bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenology and vegetation change measurements from true colour digital photography in high Arctic tundra
Authors: Beamish Alison L. , Nijland Wiebe , Edwards Marc , Coops Nicholas C. , Henry Greg H.R.
Published: May 2016

Manual collection of accurate phenology data is time-consuming and expensive. In this study, we investigate whether repeat colour digital photography can be used (1) to identify phenological patterns, (2) to identify differences in vegetation due to experimental warming and site moisture conditions, and (3) as a proxy for biomass. Pixel values (RGB) were extracted from images taken of permanent plots in long-term warming experiments in three tundra communities at a high Arctic site during one growing season. The Greenness Excess Index (GEI) was calculated from image data at the plot scale (1 × 1 m) as well as for two species, Dryas integrifolia and Salix arctica. GEI values were then compared to corresponding field-based phenology observations. GEI and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from a paired set of true colour and infrared images were compared with biomass data. The GEI values followed seasonal phenology at the plot and species scale and correlated well with standardized observations. GEI correlated well with biomass and was able to detect quantitative differences between warmed and control plots and the differences between communities due to site-specific moisture conditions. We conclude that true colour images can be used effectively to monitor phenology and biomass in high Arctic tundra. The simplicity and affordability of the photographic method represents an opportunity to expand observations in tundra ecosystems.
Impact of microbial activity on soil properties
Authors: Dashko Regina , Shidlovskaya Anna
Published: May 2016

There are microorganisms in soils and their activity can have a positive or negative impact on soil properties and groundwater. The positive effect of microorganisms includes the self-purification and self-regulation of contaminated groundwater and soil. The negative effect on soil is the change in grain-size composition; the weakening of engineering properties of soils; and the development processes, such as biogas generation, microbial quick-sand formation, and soil liquefaction. This paper addresses the negative effects of microbial activity on soil. Research on the impact of microbial activity in an underground space has been motivated by observations associated with underground infrastructure, such as subway tunnels, utilities tunnels, deep mines including those with tailings, and infrastructure with shallow and deep foundations. An overview of microorganisms in soil and an analysis of microbial activity in soils under the influence of natural and human-made factors are presented. Field and laboratory experiments show the significant impact of microbial activity on the engineering properties and consistency of the soil. Due to the complexity of the process, a study of microbial activity in the soil profile requires an integration of microbiology, biochemistry, engineering geology, and geotechnical engineering knowledge and experience.
Simple naked-eye colorimetric chemosensors based on Schiff-base for selective sensing of cyanide and fluoride ions
Authors: Mohammadi Asadollah , Jabbari Jeyran
Published: May 2016

The present work describes the design and synthesis of simple colorimetric chemosensors based on Schiff-base for highly selective sensing of cyanide and fluoride ions. The chemosensor S2, containing an electron withdrawing group (EWG), displayed selective sensing properties for both cyanide and fluoride ions. The interaction of S2 with F– and CN– ions provides remarkable colorimetric responses from yellow to purple, enabling naked-eye sensing without any spectroscopic instrumentation. The mechanism of anion binding with chemosensor S2 showed one-to-one stoichiometry by Job’s plot. The mechanism of interaction between the S2 and CN– ions has been confirmed by the 1H NMR titration experiments. Furthermore, the detection limits of chemosensor S2 towards F– and CN– ions were found to be 3.7 and 1.2 μmol/L, respectively.
Review of biological processes in oil sands: a feasible solution for tailings water treatment
Authors: Pramanik Sudipta
Published: May 2016

The bitumen extraction process from Athabasca oil sands ore produces large quantities of toxic processed water as tailings. The oil industry has reduced the demand for fresh water in the extraction process by recycling this tailings water. Continual recycling increases the toxicity of tailings water many times over, and poses a serious threat to surface and groundwater quality. For a sustainable expansion of Canada’s oil sands industry, it is essential to develop a technically practicable and economically feasible tailings water treatment technology. A review was carried out to describe the integral role of biological processes in oil sands history for identifying a successor tailings water treatment technology. This study proposes the application of an entrapped cells system as a feasible solution for tailings water treatment. Bio-augmentation followed by entrapment of the microbial community indigenous to tailings ponds can be a promising tailings water treatment technology.
Genetic diversity among populations of Antarctic springtails (Collembola) within the Mackay Glacier ecotone
Authors: Beet Clare R. , Hogg Ian D. , Collins Gemma E. , Cowan Don A. , Wall Diana H. , Adams Byron J.
Published: May 2016

Climate changes are likely to have major influences on the distribution and abundance of Antarctic terrestrial biota. To assess arthropod distribution and diversity within the Ross Sea region, we examined mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequences for three currently recognized species of springtail (Collembola) collected from sites in the vicinity, and to the north of, the Mackay Glacier (77°S). This area acts as a transition between two biogeographic regions (northern and southern Victoria Land). We found populations of highly divergent individuals (5%–11.3% intraspecific sequence divergence) for each of the three putative springtail species, suggesting the possibility of cryptic diversity. Based on molecular clock estimates, these divergent lineages are likely to have been isolated for 3–5 million years. It was during this time that the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) was likely to have completely collapsed, potentially facilitating springtail dispersal via rafting on running waters and open seaways. The reformation of the WAIS would have isolated newly established populations, with subsequent dispersal restricted by glaciers and ice-covered areas. Given the currently limited distributions for these genetically divergent populations, any future changes in species’ distributions can be easily tracked through the DNA barcoding of springtails from within the Mackay Glacier ecotone.
Past Present
Authors: Gurevich Yuri
Published: May 2016

In 2014, the Development in Language Theory conference took place in the city of Yekaterinburg, in the Ural mountains of Russia. I used to live there. In Soviet times, there were no international conferences in the city. The whole region of the Urals was closed to foreigners. As I walked the streets of Yekaterinburg, I thought of my friends there and of Faulkner's lines “The past is never dead. It isn't even past.”
Semisimple Synchronizing Automata and the Wedderburn-Artin Theory
Authors: Almeida Jorge , Rodaro Emanuele
Published: May 2016

We present a ring theoretic approach to Černý's conjecture via the Wedderburn-Artin theory. We first introduce the radical ideal of a synchronizing automaton, and then the natural notion of semisimple synchronizing automata. This is a rather broad class since it contains simple synchronizing automata like those in Černý's series. Semisimplicity gives also the advantage of “factorizing” the problem of finding a synchronizing word into the sub-problems of finding “short” words that are zeros into the projection of the simple components in the Wedderburn-Artin decomposition. In the general case this last problem is related to the search of radical words of length at most [Formula: see text] where n is the number of states of the automaton. We show that the solution of this “Radical Conjecture” would give an upper bound [Formula: see text] for the shortest reset word in a strongly connected synchronizing automaton. Finally, we use this approach to prove the Radical Conjecture in some particular cases and Černý's conjecture for the class of strongly semisimple synchronizing automata. These are automata whose sets of synchronizing words are cyclic ideals, or equivalently, ideal regular languages that are closed under taking roots.
Minimal and Hyper-Minimal Biautomata
Authors: Holzer Markus , Jakobi Sebastian
Published: May 2016

We compare deterministic finite automata (DFAs) and biautomata under the following two aspects: structural similarities between minimal and hyper-minimal automata, and computational complexity of the minimization and hyper-minimization problem. Concerning classical minimality, the known results such as isomorphism between minimal DFAs, and NL-completeness of the DFA minimization problem carry over to the biautomaton case. But surprisingly this is not the case for hyper-minimization: the similarity between almost-equivalent hyper-minimal biautomata is not as strong as it is between almost-equivalent hyper-minimal DFAs. Moreover, while hyper-minimization is NL-complete for DFAs, we prove that this problem turns out to be computationally intractable, i.e., NP-complete, for biautomata.
Scope-Bounded Pushdown Languages
Authors: Torre Salvatore La , Napoli Margherita , Parlato Gennaro
Published: May 2016

We study the formal language theory of multistack pushdown automata (MPA) restricted to computations where a symbol can be popped from a stack S only if it was pushed within a bounded number of contexts of S (scoped MPA). We show that scoped MPA are indeed a robust model of computation, by focusing on the corresponding theory of visibly MPA (MVPA). We prove the equivalence of the deterministic and nondeterministic versions and show that scope-bounded computations of an n-stack MVPA can be simulated, rearranging the input word, by using only one stack. These results have some interesting consequences, such as, the closure under complement, the decidability of universality, inclusion and equality, and the effective semilinearity of the Parikh image (Parikh's theorem). As a further contribution, we give a logical characterization and compare the expressiveness of the scope-bounded restriction with other MVPA classes from the literature. To the best of our knowledge, scoped MVPA languages form the largest class of formal languages accepted by MPA that enjoys all the above nice properties.
A comparison of numerical methods for non-Newtonian fluid flows in a sudden expansion
Authors: Ilio G.Di , Chiappini D. , Bella G.
Published: May 2016

A numerical study on incompressible laminar flow in symmetric channel with sudden expansion is conducted. In this work, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids are considered, where non-Newtonian fluids are described by the power-law model. Three different computational methods are employed, namely a semi-implicit Chorin projection method (SICPM), an explicit algorithm based on fourth-order Runge–Kutta method (ERKM) and a Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The aim of the work is to investigate on the capabilities of the LBM for the solution of complex flows through the comparison with traditional computational methods. In the range of Reynolds number investigated, excellent agreement with the literature results is found. In particular, the LBM is found to be accurate in the prediction of the fluid flow behavior for the problem under consideration.
The space–time torsion in the context of the exact Foldy–Wouthuysen transformation for a Dirac fermion
Authors: Gonçalves Bruno , Ribeiro Baltazar J. , Pereira Dante D. , Dias Mário M.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we focus our attention in the inconsistency that appears when the semi-exact Foldy–Wouthuysen transformation for the Dirac field interacting with space–time torsion field is performed. In order to solve this problem, we present a new involution operator that makes possible to perform the exact transformation when torsion field is present. Such operator has a structure, well known in the literature, composed of the product of an operator that acts in the matrices space and another one that acts in the function space. We also present the bound state of this theory and discuss the possible experimental analysis.
Viscous Chaplygin gas models as spherical top-hat collapsing fluids
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Iqbal Ayesha
Published: May 2016

We study the spherical top-hat collapse in Einstein gravity and loop quantum cosmology (LQC) by taking the nonlinear evolution of viscous modified variable Chaplygin gas (CG) and viscous generalized cosmic chaplygin gas (GCCG). We calculate the equation of state (EoS) parameter, square speed of sound, perturbed (EoS) parameter, perturbed square speed of sound, density contrast and divergence of peculiar velocity in perturbed region and discussed their behavior. It is observed that both CG models support the spherical collapse (SC) in Einstein as well as LQC because density contrast remains positive in both cases and the perturbed EoS parameter remains positive at the present epoch as well as near future. It is remarked here that these parameters provide consistent results for both CG models in both gravities.
Cosmological wormholes
Authors: Kirillov A. A. , Savelova E. P.
Published: May 2016

We describe in details the procedure how the Lobachevsky space can be factorized to a space of the constant negative curvature filled with a gas of wormholes. We show that such wormholes have throat sections in the form of tori and are traversable and stable in the cosmological context. The relation of such wormholes to the dark matter phenomenon is briefly described. We also discuss the possibility of the existence of analogous factorizations for all types of homogeneous spaces.
Explaining Diversification in Exports Across Higher Manufacturing Content — What is the Role of Commodities?
Authors: Rieländer Jan , Traoré Bakary
Published: May 2016

This paper adds new empirical evidence to the recent literature about the ways countries develop strong productive capacities by analyzing the patterns of export diversification across different levels of manufacturing content. In addition to the measures commonly used to study diversification, such as the number of active export lines and measures of “discoveries in exports”, we propose two new filters based on the concept of revealed comparative advantage (RCA). We use trade data at the 4-digit level for 176 countries from 1992 until 2011, and we classify all the products into three manufacturing categories (unprocessed, semi processed and finished goods). Data confirms that growing countries continue to add new commodities to their exports basket until they reach around US$ 25,000 of GDP per capita. More interestingly, we found that for many countries expanding the spectrum of commodities exported with comparative advantage (RCA) actually contribute to boosting new productive capacities in manufacturing sectors. This finding is robust to different econometric models and different country groups.
Fixed Exchange Rate Regimes, Real Undervaluation, and Economic Growth
Authors: Mao Rui , Yao Yang
Published: May 2016

Using data on sectoral value added and purchasing power parity converter, we are able to estimate the home country’s industrial-service (quasi-) relative-relative total factor productivity (TFP) against the United States. Applying those estimates, our econometric exercises provide robust results showing that the fixed exchange rate regime (FERR) dampens the Balassa–Samuelson effect, and the real undervaluation thus created promotes growth. We also explore the channels of undervaluation to promote growth. Lastly, we compare industrial countries and developing countries and find that the FERR has more significant effects in developing countries than in industrial countries.
Intellectual Property: How Much Room is Left for Industrial Policy?
Authors: Correa Carlos M.
Published: May 2016

The early industrialization process in developed countries took place under flexible frameworks of intellectual property (IP) protection. Those countries, however, proposed and obtained in trade negotiations the adoption of an international IP regime that expanded and strengthened such protection. While the role of this regime, especially patents, in promoting innovation is controversial, it may effectively limit the ability of developing countries to implement industrial policies. These countries can preserve some room to implement such policies by using certain flexibilities, such as applying rigorous standards of patentability and granting compulsory licenses to broaden the space for local production.
Fatigue crack propagation in heterogeneous materials under remote cyclic loading
Authors: Wei Rongbing , Wu Renbing , Zhou Kun
Published: May 2016

A fatigue model for the analysis of crack propagation in heterogeneous materials is developed. The crack propagation is driven by cyclic loading and affected by the presence of neighboring inclusions which can have initial eigenstrains such as thermal strain and misfit strain. The static Semi-analytic solution obtained by Zhou et al. [2011a] is utilized to obtain the full stress filed and the stress intensity factors. In order to simulate the crack propagation in heterogeneous materials, the maximum hoop stress criterion is applied to predict crack propagation directions and the Paris-type law is employed to analyze the crack fatigue. Meanwhile, a zigzag crack path consisting of many small vertical and horizontal cracks models an arbitrary crack propagation path. The results show that material dissimilarity between the inclusion and matrix and the magnitude of cyclic loading could greatly influence the behaviors of crack propagation.
Metabolic activity of brown, “beige,” and white adipose tissues in response to chronic adrenergic stimulation in male mice
Authors: Labbé Sébastien M. , Caron Alexandre , Chechi Kanta , Laplante Mathieu , Lecomte Roger , Richard Denis
Published: May 2016

Classical brown adipocytes such as those found in interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) represent energy-burning cells, which have been postulated to play a pivotal role in energy metabolism. Brown adipocytes can also be found in white adipose tissue (WAT) depots [e.g., inguinal WAT (iWAT)] following adrenergic stimulation, and they have been referred to as “beige” adipocytes. Whether the presence of these adipocytes, which gives iWAT a beige appearance, can confer a white depot with some thermogenic activity remains to be seen. In consequence, we designed the present study to investigate the metabolic activity of iBAT, iWAT, and epididymal white depots in mice. Mice were either 1) kept at thermoneutrality (30°C), 2) kept at 30°C and treated daily for 14 days with an adrenergic agonist [CL-316,243 (CL)], or 3) housed at 10°C for 14 days. Metabolic activity was assessed using positron emission tomography imaging with fluoro-[18F]deoxyglucose (glucose uptake), fluoro-[18F]thiaheptadecanoic acid (fatty acid uptake), and [11C]acetate (oxidative activity). In each group, substrate uptakes and oxidative activity were measured in anesthetized mice in response to acute CL. Our results revealed iBAT as a major site of metabolic activity, which exhibited enhanced glucose and nonesterified fatty acid uptakes and oxidative activity in response to chronic cold and CL. On the other hand, beige adipose tissue failed to exhibit appreciable increase in oxidative activity in response to chronic cold and CL. Altogether, our results suggest that the contribution of beige fat to acute-CL-induced metabolic activity is low compared with that of iBAT, even after sustained adrenergic stimulation.
The contributions of dipeptidyl peptidase IV to inflammation in heart failure
Authors: de Almeida Salles Thiago , Zogbi Camila , de Lima Thais Martins , de Godoi Carneiro Camila , Garcez Alexandre Teles , Barbeiro Hermes Vieira , Antonio Ednei Luiz , dos Santos Leonardo , da Costa Pereira Alexandre , Tucci Paulo José Ferreira , de Paula Faria Daniele , Soriano Francisco Garcia , Girardi Adriana Castello Costa
Published: May 2016

Circulating dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity correlates with cardiac dysfunction in humans and experimental heart failure (HF) models. Similarly, inflammatory markers are associated with poorer outcomes in HF patients. However, the contributions of DPPIV to inflammation in HF remain elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotective effects of DPPIV inhibition after myocardial injury are accompanied by reduced cardiac inflammation, whether circulating DPPIV activity correlates with the levels of systemic inflammatory markers in HF patients, and whether leukocytes and/or splenocytes may be one of the sources of circulating DPPIV in HF. Experimental HF was induced in male Wistar rats by left ventricular myocardial injury after radiofrequency catheter ablation. The rats were divided into three groups: sham, HF, and HF + DPPIV inhibitor (sitagliptin). Six weeks after surgery, cardiac function, perfusion and inflammatory status were evaluated. Sitagliptin treatment improved cardiac function and perfusion, reduced macrophage infiltration, and diminished the levels of inflammatory biomarkers including TNF-α, IL-1β, and CCL2. In HF patients, serum DPPIV activity correlated with CCL2, suggesting that leukocytes may be the source of circulating DPPIV in HF. Unexpectedly, DPPIV release was higher in splenocytes from HF rats and similar in HF circulating mononuclear cells compared with those from sham, suggesting an organ-specific modulation of DPPIV in HF. Collectively, our data provide new evidence that the cardioprotective effects of DPPIV inhibition in HF may be due to suppression of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, they suggest that a vicious circle between DPPIV and inflammation may contribute to HF development and progression.
High-throughput drug profiling with voltage- and calcium-sensitive fluorescent probes in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Bedut Stephane , Seminatore-Nole Christine , Lamamy Veronique , Caignard Sarah , Boutin Jean A. , Nosjean Olivier , Stephan Jean-Philippe , Coge Francis
Published: May 2016

Cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are increasingly used for in vitro assays and represent an interesting opportunity to increase the data throughput for drug development. In this work, we describe a 96-well recording of synchronous electrical activities from spontaneously beating hiPSC-derived cardiomyocyte monolayers. The signal was obtained with a fast-imaging plate reader using a submillisecond-responding membrane potential recording assay, FluoVolt, based on a newly derived voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye. In our conditions, the toxicity of the dye was moderate and compatible with episodic recordings for >3 h. We show that the waveforms recorded from a whole well or from a single cell-sized zone are equivalent and make available critical functional parameters that are usually accessible only with gold standard techniques like intracellular microelectrode recording. This approach allows accurate identification of the electrophysiological effects of reference drugs on the different phases of the cardiac action potential as follows: fast depolarization (lidocaine), early repolarization (nifedipine, Bay K8644, and veratridine), late repolarization (dofetilide), and diastolic slow depolarization (ivabradine). Furthermore, the data generated with the FluoVolt dye can be pertinently complemented with a calcium-sensitive dye for deeper characterization of the pharmacological responses. In a semiautomated plate reader, the two probes used simultaneously in 96-well plates provide an easy and powerful multiparametric assay to rapidly and precisely evaluate the cardiotropic profile of compounds for drug discovery or cardiac safety.
Influence of anatomical dominance and hypertension on coronary conduit arterial and microcirculatory flow patterns: a multiscale modeling study
Authors: Mynard Jonathan P. , Smolich Joseph J.
Published: May 2016

Coronary hemodynamics are known to be affected by intravascular and extravascular factors that vary regionally and transmurally between the perfusion territories of left and right coronary arteries. However, despite clinical evidence that left coronary arterial dominance portends greater cardiovascular risk, relatively little is known about the effects of left or right dominance on regional conduit arterial and microcirculatory blood flow patterns, particularly in the presence of systemic or pulmonary hypertension. We addressed this issue using a multiscale numerical model of the human coronary circulation situated in a closed-loop cardiovascular model. The coronary model represented left or right dominant anatomies and accounted for transmural and regional differences in vascular properties and extravascular compression. Regional coronary flow dynamics of the two anatomical variants were compared under normotensive conditions, raised systemic or pulmonary pressures with maintained flow demand, and after accounting for adaptations known to occur in acute and chronic hypertensive states. Key findings were that 1) right coronary arterial flow patterns were strongly influenced by dominance and systemic/pulmonary hypertension; 2) dominance had minor effects on left coronary arterial and all microvascular flow patterns (aside from mean circumflex flow); 3) although systemic hypertension favorably increased perfusion pressure, this benefit varied regionally and transmurally and was offset by increased left ventricular and septal flow demands; and 4) pulmonary hypertension had a substantial negative effect on right ventricular and septal flows, which was exacerbated by greater metabolic demands. These findings highlight the importance of interactions between coronary arterial dominance and hypertension in modulating coronary hemodynamics.
Novel therapeutic approaches for chronic kidney disease due to glomerular disorders
Authors: Del Nogal-Avila Maria , Donoro-Blazquez Hector , Saha Manish K. , Marshall Caroline B. , Clement Lionel C. , Macé Camille E. A. , Chugh Sumant S.
Published: May 2016

Improved understanding of glomerular disease mechanisms over the past decade has led to the emergence of new and targeted therapeutic strategies for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Most promising among these are the administration of recombinant mutated human angiopoietin-like 4, sialic acid-related sugars that induce sialylation in vivo, compounds related to Bis-T-23, and immune depletion of the soluble urokinase receptor from the circulation. Taking these therapeutic strategies into clinical trials will be the first step away from repurposed and relatively toxic drugs currently used for treating kidney disease.
Protein-bound uremic toxins: a long overlooked culprit in cardiorenal syndrome
Authors: Lekawanvijit Suree , Kompa Andrew R. , Krum Henry
Published: May 2016

Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) accumulate once renal excretory function declines and are not cleared by dialysis. There is increasing evidence that PBUTs exert toxic effects on many vital organs, including the kidney, blood vessels, and heart. It has been suggested that PBUTs are likely to be a potential missing link in cardiorenal syndrome, based on the high incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality in the dialysis population, which are dramatically reduced in successful kidney transplant recipients. These data have led the call for more effective dialysis or additional adjunctive therapy to eradicate these toxins and their adverse biological effects. Indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate are the two most problematic PBUTs, conferring renal and cardiovascular toxicity, and are derived from dietary amino acid metabolites by colonic microbial organisms. Therefore, targeting the colon where these toxins are initially produced appears to be a potential therapeutic alternative for patients with chronic kidney disease. This strategy, if approved, is likely to be applicable to predialysis patients, thereby potentially preventing progression of chronic kidney disease to end-stage renal disease as well as preventing the development of cardiorenal syndrome.
Does pharmacological activation of 5-HT1A receptors improve urine flow rate in female rats?
Authors: Chen Shih-Ching , Hsieh Tsung-Hsun , Fan Wen-Jia , Lai Chien-Hung , Peng Chih-Wei
Published: May 2016

The role of 5-HT1A receptors in regulating voiding functions remains unclear, particularly regarding the urine flow rate (UFR) during voiding. This study examined the effects of 5-HT1A receptors on regulating urethral functions in female rats and investigated underlying modulatory mechanisms. Intravesical pressure (IVP), external urethral sphincter-electromyography (EUS-EMG), and UFR were simultaneously recorded during continuous transvesical infusion to examine the effects of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT) and antagonist (WAY-100635) on bladder and urethral functions. In addition, this study evaluated the independent roles of urethral striated and smooth muscles in the UFR in rats after a neuromuscular blockade (NMB) treatment and bilateral hypogastric nerve transection. Our results revealed that 8-OH-DPAT significantly increased the maximal UFR but reduced the mean UFR. This discrepancy may be because 8-OH-DPAT markedly increased the maximal UFR during the initial segment of the flow duration and subsequently induced an approximately zero level of long oscillatory waves during the remaining flow duration. Thus the mean UFR was reduced because of the prolonged approximately zero level of the UFR. However, paralyzing the EUS with an NMB agent, 8-OH-DPAT, significantly increased the maximal and mean UFRs because the prolonged zero level of the oscillatory UFR did not continue. These results support the hypothesis that the increased UFR in female rats during voiding is due to the induction of urethral smooth muscle relaxation by 8-OH-DPAT. This paper provides a detailed understanding of the role of 5-HT1A receptors in controlling the UFR in female rats.
Family Practitioners and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Authors: Steben Marc
Published: May 2016

The family practitioner′s role has traditionally been to maintain
health with periodic examinations and to restore health in times of illness and injuries. Today.
family practitioners are expected to play a more proactive role by assessing unexpressed patient
needs. This new approach focuses on global knowledge of the patient, including lifestyle and
workplace history. When assessing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in particular, it is
important for the family practitioner to recognize the association of morality issues and to
counsel without being judgemental. Primary prevention of STDs is aimed at reducing or
eliminating risks before exposure occurs. and includes counselling on safe sex, condom use.
substance abuse, needle/syringe use, and consideration of hepatitis B immunization and
universal screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen. Secondary prevention
refers to the recognition and elimination (if possible) of an STD after exposure and includes
early disease detection, adequate STD treatments, screening, human immunodeficiency virus
testing with pre‐ and post test counselling, epidemiological treatment of patient contacts, and
hepatitis B prophylaxis by passive or active immunization. Tertiary prevention is aimed at
limiting disease progression or reversing damage, but such measures are usually quite
expensive and of limited value. Assessment of risks for hepatitis B virus infection should
include lifestyle indices such as sexual preference, sexual expression, number of partners and
alcohol/drug consumption. Prostitutes, street youth and sexually abused individuals should
be considered at high risk for hepatitis B virus infection. Counselling about hepatitis B virus
infection involves risk evaluation, patient education, evaluation of immune status to hepatitis
B virus and discussions about vaccine needs and availability.
Heterosexual Transmission of Hepatitis B and Implications for Vaccine Prevention Strategies
Authors: Alter Miriam J
Published: May 2016

Since 1985, cases of hepatitis B virus infection attributable to heterosexual activity have increased by 38%, whereas those
attributable to homosexual activity have declined by 62%, Heterosexual activity now accounts
for 26% of cases and has replaced homosexual activity in importance as a risk factor for
hepatitis B. For heterosexuals, the number of recent (ie, in the preceding four to six months)
and lifetime sex partners, as well as a history of other sexually transmitted diseases (eg.
syphilis) appear to be significantly associated with increased hepatitis B virus infection. Of
equal concern is the rising number of cases among parenteral drug users in the United States
and some minority groups, including blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Hepatitis B prevention by
administering hepatitis B vaccine to high risk groups before exposure to infection has not been
successful, and at least 30% of hepatitis B cases in the United States have no identifiable risk
factors. Thus, participation in the current programs which target only high risk groups is not
possible. The ideal immunization strategy is integration of hepatitis B vaccine in to the routine
childhood immunization schedule.
Toxic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Animal Data
Authors: Beaulieu Pierre
Published: May 2016

The present article reviews the main toxic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids in animals. Toxic effects can be separated into acute and chronic classifications. Acute toxicity studies show that it is virtually impossible to die from acute administration of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component of cannabis. Chronic toxicity involves lesions of airway and lung tissues, as well as problems of neurotoxicity, tolerance and dependence, and dysregulations in the immune and hormonal systems. Animal toxicity data, however, are difficult to extrapolate to humans.
Can We Distinguish between Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain?
Authors: Bennett Gary J
Published: May 2016

Inflammatory and neuropathic pain were once considered to be distinct entities. However, research over the past decade or so has brought to light many shared mechanisms, and the distinction between the two is no longer clear. Consideration of mechanisms, symptoms and the effects of analgesic drugs does not reveal any definitive or universally applicable differentiating factors. Given the present level of understanding, it may not be possible to distinguish between inflammatory and neuropathic pain in a large number of patients, and a satisfying definition of neuropathic pain may not be possible.
Multianalytical Method Validation for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Solvents of Abuse in Oral Fluid by HS-GC/MS
Authors: Coppe Bruna Claudia , Borille Bruna Tassi , Fiorentin Taís Regina , Jacques Ana Laura Bemvenuti , Fagundes Ana Claudia , Castro Stela Maris de Jezus , Remy Lysa Silveira , Pechansky Flavio , Limberger Renata Pereira
Published: May 2016

The use of oral fluid as a biological matrix to monitor the use of drugs of abuse is a global trend because it presents several advantages and good correlation to the blood level. Thus, the present work aimed to develop and validate an analytical method for quantification and detection of solvents used as inhalants of abuse in oral fluid (OF), using Quantisal™as collector device by headspace and gas chromatography coupled with a mass detector (HS-GC/MS). Chromatographic separation was performed with a ZB-BAC1 column and the total time of analysis was 11.8 min. The method showed good linearity (correlation coefficient higher than 0.99 for all solvents). The limits of detection ranged from 0.05 to 5 mg/L, while the lower limits of quantification ranged from 2.5 to 12.5 mg/L. Accuracy, precision, matrix effect, and residual effect presented satisfactory results, meeting the criteria accepted for the validation of bioanalytical methods. The method showed good selectivity considering that, for solvents coeluting at the same retention time, resolution was performed by the mass detector. The method developed proved to be adequate when applied in OF samples from users of drugs and may be used to monitor the abuse of inhalants in routine forensic analyses.
A Systematic Review on Existing Measures for the Subjective Assessment of Rehabilitation and Assistive Robot Devices
Authors: Koumpouros Yiannis
Published: May 2016

The objective of the current study is to identify and classify outcome measures currently used for the assessment of rehabilitation or assistive robot devices. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using PubMed, MEDLINE, CIRRIE, and Scopus databases for studies that assessed rehabilitation or assistive robot devices from 1980 through January 2016. In all, 31 articles met all inclusion criteria. Tailor-made questionnaires were the most commonly used tool at 66.7%, while the great majority (93.9%) of the studies used nonvalidated instruments. The study reveals the absence of a standard scale which makes it difficult to compare the results from different researchers. There is a great need, therefore, for a valid and reliable instrument to be available for use by the intended end users for the subjective assessment of robot devices. The study concludes by identifying two scales that have been validated in general assistive technology devices and could support the scope of subjective assessment in rehabilitation or assistive robots (however, with limited coverage) and a new one called PYTHEIA, recently published. The latter intends to close the gap and help researchers and developers to evaluate, assess, and produce products that satisfy the real needs of the end users.
Analytical Solutions for Composition-Dependent Coagulation
Authors: Yang Manli , Lu Zhiming , Shen Jie
Published: May 2016

Exact solutions of the bicomponent Smoluchowski’s equation with a composition-dependent additive kernelK(va,vb;va′,vb′)=α(va+va′)+(vb+vb′)are derived by using the Laplace transform for any initial particle size distribution. The exact solution for an exponential initial distribution is then used to analyse the effects of parameterαon mixing degree of such bicomponent mixtures and the conditional distribution of the first component for particles with given mass. The main finding is that the conditional distribution of large particles at larger time is a Gaussian function which is independent of the parameterα.
Holding the Inflammatory System in Check: TLRs and Their Targeted Therapy in Asthma
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Xiong Lingxin , Zhang Weijie , Gibson Peter G. , Wang Ting , Lu Yanjiao , Wang Guoqiang , Li Hui , Wang Fang
Published: May 2016

Inflammation is a complex biological response to detrimental stimuli and can be a double-edged sword. Inflammation plays a protective role in removing pathogenic factors, but dysregulated inflammation is associated with several major fatal diseases such as asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Asthma is a complex heterogenous disease caused by genetic and environmental factors. TLRs are the primary proteins associated with the innate and adaptive immune responses to these fatal factors and play an important role in recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which initiates the downstream immune response. Due to the complex TLRs cascade and nowadays unsuccessful control in asthma, new studies are focused on TLRs and other potential targets in TLR cascade to minimize airway inflammation.
Extraction of a Large Central Airway Foreign Body Using Flexible Bronchoscopy Combined with an Endobronchial Blocker
Authors: Paradis Tyler , Wollenberg Michael , Tieu Brandon
Published: May 2016

Adult foreign body (FB) aspiration is an uncommon but potentially fatal event. Options for extraction include flexible bronchoscopy (FLXB), rigid bronchoscopy (RB), and surgical extraction. We report the case of a large, smooth aspirated rock causing airway obstruction in an elderly male. RB is generally the preferred approach for extraction of a large complex FB; however, due to its size, the FB had to be removed using FLXB combined with an endobronchial blocker. In this report, we describe the anesthetic and surgical considerations and the novel technique used to extract the FB.
Identification of Susceptibility Genes of Adult Asthma in French Canadian Women
Authors: Bérubé Jean-Christophe , Gaudreault Nathalie , Lavoie-Charland Emilie , Sbarra Laura , Henry Cyndi , Madore Anne-Marie , Paré Peter D. , van den Berge Maarten , Nickle David , Laviolette Michel , Laprise Catherine , Boulet Louis-Philippe , Bossé Yohan
Published: May 2016

Susceptibility genes of asthma may be more successfully identified by studying subgroups of phenotypically similar asthma patients. This study aims to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with asthma in French Canadian adult women. A pooling-based genome-wide association study was performed in 240 allergic asthmatic and 120 allergic nonasthmatic women. The top associated SNPs were selected for individual genotyping in an extended cohort of 349 asthmatic and 261 nonasthmatic women. The functional impact of asthma-associated SNPs was investigated in a lung expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping study (n=1035). Twenty-one of the 38 SNPs tested by individual genotyping showedPvalues lower than 0.05 for association with asthma.Cis-eQTL analyses supported the functional contribution of rs17801353 associated withC3AR1(P=7.90E-10). The asthma risk allele for rs17801353 is associated with higher mRNA expression levels ofC3AR1in lung tissue.In silicofunctional characterization of the asthma-associated SNPs also supported the contribution ofC3AR1and additional genes includingSYNE1,LINGO2, andIFNG-AS1. This pooling-based GWAS in French Canadian adult women followed by lung eQTL mapping suggestedC3AR1as a functional locus associated with asthma. Additional susceptibility genes were suggested in this homogenous subgroup of asthma patients.
A Cross-Study Biomarker Signature of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Gardinassi Luiz Gustavo
Published: May 2016

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite of advances in diagnosis and treatment, biomarkers of RSV infection are still unclear. To understand the host response and propose signatures of RSV infection, previous studies evaluated the transcriptional profile of the human bronchial epithelial cell line—BEAS-2B—infected with different strains of this virus. However, the evolution of statistical methods and functional analysis together with the large amount of expression data provide opportunities to uncover novel biomarkers of inflammation and infections. In view of those facts publicly available microarray datasets from RSV-infected BEAS-2B cells were analyzed with linear model-based statistics and the platform for functional analysis InnateDB. The results from those analyses argue for the reevaluation of previously reported transcription patterns and biological pathways in BEAS-2B cell lines infected with RSV. Importantly, this study revealed a biosignature constituted by genes such asABCC4,ARMC8,BCLAF1,EZH1,FAM118A,FAM208B,FUS,HSPH1,KAZN,MAP3K2,N6AMT1,PRMT2,S100PBP,SERPINA1,TLK2,ZNF322, andZNF337which should be considered in the development of new molecular diagnosis tools.
The Analgesic Effect of the Mitochondria‐Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 in Pancreatic Inflammation
Authors: Weniger Maximilian , Reinelt Leonard , Neumann Jens , Holdt Lesca , Ilmer Matthias , Renz Bernhard , Hartwig Werner , Werner Jens , Bazhin Alexandr V. , D’Haese Jan G.
Published: May 2016

Background. Chronic pancreatitis is one of the main risk factors for pancreatic cancer. In acute and chronic pancreatitis, oxidative stress is thought to play a key role. In this respect, the recently described mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant SkQ1 effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species at nanomolar concentrations. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the influence of SkQ1 on tissue injury and pain in acute and chronic pancreatitis. Methods. Both acute and chronic pancreatitis were induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal cerulein injections and treatment with SkQ1 was carried out by peroral applications. Hyperalgesia was assessed by behavioral observation and measurement of abdominal mechanical sensitivity. Blood serum and pancreatic tissue were harvested for analysis of lipase and histology. Results. SkQ1 did not influence pain, serological, or histological parameters of tissue injury in acute pancreatitis. In chronic pancreatitis, a highly significant reduction of pain‐related behavior (p < 0.0001) was evident, but histological grading revealed increased tissue injury in SkQ1‐treated animals (p = 0.03). Conclusion. After SkQ1 treatment, tissue injury is not ameliorated in acute pancreatitis and increased in chronic pancreatitis. However, we show an analgesic effect in chronic pancreatitis. Further studies will need to elucidate the risks and benefits of mitochondria‐targeted antioxidants as an analgesic.
Geometrically Nonlinear Aeroelastic Stability Analysis and Wind Tunnel Test Validation of a Very Flexible Wing
Authors: Xie Changchuan , Liu Yi , Yang Chao , Cooper J. E.
Published: May 2016

VFAs (very flexible aircraft) have begun to attract significant attention because of their good flight performances and significant application potentials; however, they also bring some challenges to researchers due to their unusual lightweight designs and large elastic deformations. A framework for the geometrically nonlinear aeroelastic stability analysis of very flexible wings is constructed in this paper to illustrate the unique aeroelastic characteristics and convenient use of these designs in engineering analysis. The nonlinear aeroelastic analysis model includes the geometrically nonlinear structure finite elements and steady and unsteady nonplanar aerodynamic computations (i.e., the nonplanar vortex lattice method and nonplanar doublet-lattice method). Fully nonlinear methods are used to analyse static aeroelastic features, and linearized structural dynamic equations are established at the structural nonlinear equilibrium state to estimate the stability of the system through the quasimode of the stressed and deformed structure. The exact flutter boundary is searched via an iterative procedure. A wind tunnel test is conducted to validate this theoretical analysis framework, and reasonable agreement is obtained. Both the analysis and test results indicate that the geometric nonlinearity of very flexible wings presents significantly different aeroelastic characteristics under different load cases with large deformations.