bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhizobium meliloti fixGHI sequence predicts involvement of a specific cation pump in symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Authors: Kahn D , David M , Domergue O , Daveran M L , Ghai J , Hirsch P R , Batut J
Published: December 2016

We present genetic and structural analyses of a fix operon conserved among rhizobia, fixGHI from Rhizobium meliloti. The nucleotide sequence of the operon suggests it may contain a fourth gene, fixS. Adjacent open reading frames of this operon showed an overlap between TGA stop codons and ATG start codons in the form of an ATGA motif suggestive of translational coupling. All four predicted gene products contained probable transmembrane sequences. FixG contained two cysteine clusters typical of iron-sulfur centers and is predicted to be involved in a redox process. FixI was found to be homologous with P-type ATPases, particularly with K+ pumps from Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis but also with eucaryotic Ca2+, Na+/K+, H+/K+, and H+ pumps, which implies that FixI is a pump of a specific cation involved in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Since prototrophic growth of fixI mutants appeared to be unimpaired, the predicted FixI cation pump probably has a specifically symbiotic function. We suggest that the four proteins FixG, FixH, FixI, and FixS may participate in a membrane-bound complex coupling the FixI cation pump with a redox process catalyzed by FixG.
Increase of ornithine amino lipid content in a sulfonolipid-deficient mutant of Cytophaga johnsonae
Authors: Pitta T P , Leadbetter E R , Godchaux W
Published: December 2016

The gram-negative gliding bacterium Cytophaga johnsonae contains not only large quantities of unusual sulfonolipids but also, as we report here, a second class of unusual lipids. These lipids were detected and quantified by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography of lipids from cells grown in the presence of [14C]acetate and shown by chemical studies to be alpha-N-(3-fatty acyloxy fatty acyl)ornithines. Like the sulfonolipids, these ornithine lipids were localized in the outer membrane (whereas phosphatidylethanolamine was the predominant lipid of the inner membrane). In a sulfonolipid-deficient mutant, the missing lipid was replaced, specifically, by an increased amount of ornithine lipid. Cells grown in liquid media contained predominantly ornithine lipids with nonhydroxylated residues in the O-fatty acyl position. In contrast, surface-grown cells contained a high proportion of ornithine lipids in which the O-fatty acyl group was 3-hydroxylated. The sulfonolipids and ornithine lipids are apparently coregulated in the sense that, regardless of perturbations caused by mutation or growth conditions, their total amounts remain constant at 40% of total cell lipid.
Purification and some properties of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter sp. strain JC1 DSM 3803
Authors: Kim K S , Ro Y T , Kim Y M
Published: December 2016

A brown carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from CO-autotrophically grown cells of Acinetobacter sp. strain JC1, which is unstable outside the cells, was purified 80-fold in seven steps to better than 95% homogeneity, with a yield of 44% in the presence of the stabilizing agents iodoacetamide (1 mM) and ammonium sulfate (100 mM). The final specific activity was 474 mumol of acceptor reduced per min per mg of protein as determined by an assay based on the CO-dependent reduction of thionin. Methyl viologen, NAD(P), flavin mononucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and ferricyanide were not reduced by the enzyme, but methylene blue, thionin, and dichlorophenolindophenol were reduced. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was determined to be 380,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis revealed at least three nonidentical subunits of molecular weights 16,000 (alpha), 34,000 (beta), and 85,000 (gamma). The purified enzyme contained particulate hydrogenase-like activity. Selenium did not stimulate carbon monoxide dehydrogenase activity. The isoelectic point of the native enzyme was found to be 5.8; the Km of CO was 150 microM. The enzyme was rapidly inactivated by methanol. One mole of native enzyme was found to contain 2 mol of each of flavin adenine dinucleotide and molybdenum and 8 mol each of nonheme iron and labile sulfide, which indicated that the enzyme was a molybdenum-containing iron-sulfur flavoprotein. The ratio of densities of each subunit after electrophoresis (alpha:beta:gamma = 1:2:6) and the number of each cofactor in the native enzyme suggest a alpha 2 beta 2 gamma 2 structure of the enzyme. The carbon monoxide dehydrogenase of Acinetobacter sp. strain JC1 was found to have no immunological relationship with enzymes of Pseudomonas carboxydohydrogena and Pseudomonas carboxydovorans.
Multiple pathways for repair of hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in Escherichia coli
Authors: Hagensee M E , Moses R E
Published: December 2016

The repair response of Escherichia coli to hydrogen peroxide has been examined in mutants which show increased sensitivity to this agent. Four mutants were found to show increased in vivo sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide compared with wild type. These mutants, in order of increasing sensitivity, were recA, polC, xthA, and polA. The polA mutants were the most sensitive, implying that DNA polymerase I is required for any repair of hydrogen peroxide damage. Measurement of repair synthesis after hydrogen peroxide treatment demonstrated normal levels for recA mutants, a small amount for xthA mutants, and none for polA mutants. This is consistent with exonuclease III being required for part of the repair synthesis seen, while DNA polymerase I is strictly required for all repair synthesis. Sedimentation analysis of cellular DNA after hydrogen peroxide treatment showed that reformation was absent in xthA, polA, and polC(Ts) strains but normal in a recA cell line. By use of a lambda phage carrying a recA-lacZ fusion, we found hydrogen peroxide does not induce the recA promoter. Our findings indicate two pathways of repair for hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage. One of these pathways would utilize exonuclease III, DNA polymerase III, and DNA polymerase I, while the other would be DNA polymerase I dependent. The RecA protein seems to have little or no direct function in either repair pathway.
Venous and arterial air embolism: a rare phenomenon with fatal consequences
Authors: Shah Jatan , Jiwa Nasheena , Mamdani Natasha , Hill David
Published: December 2016

Air embolism is often an iatrogenic complication which may occur in venous or arterial circulation depending on the port of entry. We present two cases in which air embolism occurred in venous and arterial circulation after contrast medium injection (CMI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, respectively. In one case, accumulation of air bubbles was observed in the pulmonary artery after CMI. This was attributed to inadvertent injection of air owing to improper connection of the injector and the catheter. The patient was managed with 100% oxygen in the Trendelenburg and left lateral decubitus position. Repeat imaging demonstrated resorption of the emboli. In another case, air was introduced during CABG in the left atrium and ventricle. Immediate suction of air was attempted however, the patient developed cardiogenic shock requiring vasopressors, and subsequently seizures and coma due to diffuse ischaemic stroke. The patient eventually expired.
Nonlinear Rosseland thermal radiation and magnetic field effects on flow and heat transfer over a moving surface with variable thickness in a nanofluid
Authors: Abdel-wahed Mohamed S.
Published: December 2016

A numerical investigation has been done to study the impact of nonlinear magnetic field, nonlinear thermal radiation, variable thickness, and Brownian motion on flow and heat transfer characteristics (i.e., skin friction and surface heat flux) as a physical application. Moreover, the impact of these forces on the rate of cooling and the mechanical properties (i.e., hardness, ductility, …) of a surface that is cooled using nanofluid as a coolant is explored. The governing boundary layer equations describing the problem are transformed to ordinary differential equations using the similarity transformation method and are then solved numerically using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method with shooting technique with the assistance of Mathematica program.
Bulk viscosity in F(T, TG) gravity
Authors: Sharif M. , Nazir Kanwal
Published: December 2016

The present paper is devoted to exploring the effect of bulk viscosity in the context of F(T, TG) gravity. We consider a time-dependent viscosity model with a particular expression of Hubble parameter. We evaluate viscous effective equation of state parameter for three well-known F(T, TG) models. The behavior of the accelerated expanding universe is explored graphically through the viscous equation of state parameter. This parameter indicates the phantom-dominated era as well as crosses the phantom divide line for all three models. We conclude that the universe shows a transition from quintessence to phantom region in the presence of bulk viscosity.
Applying the Technology of Moving Target Detection in Missile Training Equipment
Authors: Zhou Guoqing , Wang Xinghui , Li Xinrong
Published: December 2016

The process of missile launch training was confined to the virtual scene in the past. So, cooperating with an artillery college, the group makes the moving target detection technology to be applied in missile training equipment, so as to make the training apply to the field operations. This paper presents the frame difference mapping algorithm, which is used to detect the moving target in the background of moving video frame. According to the target region which is given out by the system in the graphical interface, the students do the launching missile training. The moving target detection algorithm which is provided with the low complexity and the high accuracy, i.e. proposed by the paper, is based on Gauss mixture model and frame difference mapping. The mechanism of layered-graphics and the message agent which makes the modules in the system be independent of each other are used in the system designing. So, the module coupling degree in terms of this mechanism is lower than before. This mechanism brings convenience to system maintenance and upgrade, especially for the system’s transplanting to the real missile launch system in future.
Synchronization of Generalized Using to Image Encryption
Authors: Li Guodong , Yang Bing , Pu Yue , Xu Wenxia
Published: December 2016

The problem of the secure transmission of digital image has paid more and more attention to the network and this paper designs a special image encryption scheme. Image encryption scheme is designed based on the hyper chaos of generalized five-order Henon mapping and five-order cellular neural network (CNN) system. Firstly, the chaotic sequence [Formula: see text], which is regarded as the initial conditions of CNN system, is generated by the five-order generalized Henon mapping. Then another chaotic sequence [Formula: see text] is produced by the CNN system. At last, the cipher image is generated by the transformation of random sequence [Formula: see text] and the original image. Toward the end, the paper makes the simulation experiment and draws a conclusion that the algorithm of image encryption has strong attack resistance, good safety, and suitable to spread in the network through analyzing the statistical characteristics of the image information entropy, correlation and histogram as well as the key space and the sensitivity.
Growth of positive words and lower bounds of the growth rate for Thompson’s groups F(p)
Authors: Burillo José , Guba Victor
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] be the family of generalized Thompson’s groups. Here, [Formula: see text] is the famous Richard Thompson’s group usually denoted by [Formula: see text]. We find the growth rate of the monoid of positive words in [Formula: see text] and show that it does not exceed [Formula: see text]. Also, we describe new normal forms for elements of [Formula: see text] and, using these forms, we find a lower bound for the growth rate of [Formula: see text] in its natural generators. This lower bound asymptotically equals [Formula: see text] for large values of [Formula: see text].
A characterization of the Γ-polynomials of knots with clasp number at most two
Authors: Takioka Hideo
Published: December 2016

It is known that every knot bounds a singular disk with only clasp singularities, which is called a clasp disk. The clasp number of a knot is the minimum number of clasp singularities among all clasp disks of the knot. It is known that the Conway polynomials of knots with clasp number at most two are characterized. In this paper, we focus on the common zeroth coefficient polynomial of both the HOMFLYPT and Kauffman polynomials, which is called the [Formula: see text]-polynomial. As a result, we characterize the [Formula: see text]-polynomials of knots with clasp number at most two. Moreover, it is known that there exist two homeomorphic classes of clasp disks with two clasp singularities, which are called types [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We show that there exist infinitely many knots which bound clasp disks of not doubled knots but both types [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], not type [Formula: see text] but type [Formula: see text], not type [Formula: see text] but type [Formula: see text], respectively.
Multi-Scale Volatility Feature Analysis and Prediction of Gold Price
Authors: Wen Fenghua , Yang Xin , Gong Xu , Lai Kin Keung
Published: December 2016

Volatility of gold price is of great significance for avoiding the risk of gold investment. It is necessary to understand the effect of external events and intrinsic regularities to make accurate price predictions. This paper first compared EMD with CEEMD algorithm, and the results find that CEEMD algorithm performance is better than that of EMD in analysis gold price volatility. Then this paper uses the complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) to decompose the historical price of international gold into price components at different frequencies, and extracts a short-term fluctuation, a shock from significant events and a long-term price. In addition, this paper combines the Iterative cumulative sum of squares (ICSS) with Chow test to test the three event prices for structural breaks, and analyzes the effect of external events on volatility of gold price by comparing the external events with the test results for structural breaks. Finally, this paper constructs support vector machine (SVM) models and artificial neural network (ANN) on three series for prediction, and finds that the SVM performed better in gold price prediction in one-step-ahead and five-step-ahead, and when we combine the SVMs and ANNs with price components to make predictions, the error of the combined prediction is smaller than SVMs and ANNs with separate terms of series extracted.
Chebyshev wavelet method for numerical solutions of integro-differential form of Lane–Emden type differential equations
Authors: Sahu P. K. , Saha Ray S.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, Chebyshev wavelet method (CWM) has been applied to solve the second-order singular differential equations of Lane–Emden type. Firstly, the singular differential equation has been converted to Volterra integro-differential equation and then solved by the CWM. The properties of Chebyshev wavelets were first presented. The properties of Chebyshev wavelets via Gauss–Legendre rule were used to reduce the integral equations to a system of algebraic equations which can be solved numerically by Newton’s method. Convergence analysis of CWM has been discussed. Illustrative examples have been provided to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the present method.
Scheme for quantum state manipulation in coupled cavities
Authors: Lin Jin-Zhong
Published: December 2016

By controlling the parameters of the system, the effective interaction between different atoms is achieved in different cavities. Based on the interaction, scheme to generate three-atom Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) is proposed in coupled cavities. Spontaneous emission of excited states and decay of cavity modes can be suppressed efficiently. In addition, the scheme is robust against the variation of hopping rate between cavities.
Geometry of the curved traversable wormholes of (3 + 1)-dimensional spacetime metric
Authors: Bakhshandeh-Chamazkoti Rohollah
Published: December 2016

In this paper, Noether symmetry and Killing symmetry analyses of the curved traversable wormholes of [Formula: see text]-dimensional spacetime metric in a Riemannian space are discussed. Moreover, a Lie algebra analysis is shown. Using the first and second Cartan’s structure equations, we find connection forms and then the curvature 2-forms are obtained. Finally, the Ricci scalar tensor and the components of Einstein curvature are computed.
A second-order differential equation for a point charged particle
Authors: Torromé Ricardo Gallego
Published: December 2016

A model for the dynamics of a classical point charged particle interacting with higher order jet fields is introduced. In this model, the dynamics of the charged particle is described by an implicit ordinary second-order differential equation. Such equation is free of run-away and pre-accelerated solutions of Dirac’s type. The theory is Lorentz invariant, compatible with the first law of Newton and Larmor’s power radiation formula. Few implications of the new equation in the phenomenology of non-neutral plasmas is considered.
On the quadratic divisor problem
Authors: Aryan Farzad
Published: December 2016

In this article we study the quadratic divisor problem and we improve the existing bound on the error term.
Reductions of one-dimensional tori
Authors: Perucca Antonella
Published: December 2016

Consider a non-split one-dimensional torus defined over a number field [Formula: see text]. For a finitely generated group [Formula: see text] of rational points and for a prime number [Formula: see text], we investigate for how many primes [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] the size of the reduction of [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text] is coprime to [Formula: see text]. We provide closed formulas for the corresponding Dirichlet density in terms of finitely many computable parameters. To achieve this, we determine in general which torsion fields and Kummer extensions contain the splitting field.
A variant of Heilbronn characters
Authors: Wong Peng-Jie
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we introduce arithmetic Heilbronn characters that generalize the notion of the classical Heilbronn characters, and discuss several properties of these characters. This formalism has several arithmetic applications. For instance, we obtain the holomorphy of suitable quotients of L-functions attached to elliptic curves, which is predicted by the Birch–Swinnerton–Dyer conjecture, and the non-existence of simple zeros or poles in such quotients.
The largest values of Dedekind sums
Authors: Girstmair Kurt
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text] denote the classical Dedekind sum, where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. For a given positive integer [Formula: see text], we describe a set of at most [Formula: see text] numbers [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] may be [Formula: see text], provided that [Formula: see text] is sufficiently large. For the numbers [Formula: see text] not in this set, [Formula: see text].
Mahler measures of polynomials that are sums of a bounded number of monomials
Authors: Dobrowolski Edward , Smyth Chris
Published: December 2016

We study Laurent polynomials in any number of variables that are sums of at most [Formula: see text] monomials. We first show that the Mahler measure of such a polynomial is at least [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the height of the polynomial. Next, restricting to such polynomials having integer coefficients, we show that the set of logarithmic Mahler measures of the elements of this restricted set is a closed subset of the nonnegative real line, with [Formula: see text] being an isolated point of the set. In the final section, we discuss the extent to which such an integer polynomial of Mahler measure [Formula: see text] is determined by its [Formula: see text] coefficients.
On indecomposable quadratic lattices over global function fields
Authors: Wang Ruiqing
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we prove that there exist indecomposable lattices of ranks 5 and 6 over a Hasse domain of any global function field in which [Formula: see text] is not a square, which solves a problem proposed by Gerstein.
On numerical investigation of nonuniformity in cooling characteristic for different materials of target surfaces being exposed to impingement of air jet
Authors: Umair Siddique Mohd , Gulhane Nitin Parashram
Published: December 2016

Heat transfer using air jet impingement technique is one of the conspicuous tasks in the looming world of electronic packaging system. Here, the material selection of heat sink becomes one of the prior and important assignments to construct a heat sink with desired characteristic cooling rate. In order to study the material effect of heat sink over the cooling characteristic, the present work takes an initiative in plotting the Nusselt magnitude over the radial distance for different material of heat sink. This is done by computing the flow regime and heat transfer characteristic of a 2D axis symmetric geometry in commercial simulating software, ANSYS CFX. The computation of cooling characteristic in form of Nusselt profile is done using SST + Gamma–theta turbulence model. Since the prediction of heat interaction due to the intermediacy and transition in the flow regime is a unique issue of this problem. The results for Nusselt curve signifies a tangible elevation in local Nusselt value (nonuniformity) with decrease in thermal diffusivity of target surface. Also the nonuniformity is observed to vanish above a critical range (66.76[Formula: see text]mm2/s) of thermal diffusivity. This happens due to presences of abnormal turbulence of heat flow which occurs inside the target surface. Since the variation in thermal diffusivity causes some imbalance competition between the heat storage and dissipation capabilities. Above all the target surface carrying thermal diffusivity less than 66.76[Formula: see text]mm2/s possesses a dominating heat storage capability, on behalf of which some heat transfer occurring in near jet and far jet regions are being restricted. These are transferred towards stagnation region in radial direction.
Local Condensation Heat Transfer Characteristics of Refrigerant R1234ze(E) Flow Inside a Plate Heat Exchanger
Authors: Mahmud Mohammad Sultan , Kariya Keishi , Miyara Akio
Published: December 2016

In the present study, local condensation heat transfer coefficients of the R1234ze(E) inside a vertical plate heat exchanger (PHE) were investigated experimentally. In the experiment, three vertical flow channels are formed in the test section where refrigerant flows downward in the middle channel and cooling water flows upward in other two channels. The test section consists of eight plates: two of them form a channel of chevron type PHE for refrigerant flow channel, other two flat plates are set for heat transfer measurements, and another consist on cooling water flow channel. Down flow of the condensing refrigerant R1234ze(E) in the center channel releases heat to other channels of cooling water. In order to measure local heat transfer characteristics, a total of 60 thermocouples were set at middle of flow direction and also in the right and left sides of plates in test section. Experiments were conducted for mass fluxes ranging from 10[Formula: see text]kg/m2s to 50[Formula: see text]kg/m2s. The measurement results show that local heat transfer coefficients decrease with increase of wetness with different values in horizontal direction. Further, characteristics of local heat flux and wall temperature distribution as a function of distance from inlet to outlet of refrigerant channel were explored in detail.
Scalable and Accurate Online Feature Selection for Big Data
Authors: Yu Kui , Wu Xindong , Ding Wei , Pei Jian
Published: December 2016

Feature selection is important in many big data applications. Two critical challenges closely associate with big data. First, in many big data applications, the dimensionality is extremely high, in millions, and keeps growing. Second, big data applications call for highly scalable feature selection algorithms in an online manner such that each feature can be processed in a sequential scan. We present SAOLA, a Scalable and Accurate OnLine Approach for feature selection in this paper. With a theoretical analysis on bounds of the pairwise correlations between features, SAOLA employs novel pairwise comparison techniques and maintains a parsimonious model over time in an online manner. Furthermore, to deal with upcoming features that arrive by groups, we extend the SAOLA algorithm, and then propose a new group-SAOLA algorithm for online group feature selection. The group-SAOLA algorithm can online maintain a set of feature groups that is sparse at the levels of both groups and individual features simultaneously. An empirical study using a series of benchmark real datasets shows that our two algorithms, SAOLA and group-SAOLA, are scalable on datasets of extremely high dimensionality and have superior performance over the state-of-the-art feature selection methods.
A Novel Bipartite Graph Based Competitiveness Degree Analysis from Query Logs
Authors: Wei Qiang , Qiao Dandan , Zhang Jin , Chen Guoqing , Guo Xunhua
Published: December 2016

Competitiveness degree analysis is a focal point of business strategy and competitive intelligence, aimed to help managers closely monitor to what extent their rivals are competing with them. This article proposes a novel method, namely BCQ, to measure the competitiveness degree between peers from query logs as an important form of user generated contents, which reflects the “wisdom of crowds” from the search engine users’ perspective. In doing so, a bipartite graph model is developed to capture the competitive relationships through conjoint attributes hidden in query logs, where the notion of competitiveness degree for entity pairs is introduced, and then used to identify the competitive paths mapped in the bipartite graph. Subsequently, extensive experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of BCQ to quantify the competitiveness degrees. Experimental results reveal that BCQ can well support competitors ranking, which is helpful for devising competitive strategies and pursuing market performance. In addition, efficiency experiments on synthetic data show a good scalability of BCQ on large scale of query logs.
Comparing Clustering with Pairwise and Relative Constraints
Authors: Pei Yuanli , Fern Xiaoli Z. , Tjahja Teresa Vania , Rosales Rómer
Published: December 2016

Clustering can be improved with the help of side information about the similarity relationships among instances. Such information has been commonly represented by two types of constraints:
pairwise
constraints and
relative
constraints, regarding similarities about instance pairs and triplets, respectively. Prior work has mostly considered these two types of constraints separately and developed individual algorithms to learn from each type. In practice, however, it is critical to understand/compare the usefulness of the two types of constraints as well as the cost of acquiring them, which has not been studied before. This paper provides an extensive comparison of clustering with these two types of constraints. Specifically, we compare their impacts both on
human users
that provide such constraints and on the
learning system
that incorporates such constraints into clustering. In addition, to ensure that the comparison of clustering is performed on equal ground (without the potential bias introduced by different learning algorithms), we propose a probabilistic semi-supervised clustering framework that can learn from either type of constraints. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed semi-supervised clustering framework is highly effective at utilizing both types of constraints to aid clustering. Our user study provides valuable insights regarding the impact of the constraints on human users, and our experiments on clustering with the human-labeled constraints reveal that relative constraint is often more efficient at improving clustering.
The Serum Expression of Selected miRNAs in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis with/without Löfgren’s Syndrome
Authors: Novosadova Eva , Chabronova Alzbeta , Kolek Vitezslav , Petrek Martin , Navratilova Zdenka
Published: December 2016

Purpose. Pulmonary sarcoidosis is associated with dysregulated expression of intracellular miRNAs. There is however only little information on extracellular miRNAs and their association with the disease course in sarcoidosis. We therefore assessed serum miRNAs in sarcoidosis classified according to the presence of Löfgren’s syndrome (LS) as a hallmark of good prognosis in contrast to more advanced disease course.Methods. RT-PCR was used to assess 35 miRNAs in 13 healthy controls and 24 sarcoidosis patients (12 with X-ray (CXR) stage≤1 and LS and 12 with insidious onset and CXR stage≥3).Results. Compared to controls, we consistently observed dysregulated expressions of miR-146, miR-16, miR-425-5p, and miR-93-5p in both sarcoidosis groups irrespective of disease course. Specifically, patients without LS had dysregulated expressions of miR-150-5p, miR-1, and miR-212 compared to controls. Patients with LS had dysregulated expressions of miR-21-5p and miR-340-5p compared to controls. Bioinformatics predicted consistently “Pathways in cancer” to be modulated by both altered profiles in patients with/without LS. Three miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-340-5p, and miR-212-3p) differed between our patients with LS and those without LS; their cumulative effect may modulate “TGF-βsignalling pathway.”Conclusions. Further study should focus on possible applications of serum miRNAs for diagnostics follow-up and for prognosis.
Macular Hole Surgery with Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Facilitated by Membrane-Blue® versus Membrane-Blue-Dual®: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Soiberman Uri , Shai Daniel , Loewenstein Anat , Barak Adiel
Published: December 2016

Background. This study aims to compare the outcome of macular hole (MH) surgery with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling facilitated by two different vital dyes.Methods. This was a retrospective chart review. The group designated “group-MB” underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling facilitated by Membrane-Blue (MB), whereas in “group-MBD,” the vital dye used was Membrane-Blue-Dual (MBD).Results. Seventy-four eyes comprised the study population: 53 in group-MB and 21 in group-MBD. There was no difference in the rate of macular hole closure in group-MB or group-MBD: 71.2% closed MHs compared to 66.7%, respectively (p=0.7). Postoperative visual improvement was of a higher magnitude in the MBD group compared to the MB group: −0.34±0.81logMAR versus0.01±0.06logMAR, respectively (p=0.003).Conclusions. In this study, MBD led to better visual results that may be related to better staining characteristics or lesser toxicity compared to MB.
Supply Chain Inventories of Engineered Shipping Containers
Authors: Field David A. , Blumenfeld Dennis E.
Published: December 2016

Manufacturing operations that assemble parts often receive components in expensive highly engineered shipping containers. As these containers circulate among suppliers, assembly operations, and logistic providers, they require inspections and repairs. This paper presents mathematical models that predict the number of available containers as functions of damage, repair times, and scheduled daily production. The models allow making complex decisions with a few basic parameters. Results not only show a minimal investment in the number of containers and safety stock but also quantify the dependence on damage rates and repair times for ordering additional containers.
Superplastic Grade Titanium Alloy: Comparative Evaluation of Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, and Fracture Behavior
Authors: Sudhakar K. V. , Wood Ethan
Published: December 2016

In this investigation, static fracture, microstructure, and the mechanical behavior of SP-700 alloy (a superplastic grade) were evaluated and compared with two other titanium alloys. The comparisons were made in terms of suitably designed heat treatment cycles. The heat treatment cycles included annealing and a combination of solutionizing and aging treatments for all three alloys. Tensile properties were determined using MTS Landmark Servohydraulic Test System. Tensile tested samples’ fracture surfaces were investigated with LEO-VP SEM instrument. Ti-15-3-3-3 alloy exhibited relatively a higher combination of strength and ductility in comparison to the other two alloys. All three types of titanium alloys demonstrated a very good level of tensile strength and ductility suitable for applications in military and biomedical fields.
Enhanced Protective Effects of Combined Treatment withβ-Carotene and Curcumin against Hyperthermic Spermatogenic Disorders in Mice
Authors: Lin Chunmei , Choi Yun Seok , Park Seul Gi , Gwon Lee Wha , Lee Jong Geol , Yon Jung-Min , Baek In-Jeoung , Lee Beom Jun , Yun Young Won , Nam Sang-Yoon
Published: December 2016

Scrotal hyperthermia leads to oxidative stress and apoptosis in spermatogenic cells, which subsequently causes male infertility. In this study, we examined the effects ofβ-carotene and/or curcumin on heat-stress- (HS-) induced testicular injuries in mice. ICR male mice (8 weeks old) were consecutively treated withβ-carotene (10 mg/kg) and/or curcumin (20 mg/kg) orally once a day for 14 days and then subjected to single exposure with scrotal HS at 43°C for 15 min on day 7. HS induced a significant reduction in testicular weight, appearance of multinucleated giant cells, and desquamation of germ cells in destructive seminiferous tubules, as well as degenerative Leydig cells. Moreover, HS reduced the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and mRNA levels of mitochondrial SOD, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, B-cell lymphoma-extra-large, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, with increases in lipid peroxidation levels and mRNA levels of BCL2-associated X protein and caspase-3 relative to those of the control group. However, these changes were significantly recovered by combined treatment withβ-carotene and curcumin after HS. These findings indicate that the combined treatment withβ-carotene and curcumin might be a valuable protective agent to ameliorate hyperthermic spermatogenic disorders via its potent antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and androgen synthetic effects.
Modular Endoprostheses for Nonneoplastic Conditions: Midterm Complications and Survival
Authors: De Gori Marco , Scoccianti Guido , Frenos Filippo , Bettini Leonardo , Familiari Filippo , Gasparini Giorgio , Beltrami Giovanni , Cuomo Pierluigi , De Biase Pietro , Capanna Rodolfo
Published: December 2016

The use of modular endoprostheses is a viable option to manage both tumor resection and severe bone loss due to nonneoplastic conditions such as fracture sequelae, failed osteoarticular grafts, arthroplasty revisions, and periprosthetic fractures. We sought to investigate both midterm complications and failures occurred in 87 patients who underwent a megaprosthetic reconstruction in a nonneoplastic setting. After a mean follow-up of 58 (1–167) months, overall failure-free survival was 91.5% at 1 year, 80% at 2 years, 71.6% at 5 years, and 69.1% at 5 and 10 years. There was no significant difference in the survival rate according to the diagnosis at the index procedure (p=0.921), nor to the reconstruction site (p=0.402). The use of megaprostheses in a postneoplastic setting did not affect survival rate in comparison with endoprosthetic reconstruction of pure nonneoplastic conditions (p=0.851). Perimegaprosthetic infection was the leading complication, occurring in 10 (11.5%) patients and implying a megaprosthetic revision in all but one case. Physicians should consider these results when discussing with patients desired outcomes of endoprosthetic reconstructions of a nonneoplastic disease.
Shear Stress-Normal Stress (Pressure) Ratio Decides Forming Callus in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Amemiya Ayumi , Noguchi Hiroshi , Oe Makoto , Takehara Kimie , Ohashi Yumiko , Suzuki Ryo , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Kadowaki Takashi , Sanada Hiromi , Mori Taketoshi
Published: December 2016

Aim. Callus is a risk factor, leading to severe diabetic foot ulcer; thus, prevention of callus formation is important. However, normal stress (pressure) and shear stress associated with callus have not been clarified. Additionally, as new valuables, a shear stress-normal stress (pressure) ratio (SPR) was examined. The purpose was to clarify the external force associated with callus formation in patients with diabetic neuropathy.Methods. The external force of the 1st, 2nd, and 5th metatarsal head (MTH) as callus predilection regions was measured. The SPR was calculated by dividing shear stress by normal stress (pressure), concretely, peak values (SPR-p) and time integral values (SPR-i). The optimal cut-off point was determined.Results. Callus formation region of the 1st and 2nd MTH had high SPR-i rather than noncallus formation region. The cut-off value of the 1st MTH was 0.60 and the 2nd MTH was 0.50. For the 5th MTH, variables pertaining to the external forces could not be determined to be indicators of callus formation because of low accuracy.Conclusions. The callus formation cut-off values of the 1st and 2nd MTH were clarified. In the future, it will be necessary to confirm the effect of using appropriate footwear and gait training on lowering SPR-i.
Neurodegeneration and Glial Response after Acute Striatal Stroke: Histological Basis for Neuroprotective Studies
Authors: Lima Rafael R. , Santana Luana N. S. , Fernandes Rafael M. , Nascimento Elder M. , Oliveira Ana Carolina A. , Fernandes Luanna M. P. , Santos Enio Mauricio N. dos , Tavares Patrycy Assis N. , Santos Ijair Rogério dos , Gimarães-Santos Adriano , Gomes-Leal Walace
Published: December 2016

Stroke is a leading cause of death and neurological disability worldwide and striatal ischemic stroke is frequent in humans due to obstruction of middle cerebral artery. Several pathological events underlie damage progression and a comprehensive description of the pathological features following experimental stroke in both acute and chronic survival times is a necessary step for further functional studies. Here, we explored the patterns of microglial activation, astrocytosis, oligodendrocyte damage, myelin impairment, and Nogo‐A immunoreactivity between 3 and 30 postlesion days (PLDs) after experimental striatal stroke in adult rats induced by microinjections of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1). The focal ischemia induced tissue loss concomitant with intense microglia activation between 3 and 14 PLDs (maximum at 7 PLDs), decreasing afterward. Astrocytosis was maximum around 7 PLDs. Oligodendrocyte damage and Nogo‐A upregulation were higher at 3 PLDs. Myelin impairment was maximum between 7 and 14 PLDs. Nogo‐A expression was higher in the first week in comparison to control. The results add important histopathological features of ET‐1 induced stroke in subacute and chronic survival times. In addition, the establishment of the temporal evolution of these neuropathological events is an important step for future studies seeking suitable neuroprotective drugs targeting neuroinflammation and white matter damage.
The Circadian NAD+Metabolism: Impact on Chromatin Remodeling and Aging
Authors: Nakahata Yasukazu , Bessho Yasumasa
Published: December 2016

Gene expression is known to be a stochastic phenomenon. The stochastic gene expression rate is thought to be altered by topological change of chromosome and/or by chromatin modifications such as acetylation and methylation. Changes in mechanical properties of chromosome/chromatin by soluble factors, mechanical stresses from the environment, or metabolites determine cell fate, regulate cellular functions, or maintain cellular homeostasis. Circadian clock, which drives the expression of thousands of genes with 24-hour rhythmicity, has been known to be indispensable for maintaining cellular functions/homeostasis. During the last decade, it has been demonstrated that chromatin also undergoes modifications with 24-hour rhythmicity and facilitates the fine-tuning of circadian gene expression patterns. In this review, we cover data which suggests that chromatin structure changes in a circadian manner and that NAD+is the key metabolite for circadian chromatin remodeling. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship among circadian clock, NAD+metabolism, and aging/age-related diseases. In addition, the interventions of NAD+metabolism for the prevention and treatment of aging and age-related diseases are also discussed.
Analysis on Photovoltaic Energy-Assisted Drying of Green Peas
Authors: Taşkın Onur , İzli Nazmi , Vardar Ali
Published: December 2016

A photovoltaic energy-assisted industrial dryer has been analyzed. The dryer has been tested in various weather and working conditions with 3 kg of green peas from 75.6% initial moisture content to 20% final moisture content (w.b.). The effect of various drying air temperatures at three levels (40, 50, and 60°C) and two distinct air velocities (3 m/s and 4 m/s) was examined. Drying performance was assessed with regard to criteria including drying kinetics, specific and total energy consumption, and color and rehydration ratio. The results have proved that total drying duration reduces as air velocity rate and drying air temperature raise. Relying upon the drying durations, the generation performances of photovoltaic panels were between 5.261 and 3.953 W. On the other part, energy consumptions of dryer were between 37.417 and 28.111 W. The best specific energy consumption was detected in 50°C at 3 m/s for 600 minutes with 7.616 kWh/kg. All drying conditions caused darkening as color parameters. Rehydration assays have showed that rehydrated green peas attained higher capacity with raised air temperature and air velocity.
A Case Report on Management of Father Daughter Incest with Schizophrenia
Authors: Soron Tanjir Rashid
Published: December 2016

Incest is a neglected and hidden public health problem. This case is about a patient who was victim of sexual abuse, suffered from schizophrenia and abused his biological daughter. He was physically and sexually abused by seniors and classmates, developed paranoid delusion and auditory hallucination. During the course of the illness, he was hospitalized several times as a case of schizophrenia and sexual dysfunction was his main concern. The patient’s illness followed a waxing and waning course. He took medication on on-and-off basis. He abused his biological daughter sexually at the later stage of the illness. Ultimately, the patient attempted suicide after an indecent sexual act with another relative and he was admitted to the hospital. He was treated with risperidone that was titrated to 10 mg per day. After continuing the medication for 2 years he regained a functioning life and remained stable with medication. This case shows the importance of exploring the sexual behavior of the patients and sharing the experience may help in the treatment of schizophrenia patients with incest.
Theoretical Study of Upper Critical Magnetic Field (HC2) in Multiband Iron Based Superconductors
Authors: Kidanemariam Tsadik , Kahsay Gebregziabher
Published: December 2016

This research work focuses on the theoretical investigation of the upper critical magnetic field,HC2; Ginzburg-Landau coherence length,ξGL(T); and Ginzburg-Landau penetration depth,λGL(T), for the two-band iron based superconductorsBaFe2(As1-xPx)2,NdO1-xFxFeAs, and LiFeAs. By employing the phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau (GL) equation for the two-band superconductorsBaFe2(As1-xPx)2,NdO1-xFxFeAs, and LiFeAs, we obtained expressions for the upper critical magnetic field,HC2; GL coherence length,ξGL; and GL penetration depth,λGL, as a function of temperature and the angular dependency of upper critical magnetic field. By using the experimental values in the obtained expressions, phase diagrams of the upper critical magnetic field parallel,HC2∥c, and perpendicular,HC2⊥c, to the symmetry axis (c-direction) versus temperature are plotted. We also plotted the phase diagrams of the upper critical magnetic field,HC2versus the angleθ. Similarly, the phase diagrams of the GL coherence length,ξGL, and GL penetration depth,λGL, parallel and perpendicular to the symmetry axis versus temperature are drawn for the superconductors mentioned above. Our findings are in agreement with experimental observations.
Clinical Trial Research on Mongolian Medical Warm Acupuncture in Treating Insomnia
Authors: Bo Agula , Si Lengge , Wang Yuehong , Xiu Lan , Wu Rihan , Li Yutang , Mu Rigenjiya , Ga Latai , Miao Mei , Shuang Fu , Wu Yunhua , Jin Qiu , Tong Suocai , Wuyun Gerile , Guan Wurihan , Mo Rigen , Hu Sileng , Zhang Lixia , Peng Rui , Bao Lidao
Published: December 2016

Objective. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. Hypnotics have poor long‐term efficacy. Mongolian medical warm acupuncture has significant efficacy in treating insomnia. The paper evaluates the role of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture in treating insomnia by investigating the Mongolian medicine syndromes and conditions, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and polysomnography indexes. Method. The patients were diagnosed in accordance with International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD‐2). The insomnia patients were divided into the acupuncture group (40 cases) and the estazolam group (40 cases). The patients underwent intervention of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture and estazolam. The indicators of the Mongolian medicine syndromes and conditions, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and polysomnography indexes (PSG) have been detected. Result. Based on the comparison of the Mongolian medicine syndrome scores between the warm acupuncture group and the drug treatment group, the result indicated P < 0.01. The clinical efficacy result showed that the effective rate (85%) in the warm acupuncture group was higher than that (70%) in the drug group. The total scores of PSQI of both groups were approximated. The sleep quality indexes of both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The sleep quality index in the Mongolian medical warm acupuncture group decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and was better than that in the estazolam group. The sleep efficiency and daytime functions of the patients in the Mongolian medical warm acupuncture group improved significantly (P < 0.01). The sleep time was significantly extended (P < 0.01) in the Mongolian medical warm acupuncture group following PSG intervention. The sleep time during NREM in the Mongolian warm acupuncture group increased significantly (P < 0.01). The sleep time exhibited a decreasing trend during REM and it decreased significantly in the Mongolian warm acupuncture group (P < 0.01). The percentage of sleep time in the total sleep time during NREM3+4 in the Mongolian medical warm acupuncture group increased significantly. Conclusion. Mongolian medical warm acupuncture is efficient and safe in treating insomnia. It is able to better improve the patients’ sleep time and daytime functions. It is better than that in the estazolam group following drug withdrawal in terms of improving the sleep time. It is more effective in helping the insomnia patients than hypnotics.