bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glutathione Levels and Susceptibility to Chemically Induced Injury in Two Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Lash Lawrence , Putt David , Jankovich Adam
Published: June 2015

More aggressive prostate cancer cells (PCCs) are often resistant to chemotherapy. Differences exist in redox status and mitochondrial metabolism that may help explain this phenomenon. Two human PCC lines, PC-3 cells (more aggressive) and LNCaP cells (less aggressive), were compared with regard to cellular glutathione (GSH) levels, susceptibility to either oxidants or GSH depletors, and expression of several proteins involved in apoptosis and stress response to test the hypothesis that more aggressive PCCs exhibit higher GSH concentrations and are relatively resistant to cytotoxicity. PC-3 cells exhibited 4.2-fold higher GSH concentration than LNCaP cells but only modest differences in acute cytotoxicity were observed at certain time points. However, only LNCaP cells underwent diamide-induced apoptosis. PC-3 cells exhibited higher levels of Bax and caspase-8 cleavage product but lower levels of Bcl-2 than LNCaP cells. However, LNCaP cells exhibited higher expression of Fas receptor (FasR) but also higher levels of several stress response and antioxidant proteins than PC-3 cells. LNCaP cells also exhibited higher levels of several mitochondrial antioxidant systems, suggesting a compensatory response. Thus, significant differences in redox status and expression of proteins involved in apoptosis and stress response may contribute to PCC aggressiveness.
KMUP-1 Attenuates Endothelin-1-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy through Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1 and Suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β, Calcineurin/NFATc4 and RhoA/ROCK Pathways
Authors: Liou Shu-Fen , Hsu Jong-Hau , Chen You-Ting , Chen Ing-Jun , Yeh Jwu-Lai
Published: June 2015

The signaling cascades of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, calcineurin/NFATc4, and PI3K/Akt/GSK3, are believed to participate in endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether KMUP-1, a synthetic xanthine-based derivative, prevents cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by ET-1 and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We found that in H9c2 cardiomyocytes, stimulation with ET-1 (100 nM) for 4 days induced cell hypertrophy and enhanced expressions of hypertrophic markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide, which were all inhibited by KMUP-1 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, KMUP-1 prevented ET-1-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation determined by the DCFH-DA assay in cardiomyocytes. KMUP-1 also attenuated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt/GSK-3β, and activation of calcineurin/NFATc4 and RhoA/ROCK pathways induced by ET-1. Furthermore, we found that the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-response enzyme implicated in cardio-protection, was up-regulated by KMUP-1. Finally, KMUP-1 attenuated ET-1-stimulated activator protein-1 DNA binding activity. In conclusion, KMUP-1 attenuates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by ET-1 through inhibiting ERK1/2, calcineurin/NFATc4 and RhoA/ROCK pathways, with associated cardioprotective effects via HO-1 activation. Therefore, KMUP-1 may have a role in pharmacological therapy of cardiac hypertrophy.
Optimization of Purification, Identification and Evaluation of the in Vitro Antitumor Activity of Polyphenols from Pinus Koraiensis Pinecones
Authors: Yi Juanjuan , Wang Zhenyu , Bai Haina , Yu Xiaojin , Jing Jing , Zuo Lili
Published: June 2015

In this study, an efficient purification method for the polyphenols of Pinus koraiensis pinecone (PPP) has been developed. AB-8 resin was verified to offer good adsorption and desorption ratio for PPP. Response surface methodology (RSM) indicated that the optimized purification parameters for PPP were 1.70 mg GAE/mL phenolic sample concentration, 22.00 mL sample volume, and 63.00% ethanol concentration. Under these conditions, the experimental purity of PPP was 27.93 ± 0.14% (n = 3), which matched well with the predicted purity of 28.17%. Next, the antiproliferative effects of PPP on seven cancer cell lines, including A375 (human skin melanoma cancer cell line), A549 (human lung cancer cell line), SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cell line), LOVO (human colon cancer stem cell line), MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), HeLa (human cervical cancer line), and HT29 (human colon cancer line), were examined by MTT assays. The results indicated that PPP had the highest capacity for inhibiting LOVO cells growth with an EC50 value of 0.317 ± 0.0476 mg/mL. Finally, Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to tentatively identify twenty-four peaks in the purified PPP, of which five representative peaks were identified as catechin, methyl quercetin, o-vanillin, luteolin and coronaric acid. Our results demonstrate that Pinus koraiensis pinecone is a readily available source of polyphenols, and the purified PPP could be a promising natural antitumor agent for applications in functional foods.
Zinc Status of Vegetarians during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies and Meta-Analysis of Zinc Intake
Authors: Foster Meika , Herulah Ursula , Prasad Ashlini , Petocz Peter , Samman Samir
Published: June 2015

Pregnant women are vulnerable to a low zinc status due to the additional zinc demands associated with pregnancy and foetal development. The present systematic review explores the relationship between habitual vegetarian diets and dietary zinc intake/status during pregnancy. The association between vegetarian diets and functional pregnancy outcome also is considered. A literature search was conducted of MEDLINE; PubMed; Embase; the Cochrane Library; Web of Science; and Scopus electronic databases up to September 2014. Six English-language observational studies qualified for inclusion in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was conducted that compared the dietary zinc intake of pregnant vegetarian and non-vegetarian (NV) groups; the zinc intake of vegetarians was found to be lower than that of NV (−1.38 ± 0.35 mg/day; p < 0.001); and the exclusion of low meat eaters from the analysis revealed a greater difference (−1.53 ± 0.44 mg/day; p = 0.001). Neither vegetarian nor NV groups met the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc. In a qualitative synthesis; no differences were found between groups in serum/plasma zinc or in functional outcomes associated with pregnancy. In conclusion; pregnant vegetarian women have lower zinc intakes than NV control populations and both groups consume lower than recommended amounts. Further information is needed to determine whether physiologic adaptations in zinc metabolism are sufficient to meet maternal and foetal requirements during pregnancy on a low zinc diet.
Long-Term Supplementation with Beta Serum Concentrate (BSC), a Complex of Milk Lipids, during Post-Natal Brain Development Improves Memory in Rats
Authors: Guan Jian , MacGibbon Alastair , Fong Bertram , Zhang Rong , Liu Karen , Rowan Angela , McJarrow Paul
Published: June 2015

We have previously reported that the supplementation of ganglioside-enriched complex-milk-lipids improves cognitive function and that a phospholipid-enriched complex-milk-lipid prevents age-related cognitive decline in rats. This current study evaluated the effects of post-natal supplementation of ganglioside- and phospholipid-enriched complex-milk-lipids beta serum concentrate (BSC) on cognitive function in young rats. The diet of male rats was supplemented with either gels formulated BSC (n = 16) or blank gels (n = 16) from post-natal day 10 to day 70. Memory and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the Morris water maze, dark–light boxes, and elevated plus maze tests. Neuroplasticity and white matter were measured using immunohistochemical staining. The overall performance in seven-day acquisition trials was similar between the groups. Compared with the control group, BSC supplementation reduced the latency to the platform during day one of the acquisition tests. Supplementation improved memory by showing reduced latency and improved path efficiency to the platform quadrant, and smaller initial heading error from the platform zone. Supplemented rats showed an increase in striatal dopamine terminals and hippocampal glutamate receptors. Thus BSC supplementation during post-natal brain development improved learning and memory, independent from anxiety. The moderately enhanced neuroplasticity in dopamine and glutamate may be biological changes underlying the improved cognitive function.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Has Narrowed the Spectrum of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Shahbazkhani Bijan , Sadeghi Amirsaeid , Malekzadeh Reza , Khatavi Fatima , Etemadi Mehrnoosh , Kalantri Ebrahim , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Rostami Kamran
Published: June 2015

Several studies have shown that a large number of patients who are fulfilling the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are sensitive to gluten. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gluten-free diet on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS. In this double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 148 IBS patients fulfilling the Rome III criteria were enrolled between 2011 and 2013. However, only 72 out of the 148 commenced on a gluten-free diet for up to six weeks and completed the study; clinical symptoms were recorded biweekly using a standard visual analogue scale (VAS). In the second stage after six weeks, patients whose symptoms improved to an acceptable level were randomly divided into two groups; patients either received packages containing powdered gluten (35 cases) or patients received placebo (gluten free powder) (37 cases). Overall, the symptomatic improvement was statistically different in the gluten-containing group compared with placebo group in 9 (25.7%), and 31 (83.8%) patients respectively (p < 0.001). A large number of patients labelled as irritable bowel syndrome are sensitive to gluten. Using the term of IBS can therefore be misleading and may deviate and postpone the application of an effective and well-targeted treatment strategy in gluten sensitive patients.
Effects of PEG-Induced Water Deficit in Solanum nigrum on Zn and Ni Uptake and Translocation in Split Root Systems
Authors: Feller Urs , Anders Iwona , Wei Shuhe
Published: June 2015

Drought strongly influences root activities in crop plants and weeds. This paper is focused on the performance of the heavy metal accumulator Solanum nigrum, a plant which might be helpful for phytoremediation. The water potential in a split root system was decreased by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Rubidium, strontium and radionuclides of heavy metals were used as markers to investigate the uptake into roots, the release to the shoot via the xylem, and finally the basipetal transport via the phloem to unlabeled roots. The uptake into the roots (total contents in the plant) was for most makers more severely decreased than the transport to the shoot or the export from the shoot to the unlabeled roots via the phloem. Regardless of the water potential in the labeling solution, 63Ni and 65Zn were selectively redistributed within the plant. From autoradiographs, it became evident that 65Zn accumulated in root tips, in the apical shoot meristem and in axillary buds, while 63Ni accumulated in young expanded leaves and roots but not in the meristems. Since both radionuclides are mobile in the phloem and are, therefore, well redistributed within the plant, the unequal transfer to shoot and root apical meristems is most likely caused by differences in the cell-to-cell transport in differentiation zones without functional phloem (immature sieve tubes).
Estimating Forest fAPAR from Multispectral Landsat-8 Data Using the Invertible Forest Reflectance Model INFORM
Authors: Yuan Huili , Ma Ronghua , Atzberger Clement , Li Fei , Loiselle Steven , Luo Juhua
Published: June 2015

The estimation of the Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation in forests (forest fAPAR) from multi-spectral Landsat-8 data is investigated in this paper using a physically based radiative transfer model (Invertible Forest Reflectance Model, INFORM) combined with an inversion strategy based on artificial neural nets (ANN). To derive the forest fAPAR for the Dabie mountain test site in China in 30 m spatial resolution (size approximately 3000 km2), a database of forest canopy spectral reflectances was simulated with INFORM taking into account structural variables such as leaf area index (LAI), crown coverage and stem density as well as leaf composition. To establish the relationship between forest fAPAR and the reflectance modeled by INFORM, a logarithmic relationship between LAI and fAPAR was used previously established using on-site field measurements. On this basis, predictive models between Landsat-8 reflectance and fAPAR were established using an artificial neural network. After calibrating INFORM for the test site, forty-two forest stands were used to validate the performance of the method. The results show that spectral signatures modeled by INFORM correspond reasonably well with the forest canopy reflectance spectra derived from Landsat data. Deviations increase with increasing angle between surface normal of the hilly terrain and sun incidence. The comparison of estimated and measured fAPAR (R2 = 0.47, RMSE = 0.11) demonstrates that INFORM can be inverted using neural nets to provide acceptable estimates of forest fAPAR. The accuracy of the predictions increased significantly when excluding pixels located in very steep terrain. This demonstrates that the applied topographic correction was not sufficiently accurate and should be improved for making optimum use of radiative transfer models such as INFORM.
Scattering Mechanism Extraction by a Modified Cloude-Pottier Decomposition for Dual Polarization SAR
Authors: Ji Kefeng , Wu Yonghui
Published: June 2015

Dual polarization is a typical operational mode of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR). However, few studies have considered the scattering mechanism extraction of dual-polarization SARs. A modified Cloude-Pottier decomposition is proposed to investigate the performance of the scattering mechanism extraction of dual-polarization SARs. It is theoretically demonstrated that only HH-VV SAR can discriminate the three canonical scattering mechanisms from an isotropic surface, horizontal dipole, and isotropic dihedral. Various experiments are conducted using 21 scenes from real datasets acquired by AIRSAR, Convair-580 SAR, EMISAR, E-SAR, Pi-SAR, and RADARSAT-2. Division of the dual-polarization H-α plane is experimentally obtained. The lack of cross-polarization induces the diffusion of scattering mechanisms and their overlap in the HH-VV H-α plane. However, the performance of HH-VV SAR for extracting scattering mechanisms is acceptable. Thus, HH-VV SAR is a suitable alternative to full-polarization SAR in certain cases. Meanwhile, the extraction performance of the other two dual-polarization SARs is badly degraded due to the lack of co-polarization. Therefore, HH-HV and HV-VV SARs cannot effectively extract the scattering mechanisms in the H-α plane.
Empirical Results of a Surface-Level GNSS-R Experiment in a Wave Channel
Authors: Carreno-Luengo Hugo , Camps Adriano
Published: June 2015

The scattering of GNSS signals over a water surface is studied when the receiver is at a low height, as in GNSS-R coastal altimetry. The precise determination of the local sea level and wave state from the coast will provide useful altimetry and wave information as “dry” tide and wave gauges. An experiment has been conducted at the Canal d'Investigació i Experimentació Marítima (CIEM) wave channel for two simulated “sea” states. The GNSS-reflectometer used is the P(Y) and C/A ReflectOmeter (PYCARO) instrument, a closed-loop receiver with delay and Doppler tracking loops that uses the conventional GNSS-R technique for the GPS C/A code. After retracking of the scattered GPS signals, the coherent and incoherent components have been studied. To reproduce the transmitted GPS signals indoors, a Rohde and Schwarz signal generator is used. It is found that, despite the ratio of the coherent and incoherent components being ~1, the coherent component is strong enough that it can be tracked. The coherent component comes from clusters of points on the surface that approximately satisfy the specular reflection conditions (“roughed facet”). The Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients of the derived “sea” surface height with the wave gauge data are: 0.78, 0.85 and 0.81 for a SWH = 36 cm and 0.34, 0.74, and 0.72 for a SWH = 64 cm, respectively, for transmitter elevation angles of = 60°, 75° and 86°, respectively. Finally, the rms phase of the received signal before the retracking processing is used to estimate the effective rms surface height of the ‘facets’, where the waves get scattered. It is found to be between 2.5- and 4.1-times smaller than the theoretical values corresponding to the half of the coherent reflectivity decaying factor.
Ground-Level Classification of a Coral Reef Using a Hyperspectral Camera
Authors: Caras Tamir , Karnieli Arnon
Published: June 2015

Especially in the remote sensing context, thematic classification is a desired product for coral reef surveys. This study presents a novel statistical-based image classification approach, namely Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), capable of doing so. Three classification models were built and implemented for the images while the fourth was a combination of spectra from all three images together. The classification was optimised by using pre-processing transformations (PPTs) and post-classification low-pass filtering. Despite the fact that the images were acquired under different conditions and quality, the best classification model was achieved by combining spectral training samples from three images (accuracy 0.63 for all classes). PPTs improved the classification accuracy by 5%–15% and post-classification treatments further increased the final accuracy by 10%–20%. The fourth classification model was the most accurate one, suggesting that combining spectra from differ conditions improves thematic classification. Despite some limitations, available aerial sensors already provide an opportunity to implement the described classification and mark the next investigation step. Nonetheless, the findings of this study are relevant both to the field of remote sensing in general and to the niche of coral reef spectroscopy.
A Flight Test of the Strapdown Airborne Gravimeter SGA-WZ in Greenland
Authors: Zhao Lei , Forsberg René , Wu Meiping , Olesen Arne , Zhang Kaidong , Cao Juliang
Published: June 2015

An airborne gravimeter is one of the most important tools for gravity data collection over large areas with mGal accuracy and a spatial resolution of several kilometers. In August 2012, a flight test was carried out to determine the feasibility and to assess the accuracy of the new Chinese SGA-WZ strapdown airborne gravimeter in Greenland, in an area with good gravity coverage from earlier marine and airborne surveys. An overview of this new system SGA-WZ is given, including system design, sensor performance and data processing. The processing of the SGA-WZ includes a 160 s length finite impulse response filter, corresponding to a spatial resolution of 6 km. For the primary repeated line, a mean r.m.s. deviation of the differences was less than 1.5 mGal, with the error estimate confirmed from ground truth data. This implies that the SGA-WZ could meet standard geophysical survey requirements at the 1 mGal level.
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer between Quantum Dot Donors and Quantum Dot Acceptors
Authors: Chou Kenny , Dennis Allison
Published: June 2015

Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer amongst semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is reviewed, with particular interest in biosensing applications. The unique optical properties of QDs provide certain advantages and also specific challenges with regards to sensor design, compared to other FRET systems. The brightness and photostability of QDs make them attractive for highly sensitive sensing and long-term, repetitive imaging applications, respectively, but the overlapping donor and acceptor excitation signals that arise when QDs serve as both the donor and acceptor lead to high background signals from direct excitation of the acceptor. The fundamentals of FRET within a nominally homogeneous QD population as well as energy transfer between two distinct colors of QDs are discussed. Examples of successful sensors are highlighted, as is cascading FRET, which can be used for solar harvesting.
The Survey on Near Field Communication
Authors: Coskun Vedat , Ozdenizci Busra , Ok Kerem
Published: June 2015

Near Field Communication (NFC) is an emerging short-range wireless communication technology that offers great and varied promise in services such as payment, ticketing, gaming, crowd sourcing, voting, navigation, and many others. NFC technology enables the integration of services from a wide range of applications into one single smartphone. NFC technology has emerged recently, and consequently not much academic data are available yet, although the number of academic research studies carried out in the past two years has already surpassed the total number of the prior works combined. This paper presents the concept of NFC technology in a holistic approach from different perspectives, including hardware improvement and optimization, communication essentials and standards, applications, secure elements, privacy and security, usability analysis, and ecosystem and business issues. Further research opportunities in terms of the academic and business points of view are also explored and discussed at the end of each section. This comprehensive survey will be a valuable guide for researchers and academicians, as well as for business in the NFC technology and ecosystem.
Automated Segmentation of MS Lesions in MR Images Based on an Information Theoretic Clustering and Contrast Transformations
Authors: Hill Jason , Matlock Kevin , Nutter Brian , Mitra Sunanda
Published: June 2015

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a significant role in the current characterization and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in radiological imaging. However, early detection of MS lesions from MRI still remains a challenging problem. In the present work, an information theoretic approach to cluster the voxels in MS lesions for automatic segmentation of lesions of various sizes in multi-contrast (T1, T2, PD-weighted) MR images, is applied. For accurate detection of MS lesions of various sizes, the skull-stripped brain data are rescaled and histogram manipulated prior to mapping the multi-contrast data to pseudo-color images. For automated segmentation of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in multi-contrast MRI, the improved jump method (IJM) clustering method has been enhanced via edge suppression for improved segmentation of white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and MS lesions if present. From this preliminary clustering, a pseudo-color to grayscale conversion is designed to equalize the intensities of the normal brain tissues, leaving the MS lesions as outliers. Binary discrete and 8-bit fuzzy labels are then assigned to segment the MS lesions throughout the full brain. For validation of the proposed method, three brains, with mild, moderate and severe hyperintense MS lesions labeled as ground truth, were selected. The MS lesions of mild, moderate and severe categories were detected with a sensitivity of 80%, and 96%, and 94%, and with the corresponding Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.5175, 0.8739, and 0.8266 respectively. The MS lesions can also be clearly visualized in a transparent pseudo-color computer rendered 3D brain.
Contribution of the Major ND10 Proteins PML, hDaxx and Sp100 to the Regulation of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency and Lytic Replication in the Monocytic Cell Line THP-1
Authors: Wagenknecht Nadine , Reuter Nina , Scherer Myriam , Reichel Anna , Müller Regina , Stamminger Thomas
Published: June 2015

Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, also termed nuclear domain 10 (ND10), have emerged as nuclear protein accumulations mediating an intrinsic cellular defense against viral infections via chromatin-based mechanisms, however, their contribution to the control of herpesviral latency is still controversial. In this study, we utilized the monocytic cell line THP-1 as an in vitro latency model for human cytomegalovirus infection (HCMV). Characterization of THP-1 cells by immunofluorescence andWestern blot analysis confirmed the expression of all major ND10 components. THP-1 cells with a stable, individual knockdown of PML, hDaxx or Sp100 were generated. Importantly, depletion of the major ND10 proteins did not prevent the terminal cellular differentiation of THP-1 monocytes. After construction of a recombinant, endotheliotropic human cytomegalovirus expressing IE2-EYFP, we investigated whether the depletion of ND10 proteins affects the onset of viral IE gene expression. While after infection of differentiated, THP-1-derived macrophages as well as during differentiation-induced reactivation from latency an increase in the number of IE-expressing cells was readily detectable in the absence of the major ND10 proteins, no effect was observed in non-differentiated monocytes. We conclude that PML, hDaxx and Sp100 primarily act as cellular restriction factors during lytic HCMV replication and during the dynamic process of reactivation but do not serve as key determinants for the establishment of HCMV latency.
Activation of DNA Damage Response Pathways during Lytic Replication of KSHV
Authors: Hollingworth Robert , Skalka George , Stewart Grant , Hislop Andrew , Blackbourn David , Grand Roger
Published: June 2015

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of several human malignancies. Human tumour viruses such as KSHV are known to interact with the DNA damage response (DDR), the molecular pathways that recognise and repair lesions in cellular DNA. Here it is demonstrated that lytic reactivation of KSHV leads to activation of the ATM and DNA-PK DDR kinases resulting in phosphorylation of multiple downstream substrates. Inhibition of ATM results in the reduction of overall levels of viral replication while inhibition of DNA-PK increases activation of ATM and leads to earlier viral release. There is no activation of the ATR-CHK1 pathway following lytic replication and CHK1 phosphorylation is inhibited at later times during the lytic cycle. Despite evidence of double-strand breaks and phosphorylation of H2AX, 53BP1 foci are not consistently observed in cells containing lytic virus although RPA32 and MRE11 localise to sites of viral DNA synthesis. Activation of the DDR following KSHV lytic reactivation does not result in a G1 cell cycle block and cells are able to proceed to S-phase during the lytic cycle. KSHV appears then to selectively activate DDR pathways, modulate cell cycle progression and recruit DDR proteins to sites of viral replication during the lytic cycle.
The Roles of Syncytin-Like Proteins in Ruminant Placentation
Authors: Nakaya Yuki , Miyazawa Takayuki
Published: June 2015

Recent developments in genome sequencing techniques have led to the identification of huge numbers of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) in various mammals. ERVs, which occupy 8%–13% of mammalian genomes, are believed to affect mammalian evolution and biological diversity. Although the functional significance of most ERVs remains to be elucidated, several ERVs are thought to have pivotal roles in host physiology. We and other groups recently identified ERV envelope proteins (e.g., Fematrin-1, Syncytin-Rum1, endogenous Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus Env) that may determine the morphogenesis of the unique fused trophoblast cells, termed trinucleate cells and syncytial plaques, found in ruminant placentas; however, there are still a number of outstanding issues with regard to the role of ERVs that remain to be resolved. Here, we review what is known about how these ERVs have contributed to the development of ruminant-specific trophoblast cells.
Development and evaluation of microsatellite markers for Acer miyabei (Sapindaceae), a threatened maple species in East Asia
Authors: Saeki Ikuyo , Hirao Akira S. , Kenta Tanaka
Published: June 2015

Premise of the study:

Twelve microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in a threatened maple species, Acer miyabei (Sapindaceae), for use in population genetic analyses.

Methods and Results:

Using Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) sequencing, we developed microsatellite markers with perfect di‐ and trinucleotide repeats. These markers were tested on a total of 44 individuals from two natural populations of A. miyabei subsp. miyabei f. miyabei in Hokkaido Island, Japan. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight. The observed and expected heterozygosities per locus ranged from 0.05 to 0.75 and from 0.05 to 0.79, respectively. Some of the markers were successfully transferred to the closely related species A. campestre, A. platanoides, and A. pictum.

Conclusions:

The developed markers will be useful in characterizing the genetic structure and diversity of A. miyabei and will help to understand its spatial genetic variation, levels of inbreeding, and patterns of gene flow, thereby providing a basis for conservation.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Veratrum maackii (Melanthiaceae)
Authors: Li Yue , Iijima Satoshi , Maki Masayuki
Published: June 2015

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite markers were developed in Veratrum maackii (Melanthiaceae) to assess the pattern of population genetic structures across the species’ distribution.

Methods and Results:

Ten polymorphic loci were isolated from V. maackii using 454 shotgun pyrosequencing and the biotin capture method. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 19. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.143 to 0.929 and 0.269 to 0.904, respectively.

Conclusions:

These newly developed microsatellite markers are useful for assessing the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of V. maackii across its distribution range.
Ubiquitous Real-World Sensing and Audiology-Based Health Informatics
Authors: Jacobs Peter G. , Kaye Jeffrey A.
Published: June 2015

Background: Hearing impairment and hearing rehabilitation strategies have historically been studied within the confines of a sound booth under controlled experimental conditions. The real world is quite different from the clinical setting and it is important to study how a person
with hearing impairment interacts with the world both with and without a hearing assist intervention. A person’s ability to hear enables them to communicate and to effectively interact with the world. If a person suffers from hearing impairment, we might anticipate that they could become
more disengaged from the world, more socially isolated, potentially depressed, and have additional comorbidities such as cognitive and physical impairment. Indeed, prior research has shown that hearing impairment is associated with social isolation, decreased functional ability and mobility,
fall risk, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. However, nearly all of the work that has been done in this area of assessing the impact of hearing impairment on a person’s social, cognitive, and physical health has been done through clinical tests or self-report studies using questionnaires
and surveys that attempt to objectively quantify various aspects of health. Unfortunately, clinical tests, questionnaires, and surveys oftentimes inaccurately assess a person’s true social, cognitive, and physical health. Only when a person is observed in their natural living environment
can a more accurate assessment of health be obtained. The ability to assess hearing health, social engagement, cognitive, and physical health in natural living environments is becoming possible with the advent of ubiquitous sensing capabilities.Purpose: Here we discuss some of the work
that has been done by our group and others that may be of use to the field of audiology e-health. The purpose of this article is not to present new experimental data, but rather to describe a new method of using advanced in-home sensing techniques to better understand how hearing diagnostics,
interventions, and rehabilitation influence the lives and behaviors of patients.
Le blé au cœur des enjeux géostratégiques mondiaux
Authors: Abis Sébastien
Published: June 2015

Le blé est un produit stratégique pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Sa consommation se globalise mais sa production reste localisée dans une minorité de pays. Certains d’entre eux cultivent du blé pour nourrir leur population. D’autres parviennent à atteindre cet objectif tout en étant capables d’exporter des quantités sur les marchés internationaux. La France se situe dans cette catégorie d’États privilégiés. Avec le retour du blé de la mer Noire depuis quelques années, la compétition géoéconomique se renforce pour le commerce de cette céréale, dont une grande partie est assurée par de grands négociants privés des matières premières agissant discrètement sur tous les continents. Plusieurs régions dépendent des marchés internationaux pour équilibrer leur bilan national en blé, en particulier l’Afrique du Nord et le Moyen-Orient. La dimension géopolitique du blé pourrait demain s’amplifier avec les dérèglements climatiques, les risques logistiques et la multiplication d’années de récolte marquées par une production inférieure à la demande.
Quelle agriculture pour l’Éthiopie du XXI e siècle ? Nouveaux rapports de forces et terre de conflictualités inédites
Authors: Brun Matthieu
Published: June 2015

Les autorités éthiopiennes ont entrepris depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années de moderniser l’agriculture et d’en faire un levier pour l’industrialisation et le développement du pays. Quoique montrée en exemple dans tout le continent africain, l’économie éthiopienne semble parvenir difficilement à atteindre cet objectif. Si l’insécurité alimentaire est source d’instabilité, les transformations agricoles et leur accompagnement par un État développemental se voulant omnipotent se révèlent aussi un puissant vecteur d’affirmation politique. Dans cet environnement complexe, cet article revient sur ces trajectoires de développement agricole qui font à la fois place à des formes émergentes d’agriculture poussées par les investissements privés et l’engagement des bailleurs de fonds bilatéraux et multilatéraux mais aussi à de nouveaux partages territoriaux ainsi qu’à des rapports de forces en pleine redéfinition.
Macular Thickness in Highly Myopic Children Aged 3 to 7 Years
Authors: Ziylan Sule , Kiziloglu Ozge Yabas , Yenerel Nursal Melda , Gokce Berna , Ciftci Ferda
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To compare the macular thickness and volume of highly myopic children with healthy controls, using third generation optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods:

OCT was performed on highly myopic (cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction > −6.00 diopters [D]) children aged 3 to 7 years old and healthy controls (spherical equivalent refraction −2.00 to +4.00 D) between 2011 and 2013. OCT measurements of the average thicknesses of the fovea (central 1 mm) and inner (1 to 3 mm) and outer (3 to 6 mm) parafovea in superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal quadrants and total volume of the macular scan area were recorded. The differences between the two groups were tested with the Mann–Whitney
U
test.

Results:

There were 15 patients with high myopia and 11 controls. Foveal thickness (central 1 mm) was significantly greater in the high myopia group. The parafoveal thicknesses in all quadrants of the inner and outer circles were significantly thinner in the high myopia group. The average macular volume of the highly myopic eyes was significantly smaller than the control eyes.

Conclusions:

Anatomic changes in the retina occur even in young children with high myopia. Macular thickness characteristics of highly myopic children may influence the interpretation of data obtained with OCT.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(5):282–286.]
Microincision Hydrophobic Acrylic Aspheric Toric Intraocular Lens for Astigmatism and Cataract Correction
Authors: Bissen-Miyajima Hiroko , Negishi Kazuno , Hieda Osamu , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: June 2015

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new acrylic one-piece toric intraocular lens (IOL).

METHODS:

This prospective multicenter clinical trial included 93 eyes of 61 patients that were implanted with a hydrophobic acrylic toric IOL from 2010 to 2012 and followed for 1 year. This IOL uses the platform of a microincision one-piece aspheric IOL, the NY-60 IOL (HOYA, Tokyo, Japan), with three increments in cylindrical power (NHT15, 1.5 diopters [D]; NHT23, 2.25 D; and NHT30, 3.0 D). The inclusion criterion was preoperative corneal astigmatism from 0.75 to 3.00 D. The primary endpoint was uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 0.0 logMAR (20/20 Snellen) or better 6 months postoperatively. In addition to UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), residual astigmatism, stability of the IOL alignment, need of realignment, and the rate of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy were evaluated up to 1 year postoperatively. Errors in astigmatic correction were assessed using Alpin’s vector analysis.

RESULTS:

The primary endpoint was achieved in 54.8% of eyes. One year postoperatively, the logMAR UDVAs were 0.02 ± 0.13, 0.05 ± 0.17, and 0.09 ± 0.14 with models NHT15, NHT23, and NHT30, which corresponds to 0.96 (19/20 Snellen), 0.89 (18/20 Snellen), and 0.82 (16/20 Snellen), respectively. One year postoperatively, the residual astigmatism was 0.66 ± 0.58 D. In each evaluation, the mean absolute change in the position of the axis mark was between 1.93° and 2.32°. Three eyes required repositioning of the IOL axis and 2 eyes received Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The correction error showed an undercorrection with against-the-rule astigmatism and overcorrection with with-the-rule astigmatism.

CONCLUSIONS:

The new one-piece toric IOL provided desirable clinical outcomes and stability in eyes with corneal astigmatism.

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J Refract Surg.
2015;31(6):358–364.]
Simultaneous Correction of Unilateral Rainbow Glare and Residual Astigmatism by Undersurface Flap Photoablation After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK
Authors: Gatinel Damien , Saad Alain , Guilbert Emmanuel , Rouger Hélène
Published: June 2015

PURPOSE:

To report and document a case of successful rainbow glare correction using undersurface ablation of the LASIK flap.

METHODS:

A 33-year-old woman was treated bilaterally for myopia using femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with the FS200 femtosecond laser (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX). Postoperatively, she complained of rainbow glare in her right eye, and presented some residual myopic astigmatism. Six months after the initial LASIK procedure, the right eye flap was lifted and a toric excimer correction was delivered on its stromal side.

RESULTS:

Visual symptoms related to the rainbow glare disappeared immediately after the completion of the procedure and did not reoccur. Uncorrected visual acuity improved by two lines.

CONCLUSIONS:

Rainbow glare following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK can be successfully corrected by undersurface ablation of the flap.

[

J Refract Surg.
2015;31(6):406–410.]
Characterization and influence of fine recycled aggregates on masonry mortars properties
Authors: Saiz-Martínez P. , González-Cortina M. , Fernández-Martínez F.
Published: June 2015

This research aims to study mechanical behaviour and relevant properties of masonry mortars fabricated using fine recycled aggregate in different mixture proportions. Fine recycled aggregates samples originated from the ceramic and concrete recycling process and coming from two recycling plants of Madrid region have been used. Tests were performed using 1:3:0.5 volumetric cement-to-aggregate-to-water ratio. Standardized sand with fine recycled aggregate replacement percentages were: 10%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 45%.
A continuous size distribution curve can be observed and the main crystalline phases determined have been quartz, calcite and gypsum. Compressive strength, shrinkage and bond strength tests revealed poorer performance of recycled mortars compared to the conventional mortars; however, specific values are within the limits established by the manufacturers and standards. This study shows that cement-based mortars prepared with volumetric ratio 1:3:0.5 may contain up to 45% of fine recycled aggregates, without their properties being affected and without presenting significant losses.
Rapid-Manufacturing-Process for Elastomeric Components
Authors: Launhardt Martin , Drexler Maximilian , Drummer Dietmar
Published: June 2015

The Selective Laser Sintering Process of

thermoplastics (SLS) enables the manufacturing of

components with complex shape in a short time period

without the manufacturing of a specific mold. However, this

manufacturing process is limited by the restricted range of

materials. In contrast to this primary shaping process,

vacuum casting allows a quick, inexpensive and highly

accurate process but it is limited to the reproduction of

already existing models. In a novel rapid tooling method,

these two processes are combined. Thus, silicone parts can

be manufactured using SLS molds. The manufacturing of

elastomeric parts in the vacuum casting process using SLS

molds is being investigated. Therefore, the adhesion of

silicone to the SLS mold, as well as the resulting mechanical

properties of the elastomeric parts are investigated. The combination of the SLS process and the vacuum casting process allows the rapid manufacturing of complex elastomeric parts with sufficient mechanical

properties. The surface roughness of the SLS mold influences the adhesion of the casting material to the mold, as well as the mechanical properties of the manufactured elastomeric components. The synergy of using selective laser sintered molds with the vacuum casting technique displays a

novel rapid manufacturing method.
Distributed Interoperability in Heterogeneous Cloud Systems
Authors: Delgado José C.
Published: June 2015

Cloud platforms constitute distributed and heterogeneous systems. Interacting applications, possibly in different clouds, face relevant interoperability challenges. This chapter details the interoperability problem and presents an interoperability framework, which provides a systematization of aspects such as coupling, compatibility, and the various levels at which interoperability must occur. After discussing the main limitations of current interoperability technologies, such as Web Services and RESTful applications, the chapter proposes an alternative technology. This entails a new distributed programming language, capable of describing both data and code in a platform-agnostic fashion. The underlying model is based on structured resources, each offering its own service. Service-oriented interfaces can be combined with the structured resources and hypermedia that characterize RESTful applications, instead of having to choose one style or the other. Coupling is reduced by checking interoperability structurally, based on the concepts of compliance and conformance. There is native support for binary data and full-duplex protocols.
Security of the Cloud
Authors: Al-Begain Khalid , Zak Michal , Alosaimi Wael , Turyagyenda Charles
Published: June 2015

The chapter presents current security concerns in the Cloud Computing Environment. The cloud concept and operation raise many concerns for cloud users since they have no control of the arrangements made to protect the services and resources offered. Additionally, it is obvious that many of the cloud service providers will be subject to significant security attacks. Some traditional security attacks such as the Denial of Service attacks (DoS) and distributed DDoS attacks are well known, and there are several proposed solutions to mitigate their impact. However, in the cloud environment, DDoS becomes more severe and can be coupled with Economical Denial of Sustainability (EDoS) attacks. The chapter presents a general overview of cloud security, the types of vulnerabilities, and potential attacks. The chapter further presents a more detailed analysis of DDoS attacks' launch mechanisms and well-known DDoS defence mechanisms. Finally, the chapter presents a DDoS-Mitigation system and potential future research directions.
Consumer Acceptance of the Mobile Internet
Authors: Koenigstorfer Joerg
Published: June 2015

Today, the majority of the world's population owns mobile devices that allow individuals to access the Internet at any time and at any place. However, owning an Internet-enabling mobile device does not necessarily mean that an individual uses the mobile Internet. This article reviews the state of the art on the theory-guided drivers and barriers of consumer acceptance of the mobile Internet. The author describes models that help explain and predict consumer acceptance, including the Technology Acceptance Model, Motivational models, Perceived Value models, The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and Diffusion of Innovation theories. The article also presents empirical research that applies and extends these models in the context of mobile Internet usage, and summarizes the most important findings of these empirical studies. Finally, this article also discusses challenges in acceptance research, as well as implications for future research.
Consumer Adoption of Mobile eWOM Messages
Authors: Ono Akinori , Kikumori Mai
Published: June 2015

As mobile phones become more widely utilized, mobile-based electronic word-of-mouth (mWOM) on products and services is becoming an increasingly important factor in consumer behavior, as well as marketing communication. Regarding this issue, marketing and consumer scholars have conducted research on mWOM message-senders and recipients. Focusing on mWOM receiving behavior, this article presents academic knowledge regarding how recipients evaluate mobile eWOM messages and how they behaves as a result. Two streams can be identified in this research area: 1), mobile viral messages from marketers via friends and relatives, and 2) mWOM reviews on products and services from anonymous senders. The former can be further divided into two streams: a) research that has constructed and tested causal models explaining why consumers participate in mobile viral marketing, and b) research that has focused on illustrating comprehensively a multi-stage cognitive and behavioral customer journey towards receiving, using, and forwarding mobile viral marketing messages.
Understanding Mobile Phone Usage through a Value-Based Approach: Marketing Implications
Authors: Choi Yung Kyun , Lee Sungmi
Published: June 2015

As mobile devices increasingly become a ubiquitous and essential part of everyday life, marketers must face a host of new challenges. This new marketing environment requires that marketers understand how consumers use their mobile phones and, more particularly, how they perceive and derive value from doing so. In this article, the authors suggest that mobile services offer either context-related or content-related values. They also explore managerial implications, by revealing factors that influence consumers to utilize mobile phone services.
Mobile Phone Etiquette
Authors: Totten Jeff W. , Lipscomb Thomas J. , Irtisam Rasheek
Published: June 2015

The authors define mobile phone etiquette, and then summarize the academic research on the topic from its beginnings as usage in public and private spaces. We also provide tabular summaries of basic etiquette rules and inappropriate locations based on an extensive review of the consumer and trade press literature (newspaper and magazine articles, Internet web postings, and books). The authors end with suggestions for further research, a References section with 101 citations, and key articles and books that graduate students, who want to continue the research in this area, should read and study.