bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explaining covariation between endo- and ecto-parasites in spreadwing damselflies (Zygoptera: Lestidae)
Authors: Morrill A. , Mlynarek J.J. , Forbes M.R.
Published: August 2013

Host individuals and populations are commonly infected by more than one type of parasite, yet studies examining parasite effects on host fitness often limit observations or experiments to only a single parasite taxon or to a narrow subset of potential parasite taxa. Addressing covariation between parasite taxa is important for determining the potential for misattributing effects caused by one parasite species to another parasite species, and also for testing more broadly whether host attributes relate to exposure or susceptibility to infection. In this study, parasitism by ectoparasitic water mites (Arrenuridae) and endoparasitic gregarines (Eugregarinidae) of two spreadwing damselfly species, Lestes disjunctus Selys, 1862 and Lestes forcipatus Rambur, 1842, was measured and analyzed for covariance. No significant correlations between the intensities of the two types of infecting parasites were found when both live and resisted mites were considered. However, significant negative correlations between live mites and gregarines were consistently found in L. forcipatus host samples, but never in L. disjunctus samples. These results show some species-specific patterns of covariation between mite and gregarine infections in damselflies. We propose potential underlying causes for this correlation related to parasite–host ecology and to changes in host behaviour resulting from water mite infection of L. forcipatus.
NUMERICAL STUDY OF COEXISTING ATTRACTORS FOR THE HÉNON MAP
Authors: GALIAS ZBIGNIEW , TUCKER WARWICK
Published: August 2013

The question of coexisting attractors for the Hénon map is studied numerically by performing an exhaustive search in the parameter space. As a result, several parameter values for which more than two attractors coexist are found. Using tools from interval analysis, we show rigorously that the attractors exist. In the case of periodic orbits, we verify that they are stable, and thus proper sinks. Regions of existence in parameter space of the found sinks are located using a continuation method; the basins of attraction are found numerically.
BIFURCATION INVESTIGATION AND STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR PEAK CURRENT MODE INPUT-SERIES OUTPUT-PARALLEL DC–DC CONVERTERS
Authors: ZHAO YIBO , FENG JIUCHAO , CHEN YANFENG
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates nonlinear bifurcation behaviors in the input-series output-parallel (ISOP) connected DC–DC converters under peak current control operating in continuous conduction mode. Circuit simulation demonstrates typical nonlinear phenomena occurring in the ISOP connected DC–DC converters. A precise discrete-time mapping model is presented to analyze the stability and bifurcation phenomena in the ISOP connected DC–DC converters. Interaction of the outside voltage loop and inner loop leads to coexisting slow-scale and fast-scale bifurcation which is investigated under two different values of the bandwidth.
DYNAMICS OF COUPLED DAHL TYPE AND NONSMOOTH SYSTEMS AT DIFFERENT SCALES OF TIME
Authors: TURE SAVADKOOHI A. , LAMARQUE C.-H.
Published: August 2013

Vibratory behavior of two coupled oscillators is studied. The main system — Dahl type — is coupled to a very light system with a nonsmooth potential that can be endowed for passively controlling the main system. Invariant manifold of the system at the fast time scale is revealed and the system behavior at slow time scale around the infinity of the fast time scale is detected. This can give us the chance to forecast all possible attractors of the system during energy exchange between the two oscillators.
SYMBOL-TO-SYMBOL CORRELATION FUNCTION AT THE FEIGENBAUM POINT OF THE LOGISTIC MAP
Authors: KARAMANOS K. , MISTAKIDIS I. S. , MISTAKIDIS S. I.
Published: August 2013

Recently, simple dynamical systems such as the 1-d maps on the interval, gained significant attention in the context of statistical physics and complex systems. The decay of correlations in these systems, can be characterized and measured by correlation functions. In the context of symbolic dynamics of the nonchaotic multifractal attractors (i.e. Feigenbaum attractors), one observable, the symbol-to-symbol correlation function, for the generating partition of the logistic map, is rigorously introduced and checked by numerical experiments. Thanks to the Metropolis–Stein–Stein (MSS) algorithm, this observable can be calculated analytically, giving predictions in absolute accordance with numerical computations. The deep, algorithmic structure of the observable is revealed clearly reflecting the complexity of the multifractal attractor.
BIFURCATION OF ONE-PARAMETER PERIODIC ORBITS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEMS
Authors: AN YULIAN , WANG CHIGUO
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we study two classes of three-dimensional differential systems. By using the Poincaré map and the averaging method, we give sufficient conditions for the existence of invariant surfaces consisting of periodic orbits for the systems. Illustrative examples are given for our main results.
TWO NOTES ABOUT THE ERGODICITY OF PARTIALLY HYPERBOLIC SYSTEMS
Authors: XU LAN , CHEN BEIMEI
Published: August 2013

In this paper, two notes about the ergodicity of partially hyperbolic systems are given. First one is the ergodicity for a C2 volume preserving partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism of a smooth compact Riemannian manifold which is essentially accessible and weak central exponentially bunched. Second one is that for a C2 partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism, if both forward and backward center bunched are a full probability set, then it is center bunched in the sense of [Burns & Wilkinson, 2010].
TOPOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY AND PREDICTABILITY IN THE DYNAMICS OF A TUMOR GROWTH MODEL WITH SHILNIKOV'S CHAOS
Authors: DUARTE JORGE , JANUÁRIO CRISTINA , RODRIGUES CARLA , SARDANYÉS JOSEP
Published: August 2013

Dynamical systems modeling tumor growth have been investigated to determine the dynamics between tumor and healthy cells. Recent theoretical investigations indicate that these interactions may lead to different dynamical outcomes, in particular to homoclinic chaos. In the present study, we analyze both topological and dynamical properties of a recently characterized chaotic attractor governing the dynamics of tumor cells interacting with healthy tissue cells and effector cells of the immune system. By using the theory of symbolic dynamics, we first characterize the topological entropy and the parameter space ordering of kneading sequences from one-dimensional iterated maps identified in the dynamics, focusing on the effects of inactivation interactions between both effector and tumor cells. The previous analyses are complemented with the computation of the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents, the fractal dimension and the predictability of the chaotic attractors. Our results show that the inactivation rate of effector cells by the tumor cells has an important effect on the dynamics of the system. The increase of effector cells inactivation involves an inverse Feigenbaum (i.e. period-halving bifurcation) scenario, which results in the stabilization of the dynamics and in an increase of dynamics predictability. Our analyses also reveal that, at low inactivation rates of effector cells, tumor cells undergo strong, chaotic fluctuations, with the dynamics being highly unpredictable. Our findings are discussed in the context of tumor cells potential viability.
EXISTENCE AND GLOBAL BIFURCATION OF PERIODIC SOLUTIONS TO A CLASS OF DIFFERENTIAL VARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES
Authors: LIU ZHENHAI , LOI NGUYEN VAN , OBUKHOVSKII VALERI
Published: August 2013

In this paper, by using the topological degree theory for multivalued maps and the method of guiding functions, the existence and global bifurcation for periodic solutions of a class of differential variational inequalities are studied.
STABILITY OF ORBITS VIA LYAPUNOV EXPONENTS IN AUTONOMOUS AND NONAUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Authors: BALIBREA FRANCISCO , CABALLERO M. VICTORIA
Published: August 2013

We construct examples proving that there exist C1-dynamical systems in [0, 1) having forward orbits unstable in the sense of Lyapunov with negative Lyapunov exponent and forward orbits stable in the same sense, but having positive Lyapunov exponents. Such examples complete some results from Demir and Koçak on one-dimensional systems and prove the appearance of Perron effects in such systems. Additionally we consider similar problems in two-dimensional dynamical systems and also in the setting of nonautonomous systems.
DYNAMICS OF THE SPREAD OF TUBERCULOSIS IN HETEROGENEOUS COMPLEX METAPOPULATIONS
Authors: BOWONG SAMUEL , TEWA JEAN JULES , KURTHS JURGEN
Published: August 2013

This paper analyzes the dynamics of the spread of tuberculosis (TB) on complex metapopulation, that is, networks of populations connected by migratory flows whose configurations are described in terms of connectivity distribution of nodes (patches) and the conditional probabilities of connections among classes of nodes sharing the same degree. The migration and transmission processes occur simultaneously. For uncorrelated networks, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the instability of the disease-free equilibrium. The existence of endemic equilibria is also discussed. Finally, the prevalence of the TB infection across the metapopulation as a function of the path connectivity is studied using numerical simulations.
A FUZZY MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS APPROACH FOR RETAIL LOCATION SELECTION
Authors: CAGRI TOLGA A. , TUYSUZ FATIH , KAHRAMAN CENGIZ
Published: August 2013

This paper proposes fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach integrated with fuzzy real option value theory. The applicability of the proposed method was shown on a real-world supermarket location selection problem. Based on the interviews with the experts, the evaluation criteria for retail location selection were identified. Then the network for fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) method was constructed. The fuzzy real option value for each alternative was calculated and used in the proposed approach as the representative of the financial dimension. Finally, the preference ranking of alternatives and the relative importance of the criteria were obtained. The significant contribution of the proposed approach is that it integrates the financial dimension (FROV) of the location problem methodologically with the multi-criteria characteristic (FANP) of the problem. Another importance of this study is the first usage of real options valuation in the area of location selection science.
FUZZY HIDDEN MARKOV CHAIN FOR WEB APPLICATIONS
Authors: SUJATHA R. , RAJALAXMI T. M. , PRABA B.
Published: August 2013

Hidden Markov model (HMM) has become increasingly popular in the last several years. Real-world problems such as prediction of web navigation are uncertain in nature; in this case, HMM is less appropriate i.e., we cannot assign certain probability values while in fuzzy set theory everything has elasticity. In addition to that, a theory of possibility on fuzzy sets has been developed to handle uncertainity. Thus, we propose a fuzzy hidden Markov chain (FHMC) on possibility space and solve three basic problems of classical HMM in our proposed model to overcome the ambiguous situation. Client's browsing behavior is an interesting aspect in web access. Analysis of this issue can be of great benefit in discovering user's behavior in this way we have applied our proposed model to our institution's website ( www.ssn.edu.in ) to identify how well a given model matches a given observation sequence, next to find the corresponding state sequence which is the best to explain the given observation sequence and then to attempt to optimize the model parameters so as to describe best how a given observation sequence comes about. The solution of these problems help us to know the authenticity of the website.
INFLUENCE, RELEVANCE AND DISCORDANCE OF CRITERIA IN AHP-GLOBAL BAYESIAN PRIORITIZATION
Authors: ALTUZARRA ALFREDO , GARGALLO PILAR , MORENO-JIMÉNEZ JOSÉ MARÍA , SALVADOR MANUEL
Published: August 2013

This work extends the AHP-Bayesian Prioritization procedure proposed by the authors for a local context (a single criterion) to a global context (a hierarchy) and presents a taxonomy of criteria that contribute to the ranking of the alternatives. In this global context, the paper defines and characterizes: (i) the influence of a criterion in the final prioritization of the alternatives by means of cross-validation techniques; (ii) its degree of discordance with the rest of the criteria of the hierarchy utilizing new discrepancy measures; (iii) its relevance in the final decision. Along with the taxonomy and its corresponding methodology, the paper introduces new decisional tools for the establishment of the classification and demonstrates their use from a cognitive perspective (knowledge extraction) whilst paying special attention to the resolution of the P.α and P.γ problems. The proposed methodology is illustrated by a case study on an e-participation process developed for the Zaragoza City Council (Spain) and implemented by the Zaragoza Multicriteria Decision Making Group.
AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILE DESIGN KNOWLEDGE EVALUATION BASED ON AHP
Authors: BIN WANG , JUNLONG TAO , HONGPAN WU , XINBO CHEN
Published: August 2013

With the wide applications of automobile intelligent design systems, knowledge base inevitably accumulates a large amount of obsolete, redundant information, which seriously affects the efficient reuse of design knowledge. In order to improve the accuracy of design knowledge evaluation, AHP (analytic hierarchy process) was introduced into the evaluation expert system of automobile intelligent design knowledge. The evaluation indicator system of this knowledge was established, and its analysis and evaluation process was studied. Through evaluating the design knowledge effectively, the optimization of an automobile intelligent design knowledge database could be made into reality, which would help improve the quality and efficiency of intelligent design.
SERVICEABILITY OF NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS AFTER EARTHQUAKES
Authors: CIMELLARO GIAN PAOLO , DE STEFANO ALESSANDRO , VILLA OMAR
Published: August 2013

The concept of disaster resilience has received considerable attention in recent years and it is increasingly used as an approach for understanding the dynamics of natural disaster systems. No models are available in literature to measure the performance of natural gas network, therefore, in this paper, a new performance index measuring functionality of gas distribution network have been proposed to evaluate the resilience index of the entire network. It can be used for any type of natural or manmade hazard which might lead to the disruption of the system. The gas distribution network of the municipalities of Introdacqua and Sulmona, two small towns in the center of Italy which were affected by 2009 earthquake have been used as case study. Together the pipeline network covers an area of 136 km2, with 3 M/R stations and 16 regulation groups. The software SynerGEE has been used to simulate different scenario events. The numerical results showed that, during emergency, to ensure an acceptable delivery service, it is crucial to guarantee the functionality of the medium pressure gas distribution network. Instead to improve resilience of the entire network the best retrofit strategy is to include emergency shutoff valves along the pipes.
AN EVALUATION METHOD FOR LARGE DRIFTING OBJECT-BRIDGE COLLISION DURING TSUNAMI
Authors: MAGOSHI KAZUYA , KANG LAN , GE HANBIN , NONAKA TETSUYA , HARADA TAKANORI , MURAKAMI KEISUKE
Published: August 2013

During the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake occurring at the North–East pacific region, serious secondary disasters caused by collision of drifting containers or ships occurred in various structures when tsunami came. Drifting objects including large ships and tankers come in and out of ports in Japan. Disaster deterioration caused by drifting objects during earthquake and tsunami has become another problem. In this study, it is assumed that a large drifting ship collides with a large-span bridge in the gulf line during a tsunami. To investigate the impact behavior of the bridge during collision, tsunami simulations and nonlinear dynamic finite element analyses of the whole bridge during collision are performed. Based on the collision force calculations, an approximate analytical method is proposed, and the maximum size of drifting object which can result in the collapse of the whole bridge structure is calculated using this method.
MicroRNA-29c in urinary exosome/microvesicle as a biomarker of renal fibrosis
Authors: Lv Lin-Li , Cao Yu-Han , Ni Hai-Feng , Xu Min , Liu Dan , Liu Hong , Chen Ping-Sheng , Liu Bi-Cheng
Published: August 2013

Micro (mi)RNAs are frequently dysregulated in the development of renal fibrosis. Exosomes are small membrane vesicles that could be isolated from urine secreted from all nephron segments. Here we sought to observe for the first time whether miRNA in urine exosome could serve as a potential biomarker of renal fibrosis. Urine samples were collected from 32 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who underwent kidney biopsy and 7 controls. Exosome was isolated and confirmed by immunogold staining of exosome marker. Members of miR-29, miR-200, and RNU6B as endogenous control were detected by RT quantitative PCR. Electronic microscopy verified a typical shape of exosome with average size of 65.1 nm and labeled it with anti-CD9 and anti-aquaporin 2 antibody. Members of miR-29 and miR-200 are readily measured with reduced levels compared with controls ( P < 0.05) and can robustly distinguish CKD from controls [area under the curve (AUC) varied from 0.902 to 1 by receiver operating characteristics analysis]. miR-29c correlated with both estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r = 0.362; P < 0.05) and degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis ( r = −0.359; P < 0.05) for CKD patients. Moreover, miRNA in exosome was decreased in mild fibrosis group compared with moderated to severe group. miR-29a and miR-29c could predict degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis with AUC of 0.883 and 0.738 ( P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing mild from moderate to severe fibrosis were 93.8 and 81.3% with the use of miR-29a and 68.8 and 81.3% for miR-29c. Overall, miR-29c in urinary exosome correlates with both renal function and degree of histological fibrosis, suggesting it as a novel, noninvasive marker for renal fibrosis.
Combined losartan and nitro-oleic acid remarkably improves diabetic nephropathy in mice
Authors: Liu Ying , Jia Zhanjun , Liu Shanshan , Downton Maicy , Liu Gang , Du Yaomin , Yang Tianxin
Published: August 2013

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The inhibitors of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) can alleviate some of the symptoms of DN but fail to stop the progression to ESRD. Our previous studies demonstrate renoprotective action of nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO2) in several rodent models of renal disease. Here we examined the therapeutic potential and the underlying mechanism of combination of losartan and OA-NO2 in db/db mice. OA-NO2 was infused at 5 mg·kg−1·day−1 via osmotic minipump, and losartan was incorporated into diet at 10 mg·kg−1·day−1, each administered alone or in combination for 2 wk. Diabetic db/db mice developed progressive albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis, accompanied by podocytes loss, increased indexes of renal fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatment of the diabetic mice with OA-NO2 or losartan alone moderately ameliorated kidney injury; however, the combined treatment remarkably reduced albuminuria, restored glomerular filtration barrier structure, and attenuated glomerulosclerosis, accompanied with significant suppression of renal oxidative stress and inflammation. These data demonstrate that combination of losartan and OA-NO2 effectively reverses renal injury in DN.
Supersensitive presynaptic dopamine D2 receptor inhibition of the striatopallidal projection in nigrostriatal dopamine-deficient mice
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Li , Yu Guoliang , Ding Shengyuan , Li Chengyao , Zhou Fu-Ming
Published: August 2013

The dopamine (DA) D2 receptor (D2R)-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) in the striatum project to and inhibit the GABAergic neurons in the globus pallidus (GP), forming an important link in the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia movement control circuit. These striatopallidal axon terminals express presynaptic D2Rs that inhibit GABA release and thus regulate basal ganglion function. Here we show that in transcription factor Pitx3 gene mutant mice with a severe DA loss in the dorsal striatum mimicking the DA denervation in Parkinson's disease (PD), the striatopallidal GABAergic synaptic transmission displayed a heightened sensitivity to presynaptic D2R-mediated inhibition with the dose-response curve shifted to the left, although the maximal inhibition was not changed. Functionally, low concentrations of DA were able to more efficaciously reduce the striatopallidal inhibition-induced pauses of GP neuron activity in DA-deficient Pitx3 mutant mice than in wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that presynaptic D2R inhibition of the striatopallidal synapse becomes supersensitized after DA loss. These supersensitive D2Rs may compensate for the lost DA in PD and also induce a strong disinhibition of GP neuron activity that may contribute to the motor-stimulating effects of dopaminergic treatments in PD.
Rat primary auditory cortex is tuned exclusively to the contralateral hemifield
Authors: Yao Justin D. , Bremen Peter , Middlebrooks John C.
Published: August 2013

The rat is a widely used species for study of the auditory system. Psychophysical results from rats have shown an inability to discriminate sound source locations within a lateral hemifield, despite showing fairly sharp near-midline acuity. We tested the hypothesis that those characteristics of the rat's sound localization psychophysics are evident in the characteristics of spatial sensitivity of its cortical neurons. In addition, we sought quantitative descriptions of in vivo spatial sensitivity of cortical neurons that would support development of an in vitro experimental model to study cortical mechanisms of spatial hearing. We assessed the spatial sensitivity of single- and multiple-neuron responses in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of urethane-anesthetized rats. Free-field noise bursts were varied throughout 360° of azimuth in the horizontal plane at sound levels from 10 to 40 dB above neural thresholds. All neurons encountered in A1 displayed contralateral-hemifield spatial tuning in that they responded strongly to contralateral sound source locations, their responses cut off sharply for locations near the frontal midline, and they showed weak or no responses to ipsilateral sources. Spatial tuning was quite stable across a 30-dB range of sound levels. Consistent with rat psychophysical results, a linear discriminator analysis of spike counts exhibited high spatial acuity for near-midline sounds and poor discrimination for off-midline locations. Hemifield spatial tuning is the most common pattern across all mammals tested previously. The homogeneous population of neurons in rat area A1 will make an excellent system for study of the mechanisms underlying that pattern.
First trial and StartReact effects induced by balance perturbations to upright stance
Authors: Campbell A. D. , Squair J. W. , Chua R. , Inglis J. T. , Carpenter M. G.
Published: August 2013

Postural responses (PR) to a balance perturbation differ between the first and subsequent perturbations. One explanation for this first trial effect is that perturbations act as startling stimuli that initiate a generalized startle response (GSR) as well as the PR. Startling stimuli, such as startling acoustic stimuli (SAS), are known to elicit GSRs, as well as a StartReact effect, in which prepared movements are initiated earlier by a startling stimulus. In this study, a StartReact effect paradigm was used to determine if balance perturbations can also act as startle stimuli. Subjects completed two blocks of simple reaction time trials involving wrist extension to a visual imperative stimulus (IS). Each block included 15 CONTROL trials that involved a warning cue and subsequent IS, followed by 10 repeated TEST trials, where either a SAS (TESTSAS) or a toes-up support-surface rotation (TESTPERT) was presented coincident with the IS. StartReact effects were observed during the first trial in both TESTSAS and TESTPERT conditions as evidenced by significantly earlier wrist movement and muscle onsets compared with CONTROL. Likewise, StartReact effects were observed in all repeated TESTSAS and TESTPERT trials. In contrast, GSRs in sternocleidomastoid and PRs were large in the first trial, but significantly attenuated over repeated presentation of the TESTPERT trials. Results suggest that balance perturbations can act as startling stimuli. Thus first trial effects are likely PRs which are superimposed with a GSR that is initially large, but habituates over time with repeated exposure to the startling influence of the balance perturbation.
Tactile information processing in primate hand somatosensory cortex (S1) during passive arm movement
Authors: Song Weiguo , Francis Joseph Thachil
Published: August 2013

Motor output mostly depends on sensory input, which also can be affected by action. To further our understanding of how tactile information is processed in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in dynamic environments, we recorded neural responses to tactile stimulation of the hand in three awake monkeys under arm/hand passive movement and rest. We found that neurons generally responded to tactile stimulation under both conditions and were modulated by movement: with a higher baseline firing rate, a suppressed peak rate, and a smaller dynamic range during passive movement than during rest, while the area under the response curve was stable across these two states. By using an information theory-based method, the mutual information between tactile stimulation and neural responses was quantified with rate and spatial coding models under the two conditions. The two potential encoding models showed different contributions depending on behavioral contexts. Tactile information encoded with rate coding from individual units was lower than spatial coding of unit pairs, especially during movement; however, spatial coding had redundant information between unit pairs. Passive movement regulated the mutual information, and such regulation might play different roles depending on the encoding strategies used. The underlying mechanisms of our observation most likely come from a bottom-up strategy, where neurons in S1 were regulated through the activation of the peripheral tactile/proprioceptive receptors and the interactions between these different types of information.
NovelGUCA1AMutations Suggesting Possible Mechanisms of Pathogenesis in Cone, Cone-Rod, and Macular Dystrophy Patients
Authors: Kamenarova Kunka , Corton Marta , García-Sandoval Blanca , Fernández-San Jose Patricia , Panchev Valentin , Ávila-Fernández Almudena , López-Molina Maria Isabel , Chakarova Christina , Ayuso Carmen , Bhattacharya Shomi S.
Published: August 2013

Here, we report two novelGUCA1A(the gene for guanylate cyclase activating protein 1) mutations identified in unrelated Spanish families affected by autosomal dominant retinal degeneration (adRD) with cone and rod involvement. All patients from a three-generation adRD pedigree underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation. Total genome scan using single-nucleotide polymorphisms and then the linkage analysis were undertaken on the pedigree. Haplotype analysis revealed a 55.37 Mb genomic interval cosegregating with the disease phenotype on chromosome 6p21.31-q15. Mutation screening of positional candidate genes found a heterozygous transition c.250C>T in exon 4 ofGUCA1A, corresponding to a novel mutation p.L84F. A second missense mutation, c.320T>C (p.I107T), was detected by screening of the gene in a Spanish patients cohort. Using bioinformatics approach, we predicted that either haploinsufficiency or dominant-negative effect accompanied by creation of a novel function for the mutant protein is a possible mechanism of the disease due to c.250C>T and c.320T>C. Although additional functional studies are required, our data in relation to the c.250C>T mutation open the possibility thattransacting factors binding to de novo created recognition site resulting in formation of aberrant splicing variant is a disease model which may be more widespread than previously recognized as a mechanism causing inherited RD.
A Compact RFID Reader Antenna for UHF Near-Field and Far-Field Operations
Authors: Xiao zheng Lai , Zeming Xie , Xuanliang Cen
Published: August 2013

A compact loop antenna is presented for mobile ultrahigh frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) application. This antenna, printed on a 0.8 mm thick FR4 substrate with a small size of 31 mm × 31 mm, achieves good impedance bandwidth from 897 to 928 MHz, which covers USA RFID Band (902–928 MHz). The proposed loop configuration, with a split-ring resonator (SRR) coupled inside it, demonstrates strong and uniform magnetic field distribution in the near-field antenna region. Its linearly polarized radiation pattern provides available far-field gain. Finally, the reading capabilities of antenna are up to 56 mm for near-field and 1.05 m for far-field UHF RFID operations, respectively.
The Lifetime Extension of Wireless Sensor Networks Using Adaptive Energy Allocation by Distance
Authors: Liaw Jiun-Jian , Chou Cheng-Wei , Dai Chen-Yi
Published: August 2013

One of the most important applications of the wireless sensor networks is the widely applied smart environment. To prolong the network lifetime, it is important to develop the protocols for reducing energy consumption because the sensor nodes are constrained by limited energy. In the cluster based on energy-efficient method, the fixed cluster head number, the energy of the node, and the transmission distance are the keys to extending the network lifetime. In this paper, we propose an improved grouping protocol, which considers the distance between the sensor node and the sink node in order to allocate total energy of a group. The proposed method is compared with previous works of simulations to show the advantages of extending the network lifetime.
Indirubin Derivative 6BIO Suppresses Metastasis
Authors: Braig Simone , Kressirer Christine A. , Liebl Johanna , Bischoff Fabian , Zahler Stefan , Meijer Laurent , Vollmar Angelika M.
Published: August 2013

While metastasis is the chief cause of cancer mortality, there nonetheless remains a lack of antimetastatic therapies that are clinically available. In this study, we present the indirubin derivative 6-bromo-indirubin-3′-oxime (6BIO) as a promising antimetastatic agent. 6BIO strongly reduced formation of lung metastasis in the well-established 4T1 mouse model of aggressive breast cancer. Several major hallmarks of the metastatic process were affected by subtoxic concentrations of 6BIO, which inhibited adhesion, migration, and invasion of a variety of metastatic cell types in vitro. Mechanistic analyses focused on known targets of 6BIO, which were silenced by this compound. Unexpectedly, RNAi-mediated silencing of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), both modulators of cellular metastasis targeted by 6BIO, were not found to affect invasive migration in this study. Instead, the Jak/STAT3 signaling pathway appeared to play a major role through modulation of its downstream migration regulators C-terminal tensin-like protein and matrix metalloproteinase 2. However, PDK1 and GSK3β contributed to the overall response to 6BIO, as silencing of all three pathways resulted in almost complete inhibition of migration, phenocopying the 6BIO response. Taken together, our findings illustrate the antimetastatic activity of 6BIO on the basis of its ability to simultaneously inhibit several kinase cascades involved in metastasis of cancer cells, supporting the concept of “polypharmacology” in developing drugs to attack metastasis, the most deadly aspect of cancer. Cancer Res; 73(19); 6004–12. ©2013 AACR.
Receptor-Directed Chimeric Toxins Created by Sortase-Mediated Protein Fusion
Authors: McCluskey Andrew J. , Collier R. John
Published: August 2013

Chimeric protein toxins that act selectively on cells expressing a designated receptor may serve as investigational probes and/or antitumor agents. Here, we report use of the enzyme sortase A (SrtA) to create four chimeric toxins designed to selectively kill cells bearing the tumor marker HER2. We first expressed and purified: (i) a receptor recognition-deficient form of diphtheria toxin that lacks its receptor-binding domain and (ii) a mutated, receptor-binding–deficient form of anthrax-protective antigen. Both proteins carried at the C terminus the sortase recognition sequence LPETGG and a H6 affinity tag. Each toxin protein was mixed with SrtA plus either of two HER2-recognition proteins—a single-chain antibody fragment or an Affibody—both carrying an N-terminal G5 tag. With wild-type SrtA, the fusion reaction between the toxin and receptor-recognition proteins approached completion only after several hours, whereas with an evolved form of the enzyme, SrtA*, the reaction was virtually complete within 5 minutes. The four fusion toxins were purified and shown to kill HER2-positive cells in culture with high specificity. Sortase-mediated ligation of binary combinations of diverse natively folded proteins offers a facile way to produce large sets of chimeric proteins for research and medicine. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(10); 2273–81. ©2013 AACR.
Resistin-Like Molecule alpha Enhances the Proliferation and Migration of Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Zhang Hong-ming , Li Xiao-yan , He Zuo-yun , Xu Li-zheng , Jin Qun , Tan Hong
Published: August 2013

Objective: The mitogenic and chemotactic effects of resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα) are thought to contribute to vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here we evaluate the expression of RELMα in atherosclerotic plaque and investigate its effects on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods: An atherosclerotic model was established by feeding 4-week-old C57BL/6J ApoE-/- mice (n = 9) with a high-fat diet. Wild-type 4-week-old C57BL/6J (n = 9) were fed the same diet and were used as controls. RELMα expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantified using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). A 3H-thymidine incorporation assay and the Boyden chamber assay, respectively, were used to explore the effects of different concentrations of RELMα on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Results: Immunohistochemistry identified positively stained granules in atherosclerotic plaques. These results were confirmed by detection of RELMα mRNA using RT-PCR. We also demonstrated that in vitro exposure to RELMα significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of VSMCs in a dose-related manner (p < 0.01). Conclusions: RELMα expressed in atherosclerotic plaque of ApoE-/- mice appears to enhance the proliferation and migration of aortic VSMCs in a dose-related manner.
Light-Evoked Currents in Retinal Ganglion Cells from Dystrophic RCS Rats
Authors: Liu Kang , Wang Yi , Yin Zhengqin , Weng Chuanhuang
Published: August 2013

Purpose: To study the electrophysiological properties of the light-evoked currents in ganglion cells in situations of retinal degeneration. Methods: We investigated light-evoked currents in ganglion cells by performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from ganglion cells using a retina-stretched preparation from Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, a model of retinal degeneration and congenic controls at different ages. Pharmacological inhibitors of the AMPA receptor (NBQX), GABA receptor (BMI), and sodium channels (TTX) were used to identify the components of the light-evoked currents in ON, OFF and ON-OFF retinal ganglion cells. Results: We found that the light-evoked currents in ganglion cells from control rats were inhibited by NBQX, BMI and TTX, suggesting that AMPA receptors, GABA receptors and sodium channels contribute to these currents in ganglion cells. However, only AMPA receptor-mediated currents were recorded in RCS rats. Light-evoked inward currents were absent in the majority of ganglion cells from RCS rats, particularly at the later stages of retinal degeneration. At earlier stages of retinal degeneration, we found that both the timing and amplitude of light-evoked currents are significantly different in ganglion cells from RCS and control rats. Conclusions: Our study furthers the understanding of the electrophysiological characteristics of retinal ganglion cells during retinal degeneration, and provides insight into the optimal timing for the treatment of retinal degeneration.
Relationship between the Preferred Chewing Side and the Angulation of Anterior Tooth Guidance
Authors: Lamontagne Pierre , Al-Tarakemah Yacoub , Honkala Eino
Published: August 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between preferred chewing side (PCS) and the anterior guidance angle. Subjects and Methods: Forty dental nurses and technicians, aged 24-46 years, were each given a piece of chewing gum, which they chewed for about 3 min. At 7 regular intervals (every 15 s), they were interrupted by the principal investigator (P.L.) in order to observe on which side of their mouths they had the bolus of chewing gum. Moulds of their jaws were made and the position of the maxillary arch relative to temporomandibular joints was recorded with a facebow and transferred to a semi-adjustable articulator. After mounting the stone casts of each subject, a measure of the anterior guidance angle was taken with an adjustable incisal table. Results: Of the 40 subjects, 14 (35%) presented a PCS. Among the 14 subjects who preferred a chewing side, there was a correlation between the PCS and a low angulation of teeth constituting the anterior guidance on that side, but this correlation was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: In this study, we found that unilateral chewing creates uneven wear on the anterior teeth and changed the anterior guidance angulation.
Solexa Sequencing of MicroRNAs on Chromium Metabolism in Broiler Chicks
Authors: Pan Y.Z. , Wu S.G. , Dai H.C. , Zhang H.J. , Yue H.Y. , Qi G.H.
Published: August 2013

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chromium picolinate (CrPic) on the differential expression of the known microRNAs (miRNAs) in broiler skeletal muscle. Methods and Results: A total of 288 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 0.4, 2.0, or 10.0 mg·kg-1 CrPic, respectively. Dietary CrPic supplementation at 10.0 mg·kg-1 increased the average daily feed intake in broilers (p < 0.05). On day 42, the serum total protein level was highest in animals treated with 2.0 mg·kg-1 (p < 0.05) and 10.0 mg·kg-1 CrPic (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 10.0 mg·kg-1 CrPic decreased the levels of serum glucose (p < 0.05) on day 42 and of serum triglyceride (p < 0.05) on days 21 and 42. To further identify miRNAs from broiler skeletal muscles, we sequenced two small RNA libraries using the Solexa sequencing approach, and 57 miRNAs were found to be significantly differentially expressed (p < 0.05). Among them, 6 upregulated and 2 downregulated miRNAs were validated by real-time qPCR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study provide a valuable clue regarding the role of miRNA target genes in the mechanism of the dietary CrPic effect on protein synthesis in skeletal muscles of broilers.
Retinal Arterial Occlusive Diseasein a Young Patient with Cat Scratch Disease
Authors: Batsos Georgios , Kabanarou Stamatina A. , Fotiou Pantelis , Rouvas Alexandros , Xirou Tina
Published: August 2013

Purpose: To report an unusual case of a branch retinal arterial occlusion and bilateral multifocal retinitis in a young woman with cat scratch disease. Methods: A 23-year-old woman was referred to our clinic complaining of a sudden scotoma in the upper part of the visual field of her left eye. Fundoscopy revealed occlusion of an inferior temporal branch of the retinal artery in the left eye and bilateral multifocal retinitis, which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. Subsequent indocyanine angiography did not reveal choroidal involvement. Laboratory analysis showed rising IgG titers for Bartonellahenselae. Results: Cat scratch disease was diagnosed, and a 4-week course of doxycycline was initiated. The patient responded well to the antibiotics. Both retinitis and arterial occlusion were resolved, the visual field was regained and the patient reported elimination of her symptoms. Conclusions: Cat scratch disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young patients with retinal occlusive disease.
Cost-Effectiveness of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Abnormal Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Fearon William F. , Shilane David , Pijls Nico H.J. , Boothroyd Derek B. , Tonino Pim A.L. , Barbato Emanuele , Jüni Peter , De Bruyne Bernard , Hlatky Mark A.
Published: August 2013

Background—

The Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation (FAME) 2 trial demonstrated a significant reduction in subsequent coronary revascularization among patients with stable angina and at least 1 coronary lesion with a fractional flow reserve ≤0.80 who were randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with best medical therapy. The economic and quality-of-life implications of PCI in the setting of an abnormal fractional flow reserve are unknown.

Methods and Results—

We calculated the cost of the index hospitalization based on initial resource use and follow-up costs based on Medicare reimbursements. We assessed patient utility using the EQ-5D health survey with US weights at baseline and 1 month and projected quality-adjusted life-years assuming a linear decline over 3 years in the 1-month utility improvements. We calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio based on cumulative costs over 12 months. Initial costs were significantly higher for PCI in the setting of an abnormal fractional flow reserve than with medical therapy ($9927 versus $3900,
P
<0.001), but the $6027 difference narrowed over 1-year follow-up to $2883 (
P
<0.001), mostly because of the cost of subsequent revascularization procedures. Patient utility was improved more at 1 month with PCI than with medical therapy (0.054 versus 0.001 units,
P
<0.001). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of PCI was $36 000 per quality-adjusted life-year, which was robust in bootstrap replications and in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions—

PCI of coronary lesions with reduced fractional flow reserve improves outcomes and appears economically attractive compared with best medical therapy among patients with stable angina.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01132495.
Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Patients With Transvenous Pacemaker or Defibrillator and Echocardiographically Detected Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: DeSimone Christopher V. , Friedman Paul A. , Noheria Amit , Patel Nikhil A. , DeSimone Daniel C. , Bdeir Sami , Aakre Christopher A. , Vaidya Vaibhav R. , Slusser Joshua P. , Hodge David O. , Ackerman Michael J. , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Asirvatham Samuel J.
Published: August 2013

Background—

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) may permit arterial embolization of thrombi that accumulate on the leads of cardiac implantable electronic devices in the right-sided cardiac chambers. We sought to determine whether a PFO increases the risk of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with endocardial leads.

Methods and Results—

We retrospectively evaluated all patients who had endocardial leads implanted between January 1, 2000, and October 25, 2010, at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Echocardiography was used to establish definite PFO and non-PFO cohorts. The primary end point of stroke/TIA consistent with a cardioembolic etiology and the secondary end point of mortality during postimplantation follow-up were compared in PFO versus non-PFO patients with the use of Cox proportional hazards models. We analyzed 6075 patients (364 with PFO) followed for a mean 4.7±3.1 years. The primary end point of stroke/TIA was met in 30/364 (8.2%) PFO versus 117/5711 (2.0%) non-PFO patients (hazard ratio, 3.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.33–5.25;
P
<0.0001). The association of PFO with stroke/TIA remained significant after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, history of stroke/TIA, atrial fibrillation, and baseline aspirin/warfarin use (hazard ratio, 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.19–4.96;
P
<0.0001). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between PFO and non-PFO patients (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–1.07;
P
=0.25).

Conclusions—

In patients with endocardial leads, the presence of a PFO on routine echocardiography is associated with a substantially increased risk of embolic stroke/TIA. This finding suggests a role of screening for PFOs in patients who require cardiac implantable electronic devices; if a PFO is detected, PFO closure, anticoagulation, or nonvascular lead placement may be considered.
Association of Early Physician Follow-Up and 30-Day Readmission After Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Among Older Patients
Authors: Hess Connie N. , Shah Bimal R. , Peng S. Andrew , Thomas Laine , Roe Matthew T. , Peterson Eric D.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Hospital readmission rates within 30 days after acute myocardial infarction are a national performance metric. Previous data suggest that early physician follow-up after heart failure hospitalizations can reduce readmissions; whether these results can be extended to acute myocardial infarction is unclear.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) Registry linked with Medicare claims from 2003 to 2006 for 25 872 non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients ≥65 years of age discharged home from 228 hospitals with >25 patients and full revascularization capabilities. After adjusting for patient, treatment, and hospital characteristics, we examined the relationship between hospital-level physician follow-up within 7 days of discharge and 30-day all-cause readmission using logistic regression. The median hospital-level percentage of patients receiving early physician follow-up was 23.3% (interquartile range, 17.1%–29.1%). Among 24 165 patients with Medicare fee-for-service eligibility 30 days after discharge, 18.5% of patients were readmitted within 30 days of index hospitalization. Unadjusted and adjusted rates of 30-day readmission did not differ among quartiles of hospital-level early physician follow-up. Similarly, each 5% increase in hospital early follow-up was associated with an insignificant change in risk for readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.97–1.02;
P
=0.60). Sensitivity analyses extended these null findings to 30-day cardiovascular readmissions, high-risk subgroups, and early cardiology follow-up.

Conclusions—

Although rates of early physician follow-up after acute myocardial infarction varied among US hospitals, hospitals with higher early follow-up rates did not have lower 30-day readmission rates. Targeting strategies other than early physician follow-up may be necessary to reduce readmissions in this population.