bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins in Plants
Authors: Barkan Alice , Small Ian
Published: January 2014

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins constitute one of the largest protein families in land plants, with more than 400 members in most species. Over the past decade, much has been learned about the molecular functions of these proteins, where they act in the cell, and what physiological roles they play during plant growth and development. A typical PPR protein is targeted to mitochondria or chloroplasts, binds one or several organellar transcripts, and influences their expression by altering RNA sequence, turnover, processing, or translation. Their combined action has profound effects on organelle biogenesis and function and, consequently, on photosynthesis, respiration, plant development, and environmental responses. Recent breakthroughs in understanding how PPR proteins recognize RNA sequences through modular base-specific contacts will help match proteins to potential binding sites and provide a pathway toward designing synthetic RNA-binding proteins aimed at desired targets.
Epidemiological, Neurobiological, and Genetic Clues to the Mechanisms Linking Cannabis Use to Risk for Nonaffective Psychosis
Authors: van Winkel Ruud , Kuepper Rebecca
Published: January 2014

Epidemiological studies have shown that the association between cannabis and psychosis is robust and consistent across different samples, with compelling evidence for a dose-response relationship. Because longitudinal work indicates that cannabis use precedes psychotic symptoms, it seems reasonable to assume a causal relationship. However, more work is needed to address the possibility of gene-environment correlation (for example, genetic risk for psychosis causing onset of cannabis use). Moreover, knowledge about underlying biological mechanisms linking cannabis use and psychosis is still relatively limited. In order to understand how cannabis use may lead to an increased risk for psychosis, in the present article we (a) review the epidemiological, neurobiological, and genetic evidence linking cannabinoids and psychosis, (b) assess the quality of the evidence, and finally (c) try to integrate the most robust findings into a neurodevelopmental model of cannabis-induced psychosis and identify the gaps in knowledge that are in need of further investigation.
Antecedents of Personality Disorder in Childhood and Adolescence: Toward an Integrative Developmental Model
Authors: De Fruyt Filip , De Clercq Barbara
Published: January 2014

Antecedents of personality disorder in childhood and adolescence have been a neglected area in official taxonomies of mental disorders such as the International Classification of Diseases or the different editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. An evolving research field, however, underscores the importance of antecedents for understanding psychopathology and personality pathology in adulthood. The current article summarizes the history, updates reviews, and incorporates new research findings into an integrative scheme for conceptualizing personality pathology in childhood and adolescence. Implications of this model for assessment, future research, and intervention are discussed.
Overview of Meta-Analyses of the Prevention of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Conduct Problems
Authors: Sandler Irwin , Wolchik Sharlene A. , Cruden Gracelyn , Mahrer Nicole E. , Ahn Soyeon , Brincks Ahnalee , Brown C. Hendricks
Published: January 2014

This review presents findings from an overview of meta-analyses of the effects of prevention and promotion programs to prevent mental health, substance use, and conduct problems. The review of 48 meta-analyses found small but significant changes that reduce depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior, and substance use. Furthermore, the results were sustained over time. Meta-analyses often found that the effects were heterogeneous. A conceptual model is proposed to guide the study of moderators of program effects in future meta-analyses, and methodological issues in synthesizing findings across preventive interventions are discussed.
Depression, Stress, and Anhedonia: Toward a Synthesis and Integrated Model
Authors: Pizzagalli Diego A.
Published: January 2014

Depression is a significant public health problem, but its etiology and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Such incomplete understanding likely arises from the fact that depression encompasses a heterogeneous set of disorders. To overcome these limitations, renewed interest in intermediate phenotypes (endophenotypes) has resurfaced, and anhedonia has emerged as one of the most promising endophenotypes of depression. Here, a heuristic model is presented postulating that anhedonia arises from dysfunctional interactions between stress and brain reward systems. To this end, we review and integrate three bodies of independent literature investigating the role of (a) anhedonia, (b) dopamine, and (c) stress in depression. In a fourth section, we summarize animal data indicating that stress negatively affects mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathways critically implicated in incentive motivation and reinforcement learning. In the last section, we provide a synthesis of these four literatures, present initial evidence consistent with our model, and discuss directions for future research.
Estradiol modulates Kiss1 neuronal response to ghrelin
Authors: Frazao Renata , Lemko Heather M. Dungan , da Silva Regina P. , Ratra Dhirender V. , Lee Charlotte E. , Williams Kevin W. , Zigman Jeffrey M. , Elias Carol F.
Published: January 2014

Ghrelin is a metabolic signal regulating energy homeostasis. Circulating ghrelin levels rise during starvation and fall after a meal, and therefore, ghrelin may function as a signal of negative energy balance. Ghrelin may also act as a modulator of reproductive physiology, as acute ghrelin administration suppresses gonadotropin secretion and inhibits the neuroendocrine reproductive axis. Interestingly, ghrelin's effect in female metabolism varies according to the estrogen milieu predicting an interaction between ghrelin and estrogens, likely at the hypothalamic level. Here, we show that ghrelin receptor (GHSR) and estrogen receptor-α (ERα) are coexpressed in several hypothalamic sites. Higher levels of circulating estradiol increased the expression of GHSR mRNA and the co-xpression of GHSR mRNA and ERα selectively in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). Subsets of preoptic and ARC Kiss1 neurons coexpressed GHSR. Increased colocalization was observed in ARC Kiss1 neurons of ovariectomized estradiol-treated (OVX + E2; 80%) compared with ovariectomized oil-treated (OVX; 25%) mice. Acute actions of ghrelin on ARC Kiss1 neurons were also modulated by estradiol; 75 and 22% of Kiss1 neurons of OVX + E2 and OVX mice, respectively, depolarized in response to ghrelin. Our findings indicate that ghrelin and estradiol may interact in several hypothalamic sites. In the ARC, high levels of E2 increase GHSR mRNA expression, modifying the colocalization rate with ERα and Kiss1 and the proportion of Kiss1 neurons acutely responding to ghrelin. Our findings indicate that E2 alters the responsiveness of kisspeptin neurons to metabolic signals, potentially acting as a critical player in the metabolic control of the reproductive physiology.
Effect of IL-6 on the insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Harder-Lauridsen N. M. , Krogh-Madsen R. , Holst J. J. , Plomgaard P. , Leick L. , Pedersen B. K. , Fischer C. P.
Published: January 2014

Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are associated with type 2 diabetes, but its role in glucose metabolism is controversial. We investigated the effect of IL-6 on insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes patients and hypothesized that an acute, moderate IL-6 elevation would increase the insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Men with type 2 diabetes not treated with insulin [ n = 9, age 54.9 ± 9.7 (mean ± SD) yr, body mass index 34.8 ± 6.1 kg/m2, HbA1c7.0 ± 1.0%] received continuous intravenous infusion with either recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) or placebo. After 1 h with placebo or rhIL-6, a 3-h hyperinsulinemic-isoglycemic clamp was initiated. Whole body glucose metabolism was measured using stable isotope-labeled tracers. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression were measured in muscle biopsies. Whole body energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry. In response to the infusion of rhIL-6, circulating levels of IL-6 ( P < 0.001), neutrophils ( P < 0.001), and cortisol ( P < 0.001) increased while lymphocytes decreased ( P < 0.01). However, IL-6 infusion did not change glucose infusion rate, rate of appearance, or rate of disappearance during the clamp. While IL-6 enhanced phosphorylation of STAT3 in skeletal muscle ( P = 0.041), the expression of SOCS3 remained unchanged. Whole body oxygen uptake ( P < 0.01) and expired carbon dioxide ( P < 0.01) increased during rhIL-6 infusion. In summary, although IL-6 induced local and systemic responses, the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was not affected. While different contributing factors may be involved, our results are in contrast to our hypothesis and previous findings in young, healthy men.
Local overexpression of the myostatin propeptide increases glucose transporter expression and enhances skeletal muscle glucose disposal
Authors: Cleasby M. E. , Jarmin S. , Eilers W. , Elashry M. , Andersen D. K. , Dickson G. , Foster K.
Published: January 2014

Insulin resistance (IR) in skeletal muscle is a prerequisite for type 2 diabetes and is often associated with obesity. IR also develops alongside muscle atrophy in older individuals in sarcopenic obesity. The molecular defects that underpin this syndrome are not well characterized, and there is no licensed treatment. Deletion of the transforming growth factor-β family member myostatin, or sequestration of the active peptide by overexpression of the myostatin propeptide/latency-associated peptide (ProMyo) results in both muscle hypertrophy and reduced obesity and IR. We aimed to establish whether local myostatin inhibition would have a paracrine/autocrine effect to enhance glucose disposal beyond that simply generated by increased muscle mass, and the mechanisms involved. We directly injected adeno-associated virus expressing ProMyo in right tibialis cranialis/extensor digitorum longus muscles of rats and saline in left muscles and compared the effects after 17 days. Both test muscles were increased in size (by 7 and 11%) and showed increased radiolabeled 2-deoxyglucose uptake (26 and 47%) and glycogen storage (28 and 41%) per unit mass during an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. This was likely mediated through increased membrane protein levels of GLUT1 (19% higher) and GLUT4 (63% higher). Interestingly, phosphorylation of phosphoinositol 3-kinase signaling intermediates and AMP-activated kinase was slightly decreased, possibly because of reduced expression of insulin-like growth factor-I in these muscles. Thus, myostatin inhibition has direct effects to enhance glucose disposal in muscle beyond that expected of hypertrophy alone, and this approach may offer potential for the therapy of IR syndromes.
A Linear Method to Derive 3D Projective Invariants from 4 Uncalibrated Images
Authors: Wang YuanBin , Wang XingWei , Zhang Bin , Wang Ying
Published: January 2014

A well-known method proposed by Quan to compute projective invariants of 3D points uses six points in three 2D images. The method is nonlinear and complicated. It usually produces three possible solutions. It is noted previously that the problem can be solved directly and linearly using six points in five images. This paper presents a method to compute projective invariants of 3D points from four uncalibrated images directly. For a set of six 3D points in general position, we choose four of them as the reference basis and represent the other two points under this basis. It is known that the cross ratios of the coefficients of these representations are projective invariant. After a series of linear transformations, a system of four bilinear equations in the three unknown projective invariants is derived. Systems of nonlinear multivariable equations are usually hard to solve. We show that this form of equations can be solved linearly and uniquely. This finding is remarkable. It means that the natural configuration of the projective reconstruction problem might be six points and four images. The solutions are given in explicit formulas.
Design of Jitter Compensation Algorithm for Robot Vision Based on Optical Flow and Kalman Filter
Authors: Wang B. R. , Jin Y. L. , Shao D. L. , Xu Y.
Published: January 2014

Image jitters occur in the video of the autonomous robot moving on bricks road, which will reduce robot operation precision based on vision. In order to compensate the image jitters, the affine transformation kinematics were established for obtaining the six image motion parameters. The feature point pair detecting method was designed based on Eigen-value of the feature windows gradient matrix, and the motion parameters equation was solved using the least square method and the matching point pairs got based on the optical flow. The condition number of coefficient matrix was proposed to quantificationally analyse the effect of matching errors on parameters solving errors. Kalman filter was adopted to smooth image motion parameters. Computing cases show that more point pairs are beneficial for getting more precise motion parameters. The integrated jitters compensation software was developed with feature points detecting in subwindow. And practical experiments were conducted on two mobile robots. Results show that the compensation costing time is less than frame sample time and Kalman filter is valid for robot vision jitters compensation.
Toxicological Study ofOcimum sanctumLinn Leaves: Hematological, Biochemical, and Histopathological Studies
Authors: Gautam M. K. , Goel R. K.
Published: January 2014

The present study was aimed to study the acute and subacute toxicity studies with orally administered 50% ethanolic leaves extract ofOcimum sanctumLinn (OSE). In acute toxicity tests, four groups of mice(n=6/group/sex)were orally treated with doses of 200, 600, and 2000 mg/kg, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were recorded for up to 14 days. In subacute toxicity study, rats received OSE by gavage at the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day(n=6/group/sex)for 28 days, and biochemical, hematological, and histopathological changes in tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and testis/ovary) were determined. OSE did not produce any hazardous symptoms or death and CNS and ANS toxicities in the acute toxicity test. Subacute treatment with OSE did not show any change in body weight, food and water consumption, and hematological and biochemical profiles. In addition, no change was observed both in macroscopic and microscopic aspects of vital organs in rats. Our result showed thatOcimum sanctumextract could be safe for human use.
Rotational Dynamics of Optically Trapped Human Spermatozoa
Authors: Subramani Elavarasan , Basu Himanish , Thangaraju Shyam , Dandekar Sucheta , Mathur Deepak , Chaudhury Koel
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Optical trapping is a laser-based method for probing the physiological and mechanical properties of cells in a noninvasive manner. As sperm motility is an important criterion for assessing the male fertility potential, this technique is used to study sperm cell motility behavior and rotational dynamics.Methods and Patients. An integrated optical system with near-infrared laser beam has been used to analyze rotational dynamics of live sperm cells from oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic cases and compared with controls.Results. The linear, translational motion of the sperm is converted into rotational motion on being optically trapped, without causing any adverse effect on spermatozoa. The rotational speed of sperm cells from infertile men is observed to be significantly less as compared to controls.Conclusions. Distinguishing normal and abnormal sperm cells on the basis of beat frequency above 5.6 Hz may be an important step in modern reproductive biology to sort and select good quality spermatozoa. The application of laser-assisted technique in biology has the potential to be a valuable tool for assessment of sperm fertilization capacity for improving assisted reproductive technology.
Salivary Diagnostics: A Brief Review
Authors: Malathi Narasimhan , Mythili Sabesan , Vasanthi Hannah R.
Published: January 2014

Early detection of disease plays a crucial role for treatment planning and prognosis. Saliva has great potential as a diagnostic fluid and offers advantage over serum and other biological fluids by an economic and noninvasive collection method for monitoring of systemic health and disease progression. The plethora of components in this fluid can act as biomarkers for diagnosis of various systemic and local diseases. In this review paper, we have emphasized the role of salivary biomarkers as diagnostic tools.
New Onset of Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis during Anti-TNF-αTherapies: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Brunasso Alexandra Maria Giovanna , Aberer Werner , Massone Cesare
Published: January 2014

We performed a systematic search of databases from 1990 to 2013 to identify articles concerning the new onset of dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) in patients treated with anti-TNF-αtherapy. We retrieved 13 publications describing 20 patients where the new onset of DM/PM after anti-TNF-αtherapy was recorded. 17 patients were affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one by Crohn’s disease, one by ankylosing spondilytis, and one by seronegative arthritis. In 91% of the cases antinuclear autoantibodies were detected after the introduction of anti-TNF-αtherapy. In 6 patients antisynthetase antibodies were detected and other clinical findings as interstitial lung disease (ILD) were recorded. Improvement of DM/PM after anti-TNF suspension (with the concomitant use of other immunosuppressors) was recorded in 94% of cases. The emergence of DM/PM and antisynthetase syndrome seem to be associated with the use of anti-TNF-αagents, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (mainly RA) with positive autoantibodies before therapy initiation. In particular, physicians should pay attention to patients affected by RA with positive antisynthetase antibodies and/or history of ILD. In those cases, the use of the TNF-αblocking agents may trigger the onset of PM/DM or antisynthetase syndrome or may aggravate/trigger the lung disease.
Epidemiological Patterns of Varicella in the Period of 1977 to 2012 in the Rijeka District, Croatia
Authors: Bakašun Vjekoslav , Pahor Đana
Published: January 2014

The incidence and distribution of reported varicella cases in the Rijeka District (RD), Croatia (323,130 inhabitants in 1990 and because of the new administrative distribution 305,505 inhabitants in 1991), from 1977 to 2012 are presented. During this period, varicella is continuously present in the RD and these epidemics appear practically every other year. The highest incidence of 1642 per 100,000 inhabitants was registered in 1987. High incidence was also registered during the interepidemic years, while the lowest 247 per 100,000 inhabitants was registered in 2001. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 years were mostly infected, while 87.7% of the 78,883 registered cases were in those up to 14 years. Varicella manifests most intensively during winter and spring, with a peak in March and April. Males are not significantly more affected (51.1%) than females (48.9%). In the observed period, there was not a single reported case of death connected with the varicella disease.
Patients Hospitalized in General Wards via the Emergency Department: Early Identification of Predisposing Factors for Death or Unexpected Intensive Care Unit Admission—A Historical Prospective
Authors: Boulain Thierry , Runge Isabelle , Delorme Nathalie , Bouju Angèle , Valéry Antoine
Published: January 2014

Background.To identify, upon emergency department (ED) admission, predictors of unexpected death or unplanned intensive care/high dependency units (ICU/HDU) admission during the first 15 days of hospitalization on regular wards.Methods.Prospective cohort study in a medical-surgical adult ED in a teaching hospital, including consecutive patients hospitalized on regular wards after ED visit, and identification of predictors by logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model.Results.Among 4,619 included patients, 77 (1.67%) target events were observed: 32 unexpected deaths and 45 unplanned transfers to an ICU/HDU. We identified 9predictors of the target eventincluding the oxygen administration on the ED, unknown current medications, and use of psychoactive drug(s). All predictors put the patients at risk during the first 15 days of hospitalization. A logistic model forhospital mortality prediction(death of all causes) still comprised oxygen administration on the ED, unknown current medications, and the use of psychoactive drug(s) as risk factors.Conclusion.The “use of oxygen therapy on the ED,” the “current use of psychoactive drug(s)”, and the “lack of knowledge of current medications taken by the patients” were important predisposing factors to severe adverse events during the 15 days of hospitalization on regular wards following the ED visit.
Metastatic Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate with PSA Value of 8.6 ng/mL at 5-Year-Followup after Prostatectomy, Radiotherapy, and Androgen Deprivation
Authors: Kalaitzis Christos , Koukourakis Michael , Giannakopoulos Stilianos , Giatromanolaki Alexandra , Sivridis Efthimios , Bantis Athanasios , Touloupidis Stavros
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate is a rare variant of prostate cancer. Its malignant potential and the clinical course of the affected patients remain, by and large, controversial. No data exist about the course of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate.Case Presentation. This case report describes the excellent clinical course of a 68-year-old patient with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate, treated by radical prostatectomy, irradiation, and androgen deprivation.Conclusion. In our case, mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate does not appear to behave differently than acinar prostate cancer. Its malignant potential is dependent on its Gleason score.
Kinetic Modeling of a Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidative Treatment of Petroleum Refining Wastewater
Authors: Basheer Hasan Diya'uddeen , Abdul Raman Abdul Aziz , Wan Daud Wan Mohd Ashri
Published: January 2014

The mineralisation kinetics of petroleum refinery effluent (PRE) by Fenton oxidation were evaluated. Within the ambit of the experimental data generated, first-order kinetic model (FKM), generalised lumped kinetic model (GLKM), and generalized kinetic model (GKM) were tested. The obtained apparent kinetic rate constants for the initial oxidation step (k2′), their final oxidation step (k1′), and the direct conversion to endproducts step (k3′) were 10.12, 3.78, and 0.24 min−1for GKM; 0.98, 0.98, and nil min−1for GLKM; and nil, nil, and >0.005 min−1for FKM. The findings showed that GKM is superior in estimating the mineralization kinetics.
Markedly Increased High-Mobility Group Box 1 Protein in a Patient with Small-for-Size Syndrome
Authors: Craig Darren G. , Lee Patricia , Pryde E. Anne , Hidalgo Ernest , Hayes Peter C. , Wigmore Stephen J. , Forbes Stuart J. , Simpson Kenneth J.
Published: January 2014

Background. Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) occurs in the presence of insufficient liver mass to maintain normal function after liver transplantation. Murine mortality following 85% hepatectomy can be reduced by the use of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) to scavenge damage-associated molecular patterns and prevent their engagement with membrane-bound RAGE.Aims. To explore serum levels of sRAGE, high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, and other soluble inflammatory mediators in a fatal case of SFSS.Methods. Serum levels of HMGB1, sRAGE, IL-18, and other inflammatory mediators were measured by ELISA in a case of SFSS, and the results were compared with 8 patients with paracetamol-induced acute liver failure (ALF) and 6 healthy controls (HC).Results. HMGB1 levels were markedly higher in the SFSS patient (92.1 ng/mL) compared with the ALF patients (median (IQR) 11.4 (3.7–14.8) ng/mL) and HC (1.42 (1.38–1.56) ng/mL). In contrast, sRAGE levels were lower in the SFSS patient (1.88 ng/mL) compared with the ALF patients (3.53 (2.66–12.37) ng/mL) and were similar to HC levels (1.40 (1.23–1.89) ng/mL).Conclusion. These results suggest an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory innate immune pathways in SFSS. Modulation of the HMGB1-RAGE axis may represent a future therapeutic avenue in this condition.
Mathematical Model of Pipeline Abandonment and Recovery in Deepwater
Authors: Zeng Xia-Guang , Duan Meng-Lan , An Chen
Published: January 2014

In offshore oil and gas engineering the pipeline abandonment and recovery is unavoidable and its mechanical analysis is necessary and important. For this problem a third-order differential equation is used as the governing equation in this paper, rather than the traditional second-order one. The mathematical model of pipeline abandonment and recovery is a moving boundary value problem, which means that it is hard to determine the length of the suspended pipeline segment. A novel technique for the handling of the moving boundary condition is proposed, which can tackle the moving boundary condition without contact analysis. Based on a traditional numerical method, the problem is solved directly by the proposed technique. The results of the presented method are in good agreement with the results of the traditional finite element method coupled with contact analysis. Finally, an approximate formula for quick calculation of the suspended pipeline length is proposed based on Buckingham’s Pi-theorem and mathematical fitting.
Derivatives of Meromorphic Functions with Multiple Zeros and Small Functions
Authors: Yang Pai , Niu Peiyan
Published: January 2014

Letfzbe a meromorphic function inℂ, and letαz=Rzhz≢0, wherehzis a nonconstant elliptic function andRzis a rational function. Suppose that all zeros offzare multiple except finitely many andTr,α=oTr,fasr→∞. Thenf'z=αzhas infinitely many solutions.
The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment
Authors: Abgrall N. , Aguayo E. , Avignone F. T. , Barabash A. S. , Bertrand F. E. , Boswell M. , Brudanin V. , Busch M. , Caldwell A. S. , Chan Y.-D. , Christofferson C. D. , Combs D. C. , Detwiler J. A. , Doe P. J. , Efremenko Yu. , Egorov V. , Ejiri H. , Elliott S. R. , Esterline J. , Fast J. E. , Finnerty P. , Fraenkle F. M. , Galindo-Uribarri A. , Giovanetti G. K. , Goett J. , Green M. P. , Gruszko J. , Guiseppe V. E. , Gusev K. , Hallin A. L. , Hazama R. , Hegai A. , Henning R. , Hoppe E. W. , Howard S. , Howe M. A. , Keeter K. J. , Kidd M. F. , Knecht A. , Kochetov O. , Konovalov S. I. , Kouzes R. T. , LaFerriere B. D. , Leon J. , Leviner L. E. , Loach J. C. , Luke P. N. , MacMullin S. , Martin R. D. , Mertens S. , Mizouni L. , Nomachi M. , Orrell J. L. , O'Shaughnessy C. , Overman N. R. , Phillips David , Poon A. W. P. , Pushkin K. , Radford D. C. , Rielage K. , Robertson R. G. H. , Ronquest M. C. , Schubert A. G. , Shanks B. , Shima T. , Shirchenko M. , Snavely K. J. , Snyder N. , Steele D. , Strain J. , Suriano A. M. , Thompson J. , Timkin V. , Tornow W. , Varner R. L. , Vasilyev S. , Vetter K. , Vorren K. , White B. R. , Wilkerson J. F. , Williams T. , Xu W. , Yakushev E. , Young A. R. , Yu C.-H. , Yumatov V.
Published: January 2014

The MajoranaDemonstratorwill search for the neutrinoless double-beta(ββ0ν)decay of the isotopeGe with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. The Demonstratoris being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals of the Demonstratorand the details of its design.
Phytase Production byAspergillus nigerCFR 335 andAspergillus ficuumSGA 01 through Submerged and Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Shivanna Gunashree B. , Venkateswaran Govindarajulu
Published: January 2014

Fermentation is one of the industrially important processes for the development of microbial metabolites that has immense applications in various fields. This has prompted to employ fermentation as a major technique in the production of phytase from microbial source. In this study, a comparison was made between submerged (SmF) and solid-state fermentations (SSF) for the production of phytase fromAspergillus nigerCFR 335 andAspergillus ficuumSGA 01. It was found that both the fungi were capable of producing maximum phytase on 5th day of incubation in both submerged and solid-state fermentation media.Aspergillus nigerCFR 335 andA. ficuumproduced a maximum of 60.6 U/gds and 38 U/gds of the enzyme, respectively, in wheat bran solid substrate medium. Enhancement in the enzyme level (76 and 50.7 U/gds) was found when grown in a combined solid substrate medium comprising wheat bran, rice bran, and groundnut cake in the ratio of 2 : 1 : 1. A maximum of 9.6 and 8.2 U/mL of enzyme activity was observed in SmF byA. nigerCFR 335 andA.ficuum, respectively, when grown in potato dextrose broth.
Sex Dependence of Cognitive Functions in Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Suwalska Aleksandra , Łojko Dorota
Published: January 2014

The objective of the present study was to assess the performance of lithium treated euthymic bipolar patients in tests measuring spatial working memory (SWM), planning, and verbal fluency and to delineate the influence of gender on cognitive functioning. Fifty-nine euthymic bipolar patients, treated with lithium carbonate for at least 5 yr, were studied. Patients and controls underwent a neuropsychological assessment. Bipolar patients had significantly worse results than the healthy controls in the spatial memory and planning as well as verbal fluency tests. We detected a gender-related imbalance in the SWM results. Deficits in SWM were observed in male-only comparisons but not in female-only comparisons. The SWM scores were significantly poorer in male patients than in male controls. In female-only comparisons, female patients did not have significantly poorer SWM results in any category than their controls. Bipolar women scored worse in some other tests. The present study points to the different patterns of neuropsychological disturbances in female and male patients and suggests that sex-dependent differences should be taken into account in order to tailor the therapeutic intervention aimed at the improvement of cognitive functions.
Blindness and Visual Impairment among Egyptian Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Eldaly M. A. , Salama M. M. , Abu Eleinen K. G. , Ghalwash D. , Youssef M. , El-Shiaty A. F.
Published: January 2014

Purpose. Glaucoma is the second commonest cause of blindness worldwide. Visual fields and intraocular pressures are optimum outcomes to be assessed in developed countries. Visual acuity as an outcome is the key player when assessing blindness in developing countries. The aim of this study is to assess visual impairment and blindness in glaucoma patients and to identify the bulk they represent in comparison to nonglaucoma patients in the same practice setting.Methods. Patients attending outpatient clinics of Cairo University Hospitals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Clinical data collected for these patients included their demographic data, best obtained visual acuity, and whether or not they have had an established diagnosis of glaucoma. Results were compared at 95% confidence intervals.Results. 988 eyes of 494 patients were included for this study. Their mean visual acuity was 6/24 (±3 Snellen lines). Legal blindness was found in 5% and 4% of glaucoma and nonglaucoma groups, respectively. There were high odds for finding eyes with total blindness due to glaucoma. That was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusions. A large proportion of glaucoma patients suffered from blindness in at least one eye. Interventional strategies are recommended regarding visual disability among Egyptian glaucoma patients.
Development and Optimization of Osmotically Controlled Asymmetric Membrane Capsules for Delivery of Solid Dispersion of Lycopene
Authors: Jain Nitin , Sareen Rashmi , Mahindroo Neeraj , Dhar K. L.
Published: January 2014

The aim of the present investigation is to develop and statistically optimize the osmotically controlled asymmetric membrane capsules of solid dispersion of lycopene. Solid dispersions of lycopene withβ-cyclodextrin in different ratios were prepared using solvent evaporation method. Solubility studies showed that the solid dispersion with 1 : 5 (lycopene : β-cyclodextrin) exhibited optimum solubility (56.25 mg/mL) for osmotic controlled delivery. Asymmetric membrane capsules (AMCs) were prepared on glass mold pins via dip coating method. Membrane characterization by scanning electron microscopy showed inner porous region and outer dense region. Central composite design response surface methodology was applied for the optimization of AMCs. The independent variables were ethyl cellulose (X1), glycerol (X2), and NaCl (X3) which were varied at different levels to analyze the effect on dependent variables (percentage of cumulative drug release (Y1) and correlation coefficient of drug release (Y2)). The effect of independent variables on the response was significantly influential. The F18was selected as optimized formulation based on percentage of CDR (cumulative drug release) of 85.63% and correlation coefficient of 0.9994. The optimized formulation was subjected to analyze the effect of osmotic pressure and agitational intensity on percentage of CDR. The drug release was independent of agitational intensity but was dependent on osmotic pressure of dissolution medium.
Detection of Epileptic Seizure Event and Onset Using EEG
Authors: Ahammad Nabeel , Fathima Thasneem , Joseph Paul
Published: January 2014

This study proposes a method of automatic detection of epileptic seizure event and onset using wavelet based features and certain statistical features without wavelet decomposition. Normal and epileptic EEG signals were classified using linear classifier. For seizure event detection, Bonn University EEG database has been used. Three types of EEG signals (EEG signal recorded from healthy volunteer with eye open, epilepsy patients in the epileptogenic zone during a seizure-free interval, and epilepsy patients during epileptic seizures) were classified. Important features such as energy, entropy, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, and mean at different subbands were computed and classification was done using linear classifier. The performance of classifier was determined in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy. The overall accuracy was 84.2%. In the case of seizure onset detection, the database used is CHB-MIT scalp EEG database. Along with wavelet based features, interquartile range (IQR) and mean absolute deviation (MAD) without wavelet decomposition were extracted. Latency was used to study the performance of seizure onset detection. Classifier gave a sensitivity of 98.5% with an average latency of 1.76 seconds.
Institutionalization-Free Survival and Health Care Costs among Quebec Community-Dwelling Elderly Patients with Dementia
Authors: Beland Sarah-Gabrielle , Pariente Antoine , Moride Yola
Published: January 2014

Background.Published data on burden of dementia mainly include patients of third-care facilities. Economic consequences in an outpatient setting remain poorly examined.Objectives.To evaluate institutionalization-free survival and direct health care costs of dementia in the Quebec community-dwelling elderly population.Methods.A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Quebec administrative claims databases. The cohort included a random sample of patients with treated dementia between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009 (n=37,138). The reference population included elderly patients without dementia matched in age group, gender, and index date. Using a third-party payer perspective, direct costs over 5 years were assessed.Results.Institutionalization-free survival at 5 years was lower in patients with dementia than in elderly without dementia (38.9% and 72.2%, resp.). Over 5 years, difference in mean total direct health care costs per patient was CAD$19,159, distributed into institutionalizations (CAD$13,598), hospitalizations (CAD$3,312), and prescribed medications (CAD$2,320). Costs of medical services were similar (−CAD$96). In the first year of followup, cost differentials were mainly attributable to hospitalizations, while in the last year (year 5) they were due to institutionalizations.Conclusion.This study confirms that dementia is an important socioeconomic burden in the community, the nature of which depends on disease progression.
A Novel Photosynthesis of Carboxymethyl Starch-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: El-Sheikh M. A.
Published: January 2014

The water soluble photoinitiator (PI) 4-(trimethyl ammonium methyl) benzophenone chloride is used for the first time in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A new green synthesis method involves using PI/UV system, carboxymethyl starch (CMS), silver nitrate, and water. A mechanism of the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs by PI/UV system as well as by the newly born aldehydic groups was proposed. The synthesis process was assessed by UV-vis spectra and TEM of AgNPs colloidal solution. The highest absorbance was obtained using CMS, PI and AgNO3concentrations of 10 g/L, 1 g/L, and 1 g/L, respectively; 40°C; 60 min; pH 7; and a material : liquor ratio 1 : 20. AgNPs so-obtained were stable in aqueous solution over a period of three weeks at room temperature (~25°C) and have round shape morphology. The sizes of synthesized AgNPs were in the range of 1–21 nm and the highest counts % of these particles were for particles of 6–10 and 1–3 nm, respectively.
Estimation of Bite Angle Effect on the Electronic Structure of Cobalt-Phosphine Complexes: A QTAIM Study
Authors: Papp Tamara , Kollár László , Kégl Tamás
Published: January 2014

The influence of bite angle in bisphosphine complexes has been modeled by DFT calculations employing the simple model compound HCo(CO)(PP) (PP = Xantphos or two monophosphine ligands). The increase of the bite angle increases the strength of the H–Co bond, whereas the C–O bond in the carbonyl ligand is weakened revealing an increase also in the donor character. The model compound cis-[HCo(CO)(PPh3)2] shows a flexibility both in terms of energy, and in terms of electronic structure upon the change of the P-Co-P angle, which can be a sign of the flexibility of PPh3 ligands in real reaction conditions.
F-Expansion Method and New Exact Solutions of the Schrödinger-KdV Equation
Authors: Filiz Ali , Ekici Mehmet , Sonmezoglu Abdullah
Published: January 2014

F-expansion method is proposed to seek exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations. With the aid of symbolic computation, we choose the Schrödinger-KdV equation with a source to illustrate the validity and advantages of the proposed method. A number of Jacobi-elliptic function solutions are obtained including the Weierstrass-elliptic function solutions. When the modulusmof Jacobi-elliptic function approaches to 1 and 0, soliton-like solutions and trigonometric-function solutions are also obtained, respectively. The proposed method is a straightforward, short, promising, and powerful method for the nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics.
ATP Synthase: The Right Size Base Model for Nanomotors in Nanomedicine
Authors: Ahmad Zulfiqar , Cox James L.
Published: January 2014

Nanomedicine results from nanotechnology where molecular scale minute precise nanomotors can be used to treat disease conditions. Many such biological nanomotors are found and operate in living systems which could be used for therapeutic purposes. The question is how to build nanomachines that are compatible with living systems and can safely operate inside the body? Here we propose that it is of paramount importance to have a workable base model for the development of nanomotors in nanomedicine usage. The base model must placate not only the basic requirements of size, number, and speed but also must have the provisions of molecular modulations. Universal occurrence and catalytic site molecular modulation capabilities are of vital importance for being a perfect base model. In this review we will provide a detailed discussion on ATP synthase as one of the most suitable base models in the development of nanomotors. We will also describe how the capabilities of molecular modulation can improve catalytic and motor function of the enzyme to generate a catalytically improved and controllable ATP synthase which in turn will help in building a superior nanomotor. For comparison, several other biological nanomotors will be described as well as their applications for nanotechnology.
Determinants of the RFMLR Circulant Matrices with Perrin, Padovan, Tribonacci, and the Generalized Lucas Numbers
Authors: Jiang Zhaolin , Shen Nuo , Li Juan
Published: January 2014

The row first-minus-last right (RFMLR) circulant matrix and row last-minus-first left (RLMFL) circulant matrices are two special pattern matrices. By using the inverse factorization of polynomial, we give the exact formulae of determinants of the two pattern matrices involving Perrin, Padovan, Tribonacci, and the generalized Lucas sequences in terms of finite many terms of these sequences.
Conflict Resolution for Product Performance Requirements Based on Propagation Analysis in the Extension Theory
Authors: Zhao Yanwei , Hong Huanhuan , Jiang Gaochao , Chen Weigang , Wang Hongwei
Published: January 2014

Traditional product data mining methods are mainly focused on the static data. Performance requirements are generally met as possible by finding some cases and changing their structures. However, when one is satisfied with the structures changed, the other effects are not taken into account by analyzing the correlations; that is, design conflicts are not identified and resolved. An approach to resolving the conflict problems is proposed based on propagation analysis in Extension Theory. Firstly, the extension distance is improved to better fit evaluating the similarity among cases, then, a case retrieval method is developed. Secondly, the transformations that can be made on selected cases are formulated by understanding the conflict natures in the different performance requirements, which leads to the extension transformation strategy development for coordinating conflicts using propagation analysis. Thirdly, the effects and levels of propagation are determined by analyzing the performance values before and after the transformations, thus the co-existing conflict coordination strategy of multiple performances is developed. The method has been implemented in a working prototype system for supporting decision-making. And it has been demonstrated the feasible and effective through resolving the conflicts of noise, exhaust, weight and intake pressure for the screw air compressor performance design.
Design and Control of an Embedded Vision Guided Robotic Fish with Multiple Control Surfaces
Authors: Yu Junzhi , Wang Kai , Tan Min , Zhang Jianwei
Published: January 2014

This paper focuses on the development and control issues of a self-propelled robotic fish with multiple artificial control surfaces and an embedded vision system. By virtue of the hybrid propulsion capability in the body plus the caudal fin and the complementary maneuverability in accessory fins, a synthesized propulsion scheme including a caudal fin, a pair of pectoral fins, and a pelvic fin is proposed. To achieve flexible yet stable motions in aquatic environments, a central pattern generator- (CPG-) based control method is employed. Meanwhile, a monocular underwater vision serves as sensory feedback that modifies the control parameters. The integration of the CPG-based motion control and the visual processing in an embedded microcontroller allows the robotic fish to navigate online. Aquatic tests demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed mechatronic design and swimming control methods. Particularly, a pelvic fin actuated sideward swimming gait was first implemented. It is also found that the speeds and maneuverability of the robotic fish with coordinated control surfaces were largely superior to that of the swimming robot propelled by a single control surface.
Analytical Approximate Expression for Cocurrent Imbibition during Immiscible Two‐Phase Flow through Porous Media
Authors: Yadav Saroj R. , Mehta Manoj N.
Published: January 2014

Cocurrent and countercurrent imbibitions are the crucial mechanism in many multiphase flow processes. In cocurrent imbibition wetting phase displaces nonwetting phase such that the nonwetting phase moves in the same direction to the wetting phase, whereas in countercurrent imbibitions wetting and non‐wetting phase flow in opposite directions. However for cocurrent imbibitions, mathematical models need total flux condition as both phases flow in the same direction. Thus cocurrent imbibitions have been considered neglecting pressure gradient of nonwetting phase and only pressure gradient of displacing phase is considered which gives additional velocity to the displacing phase. An approximate analytical solution is derived by the method of small parameter; an approximate expression for the wetting phase saturation has been obtained. From analytical expression graphical presentation of saturation of wetting phase shows that cocurrent imbibition is faster than countercurrent imbibition. Also, the small parameter is chosen from initial wetting phase saturation and wetting phase saturation at imbibition phase, thus giving comparative behavior of imbibition at initial and later stage. It is shown that cocurrent imbibition proceeds faster with more amount of wetting phase present in porous matrix.
Separate Determination of Borohydride, Borate, Hydroxide, and Carbonate in the Borohydride Fuel Cell by Acid-Base and Iodometric Potentiometric Titration
Authors: Churikov A. V. , Shmakov S. L. , Romanova V. O. , Zapsis K. V. , Ushakov A. V. , Ivanishchev A. V. , Churikov M. A.
Published: January 2014

A methodology for quantitative chemical analysis of the complex “borohydride-borate-hydroxide-carbonate-water” mixtures used as fuel in the borohydride fuel cell was developed and optimized. The methodology includes the combined usage of the acid-base and iodometric titration methods. The acid-base titration method, which simultaneously uses the technique of differentiation and computer simulation of titration curves, allows one to determine the contents of hydroxide (alkali), carbonate, and total “borate + borohydride” content. The iodometric titration method allows one to selectively determine borohydride, so the content of each of OH-, BH4-, BO2-, and CO32- anions in the fuel becomes estimated. The average determination error depends on the number and ratio of compounds in a mixture. Specific details of the analysis of various fuel mixtures are discussed.
Valence Band Structure ofInAs1-xBixandInSb1-xBixAlloy Semiconductors Calculated Using Valence Band Anticrossing Model
Authors: Samajdar D. P. , Dhar S.
Published: January 2014

The valence band anticrossing model has been used to calculate the heavy/light hole and spin-orbit split-off energies inInAs1-xBixandInSb1-xBixalloy systems. It is found that both the heavy/light hole, and spin-orbit splitE+levels move upwards in energy with an increase in Bi content in the alloy, whereas the splitE−energy for the holes shows a reverse trend. The model is also used to calculate the reduction of band gap energy with an increase in Bi mole fraction. The calculated values of band gap variation agree well with the available experimental data.