bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat: not black, not white. It’s gray!!!
Authors: Singh Laxmi Prabha , Kapoor Medha , Singh Shashi Bala
Published: June 2013

Heat-related illness (HRI) is a broad term that includes clinical conditions ranging from heat cramps and syncope to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which may result in death. HRIs are one of the major causes of death worldwide and continue to increase in severity with the rise in global temperature. The identification and estimation of heat-related morbidity and mortality is a major challenge. Heat stress manifests itself into respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disorders, leading to the attribution of the deaths caused by heat stress to these disorders. Although HRIs affect mankind in general, certain occupational workers such as soldiers and athletes are more prone. Various pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies have been employed to combat HRIs. Despite this, heat exposure results in significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, complete understanding of HRIs at physiological as well as molecular level is required to facilitate design of more efficient preventive and treatment strategies. The impact of heat on mankind is not just restricted to HRIs. Heat treatment, i.e., thermotherapy, has been used extensively since ancient times for relieving pain, making heat a two-edged sword. This review attempts to summarize various HRIs, their physiological and molecular basis, and the state-of-the-art techniques/research initiatives to combat the same. It also illustrates the application of thermotherapy as a means for improving quality of life and morbidity associated with several disease conditions such as fibromyalgia syndrome, heart diseases, cancer, chronic pain, and depression.
Anomaly in novel metaphor and experimental tests
Authors: Romero Esther , Soria Belén
Published: June 2013

In this article, we assess some of the empirical work available in relation to anomaly in novel metaphor. This revision allows us to argue that the results of reaction time experiments do not provide, as many theorists have argued (Gibbs and Gerrig 1989; Keysar and Glucksberg 1992), evidence against any version of anomaly; at most they can be used against anomaly as categorial falsity. In addition, we assess the argument against anomaly based on the results of reaction time experiments to show that it is unsound. Thus, we show that contextual abnormality, a sub-propositional version of anomaly (Romero and Soria 1997/1998), cannot be rejected as one of the necessary identification conditions of novel metaphor. Furthermore, contextual abnormality is supported by the results of recent empirical studies on metaphor processing designed by neuropsychologists to test hypotheses related specifically with anomaly in novel metaphor (Tatter et al. 2002; Ahrens et al. 2007).
Collagen/silica nanocomposites and hybrids for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Sarker Bapi , Lyer Stefan , Arkudas Andreas , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: June 2013

Collagen is increasingly attracting attention for bone tissue engineering applications. However, due to its low mechanical properties, applications including mechanical loads or requiring structural integrity are limited. To tackle this handicap, collagen can be combined with (nanoscale) silica in a variety of composite materials that are attractive for bone tissue engineering. Considering research carried out in the past 15 years, this article reviews the literature discussing the development of silica/collagen composites that have been synthesized by adding silica from different sources as inorganic bioactive material to collagen as organic matrix. Different routes for the fabrication of collagen/silica composites are presented, focusing on nanocomposites. In vitro cell bioactivity studies demonstrated the osteogenic and, in some cases, angiogenic potential of the composites. Relevant in vivo studies discussing integration of the materials in bone tissue are discussed. Due to the understanding of possible interaction between silicon species and collagen, the effect of different silica precursors on the collagen self-assembly process is also discussed. On the basis of literature results and as discussed in this review, collagen/silica nanocomposites and hybrids represent attractive biomaterials for bone regeneration applications.
Crystal structure of dichloridobis(3-phenylpyridine-κN)platinum(II), C22H18Cl2N2Pt
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: June 2013

C22H18Cl2N2Pt, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.628(2) Å, b = 12.558(2) Å, c = 8.171(1) Å, β = 102.518(3)°, V = 964.4Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0160, wRref(F2) = 0.0402, T = 200 K.
Competition between Hydrogen Bonds and Lewis Acid-Base Interactions in the Equilibria between Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borinic Acid and Pyridine: Insights from NMR, Diffractometric and Computational Studies
Authors: Maggioni Daniela , Beringhelli Tiziana , D' Alfonso Guiseppe , Malatesta Maria Carlotta , Mercandelli Pierluigi , Donghi Daniela
Published: June 2013

1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and DFT computations have been used for investigating the interaction between the Lewis base pyridine and bis(pentafluorophenyl)borinic acid Ar2BOH (1, Ar=C6F5). Previous studies showed that the latter species in solution exists as an equilibrium mixture of the monomer (1

m
) and a cyclic trimer (1

t
), in variable ratios, and that the trimer is stabilized in the presence of Lewis bases, by the formation of strong 1

t
···L hydrogen bonds. In the present case, upon addition of 0.33 equivalents of pyridine, low-temperature NMR spectra showed the formation of deprotonated 1

t
(anion 3), strongly hydrogen-bonded to the pyridinium cation Hpy+. The presence of this cation was confirmed by the high value of 1JHN (88 Hz). DFT computations confirmed the higher stability of the O-···H–N+ limit form over the neutral O–H···N one. Variable temperature NMR spectra showed that the Hpy+·3 ion pair has high conformational freedom. At temperatures higher than 260 K, 3 underwent reversible partial fragmentation to give 1

m
and the Lewis acid-base covalent adducts between pyridine and either 1

m
(2

py
), or its anhydride (5

py
). The fragmentation was perfectly reversible on lowering the temperature. The adduct 2

py
became the only species in solution in the presence of 1 equivalent of pyridine, showing that the Lewis basicity of pyridine plays the major role, at variance with what previously observed with other bases. Hydrogen bond interactions, however, promote the supramolecular organization of 2

py
in the form of a cyclic tetramer, as revealed by X-ray single crystal diffractometric analysis. The formation of the deprotonated trimer 3 was previously observed in the reaction of 1 with 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphtalene (DMAN). However the stepwise dearylation processes, which were dominant in the reactions with DMAN, have a very marginal role in the reaction with pyridine, due to its lower Brønsted basicity.

For Supplementary Material see online version. Supporting information available: details of the NMR spectroscopic characterization (Figs. S1–S4), computed chemical shifts (Table S1), details of the X-ray diffractometric analysis, and tables of geometrical parameters (Tables S2–S3).
Genomes of Ashbya Fungi Isolated from Insects Reveal Four Mating-Type Loci, Numerous Translocations, Lack of Transposons, and Distinct Gene Duplications
Authors: Dietrich Fred S , Voegeli Sylvia , Kuo Sidney , Philippsen Peter
Published: June 2013

The filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii is a cotton pathogen transmitted by insects. It is readily grown and manipulated in the laboratory and is commercially exploited as a natural overproducer of vitamin B2. Our previous genome analysis of A. gossypii isolate ATCC10895, collected in Trinidad nearly 100 years ago, revealed extensive synteny with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome, leading us to use it as a model organism to understand the evolution of filamentous growth. To further develop Ashbya as a model system, we have investigated the ecological niche of A. gossypii and isolated additional strains and a sibling species, both useful in comparative analysis. We isolated fungi morphologically similar to A. gossypii from different plant-feeding insects of the suborder Heteroptera, generated a phylogenetic tree based on rDNA-ITS sequences, and performed high coverage short read sequencing with one A. gossypii isolate from Florida, a new species, Ashbya aceri, isolated in North Carolina, and a genetically marked derivative of ATCC10895 intensively used for functional studies. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, all strains carry four not three mating type loci, adding a new puzzle in the evolution of Ashbya species. Another surprise was the genome identity of 99.9% between the Florida strain and ATCC10895, isolated in Trinidad. The A. aceri and A. gossypii genomes show conserved gene orders rearranged by eight translocations, 90% overall sequence identity, and fewer tandem duplications in the A. aceri genome. Both species lack transposable elements. Finally, our work identifies plant-feeding insects of the suborder Heteroptera as the most likely natural reservoir of Ashbya, and that infection of cotton and other plants may be incidental to the growth of the fungus in its insect host.
Phylogenetic Portrait of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Functional Genome
Authors: Gibney Patrick A , Hickman Mark J , Bradley Patrick H , Matese John C , Botstein David
Published: June 2013

The genome of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) contains approximately 5800 protein-encoding genes, the majority of which are associated with some known biological function. Yet the extent of amino acid sequence conservation of these genes over all phyla has only been partially examined. Here we provide a more comprehensive overview and visualization of the conservation of yeast genes and a means for browsing and exploring the data in detail, down to the individual yeast gene, at http://yeast-phylogroups.princeton.edu. We used data from the OrthoMCL database, which has defined orthologs from approximately 150 completely sequenced genomes, including diverse representatives of the archeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic domains. By clustering genes based on similar patterns of conservation, we organized and visualized all the protein-encoding genes in yeast as a single heat map. Most genes fall into one of eight major clusters, called “phylogroups.” Gene ontology analysis of the phylogroups revealed that they were associated with specific, distinct trends in gene function, generalizations likely to be of interest to a wide range of biologists.
Heat transfer between a hot AFM tip and a cold sample: impact of the air pressure
Authors: Chapuis Pierre-Olivier , Rousseau Emmanuel , Assy Ali , Gomès Séverine , Lefèvre Stéphane , Volz Sebastian
Published: June 2013

We observe the heat flux exchanged by the hot tip of a scanning thermal microscope, which is an instrument based on the atomic force microscope. We first vary the pressure in order to analyze the impact on the hot tip temperature. Then the distance between the tip and a cold sample is varied down to few nanometers, in order to reach the ballistic regime. We observe the cooling of the tip due to the tip-sample heat flux and compare it to the current models in the literature.
Solute Effects on Interfacial Thermal Conductance
Authors: Green Andrew J. , Richardson Hugh H.
Published: June 2013

The thermal conductance of a gold/water interface has been found to change as a function of the surrounding’s adhesion energy. We measure the thermal conductance of a lithographically prepared gold nanowire with a thin film nanoscale thermal sensor composed of AlGaN:Er3+. The temperature of the nanowire is measured as a function of incident laser intensity. The slope of this plot is inversely proportional to the thermal conductance of the nanoparticle/surrounding’s interface. We show that the conductance of the nanoparticle/water interface increases with the molality of the solution. This was tested with multiple solutes including NaCl, and D-Glucose. The interfacial conductance of pure water is reported to be 44 MW/m2K and the conductance saturates to 100 MW/m2K at a molality of 0.21 m.
Innovative gold nanoparticle patterning and selective metallization
Authors: Kooij E.S. , Raza M.A. , Zandvliet H.J.W.
Published: June 2013

We present a simple, novel procedure to selectively deposit gold nanoparticles using pure water. It enables patterning of nanoparticle monolayers with a remarkably high degree of selectivity on flat as well as microstructured oxide surfaces. We demonstrate that water molecules form a thin ‘capping’ layer on exposed thiol molecules within the mercaptan self-assembled layer. This reversible capping of water molecules locally ‘deactivates’ the thiol groups, therewith inhibiting the binding of metallic gold nanoparticles to these specific areas. In addition, we show that this amazing role of water molecules can be used to selectively metalize the patterned gold nanoparticle arrays. Employing an electroless seeded growth process, the isolated seeds are enlarged past the percolation threshold to deposit conducting metal layers.
Identification and independence: morphometrics of Cenozoic New ZealandSpissatellaandEucrassatella(Bivalvia, Crassatellidae)
Authors: Collins Katie S. , Crampton James S. , Hannah Michael
Published: June 2013

Fossil bivalve shells are well-suited for landmark/semilandmark morphometric analysis because they preserve both traces of the internal anatomy and the whole shell outline. Utilizing landmarks and semilandmarks, we have characterized internal and external shape variation in a monophyletic clade of Cenozoic New Zealand and Australian crassatellid bivalves, to test the contiguity in morphospace of species-level taxa and to quantitatively examine the “Concept of Independent Entities” of Yonge (1953). Thirteen species from two genera (SpissatellaFinlay 1926 andEucrassatellaIredale 1924) are investigated.Spissatellan. sp. C is confirmed as forming a contiguous group separate toS. trailliandS. clifdenensis. Shell outline and internal anatomy are found to covary in shape, refuting the “Concept of Independent Entities” in the study group.
Full matrix capture with time-efficient auto-focusing of unknown geometry through dual-layered media
Authors: Sutcliffe M , Weston M , Charlton P , Donne K , Wright B , Cooper I
Published: June 2013

This paper presents a method for time-efficient auto-focusing through a profile of unknown geometry applicable to immersion testing. It is demonstrated that capture of the complete time domain signal using the full matrix capture technique allows for rapid ultrasonic profile mapping
of a complex geometry through the use of Fermat's principle to find the point of incidence at the reflective interface. Through advanced optimisation and parallelisation of the algorithms over the graphic processing unit, it is demonstrated that rapid inspections are possible, given that the
geometry falls within the limits defined for the algorithm. To demonstrate this, a linear array transducer is mounted to a perspex shoe where auto-focusing is performed to generate ultrasonic imagery of side-drilled holes through a curved surface.
Development of sputtered AlN thin-film ultrasonic transducers for durable high-temperature applications
Authors: Hou R , Hutson D , Kirk K J
Published: June 2013

This paper presents some of the recent experimental work on developing AlN ultrasonic transducers for high-temperature NDT applications. C-axis oriented AlN films were grown on stainless steel SS316 substrate by RF sputtering deposition. The high-temperature performance and durability
of the transducer were examined by pulse-echo experiments after heating to different temperatures. It can be shown that the sputtered AlN film transducer is capable of highly stable and durable performance at 400°C or above, with appropriate choice of substrate, buffer layer, electroding
materials and electroding approaches. Experimental evidence also indicates that transducers made of sputtered AlN film and a molybdenum buffer layer on a stainless steel substrate could potentially operate at up to 800°C.
Antidepressant Medication Use Among Patients with Depression: Comparison between Usual Care and Collaborative Care Using Care Managers
Authors: DeJesus Ramona S , Angstman Kurt B , Cha Stephen S , Williams Mark D
Published: June 2013

Depression poses a significant economic and health burden, yet it remains underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. The STAR*D trial funded by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that more than one antidepressant medication is often necessary to achieve disease remission among patients seen in both psychiatric and primary care settings. The collaborative care model (CCM), using care managers, has been shown to be effective in numerous studies in achieving sustained outcomes in depression management compared to usual care. This model was adopted in a statewide depression treatment improvement initiative among primary care clinics in Minnesota, which was launched in March 2008. In this study, records of patients who were enrolled in CCM from March 2008 until March 2009 were reviewed and compared to those under usual care. Patients who were followed under the CCM had a significantly greater number of antidepressant medication utilizations when compared to those under usual care. After 6 months, mean PHQ-9 score of patients under CCM was statistically lower than those in usual care. There was no significant difference in both mean PHQ-9 scores at 6 months and antidepressant utilization between the 2 groups among patients aged 65 years and older.
The Addition of MRI to CT Based Stroke and TIA Evaluation Does Not Impact One year Outcomes
Authors: Hefzy Hebah , Neil Elizabeth , Penstone Patricia , Mahan Meredith , Mitsias Panayiotis , Silver Brian
Published: June 2013

Background:

The 2010 American Academy of Neurology guideline for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke recommends MRI with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) over noncontrast head CT. No studies have evaluated the influence of imaging choice on patient outcome. We sought to evaluate the variables that influenced one-year outcomes of stroke and TIA patients, including the type of imaging utilized.

Methods:

Patients were identified from a prospectively collected stroke and TIA database at a single primary stroke center during a one-year period. Data were abstracted from patient electronic medical records. The primary outcome measure was death, myocardial infarction, or recurrent stroke within the following year. Secondary outcome measures included predictors of getting an MRI study.

Results:

727 consecutive patients with a discharge diagnosis of stroke or TIA were identified (616 and 111 respectively); 536 had CT and MRI, 161 had CT alone, 29 had MRI alone, and one had no neuroimaging. On multiple logistic regression analysis, there were no differences in primary or secondary outcome measures among different imaging strategies. Predictors of the primary outcome measure included age and NIHSS, while performance of a CT angiogram (CTA) predicted a decreased odds of death, stroke, or MI. The strongest predictor of having an MRI was admission to a stroke unit.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that long-term (one-year) patient outcomes may not be influenced by imaging strategy. Performance of a CTA was protective in this cohort. A randomized trial of different imaging modalities should be considered.
Methemoglobinemia-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Qureshi Amir H. , Soberon Daniel J. , Asif Arif , Vachharajani Tushar , Nayer Ali
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Methemoglobinemia refers to the presence of increased levels of methemoglobin (Fe3+) in the blood. Methemoglobinemia can cause cyanosis, dyspnea, fatigue, seizure, arrhythmia, coma, and even death. Although methemoglobinemia is shown to cause acute kidney injury in experimental settings, human case reports are exceedingly rare. In addition, morphological features of methemoglobinemia-induced renal disease in humans remain undefined.

Case Presentation

A 76-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent bronchoscopy following local anesthesia with a benzocaine spray. The patient developed benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia and acute renal failure. Urinalysis disclosed numerous dysmorphic erythrocytes, erythrocyte casts, and granular casts. Urine protein excretion was approximately 1.1 g/day. Serologic tests were negative. Renal biopsy demonstrated minor glomerular abnormalities, severe acute tubular necrosis, and numerous erythrocyte casts in the tubules. Despite supportive care, renal function deteriorated necessitating hemodialysis. Four months later, the patient remained on hemodialysis. To exclude a superimposed pathology, renal biopsy was repeated and showed numerous erythrocyte casts in the tubules and severe tubular damage.

Conclusion

Methemoglobinemia can cause acute kidney injury in humans. Morphological features resemble those observed in methemoglobin-induced acute kidney injury in experimental settings. This case calls for a heightened awareness of potential adverse effects of methemoglobinemia on renal function.
A test of Clar aromatic sextet theory
Authors: Gutman Ivan , Radenkovic Slavko , Antic Marija , Djurdjevic Jelena
Published: June 2013

The Clar aromatic sextet theory predicts that the intensity of cyclic
conjugation in chevron-type benzenoid hydrocarbons monotonically decreases
along the central chain. This regularity has been tested by means of several
independent theoretical methods (by the energy effects of the respective
six-membered rings, as well as by their HOMA, NICS, and SCI values,
calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of DFT theory). Our results show
that the predictions of Clar theory are correct only for the first few
members of the chevron homologous series, and are violated at the higher
members. This indicates that Clar theory is not universally applicable, even
in the case of fully conjugated benzenoid molecules.
Comments by the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on Framework for Audit Quality, Consultation Paper by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board
Authors: Demirkan Sebahattin , Feng Nancy Chun , Mintchik Natalia , Pevzner Mikhail , Sierra Gregory
Published: June 2013

On January 15, 2013, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) solicited public comments on the exposure draft of its consultation paper entitled A Framework for Audit Quality (the Framework). The four-month comment period ended on May 15, 2013. This commentary summarizes the contributors' views on this exposure draft (the exposure draft and related information are available at: http://www.ifac.org/publications-resources/framework-audit-quality).

This consultation paper makes great strides toward meeting the IAASB's strategy of “enhancing the quality of assurance” and “supporting global financial stability.” The three-by-three design (attributes of audit quality coupled with engagement, firm, and national levels; see page 24 of the Framework) and detailed outline of inputs, outputs, context, and interactions provides practitioners, regulators, and other stakeholders with a common audit-quality roadmap for implementation, communication, and research agendas. As financial systems continue to become more integrated, the Framework supports the global financial system and economic stability by providing worldwide coordination of the expectations of auditors, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders. We also believe that the Framework should be of great use to auditing academics and doctoral students, both as a teaching and research tool. Summarized below are our specific comments on specific issues raised in the consultation paper.
Adhesion of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Inhibition by Glycocompounds Engaged in the Mucosal Innate Immunity
Authors: Pereira Alex , Giugliano Loreny
Published: June 2013

Escherichia coli colonizes the human intestine shortly after birth, with most strains engaging in a commensal relationship. However, some E. coli strains have evolved toward acquiring genetic traits associated with virulence. Currently, five categories of enteroadherent E. coli strains are well-recognized, and are classified in regard to expressed adhesins and the strategy used during the colonization. The high morbidity associated with diarrhea has motivated investigations focusing on E. coli adhesins, as well on factors that inhibit bacterial adherence. Breastfeeding has proved to be the most effective strategy for preventing diarrhea in children. Aside from the immunoglobulin content, glycocompounds and oligosaccharides in breast milk play a critical role in the innate immunity against diarrheagenic E. coli strains. This review summarizes the colonization factors and virulence strategies exploited by diarrheagenic E. coli strains, addressing the inhibitory effects that oligosaccharides and glycocompounds, such as lactoferrin and free secretory components, exert on the adherence and virulence of these strains. This review thus provides an overview of experimental data indicating that human milk glycocompounds are responsible for the universal protective effect of breastfeeding against diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes.
Soft Elasticity in Main Chain Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Authors: Dey Sonal , Agra-Kooijman Dena , Ren Wanting , McMullan Philip , Griffin Anselm , Kumar Satyendra
Published: June 2013

Main chain liquid crystal elastomers exhibit several interesting phenomena, such as three different regimes of elastic response, unconventional stress-strain relationship in one of these regimes, and the shape memory effect. Investigations are beginning to reveal relationships between their macroscopic behavior and the nature of domain structure, microscopic smectic phase structure, relaxation mechanism, and sample history. These aspects of liquid crystal elastomers are briefly reviewed followed by a summary of the results of recent elastic and high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies of the shape memory effect and the dynamics of the formation of the smectic-C chevron-like layer structure. A possible route to realizing auxetic effect at molecular level is also discussed.
Characterization of Ecological Exergy Based on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Lotic Ecosystems
Authors: Bae Mi-Jung , Li Fengqing , Verdonschot Piet , Park Young-Seuk
Published: June 2013

The evaluation of ecosystem health is a fundamental process for conducting effective ecosystem management. Ecological exergy is used primarily to summarize the complex dynamics of lotic ecosystems. In this study, we characterized the functional aspects of lotic ecosystems based on the exergy and specific exergy from headwaters to downstream regions in the river’s dimensions (i.e., river width and depth) and in parallel with the nutrient gradient. Data were extracted from the Ecologische Karakterisering van Oppervlaktewateren in Overijssel (EKOO) database, consisting of 249 lotic study sites (including springs, upper, middle and lower courses) and 690 species. Exergy values were calculated based on trophic groups (carnivores, detritivores, detriti-herbivores, herbivores and omnivores) of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. A Self-Organizing Map (SOM) was applied to characterize the different benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the lotic ecosystem, and the Random Forest model was used to predict the exergy and specific exergy based on environmental variables. The SOM classified the sampling sites into four clusters representing differences in the longitudinal distribution along the river, as well as along nutrient gradients. Exergy tended to increase with stream size, and specific exergy was lowest at sites with a high nutrient load. The Random Forest model results indicated that river width was the most important predictor of exergy followed by dissolved oxygen, ammonium and river depth. Orthophosphate was the most significant predictor for estimating specific exergy followed by nitrate and total phosphate. Exergy and specific exergy exhibited different responses to various environmental conditions. This result suggests that the combination of exergy and specific exergy, as complementary indicators, can be used reliably to evaluate the health condition of a lotic ecosystem.
Entropy Increase in Switching Systems
Authors: Amigó José , Kloeden Peter , Giménez Ángel
Published: June 2013

The relation between the complexity of a time-switched dynamics and the complexity of its control sequence depends critically on the concept of a non-autonomous pullback attractor. For instance, the switched dynamics associated with scalar dissipative affine maps has a pullback attractor consisting of singleton component sets. This entails that the complexity of the control sequence and switched dynamics, as quantified by the topological entropy, coincide. In this paper we extend the previous framework to pullback attractors with nontrivial components sets in order to gain further insights in that relation. This calls, in particular, for distinguishing two distinct contributions to the complexity of the switched dynamics. One proceeds from trajectory segments connecting different component sets of the attractor; the other contribution proceeds from trajectory segments within the component sets. We call them “macroscopic” and “microscopic” complexity, respectively, because only the first one can be measured by our analytical tools. As a result of this picture, we obtain sufficient conditions for a switching system to be more complex than its unswitched subsystems, i.e., a complexity analogue of Parrondo’s paradox.
A Kalman Filter-Based Method for Reconstructing GMS-5 Global Solar Radiation by Introduction of In Situ Data
Authors: Fu Jingying , Jiang Dong , Huang Yaohuan , Zhuang Dafang , Wang Yong
Published: June 2013

Solar radiation is an important input for various land-surface energy balance models. Global solar radiation data retrieved from the Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite 5 (GMS-5)/Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) has been widely used in recent years. However, due to the impact of clouds, aerosols, solar elevation angle and bidirectional reflection, spatial or temporal deficiencies often exist in solar radiation datasets that are derived from satellite remote sensing, which can seriously affect the accuracy of application models of land-surface energy balance. The goal of reconstructing radiation data is to simulate the seasonal variation patterns of solar radiation, using various statistical and numerical analysis methods to interpolate the missing observations and optimize the whole time-series dataset. In the current study, a reconstruction method based on data assimilation is proposed. Using a Kalman filter as the assimilation algorithm, the retrieved radiation values are corrected through the continuous introduction of local in-situ global solar radiation (GSR) provided by the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System (Daily radiation dataset_Version 3) which were collected from 122 radiation data collection stations over China. A complete and optimal set of time-series data is ultimately obtained. This method is applied and verified in China’s northern agricultural areas (humid regions, semi-humid regions and semi-arid regions in a warm temperate zone). The results show that the mean value and standard deviation of the reconstructed solar radiation data series are significantly improved, with greater consistency with ground-based observations than the series before reconstruction. The method implemented in this study provides a new solution for the time-series reconstruction of surface energy parameters, which can provide more reliable data for scientific research and regional renewable-energy planning.
RNAi-Mediated Gene Silencing in a Gonad Organ Culture to Study Sex Determination Mechanisms in Sea Turtle
Authors: Sifuentes-Romero Itzel , Merchant-Larios Horacio , Milton Sarah , Moreno-Mendoza Norma , Díaz-Hernández Verónica , García-Gasca Alejandra
Published: June 2013

The autosomal Sry-related gene, Sox9, encodes a transcription factor, which performs an important role in testis differentiation in mammals. In several reptiles, Sox9 is differentially expressed in gonads, showing a significant upregulation during the thermo-sensitive period (TSP) at the male-promoting temperature, consistent with the idea that SOX9 plays a central role in the male pathway. However, in spite of numerous studies, it remains unclear how SOX9 functions during this event. In the present work, we developed an RNAi-based method for silencing Sox9 in an in vitro gonad culture system for the sea turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea. Gonads were dissected as soon as the embryos entered the TSP and were maintained in organ culture. Transfection of siRNA resulted in the decrease of both Sox9 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, we found coordinated expression patterns for Sox9 and the anti-Müllerian hormone gene, Amh, suggesting that SOX9 could directly or indirectly regulate Amh expression, as it occurs in mammals. These results demonstrate an in vitro method to knockdown endogenous genes in gonads from a sea turtle, which represents a novel approach to investigate the roles of important genes involved in sex determination or differentiation pathways in species with temperature-dependent sex determination.
Why We Do Need Another Medical Journal…
Authors: Malbrain Manu
Published: June 2013

The English word "health" comes from the Old English word hale, meaning "wholeness, a state of being and feeling whole, sound or well" [1]. Hale comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "kailo", meaning "whole, uninjured, of good omen". Kailo comes from the Proto-Germanic root "khalbas", meaning "something (un)divided". [...]
High Dental Caries among Adults Aged 35 to 44 Years: Case-Control Study of Distal and Proximal Factors
Authors: Costa Simone , Vasconcelos Mara , Abreu Mauro
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to determine whether a high degree of dental caries severity is associated with the distal and proximal determinants of caries in a group of Brazilian adults aged 35 to 44 years. A population-based case-control study was conducted using two groups—a case group with high caries severity (DMFT ≥ 14) and a control group without high caries severity (DMFT < 14). The sample comprised adults from metropolitan Belo Horizonte, Brazil (180 cases and 180 controls matched for gender and age). The exam was performed by calibrated dentists using the DMFT index. The statistical analysis used the Mann-Whitney test and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression (the conditional backward stepwise method). The mean DMFT was 8.4 ± 3.9 in the control group and 20.1 ± 4.5 in the case group. High caries severity was associated with regular visits to the dentist, low income, use of private/supplementary dental service and not petitioning the authorities for community benefits. The results of the study underscore the importance of considering distal and proximal factors in the assessment of the severity of dental caries. Greater caries severity persists among low-income families and among groups with a low degree of social cohesion.
Genetic Optimization for Associative Semantic Ranking Models of Satellite Images by Land Cover
Authors: Barb Adrian , Kilicay-Ergin Nil
Published: June 2013

Associative methods for content-based image ranking by semantics are attractive due to the similarity of generated models to human models of understanding. Although they tend to return results that are better understood by image analysts, the induction of these models is difficult to build due to factors that affect training complexity, such as coexistence of visual patterns in same images, over-fitting or under-fitting and semantic representation differences among image analysts. This article proposes a methodology to reduce the complexity of ranking satellite images for associative methods. Our approach employs genetic operations to provide faster and more accurate models for ranking by semantic using low level features. The added accuracy is provided by a reduction in the likelihood to reach local minima or to overfit. The experiments show that, using genetic optimization, associative methods perform better or at similar levels as state-of-the-art ensemble methods for ranking. The mean average precision (MAP) of ranking by semantic was improved by 14% over similar associative methods that use other optimization techniques while maintaining smaller size for each semantic model.
UV Radiation and the Skin
Authors: D'Orazio John , Jarrett Stuart , Amaro-Ortiz Alexandra , Scott Timothy
Published: June 2013

UV radiation (UV) is classified as a “complete carcinogen” because it is both a mutagen and a non-specific damaging agent and has properties of both a tumor initiator and a tumor promoter. In environmental abundance, UV is the most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmentally-influenced skin disorders. However, UV also benefits human health by mediating natural synthesis of vitamin D and endorphins in the skin, therefore UV has complex and mixed effects on human health. Nonetheless, excessive exposure to UV carries profound health risks, including atrophy, pigmentary changes, wrinkling and malignancy. UV is epidemiologically and molecularly linked to the three most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, which together affect more than a million Americans annually. Genetic factors also influence risk of UV-mediated skin disease. Polymorphisms of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, in particular, correlate with fairness of skin, UV sensitivity, and enhanced cancer risk. We are interested in developing UV-protective approaches based on a detailed understanding of molecular events that occur after UV exposure, focusing particularly on epidermal melanization and the role of the MC1R in genome maintenance.
Thrombospondin-1 in Urological Cancer: Pathological Role, Clinical Significance, and Therapeutic Prospects
Authors: Miyata Yasuyoshi , Sakai Hideki
Published: June 2013

Angiogenesis is an important process for tumor growth and progression of various solid tumors including urological cancers. Thrombospondins (TSPs), especially TSP-1, are representative “anti”-angiogenic molecules and many studies have clarified their pathological role and clinical significance in vivo and in vitro. In fact, TSP-1 expression is associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in many types of cancers. However, TSP-1 is a multi-functional protein and its biological activities vary according to the specific tumor environments. Consequently, there is no general agreement on its cancer-related function in urological cancers, and detailed information regarding regulative mechanisms is essential for a better understanding of its therapeutic effects and prognostic values. Various “suppressor genes” and “oncogenes” are known to be regulators and TSP-1-related factors under physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, various types of fragments derived from TSP-1 exist in a given tissue microenvironment and TSP-1 derived-peptides have specific activities. However, a detailed pathological function in human cancer tissues is not still understood. This review will focus on the pathological roles and clinical significance of TSP-1 in urological cancers, including prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and urothelial cancer. In addition, special attention is paid to TSP-1-derived peptide and TSP-1-based therapy for malignancies.
Urinary Bladder Cancer Susceptibility Markers. What Do We Know about Functional Mechanisms?
Authors: Dudek Aleksandra , Grotenhuis Anne , Vermeulen Sita , Kiemeney Lambertus , Verhaegh Gerald
Published: June 2013

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in the identification of the several urinary bladder cancer (UBC) susceptibility loci, pointing towards novel genes involved in tumor development. Despite that, functional characterization of the identified variants remains challenging, as they mostly map to poorly understood, non-coding regions. Recently, two of the UBC risk variants (PSCA and UGT1A) were confirmed to have functional consequences. They were shown to modify bladder cancer risk by influencing gene expression in an allele-specific manner. Although the role of the other UBC risk variants is unknown, it can be hypothesized—based on studies from different cancer types—that they influence cancer susceptibility by alterations in regulatory networks. The insight into UBC heritability gained through GWAS and further functional studies can impact on cancer prevention and screening, as well as on the development of new biomarkers and future personalized therapies.
Structural Properties of Chemically Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Thin Films
Authors: Trakakis George , Tasis Dimitrios , Parthenios John , Galiotis Costas , Papagelis Konstantinos
Published: June 2013

Buckypapers are thin sheets of randomly entangled carbon nanotubes, which are highly porous networks. They are strong candidates for a number of applications, such as reinforcing materials for composites. In this work, buckypapers were produced from multiwall carbon nanotubes, pre-treated by two different chemical processes, either an oxidation or an epoxidation reaction. Properties, such as porosity, the mechanical and electrical response are investigated. It was found that the chemical pretreatment of carbon nanotubes strongly affects the structural properties of the buckypapers and, consecutively, their mechanical and electrical performance.
Cobalt-based Catalysts for Ammonia Decomposition
Authors: Lendzion-Bielun Zofia , Narkiewicz Urszula , Arabczyk Walerian
Published: June 2013

An effect of promoters such as calcium, aluminium, and potassium oxides and also addition of chromium and manganese on the structure of cobalt catalysts was examined. Studies of the catalytic ammonia decomposition over the cobalt catalysts are presented. The studies of the ammonia decomposition were carried out for various ammonia-hydrogen mixtures in which ammonia concentration varied in the range from 10% to 100%. Co(0) catalyst, promoted by oxides of aluminium, calcium, and potassium, showed the highest activity in the ammonia decomposition reaction. Contrary to expectations, it was found that chromium and manganese addition into the catalysts decreased their activity.
Comparative Analysis of Glycoside Hydrolases Activities from Phylogenetically Diverse Marine Bacteria of the Genus Arenibacter
Authors: Bakunina Irina , Nedashkovskaya Olga , Balabanova Larissa , Zvyagintseva Tatyana , Rasskasov Valery , Mikhailov Valery
Published: June 2013

A total of 16 marine strains belonging to the genus Arenibacter, recovered from diverse microbial communities associated with various marine habitats and collected from different locations, were evaluated in degradation of natural polysaccharides and chromogenic glycosides. Most strains were affiliated with five recognized species, and some presented three new species within the genus Arenibacter. No strains contained enzymes depolymerizing polysaccharides, but synthesized a wide spectrum of glycosidases. Highly active β-N-acetylglucosaminidases and α-N-acetylgalactosaminidases were the main glycosidases for all Arenibacter. The genes, encoding two new members of glycoside hydrolyses (GH) families, 20 and 109, were isolated and characterized from the genomes of Arenibacter latericius. Molecular genetic analysis using glycosidase-specific primers shows the absence of GH27 and GH36 genes. A sequence comparison with functionally-characterized GH20 and GH109 enzymes shows that both sequences are closest to the enzymes of chitinolytic bacteria Vibrio furnissii and Cellulomonas fimi of marine and terrestrial origin, as well as human pathogen Elisabethkingia meningoseptica and simbionts Akkermansia muciniphila, gut and non-gut Bacteroides, respectively. These results revealed that the genus Arenibacter is a highly taxonomic diverse group of microorganisms, which can participate in degradation of natural polymers in marine environments depending on their niche and habitat adaptations. They are new prospective candidates for biotechnological applications due to their production of unique glycosidases.
Antifreeze Peptides and Glycopeptides, and Their Derivatives: Potential Uses in Biotechnology
Authors: Bang Jeong , Lee Jun , Murugan Ravichandran , Lee Sung , Do Hackwon , Koh Hye , Shim Hye-Eun , Kim Hyun-Cheol , Kim Hak
Published: June 2013

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and glycoproteins (AFGPs), collectively called AF(G)Ps, constitute a diverse class of proteins found in various Arctic and Antarctic fish, as well as in amphibians, plants, and insects. These compounds possess the ability to inhibit the formation of ice and are therefore essential to the survival of many marine teleost fishes that routinely encounter sub-zero temperatures. Owing to this property, AF(G)Ps have potential applications in many areas such as storage of cells or tissues at low temperature, ice slurries for refrigeration systems, and food storage. In contrast to AFGPs, which are composed of repeated tripeptide units (Ala-Ala-Thr)n with minor sequence variations, AFPs possess very different primary, secondary, and tertiary structures. The isolation and purification of AFGPs is laborious, costly, and often results in mixtures, making characterization difficult. Recent structural investigations into the mechanism by which linear and cyclic AFGPs inhibit ice crystallization have led to significant progress toward the synthesis and assessment of several synthetic mimics of AFGPs. This review article will summarize synthetic AFGP mimics as well as current challenges in designing compounds capable of mimicking AFGPs. It will also cover our recent efforts in exploring whether peptoid mimics can serve as structural and functional mimics of native AFGPs.
Four New Briarane Diterpenoids from Taiwanese Gorgonian Junceella fragilis
Authors: Liaw Chia-Ching , Lin Yu-Chi , Lin Yun-Sheng , Chen Chung-Hsiung , Hwang Tsong-Long , Shen Ya-Ching
Published: June 2013

Four new 8-hydroxybriarane diterpenoids, frajunolides P–S (1–4), together with umbraculolide A, juncenolide C, junceellonoid A and juncin R, were isolated from the acetone extract of the gorgonian Junceella fragilis, collected from the southeast coast of Taiwan. Compound 1 contains an unusual pivaloyloxy group at C-2, while 3 is a rare compound having a chlorine atom on the olefinic carbon (C-6). The structures of the isolated compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, as well as HRMS data. Compound 1 was further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the anti-inflammatory test, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate inhibition on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to formylmethionylleucyl-phenylalanine/dihydrocytochalasin B (fMLP/CB).
Bioactive Phenylalanine Derivatives and Cytochalasins from the Soft Coral-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus elegans
Authors: Zheng Cai-Juan , Shao Chang-Lun , Wu Lu-Yong , Chen Min , Wang Kai-Ling , Zhao Dong-Lin , Sun Xue-Ping , Chen Guang-Ying , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: June 2013

One new phenylalanine derivative 4′-OMe-asperphenamate (1), along with one known phenylalanine derivative (2) and two new cytochalasins, aspochalasin A1 (3) and cytochalasin Z24 (4), as well as eight known cytochalasin analogues (5–12) were isolated from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus elegans ZJ-2008010, a fungus obtained from a soft coral Sarcophyton sp. collected from the South China Sea. Their structures and the relative configurations were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by chemical synthesis and Marfey’s method. All isolated metabolites (1–12) were evaluated for their antifouling and antibacterial activities. Cytochalasins 5, 6, 8 and 9 showed strong antifouling activity against the larval settlement of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, with the EC50 values ranging from 6.2 to 37 μM. This is the first report of antifouling activity for this class of metabolites. Additionally, 8 exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, especially against four pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus albus, S. aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus.