bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colletotrichum orbiculare FAM1
Encodes a Novel Woronin Body-Associated Pex22 Peroxin Required for Appressorium-Mediated Plant Infection
Authors: Kubo Yasuyuki , Fujihara Naoki , Harata Ken , Neumann Ulla , Robin Guillaume P. , O’Connell Richard
Published: September 2015

The cucumber anthracnose fungus
Colletotrichum orbiculare
forms specialized cells called appressoria for host penetration. We identified a gene,
FAM1
, encoding a novel peroxin protein that is essential for peroxisome biogenesis and that associates with Woronin bodies (WBs), dense-core vesicles found only in filamentous ascomycete fungi which function to maintain cellular integrity. The
fam1
disrupted mutants were unable to grow on medium containing oleic acids as the sole carbon source and were nonpathogenic, being defective in both appressorium melanization and host penetration. Fluorescent proteins carrying peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs) were not imported into the peroxisomes of
fam1
mutants, suggesting that
FAM1
is a novel peroxisomal biogenesis gene (peroxin).
FAM1
did not show significant homology to any
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
peroxins but resembled conserved filamentous ascomycete-specific Pex22-like proteins which contain a predicted Pex4-binding site and are potentially involved in recycling PTS receptors from peroxisomes to the cytosol.
C. orbiculare
FAM1 complemented the peroxisomal matrix protein import defect of the
S. cerevisiae
pex22 mutant. Confocal microscopy of Fam1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion proteins and immunoelectron microscopy with anti-Fam1 antibodies showed that Fam1 localized to nascent WBs budding from peroxisomes and mature WBs. Association of Fam1 with WBs was confirmed by colocalization with WB matrix protein CoHex1 (
C. orbiculare
Hex1) and WB membrane protein CoWsc (
C. orbiculare
Wsc) and by subcellular fractionation and Western blotting with antibodies to Fam1 and CoHex1. In WB-deficient
cohex1
mutants, Fam1 was redirected to the peroxisome membrane. Our results show that Fam1 is a WB-associated peroxin required for pathogenesis and raise the possibility that localized receptor recycling occurs in WBs.

IMPORTANCE
Colletotrichum orbiculare
is a fungus causing damaging disease on
Cucurbitaceae
plants. In this paper, we characterize a novel peroxisome biogenesis gene from this pathogen called
FAM1
. Although no genes with significant homology are present in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
,
FAM1
contains a predicted Pex4-binding site typical of Pex22 proteins, which function in the recycling of PTS receptors from peroxisomes to the cytosol. We show that
FAM1
complements the defect in peroxisomal matrix protein import of
S. cerevisiae
pex22 mutants and that
fam1
mutants are completely defective in peroxisome function, fatty acid metabolism, and pathogenicity. Remarkably, we found that this novel peroxin is specifically localized on the bounding membrane of Woronin bodies, which are small peroxisome-derived organelles unique to filamentous ascomycete fungi that function in septal pore plugging. Our finding suggests that these fungi have coopted the Woronin body for localized receptor recycling during matrix protein import.
Infection Dynamics and Immune Response in a Newly Described
Drosophila
-Trypanosomatid Association
Authors: Hamilton Phineas T. , Votýpka Jan , Dostálová Anna , Yurchenko Vyacheslav , Bird Nathan H. , Lukeš Julius , Lemaitre Bruno , Perlman Steve J.
Published: September 2015

Trypanosomatid parasites are significant causes of human disease and are ubiquitous in insects. Despite the importance of
Drosophila melanogaster
as a model of infection and immunity and a long awareness that trypanosomatid infection is common in the genus, no trypanosomatid parasites naturally infecting
Drosophila
have been characterized. Here, we establish a new model of trypanosomatid infection in
Drosophila
—
Jaenimonas drosophilae
, gen. et sp. nov. As far as we are aware, this is the first
Drosophila
-parasitic trypanosomatid to be cultured and characterized. Through experimental infections, we find that
Drosophila falleni
, the natural host, is highly susceptible to infection, leading to a substantial decrease in host fecundity.
J. drosophilae
has a broad host range, readily infecting a number of
Drosophila
species, including
D. melanogaster
, with oral infection of
D. melanogaster
larvae resulting in the induction of numerous immune genes. When injected into adult hemolymph,
J. drosophilae
kills
D. melanogaster
, although interestingly, neither the Imd nor the Toll pathway is induced and Imd mutants do not show increased susceptibility to infection. In contrast, mutants deficient in drosocrystallin, a major component of the peritrophic matrix, are more severely infected during oral infection, suggesting that the peritrophic matrix plays an important role in mediating trypanosomatid infection in
Drosophila
. This work demonstrates that the
J. drosophilae
-
Drosophila
system can be a powerful model to uncover the effects of trypanosomatids in their insect hosts.

IMPORTANCE
Trypanosomatid parasites are ubiquitous in insects and are significant causes of disease when vectored to humans by blood-feeding insects. In recent decades,
Drosophila
has emerged as the predominant insect model of infection and immunity and is also known to be infected by trypanosomatids at high rates in the wild. Despite this, there has been almost no work on their trypanosomatid parasites, in part because
Drosophila
-specific trypanosomatids have been resistant to culturing. Here, we present the first isolation and detailed characterization of a trypanosomatid from
Drosophila
, finding that it represents a new genus and species,
Jaenimonas drosophilae
. Using this parasite, we conducted a series of experiments that revealed many of the unknown aspects of trypanosomatid infection in
Drosophila
, including host range, transmission biology, dynamics of infection, and host immune response. Taken together, this work establishes
J. drosophilae
as a powerful new opportunity to study trypanosomatid infections in insects.
Sydenham's chorea: not gone but perhaps forgotten
Authors: Crealey Miranda , Allen Nicholas M , Webb David , Bouldin Anthony , Mc Sweeney Niamh , Peake Deirdre , Tirupathi Sandya , Butler Karina , King Mary D
Published: September 2015

Sydenham's chorea (SC) is characterised by chorea, emotional lability and hypotonia. In this study, we investigated the incidence and clinical presentation of childhood SC in Ireland (years 2006–2014). Nineteen cases were diagnosed. Five patients had rheumatic fever. An increasing trend with an incidence of 0.23/100 000 is reported. As most referral diagnoses included psychogenic illness, head injury and stroke, modern physicians may not be aware of this age old illness. A review of the manifestations and diagnosis of SC is presented.
Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in an immunocompromised young adult
Authors: Hu Jessie , Kent Paul , Lennon Joshua M , Logan Latania K
Published: September 2015

Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis is an acute onset disease characterised by ulceration, necrosis, pain and bleeding in gingival surfaces. It is predominantly seen in severely malnourished children and young adults with advanced HIV infection. We present a unique presentation in a young adult with high-grade osteogenic sarcoma.
Body mass index in early and middle adult life: prospective associations with myocardial infarction, stroke and diabetes over a 30-year period: the British Regional Heart Study
Authors: Owen Christopher G , Kapetanakis Venediktos V , Rudnicka Alicja R , Wathern Andrea K , Lennon Lucy , Papacosta Olia , Cook Derek G , Wannamethee S Goya , Whincup Peter H
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Adiposity in middle age is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; less is known about the impact of adiposity from early adult life. We examined the effects of high body mass index (BMI) in early and middle adulthood on myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and diabetes risks.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Participants

7735 men with BMI measured in middle age (40–59 years) and BMI ascertained at 21 years from military records or participant recall.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

30-year follow-up data for type 2 diabetes, MI and stroke incidence; Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the effect of BMI at both ages on these outcomes, adjusted for age and smoking status.

Results

Among 4846 (63%) men (with complete data), a 1 kg/m2higher BMI at 21 years was associated with a 6% (95% CI 4% to 9%) higher type 2 diabetes risk, compared with a 21% (95% CI 18% to 24%) higher diabetes risk for a 1 kg/m2higher BMI in middle age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.24). Higher BMI in middle age was associated with a 6% (95% CI 4% to 8%) increase in MI and a 4% (95% CI 1% to 7%) increase in stroke; BMI at 21 years showed no associations with MI or stroke risk.

Conclusions

Higher BMI at 21 years of age is associated with later diabetes incidence but not MI or stroke, while higher BMI in middle age is strongly associated with all outcomes. Early obesity prevention may reduce later type 2 diabetes risk, more than MI and stroke.
Relationship between implementing interpersonal communication and mass education campaigns in emergency settings and use of reproductive healthcare services: evidence from Darfur, Sudan
Authors: Adam Izzeldin Fadl , Nakamura Keiko , Kizuki Masashi , Al Rifai Rami , Vanching Urnaa
Published: September 2015

Objectives

(1) To examine changes in women's awareness and utilisation of reproductive healthcare services in emergency settings following provision of interpersonal communication (IPC) and mass education campaigns, and (2) to describe factors associated with reproductive healthcare service use in internally displaced person (IDP) camps.

Setting

Three camps containing 88 984 IDPs in Darfur, Sudan.

Participants

640 women aged 15−49 who had experienced pregnancy in the camp during the previous 2 years were enrolled in each of two independent cross-sectional surveys 26 months apart.

Interventions

IPC and mass education campaigns where community health workers disseminated information by home/shelter visits, clinic sessions, public meetings and other means to raise awareness and promote reproductive healthcare service use.

Primary outcome measures

Awareness of the existence of antenatal care (ANC) and tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccination services, reception of ANC and TT vaccination, place of delivery and use of postnatal care (PNC).

Results

The percentage of women who received home visits, and attended in-clinic sessions and public meetings increased from 61.6% to 86.7%, from 43.0% to 68.8%, and from 3.8% to 39.8%, respectively, between the initial and follow-up surveys. More women were aware of ANC (OR 18.6, 95% CI 13.1 to 26.5) and TT vaccination (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.4 to 4.4) in the follow-up than the initial survey, after multivariable adjustment. More women received ≥3 ANC visits (OR 8.8, 95% CI 6.4 to 12.0) and ≥3 doses of TT (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.3), delivered at a healthcare facility (OR 5.4, 95% CI 4.0 to 7.4) and received a PNC visit (OR 5.5, 95% CI 4.0 to 7.7) in the follow-up than in the initial survey, after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusions

Awareness about and utilisation of reproductive healthcare services were higher in the follow-up survey. An integrated IPC and mass education campaign is effective for improving women's reproductive health in emergency settings.
Systematic review of the measurement properties of self-report physical activity questionnaires in healthy adult populations
Authors: Silsbury Zoë , Goldsmith Robert , Rushton Alison
Published: September 2015

Objective

This systematic review evaluated the measurement properties of current self-report physical activity questionnaires (SRPAQs) completed within healthy adult populations.

Design

Two reviewers independently searched seven electronic databases and hand searched for articles investigating measurement properties of a SRPAQ evaluating physical activity over the previous 6 months. Articles published from 1 May 2001 to 4 December 2014 were systematically screened and eligible studies were not limited to English language sources. Articles investigating specific race, gender or socioeconomic populations were excluded.

Results

10 studies investigating 10 SRPAQs were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and ranged from ‘poor’ to ‘good’. The Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaires and Physical Activity Assessment Tool demonstrated good/excellent test–retest reliability (intra-class coefficient (ICC)=0.76, p<0.0001; r=0.627–0.91; r=0.618, p<0.001, respectively), but variable criterion validity (r=0.67, p<0.0001; r=−0.02–0.43; r=0.392, p<0.01, respectively). The single-item measure showed significant criterion validity against an accelerometer (for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) k=0.23, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.41; and physical activity ≥10 min bouts 0.39 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.64). Construct validity of the six-point scale and Human Activity Profile varied significantly with age, marital status and presence of comorbidities (p<0.05, <0.01, <0.000 and p<0.05, <0.05, <0.000, respectively). The 1 week Godlin-Shephard recall demonstrated ‘moderate’ validity with the gold standard measure of accelerometry (r=0.43).

Conclusions

Inconclusive evidence exists. Further investigation of criterion validity of the short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire is required, as it demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability.

PROSPERO number

CRD42012002484.
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Kingsbury Michael
Published: September 2015

Michael Kingsbury is principal of Fitzalan House Veterinary Practice in Littlehampton; he recently won the Webinar Vet's ‘Vet of the year’ award.
A structure-property study toward π-extended phosphole chromophores with ambipolar redox properties
Authors: Ren Yi , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: September 2015

We report the synthesis of a series of π-extended dithienophospholes with phenyl or biphenyl terminal groups via Suzuki Miyaura cross-coupling procedures. The incorporation of the dithienophosphole core into the scaffold on oligophenylenes was found to lead to pronounced luminescence properties in solution and the solid state, the latter of which also responded to different solid-state morphologies, i.e., powder versus crystal. More importantly, the investigated molecular architectures also allowed — for the first time — the observation of ambipolar redox behavior of such species, with the biphenyl-extended species in particular showing quasi-reversible reduction and oxidation processes; the observed experimental features were correlated with computational density functional theory studies.
Molecular marker development and genetic diversity exploration by RNA-seq in Platycodon grandiflorum
Authors: Kim Hyun Jung , Jung Jungsu , Kim Myung-Shin , Lee Je Min , Choi Doil , Yeam Inhwa
Published: September 2015

Platycodon grandiflorum, generally known as the bellflower or balloon flower, is the only species in the genus Platycodon of the family Campanulaceae. Platycodon plants have been traditionally used as a medicinal crop in East Asia for their antiphlogistic, antitussive, and expectorant properties. Despite these practical uses, marker-assisted selection and molecular breeding in platycodons have lagged due to the lack of genetic information on this genus. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analysis of three platycodon accessions to develop molecular markers and explore genetic diversity. First, genic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were retrieved and compared; dinucleotide motifs were the most abundant repeats (39%–40%) followed by trinucleotide (25%–31%), tetranucleotide (1.5%–1.9%), and pentanucleotide (0.3%–1.0%) repeats. The result of in silico SSR analysis, three SSR markers were detected and showed possibility to distinguish three platycodon accessions. After several filtering procedures, 180 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to design 40 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers. Twelve of these PCR-based markers were validated as highly polymorphic and utilized to investigate genetic diversity in 21 platycodon accessions collected from various regions of South Korea. Collectively, the 12 markers yielded 35 alleles, with an average of 3 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.087 to 0.693, averaging 0.373 per locus. Since platycodon genetics have not been actively studied, the sequence information and the DNA markers generated from our research have the potential to contribute to further genetic improvements, genomic studies, and gene discovery in this genus.
Surface configuration in R + μ4/R gravity
Authors: Fathi Mohsen , Mohseni Morteza
Published: September 2015

We investigate the conditions on the additional constant [Formula: see text] in the so-called [Formula: see text] theory of gravity, due to existence of different kinds of space-like surfaces in both weak field and strong field limits, and their possible correspondence to black hole event horizons. Adopting a Schwarzschild limit, we probe the behavior of [Formula: see text] in different contexts of radial and radial–rotational congruence of null geodesics. We show that these cases serve as correspondents to black hole horizons in some peculiar cases of study.
Search for associated production of Higgs with Z boson in the noncommutative Standard Model at linear colliders
Authors: Selvaganapathy J. , Das Prasanta Kumar , Konar Partha
Published: September 2015

We study the associated Higgs production with [Formula: see text] boson at future linear colliders in the framework of the minimal noncommutative standard model. Using the Seiberg–Witten map, we calculate the production cross-section considering all orders of the noncommutative parameter [Formula: see text]. We consider the effect of earth’s rotation on the orientation of [Formula: see text] with respect to the laboratory frame and thus on the total cross-section, its azimuthal distribution and rapidity distribution for the machine energy ranging from 0.5 TeV to 3 TeV corresponding to the noncommutative scale [Formula: see text].
Colored knot polynomials: HOMFLY in representation [2, 1]
Authors: Mironov A. , Morozov A. , Morozov An. , Sleptsov A.
Published: September 2015

This paper starts a systematic description of colored knot polynomials, beginning from the first non-(anti)symmetric representation [Formula: see text]. The project involves several steps:

(i) parametrization of big families of knots á la [A. Mironov and A. Morozov, arXiv:1506.00339], (ii) evaluating Racah/mixing matrices for various numbers of strands in various representations á la [A. Mironov, A. Morozov and An. Morozov, J. High Energy Phys. 03, 034 (2012), arXiv:1112.2654], (iii) tabulating and collecting the results at http://www.knotebook.org .

In this paper, we discuss only the representation [Formula: see text] and construct all necessary ingredients that allow one to evaluate knot/links represented by three-strand closed parallel braids with inserted double-fat fingers. In particular, it is used to evaluate knots from a 7-parametric family. This family contains over 80% of knots with up to 10 intersections, but does not include mutants.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GLAUCOMA
Authors: DAI PEISHAN , HAN HAN , ZHAO YALI , FAN MIN
Published: September 2015

Purpose: Construct a finite element model of the human eye to quantitatively analyze the mechanical characteristics of the human eye, especially the glaucoma damage process of the optic nerve head (ONH). Method: First, the geometry model of the human eye with nonuniform thickness was established based on a reasonable hypothesis and assumptions. Because the ONH is an important factor for glaucoma, we refine the structure of the ONH with lamina cribrosa. Then, mesh division was applied for finite element analysis. To simplify the complexity of the analysis, the materials of the model were assumed to be isotropic linear elastic materials, and physical properties such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio were set according to published literature. Next, proper constraints and loads were applied to the model and solved with a finite element method. Result: A finite element model of the human eye was created to simulate the mechanical characteristics of the eye structures under high intraocular pressure (IOP). The ONH depressed 1.057[Formula: see text]mm under 0.009[Formula: see text]MPa pressure to simulate high IOP. Conclusion: The constructed model is able to quantitatively simulate excavation of the optic disc and damage of the optic nerve. The result proved Houcheng Liang’s hypothesis about the ONH damage mechanism in glaucoma.
Social Media Platform as a Knowledge Management Tool: Nigerian Librarians Experience
Authors: Olajide Adebayo Afolabi
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the work was to investigate the use of Social media (SM) platform among Nigerian Librarians as a Knowledge management (KM) tool. The methodology employed for this work is descriptive research design using a self-developed questionnaire which is carefully compared with available literatures. 26 different tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, School of Nursing) covering four states in the south west Nigeria were used. Frequency count using tables, graph and charts were adopted for the analysis. From the analysis of the result, it was found that librarians have good background knowledge of SM but continuous professional development (CPD) attendance on it is just average and there seems to be more of personal interest by the librarians to learn about KM. The level of knowledge of SM as a KM tool is very high but the practice is just average, also the level of knowledge of usage of SM as KM tool is just average. On the issue of KM practices performed through SM, the sampled response is in-between. On the issue of Challenges: infrastructure, training knowledge and cost are the major ones faced by Nigerian librarians. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to improve the knowledge and skills about SM and KM together with how to use SM as a KM tool.
Entanglement versus Gaussian quantum discord in a double-cavity opto-mechanical system
Authors: El Qars J. , Daoud M. , Laamara Ahl
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we investigate the robustness of the quantum correlations against the environment effects in various opto-mechanical bipartite systems. For two spatially separated opto-mechanical cavities, we give analytical formula for the global covariance matrix involving two mechanical modes and two optical modes. The logarithmic negativity as an indicator of the degree of entanglement and the Gaussian quantum discord which is a witness of quantumness of correlations are used as quantifiers to evaluate the different pairwise quantum correlations in the whole system. The evolution of the quantum correlations existing in this opto-mechanical system are analyzed in terms of the thermal bath temperature, squeezing parameter and the opto-mechanical cooperativity. We find that with desirable choice of these parameters, it is possible either to enhance or annihilate the quantum correlations in the system. Various scenarios are discussed in detail.
Endothelial-derived hyperpolarization contributes to acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in human skin in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: Brunt Vienna E. , Fujii Naoto , Minson Christopher T.
Published: September 2015

Cutaneous acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated dilation is commonly used to assess microvascular function, but the mechanisms of dilation are poorly understood. Depending on dose and method of administration, nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids are involved to varying extents and the roles of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs) are unclear. In the present study, five incremental doses of ACh (0.01-100 mM) were delivered either as a 1-min bolus ( protocol 1, n = 12) or as a ≥20-min continuous infusion ( protocol 2, n = 10) via microdialysis fibers infused with 1) lactated Ringer, 2) tetraethylammonium (TEA) [a calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) and EDHF inhibitor], 3) L-NNA+ketorolac [NO synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors], and 4) TEA+L-NNA+Ketorolac. The hyperemic response was characterized as peak and area under the curve (AUC) cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) for bolus infusions or plateau CVC for continuous infusions, and reported as %maximal CVC. In protocol 1, TEA, alone and combined with NOS+COX inhibition, attenuated peak CVC (100 mM Ringer 59 ± 6% vs. TEA 43 ± 5%, P < 0.05; L-NNA+ketorolac 35 ± 4% vs. TEA+L-NNA+ketorolac 25 ± 4%, P < 0.05) and AUC (Ringer 25,414 ± 3,528 vs. TEA 21,403 ± 3,416%·s, P < 0.05; L-NNA+ketorolac 25,628 ± 3,828%.s vs. TEA+L-NNA+ketorolac 20,772 ± 3,711%·s, P < 0.05), although these effects were only significant at the highest dose of ACh. At lower doses, TEA lengthened the total time of the hyperemic response (10 mM Ringer 609 ± 78 s vs. TEA 860 ± 67 s, P < 0.05). In protocol 2, TEA alone did not affect plateau CVC, but attenuated plateau in combination with NOS+COX inhibition (100 mM 50.4 ± 6.6% vs. 30.9 ± 6.3%, P < 0.05). Therefore, EDHFs contribute to cutaneous ACh-mediated dilation, but their relative contribution is altered by the dose and infusion procedure.
Guitar Chords Classification Using Uncertainty Measurements of Frequency Bins
Authors: Guerrero-Turrubiates Jesus , Ledesma Sergio , Gonzalez-Reyna Sheila , Avina-Cervantes Gabriel
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a method to perform chord classification from recorded audio. The signal harmonics are obtained by using the Fast Fourier Transform, and timbral information is suppressed by spectral whitening. A multiple fundamental frequency estimation of whitened data is achieved by adding attenuated harmonics by a weighting function. This paper proposes a method that performs feature selection by using a thresholding of the uncertainty of all frequency bins. Those measurements under the threshold are removed from the signal in the frequency domain. This allows a reduction of 95.53% of the signal characteristics, and the other 4.47% of frequency bins are used as enhanced information for the classifier. An Artificial Neural Network was utilized to classify four types of chords: major, minor, major 7th, and minor 7th. Those, played in the twelve musical notes, give a total of 48 different chords. Two reference methods (based on Hidden Markov Models) were compared with the method proposed in this paper by having the same database for the evaluation test. In most of the performed tests, the proposed method achieved a reasonably high performance, with an accuracy of 93%.
Periodic Solutions of Some Polynomial Differential Systems in Dimension 3 via Averaging Theory
Authors: Makhlouf Amar , Bousbiat Lilia
Published: September 2015

We provide sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions of the polynomial third order differential systemx.=-y+εP(x,y,z)+h1(t),  y.=x+εQ(x,y,z)+h2(t),  and  z.=az+εR(x,y,z)+h3(t), whereP,Q, andRare polynomials in the variablesx,y, andzof degreen,  hi(t)=hi(t+2π)withi=1,2,3being periodic functions,ais a real number, andεis a small parameter.
Cultivated Oral Mucosa Epithelium in Ocular Surface Reconstruction in Aniridia Patients
Authors: Dobrowolski Dariusz , Orzechowska-Wylegala Boguslawa , Wowra Bogumil , Wroblewska-Czajka Ewa , Grolik Maria , Szczubialka Krzysztof , Nowakowska Maria , Puzzolo Domenico , Wylegala Edward A. , Micali Antonio , Aragona Pasquale
Published: September 2015

Purpose. Efficacy of cultivated oral mucosa epithelial transplantation (COMET) procedure in corneal epithelium restoration of aniridia patients.Methods. Study subjects were aniridia patients (13 patients; 17 eyes) with irregular, vascular conjunctival pannus involving visual axis who underwent autologous transplantation of cultivated epithelium. For the procedure oral mucosa epithelial cells were obtained from buccal mucosa with further enzymatic treatment. Suspension of single cells was seeded on previously prepared denuded amniotic membrane. Cultures were carried on culture dishes inserts in the presence of the inactivated with Mitomycin C monolayer of 3T3 fibroblasts. Cultures were carried for seven days. Stratified oral mucosa epithelium with its amniotic membrane carrier was transplanted on the surgically denuded corneal surface of aniridia patients with total or subtotal limbal stem cell deficiency.Outcome Measures. Corneal surface, epithelial regularity, and visual acuity improvement were evaluated.Results. At the end of the observation period, 76.4% of the eyes had regular transparent epithelium and 23.5% had developed epithelial defects or central corneal haze; in 88.2% of cases visual acuity had increased. VA range was from HM 0.05 before the surgery to HM up to 0.1 after surgery.Conclusion. Application of cultivated oral mucosa epithelium restores regular epithelium on the corneal surface with moderate improvement in quality of vision.
Stability of Stochastic Discrete-Time Neural Networks with Discrete Delays and the Leakage Delay
Authors: Hou Liyuan , Zhu Hong
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates the stability of stochastic discrete-time neural networks (NNs) with discrete time-varying delays and leakage delay. As the partition of time-varying and leakage delay is brought in the discrete-time system, we construct a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii function based on stability theory. Furthermore sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the global asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point. Numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the applicability of the proposed method.
On Critical Density for Coverage and Connectivity in Directional Sensor Network over Stochastic Channels Using Continuum Percolation
Authors: Li Jinlan , Wang Chaowei , Zhang Yinghai , Kang Lin , Chen Zhi
Published: September 2015

Sensing coverage, which is one of vital issues in the design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), can usually interact with other performance metrics such as network connectivity and energy consumption. Whatever the metrics, the fundamental problem is to know at least how many sensor nodes are needed to maintain both sensing coverage and network connectivity. In this paper, we propose a Percolation Model on Novel Gilbert Graph (PM-NGG) to obtain the critical density at which the network can become fully covered and connected considering the similarity between the occurrence of percolation and the formation of a covered and connected network. The PM-NGG is based on directional sensor network where sensors are assigned a determined sensing direction with angular intervals varying from 0 to 2 π. Furthermore, we define the sensing and communication model in directional sensor network in presence of channel randomness including deterministic path attenuation, shadow fading, and multipath fading. Besides, we discuss the coverage and connectivity together as a whole under the proposed model. It is worth mentioning that the theoretical analysis and simulation results of the relationship between critical density and transmitting power give insights into the design of directional sensor network in practice.
A Simulation Perspective: Error Analysis in the Distributed Simulation of Continuous System
Authors: Ma Yao-fei , Song Xiao
Published: September 2015

To construct a corresponding distributed system from a continuous system, the most convenient way is to partition the system into parts according to its topology and deploy the parts on separated nodes directly. However, system error will be introduced during this process because the computing pattern is changed from the sequential to the parallel. In this paper, the mathematical expression of the introduced error is studied. A theorem is proposed to prove that a distributed system preserving the stability property of the continuous system can be found if the system error is limited to be small enough. Then, the compositions of the system error are analyzed one by one and the complete expression is deduced, where the advancing stepTin distributed environment is one of the key factors associated. At last, the general steps to determine the stepTare given. The significance of this study lies in the fact that the maximumTcan be calculated without exceeding the expected error threshold, and a largerTcan reduce the simulation cost effectively without causing too much performance degradation compared to the original continuous system.
Reliability-Based Topology Optimization Using Stochastic Response Surface Method with Sparse Grid Design
Authors: Zhao Qinghai , Chen Xiaokai , Ma Zheng-Dong , Lin Yi
Published: September 2015

A mathematical framework is developed which integrates the reliability concept into topology optimization to solve reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) problems under uncertainty. Two typical methodologies have been presented and implemented, including the performance measure approach (PMA) and the sequential optimization and reliability assessment (SORA). To enhance the computational efficiency of reliability analysis, stochastic response surface method (SRSM) is applied to approximate the true limit state function with respect to the normalized random variables, combined with the reasonable design of experiments generated by sparse grid design, which was proven to be an effective and special discretization technique. The uncertainties such as material property and external loads are considered on three numerical examples: a cantilever beam, a loaded knee structure, and a heat conduction problem. Monte-Carlo simulations are also performed to verify the accuracy of the failure probabilities computed by the proposed approach. Based on the results, it is demonstrated that application of SRSM with SGD can produce an efficient reliability analysis in RBTO which enables a more reliable design than that obtained by DTO. It is also found that, under identical accuracy, SORA is superior to PMA in view of computational efficiency.
Evaluation of the Immediate Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle in Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study
Authors: Silva Andréia Cristina de Oliveira , Biasotto-Gonzalez Daniela Aparecida , Santos Douglas Meira dos , Melo Nivea Cristina De , Gomes Cid André Fidelis de Paula , Amorim César Ferreira , Politti Fabiano
Published: September 2015

Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the immediate effects of auricular acupuncture (AA) on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle and pain in nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) patients. Twelve patients with NS-NP (NS-NP group) and 12 healthy subjects (HS Group) were enrolled in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study. Each subject received a single session of AA and sham AA (SAA). Surface EMG activity was measured in the upper trapezius muscle at different “step contractions” of isometric shoulder elevation (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% MVC). The outcome measure in patients with NS-NP was based on the numerical pain rating scale (NRS). AA treatment led to a significant decrease in EMG activity in both groups (NS-NP group:p= 0.0001; HS group:p< 0.0001—ANOVA test). This was not the case for the SAA treatment (NS-NP group:p= 0.71; HS group:p< 0.54). Significant decreases (p< 0.001) in the NRS were found for both treatments (AA and SAA). This study demonstrated the immediate effect of auricular acupuncture on the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle but the effect of this intervention on pain symptoms in patients with nonspecific neck pain was inconclusive.
Comparison and Evaluation of Deadlock Prevention Methods for Different Size Automated Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Abouel Nasr Emad , El-Tamimi Abdulaziz M. , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , Kaid Husam
Published: September 2015

In automated manufacturing systems (AMSs), deadlocks problems can arise due to limited shared resources. Petri nets are an effective tool to prevent deadlocks in AMSs. In this paper, a simulation based on existing deadlock prevention policies and different Petri net models are considered to explore whether a permissive liveness-enforcing Petri net supervisor can provide better time performance. The work of simulation is implemented as follows. (1) Assign the time to the controlled Petri net models, which leads to timed Petri nets. (2) Build the Petri net model using MATLAB software. (3) Run and simulate the model, and simulation results are analyzed to determine which existing policies are suitable for different systems. Siphons and iterative methods are used for deadlocks prevention. Finally, the computational results show that the selected deadlock policies may not imply high resource utilization and plant productivity, which have been shown theoretically in previous publications. However, for all selected AMSs, the iterative methods always lead to structurally and computationally complex liveness-enforcing net supervisors compared to the siphons methods. Moreover, they can provide better behavioral permissiveness than siphons methods for small systems. For large systems, a strict minimal siphon method leads to better behavioral permissiveness than the other methods.
Bee Wax Propolis Extract as Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors for 304SS in Sulfuric Acid
Authors: Gapsari Femiana , Soenoko Rudy , Suprapto Agus , Suprapto Wahyono
Published: September 2015

The inhibition properties of bee wax propolis (BWP) extract on the 304SS in 0.5 M sulfuric acid were conducted using potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, and XRD. Quercetin (2-(3.4-dihydroxy phenyl)-3.5.7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one) was identified as the main compound in the BWP extract based on FTIR and HPLC analysis. The results showed that the inhibitor could retard the corrosion rate of 304SS in 0.5 M sulfuric acid which reached 97.29% and 91.42% at 2000 ppm based on potentiodynamic polarization and EIS measurement, respectively. The inhibition efficiency decreased with increasing temperature. The inhibition mechanism of BWP extract on the 304SS was physisorption and obeyed Temkin adsorption isotherm equation. The thin protective layer on the 304SS surface was confirmed by XRD.
Resonance Analysis of High-Frequency Electrohydraulic Exciter Controlled by 2D Valve
Authors: Pan Guojun , Ren Yan , Ruan Jian
Published: September 2015

The resonant characteristic of hydraulic system has not been described yet because it is necessarily restricted by linear assumptions in classical fluid theory. A way of the resonance analysis is presented for an electrohydraulic exciter controlled by 2D valve. The block diagram of this excitation system is established by extracting nonlinear parts from the traditional linearization analysis; as a result the resonant frequency is obtained. According to input energy from oil source which is equal to the reverse energy to oil source, load pressure and load flow are solved analytically as the working frequency reaches the natural frequency. The analytical expression of resonant peak is also derived without damping. Finally, the experimental system is built to verify the theoretical analysis. The initial research on resonant characteristic will lay theoretical foundation and make useful complement for resonance phenomena of classical fluid theory in hydraulic system.
Improved Genetic Algorithm with Two-Level Approximation Method for Laminate Stacking Sequence Optimization by Considering Engineering Requirements
Authors: An Haichao , Chen Shenyan , Huang Hai
Published: September 2015

Laminated composites have been widely applied in aerospace structures; thus optimization of the corresponding stacking sequences is indispensable. Genetic algorithms have been popularly adopted to cope with the design of stacking sequences which is a combinatorial optimization problem with complicated manufacturing constraints, but they often exhibit high computational costs with many structural analyses. A genetic algorithm using a two-level approximation (GATLA) method was proposed previously by the authors to obtain the optimal stacking sequences, which requires significantly low computational costs. By considering practical engineering requirements, this method possesses low applicability in complicated structures with multiple laminates. What is more, it has relatively high dependence on some genetic algorithm control parameters. To address these problems, now we propose an improved GA with two-level approximation (IGATLA) method which includes improved random initial design, adaptive penalty fitness function, adaptive crossover probability, and variable mutation probability, as well as enhanced validity check criterion for multiple laminates. The efficiency and feasibility of these improvements are verified with numerical applications, including typical numerical examples and industrial applications. It is shown that this method is also able to handle large, real world, industrial analysis models with high efficiency.
Robust Stability and Stabilization of Interval Uncertain Descriptor Fractional-Order Systems with the Fractional-Orderα: The1≤α<2Case
Authors: Li Yuanhua , Liu Heng , Wang Hongxing
Published: September 2015

Stability and stabilization of fractional-order interval system is investigated. By adding parameters to linear matrix inequalities, necessary and sufficient conditions for stability and stabilization of the system are obtained. The results on stability check for uncertain FO-LTI systems with interval coefficients of dimensionnonly need to solve one 4n-by-4nLMI. Numerical examples are presented to shown the effectiveness of our results.
A Mixed Cooperative Dual to the Nash Equilibrium
Authors: Corley H. W.
Published: September 2015

A mixed dual to the Nash equilibrium is defined for n-person games in strategic form. In a Nash equilibrium every player’s mixed strategy maximizes his own expected payoff for the other n-1 players’ strategies. Conversely, in the dual equilibrium every n-1 players have mixed strategies that maximize the remaining player’s expected payoff. Hence this dual equilibrium models mutual support and cooperation to extend the Berge equilibrium from pure to mixed strategies. This dual equilibrium is compared and related to the mixed Nash equilibrium, and both topological and algebraic conditions are given for the existence of the dual. Computational issues are discussed, and it is shown that for each n>2 there exists a game for which no dual equilibrium exists.
On Fixed-Point Smoothing for Descriptor Systems with Multiplicative Noise and Single Delayed Observations
Authors: Lu Xiao , Dong Xin , Wang Haixia , Song Baoye
Published: September 2015

Optimal fixed-point smoothing problem for the descriptor systems with multiplicative noises is considered, where instantaneous and delayed observations are available. Standard singular value decomposition is used to give the restricted equivalent delayed system, where the observations also include two different types of measurements. Reorganized innovation lemma and projection theorem are used to give the fixed-point smoother for the restricted equivalent delayed system. The fixed-point smoother is given in terms of recursive Riccati equations.
Synthesis of Circular Array Antenna for Sidelobe Level and Aperture Size Control Using Flower Pollination Algorithm
Authors: Vedula V. S. S. S. Chakravarthy , Paladuga S. R. Chowdary , Prithvi M. Rao
Published: September 2015

Sidelobe level suppression is a major problem in circular array antenna (CAA) synthesis. Many conventional numerical techniques are proposed to achieve this which are time consuming and often fail to handle multimodal problems. In this paper, a method of circular array synthesis using nature inspired flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is proposed. The synthesis technique considered here adapts one and two degrees of freedom, namely, amplitude only and amplitude spacing. The effectiveness of the FPA is studied by comparing the results with genetic algorithm (GA) and uniform circular array antenna (UCAA) with uniform spacing. Also the effect of additional degree of freedom on the aperture size and the computational time is analyzed. A relative side lobe level (SLL) of −25 dB is achieved using the algorithm under both no beam scanning (0°) and beam scanning (15°) conditions for 20 and 40 elements of CAA.
Rikkunshito Ameliorates Cancer Cachexia Partly through Elevation of Glucarate in Plasma
Authors: Ohbuchi Katsuya , Nishiumi Shin , Fujitsuka Naoki , Hattori Tomohisa , Yamamoto Masahiro , Inui Akio , Azuma Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru
Published: September 2015

Cancer cachexia, which is characterized by decreased food intake, weight loss and systemic inflammation, increases patient’s morbidity and mortality. We previously showed that rikkunshito (RKT), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine (Kampo), ameliorated the symptoms of cancer cachexia through ghrelin signaling-dependent and independent pathways. To investigate other mechanisms of RKT action in cancer cachexia, we performed metabolome analysis of plasma in a rat model bearing the Yoshida AH-130 hepatoma. A total of 110 metabolites were detected in plasma and RKT treatment significantly altered levels of 23 of those metabolites in cachexia model rats. Among them, glucarate, which is known to have anticarcinogenic activity through detoxification of carcinogens via inhibition ofβ-glucuronidase, was increased in plasma following administration of RKT. In our AH-130 ascites-induced cachexia rat model, administration of glucarate delayed onset of weight loss, improved muscle atrophy, and reduced ascites content. Additionally, glucarate reduced levels of plasma interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in tumor-bearing rats and was also found to suppress LPS-induced IFN-γexpression in splenocytesin vitro. These results suggest that glucarate has anti-inflammatory activity via a direct effect on immune host cells and suggest that RKT may also ameliorate inflammation partly through the elevation of glucarate in plasma.
Propagation Effects in the Spin-Wave Spectrum of the Ferromagnetic Thin Film
Authors: Mamica Sławomir
Published: September 2015

Exchange spin waves propagating in magnetic thin films exhibit some dynamic effects, that is, the effects caused solely by the wave propagation. In this paper we put our attention in four phenomena of such kind: the surface (and subsurface) localization, the collapse of the bulk band into a single energy level, the reversal of the mode order in the spin-wave spectrum, and the dynamic separation of the thin film into two subsystems. We link these effects to properties of Hamiltonian matrix elements inherited from the spatial distribution of neighboring spins with respect to the film surface. We also provide necessary conditions for the occurrence of these effects.
Energy Efficient Doppler Assisted Channel Estimation for Highly Mobile OFDM Systems
Authors: Ashraf Mateen , Shahid Adnan , Yeo Woon-Young , Lee Kyung-Geun
Published: September 2015

The complexity of channel estimation algorithms is of critical importance in high mobility orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. To reduce the complexity of the algorithm, the existing channel estimation algorithms take advantage of the correlations between the channel coefficients. However, they do not take into account the variations of the correlations with the delay tap. In this paper, we consider the change in correlation between channel coefficients for different delay taps. By considering these variations, the number of computations needed for channel estimation can be decreased. This results in a reduction in the circuit energy. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme consumes less total energy per bit for transmission distances less than about 170 m when the mobile speed is 324 Kmph.