bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remotely Powered and Reconfigured Quasi-Passive Reconfigurable Nodes for Optical Access Networks
Authors: Bi Yingying , Shen Shunrong , Jin Jing , Wang Ke , Kazovsky Leonid G.
Published: February 2016

Quasi-Passive Reconfigurable (QPAR) nodes have been proposed to provide flexible power/wavelength allocation in optical access networks. QPAR only consumes power during reconfiguration, which is remotely transmitted from the central office, thus maintaining the passive nature of the network. In this paper, a QPAR control circuit is designed, and a remotely powered and reconfigured1×2×2QPAR (i.e., one wavelength, two power levels, and two output ports) with a 0.1 F/5 V supercapacitor (SC) remotely charged by a1×8photodiode array is experimentally demonstrated. The charged SC can power the QPAR for at least 6 s with 24 consecutive reconfigurations (200 ms each) or two reconfigurations within a maximum period of 40 hours, before the SC needs to be recharged. In addition, the demonstrated QPAR remote power scheme is compared with the previously proposed Direct Photovoltaic Power option both theoretically and experimentally. Results show that the SC based remote power mechanism is capable of driving a large number of reconfigurations simultaneously and it is better for large dimension QPARs.
Insula Volume and Salience Network Are Associated with Memory Decline in Parkinson Disease: Complementary Analyses of Voxel-Based Morphometry versus Volume of Interest
Authors: Lu Yan-Ting , Chang Wen-Neng , Chang Chiung-Chih , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Chen Nai-Ching , Huang Chi-Wei , Lin Wei-Che , Chang Ya-Ting
Published: February 2016

Objective.We investigated structural brain change in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and examined its relationship with memory impairment.Methods.Twenty-three PD-MCI patients were enrolled and underwent cognitive evaluation and 3-dimensional T1-weighted imaging. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to assess brain-behavior correlations and examine the relationship between insula and memory score. VOI methods replicated results obtained from VBM.Results.VBM uncovered the notion that memory scores were positively correlated with the gray matter (GM) density in the insular cortex and a significant positive correlation between overall cognitive performance and concentration of GM within the lateral temporal cortex. In VOI analyses, our results suggested a positive correlation between the insula and composite free-recall verbal memory (ρ=0.617,P=0.003) and the delayed free-recall verbal memory subdomain (ρ=0.725,P<0.001). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between the insula and caudate (σ=0.570,P=0.006) and putamen volume (σ=0.683,P<0.001).Conclusions.In patients with PD-MCI, atrophic changes in the insula may be related to memory deficits, and the brain-behavior correlation may be associated with atrophic change in the striatum within the salience network.
Potential Effects of Silymarin and Its Flavonolignan Components in Patients withβ-Thalassemia Major: A Comprehensive Review in 2015
Authors: Darvishi Khezri Hadi , Salehifar Ebrahim , Kosaryan Mehrnoush , Aliasgharian Aily , Jalali Hossein , Hadian Amree Arash
Published: February 2016

Majorβ-thalassemia (β-TM) is one of the most common inherited hemolytic types of anemia which is caused as a result of absent or reduced synthesis ofβ-globin chains of hemoglobin. This defect results in red blood cells lysis and chronic anemia that can be treated by multiple blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Without iron chelation therapy, iron overload will cause lots of complications in patients. Antioxidant components play an important role in the treatment of the disease. Silymarin is an antioxidant flavonoid isolated fromSilybum marianumplant. In the present study, we reviewed clinical and experimental studies investigating the use of silymarin prior to September 1, 2015, using PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Scopus, Ovid, and Cochrane Library databases and we evaluated the potential effects of silymarin on controlling the complications induced by iron overload in patients withβ-TM. Based on the results of the present study, we can conclude that silymarin may be useful as an adjuvant for improving multiple organ dysfunctions.
Protozoan Parasites of Rodents and Their Zoonotic Significance in Boyer-Ahmad District, Southwestern Iran
Authors: Seifollahi Zeinab , Sarkari Bahador , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein , Asgari Qasem , Ranjbar Mohammad Javad , Abdolahi Khabisi Samaneh
Published: February 2016

Backgrounds. Wild rodents are reservoirs of various zoonotic diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, and leishmaniasis. The current study aimed to assess the protozoan infection of rodents in Boyer-Ahmad district, southwestern Iran.Materials and Methods. A total of 52 rodents were collected from different parts of Boyer-Ahmad district, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, using Sherman live traps. Each rodent was anesthetized with ether, according to the ethics of working with animals, and was dissected. Samples were taken from various tissues and stool samples were collected from the contents of the colon and small intestines. Moreover, 2 to 5 mL of blood was taken from each of the rodents and the sera were examined for anti-Leishmaniaantibodies, by ELISA, or anti-T. gondiiantibodies, by modified agglutination test (MAT). DNA was extracted from brain tissue samples of each rodent and PCR was used to identify the DNA ofT. gondii.Results. Of the 52 stool samples of rodents studied by parasitological methods, intestinal protozoa infection was seen in 28 cases (53.8%). From 52 rodents, 19 (36.5%) were infected withTrichomonas, 10 (19.2%) withGiardia muris, and 11 (21.2%) withEntamoebaspp. Also, 10 cases (19.2%) were infected withBlastocystis, 3 (5.8%) were infected withChilomastix, 7 (13.5%) were infected withEndolimax, 1 (1.9%) was infected withRetortamonas, 3 (5.77%) were infected withT. gondii, and 6 (11.54%) were infected withTrypanosoma lewisi. Antibodies toT. gondiiwere detected in the sera of 5 (9.61%) cases. Results of the molecular study showedT. gondiiinfection in 3 (5.77%) of the rodents. Findings of this study showed that rodents in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, southwestern Iran, are infected with several blood and intestinal parasites; some of them might be potential risks to residents and domestic animals in the region.
Penicillin G-Induced Chlamydial Stress Response in a Porcine Strain ofChlamydia pecorum
Authors: Leonard Cory Ann , Dewez Frederic , Borel Nicole
Published: February 2016

Chlamydia pecorumcauses asymptomatic infection and pathology in ruminants, pigs, and koalas. We characterized the antichlamydial effect of the beta lactam penicillin G onChlamydia pecorumstrain 1710S (porcine abortion isolate). Penicillin-exposed and mock-exposed infected host cells showed equivalent inclusions numbers. Penicillin-exposed inclusions contained aberrant bacterial forms and exhibited reduced infectivity, while mock-exposed inclusions contained normal bacterial forms and exhibited robust infectivity. Infectious bacteria production increased upon discontinuation of penicillin exposure, compared to continued exposure.Chlamydia-induced cell death occurred in mock-exposed controls; cell survival was improved in penicillin-exposed infected groups. Similar results were obtained both in the presence and in the absence of the eukaryotic protein translation inhibitor cycloheximide and at different times of initiation of penicillin exposure. These data demonstrate that penicillin G induces the chlamydial stress response (persistence) and is not bactericidal, for this chlamydial species/strainin vitro, regardless of host cellde novoprotein synthesis.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells for Solid Tumors: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Guo Yelei , Wang Yao , Han Weidong
Published: February 2016

Recent studies have highlighted the successes of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T- (CART-) cell-based therapy for B-cell malignancies, and early phase clinical trials have been launched in recent years. The few published clinical studies of CART cells in solid tumors have addressed safety and feasibility, but the clinical outcome data are limited. Although antitumor effects were confirmedin vitroand in animal models, CART-cell-based therapy still faces several challenges when directed towards solid tumors, and it has been difficult to achieve the desired outcomes in clinical practice. Many studies have struggled to improve the clinical responses to and benefits of CART-cell treatment of solid tumors. In this review, the status quo of CART cells and their clinical applications for solid tumors will be summarized first. Importantly, we will suggest improvements that could increase the therapeutic effectiveness of CART cells for solid tumors and their future clinical applications. These interventions will make treatment with CART cells an effective and routine therapy for solid tumors.
miR-146a Attenuates Inflammatory Pathways Mediated by TLR4/NF-κB and TNFαto Protect Primary Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells Grown in High Glucose
Authors: Ye Eun-Ah , Steinle Jena J.
Published: February 2016

Pathological mechanisms underlying diabetic retinopathy are still not completely understood. Increased understanding of potential cellular pathways responsive to hyperglycemia is essential to develop novel therapeutic strategies for diabetic retinopathy. A growing body of evidence shows that microRNA (miRNA) play important roles in pathological mechanisms involved in diabetic retinopathy, as well as possessing potential as novel therapeutic targets. The hypothesis of this study was that miR-146a plays a key role in attenuating hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory pathways through reduced TLR4/NF-κB and TNFαsignaling in primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (REC). We cultured human REC in normal (5 mM) glucose or transferred to high glucose medium (25 mM) for 3 days. Transfection was performed on REC with miRNA mimic (hsa-miR-146a-5p). Our results demonstrate that miR-146a expression was decreased in human REC cultured in high glucose. Overexpression of miR-146a using mimics reduced the levels of TLR4/NF-κB and TNFαin REC cultured in high glucose. Both MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling were decreased by miR-146a overexpression in REC in high glucose conditions. The results suggest that miR-146a is a potential therapeutic target for reducing inflammation in REC through inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB and TNFα. Our study will contribute to understanding of diabetic retinal pathology, as well as providing important clues to develop therapeutics for clinical applications.
Adsorption Analysis of Lactoferrin to Titanium, Stainless Steel, Zirconia, and Polymethyl Methacrylate Using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance Method
Authors: Yoshida Eiji , Hayakawa Tohru
Published: February 2016

It is postulated that biofilm formation in the oral cavity causes some oral diseases. Lactoferrin is an antibacterial protein in saliva and an important defense factor against biofilm development. We analyzed the adsorbed amount of lactoferrin and the dissociation constant (Kd) of lactoferrin to the surface of different dental materials using an equilibrium analysis technique in a 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement. Four different materials, titanium (Ti), stainless steel (SUS), zirconia (ZrO2) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), were evaluated. These materials were coated onto QCM sensors and the surfaces characterized by atomic force microscopic observation, measurements of surface roughness, contact angles of water, and zeta potential. QCM measurements revealed that Ti and SUS showed a greater amount of lactoferrin adsorption than ZrO2and PMMA. Surface roughness and zeta potential influenced the lactoferrin adsorption. On the contrary, theKdvalue analysis indicated that the adsorbed lactoferrin bound less tightly to the Ti and SUS surfaces than to the ZrO2and PMMA surfaces. The hydrophobic interaction between lactoferrin and ZrO2and PMMA is presumed to participate in better binding of lactoferrin to ZrO2and PMMA surfaces. It was revealed that lactoferrin adsorption behavior was influenced by the characteristics of the material surface.
Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Smads Signaling Pathway in Intrauterine Adhesion
Authors: Salma Umme , Xue Min , Ali Sheikh Md Sayed , Guan Xiaoming , Xu Bin , Zhang Aiqian , Huang Lihua , Xu Dabao
Published: February 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Smad3, Smad7, and TGF-β1 in intrauterine adhesion (IUA) patients and experimental rabbit models. 60 IUA patients, 30 control participants, and 18 female rabbits were enrolled in this study. We found that the plasma concentrations and protein expressions of TGF-β1 were significantly increased in patients and experimental rabbits compared to those in controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad3 were significantly elevated, while Smad7 level was markedly decreased in the patients and experimental rabbits compared with controls (P<0.05). This altered ratio recommended that IUA was positively correlated to the mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad3, Smad7, and TGF-β1 in blood and uterine tissue. Moreover, we used the specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) in experimental rabbit. SIS3 obviously reduced the mRNA and protein expression of smad3 and TGF-β1, while it increased Smad7 expression in the treatment groups as compared with IUA rabbits (P<0.05). Our study suggested that TGF-β1/Smad3/smad7 is a major pathway which plays an important role in the regulation of the IUA and specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) may provide a new therapeutic strategy for IUA.
Energy Management Strategy Implementation for Hybrid Electric Vehicles Using Genetic Algorithm Tuned Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle Controller
Authors: Panday Aishwarya , Bansal Hari Om
Published: February 2016

To reduce apace extraction of natural resources, to plummet the toxic emissions, and to increase the fuel economy for road transportation, hybrid vehicles are found to be promising. Hybrid vehicles use batteries and engine to propel the vehicle which minimizes dependence on liquid fuels. Battery is an important component of hybrid vehicles and is mainly characterized by its state of charge level. Here a modified state of charge estimation algorithm is applied, which includes not only coulomb counting but also open circuit voltage, weighting factor, and correction factor to track the run time state of charge efficiently. Further, presence of battery and engine together needs a prevailing power split scheme for their efficient utilization. In this paper, a fuel efficient energy management strategy for power-split hybrid electric vehicle using modified state of charge estimation method is developed. Here, the optimal values of various governing parameters are firstly computed with genetic algorithm and then fed to Pontryagin’s minimum principle to decide the threshold power at which engine is turned on. This process makes the proposed method robust and provides better chance to improve the fuel efficiency. Engine efficient operating region is identified to operate vehicle in efficient regions and reduce fuel consumption.
De NovoTranscriptome Sequencing ofOlea europaeaL. to Identify Genes Involved in the Development of the Pollen Tube
Authors: Iaria Domenico , Chiappetta Adriana , Muzzalupo Innocenzo
Published: February 2016

In olive (Olea europaeaL.), the processes controlling self-incompatibility are still unclear and the molecular basis underlying this process are still not fully characterized. In order to determine compatibility relationships, using next-generation sequencing techniques and ade novotranscriptome assembly strategy, we show that pollen tubes from different olive plants, grownin vitroin a medium containing its own pistil and in combination pollen/pistil from self-sterile and self-fertile cultivars, have a distinct gene expression profile and many of the differentially expressed sequences between the samples fall within gene families involved in the development of the pollen tube, such as lipase, carboxylesterase, pectinesterase, pectin methylesterase, and callose synthase. Moreover, different genes involved in signal transduction, transcription, and growth are overrepresented. The analysis also allowed us to identify members in actin and actin depolymerization factor and fibrin gene family and member of the Ca2+binding gene family related to the development and polarization of pollen apical tip. The whole transcriptomic analysis, through the identification of the differentially expressed transcripts set and an extended functional annotation analysis, will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of pollen germination and pollen tube growth in the olive.
Nonlinear Modeling and Dynamic Simulation Using Bifurcation and Stability Analyses of Regenerative Chatter of Ball-End Milling Process
Authors: Jung Jeehyun , Ngo Chinh , Son Dowung , Seok Jongwon
Published: February 2016

A dynamic model for a ball-end milling process that includes the consideration of cutting force nonlinearities and regenerative chatter effects is presented. The nonlinear cutting force is approximated using a Fourier series and then expanded into a Taylor series up to the third order. A series of nonlinear analyses was performed to investigate the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a ball-end milling system, and the differences between the nonlinear analysis approach and its linear counterpart were examined. A bifurcation analysis of points near the critical equilibrium points was performed using the method of multiple scales (MMS) and the method of harmonic balance (MHB) to analyse the local chatter behaviors of the system. The bifurcation analysis was conducted at two subcritical Hopf bifurcation points. It was also found that a ball-end milling system with nonlinear cutting forces near its critical equilibrium points is conditionally stable. The analysis and simulation results were compared with experimental data reported in the literature, and the physical significance of the results is discussed.
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells with Low Cost Carbon Nanotubes Electrodes
Authors: Al-Marzouki F. M. , Abdalla S. , Al-Ameer S.
Published: February 2016

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are very sensitive to electrodes, due to either high cost or easy corrosion problems. To minimize these factors, we present DSSCs with cheap carbon nanotubes as counter electrodes. In addition, we suggest replacing the electrolyte (in typical DSSCs) with a solid film of powdered CsSnI3. The electrical behavior (I-Vcharacteristics) of the proposed device has been measured for different shading conditions. In the light of a theoretical model based on the presence of two diodes, the experimental data have been explained, taking into account a new equivalent circuit for the DSSC. These DSSCs may receive different levels of sun radiation, which stimulates the study of partial shading; so, we have studied the effect of different shadow rates on the solar conversion efficiency of a unit of 4-W-connected DSSCs. The validity of the present model has been examined by fitting it intoI-Vcharacteristics at different shading rates.
Mathematical Methods Applied to Economy Optimization of an Electric Vehicle with Distributed Power Train System
Authors: Sun Binbin , Gao Song , Ma Chao
Published: February 2016

This research presents mathematical methods to develop a high-efficiency power train system for a microelectric vehicle (MEV). First of all, to get the optimal ratios of a two-speed gearbox, the functional relationship of energy consumption and transmissions is established using the design of experiment (DOE) and min-max fitting distance methods. The convex characteristic of the model and the main and interactive effects of transmissions on energy consumption are revealed and hill-climbing method is adopted to search the optimal ratios. Then, to develop an efficient and real-time drive strategy, an optimization program is proposed including shift schedule, switch law, and power distribution optimization. Particularly, to construct a mathematical predictive distribution model, firstly Latin hypercube design (LHD) method is adopted to generate random and discrete operations of the MEV; secondly the optimal power distribution coefficients under various LHD points are confirmed based on offline genetic algorithm (GA); then Gauss radial basis function (RBF) is utilized to solve the low-precision problem in polynomial model. Finally, simulation verifications of the optimized scheme are carried out. Results show that the proposed mathematical methods for the optimizations of transmissions and drive strategy are able to establish a high-efficiency power train system.
A Self-Powered Triboelectric Nanosensor for PH Detection
Authors: Wu Ying , Su Yuanjie , Bai Junjie , Zhu Guang , Zhang Xiaoyun , Li Zhanolin , Xiang Yi , Shi Jingliang
Published: February 2016

A self-powered, sliding electrification based triboelectric sensor was developed for detecting PH value from a periodic contact/separation motion. This innovative, cost-effective, simply designed sensor is composed of a fluorinated ethylene propylene thin film and an array of electrodes underneath. The operation of the TENG (triboelectric nanogenerator) sensor relies on a repetitive emerging-submerging process with traveling solution waves, in which the coupling between triboelectrification and electrostatic induction gives rise to alternating flows of electrons between electrodes. On the basis of coupling effect between triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, the sensor generates electric output signals which are associated with PH value. Experimental results show that the output voltage of the TENG sensor increases with the increasing PH value, which indicate that the PH value of different solution can be real-time monitored. This work not only demonstrates a new principle in the field of PH value measurement but also greatly expands the applicability of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as self-powered sensors.
Lung Neutrophilia in Myeloperoxidase Deficient Mice during the Course of Acute Pulmonary Inflammation
Authors: Kremserova Silvie , Perecko Tomas , Soucek Karel , Klinke Anna , Baldus Stephan , Eiserich Jason P. , Kubala Lukas
Published: February 2016

Systemic inflammation accompanying diseases such as sepsis affects primarily lungs and induces their failure. This remains the most common cause of sepsis induced mortality. While neutrophils play a key role in pulmonary failure, the mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. We report that myeloperoxidase (MPO), abundant enzyme in neutrophil granules, modulates the course of acute pulmonary inflammatory responses induced by intranasal application of lipopolysaccharide. MPO deficient mice had significantly increased numbers of airway infiltrated neutrophils compared to wild‐type mice during the whole course of lung inflammation. This was accompanied by higher levels of RANTES in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the MPO deficient mice. Other markers of lung injury and inflammation, which contribute to recruitment of neutrophils into the inflamed lungs, including total protein and other selected proinflammatory cytokines did not significantly differ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the wild‐type and the MPO deficient mice. Interestingly, MPO deficient neutrophils revealed a decreased rate of cell death characterized by phosphatidylserine surface expression. Collectively, the importance of MPO in regulation of pulmonary inflammation, independent of its putative microbicidal functions, can be potentially linked to MPO ability to modulate the life span of neutrophils and to affect accumulation of chemotactic factors at the inflammatory site.
Numerical Simulation of Bubble Coalescence and Break-Up in Multinozzle Jet Ejector
Authors: Patel Dhanesh , Chaudhari Ashvinkumar , Laari Arto , Heiliö Matti , Hämäläinen Jari , Agrawal Kishorilal
Published: February 2016

Designing the jet ejector optimally is a challenging task and has a great impact on industrial applications. Three different sets of nozzles (namely, 1, 3, and 5) inside the jet ejector are compared in this study by using numerical simulations. More precisely, dynamics of bubble coalescence and breakup in the multinozzle jet ejectors are studied by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The population balance approach is used for the gas phase such that different bubble size groups are included in CFD and the number densities of each of them are predicted in CFD simulations. Here, commercial CFD softwareANSYS Fluent 14.0is used. The realizablek-εturbulence model is used in CFD code in three-dimensional computational domains. It is clear that Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models have their limitations, but on the other hand, turbulence modeling is not the key issue in this study and we can assume that the RANS models can predict turbulence of the carrying phase accurately enough. In order to validate our numerical predictions, results of one, three, and five nozzles are compared to laboratory experiments data for Cl2-NaOH system. Predicted gas volume fractions, bubble size distributions, and resulting number densities of the different bubble size groups as well as the interfacial area concentrations are in good agreement with experimental results.
Cholesterol Lowering Effect of Plant Stanol Ester Yoghurt Drinks with Added Camelina Oil
Authors: Salo Pia , Kuusisto Päivi
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of yoghurt minidrinks containing two doses of plant stanol ester either with or without added camelina oil on the serum cholesterol levels in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. In this randomised, double-blind, parallel group study, 143 subjects consumed a 65 mL minidrink together with a meal daily for four weeks. The minidrink contained 1.6 or 2.0 grams of plant stanols with or without 2 grams of alpha-linolenic acid-rich camelina oil. The placebo minidrink did not contain plant stanols or camelina oil. All plant stanol treated groups showed statistically significant total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol lowering relative to baseline and relative to placebo. Compared to placebo, LDL cholesterol was lowered by 9.4% (p<0.01) and 8.1% (p<0.01) with 1.6 g and 2 g plant stanols, respectively. With addition of Camelina oil, 1.6 g plant stanols resulted in 11.0% (p<0.01) and 2 g plant stanols in 8.4% (p<0.01) reduction in LDL cholesterol compared to placebo. In conclusion, yoghurt minidrinks with plant stanol ester reduced serum LDL cholesterol significantly and addition of a small amount of camelina oil did not significantly enhance the cholesterol lowering effect. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02628990.
Establishment and Characterization of a Telomerase-Immortalized Sheep Trophoblast Cell Line
Authors: Zhang Yufei , Shi Jing , Liu Shuying
Published: February 2016

The primary sheep trophoblast cells (STCs) have a finite lifespan in culture. This feature limits the scope for long-termin vitrostudies with STCs. This study was an attempt to establish and characterize a telomerase-immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line. STCs were isolated and purified by using Percoll and specific immunoaffinity purification, respectively. The purified STCs were transfected with a plasmid carrying sequences of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) to create immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line (hTERT-STCs). hTERT-STCs showed a stable expression of hTERT gene, serially passaged for a year, and showed active proliferation without signs of senescence. Cytokeratin 7 (CK-7), secreted human chorionic gonadotrophin subunitβ(CG-β), placental lactogen (PL), and endogenous jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (enJSRV) envelope genes were expressed in hTERT-STCs. Transwell cell invasion assay indicated that hTERT-STCs still possessed the same invasive characteristics as normal primary sheep trophoblast cells. hTERT-STCs could not grow in soft agar and did not develop into tumors in nude mice. In this study, we established a strain of immortalized sheep trophoblast cell line which could be gainfully employed in the future as an experimental model to study trophoblast cells with secretory function, invasive features, and probable biological function of enJSRV envelope genes.
Reversibility ofβ-Cell-Specific Transcript Factors Expression by Long-Term Caloric Restriction in db/db Mouse
Authors: Sheng Chunjun , Li Feng , Lin Ziwei , Zhang Manna , Yang Peng , Bu Le , Sheng Hui , Li Hong , Qu Shen
Published: February 2016

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized byβ-cell dedifferentiation, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of the current study was to explore the mechanisms ofβ-cell dedifferentiation with and without long-term control of calorie intake. We used a diabetes mouse model (db/db) to analyze the changes in the expression levels ofβ-cell-specific transcription factors (TFs) and functional factors with long-term caloric restriction (CR). Our results showed that chronic euglycemia was maintained in the db/db mice with long-term CR intervention, andβ-cell dedifferentiation was significantly reduced. The expression of Glut2, Pdx1, and Nkx6.1 was reversed, while MafA expression was significantly increased with long-term CR. GLP-1 pathway was reactivated with long-term CR. Our work showed that the course ofβ-cell dedifferentiation can intervene by long-term control of calorie intake. Keyβ-cell-specific TFs and functional factors play important roles in maintainingβ-cell differentiation. Targeting these factors could optimize T2D therapies.
Vibration Analysis of Euler-Bernoulli Beams Partially Immersed in a Viscous Fluid
Authors: Abassi Wafik , El Baroudi Adil , Razafimahery Fulgence
Published: February 2016

The vibrational characteristics of a microbeam are well known to strongly depend on the fluid in which the beam is immersed. In this paper, we present a detailed theoretical study of the modal analysis of microbeams partially immersed in a viscous fluid. A fixed-free microbeam vibrating in a viscous fluid is modeled using the Euler-Bernoulli equation for the beams. The unsteady Stokes equations are solved using a Helmholtz decomposition technique in a two-dimensional plane containing the microbeams cross sections. The symbolic software Mathematica is used in order to find the coupled vibration frequencies of beams with two portions. The frequency equation is deduced and analytically solved. The finite element method using Comsol Multiphysics software results is compared with present method for validation and an acceptable match between them was obtained. In the eigenanalysis, the frequency equation is generated by satisfying all boundary conditions. It is shown that the present formulation is an appropriate and new approach to tackle the problem with good accuracy.
Towards Utilization of Neurofuzzy Systems for Taxonomic Identification Using Psittacines as a Case Study
Authors: Rahimi Shahram , Spiess Cynthia R. , Gupta Bidyut , Sahebkar Elham
Published: February 2016

Demonstration of the neurofuzzy application to the task of psittacine (parrot) taxonomic identification is presented in this paper. In this work, NEFCLASS-J neurofuzzy system is utilized for classification of parrot data for 141 and 183 groupings, using 68 feature points or qualities. The reported results display classification accuracies of above 95%, which is strongly tied to the setting of certain parameters of the neurofuzzy system. Rule base sizes were in the range of 1,750 to 1,950 rules.
Involvement of Ovarian Estradiol Biosynthesis and Pituitary FSH Expression in the Mechanism of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Stimulation of Uterine Growth in Immature Female Rats
Authors: Rafert Sandrine , Mariot Julie , Klett Danièle , Combarnous Yves
Published: February 2016

In a previous work, we showed that human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) alone is able to stimulate uterine ponderal growth in immature female rats. In the present paper, we provide new information indicating that a single 100 ng hCG injection increased ovarian androgen availability and aromatase activity. These changes are consistent with an increase in ovarian estradiol secretion. Ovarian activin βA and activin βB subunit RNAs expression were also increased following hCG injection. Most interestingly, this treatment also led to an increase in FSHβ subunit mRNA expression in the pituitary, which might be due to hCG-stimulated ovarian activin secretion. We have not been able so far to follow the kinetics of the plasma concentrations of activin and FSH in hCG-treated animals compared to control animals. This has to be explored in the future to provide a more complete assessment of our model.
Link Prediction via Sparse Gaussian Graphical Model
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Yang Longqi , Hu Guyu , Pan Zhisong , Li Zhen
Published: February 2016

Link prediction is an important task in complex network analysis. Traditional link prediction methods are limited by network topology and lack of node property information, which makes predicting links challenging. In this study, we address link prediction using a sparse Gaussian graphical model and demonstrate its theoretical and practical effectiveness. In theory, link prediction is executed by estimating the inverse covariance matrix of samples to overcome information limits. The proposed method was evaluated with four small and four large real-world datasets. The experimental results show that the area under the curve (AUC) value obtained by the proposed method improved by an average of 3% and 12.5% compared to 13 mainstream similarity methods, respectively. This method outperforms the baseline method, and the prediction accuracy is superior to mainstream methods when using only 80% of the training set. The method also provides significantly higher AUC values when using only 60% in Dolphin and Taro datasets. Furthermore, the error rate of the proposed method demonstrates superior performance with all datasets compared to mainstream methods.
Hyperprolactinemia Secondary to Allergic Fungal Sinusitis Compressing the Pituitary Gland
Authors: Chapurin Nikita , Wang Cynthia , Steinberg David M. , Jang David W.
Published: February 2016

Objective. We aim to describe the first case in the literature of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) presenting with hyperprolactinemia due to compression of the pituitary gland.Case Presentation. A 37-year-old female presented with bilateral galactorrhea and occipital headaches of several weeks. Workup revealed elevated prolactin of 94.4, negative pregnancy test, and normal thyroid function. MRI and CT demonstrated a 5.0 × 2.7 × 2.5 cm heterogeneous expansile mass in the right sphenoid sinus with no pituitary adenoma as originally suspected. Patient was placed on cabergoline for symptomatic control until definitive treatment.Results. The patient underwent right endoscopic sphenoidotomy, which revealed nasal polyps and fungal debris in the sphenoid sinus, consistent with AFS. There was bony erosion of the sella and clivus. Pathology and microbiology were consistent with allergic fungal sinusitis caused byCurvulariaspecies. Prolactin levels normalized four weeks after surgery with resolution of symptoms.Conclusion. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery alone was able to reverse the patient’s pituitary dysfunction. To our knowledge, this is the first case of AFS presenting as hyperprolactinemia due to pituitary compression.
Genetic Characterization of a Novel Mutant of Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus Isolated fromCapra ibexin China during 2015
Authors: Zhu Zixiang , Zhang Xiaocui , Adili Gulizhati , Huang Jiong , Du Xiaoli , Zhang Xiangle , Li Pengfei , Zheng Xueguang , Liu Xiangtao , Zheng Haixue , Xue Qinghong
Published: February 2016

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is the causative agent of peste des petits ruminants (PPR). The spread of PPR often causes severe economic losses. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the surveillance of PPR emergence, spread, and geographic distribution. Here we describe a novel mutant of PPRV China/XJBZ/2015 that was isolated fromCapra ibexin Xinjiang province in China 2015. The sequence analysis and phylogenetic assessment indicate that China/XJBZ/2015 belongs to lineage IV, being closely related to China/XJYL/2013 strain. Interestingly, the V protein sequence of China/XJBZ/2015 showed lower homology with other Chinese PPRVs isolated during 2013 to 2014 (94%~95%), whereas it shared 100% identity with three Tibet strains isolated in China 2007. The 3′ UTR, V gene, and C gene were determined to be highly variable. Besides, 29 PPR genomic sequences available in GenBank were analyzed in this study. It is the first time to use PPRV genomic sequences to classify the different lineages which confirmed the lineage clustering of PPRVs using N gene 255 bp fragments and F gene 322 bp fragments. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the PPRVs continue to evolve in China, and some new mutations have emerged.
Trajectory Optimization for Velocity Jumps Reduction considering the Unexpectedness Characteristics of Space Manipulator Joint-Locked Failure
Authors: Jia Qingxuan , Li Tong , Chen Gang , Sun Hanxu , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2016

Aiming at reducing joint velocity jumps caused by an unexpected joint-locked failure during space manipulator on-orbit operations without shutting down manipulator, trajectory optimization strategy considering the unexpectedness characteristics of joint-locked failure is proposed in the paper, which can achieve velocity jumps reduction in both operation space and joint space simultaneously. In the strategy, velocity in operation space concerning task completion directly is treated as equality constraints, and velocity in joint space concerning motion performance is treated as objective function. Global compensation vector which consists of coefficient, gradient of manipulability, and orthogonal matrix of null space is constructed to minimize the objective function. For each particular failure time, unique optimal coefficient can be obtained when the objective function is minimal. As a basis, a method for optimal coefficient function fitting is proposed based on a priori failure information (possible failure time and the corresponding optimal coefficient) to guarantee the unexpectedness characteristics of joint-locked failure. Simulations are implemented to validate the efficiency of trajectory optimization strategy in reducing velocity jumps in both joint space and operation space. And the feasibility of coefficient function is also verified in reducing velocity jump no matter when joint-locked failure occurs.
New Evidences on the Process Sensitivity of Some Renewable Blends Based on Starch considering Their Melt Rheological Properties
Authors: Dimonie Doina , Petrache Marius , Damian Celina , Anton Liliana , Musat Miruna , Dima Ştefan-Ovidiu , Jinescu Cosmin , Maria Rapa
Published: February 2016

The degradability and processability of new renewable materials based on starch and PVOH were studied using the melt flow index (MFI) method by measuring the melt rheological properties which depend not only on the extrusion conditions and material formulation but also on the macromolecule characteristics which can be modified by chemical degradation. These results were correlated with other material properties like color and cross-linking degree. The obtained results show that flowing in the melted state of the studied materials is accompanied by a second process of chains chemical degradation. It was observed that, at the same level of additivation, under identical extrusion conditions, the melted blends with corn starch as main component are highly mechanically sensitive and degrade mostly by chains scission and those with PVOH as major component are highly temperature sensitive and degrade mainly by cross-linking. The obtained results show also that each PVOH-starch blend requires particular formulation and individual windows of melt processing conditions. These results are a good proof that the MFI method is a good path to study the degradability and moldability of process sensitive polymeric materials like those based on starch and PVOH.
Postinfluenza Vaccination Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Three Elderly Patients
Authors: Nagasaki Joji , Manabe Masahiro , Ido Kentaro , Ichihara Hiroyoshi , Aoyama Yasutaka , Ohta Tadanobu , Furukawa Yoshio , Mugitani Atsuko
Published: February 2016

The etiologies of secondary idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) include infection, autoimmune disease, and immunodeficiency. We report the cases of three elderly patients who developed ITP after receiving influenza vaccinations. The platelet count of an 81-year-old woman fell to 27,000/μL after she received an influenza vaccination. A 75-year-old woman developed thrombocytopenia (5,000 platelets/μL) after receiving an influenza vaccination. An 87-year-old woman whose laboratory test values included a platelet count of 2,000/μL experienced genital bleeding after receiving an influenza vaccination. AfterHelicobacter pylori(HP) eradication or corticosteroid treatment, all of the patients’ platelet counts increased. Influenza vaccination is an underlying etiology of ITP in elderly patients. HP eradication or corticosteroid treatment is effective for these patients. Clinicians should be aware of the association between ITP and influenza vaccinations.
A New Extended MILP MRP Approach to Production Planning and Its Application in the Jewelry Industry
Authors: Yazıcı Erhan , Büyüközkan Gülçin , Baskak Murat
Published: February 2016

It is important to manage reverse material flows such as recycling, reusing, and remanufacturing in a production environment. This paper addresses a production planning problem which involves reusing of scrap and recycling of waste that occur in the various stages of the production process and remanufacturing/recycling of returns in a closed-loop supply chain environment. An extended material requirement planning (MRP) is proposed as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model which includes—beside forward—these reverse material flows. The proposed model is developed for the jewelry industry in Turkey, which uses gold as the primary resource of production. The aim is to manage these reverse material flows as a part of production planning to utilize resources. Considering the mostly unpredictable nature of reverse material flows, the proposed model is likewise transformed into a fuzzy model to provide a better review of production plan for the decision maker. The suggested model is examined through a case study to test the applicability and efficiency.
Amphetamine Abuse Related Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Sinha Archana , Lewis O’Dene , Kumar Rajan , Yeruva Sri Lakshmi Hyndavi , Curry Bryan H.
Published: February 2016

Amphetamine abuse is a global problem. The cardiotoxic manifestations like acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, or arrhythmia related to misuse of amphetamine and its synthetic derivatives have been documented but are rather rare. Amphetamine-related AMI is even rarer. We report two cases of men who came to emergency department (ED) with chest pain, palpitation, or seizure and were subsequently found to have myocardial infarction associated with the use of amphetamines. It is crucial that, with increase in amphetamine abuse, clinicians are aware of this potentially dire complication. Patients with low to intermediate risk for coronary artery disease with atypical presentation may benefit from obtaining detailed substance abuse history and urine drug screen if deemed necessary.
Improving Rare Events Detection in WSN through Cluster-Based Power Control Mechanism
Authors: Jellali Zakia , Najjar Atallah Leïla , Cherif Sofiane
Published: February 2016

Rare events detection is one of the main applications in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and is currently a central concern of a vast literature. Compressed Sensing (CS) theory has been proved to be quite adapted to this objective. Although this is not the first work on applying CS to sparse events detection in WSN, it is the first to highly justify the validity of the targets detection and counting problem formulation. In order to enhance the CS recovery capacity in WSN, this work considers an approach based on a coherence reduction of the sensing matrix premised on the transmitted power control (PC). Simulation results prove that, under the constraint of equal power consumption, the detection and counting performance is improved when the proposed power control scheme is employed compared to the case without PC.
Synthesis of N/Fe Comodified TiO2Loaded on Bentonite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under UV-Vis Light
Authors: Cao Xi , Liu Chen , Hu Yandi , Yang Wenli , Chen Jiawei
Published: February 2016

To improve the efficiency of TiO2as a photocatalyst for contaminant degradation, a novel nanocomposite catalyst of (N, Fe) modified TiO2nanoparticles loaded on bentonite (B-N/Fe-TiO2) was successfully prepared for the first time by sol-gel method. The synthesized B-N/Fe-TiO2catalyst composites were characterized by multiple techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The results showed that bentonite significantly enhanced the dispersion of TiO2nanoparticles and increased the specific surface area of the catalysts. Compared with nondoped TiO2, single element doped TiO2, or unloaded TiO2nanoparticles, B-N/Fe-TiO2had the highest absorption in UV-visible region. The photocatalytic activity of B-N/Fe-TiO2was also the highest, based on the degradation of methyl blue (MB) at room temperature under UV and visible light irradiation. In particular, the synthesized B-N/Fe-TiO2showed much greater photocatalytic efficiency than N/Fe-TiO2under visible light, the newly synthesized B-N/Fe-TiO2is going to significantly increase the photocatalytic efficiency of the catalyst using sun light.
The Toll of Vascular Insufficiency: Implications for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Xu Jun , Sachdev Ulka
Published: February 2016

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can result in limb loss within six months of diagnosis in a subset of patients who cannot undergo endovascular or surgical revascularization yet continues to maintain a marginal position in cardiovascular research. While a body of literature continues to grow describing the role of danger signaling and innate immunity in cardiac biology, the role of these pathways in the ischemic myopathy associated with PAD has not been extensively studied. The following report will review the current literature on the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in cardiovascular biology as well as in nonischemic myopathy. While attenuation of TLR signaling has not been shown to be clinically useful in the treatment of infectious inflammation, it may show promise in the management of severe arterial insufficiency.