bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immersions and embeddings of quasitoric manifolds over the cube
Authors: Baralic Djordje
Published: April 2014

A quasitoric manifold M2n over the cube In is studied. The Stiefel-Whitney
classes are calculated and used as the obstructions for immersions,
embeddings and totally skew embeddings. The manifold M2n, when n is a power
of 2, has interesting properties: imm(M2n) = 4n ? 2, em(M2n) = 4n ? 1 and
N(M2n)? 8n?3.
Systems of abstract time-fractional equations
Authors: Kostic Marko
Published: April 2014

We analyze systems of abstract time-fractional equations in certain classes
of sequentially complete locally convex spaces. We also consider arbitrary
matrices of operators as generators of fractional regularized resolvent
families, improving in such a way the results known for semigroups of
operators.
An asymptotically tight bound on the q-index of graphs with forbidden cycles
Authors: Nikiforov Vladimir
Published: April 2014

Let G be a graph of order n and let q(G) be the largest eigenvalue of the
signless Laplacian of G. It is shown that if k ? 2, n > 5k2, and q(G) ? n +
2k ? 2, then G contains a cycle of length l for each l ? {3, 4,..., 2k +
2}. This bound on q(G) is asymptotically tight, as the graph Kk ?Kn?k
contains no cycles longer than 2k and q(Kk ?Kn?k) > n + 2k?2?2k(k ? 1)/
n+2k?3. The main result gives an asymptotic solution to a recent
conjecture about the maximum q(G) of a graph G with forbidden cycles. The
proof of the main result and the tools used therein could serve as a
guidance to the proof of the full conjecture.
Estimates of multilinear singular integral operators and mean oscillation
Authors: Liu Lanzhe
Published: April 2014

We prove the boundedness properties for some multilinear operators related to
certain integral operators from Lebesgue spaces to Orlicz spaces. The
operators include Calder?n-Zygmund singular integral operator,
Littlewood-Paley operator and Marcinkiewicz operator.
On the farthest points in convex metric spaces and linear metric spaces
Authors: Sangeeta S , Narang T.D.
Published: April 2014

We prove some results on the farthest points in convex metric spaces and in
linear metric spaces. The continuity of the farthest point map and
characterization of strictly convex linear metric spaces in terms of farthest
points are also discussed.
Completely pseudo-valuation rings and their extensions
Authors: Bhat Vijay
Published: April 2014

Recall that a commutative ring R is said to be a pseudo-valuation ring if
every prime ideal of R is strongly prime. We define a completely
pseudovaluation ring. Let R be a ring (not necessarily commutative). We say
that R is a completely pseudo-valuation ring if every prime ideal of R is
completely prime. With this we prove that if R is a commutative Noetherian
ring, which is also an algebra over Q (the field of rational numbers) and ?
a derivation of R, then R is a completely pseudo-valuation ring implies that
R[x, ?] is a completely pseudo-valuation ring. We prove a similar result
when prime is replaced by minimal prime.
On recognition by prime graph of the projective special linear group over GF(3)
Authors: Khosravi Bahman , Khosravi Behnam , Dalili Oskouei
Published: April 2014

Let G be a finite group. The prime graph of G is denoted by ?(G). We prove
that the simple group PSLn(3), where n ? 9, is quasirecognizable by prime
graph; i.e., if G is a finite group such that ?(G) = ?(PSLn(3)), then G has a
unique nonabelian composition factor isomorphic to PSLn(3). Darafsheh proved
in 2010 that if p > 3 is a prime number, then the projective special linear
group PSLp(3) is at most 2-recognizable by spectrum. As a consequence of our
result we prove that if n ? 9, then PSLn(3) is at most 2-recognizable by
spectrum.
Asymmetric generalizations of the filbert matrix and variants
Authors: Kılıç Emrah , Prodinger Helmut
Published: April 2014

Four generalizations of the Filbert matrix are considered, with additional
asymmetric parameter settings. Explicit formula are derived for the
LU-decompositions, their inverses, and the inverse matrix. The approach is
mainly to use the q-analysis and to leave the justification of the necessary
identities to the q-version of Zeilberger?s algorithm for some of them, and
for the rest of the necessary identities, to guess the relevant quantities
and proving them later by induction.
Comparative time efficiency of aligner therapy and conventional edgewise braces
Authors: Buschang Peter H. , Shaw Steven G. , Ross Mike , Crosby Doug , Campbell Phillip M.
Published: April 2014

Objective:

To compare the time efficiency of aligner therapy (ALT) and conventional edgewise braces (CEB) based on large samples of patients treated by the same highly experienced orthodontist, with the same treatment goals for both groups of patients.

Materials and Methods:

The retrospective portion of the study evaluated 150 CEB patients who were matched, based on mandibular crowding and number of rotated teeth, to 150 ALT patients. All records were obtained at one orthodontist's office. All of the patients had mild-to-moderate Class I malocclusions (≤5 mm incisor crowding) and were treated nonextraction. Age, gender, total treatment time, total number of appointments, types of appointments, materials used, mandibular crowding, and number of rotated teeth were recorded from the patients' records. The prospective portion of the study timed the various types of appointments for both treatments with a stopwatch.

Results:

Compared to ALT, CEB required significantly (P < .01) more visits (approximately 4.0), a longer treatment duration (5.5 months), more emergency visits (1.0), greater emergency chair time (7.0 minutes), and greater total chair time (93.4 minutes). However, ALT showed significantly (P < .01) greater total material costs and required significantly more total doctor time than CEB (P < .01).

Conclusions:

Whether the greater time efficiency of ALT offsets the greater material costs and doctor time required depends on the experience of the orthodontist and the number of ALT case starts.
Pancreatic β-Cell Failure Mediated by mTORC1 Hyperactivity and Autophagic Impairment
Authors: Bartolomé Alberto , Kimura-Koyanagi Maki , Asahara Shun-Ichiro , Guillén Carlos , Inoue Hiroyuki , Teruyama Kyoko , Shimizu Shinobu , Kanno Ayumi , García-Aguilar Ana , Koike Masato , Uchiyama Yasuo , Benito Manuel , Noda Tetsuo , Kido Yoshiaki
Published: April 2014

Hyperactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in β-cells is usually found as a consequence of increased metabolic load. Although it plays an essential role in β-cell compensatory mechanisms, mTORC1 negatively regulates autophagy. Using a mouse model with β-cell–specific deletion of Tsc2 (βTsc2−/−) and, consequently, mTORC1 hyperactivation, we focused on the role that chronic mTORC1 hyperactivation might have on β-cell failure. mTORC1 hyperactivation drove an early increase in β-cell mass that later declined, triggering hyperglycemia. Apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were found in islets of older βTsc2−/− mice as well as accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 and an impaired autophagic response. Mitochondrial mass was increased in β-cells of βTsc2−/− mice, but mitophagy was also impaired under these circumstances. We provide evidence of β-cell autophagy impairment as a link between mTORC1 hyperactivation and mitochondrial dysfunction that probably contributes to β-cell failure.
Diabetes Irreversibly Depletes Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Subpopulations
Authors: Januszyk Michael , Sorkin Michael , Glotzbach Jason P. , Vial Ivan N. , Maan Zeshaan N. , Rennert Robert C. , Duscher Dominik , Thangarajah Hariharan , Longaker Michael T. , Butte Atul J. , Gurtner Geoffrey C.
Published: April 2014

Diabetic vascular pathology is largely attributable to impairments in tissue recovery from hypoxia. Circulating progenitor cells have been postulated to play a role in ischemic recovery, and deficiencies in these cells have been well described in diabetic patients. Here, we examine bone marrow–derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (BM-MPCs) that have previously been shown to be important for new blood vessel formation and demonstrate significant deficits in the context of diabetes. Further, we determine that this dysfunction is attributable to intrinsic defects in diabetic BM-MPCs that are not correctable by restoring glucose homeostasis. We identify two transcriptionally distinct subpopulations that are selectively depleted by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and these subpopulations have provasculogenic expression profiles, suggesting that they are vascular progenitor cells. These results suggest that the clinically observed deficits in progenitor cells may be attributable to selective and irreversible depletion of progenitor cell subsets in patients with diabetes.
ADCY5 Couples Glucose to Insulin Secretion in Human Islets
Authors: Hodson David J. , Mitchell Ryan K. , Marselli Lorella , Pullen Timothy J. , Gimeno Brias Silvia , Semplici Francesca , Everett Katy L. , Cooper Dermot M.F. , Bugliani Marco , Marchetti Piero , Lavallard Vanessa , Bosco Domenico , Piemonti Lorenzo , Johnson Paul R. , Hughes Stephen J. , Li Daliang , Li Wen-Hong , Shapiro A.M. James , Rutter Guy A.
Published: April 2014

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ADCY5 gene, encoding adenylate cyclase 5, are associated with elevated fasting glucose and increased type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. Despite this, the mechanisms underlying the effects of these polymorphic variants at the level of pancreatic β-cells remain unclear. Here, we show firstly that ADCY5 mRNA expression in islets is lowered by the possession of risk alleles at rs11708067. Next, we demonstrate that ADCY5 is indispensable for coupling glucose, but not GLP-1, to insulin secretion in human islets. Assessed by in situ imaging of recombinant probes, ADCY5 silencing impaired glucose-induced cAMP increases and blocked glucose metabolism toward ATP at concentrations of the sugar >8 mmol/L. However, calcium transient generation and functional connectivity between individual human β-cells were sharply inhibited at all glucose concentrations tested, implying additional, metabolism-independent roles for ADCY5. In contrast, calcium rises were unaffected in ADCY5-depleted islets exposed to GLP-1. Alterations in β-cell ADCY5 expression and impaired glucose signaling thus provide a likely route through which ADCY5 gene polymorphisms influence fasting glucose levels and T2D risk, while exerting more minor effects on incretin action.
The Rate of Fall of Blood Glucose Determines the Necessity of Forebrain-Projecting Catecholaminergic Neurons for Male Rat Sympathoadrenal Responses
Authors: Jokiaho Anne J. , Donovan Casey M. , Watts Alan G.
Published: April 2014

Different onset rates of insulin-induced hypoglycemia use distinct glucosensors to activate sympathoadrenal counterregulatory responses (CRRs). Glucosensory elements in the portal-mesenteric veins are dispensable with faster rates when brain elements predominate, but are essential for responses to the slower-onset hypoglycemia that is common with insulin therapy. Whether a similar rate-associated divergence exists within more expansive brain networks is unknown. Hindbrain catecholamine neurons distribute glycemia-related information throughout the forebrain. We tested in male rats whether catecholaminergic neurons that project to the medial and ventromedial hypothalamus are required for sympathoadrenal CRRs to rapid- and slow-onset hypoglycemia and whether these neurons are differentially engaged as onset rates change. Using a catecholamine-specific neurotoxin and hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamps, we found that sympathoadrenal CRRs to slow- but not rapid-onset hypoglycemia require hypothalamus-projecting catecholaminergic neurons, the majority of which originate in the ventrolateral medulla. As determined with Fos, these neurons are differentially activated by the two onset rates. We conclude that 1) catecholaminergic projections to the hypothalamus provide essential information for activating sympathoadrenal CRRs to slow- but not rapid-onset hypoglycemia, 2) hypoglycemia onset rates have a major impact on the hypothalamic mechanisms that enable sympathoadrenal CRRs, and 3) hypoglycemia-related sensory information activates hindbrain catecholaminergic neurons in a rate-dependent manner.
Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Diminished Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Responses in Adipose Tissue of Healthy and Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Boden Guenther , Cheung Peter , Kresge Karen , Homko Carol , Powers Ben , Ferrer Lucas
Published: April 2014

We recently showed that insulin increased ER stress in human adipose tissue. The effect of insulin resistance on ER stress is not known. It could be decreased, unchanged, or increased, depending on whether insulin regulates ER stress via the metabolic/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or alternate signaling pathways. To address this question, we examined effects of lipid-induced insulin resistance on insulin stimulation of ER stress. mRNAs of several ER stress markers were determined in fat biopsies obtained before and after 8-h hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamping in 13 normal subjects and in 6 chronically insulin-resistant patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In normal subjects, hyperglycemia-hyperinsulinemia increased after/before mRNA ratios of several ER stress markers (determined by ER stress pathway array and by individual RT-PCR). Lipid infusion was associated with inhibition of the PI3K insulin-signaling pathway and with a decrease of hyperinsulinemia-induced ER stress responses. In chronically insulin-resistant patients with T2DM, hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemia did not increase ER stress response marker mRNAs. In summary, insulin resistance, either produced by lipid infusions in normal subjects or chronically present in T2DM patients, was associated with decreased hyperinsulinemia-induced ER stress responses. This suggests, but does not prove, that these two phenomena were causally related.
Study of predictors of hypoxemia in children with Pneumonia
Authors: Sah HD
Published: April 2014

Objective To study the sign and symptoms of hypoxemia in children with pneumonia and to identify its clinical predictors in children between two months to five years of age. Methods Children between two to five years of age suffering from cough or difficult breathing were assessed. Arterial oxygen saturation was measured with a pulse oxymeter and child was labeled hypoxic if <90%. The children were categorized into four types according to WHO criteria-Cough and cold, pneumonia, severe pneumonia and very severe pneumonia. Results Out of 200 patients that were included in the study population, 101(51%) were found hypoxemic and was found in all grades of pneumonia. Frequency of hypoxemia increased with the severity of pneumonia being 100% for very severe pneumonia, 84% for severe pneumonia and 9% for pneumonia. None of the patients in the cough and cold category was found hypoxic. On univariate analysis, different predictors for hypoxemia found were inability to feed and drink, lethargy, tacypnoea, central cyanosis, chest indrawing and grunting. Discussion Prevalence of hypoxemia decreased with increasing age of the child. Significantly more number of infants (2–12months) were hypoxemic as compared to elder children. Conclusion Pneumonia in infants is risk factor for hypoxemia. Children less than one year with cough and difficult breathing were at more risk for hypoxemia. Prevalence and clinical predictors of hypoxemia validated WHO classification of pneumonia based on severity. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 1-8DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10230
Incomplete Kawasaki disease - a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge
Authors: Datta S , Maiti S , Das G , Chatterjee A , Ghosh P
Published: April 2014

Background The diagnosis of classical Kawasaki Disease was based on clinical criteria. The conventional criteria is particularly useful in preventing over diagnosis, but at the same time it may result in failure to recognize the incomplete form of Kawasaki Disease. Objective To suspect incomplete Kawasaki Disease, because early diagnosis and proper treatment may reduce substantial risk of developing coronary artery abnormality which is one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children. Method Nine cases of incomplete Kawasaki Disease were diagnosed over a period of one year. The diagnosis of incomplete Kawasaki Disease was based on fever for five days with less than four classical clinical features and cardiac abnormality detected by 2D- echocardiography. A repeat echocardiography was done after 6 weeks of onset of illness. The patients were treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin and/or aspirin. Result The mean age of the patients was 3.83 years and the mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 12.1 days. Apart from other criteria all of our patients had edema and extreme irritability. All the patients had abnormal echocardiographic finding. Five patients received only aspirin due to nonaffordability of Intravenous Immunoglobulin and four patients received both aspirin and Intravenous Immunoglobulin, but the outcome was excellent in all the cases. Conclusion Incomplete Kawasaki Disease can be diagnosed with more awareness and aspirin alone may be used as a second line therapy in case of non affordability of Intravenous Immunoglobulin. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 30-35 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10234
Bicycle-spoke injuries of the foot and ankle: A prospective study
Authors: Gupta HK , Shrestha R
Published: April 2014

Objective Bicycle spoke wheel injuries can be as simple as minor abrasions and lacerations even to amputation of toes and heel injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the severity of soft tissue damage and skeletal injuries in such injuries. Methods This prospective observational study included all the cases with spoke wheel injuries presenting between October 2012 to September 2013 in the College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur. Demographic information was collected from each patient including age, sex, injured side, position at the time of injury, and characteristic of injury. The soft tissue injury was classified according to Oestern and Tscherne classification and managed accordingly. Results A total of 50 cases were included in the study with 29 males ( 58%) and 21 females (42% ). Their age ranged from 6 yrs to 12 yrs (mean 9 yrs.). The mean interval from injury to presentation in hospital was 5 hrs (range 1-22 hrs). Majority had injury to right ankle and foot. Fore foot and mid foot injuries were more common when the feet got entrapped in front wheel. 36 cases had sustained injury while riding as pillion on the back seat and their injury was on posterior ankle (n=20) and posterolateral aspect of ankle and foot (n=16). Majority of cases were of grade 0 and 1 injury. Two patients had grade 3 injury, one with great toe amputation another with partial heel avulsion and exposed tendoachilles. All cases were managed with wound care, tetanus prophylaxis and splintage of the foot. Conclusion In our study we found that these spoke wheel related injuries were more common in children and are important cause of temporary loss of daily activities. Although all injuries healed properly, risk of severe injuries like amputations and heel pad loss and tendoachilles transaction and fractures of foot and ankle still prevails where bicycle is a common mode of transportation. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 36-39 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10236
A case of Undifferentiated connective tissue disease
Authors: Chatterjee A , Chatterjee K , Sarkar N
Published: April 2014

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease is an overlap syndrome in which the features of more than one disease is present but their complete diagnosis is lacking. We are presenting an 11year child with fever, arthritis, polyserositis, myalgia, nephritis, sclerodactyly with positive anti-dsDNA and anti-Smith antibody. She improved with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 59-62 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10238
Atypical presentation of Goldenher syndrome- a rare scenario
Authors: Lath C , Sen S , Mondal M , Maiti D , Singh R , Bose R
Published: April 2014

In 1952 Goldenher described a case with triad of pre auricular tags, mandibular hypoplasia and ocular (epibulbar) dermoid and described the case as Goldenger Syndrome. Exact etiology of this disease is not known. Here we present a case of Goldenher syndrome in a 5 days old newborn who presented with all the classical features except ocular involvement.   Gorlin et.al named this syndrome as oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia due to presence of additional vertebral anomalies .2 Exact etiology of this disease is not known. Most of the cases are sporadic, though autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and multifactorial inheritance has also been suggested.2.Chromosomal analysis shows no abnormalities.3 In this report we presented a case of Goldenger Syndrome in a 5 days old newborn who presented with all the classical features except occular involvement. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 59-62 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10239
Taking “Culture” out of Multiculturalism
Authors: Narain Vrinda
Published: April 2014

The tension between religious freedom and non-discrimination principles is becoming increasingly acute. Questions about the appropriate way to balance the two rights arise with particular regularity. The status of women in multiculturalism policies has been the site for debate as gender issues test the limits of toleration through such practices as under-age marriage and veiling. In policy discourses, the “crisis of multiculturalism” is increasingly tied to gender equality concerns and the need to counter, in particular, the gender inequality in Islam. Debates about gender in the politics of cultural difference serve simultaneously to name certain communities as backward and majority culture as the norm. In the process, the real issues of gendered structural inequality are obscured. I examine these issues through the lens of the Bill 94 in Québec, which seeks to ban the niqab in public places. The ban would encompass nearly every public institution, including childcare centres and public health facilities. The government defended the law by invoking principles of gender equality and secularism. I argue for a multiculturalism policy that focuses on structural inequalities rather than on cultural difference. The shift from a politics of structural difference to an emphasis on cultural difference has obscured the larger issues of structural inequalities—poverty, unemployment, and racism—while simultaneously magnifying issues related to religion or culture. Multiculturalism still has an important role to play in achieving greater social equality. We need new ways of addressing dilemmas of justice and equality in multicultural societies as it is necessary to reformulate multiculturalism rather than to abandon it.
Legal Feminism and the Post-Racism Fantasy
Authors: Ruparelia Rakhi
Published: April 2014

In 1993, the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law published a special issue on racism in an effort to “shift paradigms” in feminist legal scholarship in Canada. This article examines scholarship published in the journal since that time to evaluate to what extent this aspiration has been realized. Although some progress has been made, feminist theorizing around racism and colonialism is not being undertaken as a matter of course. Rather, this theorizing is pursued most often when an issue has obvious significance to racialized women. The author explores why feminists, and white feminists in particular, still do not regularly integrate the impact of racism and colonialism into their writing and the potential consequences of this choice. She argues that ignoring the role of racism and colonialism in legal scholarship perpetuates systems of domination, which feminism should be aggressively dismantling and thus impedes the feminist project. The author ultimately questions whether theorizing without meaningful analysis of the role of racism, colonialism, and other sites of oppression can still be considered feminist.
Introduction: Social Movements: Ritual, Space and Media
Authors: Hurd Madeleine
Published: April 2014

No abstract available.
Lovable Anarchism: Campus Protest in Japan From the 1990s to Today
Authors: Cassegård Carl
Published: April 2014

This is a paper on the transformation of campus activism in Japan since the 1990’s. Japan’s so-called freeter movements (movements of young men and women lacking regular employment) are often said to have emerged as young people shifted their base of activism from campuses to the “street”. However, campuses have continued to play a role in activism. Although the radical student organisations of the New Left have waned, new movements are forming among students and precarious university employees in response to neoliberalization trends in society and the precarization of their conditions. This transformation has gone hand in hand with a shift of action repertoire towards forms of direct action such as squatting, sitins, hunger strikes, and opening “cafés”. In this paper I focus on the development of campus protest in Kyoto from the mid-1990s until today to shed light on the following questions: How have campus-based activists responded to the neoliberalization of Japanese universities? What motivates them to use art or art-like forms of direct action and how are these activities related to space? I investigate the notions of space towards which activists have been oriented since the 1990’s, focusing on three notions: official public space, counter-space and no-man’s-land. These conceptions of space, I argue, are needed to account for the various forms campus protest has taken since the 1990s.
Zinc-Binding Cysteines: Diverse Functions and Structural Motifs
Authors: Pace Nicholas , Weerapana Eranthie
Published: April 2014

Cysteine residues are known to perform essential functions within proteins, including binding to various metal ions. In particular, cysteine residues can display high affinity toward zinc ions (Zn2+), and these resulting Zn2+-cysteine complexes are critical mediators of protein structure, catalysis and regulation. Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical platforms have accelerated the identification and functional characterization of Zn2+-bound cysteines. Zn2+-cysteine complexes have been observed across diverse protein classes and are known to facilitate a variety of cellular processes. Here, we highlight the structural characteristics and diverse functional roles of Zn2+-cysteine complexes in proteins and describe structural, computational and chemical proteomic technologies that have enabled the global discovery of novel Zn2+-binding cysteines.
Tumor Restrictions to Oncolytic Virus
Authors: Vähä-Koskela Markus , Hinkkanen Ari
Published: April 2014

Oncolytic virotherapy has advanced since the days of its conception but therapeutic efficacy in the clinics does not seem to reach the same level as in animal models. One reason is premature oncolytic virus clearance in humans, which is a reasonable assumption considering the immune-stimulating nature of the oncolytic agents. However, several studies are beginning to reveal layers of restriction to oncolytic virotherapy that are present before an adaptive neutralizing immune response. Some of these barriers are present constitutively halting infection before it even begins, whereas others are raised by minute cues triggered by virus infection. Indeed, we and others have noticed that delivering viruses to tumors may not be the biggest obstacle to successful therapy, but instead the physical make-up of the tumor and its capacity to mount antiviral defenses seem to be the most important efficacy determinants. In this review, we summarize the constitutive and innate barriers to oncolytic virotherapy and discuss strategies to overcome them.
Optimal Charging Scheduling of Electric Vehicles in Smart Grids by Heuristic Algorithms
Authors: Alonso Monica , Amaris Hortensia , Germain Jean , Galan Juan
Published: April 2014

Transportation electrification has become an important issue in recent decades and the large scale deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) has yet to be achieved. The smart coordination of EV demand addresses an improvement in the flexibility of power systems and reduces the costs of power system investment. The uncertainty in EV drivers’ behaviour is one of the main problems to solve to obtain an optimal integration of EVs into power systems. In this paper, an optimisation algorithm to coordinate the charging of EVs has been developed and implemented using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), where thermal line limits, the load on transformers, voltage limits and parking availability patterns are taken into account to establish an optimal load pattern for EV charging-based reliability. This methodology has been applied to an existing residential low-voltage system. The results indicate that a smart charging schedule for EVs leads to a flattening of the load profile, peak load shaving and the prevention of the aging of power system elements.
The “Dark Side” of Food Stuff Proteomics: The CPLL-Marshals Investigate
Authors: Righetti Pier , Fasoli Elisa , D'Amato Alfonsina , Boschetti Egisto
Published: April 2014

The present review deals with analysis of the proteome of animal and plant-derived food stuff, as well as of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The survey is limited to those systems investigated with the help of combinatorial peptide ligand libraries, a most powerful technique allowing access to low- to very-low-abundance proteins, i.e., to those proteins that might characterize univocally a given biological system and, in the case of commercial food preparations, attest their genuineness or adulteration. Among animal foods the analysis of cow’s and donkey’s milk is reported, together with the proteomic composition of egg white and yolk, as well as of honey, considered as a hybrid between floral and animal origin. In terms of plant and fruits, a survey is offered of spinach, artichoke, banana, avocado, mango and lemon proteomics, considered as recalcitrant tissues in that small amounts of proteins are dispersed into a large body of plant polymers and metabolites. As examples of non-alcoholic beverages, ginger ale, coconut milk, a cola drink, almond milk and orgeat syrup are analyzed. Finally, the trace proteome of white and red wines, beer and aperitifs is reported, with the aim of tracing the industrial manipulations and herbal usage prior to their commercialization.
Relaxation of Rat Aorta by Farrerol Correlates with Potency to Reduce Intracellular Calcium of VSMCs
Authors: Qin Xiaojiang , Hou Xiaomin , Zhang Mingsheng , Liang Taigang , Zhi Jianmin , Han Lingge , Li Qingshan
Published: April 2014

Farrerol, isolated from Rhododendron dauricum L., has been proven to be an important multifunctional physiologically active component, but its vasoactive mechanism is not clear. The present study was performed to observe the vasoactive effects of farrerol on rat aorta and to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms. Isolated aortic rings of rat were mounted in an organ bath system and the myogenic effects stimulated by farrerol were studied. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]in) was measured by molecular probe fluo-4-AM and the activities of L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (LVGC) were studied with whole-cell patch clamp in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The results showed that farrerol significantly induced dose-dependent relaxation on aortic rings, while this vasorelaxation was not affected by NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester ester or endothelium denudation. In endothelium-denuded aortas, farrerol also reduced Ca2+-induced contraction on the basis of the stable contraction induced by KCl or phenylephrine (PE) in Ca2+-free solution. Moreover, after incubation with verapamil, farrerol can induce relaxation in endothelium-denuded aortas precontracted by PE, and this effect can be enhanced by ruthenium red, but not by heparin. With laser scanning confocal microscopy method, the farrerol-induced decline of [Ca2+]in in cultured VSMCs was observed. Furthermore, we found that farrerol could suppress Ca2+ influx via LVGC by patch clamp technology. These findings suggested that farrerol can regulate the vascular tension and could be developed as a practicable vasorelaxation drug.
Gelatin-Based Materials in Ocular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Rose James , Pacelli Settimio , Haj Alicia , Dua Harminder , Hopkinson Andrew , White Lisa , Rose Felicity
Published: April 2014

Gelatin has been used for many years in pharmaceutical formulation, cell culture and tissue engineering on account of its excellent biocompatibility, ease of processing and availability at low cost. Over the last decade gelatin has been extensively evaluated for numerous ocular applications serving as cell-sheet carriers, bio-adhesives and bio-artificial grafts. These different applications naturally have diverse physical, chemical and biological requirements and this has prompted research into the modification of gelatin and its derivatives. The crosslinking of gelatin alone or in combination with natural or synthetic biopolymers has produced a variety of scaffolds that could be suitable for ocular applications. This review focuses on methods to crosslink gelatin-based materials and how the resulting materials have been applied in ocular tissue engineering. Critical discussion of recent innovations in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will highlight future opportunities for gelatin-based materials in ophthalmology.
Phase Transitions in Mechanically Milled Mn-Al-C Permanent Magnets
Authors: Lucis Michael , Prost Timothy , Jiang Xiujuan , Wang Meiyu , Shield Jeffrey
Published: April 2014

Mn-Al powders were prepared by rapid solidification followed by high-energy mechanical milling. The rapid solidification resulted in single-phase ε. The milling was performed in both the ε phase and the τ phase, with the τ-phase formation accomplished through a heat treatment at 500 °C for 10 min. For the ε-milled samples, the conversion of the ε to the τ phase was accomplished after milling via the same heat treatment. Mechanical milling induced a significant increase in coercivity in both cases, reaching 4.5 kOe and 4.1 kOe, respectively, followed by a decrease upon further milling. The increase in coercivity was the result of grain refinement induced by the high-energy mechanical milling. Additionally, in both cases a loss in magnetization was observed. Milling in the ε phase showed a smaller decrease in the magnetization due to a higher content of the τ phase. The loss in magnetization was attributed to a stress-induced transition to the equilibrium phases, as no site disorder or oxidation was observed. Surfactant-assisted milling in oleic acid also improved coercivity, but in this case values reached >4 kOe and remained stable at least through 32 h of milling.
Kinetics of Glycoxidation of Bovine Serum Albumin by Methylglyoxal and Glyoxal and its Prevention by Various Compounds
Authors: Sadowska-Bartosz Izabela , Galiniak Sabina , Bartosz Grzegorz
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to compare several methods for measurement of bovine serum albumin (BSA) modification by glycoxidation with reactive dicarbonyl compounds (methylglyoxal ‒ MGO and glyoxal ‒ GO), for studies of the kinetics of this process and to compare the effects of 19 selected compounds on BSA glycation by the aldehydes. The results confirm the higher reactivity of MGO with respect to GO and point to the usefulness of AGE, dityrosine and N′-formylkynurenine fluorescence for monitoring glycation and evaluation of protection against glycation. Different extent of protection against glycation induced by MGO and GO was found for many compounds, probably reflecting effects on various stages of the glycation process. Polyphenols (genistein, naringin and ellagic acid) were found to protect against aldehyde-induced glycation; 1-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid was also an effective protector.
Three New Ring-A Modified Ursane Triterpenes from Davidia involucrata
Authors: Tan Qing-Wei , Ouyang Ming-An , Gao Bo
Published: April 2014

Three new ursane triterpenes, 3α,19α-dihydroxy-2-nor-urs-12-en-23,28-dioic acid-23-methyl ester (1), 19α,23-dihydroxy-3-oxo-2-nor-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), and 2,3-seco-3-methoxy-3,19α,23-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-2-al-28-oic acid (3), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the branch barks of Davidia involucrata, together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic analyses. The isolated triterpenes provide important evolutionary and chemotaxonomic knowledge about the monotypic genus Davidia. Five of the identified compounds showed moderate cytotoxicities against the cell proliferation of SGC-7901, MCF-7, and BEL-7404 with IC50 range from 7.26 to 47.41 μM.
Enantioselective Separation of Mirtazapine and Its Metabolites by Capillary Electrophoresis with Acetonitrile Field-Amplified Sample Stacking and Its Application
Authors: Wen Jun , Zhang Wen-Ting , Cao Wei-Qun , Li Ji , Gao Fang-Yuan , Yang Nan , Fan Guo-Rong
Published: April 2014

A simple, rapid and sensitive chiral capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with acetonitrile-field-amplified sample stacking method was developed that allows the simultaneous enantioselective separation of the mirtazapine, N-demethylmirtazapine, 8-hydroxymirtazapine and mirtazapine-N-oxide. The separation was achieved on an uncoated 40.2 cm × 75 μM fused silica capillary with an applied voltage of 16 kV. The electrophoretic analyses were carried out in 6.25 mM borate–25 mM phosphate solution at pH 2.8 containing 5.5 mg/mL carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin. The detection wavelength was 200 nm. Under these optimized conditions, satisfactory chiral separations of four pair enantiomers were achieved in less than 7 min in vitro. After one step clean-up liquid-liquid extraction using 96-well format, sample was introduced capillary zone electrophoresis with acetonitrile-field-amplified sample stacking to enhance the sensitivity of enantiomers. The method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery and stability. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL with linear response over the 0.5–50 ng/mL concentration range for each mirtazapine, N-demethylmirtazapine and 8-hydroxymirtazapine enantiomer. The developed and validated method has been successfully applied to the enantioselective pharmacokinetic studies in 12 healthy volunteers after oral administration of rac- mirtazapine.
Characterization of Natural Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonists from Cassia Seed and Rosemary
Authors: Amakura Yoshiaki , Yoshimura Morio , Takaoka Masashi , Toda Haruka , Tsutsumi Tomoaki , Matsuda Rieko , Teshima Reiko , Nakamura Masafumi , Handa Hiroshi , Yoshida Takashi
Published: April 2014

Many recent studies have suggested that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) reduces immune responses, thus suppressing allergies and autoimmune diseases. In our continuing study on natural AhR agonists in foods, we examined the influence of 37 health food materials on the AhR using a reporter gene assay, and found that aqueous ethanol extracts of cassia seed and rosemary had particularly high AhR activity. To characterize the AhR-activating substances in these samples, the chemical constituents of the respective extracts were identified. From an active ethyl acetate fraction of the cassia seed extract, eight aromatic compounds were isolated. Among these compounds, aurantio-obtusin, an anthraquinone, elicited marked AhR activation. Chromatographic separation of an active ethyl acetate fraction of the rosemary extract gave nine compounds. Among these compounds, cirsimaritin induced AhR activity at 10–102 μM, and nepitrin and homoplantagenin, which are flavone glucosides, showed marked AhR activation at 10–103 μM.
Associations between Infant Feeding Practice Prior to Six Months and Body Mass Index at Six Years of Age
Authors: Imai Cindy , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjorg , Thorisdottir Birna , Halldorsson Thorhallur , Thorsdottir Inga
Published: April 2014

Rapid growth during infancy is associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity and differences in weight gain are at least partly explained by means of infant feeding. The aim was to assess the associations between infant feeding practice in early infancy and body mass index (BMI) at 6 years of age. Icelandic infants (n = 154) were prospectively followed from birth to 12 months and again at age 6 years. Birth weight and length were gathered from maternity wards, and healthcare centers provided the measurements made during infancy up to 18 months of age. Information on breastfeeding practices was documented 0–12 months and a 24-h dietary record was collected at 5 months. Changes in infant weight gain were calculated from birth to 18 months. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between infant feeding practice at 5 months and body mass index (BMI) at 6 years. Infants who were formula-fed at 5 months of age grew faster, particularly between 2 and 6 months, compared to exclusively breastfed infants. At age 6 years, BMI was on average 1.1 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.2, 2.0) higher among infants who were formula fed and also receiving solid foods at 5 months of age compared to those exclusively breastfed. In a high-income country such as Iceland, early introduction of solid foods seems to further increase the risk of high childhood BMI among formula fed infants compared with exclusively breastfed infants, although further studies with greater power are needed.
Chitosan Membranes Exhibiting Shape Memory Capability by the Action of Controlled Hydration
Authors: Correia Cristina , Caridade Sofia , Mano João
Published: April 2014

Chitosan membranes can undergo a glass transition at room temperature triggered by hydration. The mechanical properties of the membranes were followed by a tension test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), with the sample in wet conditions after being immersed in varying compositions of water/ethanol mixtures. Results show that with the increasing of water content, the Young’s and storage modulus decrease systematically. For water contents of ca. 35 vol%, chitosan (CHT) exhibits a glass transition, showing an elastomeric plateau in the elastic modulus above this hydration level and the occurrence of a peak in the loss factor. Due to the semi-crystalline nature of CHT, membranes of this biomaterial present a shape memory capability induced by water uptake. By fixation of the permanent shape by further covalent cross-linking, the membranes can have different permanent shapes appropriate for different applications, including in the biomedical area.
Position Estimation of Small Robotic Fish Based on Camera Information and Gyro Sensors
Authors: Takada Yogo , Koyama Keisuke , Usami Takahiro
Published: April 2014

Robotic fish are ideal for surveying fish resources and performing underwater structural inspections. If a robot is sufficiently fishlike in appearance and does not use a screw propeller, real fish will not be easily surprised by it. However, it is comparatively difficult for such a robot to determine its own position in water. Radio signals, such as those used by GPS, cannot be easily received. Moreover, sound ranging is impractical because of the presence of rocks and waterweed in places where fish spend a lot of time. For practical applications such as photographing fish, a robotic fish needs to follow the target fish without losing awareness of its own position, in order to be able to swim autonomously. We have developed a robotic fish named FOCUS (FPGA Offline Control Underwater Searcher) which is equipped with two CMOS cameras and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit board for data processing. The forward-facing camera is used to track red objects, since this is the color of the fish of interest. In addition, using visual information obtained with the bottom-facing camera, the robot can estimate its present position. This is achieved by performing real-time digital image correlation using the FPGA. However, until now, the position estimation accuracy has been poor due to the influence of yaw and roll. In the present study, the position estimation method has been greatly improved by taking into account the yaw and roll values measured using gyro sensors.
Quantum Local Symmetry of the D-Dimensional Non-Linear Sigma Model: A Functional Approach
Authors: Quadri Andrea
Published: April 2014

We summarize recent progress on the symmetric subtraction of the Non-Linear Sigma Model in D dimensions, based on the validity of a certain Local Functional Equation (LFE) encoding the invariance of the SU(2) Haar measure under local left transformations. The deformation of the classical non-linearly realized symmetry at the quantum level is analyzed by cohomological tools. It is shown that all the divergences of the one-particle irreducible (1-PI) amplitudes (both on-shell and off-shell) can be classified according to the solutions of the LFE. Applications to the non-linearly realized Yang-Mills theory and to the electroweak theory, which is directly relevant to the model-independent analysis of LHC data, are briefly addressed.
Filoviruses in Bats: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Authors: Olival Kevin , Hayman David
Published: April 2014

Filoviruses, including Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, pose significant threats to public health and species conservation by causing hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with high mortality rates. Since the first outbreak in 1967, their origins, natural history, and ecology remained elusive until recent studies linked them through molecular, serological, and virological studies to bats. We review the ecology, epidemiology, and natural history of these systems, drawing on examples from other bat-borne zoonoses, and highlight key areas for future research. We compare and contrast results from ecological and virological studies of bats and filoviruses with those of other systems. We also highlight how advanced methods, such as more recent serological assays, can be interlinked with flexible statistical methods and experimental studies to inform the field studies necessary to understand filovirus persistence in wildlife populations and cross-species transmission leading to outbreaks. We highlight the need for a more unified, global surveillance strategy for filoviruses in wildlife, and advocate for more integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches to understand dynamics in bat populations to ultimately mitigate or prevent potentially devastating disease outbreaks.