bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation of a third lipoamide dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Burns G , Sykes P J , Hatter K , Sokatch J R
Published: December 2016

Pseudomonads are the only organisms so far known to produce two lipoamide dehydrogenases (LPDs), LPD-Val and LPD-Glc. LPD-Val is the specific E3 component of branched-chain oxoacid dehydrogenase, and LPD-Glc is the E3 component of 2-ketoglutarate and possibly pyruvate dehydrogenases and the L-factor of the glycine oxidation system. Three mutants of Pseudomonas putida, JS348, JS350, and JS351, affected in lpdG, the gene encoding LPD-Glc, have been isolated; all lacked 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, but two, JS348 and JS351, had normal pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. The pyruvate and 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases of the wild-type strain of P. putida were both inhibited by anti-LPD-Glc, but the pyruvate dehydrogenase of the lpdG mutants was not inhibited, suggesting that the mutant pyruvate dehydrogenase E3 component was different from that of the wild type. The lipoamide dehydrogenase present in one of the lpdG mutants, JS348, was isolated and characterized. This lipoamide dehydrogenase, provisionally named LPD-3, differed in molecular weight, amino acid composition, and N-terminal amino acid sequence from LPD-Glc and LPD-Val. LPD-3 was clearly a lipoamide dehydrogenase as opposed to a mercuric reductase or glutathione reductase. LPD-3 was about 60% as effective as LPD-Glc in restoring 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity and completely restored pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in JS350. These results suggest that LPD-3 is a lipoamide dehydrogenase associated with an unknown multienzyme complex which can replace LPD-Glc as the E3 component of pyruvate and 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases in lpdG mutants.
Nostoc commune UTEX 584 gene expressing indole phosphate hydrolase activity in Escherichia coli
Authors: Xie W Q , Whitton B A , Simon J W , Jäger K , Reed D , Potts M
Published: December 2016

A gene encoding an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing indole phosphate was isolated from a recombinant gene library of Nostoc commune UTEX 584 DNA in lambda gt10. The gene (designated iph) is located on a 2.9-kilobase EcoRI restriction fragment and is present in a single copy in the genome of N. commune UTEX 584. The iph gene was expressed when the purified 2.9-kilobase DNA fragment, free of any vector sequences, was added to a cell-free coupled transcription-translation system. A polypeptide with an Mr of 74,000 was synthesized when the iph gene or different iph-vector DNA templates were expressed in vitro. When carried by different multicopy plasmids and phagemids (pMP005, pBH6, pB8) the cyanobacterial iph gene conferred an Iph+ phenotype upon various strains of Escherichia coli, including a phoA mutant. Hydrolysis of 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate was detected in recombinant E. coli strains grown in phosphate-rich medium, and the activity persisted in assay buffers that contained phosphate. In contrast, indole phosphate hydrolase activity only developed in cells of N. commune UTEX 584, when they were partially depleted of phosphorus, and the activity associated with these cells was suppressed partially by the addition of phosphate to assay buffers. Indole phosphate hydrolase activity was detected in periplasmic extracts from E. coli (Iph+) transformants.
Iron regulation of swarmer cell differentiation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: McCarter L , Silverman M
Published: December 2016

Vibrio parahaemolyticus has two distinct cell types, the swimmer cell and the swarmer cell, adapted for locomotion in different circumstances. The swimmer cell, produced when the bacterium is grown in liquid media, is a short rod with a single sheathed polar flagellum. The swarmer cell, produced when V. parahaemolyticus is grown on solidified media, is greatly elongated and synthesizes, in addition to the polar flagellum, numerous unsheathed lateral flagella which are responsible for translocation over surfaces. We are interested in understanding how this bacterium differentiates in response to contact with surfaces and have determined in earlier work that the polar flagellum acts as a tactile sensor which controls transcription of genes (laf) encoding the swarmer cell phenotype. Surface recognition involves sensing of forces that obstruct movement of the polar flagellum. In this report we show that a second signal, iron limitation, is also required for swarmer cell differentiation. Production of lateral flagella occurred only when polar flagellar function was perturbed and iron-limiting growth conditions were imposed. The same conditions were required to induce light production in strains of V. parahaemolyticus in which a laf gene was transcriptionally fused to the lux operon encoding the enzymes for bioluminescence. The lafA gene encoding the lateral flagellin subunit was cloned and used in Northern (RNA) blot measurements. Examination of mRNA levels revealed that transcription of lafA is dependent on growth in iron-depleted media. The control of differentiation by multiple environmental stimuli is discussed.
A Bacillus cereus cytolytic determinant, cereolysin AB, which comprises the phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase genes: nucleotide sequence and genetic linkage
Authors: Gilmore M S , Cruz-Rodz A L , Leimeister-Wächter M , Kreft J , Goebel W
Published: December 2016

A cloned cytolytic determinant from the genome of Bacillus cereus GP-4 has been characterized at the molecular level. Nucleotide sequence determination revealed the presence of two open reading frames. Both open reading frames were found by deletion and complementation analysis to be necessary for expression of the hemolytic phenotype by Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli hosts. The 5' open reading frame was found to be nearly identical to a recently reported phospholipase C gene derived from a mutant B. cereus strain which overexpresses the respective protein, and it conferred a lecithinase-positive phenotype to the B. subtilis host. The 3' open reading frame encoded a sphingomyelinase. The two tandemly encoded activities, phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase, constitute a biologically functional cytolytic determinant of B. cereus termed cereolysin AB.
Cloning, characterization, and expression in Escherichia coli of the Streptomyces clavuligerus gene encoding deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase
Authors: Kovacevic S , Weigel B J , Tobin M B , Ingolia T D , Miller J R
Published: December 2016

Biosynthesis of cephalosporin antibiotics involves an expansion of the five-membered thiazolidine ring of penicillin N to the six-membered dihydrothiazine ring of deacetoxycephalosporin C by a deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase (DAOCS) enzyme activity. Hydroxylation of deacetoxycephalosporin C to form deacetylcephalosporin C by a deacetylcephalosporin C synthetase (DACS) activity is the next step in biosynthesis of cephalosporins. In Cephalosporium acremonium, both of these catalytic activities are exhibited by a bifunctional enzyme, DAOCS-DACS, encoded by a single gene, cefEF. In Streptomyces clavuligerus, separable enzymes, DAOCS (expandase) and DACS (hydroxylase), catalyze these respective reactions. We have cloned, sequenced, and expressed in E. coli an S. clavuligerus gene, designated cefE, which encodes DAOCS but not DACS. The deduced amino acid sequence of DAOCS from S. clavuligerus (calculated Mr of 34,519) shows marked similarity (approximately 57%) to the deduced sequence of DAOCS-DACS from C. acremonium; however, the latter sequence is longer by 21 amino acid residues.
Nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli isochorismate synthetase gene entC and evolutionary relationship of isochorismate synthetase and other chorismate-utilizing enzymes
Authors: Ozenberger B A , Brickman T J , McIntosh M A
Published: December 2016

Biochemical analysis of the enzymatic activity catalyzing the conversion of chorismate to isochorismate in the enterobactin biosynthetic pathway attributed the reaction to the isochorismate synthetase enzyme, designated EntC. However, the lack of mutations defining this activity has hampered the precise identification of the entC structural gene. In this study, we engineered a stable insertion mutation into the chromosomal region between the enterobactin genes fepB and entE. This mutation disrupted the structural gene for a previously identified 44-kilodalton protein and eliminated production of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, the catechol precursor of enterobactin. The complete nucleotide sequence of this gene was determined and compared with the sequences of other genes encoding chorismate-utilizing proteins. The similarities observed in these comparisons not only indicated that the locus is entC but also supported the premise that these enzymes constitute a family of related proteins sharing a common evolutionary origin. In addition, in this and the accompanying paper (M. S. Nahlik, T. J. Brickman, B. A. Ozenberger, and M. A. McIntosh, J. Bacteriol. 171:784-790, 1989), evidence is presented indicating that the entA product is potentially a secondary factor in the chorismate-to-isochorismate conversion and that the prototypic entC lesion (entC401) resides in the structural gene for the EntA protein. Finally, polarity effects from the insertion mutation in entC on downstream biosynthetic genes indicated that this locus is the promoter-proximal cistron in an ent operon comprising at least five genes. Appropriate regulatory signals upstream of entC suggest that this operon is regulated by iron through interaction with the Fur repressor protein.
Site-specific recombination at oriT of plasmid R1162 in the absence of conjugative transfer
Authors: Meyer R
Published: December 2016

R1162 is efficiently comobilized during conjugative transfer of the self-transmissible plasmid R751. Bacteriophage M13 derivatives that contain two directly repeated copies of oriT, the site on R1162 DNA required in cis for mobilization, were constructed. Phage DNA molecules underwent recombination during infection of Escherichia coli, with the product retaining a single functional copy of oriT. Recombination was strand specific and depended on R1162 gene products involved in mobilization, but did not require the self-transmissible plasmid vector. Two genes were identified, one essential for recombination and the other affecting the frequency of recombination. Recombination of bacteriophage DNA could form the basis of a simple model for some of the events occurring during conjugation without the complexity of a true mating system.
The mature portion of Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (MBP) determines the dependence of MBP on SecB for export
Authors: Gannon P M , Li P , Kumamoto C A
Published: December 2016

The product of the secB gene is required for export of a subset of secreted proteins to the outer membrane and periplasm of Escherichia coli. Precursor maltose-binding protein (MBP) accumulates in the cytoplasm of secB-carrying mutants, but export of alkaline phosphatase is only minimally affected by secB mutations. When export of MBP-alkaline phosphatase hybrid proteins was analyzed in wild-type and secB-carrying mutant strains, the first third of mature MBP was sufficient to render export of the hybrid proteins dependent on SecB. Substitution of a signal sequence from a SecB-independent protein had no effect on SecB-dependent export. These findings show that the first third of mature MBP is capable of conferring export incompetence on an otherwise competent protein.
Demonstration, characterization, and mutational analysis of NahR protein binding to nah and sal promoters
Authors: Schell M A , Poser E F
Published: December 2016

The nahR gene of plasmid NAH7 of Pseudomonas putida encodes a 36-kilodalton polypeptide which activates transcription of the nah and sal operons in response to the inducer salicylate. A gel mobility shift assay was used to identify a DNA-binding activity which was present only in extracts from either P. putida or Escherichia coli containing a functional nahR gene. The binding activity was highly specific for DNA containing the nah or sal promoters, but the apparent affinity for the promoters was not altered by the presence of salicylate. DNase I protection experiments with a partially purified NahR protein preparation showed that NahR protects both nah and sal promoter sequences between -82 and -47. The location and amount of protection were not dramatically altered by the presence of salicylate. In vitro mutagenesis was used to make mutations in the protected region of the sal promoter. Analysis of the mutants showed that binding of NahR is required for transcription activation and identified two nucleotides in the protected region that are essential for binding and activation by NahR.
In vitro protein synthesis by the moderate halophile Vibrio costicola: site of action of Cl- ions
Authors: Choquet C G , Kamekura M , Kushner D J
Published: December 2016

In vitro protein synthesis in Vibrio costicola [poly(U)-directed incorporation of phenylalanine] was studied. The extent of protein synthesis was limited by the number of ribosomes present. Density gradient centrifugation experiments suggested that, after runoff of ribosomes from the artificial messenger, the 50S subunit was unable to attach to the 30S-messenger complex. As shown previously (M. Kamekura and D. J. Kushner, J. Bacteriol. 160:385-390, 1984), Cl- ions inhibited protein synthesis; indeed, the highest rate of synthesis took place in the lowest attainable Cl- concentration (37 mM). The inhibitory effects were partly reversed by glutamate and betaine, both of which are concentrated within cells of V. costicola. The strongest reversal was seen when both glutamate and betaine were present. Cl- ions can prevent binding of ribosomes to poly(U) and displace ribosomes already bound to this artificial messenger. The effects of Cl- ions on binding were also reversed by glutamate and betaine. Cl- ions did not affect accuracy of translation; they were shown previously (Kamekura and Kushner, J. Bacteriol. 160:385-390, 1984) not to affect phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. It was also found that washing ribosomes with inhibitory NaCl concentrations did not interfere with their ability to carry out protein synthesis later in optimal (low) salt concentrations. On the contrary, these ribosomes were more active than before they were washed. We conclude that the main site of action of Cl- in the system studied is on the binding of ribosomes to the mRNA.
Two highly related insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki possess different host range specificities
Authors: Widner W R , Whiteley H R
Published: December 2016

Two genes encoding insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 were cloned and sequenced. Both genes, designated cryB1 and cryB2, encode polypeptides of 633 amino acids having a molecular mass of ca. 71 kilodaltons (kDa). Despite the fact that these two proteins display 87% identity in amino acid sequence, they exhibit different toxin specificities. The cryB1 gene product is toxic to both dipteran (Aedes aegypti) and lepidopteran (Manduca sexta) larvae, whereas the cryB2 gene product is toxic only to the latter. DNA sequence analysis indicates that cryB1 is the distal gene of an operon which is comprised of three open reading frames (designated orf1, orf2, and cryB1). The proteins encoded by cryB1 and orf2 are components of small cuboidal crystals found in several subspecies and strains of B. thuringiensis; it is not known whether the orf1 or cryB2 gene products are present in cuboidal crystals. The protein encoded by orf2 has an electrophoretic mobility corresponding to a molecular mass of ca. 50 kDa, although the gene has a coding capacity for a polypeptide of ca. 29 kDa. Examination of the deduced amino acid sequence for this protein reveals an unusual structure which may account for its aberrant electrophoretic mobility: it contains a 15-amino-acid motif repeated 11 times in tandem. Escherichia coli extracts prepared from cells expressing only orf1 and orf2 are not toxic to either test insect.
Role of protein F in maintaining structural integrity of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane
Authors: Gotoh N , Wakebe H , Yoshihara E , Nakae T , Nishino T
Published: December 2016

To investigate the functional role of protein F of the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we isolated mutants devoid of protein F, and the defective gene was transferred to a wild-type strain by plasmid FP5-mediated conjugation. Chemical analyses of the protein F-deficient outer membrane revealed that the amount of outer membrane protein was reduced to 72 to 74% of that of the protein F-sufficient strain and that lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids increased to 117 to 123% and 135 to 136%, respectively. The mutants and the transconjugant showed the following characteristics: (i) growth rates of protein F-deficient strains in low-osmolarity medium (e.g., L broth containing 0.1% NaCl) were less than 1/10 the rate of the protein F-sufficient strain; (ii) protein F-deficient cells were rounded, and the outer membrane formed large protruded blebs; and (iii) the outer membrane became physically fragile, since a significant amount of periplasmic proteins leaked out and the cells became highly sensitive to osmotic shock. The results suggested that protein F plays an important role in morphogenesis and in maintaining the integrity of the outer membrane. Determination of the diffusion rates of saccharides and beta-lactam antibiotics showed that the protein F-deficient outer membrane had no detectable transport defect compared with the protein F-sufficient outer membrane. The MICs of antibiotics for the protein F-deficient strains were nearly identical to those for the protein F-sufficient strain.
Isolation of an ammonium or methylammonium ion transport mutant of Escherichia coli and complementation by the cloned gene
Authors: Jayakumar A , Hwang S J , Fabiny J M , Chinault A C , Barnes E M
Published: December 2016

During nitrogen-limited growth, Escherichia coli expresses a specific ammonium or methylammonium ion transport system (Amt). Strains carrying defects in Amt have been isolated following Tn10 transposon mutagenesis. These mutants have less than 10% of the transport activity of the parental strain. Glutamate, glutamine, arginine, or high levels (20 mM) of ammonium will serve as the sole nitrogen source for growth of these strains, and glutamine synthetase is normally expressed and repressed by the nitrogen regulatory (Ntr) system. When transformed with plasmid pGln84, containing lacZ fused to an Ntr promoter (glnLp), the Amt mutants expressed a normal level of beta-galactosidase. Furthermore, P1 bacteriophage transduction of the amt mutation into an Ntr mutant, normally constitutive for Amt, gave Amt- transductants. Therefore, the mutations are unlikely to lie within genes affecting Ntr elements. Following transformation with plasmid libraries of E. coli genomic DNA constructed in pUC9, two plasmids conferring the Amt+ phenotype on the amt mutants were isolated. These plasmids were unable to complement the Amt- phenotype of Ntr- mutants. Restriction digestion of these plasmids revealed common fragments, and Southern blot analyses indicated that the Amt-complementing sequence and the site of Tn10 insertion in the genome occur in the same 3.4-kilobase HindIII-SalI fragment. Insertion of TnphoA into this fragment produced amt::phoA fusions which gave high levels of alkaline phosphatase under nitrogen-limiting conditions but low levels during ammonia excess. This suggests that the amt product contains domains which are exported to the periplasm.
Integrated approaches for predicting soil-water characteristic curve and resilient modulus of compacted fine-grained subgrade soils
Authors: Han Zhong , Vanapalli Sai K. , Zou Wei-lie
Published: December 2016

This paper combines a series of approaches for predicting the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the variation of the resilient modulus (MR) of compacted fine-grained subgrade soils with moisture content, which is the key information required in mechanistic pavement design methods. The presented approaches for the SWCC and MRare integrated, as (i) they are developed following the same philosophy, (ii) they require only the measurements of the suction and moisture content or MRat saturated and optimum moisture content conditions for prediction, and (iii) the predicted SWCC is used for predicting the MR– moisture content relationship. Experimental studies have been performed on five fine-grained subgrade soils that were collected from different regions in Ontario, Canada, to determine their MRat various external stress levels and post-compaction moisture contents, as well as their SWCCs after the MRtests. Experimental measurements are predicted using the integrated approaches and the empirical approaches currently used in the mechanistic–empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). It is demonstrated that the integrated approaches are easy to use and show improved reliability in predicting both the SWCC and MRfor the investigated subgrade soils in spite of using limited experimental data.
A Novel MIM-Capacitor-Based 1-GS/s 14-bit Variation-Tolerant Fully-Differential Voltage-to-Time Converter (VTC) Circuit
Authors: El-Bayoumi Abdullah , Mostafa Hassan , Soliman Ahmed M.
Published: December 2016

Time-based Analog-to-Digital Converter (TADC), plays a major role in designing Software-Defined Radio (SDR) receivers, at scaled CMOS technologies, as it manifests lower area and power than conventional ADCs. TADC consists of 2 major blocks. The input voltage is converted into a pulse delay using a Voltage-to-Time Converter (VTC). In additions, the pulse delay is converted into a digital word using a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC). In this paper, a novel fully-differential VTC based on a new methodology is presented which reports a highly-linear design. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor as well as a dynamic calibration technique based on a set of large-sized capacitor-based voltage dividers circuits are utilized to automatically compensate the Process-Voltage-Temperature (PVT) variations. Moreover, the layout design is introduced. The proposed design operates on a 1[Formula: see text]GS/s sampling frequency with a supply voltage of 1.2[Formula: see text]V. After calibration, simulation results, using TSMC 65[Formula: see text]nm CMOS technology, report a 1.42[Formula: see text]V wider dynamic range due to the differential mechanism with a 3% linearity error. This design achieves a resolution up to 14 bits, a 0.07 fJ/conversion FOM, a 229[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2 area and a 0.25[Formula: see text]mW power. The simulation results are compared to the single-ended VTC results and the state-of-the-art analog-part ADCs results to show the strength of the proposed design.
Low Power Design of a 1 V 8-bit 125 fJ Asynchronous SAR ADC with Binary Weighted Capacitive DAC
Authors: Bekal Anush , Tabassum Shabi , Goswami Manish
Published: December 2016

The work proposes an improved technique to design a low power 8-bit asynchronous successive approximation register (ASAR), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proposed ASAR ADC consists of a comparator, ASAR (digital control logic block), and a capacitive-digital-to-analog convertor (C-DAC). The comparator is a preamplier-based improved positive feedback latch circuit which has a built-in sample and hold (S/H) functionality and saves an enormous amount of power. The implemented digital control logic block performing the successive approximation (SA) algorithm is totally unrestrained of the external clock pulse. The outputs from the comparator are given to a XOR logic whose outputs serve as an internally generated clock (ready signal) to trigger the digital control block. Hence, an external clock is not required to initiate the digital control block making its operation asynchronous. By implementing this, the ADC can circumvent the usage of an oversampled clock and can operate on a single low-speed sample clock. This, in turn, saves power and it cuts down the required resilience in sampling rates. The proposed ADC has been designed and simulated using UMC-0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS technology which dissipates 32.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W power when operated on a single 1[Formula: see text]V power supply and achieves complete 8-bit conversion in 1.09[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s. The relative accuracy of capacitor ratio, aperture jitter and FOM are 0.39[Formula: see text], 1.2[Formula: see text]ns and 125[Formula: see text]fJ/conversion-step, respectively.
Hyperon-rich matter in a two-solar-mass neutron star within the Thomas-Fermi approximation
Authors: Ghazanfari Mojarrad M. , Arabsaeidi R.
Published: December 2016

The equation of state (EOS) of hyperon-rich matter for neutron stars (NSs) is investigated in a semi-classical mean-field (MF) model. We present a new generalized baryon–baryon interaction in phase space to derive the EOS by the Thomas–Fermi approximation. Our findings have profound consequences for the structure and properties of NSs. Within this statistical model, the EOS of NS matter with hyperons is stiff enough. Consequently, the results for the maximum mass of NSs are consistent with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. It is also revealed that the hyperon–hyperon interactions slightly soften the EOS.
Kaon regeneration
Authors: Nazaruk V. I.
Published: December 2016

We have performed the calculation of kaon regeneration based on the exact solution of equations of motion. The result differs radically from the previous one.
THE DYNAMICS OF HIV MODELS WITH SWITCHING PARAMETERS AND PULSE CONTROL
Authors: WANG XIYING , LIU XINZHI , XU WEI , XIE WEI-CHAU , LIU WANPING
Published: December 2016

This paper studies some human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) models with switching parameters and pulse control. The classical virus dynamics model is first modified by incorporating switching parameters which are assumed to be time-varying. Some threshold conditions are derived to guarantee the virus elimination by utilizing a Razumikhin-type approach. The results show that the proper switching conditions chosen can increase the counts of CD4+T-cells while reducing viral load. Pulse control strategies are then applied to the above model. More precisely, the treatment strategy and the vaccination strategy are applied to infected cells and uninfected cells, respectively. Each control strategy is analyzed to gauge its success in achieving viral suppression. Numerical simulations are performed to complement the analytical results and motivate future directions.
On the generalized Euler–Stieltjes constants for the Rankin–Selberg L-function
Authors: Odžak Almasa , Smajlović Lejla
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a number field of a finite degree and let [Formula: see text] be the Rankin–Selberg [Formula: see text]-function associated to unitary cuspidal automorphic representations [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The main result of the paper is an asymptotic formula for evaluation of coefficients appearing in the Laurent (Taylor) series expansion of the logarithmic derivative of the function [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. As a corollary, we derive orthogonality and weighted orthogonality relations.
Some further properties of even and odd sequences
Authors: Sun Zhi-Hong
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we continue to investigate the properties of those sequences [Formula: see text] satisfying the condition [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. As applications we deduce some recurrence relations and congruences for Bernoulli and Euler numbers.
Almost prime solutions to diophantine systems of high rank
Authors: Magyar Ákos , Titichetrakun Tatchai
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a family of [Formula: see text] integral forms of degree [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be a family of pairwise linearly independent linear forms in [Formula: see text] variables [Formula: see text]. We study the number of solutions [Formula: see text] to the diophantine system [Formula: see text] under the restriction that [Formula: see text] has a bounded number of prime factors for each [Formula: see text]. We show that the system [Formula: see text] that has the expected number of such “almost prime” solutions under similar conditions was established for existence of integer solutions by Birch.
On the mean value of mixed exponential sums
Authors: Gong Ming-Liang , Li Ya-Li
Published: December 2016

We use analytic methods to obtain an explicit formula for the fourth power mean [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a Dirichlet character modulo [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] denotes the summation over all [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. This extends the result of Chen, Ai and Cai by overcoming the limitation [Formula: see text].
One Diophantine inequality with unlike powers of prime variables
Authors: Mu Quanwu
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be an integer with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be any real number. Suppose that [Formula: see text] are nonzero real numbers, not all of the same sign and [Formula: see text] is irrational. It is proved that the inequality [Formula: see text] has infinitely many solutions in prime variables [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. This gives an improvement of the recent result.
Proof of a congruence on sums of powers of q-binomial coefficients
Authors: Guo Victor J. W. , Liu Ji-Cai
Published: December 2016

We prove that, if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are non-negative integers, then [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] case confirms a recent conjecture of Sun. We also show that, if [Formula: see text] is a prime greater than [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]
Proof of Sun’s conjectures on Schröder-like numbers
Authors: Liu Ji-Cai , van der Kallen Wilberd
Published: December 2016

For any non-negative integer [Formula: see text], define [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text] respectively. We mainly prove that for any positive integer [Formula: see text] and odd prime [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] which were originally conjectured by Sun.
Rapid monitoring the water extraction process of Radix Paeoniae Alba using near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Tian , Li Tongtong , Nie Lei , Zang Lixuan , Zang Hengchang , Zeng Yingzi
Published: December 2016

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been developed into one of the most important process analytical techniques (PAT) in a wide field of applications. The feasibility of NIR spectroscopy with partial least square regression (PLSR) to monitor the concentration of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, gallic acid, and benzoyl paeoniflorin during the water extraction process of Radix Paeoniae Alba was demonstrated and verified in this work. NIR spectra were collected in transmission mode and pretreated with smoothing and/or derivative, and then quantitative models were built up using PLSR. Interval partial least squares (iPLS) method was used for the selection of spectral variables. Determination coefficients ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), root mean squares error of prediction (RMSEP), root mean squares error of calibration (RMSEC), and residual predictive deviation (RPD) were applied to verify the performance of the models, and the corresponding values were 0.9873 and 0.9855, 0.0487[Formula: see text]mg/mL, 0.0545[Formula: see text]mg/mL and 8.4 for paeoniflorin; 0.9879, 0.9888, 0.0303[Formula: see text]mg/mL, 0.0321[Formula: see text]mg/mL and 9.1 for albiflorin; 0.9696, 0.9644, 0.0140[Formula: see text]mg/mL, 0.0145[Formula: see text]mg/mL and 5.1 for gallic acid; 0.9794, 0.9781, 0.00169[Formula: see text]mg/mL, 0.00171[Formula: see text]mg/mL and 6.9 for benzoyl paeoniflorin, respectively. The results turned out that this approach was very efficient and environmentally friendly for the quantitative monitoring of the water extraction process of Radix Paeoniae Alba.
Influence of aqueous KOH and H2SO4electrolytes ionic parameters on the performance of carbon-based supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Mohd Hanappi Mohamad Faizal Yusman , Deraman Mohamad , Suleman Mohd , Mohd Nor Najah Syahirah , Sazali Noor Ezniera Shafieza , Hamdan Ellisa , Moh Tajuddin Nurul Syazwani , Basri Nur Hamizah , Mohd Jasni Mohd Redwani , Othman Mohd Amir Radhi
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the suitability of aqueous KOH and H2SO4electrolytes in terms of ionic size, mobility, conductivity and energy of electrolyte ions with the porosity of activated carbon electrodes are demonstrated. These parameters of ions (K[Formula: see text], OH[Formula: see text], H[Formula: see text], SO[Formula: see text]) are found to affect the overall performances of supercapacitor cells as observed from the results of EIS, CV and GCD studies. The cell using H2SO4electrolyte exhibits better performance with relatively low value of charge transfer resistance (0.57[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]), overall cell resistance, 19[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] (at 10[Formula: see text]mHz) and high value of specific capacitance 547[Formula: see text]F g[Formula: see text] (at 1[Formula: see text]mV s[Formula: see text]), specific energy 10[Formula: see text]W h kg[Formula: see text] (at 0.5[Formula: see text]A g[Formula: see text]) and specific power, 490[Formula: see text]W kg[Formula: see text]. These results show that aqueous acid electrolyte is more compatible with carbon electrodes which could be due to the higher ionic energies of H[Formula: see text] and SO[Formula: see text] ions.
Agent-based modeling of emergency evacuation in a railway station square under sarin terrorist attack
Authors: Ma Liang , Chen Bin , Qiu Sihang , Li Zhen , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: December 2016

Evacuation modeling is a promising measure to support decision making in scenarios such as flooding, explosion, terrorist attack and other emergency incidents. Given the special attention to the terrorist attack, we build up an agent-based evacuation model in a railway station square under sarin terrorist attack to analyze such incident. Sarin dispersion process is described by Gaussian puff model. Due to sarin’s special properties of being colorless and odorless, we focus more on the modeling of agents’ perceiving and reasoning process and use a Belief, Desire, Intention (BDI) architecture to solve the problem. Another contribution of our work is that we put forward a path planning algorithm which not only take distance but also comfort and threat factors into consideration. A series of simulation experiments demonstrate the ability of the proposed model and examine some crucial factors in sarin terrorist attack evacuation. Though far from perfect, the proposed model could serve to support decision making.
Modeling of coal consumption rate based on wavelet neural network
Authors: Wen Xiaoqiang , Jian Shuguang
Published: December 2016

In this paper, two wavelet neural network (WNN) frames which depend on Morlet wavelet function and Gaussian wavelet function were established. In order to improve the efficiency of model training, the momentum term was applied to modify the weights and thresholds, and the output of the network was summed up by function transformation of output layer nodes. When the Gaussian Wavelet Neural Networks (GWNN) and Morlet Wavelet Neural Networks (MWNN) were applied to coal consumption rate (CCR) estimation in a thermal power plant, the results confirmed their potency in function approximation. In addition, the influence of learning rate on the models was also discussed through the orthogonal experiment.
ADI Galerkin FEMs for the 2D nonlinear time-space fractional diffusion-wave equation
Authors: Li Meng , Huang Chengming
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we study a new numerical technique for a class of 2D nonlinear fractional diffusion-wave equations with the Caputo-type temporal derivative and Riesz-type spatial derivative. Galerkin finite element scheme is used for the discretization in the spatial direction, and the temporal component is discretized by a new alternating direction implicit (ADI) method. Next, we strictly prove that the numerical method is stable and convergent. Finally, to confirm our theoretical analysis, some numerical examples in 2D space are presented.
Eshelby's tensor for embedded inclusions and the Elasto-Capillary phenomenon
Authors: Yang Shengyou , Sharma Pradeep
Published: December 2016

The elastic state of an embedded inclusion undergoing a stress-free transformation strain was the subject of John Douglas Eshelby's now classical paper in 1957. This paper, the subject of which is now widely known as “Eshelby's inclusion problem”, is arguably one of the most cited papers in solid mechanics and several other branches of physical sciences. Applications have ranged from geophysics, quantum dots to composites. Over the past two decades, due to an interest in all things “small”, attempts have been made to extend Eshelby's elastic analysis to the nanoscale by incorporating capillary or surface energy effects. In this note, we revisit a particular formulation that derives a very general expression for the elasto-capillary state of an embedded inclusion. This approach, that closely mimics that of Eshelby's original paper, appears to have the advantage that it can be readily used for inclusions of arbitrary shape (for numerical calculations) and provides a facile route for approximate solutions when closed-form expressions are not possible. Specifically, in the case of inclusions of constant curvature (sphere, cylinder) subject to some simplifications, closed-form expressions are obtained.
Commensality and the Social Use of Technology during Family Mealtime
Authors: Ferdous Hasan Shahid , Ploderer Bernd , Davis Hilary , Vetere Frank , O'hara Kenton
Published: December 2016

This article examines familial interactions, which are mediated through information and communication technologies, during domestic mealtimes. We seek to understand how technologies are used and negotiated among family members and the influence of technology on commensality. We conducted an observational study of six families. The findings showed how technologies are integrated into the mealtime activities. Our study identifies domestic circumstances where background technologies are raised to the foreground, visible devices are hidden, unwanted distractions become desired, and ordinary technologies are integrated into mealtime experiences. We identify four patterns of arrangement between technologies and family members during mealtimes, and we discuss how technologies contribute to mealtime satiety and commensality. Finally, we present implications of our findings and directions for technological advancements focusing on the social and celebratory nature of family mealtimes.
Unusual Presentation of Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome due to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Al Dhaheri Hind Saif , Al Kaabi Amani , Kara Hamo Yasmin , Al Kaabi Aysha , Al Kaabi Salwa , Al Tatari Hossam
Published: December 2016

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) is viral exanthema of childhood. It typically presents with a symmetric erythematous papular and papulovesicular eruption. It has been classically associated with hepatitis B virus, as well as rarely with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We report a case of GCS related to EBV infection without the classical systemic symptoms in a five-year-old male patient.
Decreased S100A9 Expression Promoted Rat Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Stimulating ROS Generation and Inhibiting p38 MAPK
Authors: Yin Lei-Miao , Han Xiao-Jie , Duan Ting-Ting , Xu Yu-Dong , Wang Yu , Ulloa Luis , Yang Yong-Qing
Published: December 2016

Background. Asthma is a disease with a core abnormality in airway smooth muscle function, and the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) plays a pivotal role in asthma airway remodeling. Our previous study showed that S100A9 (S100 calcium-binding protein A9; 400 and 800 ng/mL) significantly inhibited rat ASMCs proliferation at 48 h, and 50–800 ng/mL S100A9 (50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ng/mL) also induced a lasting effect by significantly inhibiting rat ASMCs proliferation at 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. However, the intracellular effects of S100A9 on ASMCs proliferation remain unknown. Methods. Rat ASMCs with stable S100A9 knockdown were generated using short hairpin RNA. The effects of decreased S100A9 expression on cellular proliferation, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and p38 MAPK pathway protein expression were examined. Results. Decreased intracellular S100A9 expression significantly promoted platelet-derived growth factor-induced rat ASMCs proliferation and increased ROS production. The antioxidative agent N-acetylcysteine significantly inhibited rat ASMCs proliferation. Western blot results showed that the decreased intracellular S100A9 expression significantly inhibited p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Conclusion. Decreased S100A9 expression promoted rat ASMCs proliferation by stimulating ROS generation and inhibiting p38 MAPK. Our study may provide novel insights into the regulation of asthma airway remodeling.
Two-Weight Norm Inequality for the One-Sided Hardy-Littlewood Maximal Operators in Variable Lebesgue Spaces
Authors: Niu Caiyin , Liu Zongguang , Wang Panwang
Published: December 2016

The authors establish the two-weight norm inequalities for the one-sided Hardy-Littlewood maximal operators in variable Lebesgue spaces. As application, they obtain the two-weight norm inequalities of variable Riemann-Liouville operator and variable Weyl operator in variable Lebesgue spaces on bounded intervals.
Chronic and Asymptomatic Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage with Microscopic Polyangiitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Tashiro Hiroki , Takahashi Koichiro , Sadamatsu Hironori , Uchida Masaru , Kimura Shinya , Sueoka-Aragane Naoko
Published: December 2016

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is one of the major causes of death in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) patients, because of acute respiratory failure with various respiratory symptoms. We, herein, present a case of chronic and asymptomatic DAH in a patient with MPA who was diagnosed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The patient showed localized reticular shadows, without any respiratory symptoms, and absence of inflammatory reactions, such as fever and CRP elevation, which is atypical for DAH. Three months after appearance of the lung abnormalities, DAH with MPA was diagnosed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. She was initially treated with only corticosteroids and has thereafter been maintained with corticosteroids and azathioprine without relapse to date. We reviewed the literature for similar cases and opined that physicians should perform fibreoptic bronchoscopy in MPA patients with chronic lung abnormalities and anaemia to identify DAH, even if the patients show no respiratory symptoms and in the absence of inflammatory reactions.
High Efficiency Gaseous Tracking Detector for Cosmic Muon Radiography
Authors: Varga Dezső , Nyitrai Gábor , Hamar Gergő , Oláh László
Published: December 2016

A tracking detector system has been constructed with an innovative approach to the classical multiwire proportional chamber concept, using contemporary technologies. The detectors, covering an area of 0.58 square meters each, are optimized for the application of muon radiography. The main features are high (>99.5%) and uniform detection efficiency, 9 mm FWHM position resolution, and filling gas consumption below 2 liters per hour for the nontoxic, nonflammable argon and carbon dioxide mixture. These parameters, along with the simplicity of the construction and the tolerance for mechanical effects, make the detectors a viable option for a large area muography observation system.
An Alteration of Lymphocytes Subpopulations and Immunoglobulins Levels in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Infected Particularly by Resistant Pathogens
Authors: Fejfarová Vladimíra , Jirkovská Alexandra , Dubský Michal , Game Frances , Vydláková Jana , Sekerková Alena , Franeková Jana , Kučerová Monika , Stříž Ilja , Petkov Vladimír , Bém Robert , Wosková Veronika , Němcová Andrea , Skibová Jelena
Published: December 2016

The aim of our study was to analyse immune abnormalities in patients with chronic infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) especially those infected by resistant microorganisms. Methods. 68 patients treated in our foot clinic for infected chronic DFUs with 34 matched diabetic controls were studied. Patients with infected DFUs were subdivided into two subgroups according to the antibiotic sensitivity of causal pathogen: subgroup S infected by sensitive (n=50) and subgroup R by resistant pathogens (n=18). Selected immunological markers were compared between the study groups and subgroups. Results. Patients with infected chronic DFUs had, in comparison with diabetic controls, significantly reduced percentages (p<0.01) and total numbers of lymphocytes (p<0.001) involving B lymphocytes (p<0.01), CD4+ (p<0.01), and CD8+ T cells (p<0.01) and their naive and memory effector cells. Higher levels of IgG (p<0.05) including IgG1 (p<0.001) and IgG3 (p<0.05) were found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls. Serum levels of immunoglobulin subclasses IgG2 and IgG3 correlated negatively with metabolic control (p<0.05). A trend towards an increased frequency of IgG2 deficiency was found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls (22% versus 15%; NS). Subgroup R revealed lower levels of immunoglobulins, especially of IgG4 (p<0.01) in contrast to patients infected by sensitive bacteria. The innate immunity did not differ significantly between the study groups. Conclusion. Our study showed changes mainly in the adaptive immune system represented by low levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and their memory effector cells, and also changes in humoral immunity in patients with DFUs, even those infected by resistant pathogens, in comparison with diabetic controls.
Study of Molecular and Ionic Vapor Composition over CeI3by Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Dunaev A. M. , Motalov V. B. , Kudin L. S. , Butman M. F. , Krämer K. W.
Published: December 2016

The molecular and ionic composition of vapor over cerium triiodide was studied by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. In the saturated vapor over CeI3the monomer, dimer, and trimer molecules and the negative ions I−,CeI4-, andCe2I7-were identified in the temperature range of 753–994 K. The partial pressures of CeI3, Ce2I6, and Ce3I9were determined and the enthalpies of sublimation,ΔsH°(298.15 K) in kJ·mol−1, in the form of monomers (298±9), dimers (415±30), and trimers (423±50) were obtained by the second and third laws of thermodynamics. The enthalpy of formation,ΔfH°(298.15 K) in kJ·mol−1, of the CeI3(-371±9), Ce2I6(-924±30), and Ce3I9(-1585±50) molecules and theCeI4-(-857±19) andCe2I7-(-1451±50) ions were calculated. The electron work function,φe=3.3±0.3 eV, for the CeI3crystal was evaluated.