bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The (Re‐)Construction of ‘National Identity’ through Selective Memory and Mass Ritual Discourse: The Chilean Centenary, 1910
Authors: Tjaden Jasper Dag
Published: April 2012

Social constructivist theories regard the nation as ‘imagined’ (Anderson), ‘invented’ (Hobsbawm and Ranger), and ‘narrated’ (Bhabha). National narratives use mass rituals, performances, and selective national history to reinvigorate collective identity. This article examines the 1910 centennial festivities in Chile as a collective and discursive quest for national identity in a changing society longing for stability. The article uses a discourse analysis approach to study a series of Chilean national history abstracts and coverage of the centennial festivities as presented in Zig‐Zag, the most relevant political magazine at the time. The study finds that selective memory and mass ritual discourse are a constitutive part of national identity. Through the process of selective memory, the sources depict Chilean history as a series of linear, coherent, and meaningful events to foster collective identification with the nation. The images of mass ritual discourse of the centennial celebrations reinforce common national characteristics and confidence in the nation. Mass performances provide emotional self‐affirmation and an endowment of meaning for individuals within their national group as they restage current national membership with reference to a common past. The study identifies themes of national representation along which the nation is narrated, and suggests that this typology can be generalised beyond the case of Chile. In doing so, this article underscores the need for further research on the concept of discursive national identity formation and its relevance in contemporary politics.
Towards validation of use of an Australian reference database for the diagnosis of osteoporosis with DXA
Authors: Wong Joseph C H , Travers Catherine , O'Neill Sheila , Khoo Soo Keat
Published: April 2012

Introduction: Bone densitometry in Australia uses the data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study for conversion of bone mineral density (BMD) to T‐scores to diagnose osteoporosis based on the World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria. An underlying assumption is that the bone status of women in Geelong city is representative of the rest of Australia. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of normal BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis of sample Brisbane women to Geelong, and to assess the validity of the Geelong reference database for Australia‐wide application.

Methods: The subjects were recruited as part of a longitudinal assessment of age‐related changes in a random sample of women from Brisbane. The sample consisted of 503 women, aged between 40 and 79 years. Each subject had BMD measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Results: Using the WHO osteoporosis classification criteria based on T‐scores, and the BMD cut‐offs from the Geelong Study, the prevalence of normal BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis was determined for the following age groupings, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69 and 70–79, to match the Geelong Study for comparison. There were no systematic differences in the prevalence of normal BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis in the Brisbane subjects compared to the Geelong Study.

Conclusion: This finding supports the use of the Geelong data as the reference for the generation of T‐scores for bone densitometry assessment for osteoporosis using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry in Australia.
Ultrasound study of liver disease caused by Schistosoma mansoni in rural Zambian schoolchildren
Authors: Strahan Rodney , Chiyesu Kan' ombi , Schneider‐Kolsky Michal E
Published: April 2012

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni‐related liver disease in school‐age children who live beside the Zambezi River in the Chitokoloki district, North Western Province, Zambia.

Methods: Liver ultrasounds of school students from the Chitokoloki day school, grades 1–12, were performed. Liver patterns, periportal branch wall thickening and portal hypertension were assessed to evaluate the presence of liver fibrosis due to S. mansoni infection. To obtain incidence rates of acute disease, stool specimens were examined from a subgroup for the presence of S. mansoni eggs using the formol detergent sedimentation technique.

Results: Of 976 enrolled students, 764 (78.2%) were examined by ultrasound. Of those, 284 (37.2%) had findings indicative of periportal fibrosis on ultrasound. Stool specimen were collected from 414 (54%) students of which six (1.5%) were positive for S. mansoni eggs.

Conclusion: School students living along the Zambezi River, Zambia have a relatively high prevalence of S. mansoni‐related liver disease. These findings suggest that all schoolchildren in this area should receive treatment against S. mansoni.
Evaluation of visual field parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Demir Helin Deniz , İnönü Handan , Kurt Semiha , Doruk Sibel , Aydın Erdinc , Etikan İlker
Published: April 2012

Purpose:  To evaluate the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on retina and optic nerve.

Methods:  Thirty‐eight patients with COPD and 29 healthy controls, totally 67 subjects, were included in the study. Visual evoked potentials (VEP) and visual field assessment (both standard achromatic perimetry (SAP) and short‐wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP)) were performed on each subject after ophthalmological, neurological and pulmonary examinations.

Results:  Mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD) were significantly different between patient and control groups as for both SAP and SWAP measurements (p = 0.001, 0.019, 0.009 and p = 0.004,0.019, 0.031, respectively). Short‐term fluctuation (SF) was not statistically different between the study and the control groups (p = 0.874 and 0.694, respectively). VEP P100 latencies were significantly different between patients with COPD and the controls (p = 0.019).

Conclusion:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a systemic disease, and hypoxia in COPD seems to affect the retina and the optic nerve.
Numerical taxonomy of some charophytes in Iran
Authors: Ahmadi Akram , Riahi Hossein , Sheidai Masoud , Raam Joop Van
Published: April 2012

Morphological characters of 10 species of Chara from different localities in northern, western and central Iran have been analyzed, with Nitella hyalina and Tolypella glomerata as outgroups. Phenetic and cladistics analyses of populations belonging to the 10 Chara species were undertaken to reveal their inter‐population morphological variation and inter‐specific relationships. Clustering was based on 54 characters (41 qualitative and 13 quantitative). This produced two major clusters, grouping Chara crassicauliss, C. vulgaris var. longibracteata, C. vulgaris var. vulgaris and C. contraria separate from C. grovesii, C. gymnophylla var. gymnophylla, C. gymnophylla var. rohlenae, C. kirghisorum and C. tomentosa. A smaller cluster of C. socotrensioides, C. fibrosa and Chara sp. was separate from these two clusters. A factor analysis identified the most variable morphological characters as type of cortification, prescence and length of the spine cells, stipulode length, type of branchlet cortication, bract cells length, placement of the gametangia, character of end segment, length of branchlet and internode, development of posterior bract cells, oogonia length and width, oospore length, width and length/width ratio, fossa breath, and number of striae.
Modelling the geographic distributions of endemic genera in the eastern Central Asian desert
Authors: Ma Song‐Mei , Zhang Ming‐Li , Ni Jian , Xi Chen
Published: April 2012

This study simulates the distributions of 13 endemic and near‐endemic genera (Ammopiptanthus, Sympegma, Iljinia, Elachanthemum, Potaninia, Tugarinovia, Kaschgaria, Sarcozygium, Timouria, Zollikoferia, Stilpnolepis, Synstemon and Tetraena) to indicate areas of plant diversity and conservation importance within the eastern Central Asian desert, and to identify the determinant environmental variables contributing to the spatial distribution patterns. Using known distribution localities and 14 environmental variables, the Maxent and Domain species distribution models were employed to map the patterns of geographic distribution. The power of predictability of the models was tested using the receiver operating characteristic method and the jackknife validation approach, according to the different number of species localities available. The estimated richness and the superimposed potential distributions of 13 genera were used to indicate endemic patterns of distribution. The comparison of Maxent and Domain further identified previously unknown areas of endemism and described the distribution for each taxon. Both observed species occurrence and the species occurrence predicted from the Maxent indicated that the eastern Alashan of Inner Mongolia is the most noticeable endemic area, and the northwestern and northern Tarim Basin of Xinjiang is the secondary center of plant diversity. These regions were then prioritized for conservation importance. Potential evapotranspiration ratio and precipitation seasonality played important roles in driving the observed patterns of endemic distribution.
Embryology of the dioecious Woonyoungia septentrionalis (Magnoliaceae)
Authors: Fu Lin , Xu Feng‐Xia , Zeng Qing‐Wen
Published: April 2012

The embryological characteristics and ovular integument development of the dioecious species Woonyoungia septentrionalis (Dandy) Law (Magnoliaceae), which are poorly understood, were investigated under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and light microscope (LM). The embryological characteristics conform to most of the previously studied species in Magnoliaceae. The anther has 4 microsporangia, and the anther wall develops according to the dicotyledonous type. Cytokinesis at meiosis of the microspore mother cells follows a modified simultaneous type, giving rise to isobilateral or decussate tetrads, and a cell plate is absent, but a membrane was observed. Mature pollen grains are 2‐cellular and have high germination rates. The ovule is anatropous, crassinucellate and bitegmic, and meiotic result in linear tetrads of megaspores, the one at the chalazal end functions directly as an embryo‐sac cell. The development of the embryo sac is of the Polygonum‐type and endosperm formation is of the nuclear type. The outer integument of the ovule differentiates into an outer fleshy and an inner stony layer while the inner integument is reduced to a tanniniferous layer. The normal embryological development, high germination rates of pollen and high seed set indicate that the primary reason for the decline of the species is not to be found in these developmental processes.
Novitates Gabonensis 79: Hymenostegia elegans and H. robusta spp. nov. (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae) from Gabon
Authors: Wieringa Jan J. , Mackinder Barbara A.
Published: April 2012

We have observed among the holdings of Hymenostegia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in several major herbaria that many of the specimens determined as H. klainei Pierre ex Pellegr. are not identified correctly and instead represent undescribed taxa. We speculate that the misidentifications may be a direct consequence of the sole use of leaf characters to distinguish species in the dichotomous keys of two major regional treatments of the genus. Two such previously unrecognised taxa, both new species from Gabon, Hymenostegia elegans Wieringa and Mackinder and Hymenostegia robusta Wieringa and Mackinder are described here accompanied by a distribution map, illustrations and conservation assessments. Both species have a limited distribution area and are assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’, respectively. This publication brings the total number of species in Hymenostegia s.s. to nine.
Neottia chandraesp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Nepal
Authors: Raskoti Bhakta B. , Wood Jeffrey J. , Ale Rita
Published: April 2012

Neottia chandraeB. B. Raskoti, J. J. Wood & Rita Ale sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Nepal. Notes on the diagnostic characters used to distinguish it from allied species are provided.
Allium orestis sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae) from Parnon and Taigetos mountains, south Peloponnisos, Greece
Authors: Kalpoutzakis Eleftherios , Trigas Panayiotis , Constantinidis Theophanis
Published: April 2012

Allium orestis Kalpoutzakis, Trigas & Constantinidis sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae) from Parnon and Taigetos mountains (south Peloponnisos, Greece) is described and illustrated. It belongs to A. sect. Codonoprasum, and its closest relatives are A. rausii, a local endemic species of Ossa and Pilion mountains (east–central Greece) and A. anzalonei, another localized species from west–central Italy. The new species grows in the understorey of Castanea sativa forests and is currently known from three areas on Mt Parnon and one locality on Mt Taigetos. The chromosome number of A. orestis, 2n =2x =16, is reported and a metaphase plate is illustrated.
Suppression of autophagy sensitizes Kupffer cells to endotoxin
Authors: Fukada Hiroo , Yamashina Shunhei , Izumi Kousuke , Komatsu Masaaki , Tanaka Keiji , Ikejima Kenichi , Watanabe Sumio
Published: April 2012

Aim:  Recent evidence suggests that protein degradation system autophagy is implicated in a component of innate immunity. We report here that suppression of autophagy in Kupffer cells due to hepatic steatosis enhances an inflammatory response to endotoxin.

Methods:  Kupffer cells were isolated from C57BL/6J mice fed chow diet (control) or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, liver‐specific autophagy‐deficient mice (Atg7F/F:Mx1‐Cre) and wild‐type mice (Atg7F/F). Kupffer cells were incubated with 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in media was measured by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)4, IκB kinase (IKK)‐α/β, p38, p62 and LC3 in Kupffer cells was evaluated by western blot analysis.

Results:  Incubation with LPS increased LC3‐II expression of Kupffer cells from control mice; however, an increase in LC3‐II expression due to LPS was suppressed in Kupffer cells from HFD mice. Moreover, both p62 expression and TNF‐α production in Kupffer cells from HFD mice was higher than control mice. On the other hand, LPS exposure increased TNF‐α production from autophagy‐deficient Kupffer cells more than wild type. There was no significant difference in expression of TLR4 between wild and autophagy‐deficient Kupffer cells. Nevertheless, activation of p38 or IKK in Kupffer cells due to LPS was augmented by autophagy deficiency. The addition of the p38 inhibitor SB203580 attenuated TNF‐α production in both wild and autophagy‐deficient Kupffer cells.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that suppression of autophagy observed in Kupffer cells from steatotic liver sensitizes to endotoxin. In conclusion, suppression of autophagy may play a pivotal role on progression of NAFLD.
Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of the Electroencephalogram in Normal Horses After Sedation
Authors: Williams D.C. , Aleman M. , Tharp B. , Fletcher D.J. , Kass P.H. , Steffey E.P. , LeCouteur R.A. , Holliday T.A.
Published: April 2012

Background

The administration of certain sedatives has been shown to promote sleep in humans. Related agents induce sleep‐like behavior when administered to horses. Interpretation of electroencephalograms (EEGs) obtained from sedated horses should take into account background activity, presence of sleep‐related EEG events, and the animal's behavior.

Hypothesis

Sedatives induce states of vigilance that are indistinguishable on EEGs from those that occur naturally.

Animals

Six healthy horses.

Methods

Digital EEG with video was recorded after administration of 1 of 4 sedatives (acepromazine, butorphanol, xylazine, or detomidine). Serum drug concentrations were measured. Recordings were reviewed, states were identified, and representative EEG samples were analysed. These data were compared with data previously obtained during a study of natural sleep.

Results

Butorphanol was associated with brief episodes resembling slow wave sleep in 1 horse. Acepromazine led to SWS in 3 horses, including 1 that also exhibited rapid eye movement sleep. Periods of SWS were observed in all horses afer xylazine or detomidine administration. Normal sleep‐related EEG events and heart block, occurred in association with SWS regardless of which sedative was used. Spectral data varied primarily by state, but some differences were observed between sedative and natural data.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Qualitatively, EEG findings appeared identical whether sedation‐induced or naturally occurring. The startle response and heart block associated with some sedatives may be related to sleep. Alpha2 agonists can be used to obtain high quality EEGs in horses, but acepromazine does not promote a relaxed state in all animals.
BartonellaSpecies Antibodies and Hyperglobulinemia in Privately Owned Cats
Authors: Whittemore J.C. , Hawley J.R. , Radecki S.V. , Steinberg J.D. , Lappin M.R.
Published: April 2012

Background

Bartonellaspecies are zoonotic agents and primary pathogens in cats. Hyperglobulinemia has been associated with bartonellosis in humans and cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate for associations betweenBartonellaspecies immunoglobulinG(IgG) antibodies and serum biochemistry panel results in privately owned cats.

Animals

1,477 privately owned cats.

Methods

Residual sera were collected after biochemical evaluation for this prospective, cross‐sectional serosurvey.BartonellaspeciesIgG ELISAwas performed with a cutoff value of ≥1 : 64. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed with the endpoint titer as the outcome variable. The final statistical model included age, albumin,ALPactivity,ALTactivity, bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, and globulin as covariates. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed with serum from 50 cats with and without antibodies toBartonellaspecies and hyperglobulinemia. Sera from cats seropositive toBartonellaspecies and with hyperglobulinemia were assessed for evidence of exposure to other infectious agents associated with hyperglobulinemia.

Results

Risk of seropositivity toBartonellaspecies was positively associated with the natural log of globulin concentration (OR = 11.90, 95%CI6.15–23.02,P < .0001), and inversely associated with the natural log of glucose concentration (OR = 0.66, 95%CI0.50–0.87,P = .004). Another explanation for hyperglobulinemia was not identified for most cats withBartonellaspecies antibodies. Hyperglobulinemia was primarily caused by polyclonal gammopathy in cats that were seronegative and seropositive forBartonellaspecies.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hyperglobulinemia was significantly associated with seropositivity toBartonellaspecies. Testing for bartonellosis is warranted in cats with unexplained hyperglobulinemia and clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of bartonellosis.
The Influence of Esomeprazole and Cisapride on Gastroesophageal Reflux During Anesthesia in Dogs
Authors: Zacuto A.C. , Marks S.L. , Osborn J. , Douthitt K.L. , Hollingshead K.L. , Hayashi K. , Kapatkin A.S. , Pypendop B.H. , Belafsky P.C.
Published: April 2012

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in anesthetized dogs and can cause esophagitis, esophageal stricture, and aspiration pneumonia.

Objective

To determine whether preanestheticIVadministration of esomeprazole alone or esomeprazole and cisapride increases esophagealpHand decreases the frequency ofGERin anesthetized dogs using combined multichannel impedance andpHmonitoring.

Animals

Sixty‐one healthy dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery procedures.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled study. Dogs were randomized to receiveIVsaline (0.9%NaCl), esomeprazole (1 mg/kg) alone, or a combination of esomeprazole (1 mg/kg) and cisapride (1 mg/kg) 12–18 hours and 1–1.5 hours before anesthetic induction. An esophagealpH/impedance probe was utilized to measure esophagealpHand detectGER.

Results

Eight of 21 dogs in the placebo group (38.1%), 8 of 22 dogs in the esomeprazole group (36%), and 2 of 18 dogs in the combined esomeprazole and cisapride group (11%) had ≥1 episode ofGERon impedance testing during anesthesia (P < .05). Esomeprazole was associated with a significant increase in gastric and esophagealpH(P = .001), but the drug did not significantly decrease the frequency ofGER(P = .955). Concurrent administration of cisapride was associated with a significant decrease in the number of reflux events (RE) compared to the placebo and esomeprazole groups (P < .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Preanesthetic administration of cisapride and esomeprazole decreases the number ofREin anesthetized dogs, but administration of esomeprazole alone was associated with nonacid and weakly acidic reflux in all but 1 dog.
Mitral valve and tricuspid valve dysplasia in a 9‐week‐old Standardbred colt
Authors: Duz M. , Philbey A. W. , Hughes K. J.
Published: April 2012

A 9‐week‐old Standardbred colt was presented for investigation of dull demeanour, exercise intolerance and heart murmurs. Cardiac auscultation revealed a grade 5/6 holosystolic murmur and a grade 5/6 pansystolic murmur over the left and right cardiac apex respectively, and an irregularly irregular cardiac rhythm. Electrocardiographic examination findings were consistent with atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. Echocardiographic examination identified marked atrioventricular regurgitation and atrial dilation bilaterally, thickening of the mitral and tricuspid valves and dilation of the pulmonary artery consistent with pulmonary hypertension. No ventricular or atrial septal defect was present. Cardiomegaly and diffuse pulmonary oedema were evident on examination of lateral thoracic radiographs. Dysplasia of the mitral and tricuspid valves, eccentric cardiomegaly and pulmonary oedema were confirmed by post mortem examination. Dysplasia of the atrioventricular valves represents a rare cause of biventricular failure in the horse.
The use of nuclear imaging for a mixed C cell microfollicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland in a mature horse
Authors: Saulez M. N. , Viljoen A. , Kafka U. , Rubio‐Martinez L. , van Wilpe E. , Steyl J.
Published: April 2012

A 15‐year‐old Boerperd stallion presented for thyroid enlargement associated with inappetance. Ultrasonographic examination of the thyroid gland revealed an enlarged left lobe, which, on cytological examination, contained numerous anaplastic cells. A mixed C cell microfollicular thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed following histopathological examination of the excisional biopsy specimen. In order to determine metastasis, pulmonary radiographs revealed a poorly‐marginated soft tissue opacity caudo‐dorsal to the cardiac silhouette. Thyroid and pulmonary scintigraphy was performed comparing99mTc‐sestamibi with99mTc‐pertechnetate and no metastasis was detectable. Following hemithyroidectomy, the stallion made a full recovery without the need for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Six months later, repeated thyroid and pulmonary scintigraphy using99mTc‐sestamibi was normal.
Direct Binding Between Orai1 and AC8 Mediates Dynamic Interplay Between Ca
2+
and cAMP Signaling
Authors: Willoughby Debbie , Everett Katy L. , Halls Michelle L. , Pacheco Jonathan , Skroblin Philipp , Vaca Luis , Klussmann Enno , Cooper Dermot M. F.
Published: April 2012

A signaling complex enables the compartmentalized regulation of cyclic AMP signaling by calcium entering through a specific channel.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 10 April 2012
Authors: Nedergaard Maiken , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: April 2012

New findings elucidate mechanisms by which astrocytes can modulate neuronal activity.
Tic TOC1 Plant Clock
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: April 2012

Morning and evening components of circadian rhythms are coordinated and stabilized by a repressor.
Better to Be Young at Heart?
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: April 2012

Changes in glycosaminoglycan abundance and function are associated with altered growth factor signaling in aged heart muscle.
Break a Bone
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: April 2012

Vitamin E supplementation may cause decreased bone mass.
Trends in Susceptibility of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium to Tigecycline, Daptomycin, and Linezolid and Molecular Epidemiology of the Isolates: Results from the Tigecycline
In Vitro
Surveillance in Taiwan (TIST) Study, 2006 to 2010
Authors: Tsai Hsih-Yeh , Liao Chun-Hsing , Chen Yen-Hsu , Lu Po-Liang , Huang Cheng-Hua , Lu Chin-Te , Chuang Yin-Ching , Tsao Shih-Ming , Chen Yao-Shen , Liu Yung-Ching , Chen Wei-Yu , Jang Tsrang-Neng , Lin Hsiu-Chen , Chen Chih-Ming , Shi Zhi-Yuan , Pan Sung-Ching , Yang Jia-Ling , Kung Hsiang-Chi , Liu Chun-Eng , Cheng Yu-Jen , Liu Jien-Wei , Sun Wu , Wang Lih-Shinn , Ko Wen-Chien , Yu Kwok-Woon , Chiang Ping-Cherng , Lee Ming-Hsun , Lee Chun-Ming , Hsu Gwo-Jong , Hsueh Po-Ren
Published: April 2012

Among the 219 vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
isolates collected in 20 Taiwanese hospitals from 2006 to 2010, all were susceptible to linezolid and daptomycin, and 98.6% were susceptible to tigecycline. There was a shift toward higher tigecycline MIC values (MIC
90
s) from 2006-2007 (0.06 μg/ml) to 2008–2010 (0.12 μg/ml). The MIC
90
s of daptomycin and linezolid remained stationary. Although pulsotypes among the isolates from the 20 hospitals varied, intrahospital spreading of several clones was identified in 13 hospitals.
Efficacy of OH-CATH30 and Its Analogs against Drug-Resistant Bacteria
In Vitro
and in Mouse Models
Authors: Li Sheng-An , Lee Wen-Hui , Zhang Yun
Published: April 2012

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered alternatives to conventional antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, their comparatively high toxicity toward eukaryotic cells and poor efficacy
in vivo
hamper their clinical application. OH-CATH30, a novel cathelicidin peptide deduced from the king cobra, possesses potent antibacterial activity
in vitro
. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OH-CATH30 and its analog OH-CM6 against drug-resistant bacteria
in vitro
and
in vivo
. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 ranged from 1.56 to 12.5 μg/ml against drug-resistant clinical isolates of several pathogenic species, including
Escherichia coli
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 were slightly altered in the presence of 25% human serum. OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 killed
E. coli
quickly (within 60 min) by disrupting the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Importantly, the 50% lethal doses (LD
50
) of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 in mice following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection were 120 mg/kg of body weight and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and no death was observed at any dose up to 160 mg/kg following subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Moreover, 10 mg/kg OH-CATH30 or OH-CM6 significantly decreased the bacterial counts as well as the inflammatory response in a mouse thigh infection model and rescued infected mice in a bacteremia model induced by drug-resistant
E. coli
. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the natural cathelicidin peptide OH-CATH30 and its analogs exhibit relatively low toxicity and potent efficacy in mouse models, indicating that they may have therapeutic potential against the systemic infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Type VI Secretion System-Associated Gene Clusters Contribute to Pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Mulder David T. , Cooper Colin A. , Coombes Brian K.
Published: April 2012

The enteropathogen
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium employs a suite of tightly regulated virulence factors within the intracellular compartment of phagocytic host cells resulting in systemic dissemination in mice. A type VI secretion system (T6SS) within
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 6 (SPI-6) has been implicated in this process; however, the regulatory inputs and the roles of noncore genes in this system are not well understood. Here we describe four clusters of noncore T6SS genes in SPI-6 based on a comparative relationship with the T6SS-3 of
Burkholderia mallei
and report that the disruption of these genes results in defects in intracellular replication and systemic dissemination in mice. In addition, we show that the expression of the SPI-6-encoded Hcp and VgrG orthologs is enhanced during late stages of macrophage infection. We identify six regions that are transcriptionally active during cell infections and that have regulatory contributions from the regulators of virulence SsrB, PhoP, and SlyA. We show that levels of protein expression are very weak under
in vitro
conditions and that expression is not enhanced upon the deletion of
ssrB
,
phoP
,
slyA
,
qseC
,
ompR
, or
hfq
, suggesting an unknown activating factor. These data suggest that the SPI-6 T6SS has been integrated into the
Salmonella
Typhimurium virulence network and customized for host-pathogen interactions through the action of noncore genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Hantavirus Variant of Rio Mamoré Virus, Maripa Virus, from French Guiana
Authors: Matheus Séverine , Lavergne Anne , de Thoisy Benoît , Dussart Philippe , Lacoste Vincent
Published: April 2012

We report the first complete genome sequence of Maripa virus identified in 2009 from a patient with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in French Guiana.
Maripa virus
corresponds to a new variant of the
Rio Mamoré virus
species in the
Bunyaviridae
family, genus
Hantavirus
.
Complete Genome of Temperate Phage ENT39118 from Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Lee Young-Duck , Park Jong-Hyun
Published: April 2012

Cronobacter sakazakii
infection is particularly harmful to infants, and putative virulence factors of prophage origin have been identified in
C. sakazakii
. In this study, the phage ENT39118 was isolated from wild-type
C. sakazakii
; it belongs to the family
Siphoviridae
. The genomic sequence of phage ENT39118 was composed of circular double-stranded DNA with a length of 39,012 bp. The sequence of ENT39118 showed weak sequence similarity to some reported regions of the prophage sequences in the
C. sakazakii
BAA-894 genome. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the genomic sequencing and annotation of this temperate phage, which was obtained from a
C. sakazakii
isolate from powdered infant formula.
Genome of Klebsiella sp.-Infecting Bacteriophage vB_KleM_RaK2
Authors: Šimoliūnas Eugenijus , Kaliniene Laura , Truncaite Lidija , Klausa Vytautas , Zajančkauskaite Aurelija , Meškys Rolandas
Published: April 2012

Despite the fact that multidrug-resistant
Klebsiella
sp. strains emerge rapidly (Xu J, et al., Adv. Mater. Res. 268-270:1954-1956, 2011) and bacteriophages have been reported to be useful in controlling these bacteria (Kumari S, Harjai K, Chhibber S, J. Med. Microbiol. 60:205-210, 2011), the complete genome sequences of only five
Klebsiella
phages (four siphoviruses and one myovirus) can be found in databases. In this paper, we report on the complete genome sequence of
Klebsiella
sp.-infecting bacteriophage vB_KleM_RaK2. With a genome size of 345,809 bp, this is the second largest myovirus and the largest
Klebsiella
phage sequenced to date. This phage differs substantially from other myoviruses since 411 out of 534 vB_KleM_RaK2 open reading frames have no known functions and lack any reliable database matches. Comparative analysis of the genome sequence of vB_KleM_RaK2 suggests that this phage forms a distinct phylogenetic branch within the family
Myoviridae
of tailed bacteriophages.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 2, Demonstrating Circulation of a Western Topotype in Southern India
Authors: Maan Narender S. , Maan Sushila , Guimera Marc , Pullinger Gillian , Singh Karam Pal , Nomikou Kyriaki , Belaganahalli Manjunatha N. , Mertens Peter P. C.
Published: April 2012

Bluetongue virus serotype 2 (IND2003/02) was isolated in Tiruneveli City, Tamil Nadu State, India, and is stored in the Orbivirus Reference Collection at the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, United Kingdom. The entire genome of this isolate was sequenced, showing that it is composed of a total of 19,203 bp (all 10 genome segments). This is the first report of the entire genome sequence of a western strain of BTV-2 isolated in India, indicating that this virus has been introduced and is circulating in the region. These data will aid in the development of diagnostics and molecular epidemiology studies of BTV-2 in the subcontinent.
OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MgCl2 ADDED TRIGLYCINE SULPHATE SINGLE CRYSTALS
Authors: KRISHNAKUMAR V. , RAJABOOPATHI M. , NAGALAKSHMI R.
Published: April 2012

This paper discusses the optical and mechanical properties of triglycine sulphate (TGS) and MgCl 2 added TGS single crystals (McTGS) grown from aqueous solution at room temperature using slow evaporation solution growth technique. The grown crystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction technique and the cell parameter values are found to be a = 9.405 Å, b = 12.623 Å and c = 5.721 Å; β = 110.347° with V = 637.001 Å3. UV-Vis-NIR study shows the direct type transition is involved in these materials and indirect, phonon energy gap of McTGS crystals have also been calculated, and these values are less than the TGS crystals. Refractive index and real and imaginary part of the dielectric constant have been discussed for grown crystals. The value of interband optical transition and oscillator energy has been determined by analyzing refractive index with incident energy. Vickers microhardness test was used to determine hardness number, fracture toughness, brittleness index, yield strength and types of crack formed in the crystals.
A HETEROGENEOUS ZERO-RANGE PROCESS RELATED TO A TWO-DIMENSIONAL WALK MODEL
Authors: MASHARIAN SEYEDEH RAZIYEH , JAFARPOUR FARHAD H.
Published: April 2012

We have considered a disordered driven-diffusive system defined on a ring. This system can be mapped onto a heterogeneous zero-range process. We have shown that the grand-canonical partition function of this process can be obtained using a matrix product formalism and that it is exactly equal to the partition function of a two-dimensional walk model. The canonical partition function of this process is also calculated. Two simple examples are presented in order to confirm the results.
SPIN-POLARONS IN AN EXCHANGE MODEL
Authors: NAVARRO O. , VALLEJO E. , AVIGNON M.
Published: April 2012

Spin-polarons are obtained using an Ising-like exchange model consisting of double and super-exchange interactions in low-dimensional systems. At zero temperature, a new phase separation between small magnetic polarons, one conduction electron self-trapped in a magnetic domain of two or three sites, and the antiferromagnetic phase was previously reported. On the other hand the important effect of temperature was missed. Temperature diminishes Boltzmann probability allowing excited states in the system. Static magnetic susceptibility and short-range spin–spin correlations at zero magnetic field were calculated to explore the spin-polaron formation. At high temperature Curie–Weiss behavior is obtained and compared with the Curie-like behavior observed in the nickelate one-dimensional compound Y 2-n Ca n BaNiO 5.
MODELING QUANTUM MECHANICAL OBSERVERS VIA NEURAL-GLIAL NETWORKS
Authors: KONISHI EIJI
Published: April 2012

We investigate the theory of observers in the quantum mechanical world by using a novel model of the human brain which incorporates the glial network into the Hopfield model of the neural network. Our model is based on a microscopic construction of a quantum Hamiltonian of the synaptic junctions. Using the Eguchi–Kawai large N reduction, we show that, when the number of neurons and astrocytes is exponentially large, the degrees of freedom (d.o.f) of the dynamics of the neural and glial networks can be completely removed and, consequently, that the retention time of the superposition of the wavefunctions in the brain is as long as that of the microscopic quantum system of pre-synaptics sites. Based on this model, the classical information entropy of the neural-glial network is introduced. Using this quantity, we propose a criterion for the brain to be a quantum mechanical observer.
SOME CONTINUOUS AGGREGATION OPERATORS WITH INTERVAL-VALUED INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY INFORMATION AND THEIR APPLICATION TO DECISION MAKING
Authors: LIN JIAN , ZHANG QIANG
Published: April 2012

In this paper, some new operators for aggregating interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information are proposed to deal with multiple attribute decision making problems. Firstly, the C-IFOWA operator and C-IFOWG operator are developed to aggregate all the values in the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. Some of their desirable properties are also studied. Secondly, in order to aggregate a set of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, some new aggregation operators are proposed based on the C-IFOWA operator and C-IFOWG operator. Thirdly, two methods for multiple attribute decision making, in which the attribute values are given in the forms of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are presented. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the practicality and validity of the proposed methods.
A METRIC ON SPACE OF MEASURABLE FUNCTIONS AND THE RELATED CONVERGENCE
Authors: LI GANG
Published: April 2012

A new metric is proposed on the space of measurable functions in the setting of non-additive measure theory. The convergence induced from the metric can be used to describe the convergence in measure for sequences of measurable functions. Furthermore, the space of measurable functions is complete under the metric.
METAMODEL-BASED PROBABILISTIC DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF STATIC SYSTEMS WITH AN EXTENSION TO DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
Authors: SEECHARAN TURUNA S. , SAVAGE GORDON J.
Published: April 2012

In design, much research deals with cases where design variables are deterministic thus ignoring possible uncertainties present in manufacturing or environmental conditions. When uncertainty is considered, the design variables follow a particular distribution whose parameters are defined. Probabilistic design aims to reduce the probability of failure of a system by moving the distribution parameters of the design variables. The most popular method to estimate the probability of failure is a Monte Carlo Simulation where, using the distribution parameters, many runs are generated and the number of times the system does not meet specifications is counted. This method, however, can become time-consuming as the mechanistic model developed to model a physical system becomes increasingly complex. From structural reliability theory, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) is an efficient method to estimate probability and efficiently moves the parameters to reduce failure probability. However, if the mechanistic model is too complex FORM becomes difficult to use. This paper presents a methodology to use approximating functions, called 'metamodels', with FORM to search for a design that minimizes the probability of failure. The method will be applied to three examples and the accuracy and speed of this metamodel-based probabilistic design method will be discussed. The speed and accuracy of three popular metamodels, the response surface model, the Radial Basis Function and the Kriging model are compared. Later, some theory will be presented on how the method can be applied to systems with a dynamic performance measure where the response lifetime is required to computer another performance measure.
SOFTWARE RELIABILITY GROWTH MODELING FRAMEWORKS WITH CHANGE OF TESTING-ENVIRONMENT
Authors: INOUE SHINJI , YAMADA SHIGERU
Published: April 2012

We discuss software reliability measurement with change of testing-environment by developing software reliability growth models. It is known that such change influences the accuracy for the software reliability assessment based on a software reliability growth model. This paper additionally shows numerical illustrations for software reliability measurement based on our software reliability growth models by using actual data.
SYSTEM RELIABILITY WITH COMPETING COMPONENTS AND LOAD SHARING — A HDD HEAD-DISK INTERFACE PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SUN FENG-BIN , GILLIS DONALD
Published: April 2012

The authors of this paper present a quantitative insight of a long argued question in hard disk drive (HDD) industry about the reliability effects of the number of head-disk interfaces (HDI). The competition between complexity and data transfer load is modeled from system reliability perspective: competing components with load sharing. Product failure probability ratio and steady-state MTTF ratio between different data storage capacities are derived in terms of their head-disk interface number ratio and data transfer ratio. It is found that the reliability dominance of these two factors is conditional to the mathematical characteristics of their governing failure physics. The detailed discussion is conducted on the system reliability with head-disk interface failures governed by Weibull life distribution and Inverse Power Law stress-life relationship.
The Decision Behavior of Taiwan Firms Investing in China: Evidence from Different Industries
Authors: Lin Szu-Hsien , Chen You-Jie , Wang Tz-Li , Wang Hung-Chih , Liu Ya-Chiu Angela
Published: April 2012

The main purpose of this paper is to explore Taiwanese firms' risk behavior when investing in China. Firms' investment decision-making in relation to risk propensity may be affected by its (1) aspiration performance, (2) looming bankruptcy, (3) sound operating resource, and/or (4) investment behavior within an industry. There is no reason to believe that a consensus of risk behavior is shared among various industry sectors. Nevertheless, little empirical evidence exists on this issue in the academic world. Apart from risks associated with globalization, firms in Taiwan, unlike those of other nations, face very high political risk owing to the cross-strait political tension with China. Past researchers have taken variables such as innovation or R&D expenditure as proxies in testing the risk behavior of firms, and yet the reliability of these two variables to represent risk behavior remains arguable. The authors use China investment as the proxy for risk behavior of firms in Taiwan to study the decision-making behavior of two groups: One group in electronic and information technology (EIT) industry and another group in the nonelectronic and information technology (nonEIT) industry. Empirical results show that (1) China investment is significantly affected by peer investment; (2) the EIT firms are more aggressive in resource utilization; and (3) R&D expenditure has a significant positive relationship with China investments in Taiwanese firms with strong past performance.
MULTILEVEL ALIGNMENT MAINTAINS LANGUAGE SYSTEMATICITY
Authors: VAN TRIJP REMI , STEELS LUC
Published: April 2012

The question how a shared vocabulary can arise in a multi-agent population despite the fact that each agent autonomously invents and acquires words has been solved. The solution is based on alignment: Agents score all associations between words and meanings in their lexicons and update these preference scores based on communicative success. A positive feedback loop between success and use thus arises which causes the spontaneous self-organization of a shared lexicon. The same approach has been proposed for explaining how a population can arrive at a shared grammar, in which we get the same problem of variation because each agent invents and acquires their own grammatical constructions. However, a problem arises if constructions reuse parts that can also exist on their own. This happens particularly when frequent usage patterns, which are based on compositional rules, are stored as such. The problem is how to maintain systematicity. This paper identifies this problem and proposes a solution in the form of multilevel alignment. Multilevel alignment means that the updating of preference scores is not restricted to the constructions that were used in the utterance but also downward and upward in the subsumption hierarchy.
MODELING TWO-LANGUAGE COMPETITION DYNAMICS
Authors: PATRIARCA M. , CASTELLÓ X. , URIARTE J. R. , EGUÍLUZ V. M. , SAN MIGUEL M.
Published: April 2012

During the last decade, much attention has been paid to language competition in the complex systems community, that is, how the fractions of speakers of several competing languages evolve in time. In this paper, we review recent advances in this direction and focus on three aspects. First, we consider the shift from two-state models to three-state models that include the possibility of bilingual individuals. The understanding of the role played by bilingualism is essential in sociolinguistics. In particular, the question addressed is whether bilingualism facilitates the coexistence of languages. Second, we will analyze the effect of social interaction networks and physical barriers. Finally, we will show how to analyze the issue of bilingualism from a game theoretical perspective.
AN EVALUATION OF QUANTUM CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS OF REACTION ENERGIES FOR CATALYTIC ACTIVATION PROCESSES: THE ACTIVATION OF PROPANE BY A RHODIUM CATALYST REVISITED
Authors: ROCHA WILLIAN R. , XAVIER ÉDER S. , DA SILVA JÚLIO C. S. , DIAS ROBERTA P. , SANTOS HÉLIO F. DOS , DE ALMEIDA WAGNER B.
Published: April 2012

In this paper we report the state of the art CCSD(T)//MP2 ab initio calculations for the activation of propane by cyclopentadienyl carbonyl rhodium, (Cp)Rh(CO) , using the effective core potential of Hay and Wadt (LANL2DZ) for rhodium atom and the correlated consistent polarized valence double-ξ basis set (cc-pVDZ) for C , H and O atoms. The CCSD(T) energy values are used as reference to assess the effect of electron correlation on the reaction energies, as well as the performance of density functional theory (DFT) energy values using various functionals. An investigation on the accuracy of DFT results is relevant since their use in calculations involving large molecular systems is a computationally efficient strategy that enables us to tackle important problems in organometallics field and supramolecular chemistry. Our results for the small model system show that all DFT functionals used here correctly predict the CCSD(T) energy pattern and also reproduce very satisfactorily the MP2 geometrical parameters. The BP86, PBE1PBE and PW91 functionals exhibited the best agreement with structural parameters and relative energy values as compared with ab initio post-Hartree–Fock results, showing a potential use in theoretical investigations on larger systems.
EFFECT OF CATION RADICAL FORMATION ON REACTIVITY AND ACIDITY ENHANCEMENT OF CYTOSINE NUCLEOBASE: NATURAL BOND ORBITAL AND ATOM IN MOLECULE ANALYSIS
Authors: TEHRANI ZAHRA ALIAKBAR , JAVAN MARJAN JEBELI , FATTAHI ALIREZA , HASHEMI MOHAMMAD MAHMOODI
Published: April 2012

The radical cations of DNA constituents generated by the ionizing radiation initiate an alteration of the bases, which is one of the main types of cytotoxic DNA lesions. These cation radical spices are known for their role in producing nucleic acid strand break. In this study, the gas-phase intrinsic chemical properties of the gaseous radical cations of cytosine and its base pair with guanine were examined by employing density functional theory (B3LYP) with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Structures, geometries, adiabatic ionization energies, adiabatic electron affinities, charge distributions, molecular orbital analysis and proton-transfer process of these molecules were investigated. The influence of cation radical formation on acidities of multiple sites in cytosine molecule was investigated. Results of calculations revealed that cytosine radicals formed by deprotonation of cytosine cation radicals can exothermically abstract hydrogen atoms from thiol groups, phenol, and α-positions of amino acid. Furthermore, comparison of acidity value of N–H sites of cytosine cation radical with the known proton affinities (PA) of organic and biological molecules implied that cytosine cation radical can exothermically transfer onto basic sites of amino acids and peptides.