bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First‐night effect on cardiac autonomic function in different female reproductive states
Authors: Virtanen Irina , Kalleinen Nea , Urrila Anna S. , Polo‐Kantola Päivi
Published: May 2017

Decreases in heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic nervous system function, are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Heart rate variability increases in non‐rapid eye movement sleep, peaking in slow‐wave sleep. Therefore, decreasing the amount of deep sleep, for example, by introducing patients to a sleep laboratory environment, could decrease heart rate variability, increasing cardiovascular risk. We studied four groups of women with no previous sleep laboratory experience: young [n = 11, 23.1 (0.5) years]; perimenopausal [n = 15, 48.0 (0.4) years]; postmenopausal without hormone therapy [n = 22, 63.4 (0.8) years]; and postmenopausal on hormone therapy [n = 16, 63.1 (0.9) years], using a cross‐sectional design. Polysomnography including electrocardiogram was performed over two consecutive nights. Heart rate variability was assessed overnight, and the first‐night effect on heart rate variability was analysed. Furthermore, correlations between heart rate variability and sleep variables were analysed. Using combined groups, only minor changes were observed in non‐linear heart rate variability, indicating increased parasympathetic tone from the first to the second night. No group differences in first‐night effect were seen. Heart rate variability and sleep variables were not significantly correlated. Heart rate variability decreased with increasing age, and it was lowest in the postmenopausal women on hormone therapy. We conclude that a first night in a sleep laboratory elicits only minimal changes in overnight vagally mediated non‐linear heart rate variability in women irrespective of reproductive state. This finding warrants further analyses in different sleep stages, but suggests that changes in sleep architecture per se do not predict the autonomic strain of a poor night.
Pathology of oligodendroglia: An overview
Authors: Komori Takashi
Published: May 2017

Oligodendroglia are cells responsible for creating myelin sheaths for axons in the CNS. However, pathologies of oligodendroglia other than demyelination are not well understood due to the lack of adequate methods of characterizing pathological conditions affecting oligodendroglia in human tissue. This review discusses three major topics with the aim of clarifying some of the controversies in the study of oligodendroglia. The oligodendroglioma, a relatively indolent form of diffuse gliomas thought to originate in oligodendrocytes, has never demonstrated myelin formation on electron microscopy nor shown a constant expression of myelin‐related proteins. Oligodendrogliomas instead share an immune phenotype with oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Another type of cell that resembles OPCs are oligodendroglia‐like cells (OLCs), which occur in many types of low‐grade tumors and focal cortical dysplasia. In neurodegenerative disorders, oligodendroglia can be a target of abnormal aggregations of proteins such as tau. Tau‐positive oligodendroglial inclusions in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal generation differ from each other morphologically, ultrastructurally and biochemically, suggesting disparate underlying pathological processes despite significant overlapping of the clinical manifestations. To promote the study of oligodendroglia, novel methods for detecting OLCs in situ are urgently required.
Role of de‐N‐acetylase PgaB from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in exopolysaccharide export in biofilm mode of growth
Authors: Shanmugam M. , Oyeniyi A.O. , Parthiban C. , Gujjarlapudi S.K. , Pier G.B. , Ramasubbu N.
Published: May 2017

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a Gram‐negative bacterium, is the causative agent of localized aggressive periodontitis. Attachment to a biotic surface is a critical first step in the A. actinomycetemcomitans infection process for which exopolysaccharides have been shown to be essential. In addition, the pga operon, containing genes encoding for biosynthetic proteins for poly‐N‐acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), plays a key role in A. actinomycetemcomitans virulence, as a mutant strain lacking the pga operon induces significantly less bone resorption. Among the genes in the pga operon, pgaB codes for a de‐N‐acetylase that is responsible for the deacetylation of the PNAG exopolysaccharide. Here we report the role of PgaB in regulation of virulence genes using a markerless, scarless deletion mutant targeting the coding region of the N‐terminal catalytic domain of PgaB. The results demonstrate that the N‐terminal, catalytic domain of PgaB is crucial for exopolysaccharide export.
Virtue Ethics is Empirically Adequate: A Defense of the Caps Response to Situationism
Authors: West Ryan
Published: May 2017

According to situationists, the available empirical psychological data show that prevalent conceptions of virtue are ‘empirically inadequate.’ The charge is ambiguous. I begin by differentiating four families of empirical inadequacy charges, explaining the conceptual connections among the families, and showing how different situationists press different versions of the charges from each family. Then I explain how the empirical psychological model known as the ‘cognitive affective personality system,’ or ‘CAPS model,’ enables distinct responses to these varied charges. The CAPS response has come under fire, though, and I close by responding to the five main challenges raised against it.
Epiphytic Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens strains isolated from symptomless solanaceous vegetables are pathogenic on leguminous but not on solanaceous plants
Authors: Osdaghi E. , Taghavi S. M. , Hamzehzarghani H. , Fazliarab A. , Harveson R. M. , Tegli S. , Lamichhane J. R.
Published: May 2017

In Iran, during 2013–16, 16 Gram‐positive corynebacteria‐like strains were recovered from the epiphytic parts of solanaceous vegetables including eggplant, pepper and tomato. The strains were recovered accidentally as a result of monitoring for other bacterial pathogens in solanaceous fields. The strains were phenotypically different from Clavibacter michiganensis strains. Although none of the strains were pathogenic on their host of isolation or on any other solanaceous plants, 12 out of 16 strains were pathogenic on common bean, cowpea, mung bean and soybean. Colonization by strains was observed on maize, zucchini, faba bean, honeydew melon, rapeseed, sugar beet and sunflower plants under greenhouse conditions. In PCR tests, the primer pair CffFOR2/CffREV4, specific for Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, enabled the amplification of the appropriately sized fragment in 12 out of 16 strains, and all 12 strains were pathogenic on dry beans. Phylogenetic analysis, using the gyrB and recA genes, showed all 16 bacterial strains clustered within several pathovars of C. flaccumfaciens. A nonpathogenic yellow‐pigmented strain (Xeu15) was clustered with the type strains of C. flaccumfaciens pv. betae and C. flaccumfaciens pv. oortii. Bacteriocin profiling assays revealed no significant differences among the pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. Host range and population dynamics of four representative strains on 17 plant species showed population build‐up of the strains only on common bean, cowpea, wheat and red nightshade plants. The results provide important insights into the possible role of nonhost plants as reservoirs of plant pathogenic bacteria, which has important implications in plant disease epidemiology and management.
The impact of serum incubation time on IgM/IgG binding to porcine aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Zhang Zhongqiang , Gao Bingsi , Zhao Chengjiang , Long Cassandra , Qi Haizhi , Ezzelarab Mohamed , Cooper David KC , Hara Hidetaka
Published: May 2017

The results of the assay for measuring anti‐non‐Gal antibodies (which affect pig xenograft survival) in recipients are important. Serum incubation time and concentration may be important factors in the extent of antibody binding to the graft. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the optimal incubation time and serum concentration for measuring anti‐non‐Gal antibody binding to porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs). Pooled human, naive, and sensitized baboon sera were incubated with wild‐type, α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout (GTKO), and GTKO/human CD55 pAECs. IgM/IgG binding to pAECs after varying serum incubation times (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 hour) and concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 40 μL) was determined by flow cytometry. An increase in incubation time from 30 minutes to 2 hour was associated with increases in anti‐non‐Gal IgM/IgG binding to GTKO and GTKO/hCD55 pAECs of pooled human, naive and sensitized baboon sera (P<.05). Pooled human serum showed a significant increase in anti‐non‐Gal IgM (1.5 times) and a minimal increase in anti‐non‐Gal IgG antibody binding. IgM/IgG binding of sensitized baboon serum to GTKO pAECs after 2‐hour incubation was 1.5 times and 2 times greater than after 30‐minutes incubation, respectively, whereas naïve baboon sera showed minimal (non‐significant) increase in anti‐non‐Gal IgM/IgG antibody binding. With 2‐hour incubation, increasing the serum concentration from 5 μL to 20 μL significantly increased antibody binding to non‐Gal antigens in pooled human and sensitized baboon serum. With naïve baboon serum, only IgG was significantly increased. Increasing the serum incubation time contributed to improve the sensitivity of detecting anti‐non‐Gal antibodies, without affecting cell viability in vitro.
A Model-Based Control Design Approach for Linear Free-Piston Engines
Authors: Kigezi T. N. , Dunne J. F.
Published: May 2017

A general design approach is presented for model-based control of piston position in a free-piston engine (FPE). The proposed approach controls either “bottom-dead-center” (BDC) or “top-dead-center” (TDC) position. The key advantage of the approach is that it facilitates controller parameter selection, by the way of deriving parameter combinations that yield both stable BDC and stable TDC. Driving the piston motion toward a target compression ratio is, therefore, achieved with sound engineering insight, consequently allowing repeatable engine cycles for steady power output. The adopted control design approach is based on linear control-oriented models derived from exploitation of energy conservation principles in a two-stroke engine cycle. Two controllers are developed: A proportional integral (PI) controller with an associated stability condition expressed in terms of controller parameters, and a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) to demonstrate a framework for advanced control design where needed. A detailed analysis is undertaken on two FPE case studies differing only by rebound device type, reporting simulation results for both PI and LQR control. The applicability of the proposed methodology to other common FPE configurations is examined to demonstrate its generality.
The Effect of Water Droplet Size, Temperature, and Impingement Velocity on Gold Wettability at the Nanoscale
Authors: Cordeiro Jhonatam , Desai Salil
Published: May 2017

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to investigate the wettability of gold substrate interacting with nanosized droplets of water. The effects of droplet size, temperature variation, and impingement velocity are evaluated using molecular trajectories, dynamic contact angle, spread ratios, radial distribution function (RDF), and molecular diffusion graphs. Droplets of 4 nm and 10 nm were simulated at 293 K and 373 K, respectively. Stationary droplets were compared to droplets impinging the substrate at 100 m/s. The simulations were executed on high-end workstations equipped with NVIDIA® Tesla graphical processing units (GPUs). Results show that smaller droplets have a faster stabilization time and lower contact angles than larger droplets. With an increase in temperature, stabilization time gets faster, and the molecular diffusion from the water droplet increases. Higher temperatures also increase the wettability of the gold substrate, wherein droplets present a lower contact angle and a higher spread ratio. Droplets that impact the substrate at a higher impingement velocity converge to the same contact angle as stationary droplets. At higher temperatures, the impingement velocities accelerate the diffusion of water molecules into vapor. It was revealed that impingement velocities do not influence stabilization times. This research establishes relationships among different process parameters to control the wettability of water on gold substrates which can be explored to study several nanomanufacturing processes.
Grotenhout Virus, a Novel Nairovirus Found in Ixodes ricinus in Belgium
Authors: Vanmechelen Bert , Laenen Lies , Vergote Valentijn , Maes Piet
Published: May 2017

We report here the draft genome of a novel nairovirus, Grotenhout virus, isolated from deer ticks (
Ixodes ricinus
) in Belgium. The genome consists of two segments, L and S, and is most similar to the tick-borne South Bay virus, with amino acid identities ranging from 60 to 64%.
The Complete Genome Sequence of a Human Parechovirus from a Child with Diarrhea in China Revealed Intertypic Recombination
Authors: Zhao Xiaoying , Zhou Chenglin , Zhang Xiaodan , Li Wang , Wan Xinyu , Wang Yan , Zeng Yuming , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2017

A human parechovirus (HPeV), CH-ZXY1, was detected in feces from a child with diarrhea. Phylogenetic trees over three different genomic regions revealed discordant topological structures. Recombination analysis indicates that CH-ZXY1 is a recombinant resulting from recombination between HPeV5 and HPeV1, which was confirmed by PCR covering the recombination breakpoint.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. Sge12, Which Produces Antibacterial and Fungicidal Activities
Authors: Xu Jianguo , Xu Min , Liu Kai , Peng Qinyin , Tao Meifeng
Published: May 2017

Streptomyces
sp. Sge12 was isolated from forest soil and exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activities against selected fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this strain, which contains 37 putative secondary metabolite gene clusters.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Autotrophic Acetogen Clostridium formicaceticum DSM 92
T
Using Nanopore and Illumina Sequencing Data
Authors: Karl Michael M. , Poehlein Anja , Bengelsdorf Frank R. , Daniel Rolf , Dürre Peter
Published: May 2017

Here, we report the closed genome sequence of
Clostridium formicaceticum
, an Rnf- and cytochrome-containing autotrophic acetogen that is able to convert carbon monoxide to acetate using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (4.59 Mb).
“Onion peel” glycodendrimer syntheses using mixed triazine and cyclotriphosphazene scaffolds
Authors: Bagul Rahul S. , Hosseini Maryam M. , Shiao Tze Chieh , Roy René
Published: May 2017

An expeditious synthetic protocol for the construction of glycodendrimers is illustrated using the newly discovered “onion peel” strategy. The onion peel approach and orthogonal coupling strategies were accomplished with rationally design sequential modifications of cyanuric acid. Carefully chosen building blocks and their effective attachment by chemoselective atom economical click reactions, namely Cu (I) azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) and photocatalyzed thiol-ene reaction (TEC), allowed rapid build-up of glycodendrimers in contrast to traditional dendrimers syntheses that are based on the repetitive use of identical building blocks to form each layer. The newly formed glycodendrimers were evaluated for their capacity to cross-link carbohydrate-lectin interactions using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Rapid increase in particle size was observed as a function of time when compared to their monomer counterparts resulting from the multivalent lectin cross-linking ability of the new glycodendrimers.
Application of the recursion-transform method in calculating the resistance of an M×N cobweb resistor network with an arbitrary boundary
Authors: Ji Yinghua , Hu Juju
Published: May 2017

Looking for a handy and exact calculation for the equivalent resistance of an M[Formula: see text]×[Formula: see text]N resistor network is important, but difficult. In this paper, we present a standard and convenient approach to calculate the equivalent resistance of an M[Formula: see text]×[Formula: see text]N cobweb resistor network by applying multiple external current sources based on the nodal analysis in circuit theory and the recursion-transform (R-T) method. The test current source acts on different nodes in radial direction to obtain an analytical expression for the equivalent resistance between nodes of an M[Formula: see text]×[Formula: see text]N cobweb resistor network in radial direction. In our scheme, recalculations are not required to obtain the equivalent resistance between different radial nodes. We also discuss the influence of polygon sides of cobweb network and the ratio between two unit resistances on the equivalent resistance. The results show that, when the number of similar polygons M is given, with the increasing of the polygon sides and the ratio between two unit resistance, the equivalent resistances between two arbitrary radial nodes tend to a constant.
Theoretical investigation of some physicochemical properties in the liquid Sn–Ag–Cu alloys
Authors: M’chaar Rachida , Sabbar Abdelaziz , El Moudane Mouloud , Ghanimi Ahmed
Published: May 2017

Some physicochemical properties such as surface tension, molar volume, density and viscosity of liquid Sn–Ag–Cu alloys have been calculated using Kohler, Muggianu, Toop and Hillert geometrical models along three cross-sections namely [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text], 1/1 and 2/1. Indeed, Guggenheim, Kozlov–Romanov–Petrov and Kaptay equations have also been extended to estimate the surface tension and viscosity based on the thermodynamic data of the investigated system over wide temperature ranges of 823–1123[Formula: see text]K and 773–1173[Formula: see text]K, respectively. The results show that the three investigated properties, surface tension, density and viscosity, decrease with increasing tin for all studied models. On the other hand, a different behavior of these properties as a function of the temperature was noted. This evolution depends on the composition of the studied alloys.

On the contrary, the molar volume increases with increase of temperature and tin compositions. It should be noted that the surface tension, density and molar volume show a linear dependence on temperature for all the investigated compositions. For viscosity, a curvilinear dependence has been observed. The calculated surface tensions and densities were compared with those reported experimentally for Sn–Ag–Cu alloys along the cross-section [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1/1.
Lorentzian stationary surfaces and bi-null curves in ℝ25
Authors: Uçum Ali , Sakaki Makoto , İlarslan Kazım
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study Lorentzian stationary surfaces related to bi-null curves in [Formula: see text]. Considering a Gauss-like map, we get Lorentzian stationary surfaces and marginally trapped surfaces in the pseudo-sphere [Formula: see text].
Nonlinear Dynamics of Functionally Graded Material Plates Under Dynamic Liquid Load and with Longitudinal Speed
Authors: Wang Yan Qing , Zu Jean W.
Published: May 2017

This paper investigates the dynamics of functionally graded material (FGM) plates under dynamic liquid load and with longitudinal speed. The liquid is assumed to be ideal so that it is incompressible, inviscid and irrotational. Based on the D’Alembert’s principle, the mathematical model of the system is developed by taking into account geometrical and material nonlinearities as well as velocity potential and Bernoulli’s equation. The Galerkin method is employed to discretize the partial differential governing equation to a series of ordinary differential ones, which are then analyzed via the use of the method of harmonic balance. Analytical results are compared with numerical ones to validate the present method. The stability of the steady-state response is examined by means of the perturbation technique. Linear analysis of the system shows the possible appearance of internal resonance, and nonlinear frequency-response curves demonstrate strong hardening-spring property of the system. A modal interaction behavior through 1:1 internal resonance is detected; the behavior can happen in a wide domain of constituent volume fraction, which is a unique phenomenon in moving FGM plates compared with their metallic counterparts. Furthermore, results show the modal interaction can be easily evoked in the moving FGM plate under dynamic liquid load, even while the plate is subjected to minimal exciting force or large damping. In addition, influence of the plate location on nonlinear dynamics of the system is examined; results show the dynamic response of the plate will change considerably when the plate is near the container wall.
Generalization of cyclic refinements of Jensen inequality by montgomery identity and Green’s function
Authors: Mehmood Nasir , Butt Saad Ihsan , Pečarić Josip
Published: May 2017

We consider discrete and continuous cyclic refinements of Jensen’s inequality and generalize them from convex function to higher order convex function by means of Lagrange Green’s function and Montgomery identity. We give application of our results by formulating the monotonicity of the linear functionals obtained from generalized identities utilizing the theory of inequalities for [Formula: see text]-convex functions at a point. We compute Grüss and Ostrowski type bounds for generalized identities associated with the obtained inequalities. Finally, we investigate the properties of linear functionals regarding exponential convexity log convexity and mean value theorems.
Tetracyclic graphs with maximal Estrada index
Authors: Rad Nader Jafari , Jahanbani Akbar , Mojdeh Doost Ali
Published: May 2017

The Estrada index of a simple connected graph [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] is defined as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] are the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we characterize all tetracyclic graphs of order [Formula: see text] with maximal Estrada index.
Contemporary stress and neotectonics in the Otway Basin, southeastern Australia
Authors: Tassone David R. , Holford Simon P. , King Rosalind , Tingay Mark R. P. , Hillis Richard R.
Published: May 2017

Geomechanical and geological datasets from fold–thrust belts and passive margins that have been subject to neotectonic activity often provide contradictory evidence for the state of contemporary stress. Southeastern Australia has relatively high levels of neotectonic activity for a so-called stable continental region. In the eastern Otway Basin, this neotectonic activity consists of compressional deformation and uplift, indicating a reverse fault stress regime. However, this is inconsistent with the stress magnitudes estimated from petroleum exploration data, which indicate normal or strike-slip fault stress regimes. A new wellbore failure analysis of 12 wells indicates that the maximum horizontal stress azimuth in this basin is
c.
135° N, consistent with neotectonic structural trends. Our results indicate that the lithology and variations in structural style with depth exert important controls on horizontal stress magnitudes. The observed partitioning of stress regimes and deformation styles with depth within the basin may reflect the contrasting mechanical properties of the basin-fill. There is an overall increase in the minimum horizontal stress gradient of
c.
1–2 MPa km
−1
from west to east, corresponding to a change in structural style across the basin. In the central Otway Basin, rift-related faults strike near-parallel to the maximum horizontal stress azimuth and there are comparatively low levels of neotectonic activity, whereas in the eastern Otway Basin, where rift-related faults strike near-orthogonal to the maximum horizontal stress azimuth, the level of neotectonic faulting and uplift is much higher. Our results show that the integration of structural geology with geomechanical datasets can lead to improved interpretations of contemporary stresses, consistent with neotectonic observations.
Relationships between geomechanical properties and lithotypes in NW European chalks
Authors: Descamps Fanny , Faÿ-Gomord Ophélie , Vandycke Sara , Schroeder Christian , Swennen Rudy , Tshibangu Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2017

As a result of increasing interest in unconventional reservoirs, a wide range of sedimentary systems are now being investigated with regard to petroleum applications, including various tight chalk formations. We examined a wide variety of chalk samples from NW Europe (micritic, grainy, argillaceous, marl seam, cemented and silicified chalks) and investigated the relationships between their petrophysical properties, mechanical properties and associated microtextures and how diagenesis can affect these properties. A diagenesis index based on an evaluation of textural and diagenetic parameters was used to quantify the effect of global porosity-reducing diagenesis on the microtexture of chalks. We used petrographic and petrophysical measurements to determine the petrography, density, porosity, permeability and sonic velocity of the chalk samples and uniaxial compression experiments to assess their mechanical behaviour. Our dataset of >30 samples covers a wide range of values for these properties. We determined a linear porosity–permeability relationship controlled by the diagenesis index. Porosity influences the unconfined compressive strength and Young's modulus, but our analyses suggest that the diagenesis of the studied lithologies provides us with a further understanding of the mechanical behaviour of chalks. Micritic and grainy chalks are associated with the lowest diagenesis index and exhibit the lowest strength, whereas the higher diagenesis indices observed for other microtextures correspond to higher compressive strengths.
Predicting transmissibilities of carbonate-hosted fault zones
Authors: Michie E. A. H. , Yielding G. , Fisher Q. J.
Published: May 2017

It is common practice to incorporate deterministic transmissibility multipliers into simulation models of siliciclastic reservoirs to take into account the impact of faults on fluid flow, but this is not common practice in carbonate reservoirs due to the lack of data on fault permeability. Calculation of fault transmissibilities in carbonates is also complicated by the variety of mechanisms active during faulting, associated with their high heterogeneity and increased tendency to react with fluids. Analysis of the main controls on fault-rock formation and permeability from several carbonate-hosted fault zones is used to enhance our ability to predict fault transmissibility. Lithological heterogeneity in a faulted carbonate succession leads to a variety of deformation and/or diagenetic mechanisms, generating several fault-rock types. Although each fault-rock type has widely varying permeabilities, trends can be observed dependent on host lithofacies, juxtaposition and displacement. These trends can be used as preliminary predictive tools when considering fluid flow across carbonate fault zones. Fewer mechanisms occur at lower displacements (<30 m), creating limited fault-rock types with a narrow range of low permeabilities regardless of lithofacies juxtaposition. At increased displacements, more fault-rock types are produced at juxtaposition of different lithofacies, with a wide range of permeabilities.
Myocardial overexpression of TIMP3 after myocardial infarction exerts beneficial effects by promoting angiogenesis and suppressing early proteolysis
Authors: Takawale Abhijit , Zhang Pu , Azad Abul , Wang Wang , Wang Xiuhua , Murray Allan G. , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: May 2017

Myocardial infarction (MI) results in loss of cardiomyocytes, adverse extracellular matrix (ECM) and structural remodeling, and left ventricular (LV) dilation and dysfunction. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the main regulators of ECM turnover. TIMPs also have MMP-independent functions. TIMP3 levels are reduced in the heart within 24 h of MI in mice. We investigated if overexpression of TIMP3 post-MI limits adverse remodeling and LV dilation and dysfunction. MI was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in 10- to 12-wk-old male C57BL/6J mice, and adenoviral constructs expressing human (h)TIMP3 (Ad-hTIMP3) or no TIMP (Ad-Null) were injected in the peri-infarct zone (5.4 × 107 plaque-forming units/heart, 5 injections/heart). Cardiac function assessed by echocardiography showed improved LV physiology and reduced LV dilation after TIMP3 overexpression compared with the Ad-Null-MI group. Post-MI adverse remodeling was attenuated in the Ad-hTIMP3-MI group, as assessed by greater cardiomyocyte density, less infarct expansion, and ECM disruption. TIMP3 overexpression blunted the early rise in proteolytic activities post-MI. A higher density of coronary arteries and a greater number of proliferating endothelial cells were detected in the infarct and peri-infarct regions in the Ad-hTIMP3-MI group compared with the Ad-Null-MI group. In vitro three-dimensional angiogenesis assay confirmed that recombinant TIMP3 promotes angiogenesis in human endothelial cells, although biphasically and in a dose-dependent manner. Intriguingly, overexpression of Ad-hTIMP3 at 10-fold higher concentration had no beneficial effects, consistent with antiangiogenic effects of TIMP3 at higher doses. In conclusion, optimal overexpression of TIMP3 can be a promising therapeutic approach to limit adverse post-MI remodeling by dually inhibiting early proteolysis and promoting angiogenesis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we report that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 overexpression after myocardial infarction improves myocardial structural remodeling and function by promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting early proteolysis. This demonstrates the therapeutic potential of preserving the local balance of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 in the heart given its diverse functions in modulating different processes involved in the adverse postmyocardial infarction remodeling.
Severity of structural and functional right ventricular remodeling depends on training load in an experimental model of endurance exercise
Authors: Sanz-de la Garza Maria , Rubies Cira , Batlle Montserrat , Bijnens Bart H. , Mont Lluis , Sitges Marta , Guasch Eduard
Published: May 2017

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) remodeling has been reported in response to regular training, but it remains unclear how exercise intensity affects the presence and extent of such remodeling. We aimed to assess the relationship between RV remodeling and exercise load in a long-term endurance training model. Wistar rats were conditioned to run at moderate (MOD; 45 min, 30 cm/s) or intense (INT; 60 min, 60 cm/s) workloads for 16 wk; sedentary rats served as controls. Cardiac remodeling was assessed with standard echocardiographic and tissue Doppler techniques, sensor-tip pressure catheters, and pressure-volume loop analyses. After MOD training, both ventricles similarly dilated (~16%); the RV apical segment deformation, but not the basal segment deformation, was increased [apical strain rate (SR): −2.9 ± 0.5 vs. −3.3 ± 0.6 s−1, SED vs. MOD]. INT training prompted marked RV dilatation (~26%) but did not further dilate the left ventricle (LV). A reduction in both RV segments' deformation in INT rats (apical SR: −3.3 ± 0.6 vs. −3.0 ± 0.4 s−1 and basal SR: −3.3 ± 0.7 vs. −2.7 ± 0.6 s−1, MOD vs. INT) led to decreased global contractile function (maximal rate of rise of LV pressure: 2.53 ± 0.15 vs. 2.17 ± 0.116 mmHg/ms, MOD vs. INT). Echocardiography and hemodynamics consistently pointed to impaired RV diastolic function in INT rats. LV systolic and diastolic functions remained unchanged in all groups. In conclusion, we showed a biphasic, unbalanced RV remodeling response with increasing doses of exercise: physiological adaptation after MOD training turns adverse with INT training, involving disproportionate RV dilatation, decreased contractility, and impaired diastolic function. Our findings support the existence of an exercise load threshold beyond which cardiac remodeling becomes maladaptive.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exercise promotes left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy with no changes in systolic or diastolic function in healthy rats. Conversely, right ventricular adaptation to physical activity follows a biphasic, dose-dependent, and segmentary pattern. Moderate exercise promotes a mild systolic function enhancement at the right ventricular apex and more intense exercise impairs systolic and diastolic function.
Green tea epigallocatechin gallate enhances cardiac function restoration through survival signaling expression in diabetes mellitus rats with autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells
Authors: Chen Tung-Sheng , Liou Show-Yih , Kuo Chia-Hua , Pan Lung-Fa , Yeh Yu-Lan , Liou Jeffery , Padma V. Vijaya , Yao Chun-Hsu , Kuo Wei-Wen , Huang Chih-Yang
Published: May 2017

The present study tests a hypothesis that cardioprotective effects mediated by autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) in rats afflicted with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) may be synergistically enhanced by oral treatment with green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Wistar rats were divided into sham, DM, DM+ADSC (autologous transplanted 1 × 106 cells per rat), and DM+ADSC+E (E, green tea oral administration EGCG). Heart tissues were isolated from all rats, and investigations were performed after 2-mo treatment. In the sham, DM, and DM+ADSC groups, we found that DM induced cardiac dysfunction (sham and DM) and autologous ADSC transplantation could partially recover cardiac functions (DM and DM+ADSC) in DM rats. Compared with DM+ADSC, significant improvement in cardiac functions can be observed in DM+ADSC+E in echocardiographic data, histological observations, and even cellular protein expression. Oral green tea EGCG administration and autologous ADSC transplantation show synergistically beneficial effects on diabetic cardiac myopathy in DM rats.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiomyopathy can be induced in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Heart function can be restored in DM rats with adipose-derived stem cell treatment. Oral epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) administration synergistically enhances cardiac function in DM rats with stem cell treatment. The EGCG and stem cell treatment cross-effect occurs via survival protein expression.
A comparative study of avian diversity in Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, Inani Reserve Forest and Chittagong University campus in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahsan M. Farid , Haidar Ibrahim Khalil Al
Published: May 2017

We performed a comparative study of birds in Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS), Inani Reserve Forest (IRF) and the Chittagong University Campus (CUC) in 2015.  A total of 249 species belonging to 50 families were recorded: 210 species from 46 families in TWS, 187 species from 45 families in IRF, and 182 species from 45 families in CUC.  Of these, 181 species (73%) were resident, 57 (23%) winter visitors, three (1.20%) summer visitors, two (0.80%) passage migrants and five (2%) vagrants.  According to their frequency of occurrence, 73 species (29.32%) were very common, 66 (26.5%) common, 62 (25%) uncommon and 48 (19%) rare. 120 species (48%) were passerines (97 in TWS, 95 in IRF and 97 in CUC) and 129 (52%) non-passerines (113 in TWS, 92 in IRF and 85 in CUC). Among the three areas, TWS had the greatest diversity in terms of total species, (210˃187˃182), residents (161˃148˃134), non-residents (49˃48˃39), forest indicator birds (47˃44˃31) and wading birds (48˃34˃24).
A photographic record of the Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in a forest plantation on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Guptha M. Bubesh , Ramanujam M. Eric
Published: May 2017

We report sighting of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus in Pondicherry along the coast of Tamil Nadu and its co-existence with the Jungle Cat Felis chaus.
Butterflies of the Kole Wetlands, a Ramsar Site in Kerala, India
Authors: Sarath S. , Sreekumar E. R. , Nameer P. O.
Published: May 2017

A study was conducted to understand the diversity and abundance of butterflies of Kole Wetlands. Fifty-eight species in five families were identified.  The relative abundance and seasonal variation in the abundance across the year have been discussed.  The endemism as well as the butterflies listed in the schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 have also been discussed.
Regional Pediatric Acute Stroke Protocol
Authors: Tabone Laurence , Mediamolle Nicolas , Bellesme Celine , Lesage Fabrice , Grevent David , Ozanne Augustin , Naggara Olivier , Husson Beatrice , Desguerre Isabelle , Lamy Catherine , Denier Christian , Kossorotoff Manoelle
Published: May 2017

Background and Purpose—

To evaluate hyperacute management of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke, setting up dedicated management pathways is the first recommended step to prove the feasibility and safety of such treatments. A regional pediatric stroke alert protocol including 2 centers in the Paris-Ile-de-France area, France, was established.

Methods—

Consecutive pediatric patients (28 days–18 years) with confirmed arterial ischemic stroke who had acute recanalization treatment (intravenous r-tPA [recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator], endovascular procedure, or both) according to the regional pediatric stroke alert were retrospectively reviewed during a 40-month period.

Results—

Thirteen children, aged 3.7 to 16.6 years, had recanalization treatment. Median time from onset to magnetic resonance imaging was 165 minutes (150–300); 9 out of 13 had large-vessel occlusion. Intravenous r-tPA was used in 11 out of 13 patients, with median time from onset to treatment of 240 minutes (178–270). Endovascular procedure was performed in patients time-out for intravenous r-tPA (n=2) or after intravenous r-tPA inefficiency (n=2). No intracranial or peripheral bleeding was reported. One patient died of malignant stroke; outcome was favorable in 11 out of 12 survivors (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2).

Conclusions—

Hyperacute recanalization treatment in pediatric stroke, relying on common protocols and adult/pediatric ward collaboration, is feasible. Larger systematic case collection is encouraged.
Reciprocal Interaction of 24-Hour Blood Pressure Variability and Systolic Blood Pressure on Outcome in Stroke Thrombolysis
Authors: Kellert Lars , Hametner Christian , Ahmed Niaz , Rauch Geraldine , MacLeod Mary J. , Perini Francesco , Lees Kennedy R. , Ringleb Peter A.
Published: May 2017

Background and Purpose—

Significance and management of blood pressure (BP) changes in acute stroke care are unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of 24-hour BP variability (BPV) on outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Methods—

From the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke International Stroke Thrombolysis registry, 28 976 patients with documented pre-treatment systolic BP at 2 and 24 hours were analyzed. The primary measure of BP variability was successive variability. Data were preprocessed using coarsened exact matching. We assessed early neurological improvement, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), and long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] at 90 days) by binary and ordinal regression analyses.

Results—

Attempts to explain successive variation for analysis of BPV with patients characteristics at admission found systolic BP (5.5% variance) to be most influential, yet 92% of BPV variance remained unexplained. Independently from systolic BP, successive variation for analysis of BPV was associated with poor functional outcome mRS score of 0 to 2 (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90–0.98), disadvantage across the shift of mRS (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08), mortality (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08), SICH
SITS
(OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.23), and SICH
ECASS
(OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10–1.40; ECASS [European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study 2]). Analyzing successive variation for analysis of BPV as a function of pre-treatment, systolic BP significantly improved the prediction of functional outcome (mRS score of 0–1, mRS score of 0–2, neurological improvement, mRS-shift: all
P
interaction
<0.01). Excluding patients with atrial fibrillation in a sensitivity analysis gave consistent results overall.

Conclusions—

This study suggests the need for a more individual BP management accounting for pre-treatment BP and the acute BP course (ie, BPV) to achieve best possible outcome for the patient.
Three new species of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Bahia State, Brazil
Authors: CARVALHO ADEILMA NASCIMENTO DE , OLIVEIRA ANÍBAL RAMADAN , ARGOLO POLIANE SÁ , FERRAGUT FRANCISCO
Published: May 2017

During a survey of predatory mites on cocoa cropping areas in Bahia State, north-eastern Brazil, three undescribed species of Phytoseiidae were collected on natural vegetation associated with crops. Typhlodromips baculiductus n. sp., Graminaseius bahiensis n. sp. and Typhlodromalus annulatus n. sp. are described and diagnosed. Comments on the boundary between the genera Amblydromalus Chant & McMurtry and Typhlodromalus Muma are also included.
Some Minimal Resolvent Estrada Indices of Trees with up to 22 Vertices
Authors: Deng Fei , Guo Yong , Su Changming
Published: May 2017

The resolvent Estrada index is an interesting issue of computational chemistry. It was conjectured by Gutman et al. that among all trees of order n, n ≤ l, the tree Pn(l) has the l-th minimal resolvent Estrada index, for l
≥ 2. In this paper, we calculate minimal resolvent Estrada indices of trees by computer search, and we obtained all trees of order up to 22 with 4th-minimal up to 27th-minimal resolvent Estrada indices. This confirms the above conjecture stated by Gutman et al. for all trees with order
up to 22.
Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics for Optimization of Grid Flocculation Tank
Authors: Liu Jianlin , Chang Qing , Yi Zhongshen
Published: May 2017

Flocculation is a very important component of the overall suite of treatment processes. The need for a profound understanding and successful design/optimization of flocculation processes is important since the requirements for the removal of particulates have become increasingly stringent.
The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to design the flocculating tanks. The values of turbulent kinetic energy (k), turbulent dissipation rate (ε) and velocity gradient (G) were employed to evaluate the parameters of the flocculation tank using the realizable
k − ε model. The best size of the grid in the front part of the tank was 80 mm × 80 mm. In this condition, the average value of k and ε were 0.00152 m2/s2 and 0.000570 m2/s3, respectively, and the percentage
of G in the range of 70–100/s was 35.5%. For the middle part of the tank, the best size of the grid was 110 mm × 110 mm, with the average value of k and ε, as well as the percentage of G in the range of 40–60/s, were 0.00167 m2/s2,
0.000568 m2/s3 and 34.3%, respectively. In order to protect the flocs from being broken by stir, there was no grid in the terminal part of the tank. The optimized slice gap for both of the front part and the middle part of the tank were 600 mm.
Improved Genetic Algorithm Based on the Simulated Annealing and Its Application
Authors: Hu He-Xuan
Published: May 2017

Genetic Algorithm (GA) is an adaptive algorithm of global search optimization formed through the simulation of biological heredity and evolution in the natural environment. By the random selection, the algorithm requires no special needs for the search space and derivations, which is
featured with simple operation, rapid convergence, and other advantages. Therefore, it is especially applicable for complex and non-linear problems that are difficult to be solved by the conventional search methods. However, this algorithm is strong in global search capability but insufficient
in the local search capability. Simulated annealing (SA) is an algorithm possessed with the stronger local search ability and widely used in combinatorial optimization problems. Due to the inadequate local search capability of GA and deficient global search capability of SA, they were combined
in the paper to complement their mutual advantages and take use of the global search capability of GA and local search capability of SA. The poor local search ability of GA and its premature convergence as well as the bad global search capability of SA and its low efficiency were overcome,
and the SA-based mixed GA was constructed. Then, standard data sets of wine and letter-recognition in the UCI database were applied for the verification of the algorithm. It was indicated that the convergence rate was improved to some extent by the mixed algorithm proposed in this paper. Finally,
the improved genetic algorithm was applied to the actual projects, which indicated the feasibility of the algorithm in engineering.
Diagnostic Values of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System and ultrasound Elastography in Benign and Malignant Breast Tumor
Authors: Lu Xin-Hua
Published: May 2017

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic values of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), ultrasound elastography (UE) and the combination in differentiating benign and malignant breast tumor. Methods: The BI-RADS and UE image features of 248 breast cancer patients
(a total of 260 lesions) proved by surgery and pathology from February 2013 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. With the pathologic results as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were calculated for BI-RADS, UE and
the combination. On the basis of the sensitivity and specificity, they were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: In all 260 lesions, 71 lesions were benign and 189 were malignant according to UE diagnosis; 50 lesions were benign and 210 were malignant
proved by BI-RADS; 55 lesions were benign and 205 were malignant diagnosed by the combination. The sensitivity (86.09%), specificity (61.64%), positive predictive value (85.19%), negative predictive value (63.38%), and accuracy (79.23%) of ultrasound elastography were all less than that of
BI-RADS (98.39%, 64.38%, 88.85%, 87.62%, 94.00%) and the combination (99.47%, 73.97%, 92.31%, 90.73%, 98.18%). The areas under the ROC curve for UE, BI-RADS and the combination were respectively 0.746[95%CI(0.673–0.818)], 0.814[95%CI(0.744–0.884)] and 0.867[95%CI(0.805–0.929)].
Conclusion: Ultrasonic BI-RADS can be the first choice for diagnosing breast cancer, with UE as the auxiliary method. The combined application can further improve the diagnosis rate of benign and malignant breast tumor.