 4-tert-Octylphenol on Adherens and Gap Junction Proteins in Bank Vole Seminiferous Tubules
Authors: Hejmej Anna , Kotula-Balak Malgorzata , Chojnacka Katarzyna , Kuras Paulina , Lydka-Zarzycka Marta , Bilinska Barbara
Published: May 2013

In the present study we evaluatedin vivoandin vitroeffects of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) on the expression and distribution of adherens and gap junction proteins, N-cadherin,β-catenin, and connexin 43 (Cx43), in testes of seasonally breeding rodents, bank voles. We found that in bank vole testes expression and distribution of N-cadherin,β-catenin, and Cx43 were photoperiod dependent. Long-term treatment with OP (200 mg/kg b.w.) resulted in the reduction of junction proteins expressions (P<0.05,P<0.01) and their delocalization in the testes of males kept in long photoperiod, whereas in short-day animals slight increase of Cx43 (P<0.05), N-cadherin, andβ-catenin (statistically nonsignificant) levels was observed. Effects of OP appeared to be independent of FSH and were maintained duringin vitroorgan culture, indicating that OP acts directly on adherens and gap junction proteins in the testes. An experiment performed using an antiestrogen ICI 182,780 demonstrated that the biological effects of OP onβ-catenin and Cx43 involve an estrogen receptor-mediated response. Taken together, in bank vole organization of adherens and gap junctions and their susceptibility to OP are related to the length of photoperiod. Alterations in cadherin/catenin and Cx43-based junction may partially result from activation of estrogen receptorαand/orβsignaling pathway.
Prediction of Banking Systemic Risk Based on Support Vector Machine
Authors: Li Shouwei , Wang Mingliang , He Jianmin
Published: May 2013

Banking systemic risk is a complex nonlinear phenomenon and has shed light on the importance of safeguarding financial stability by recent financial crisis. According to the complex nonlinear characteristics of banking systemic risk, in this paper we apply support vector machine (SVM) to the prediction of banking systemic risk in an attempt to suggest a new model with better explanatory power and stability. We conduct a case study of an SVM-based prediction model for Chinese banking systemic risk and find the experiment results showing that support vector machine is an efficient method in such case.
Characterization of Triphenylamino‐Based Polymethine Dyes
Authors: Ullah Saleem , Ahmad Irshad , Alias Yatimah , Yusoff Ismail , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel
Published: May 2013

In this high‐technology application, age functional dyes especially polymethine dyes have captured much attention of the researchers due to their immense potential for high‐tech uses. Polymethine dyes show promising absorption spectra in the visible range, which can be easily exploited for the use of written text copying, photographic imaging, or photothermographic recording materials. Keeping this in mind, our research is composed of an investigation of two triphenylamino‐based polymethine dyes, a known polymethine dye 3 and a new one polymethine dye 5, which have been synthesized by the reaction of 4‐(diphenylamino) benzaldehyde 2 and 4,4′‐(phenylazanediyl) dibenzaldehyde 4 with 4,4′‐vinylidene‐bis(N, N‐dimethylaniline) 1. Based on bis‐dimethylaminophenylethylene moiety, the new polymethine dye showed more high absorption spectra in the range of 600–700 nm than that of the known polymethine dye based on bis‐dimethylaminophenylethylene moiety. Their maximum spectra were exhibited at 637 nm and 653 nm, respectively. Their leuco‐converted reversible colored forms were also investigated.
Electronic Properties ofTiO2Nanoparticles Films and the Effect on Apatite-Forming Ability
Authors: Löberg Johanna , Perez Holmberg Jenny , Mattisson Ingela , Arvidsson Anna , Ahlberg Elisabet
Published: May 2013

Nanoparticle-covered electrodes have altered properties as compared to conventional electrodes with same chemical composition. The changes originate from the large surface area and enhanced conduction. To test the mineralization capacity of such materials, TiO2nanoparticles were deposited on titanium and gold substrates. The electrochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy while the mineralization was tested by immersion in simulated body fluid. Two types of nucleation and growth behaviours were observed. For smooth nanoparticle surfaces, the initial nucleation is fast with the formation of few small nuclei of hydroxyapatite. With time, an amorphous 2D film develops with a Ca/P ratio close to 1.5. For the rougher surfaces, the nucleation is delayed but once it starts, thick layers are formed. Also the electronic properties of the oxides were shown to be important. Both density of states (DOS) in the bandgap of TiO2and the active area were determined. The maximum in DOS was found to correlate with the donor density (Nd) and the active surface area. The results clearly show that a rough surface with high conductivity is beneficial for formation of thick apatite layers, while the nanoparticle covered electrodes show early nucleation but limited apatite formation.
Association of Blood Cadmium Level with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Liver Enzymes in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents: The CASPIAN-III Study
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Askarieh Ahmadreza , Motlagh Mohammaad Esmaeil , Tajadini Mohammadhasan , Heshmat Ramin , Ardalan Gelayol , Fallahi Sepideh , Poursafa Parinaz
Published: May 2013

Introduction. This study aimed to determine the association of blood cadmium level with cardiometabolic risk factors and liver enzymes in adolescents.Methods. This case control study comprised 320 Iranian adolescents, 160 with metabolic syndrome and an equal number of controls. They were selected from participants of a nationwide survey entitled the CASPIAN-III study. Cadmium was measured by atomic absorption method.Results. The mean age of the case and control groups was not significantly different (15.3±2.6versus14.63±2.5years, resp.,P>0.05). The mean cadmium level was near double-fold higher than the standards of the World Health Organization, without significant difference between the MetS and control groups (10.09±2.21,9.97±2.38 μg/L, resp.,P>0.05). Cadmium level had positive but nonsignificant correlations with diastolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, LDL-C, and liver enzymes.Conclusion. Cadmium level had positive but nonsignificant association with some cardiometabolic risk factors and liver enzymes. The associations did not reach statistical significant level, and this may be because of the high levels of cadmium in both groups studied or because of the young age group of participants. Controlling environmental pollutants shall be a priority for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Ant-Related Oviposition and Larval Performance in a Myrmecophilous Lycaenid
Authors: Trager Matthew D. , Thom Matthew D. , Daniels Jaret C.
Published: May 2013

We experimentally assessed ant-related oviposition and larval performance in the Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). Ant tending had sex-dependent effects on most measures of larval growth: female larvae generally benefitted from increased tending frequency whereas male larvae were usually unaffected. The larger size of female larvae tended by ants resulted in a substantial predicted increase in lifetime egg production. Oviposition by adult females that were tended byC. floridanusants as larvae was similar between host plants with or without ants. However, they laid relatively more eggs on plants with ants than did females raised without ants, which laid less than a third of their eggs on plants with ants present. In summary, we found conditional benefits for larvae tended by ants that were not accompanied by oviposition preference for plants with ants present, which is a reasonable result for a system in which ant presence at the time of oviposition is not a reliable indicator of future ant presence. More broadly, our results emphasize the importance of considering the consequences of variation in interspecific interactions, life history traits, and multiple measures of performance when evaluating the costs and benefits of mutualistic relationships.
HMGB1: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gnanasekar Munirathinam , Kalyanasundaram Ramaswamy , Zheng Guoxing , Chen Aoshuang , Bosland Maarten C. , Kajdacsy-Balla André
Published: May 2013

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was originally discovered as a chromatin-binding protein several decades ago. It is now increasingly evident that HMGB1 plays a major role in several disease conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, sepsis, and cancer. It is intriguing how deregulation of HMGB1 can result in a myriad of disease conditions. Interestingly, HMGB1 is involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis during cancer progression. Furthermore, HMGB1 has been demonstrated to exert intracellular and extracellular functions, activating key oncogenic signaling pathways. This paper focuses on the role of HMGB1 in prostate cancer development and highlights the potential of HMGB1 to serve as a key target for prostate cancer treatment.
Liposomal Encapsulated Rhodomyrtone: A Novel Antiacne Drug
Authors: Chorachoo Julalak , Amnuaikit Thanaporn , Voravuthikunchai Supayang P.
Published: May 2013

Rhodomyrtone isolated from the leaves ofRhodomyrtus tomentosapossesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities. Since rhodomyrtone is insoluble in water, it is rather difficult to get to the target sites in human body. Liposome exhibited ability to entrap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds and easily penetrate to the target site. The present study aimed to develop a novel liposomal encapsulated rhodomyrtone formulations. In addition, characterization of liposome, stability profiles, and their antiacne activity were performed. Three different formulations of total lipid concentrations 60, 80, and 100 μmol/mL were used. Formulation with 60 μmol/mL total lipid (phosphatidylcholine from soybean and cholesterol from lanolin in 4 : 1, w/w) exhibited the highest rhodomyrtone encapsulation efficacy (65.47 ± 1.7%), average particle size (209.56 ± 4.8 nm), andζ-potential (–41.19 ± 1.3 mV). All formulations demonstrated good stability when stored for 2 months in dark at 4°C as well as room temperature. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration values of liposomal formulation against 11 clinical bacterial isolates and reference strains ranged from 1 to 4 and from 4 to 64 μg/mL, respectively, while those of rhodomyrtone were 0.25–1 and 0.5–2 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MBC values of liposome formulation were more effective than topical drugs againstStaphylococcus aureusandStaphylococcus epidermidis.
Mix and Inject: Reaction Initiation by Diffusion for Time-Resolved Macromolecular Crystallography
Authors: Schmidt Marius
Published: May 2013

Time-resolved macromolecular crystallography unifies structure determination with chemical kinetics, since the structures of transient states and chemical and kinetic mechanisms can be determined simultaneously from the same data. To start a reaction in an enzyme, typically, an initially inactive substrate present in the crystal is activated. This has particular disadvantages that are circumvented when active substrate is directly provided by diffusion. However, then it is prohibitive to use macroscopic crystals because diffusion times become too long. With small micro- and nanocrystals diffusion times are adequately short for most enzymes and the reaction can be swiftly initiated. We demonstrate here that a time-resolved crystallographic experiment becomes feasible by mixing substrate with enzyme nanocrystals which are subsequently injected into the X-ray beam of a pulsed X-ray source.
Encoding into Visual Working Memory: Event-Related Brain Potentials Reflect Automatic Processing of Seemingly Redundant Information
Authors: Berti Stefan , Roeber Urte
Published: May 2013

Encoding and maintenance of information in visual working memory in an S1-S2 task with a 1500 ms retention phase were investigated by means of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Participants were asked to decide whether two visual stimuli were physically identical (identity comparison (IC) task) or belonged to the same set or category of equivalent patterns (category comparison (CC) task). The stimuli differ with regard to two features. (1) Each pattern can belong to a set of either four (ESS 4) or eight (ESS 8) equivalent patterns, mirroring differences in the complexity with regard to the representational structure of each pattern (i.e., equivalence set size (ESS)). (2) The set of patterns differ with regard to the rated complexity. Memory performance obtained the effects of the task instructions (IC versus CC) and the ESS (ESS 4 versus ESS 8) but not of the rated complexity. ERPs in the retention interval reveal that the stimulus-related factors (subjective complexity and ESS) affect the encoding of the stimuli as mirrored by the pronounced P3b amplitude in ESS 8 compared to ESS 4 patterns. Importantly, these effects are independent of task instructions. The pattern of results suggests an automatic processing of the ESS in the encoding phase.
A Rough Set Approach of Mechanical Fault Diagnosis for Five-Plunger Pump
Authors: Wang Jiangping
Published: May 2013

Five-plunger pumps are widely used in oil field to recover petroleum due to their reliability and relatively low cost. Petroleum production is, to a great extent, dependent upon the running condition of the pumps. Closely monitoring the condition of the pumps and carrying out timely system diagnosis whenever a fault symptom is detected would help to reduce the production downtime and improve overall productivity. In this paper, a rough set approach of mechanical fault diagnosis is proposed to identify the five-plunger pump faults. The details of the approach, together with the basic concepts of the rough sets theory, are presented. The rough classifier is a set of decision rules derived from lower and upper approximations of decision classes. The definitions of these approximations are based on the indiscernibility relation in the set of objects. The spectrum features of vibration signals are abstracted as the attributes of the learning samples. The minimum decision rule set is used to classify technical states of the considered object. The diagnostic investigation is done on data from a five-plunger pump in outdoor conditions on a real industrial object. Results show that the approach can effectively identify the different operating states of the pump.
The Role of Mitochondria from Mature Oocyte to Viable Blastocyst
Authors: Chappel Scott
Published: May 2013

The oocyte requires a vast supply of energy after fertilization to support critical events such as spindle formation, chromatid separation, and cell division. Until blastocyst implantation, the developing zygote is dependent on the existing pool of mitochondria. That pool size within each cell decreases with each cell division. Mitochondria obtained from oocytes of women of advanced reproductive age harbor DNA deletions and nucleotide variations that impair function. The combination of lower number and increased frequency of mutations and deletions may result in inadequate mitochondrial activity necessary for continued embryo development and cause pregnancy failure. Previous reports suggested that mitochondrial activity within oocytes may be supplemented by donor cytoplasmic transfer at the time of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Those reports showed success; however, safety concerns arose due to the potential of two distinct populations of mitochondrial genomes in the offspring. Mitochondrial augmentation of oocytes is now reconsidered in light of our current understanding of mitochondrial function and the publication of a number of animal studies. With a better understanding of the role of this organelle in oocytes immediately after fertilization, blastocyst and offspring, mitochondrial augmentation may be reconsidered as a method to improve oocyte quality.
Understanding Central Mechanisms of Acupuncture Analgesia Using Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing: A Review
Authors: Kong Jiang-Ti , Schnyer Rosa N. , Johnson Kevin A. , Mackey Sean
Published: May 2013

We discuss the emerging translational tools for the study of acupuncture analgesia with a focus on psychophysical methods. The gap between animal mechanistic studies and human clinical trials of acupuncture analgesia calls for effective translational tools that bridge neurophysiological data with meaningful clinical outcomes. Temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) are two promising tools yet to be widely utilized. These psychophysical measures capture the state of the ascending facilitation and the descending inhibition of nociceptive transmission, respectively. We review the basic concepts and current methodologies underlying these measures in clinical pain research, and illustrate their application to research on acupuncture analgesia. Finally, we highlight the strengths and limitations of these research methods and make recommendations on future directions. The appropriate addition of TS and CPM to our current research armamentarium will facilitate our efforts to elucidate the central analgesic mechanisms of acupuncture in clinical populations.
Atherosclerosis, Dyslipidemia, and Inflammation: The Significant Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Dessì Mariarita , Noce Annalisa , Bertucci Pierfrancesco , Manca di Villahermosa Simone , Zenobi Rossella , Castagnola Veronica , Addessi Eliana , Di Daniele Nicola
Published: May 2013

Phospholipids play an essential role in cell membrane structure and function. The length and number of double bonds of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids are main determinants of fluidity, transport systems, activity of membrane-bound enzymes, and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. The fatty acid profile of serum lipids, especially the phospholipids, reflects the fatty acid composition of cell membranes. Moreover, long-chain n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids decrease very-low-density lipoprotein assembly and secretion reducing triacylglycerol production. N-6 and n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids are the precursors of signalling molecules, termed “eicosanoids,” which play an important role in the regulation of inflammation. Eicosanoids derived from n-6 polyunsatured fatty acids have proinflammatory actions, while eicosanoids derived from n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids have anti-inflammatory ones. Previous studies showed that inflammation contributes to both the onset and progression of atherosclerosis: actually, atherosclerosis is predominantly a chronic low-grade inflammatory disease of the vessel wall. Several studies suggested the relationship between long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation, showing that fatty acids may decrease endothelial activation and affect eicosanoid metabolism.
Enhanced Symplectic Synchronization between Two Different Complex Chaotic Systems with Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Yang Cheng-Hsiung
Published: May 2013

An enhanced symplectic synchronization of complex chaotic systems with uncertain parameters is studied. The traditional chaos synchronizations are special cases of the enhanced symplectic synchronization. A sufficient condition is given for the asymptotical stability of the null solution of error dynamics. The enhanced symplectic synchronization may be applied to the design of secure communication. Finally, numerical simulations results are performed to verify and illustrate the analytical results.
S‐Adenosyl‐L‐Methionine Augmentation in Patients with Stage II Treatment‐Resistant Major Depressive Disorder: An Open Label, Fixed Dose, Single‐Blind Study
Authors: De Berardis Domenico , Marini Stefano , Serroni Nicola , Rapini Gabriella , Iasevoli Felice , Valchera Alessandro , Signorelli Maria , Aguglia Eugenio , Perna Giampaolo , Salone Anatolia , Di Iorio Giuseppe , Martinotti Giovanni , Di Giannantonio Massimo
Published: May 2013

We investigated the efficacy of S‐Adenosyl‐L‐Methionine (SAMe) augmentation in patients with treatment‐resistant depressive disorder (TRD). Thirty‐three outpatients with major depressive episode who failed to respond to at least 8 weeks of treatment with two adequate and stable doses of antidepressants were treated openly with fixed dose of SAMe (800 mg) for 8 weeks, added to existing medication. The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline in total score on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D). The Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI‐I) was rated at the endpoint. Patients with a reduction of 50% or more on HAM‐D total score and a CGI‐I score of 1 or 2 at endpoint were considered responders; remission was defined as a HAM‐D score ≤7. Secondary outcome measures included the Snaith‐Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). At 8 weeks, a significant decrease in HAM‐D score was observed with response achieved by 60% of the patients and remission by 36%. Also a statistically significant reduction in SHAPS and SDS was observed. Our findings indicate that SAMe augmentation may be effective and well tolerated in stage II TRD. However, limitations of the present study must be considered and further placebo‐controlled trials are needed.