bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Warfarin-induced purple toe syndrome successfully treated with apixaban
Authors: Cakebread Holly E , Knight Hui Min , Gajendragadkar Parag R , Cooper John P
Published: June 2014

Purple toe syndrome is a recognised adverse effect of warfarin therapy. The literature has described resolution of the ischaemic symptoms on withdrawal of the warfarin and switching to a low molecular weight heparin alternative. We present a case of an 82-year-old man with bilateral blanching vivacious toes and a livedo-reticularis type rash developing 2 weeks after being loaded with warfarin for first detected atrial fibrillation. Vascular surgical review and haematology thrombotic screen did not yield any other pathology and a diagnosis of purple toe syndrome due to warfarin was carried out. The warfarin was stopped and oral anticoagulation started with an oral factor Xa inhibitor, apixaban with resolution of his symptoms. This is the first case report of one of the novel oral anticoagulants being used to treat purple toe syndrome.
A nationwide survey on the expectation of public healthcare providers on family medicine specialists in Malaysia—a qualitative analysis of 623 written comments
Authors: Chew Boon-How , Cheong Ai-Theng , Ismail Mastura , Hamzah Zuhra , A-Rashid Mohd-Radzniwan , Md-Yasin Mazapuspavina , Ali Norsiah
Published: June 2014

Objective

To examine the expectation of public healthcare providers/professionals (PHCPs) who are working closely with family medicine specialists (FMSs) at public health clinics.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study is part of a larger national study on the perception of the Malaysian public healthcare professionals on FMSs.

Participants

PHCPs from three categories of health facilities, namely hospitals, health clinics and health offices.

Main outcome measures

Qualitative analysis of written comments of respondents’ expectation of FMSs.

Results

The participants’ response rate was 58% (780/1345) with an almost equal proportion from each public healthcare facility. We identified 21 subthemes for the 623 expectation comments. The six emerging themes are (1) need for more FMSs, (2) clinical roles and functions of FMSs, (3) administrative roles of FMSs, (4) contribution to community and public health, (5) attributes improvement and (6) research and audits. FMSs were expected to give attention to clinical duty. Delivering this responsibility with competence included having the latest medical knowledge in their own and others’ medical disciplines, practising evidence-based medicine in prehospital and posthospital care, better supervision of staff and doctors under their care, fostering effective teamwork, communicating more often with hospital specialists and making appropriate referral. Expectations ranged fromdefiniteandstrongfor more FMSs at the health clinics tolow expectationfor FMSs’ involvement in research; tomal-expectationon FMSs’ involvement in community and public health programmes.

Conclusions

There were some remarkable differences in expectations on FMSs from the three different PHCPs. These ranged from being clinically competent and administratively available for patients and staff at the health clinics, to mal-expectations on FMSs to engage in public health affairs. Relevant parties, including FMSs themselves, could take appropriate self-improvement initiatives to enhance public practice of family medicine and patient care.

Trial registration number

NMRR ID: 08-12-1167.
Acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and the need for inpatient echocardiography
Authors: Menon Bijoy K , Coulter Jonathan I , Bal Simerpreet , Godzwon Catherine , Weeks Sarah , Hutchison Stuart , Hill Michael D , Coutts Shelagh B
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To determine the diagnostic yield of echocardiography and its utility in changing medical management; and to derive a risk score to guide its use in patients with in-hospital stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Methods

We carried out a retrospective chart review from January 2009 to June 2010 of patients with acute ischaemic stroke or TIA who had undergone transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Clinical and imaging findings at baseline were noted and ‘potential clinically relevant findings’ identified on TTE and TOE. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of potential clinically relevant findings on TTE or TOE and derive a risk score.

Results

Of 370 patients, 307 (83.0%) had TTE and 63 (17.0%) had additional TOE. Potential clinically relevant findings on echocardiography were noted in 28 (7.6%) patients. Change in medical management was noted in 19/307 (6.2%) patients on TTE and in 7/63 (11.1%) patients on TOE. Male sex (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.19 to 7.84; p=0.021), abnormal admission ECG (OR 4.39, 95% CI 1.79 to 10.79; p=0.001), and embolic pattern imaging at baseline (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.40; p=0.038) were independent predictors of findings on TTE or TOE. A risk score including these three variables had modest discrimination (c-statistic 0.69, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.80).

Conclusions

Echocardiography detected potential clinically relevant findings in a minority of patients (7.6%), but these findings changed medical management 90.5% of the time. A risk score using sex, ECG abnormality, and embolic pattern imaging at baseline could help predict which patients are more likely to have these echo findings.
Bovine TB infection status in cattle in Great Britain in 2012
Authors: Harris K. A. , Downs S. H. , Goodchild A. V. , Broughan J. M. , Upton P. A. , Smith N. H.
Published: June 2014

This report, provided by the AHVLA, summarises the infection status of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle in Great Britain from January 1 to December 31, 2012 and describes some of the temporal trends observed over a longer period. The AHVLA intends to produce similar reports for future years to provide a concise summary of how the situation is developing.
Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in clinically normal sheep
Authors: Bonelli Francesca , Barsotti Giovanni , Attili Anna Rita , Mugnaini Linda , Cuteri Vincenzo , Preziuso Silvia , Corazza Michele , Preziuso Giovanna , Sgorbini Micaela
Published: June 2014

Objectives

The aim was to identify conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in clinically normal sheep.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Tuscany.

Participants

100 eyes from 50 adult Massese female sheep were examined. The sheep included in the study were considered free of anterior ophthalmic abnormalities.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Bacteria were identified by morphological assessment, Gram staining, biochemical tests. Identification of filamentous fungi was achieved at the genus level, andAspergillusspecies were identified based on keys provided by other authors. Yeast colonies were highlighted, but not identified.

Results

Positive cultures were obtained from 100/100 eyes for bacteria, and from 86/100 eyes for fungi. A total of 14 types of bacteria and 5 types of fungi were isolated. Yeasts were isolated from 13/100 eyes. The most frequent fungal isolates were saprophytic fungi.

Conclusions

Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora of clinically normal eyes were reported in sheep. The positivity obtained for conjunctival bacteria was higher compared to findings in the literature by other authors in the same species (100 per cent v 40 per cent), while our results were in line with a recent work performed on mouflons (Ovis Musimon) with a 100 per cent positivity for bacterial conjunctival fornix. In our survey, Gram‐positive species were prevalent, as reported by other authors in different species. Few data are available in the literature regarding conjunctival fungal flora in healthy small ruminants. The prevalence of conjunctival fungal flora in this study was higher than findings reported in mouflons (86 per cent v 45 per cent). Differences in fungal prevalence may be due to different methods of managing herds, though further studies are required to verify this hypothesis. The similarities in bacterial and fungal isolates between sheep and mouflons suggest a genera pattern of conjunctival colonisation by bacteria and fungi.
The locality axiom in quantum field theory and tensor products of C*-algebras
Authors: Brunetti Romeo , Fredenhagen Klaus , Imani Paniz , Rejzner Katarzyna
Published: June 2014

The prototypes of mutually independent systems are systems which are localized in spacelike separated regions. In the framework of locally covariant quantum field theory, we show that the commutativity of observables in spacelike separated regions can be encoded in the tensorial structure of the functor which associates unital C*-algebras (the local observable algebras) to globally hyperbolic spacetimes. This holds under the assumption that the local algebras satisfy the split property and involves the minimal tensor product of C*-algebras.
Accurate ground-state variational wavefunction for the two-dimensional electron gas
Authors: Zhou Zhang-Wei , Sun Jiu-Xun , Khan Muhammad Ammar
Published: June 2014

A variational wavefunction with two parameters is proposed for the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The new wavefunction does not contain noninteger power of coordinate, and all integrals involving wavefunction can be analytically evaluated. This overcomes the shortcoming of the one proposed by Grinberg [ Phys. Rev. B 32, 4028 (1985)] which contains noninteger power of coordinate. The parameters have been determined by minimizing the average energy of an electron. The numerical results of energy and average separation of carriers for the ground state are in excellent agreement with the exact self-consistent (sc) results with average errors 0.21% and 0.57%. The accuracy is several times better than the wavefunction proposed of Grinberg with average errors 1.07% and 1.41%. The results also show that the triangular approximation for electric potential is correct as the density of 2DEG is low, but it deviates from the real situation as the density of 2DEG is high.
Institutional Investment Horizons and the Stock Performance of Private Equity Placements: Evidence from the Taiwanese Listed Firms
Authors: Cheng Lee-Young , Wang Ming-Chang , Chen Kung-Chi
Published: June 2014

This study examines how the investment horizon of the institutional shareholders of a firm affects the stock performance of private equity placements. The results show that firms with long-term institutional investors receive significantly positive abnormal returns around the offering announcement. Post-issue stock price underperformance is especially pronounced in firms held by short-term institutional investors. These findings suggest that private placement firms with long-term institutional investors acquire certification and monitoring-related benefits and thus reduce the information asymmetry and entrenchment costs between managers and external investors.
Record-Based Estimators for Weibull Distribution
Authors: Teimouri Mahdi , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: June 2014

Teimouri and Nadarajah [Statist. Methodol.13 (2013) 12–24] considered bias corrected maximum likelihood estimation of the Weibull distribution based on upper record values. Here, we propose an estimator for the Weibull shape parameter based on consecutive upper records. It is shown by simulations that the proposed estimator has less bias and less mean squared error than an estimator due to Soliman et al. [Comput. Statist. Data Anal.51 (2006) 2065–2077] based on all upper records. Also, the proposed estimator can be considered as a good competitor for the maximum likelihood estimator of the shape parameter based on complete data. This is proved by simulations and using a real dataset.
On ω1-n-simply presented abelian p-groups
Authors: Danchev Peter
Published: June 2014

We define the class of ω1-n-simply presented abelian p-groups which class properly contains the subclasses of n-simply presented groups and ω1-pω+n-projective groups, respectively. Some comprehensive results in this new way are also established. This substantially strengthens achievements due to both Keef–Danchev [On n-simply presented primary abelian groups, Houston J. Math.38(4) (2012) 1027–1050] and Keef [On ω1-pω+n-projective primary abelian groups, J. Algebra Number Theory Acad.1(1) (2010) 41–75].
Almost split sequences in the category of complexes of modules
Authors: Salarian Shokrollah , Vahed Razieh
Published: June 2014

Let Λ be an artin algebra. By letting the Nakayama functor act degree-wise, we define a translation τ in the category of complexes of finitely generated Λ-modules, C(mod Λ). Then we investigate the existence of almost split sequences in the category C(mod Λ). As an application of our results, we see that the full subcategory of D(mod Λ) consisting of complexes isomorphic to perfect complexes admits almost split sequences.
Lower bounds on conjugacy classes of non-nilpotent subgroups in a finite group
Authors: Meng Wei , Lu Jiakuan
Published: June 2014

For a finite group G, let γ(G) denote the number of conjugacy classes of all non-nilpotent subgroups of G, and let π(G) denote the set of the prime divisors of |G|. In this paper, we establish lower bounds on γ(G). In fact, we show that if G is a finite solvable group, then γ(G) = 0 or γ(G) ≥ 2|π(G)|-2, and if G is non-solvable, then γ(G) ≥ |π(G)| + 1. Both lower bounds are best possible.
The radius of convexity of normalized Bessel functions of the first kind
Authors: Baricz Árpád , Szász Róbert
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we determine the radius of convexity for three kinds of normalized Bessel functions of the first kind. In the mentioned cases the normalized Bessel functions are starlike-univalent and convex-univalent, respectively, on the determined disks. The key tools in the proofs of the main results are some new Mittag-Leffler expansions for quotients of Bessel functions of the first kind, special properties of the zeros of Bessel functions of the first kind and their derivative, and the fact that the smallest positive zeros of some Dini functions are less than the first positive zero of the Bessel function of the first kind. Moreover, we find the optimal parameters for which these normalized Bessel functions are convex in the open unit disk. In addition, we disprove a conjecture of Baricz and Ponnusamy concerning the convexity of the Bessel function of the first kind.
On stability of g-frames and g-Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-modules
Authors: Rashidi-Kouchi Mehdi , Nazari Akbar , Amini Massoud
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we develop the basic stability theory for g-frames and g-Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-module. Also, we study stability of the dual g-frames in Hilbert C*-module. We extend the Casazza–Christensen perturbation theorem to g-frames in Hilbert C*-module but this is not valid for g-Riesz bases. We prove some characterizations of g-frames and g-Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-module.
Using data fusion for scoring reliability of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Vazifedoost Alireza , Rahgozar Maseud , Moshiri Behzad , Sadeghi Mehdi , Chua Hon Nian , Ng See Kiong , Wong Limsoon
Published: June 2014

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are important for understanding the cellular mechanisms of biological functions, but the reliability of PPIs extracted by high-throughput assays is known to be low. To address this, many current methods use multiple evidence from different sources of information to compute reliability scores for such PPIs. However, they often combine the evidence without taking into account the uncertainty of the evidence values, potential dependencies between the information sources used and missing values from some information sources. We propose to formulate the task of scoring PPIs using multiple information sources as a multi-criteria decision making problem that can be solved using data fusion to model potential interactions between the multiple information sources. Using data fusion, the amount of contribution from each information source can be proportioned accordingly to systematically score the reliability of PPIs. Our experimental results showed that the reliability scores assigned by our data fusion method can effectively classify highly reliable PPIs from multiple information sources, with substantial improvement in scoring over conventional approach such as the Adjust CD-Distance approach. In addition, the underlying interactions between the information sources used, as well as their relative importance, can also be determined with our data fusion approach. We also showed that such knowledge can be used to effectively handle missing values from information sources.
Computational properties of a fractal medium
Authors: Bîrlescu Vlad Sergiu , Agop Maricel , Craus Mitică
Published: June 2014

A fractal medium is defined and its computational properties (bistability, reproduction itself, capacity to memorize, self-similarity, polarization, information communication, etc.) are presented and argued. As it is well known, the quantum medium is the base of the theoretical fundamentation of the quantum computer. We prove that the fractal medium is an extension of the quantum medium. Hence, the fractal computer can be defined as generalization of the quantum computer.
Cosmological reconstruction of f(T, 𝒯) gravity
Authors: Momeni Davood , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: June 2014

Motivated by the newly proposal for gravity as the effect of the torsion scalar T and trace of the energy momentum tensor 𝒯, we investigate the cosmological reconstruction of different models of the Universe. Our aim here is to show that how this modified gravity model, f(T, 𝒯) is able to reproduce different epochs of the cosmological history. We explicitly show that f(T, 𝒯) can be reconstructed for ΛCDM as the most popular and consistent model. Also we study the mathematical reconstruction of f(T, 𝒯) for a flat cosmological background filled by two fluids mixture. Such model describes phantom–non-phantom era as well as the purely phantom cosmology. We extend our investigation to more cosmological models like perfect fluid, Chaplygin gas and massless scalar field. In each case we obtain some specific forms of f(T, 𝒯). These families of f(T, 𝒯) contain arbitrary function of torsion and trace of the energy momentum.
Time-reversed optical focusing through scattering media by digital full phase and amplitude recovery using a single phase-only SLM
Authors: Yang Qiang , Sang Xinzhu , Xu Daxiong
Published: June 2014

Focusing light though scattering media beyond the ballistic regime is a challenging task in biomedical optical imaging. This challenge can be overcome by wavefront shaping technique, in which a time-reversed (TR) wavefront of scattered light is generated to suppress the scattering. In previous TR optical focusing experiments, a phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) has been typically used to control the wavefront of incident light. Unfortunately, although the phase information is reconstructed by the phase-only SLM, the amplitude information is lost, resulting in decreased peak-to-background ratio (PBR) of optical focusing in the TR wavefront reconstruction. A new method of TR optical focusing through scattering media is proposed here, which numerically reconstructs the full phase and amplitude of a simulated scattered light field by using a single phase-only SLM. Simulation results and the proposed optical setup show that the time-reversal of a fully developed speckle field can be digitally implemented with both phase and amplitude recovery, affording a way to improve the performance of light focusing through scattering media.
ENERGY INVESTMENTS UNDER CLIMATE POLICY: A COMPARISON OF GLOBAL MODELS
Authors: McCOLLUM DAVID , NAGAI YU , RIAHI KEYWAN , MARANGONI GIACOMO , CALVIN KATHERINE , PIETZCKER ROBERT , VAN VLIET JASPER , VAN DER ZWAAN BOB
Published: June 2014

The levels of investment needed to mobilize an energy system transformation and mitigate climate change are not known with certainty. This paper aims to inform the ongoing dialogue and in so doing to guide public policy and strategic corporate decision making. Within the framework of the LIMITS integrated assessment model comparison exercise, we analyze a multi-IAM ensemble of long-term energy and greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. Our study provides insight into several critical but uncertain areas related to the future investment environment, for example in terms of where capital expenditures may need to flow regionally, into which sectors they might be concentrated, and what policies could be helpful in spurring these financial resources. We find that stringent climate policies consistent with a 2°C climate change target would require a considerable upscaling of investments into low-carbon energy and energy efficiency, reaching approximately $45 trillion (range: $30–$75 trillion) cumulative between 2010 and 2050, or about $1.1 trillion annually. This represents an increase of some $30 trillion ($10–$55 trillion), or $0.8 trillion per year, beyond what investments might otherwise be in a reference scenario that assumes the continuation of present and planned emissions-reducing policies throughout the world. In other words, a substantial "clean-energy investment gap" of some $800 billion/yr exists — notably on the same order of magnitude as present-day subsidies for fossil energy and electricity worldwide ($523 billion). Unless the gap is filled rather quickly, the 2°C target could potentially become out of reach.
A CROSS-MODEL COMPARISON OF GLOBAL LONG-TERM TECHNOLOGY DIFFUSION UNDER A 2°C CLIMATE CHANGE CONTROL TARGET
Authors: VAN DER ZWAAN B. C. C. , RÖSLER H. , KOBER T. , ABOUMAHBOUB T. , CALVIN K. V. , GERNAAT D. E. H. J. , MARANGONI G. , McCOLLUM D.
Published: June 2014

We investigate the long-term global energy technology diffusion patterns required to reach a stringent climate change target with a maximum average atmospheric temperature increase of 2°C. If the anthropogenic temperature increase is to be limited to 2°C, total CO 2 emissions have to be reduced massively, so as to reach substantial negative values during the second half of the century. Particularly power sector CO 2 emissions should become negative from around 2050 onwards according to most models used for this analysis in order to compensate for GHG emissions in other sectors where abatement is more costly. The annual additional capacity deployment intensity (expressed in GW/yr) for solar and wind energy until 2030 needs to be around that recently observed for coal-based power plants, and will have to be several times higher in the period 2030–2050. Relatively high agreement exists across models in terms of the aggregated low-carbon energy system cost requirements on the supply side until 2050, which amount to about 50 trillion US$.
EMISSION CERTIFICATE TRADE AND COSTS UNDER REGIONAL BURDEN-SHARING REGIMES FOR A 2°C CLIMATE CHANGE CONTROL TARGET
Authors: KOBER T. , VAN DER ZWAAN B. C. C. , RÖSLER H.
Published: June 2014

In this article we explore regional burden-sharing regimes for the allocation of greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations needed to reach a 2°C long-term global climate change control target by performing an integrated energy-economy-climate assessment with the bottom–up TIAM-ECN model. Our main finding is that, under a burden-sharing scheme based on the allowed emissions per capita, the sum of merchandized carbon certificates yields about 2000 billion US$/yr worth of inter-regional trade around 2050, with China and Latin America the major buyers, respectively Africa, India, and other Asia the main sellers. Under a burden-sharing regime that aims at equal cost distribution, the aggregated amount of transacted carbon certificates involves less than 500 billion US$/yr worth of international trade by 2050, with China and other Asia representing the vast majority of selling capacity. Restrictions in the opportunities for international certificate trade can have significant short- to mid-term impact, with an increase in global climate policy costs of up to 20%.
THE CLEAN ENERGY R&D STRATEGY FOR 2°C
Authors: MARANGONI GIACOMO , TAVONI MASSIMO
Published: June 2014

This paper uses an integrated assessment model to quantify the climate R&D investment strategy for a variety of scenarios fully consistent with 2°C. We estimate the total climate R&D investment needs in approximately 1 USD Trillion (all monetary values in this paper are given in 2005 US dollars using market exchange rates) cumulatively in the period 2010–2030, and 1.6 USD Trillions in the period 2030–2050. Most of the R&D would be carried out in industrialized countries initially, but would be evenly split after 2030. We also assess a "climate R&D deal" in which countries cooperate on innovation (while innovation is a broad topic, in this paper, we will be referring to its R&D component) in the short term, and find that an R&D agreement slightly underperforms a climate policy based on the extension of the Copenhagen pledges till 2030. Both policies are inferior to full cooperation on mitigation starting in 2020. A global agreement on clean energy innovation beyond 2030 without sufficiently stringent GHG emissions reduction policies is found to be incompatible with 2°C.
Percolation effects in the capacitive properties of metal-oxide varistors in the range of high voltage
Authors: Tonkoshkur A. S. , Gomilko I. V. , Lyashkov A. Yu
Published: June 2014

C–V characteristics of ZnO -based ceramic structures used in manufacturing high-voltage and low-voltage varistors of different chemical compositions and manufacturing techniques have been investigated. A correlation between the intensity of electric field corresponding to transition of the C–V characteristics to the negative capacitances and average sizes of grains of a varistor structure has been established. Obtained data have been interpreted with the use of notions of the percolation theory of electric conductivity. The Shklovskii–De Gennes model has been used. It has been shown that on the highly nonlinear segment of C–V characteristics of a varistor structure, the size of an infinite cluster are limited to several intercrystallite potential barriers. This result is observed in all kinds of investigated varistor ceramics.
Synthesis and characterization of lead-free ternary component BST–BCT–BZT ceramic capacitors
Authors: Puli Venkata Sreenivas , Pradhan Dhiren K. , Riggs Brian C. , Adireddy Shiva , Katiyar Ram S. , Chrisey Douglas B.
Published: June 2014

Polycrystalline sample of lead-free 1/3( Ba 0.70 Sr 0.30 TiO 3) + 1/3( Ba 0.70 Ca 0.30 TiO 3) + 1/3( BaZr 0.20 Ti 0.80 O 3)( BST - BCT - BZT ) ceramic was synthesized by solid state reaction method. Phase purity and crystal structure of as-synthesized materials was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Temperature-dependent dielectric permittivity studies demonstrated frequency-independent behavior, indicating that the studied sample has typical diffuse phase transition behavior with partial thermal hysteresis. A ferroelectric phase transition between cubic and tetragonal phase was noticed near room temperature (~ 330 K). Bulk P–E hysteresis loop showed a saturation polarization of 20.4 μC/cm2 and a coercive field of ~ 12.78 kV/cm at a maximum electric field of ~ 115 kV/cm. High dielectric constant (ε ~ 5773), low dielectric loss (tan δ ~ 0.03) were recorded at room temperature. Discharge energy density of 0.44 J/cm3 and charge energy density of 1.40 J/cm3 were calculated from nonlinear ferroelectric hysteresis loop at maximum electric field. Dielectric constant at variable temperatures and electric fields, ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition and energy storage properties were thoroughly discussed.
Modulation of sheep ruminal urea transport by ammonia and pH
Authors: Lu Zhongyan , Stumpff Friederike , Deiner Carolin , Rosendahl Julia , Braun Hannah , Abdoun Khalid , Aschenbach Jörg R. , Martens Holger
Published: June 2014

Ruminal fermentation products such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and CO2 acutely stimulate urea transport across the ruminal epithelium in vivo, whereas ammonia has inhibitory effects. Uptake and signaling pathways remain obscure. The ruminal expression of SLC14a1 (UT-B) was studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The functional short-term effects of ammonia on cytosolic pH (pHi) and ruminal urea transport across native epithelia were investigated using pH-sensitive microelectrodes and via flux measurements in Ussing chambers. Two variants (UT-B1 and UT-B2) could be fully sequenced from ovine ruminal cDNA. Functionally, transport was passive and modulated by luminal pH in the presence of SCFA and CO2, rising in response to luminal acidification to a peak value at pH 5.8 and dropping with further acidification, resulting in a bell-shaped curve. Presence of ammonia reduced the amplitude, but not the shape of the relationship between urea flux and pH, so that urea flux remained maximal at pH 5.8. Effects of ammonia were concentration dependent, with saturation at 5 mmol/l. Clamping the transepithelial potential altered the inhibitory potential of ammonia on urea flux. Ammonia depolarized the apical membrane and acidified pHi, suggesting that, at physiological pH (< 7), uptake of NH4+ into the cytosol may be a key signaling event regulating ruminal urea transport. We conclude that transport of urea across the ruminal epithelium involves proteins subject to rapid modulation by manipulations that alter pHi and the cytosolic concentration of NH4+. Implications for epithelial and ruminal homeostasis are discussed.
Renal neurohormonal regulation in heart failure decompensation
Authors: Jönsson Sofia , Agic Mediha Becirovic , Narfström Fredrik , Melville Jacqueline M. , Hultström Michael
Published: June 2014

Decompensation in heart failure occurs when the heart fails to balance venous return with cardiac output, leading to fluid congestion and contributing to mortality. Decompensated heart failure can cause acute kidney injury (AKI), which further increases mortality. Heart failure activates signaling systems that are deleterious to kidneys such as renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and vasopressin secretion. All three reduce renal blood flow (RBF) and increase tubular sodium reabsorption, which may increase renal oxygen consumption causing AKI through renal tissue hypoxia. Vasopressin contributes to venous congestion through aquaporin-mediated water retention. Additional water retention may be mediated through vasopressin-induced medullary urea transport and hyaluronan but needs further study. In addition, there are several systems that could protect the kidneys and reduce fluid retention such as natriuretic peptides, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide. However, the effect of natriuretic peptides and nitric oxide are blunted in decompensation, partly due to oxidative stress. This review considers how neurohormonal signaling in heart failure drives fluid retention by the kidneys and thus exacerbates decompensation. It further identifies areas where there is limited data, such as signaling systems 20-HETE, purines, endothelin, the role of renal water retention mechanisms for congestion, and renal hypoxia in AKI during heart failure.
Elevated maternal cortisol leads to relative maternal hyperglycemia and increased stillbirth in ovine pregnancy
Authors: Keller-Wood Maureen , Feng Xiaodi , Wood Charles E. , Richards Elaine , Anthony Russell V. , Dahl Geoffrey E. , Tao Sha
Published: June 2014

In normal pregnancy, cortisol increases; however, further pathological increases in cortisol are associated with maternal and fetal morbidities. These experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that increased maternal cortisol would increase maternal glucose concentrations, suppress fetal growth, and impair neonatal glucose homeostasis. Ewes were infused with cortisol (1 mg·kg−1·day−1) from day 115 of gestation to term; maternal glucose, insulin, ovine placental lactogen, estrone, progesterone, nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and electrolytes were measured. Infusion of cortisol increased maternal glucose concentration and slowed the glucose disappearance after injection of glucose; maternal infusion of cortisol also increased the incidence of fetal death at or near parturition. The design of the study was altered to terminate the study prior to delivery, and post hoc analysis of the data was performed to test the hypothesis that maternal metabolic factors predict the fetal outcome. In cortisol-infused ewes that had stillborn lambs, plasma insulin was increased relative to control ewes or cortisol-infused ewes with live lambs. Maternal cortisol infusion did not alter maternal food intake or plasma NEFA, BHB, estrone, progesterone or placental lactogen concentrations, and it did not alter fetal body weight, ponderal index, or fetal organ weights. Our study suggests that the adverse effect of elevated maternal cortisol on pregnancy outcome may be related to the effects of cortisol on maternal glucose homeostasis, and that chronic maternal stress or adrenal hypersecretion of cortisol may create fetal pathophysiology paralleling some aspects of maternal gestational diabetes.
Absence of synergy for monosynaptic Group I inputs between abdominal and internal intercostal motoneurons
Authors: Ford T. W. , Meehan C. F. , Kirkwood P. A.
Published: June 2014

Internal intercostal and abdominal motoneurons are strongly coactivated during expiration. We investigated whether that synergy was paralleled by synergistic Group I reflex excitation. Intracellular recordings were made from motoneurons of the internal intercostal nerve of T8 in anesthetized cats, and the specificity of the monosynaptic connections from afferents in each of the two main branches of this nerve was investigated. Motoneurons were shown by antidromic excitation to innervate three muscle groups: external abdominal oblique [EO; innervated by the lateral branch (Lat)], the region of the internal intercostal muscle proximal to the branch point (IIm), and muscles innervated from the distal remainder (Dist). Strong specificity was observed, only 2 of 54 motoneurons showing excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) from both Lat and Dist. No EO motoneurons showed an EPSP from Dist, and no IIm motoneurons showed one from Lat. Expiratory Dist motoneurons fell into two groups. Those with Dist EPSPs and none from Lat ( group A) were assumed to innervate distal internal intercostal muscle. Those with Lat EPSPs ( group B) were assumed to innervate abdominal muscle (transversus abdominis or rectus abdominis). Inspiratory Dist motoneurons (assumed to innervate interchondral muscle) showed Dist EPSPs. Stimulation of dorsal ramus nerves gave EPSPs in 12 instances, 9 being in group B Dist motoneurons. The complete absence of heteronymous monosynaptic Group I reflex excitation between muscles that are synergistically activated in expiration leads us to conclude that such connections from muscle spindle afferents of the thoracic nerves have little role in controlling expiratory movements but, where present, support other motor acts.
Vibration of the organ of Corti within the cochlear apex in mice
Authors: Gao Simon S. , Wang Rosalie , Raphael Patrick D. , Moayedi Yalda , Groves Andrew K. , Zuo Jian , Applegate Brian E. , Oghalai John S.
Published: June 2014

The tonotopic map of the mammalian cochlea is commonly thought to be determined by the passive mechanical properties of the basilar membrane. The other tissues and cells that make up the organ of Corti also have passive mechanical properties; however, their roles are less well understood. In addition, active forces produced by outer hair cells (OHCs) enhance the vibration of the basilar membrane, termed cochlear amplification. Here, we studied how these biomechanical components interact using optical coherence tomography, which permits vibratory measurements within tissue. We measured not only classical basilar membrane tuning curves, but also vibratory responses from the rest of the organ of Corti within the mouse cochlear apex in vivo. As expected, basilar membrane tuning was sharp in live mice and broad in dead mice. Interestingly, the vibratory response of the region lateral to the OHCs, the “lateral compartment,” demonstrated frequency-dependent phase differences relative to the basilar membrane. This was sharply tuned in both live and dead mice. We then measured basilar membrane and lateral compartment vibration in transgenic mice with targeted alterations in cochlear mechanics. Prestin499/499, Prestin−/−, and TectaC1509G/C1509Gmice demonstrated no cochlear amplification but maintained the lateral compartment phase difference. In contrast, SfswapTg/Tgmice maintained cochlear amplification but did not demonstrate the lateral compartment phase difference. These data indicate that the organ of Corti has complex micromechanical vibratory characteristics, with passive, yet sharply tuned, vibratory characteristics associated with the supporting cells. These characteristics may tune OHC force generation to produce the sharp frequency selectivity of mammalian hearing.
Preconception Screening for Cytomegalovirus: An Effective Preventive Approach
Authors: Reichman Orna , Miskin Ian , Sharoni Limor , Eldar-Geva Talia , Goldberg Doron , Tsafrir Avi , Gal Michael
Published: June 2014

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of sensorineural hearing loss and delayed psychomotor development. Viral transmission to the fetus is far more likely to occur following a primary than a secondary maternal infection. Primary prevention seems to be the best means to reduce the burden of congenital CMV due to the lack of treatment options during pregnancy. We evaluated this approach on a cohort of 500 women planning pregnancy who attended our fertility clinic. Of the 444 who underwent CMV screening, 18 (4.1%) had positive IgM serology for CMV; of these, IgG avidity was high in 12 (remote infection) and low in 6 (recent infection). The latter were advised to delay pregnancy. All women who were seroimmune for CMV (366/444, 82.4%), including the 12 with remote infection, continued fertility treatment. The remaining patients (72/444, 16.2%), who were not immune to CMV at the initial screen, were advised to minimize CMV exposure by improving personal hygiene and to continue fertility treatment. None of the 69/72 (95.8%) women who were followed for one year were infected with CMV. Cytomegalovirus testing and counselling at preconception seemed effective in reducing CMV exposure in pregnancy.
Apoptosis and Molecular Targeting Therapy in Cancer
Authors: Hassan Mohamed , Watari Hidemichi , AbuAlmaaty Ali , Ohba Yusuke , Sakuragi Noriaki
Published: June 2014

Apoptosis is the programmed cell death which maintains the healthy survival/death balance in metazoan cells. Defect in apoptosis can cause cancer or autoimmunity, while enhanced apoptosis may cause degenerative diseases. The apoptotic signals contribute into safeguarding the genomic integrity while defective apoptosis may promote carcinogenesis. The apoptotic signals are complicated and they are regulated at several levels. The signals of carcinogenesis modulate the central control points of the apoptotic pathways, including inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins and FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). The tumor cells may use some of several molecular mechanisms to suppress apoptosis and acquire resistance to apoptotic agents, for example, by the expression of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 or by the downregulation or mutation of proapoptotic proteins such as BAX. In this review, we provide the main regulatory molecules that govern the main basic mechanisms, extrinsic and intrinsic, of apoptosis in normal cells. We discuss how carcinogenesis could be developed via defective apoptotic pathways or their convergence. We listed some molecules which could be targeted to stimulate apoptosis in different cancers. Together, we briefly discuss the development of some promising cancer treatment strategies which target apoptotic inhibitors including Bcl-2 family proteins, IAPs, and c-FLIP for apoptosis induction.
Integrating Traditional Medicine into Modern Inflammatory Diseases Care: Multitargeting byRhus vernicifluaStokes
Authors: Kim Ji Hye , Shin Yong Cheol , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: June 2014

Despite the fact that numerous researches were performed on prevention and treatment of inflammation related diseases, the overall incidence has not changed remarkably. This requires new approaches to overcome inflammation mediated diseases, and thus traditional medicine could be an efficacious source for prevention and treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the contribution of traditional medicine, especiallyRhus vernicifluaStokes, to modern medicine against diverse inflammation mediated diseases. Traditionally, this remedy has been used in Eastern Asia for the treatment of gastric problems, hepatic disorders, infectious diseases, and blood disorders. Modern science has provided the scientific basis for the use ofRhus vernicifluaStokes against such disorders and diseases. Various chemical constituents have been identified from this plant, including phenolic acid, and flavonoids. Cell-based studies have exhibited the potential of this as antibacterial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, growth inhibitory, and anticancer activities. Enormous animal studies have shown the potential of this against proinflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, and chemical insults. At the molecular level, this medicinal plant has been shown to modulate diverse cell-signaling pathways. In clinical studies,Rhus vernicifluaStokes has shown efficacy against various cancer patients such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, renal, pancreatic, and pulmonary cancers. Thus, this remedy is now exhibiting activities in the clinic.
Reliability of Pederson Scale in Surgical Extraction of Impacted Lower Third Molars: Proposal of New Scale
Authors: Kharma Mohamed Yasser , Sakka Salah , Aws Ghassan , Tarakji Basel , Nassani Mohammed Zakaria
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical reliability of the Pederson index in preoperative assessment of the difficulty of surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Pederson index was found to be unreliable predictor of true difficulty with low sensitivity and specificity. A new index (Kharma scale), which takes into consideration the anatomical form of tooth roots, is proposed and evaluated both pre- and postoperatively. The results of the evaluation indicate that the new estimating index is more reliable and accurate measure than Pederson scale.
Some Generalized Forms of Fuzzy Interval Valued Hyperideals in a Hyperring
Authors: Li Hongjie , Li Zeyuan , Yin Yunqiang
Published: June 2014

Some generalized forms of the hyperideals of a hyperring in the paper of Zhan et al. (2008) will be given. As a generalization of the interval valued(α,β)-fuzzy hyperideals of a hyperring withα,β∈{∈,q,∈∧q,∈∨q}andα≠∈∧q, the notion of generalized interval valued(α,β)-fuzzy hyperideals of a hyperring is also introduced. Special attention is concentrated on the interval valued(∈γ~,∈γ~∨qδ~)-fuzzy hyperideals. As a consequence, some characterizations theorems of interval valued(∈γ~,∈γ~∨qδ~)-fuzzy hyperideals will be provided.
Evolutionary History of Terrestrial Pathogens and Endoparasites as Revealed in Fossils and Subfossils
Authors: Poinar George
Published: June 2014

The present work uses fossils and subfossils to decipher the origin and evolution of terrestrial pathogens and endoparasites. Fossils, as interpreted by morphology or specific features of their hosts, furnish minimum dates for the origin of infectious agents, coevolution with hosts, and geographical locations. Subfossils, those that can be C14 dated (roughly under 50,000 years) and are identified by morphology as well as molecular and immunological techniques, provide time periods when humans became infected with various diseases. The pathogen groups surveyed include viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and select multicellular endoparasites including nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and insect parasitoids in the terrestrial environment.
An Efficient Iteration Method for Toeplitz‐Plus‐Band Triangular Systems Generated from Fractional Ordinary Differential Equation
Authors: Gong Chunye , Bao Weimin , Tang Guojian , Min Changwan , Liu Jie
Published: June 2014

It is time consuming to numerically solve fractional differential equations. The fractional ordinary differential equations may produce Toeplitz‐plus‐band triangular systems. An efficient iteration method for Toeplitz‐plus‐band triangular systems is presented with O(Mlog(M)) computational complexity and O(M) memory complexity in this paper, compared with the regular solution with O(M2) computational complexity and O(M2) memory complexity. M is the discrete grid points. Some methods such as matrix splitting, FFT, compress memory storage and adjustable matrix bandwidth are used in the presented solution. The experimental results show that the presented method compares well with the exact solution and is 4.25 times faster than the regular solution.
Numeric Analysis for Relationship-Aware Scalable Streaming Scheme
Authors: Lee Heung Ki , Jung Jaehee , Ahn Kyung Jin , Jeong Hwa-Young , Yi Gangman
Published: June 2014

Frequent packet loss of media data is a critical problem that degrades the quality of streaming services over mobile networks. Packet loss invalidates frames containing lost packets and other related frames at the same time. Indirect loss caused by losing packets decreases the quality of streaming. A scalable streaming service can decrease the amount of dropped multimedia resulting from a single packet loss. Content providers typically divide one large media stream into several layers through a scalable streaming service and then provide each scalable layer to the user depending on the mobile network. Also, a scalable streaming service makes it possible to decode partial multimedia data depending on the relationship between frames and layers. Therefore, a scalable streaming service provides a way to decrease the wasted multimedia data when one packet is lost. However, the hierarchical structure between frames and layers of scalable streams determines the service quality of the scalable streaming service. Even if whole packets of layers are transmitted successfully, they cannot be decoded as a result of the absence of reference frames and layers. Therefore, the complicated relationship between frames and layers in a scalable stream increases the volume of abandoned layers. For providing a high-quality scalable streaming service, we choose a proper relationship between scalable layers as well as the amount of transmitted multimedia data depending on the network situation. We prove that a simple scalable scheme outperforms a complicated scheme in an error-prone network. We suggest an adaptive set-top box (AdaptiveSTB) to lower the dependency between scalable layers in a scalable stream. Also, we provide a numerical model to obtain the indirect loss of multimedia data and apply it to various multimedia streams. Our AdaptiveSTB enhances the quality of a scalable streaming service by removing indirect loss.
Investigation of Potent Lead for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Hung Tzu-Chieh , Lee Wen-Yuan , Chen Kuen-Bao , Chan Yueh-Chiu , Chen Calvin Yu-Chian
Published: June 2014

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has become, because of the rapid spread of the disease, a serious global problem and cannot be treated. Recent studies indicate that VIF is a protein of HIV to prevent all of human immunity to attack HIV. Molecular compounds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) database filtered through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to inhibit VIF can protect against HIV. Glutamic acid, plantagoguanidinic acid, and Aurantiamide acetate based docking score higher with other TCM compounds selected. Molecular dynamics are useful for analysis and detection ligand interactions. According to the docking position, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding changes, and structure variation, the study try to select the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine compound Aurantiamide acetate is better than the other for protein-ligand interactions to maintain the protein composition, based on changes in the structure.