bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELATIONSHIP OF TAXA IN THE GENUS MEDICAGO AS REVEALED BY HYBRIDIZATION. III. M. ASCHERSONIANA × M. LACINIATA
Authors: Lesins K. , Erac A.
Published: March 2014

The following evidence from hybridization studies indicated that M. aschersoniana Urb. and M. laciniata (L.) Mill. should be considered varieties, namely, (1) a simple (3:1) segregation ratio for laciniate vs. entire leaf, the latter being inherited as a recessive; (2) a 15:1 segregation ratio for peduncle/petiole length ratio, the short peduncle being inherited as a recessive; (3) pollen viability as high as that of the parental stocks; (4) unimpaired survival of F2 plants. In crosses between two different M. laciniata accessions the pod shape segregated in a 3:1 ratio, the conical pod shape being inherited as a recessive.
CHROMOSOMAL POLYMORPHISM IN NORTH AMERICAN LANDLOCKED SALMO SALAR
Authors: Roberts Franklin L.
Published: March 2014

A karyotypic study was conducted with Salmo salar from West Grand Lake in northern Maine and from Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery originally from Lake Memphremagog), Orland, Maine. Specimens from the latter population were culled abnormal females with the exception of a single normal male and female. The culls gave a mode of 56, whereas all others gave a mode of 57. The difference, as well as general variation, tended to follow a Robertsonian pattern. In addition, a large submetacentric chromosome with a constriction in the long arm was found more commonly in karyotypes from the culled fish. The variation may be a result of the mixing of isolated populations in which divergent karyotypic evolution has occurred.
HETEROGENEITY OF RECOMBINATION VALUES IN THE TOMATO
Authors: Butler L.
Published: March 2014

The recombination values for a number of regions of the tomato chromosomes vary greatly. Often there are significant differences between coupling and repulsion values of F2 and backcross values. Detailed analyses of segregations involving large numbers of plants from various crosses which utilize parent stocks of diverse origin show heterogeneity of recombination values. The recombination values are associated with the parent stocks and probably are inherited in a polygenic manner. Some of the differences are large and several values are associated with the same region of the chromosome. For instance, the region d to aw had recombination values of 9%, 18%, 27%, and 36% in different crosses. Such large differences interfere with the successful mapping of chromosomes 2 and 10.
HIGH RESOLUTION RECOMBINATION ANALYSIS OF THE PYRIDOXINE-1 LOCUS OFNEUROSPORA
Authors: Radford A.
Published: March 2014

Seven alleles of the pyridoxine locus of Neurospora were mapped by inter-allelic crosses, using pyr-1 and col-4 as outside markers. Excluding a few exceptional crosses, the data give a linear order of the sites of the seven alleles within the gene, and confirm that allele 44204, previously assigned to a separate locus, pdx-2, is in fact an allele of pdx-1.
ABORTIVE POLLEN: A PHENOTYPIC MARKER OF MONOSOMICS IN UPLAND COTTON,GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM
Authors: Douglas Charles R.
Published: March 2014

Plants from six different monosomic (2n-1) lines of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., which lack chromosomes 2, 4 and 6 of the A genome, and 16, 17 and 18 of the D genome, respectively, showed significantly higher pollen abortion than plants from a standard, highly inbred disomic (2n) line.Pollen abortion can be used to identify certain monosomic plants that otherwise lack distinctive phenotypes.
NON-NUCLEAR INHERITANCE OF UV SENSITIVITY INNEUROSPORA CRASSA
Authors: Chang L. T. , Tuveson R. W. , Munroe Marian H.
Published: March 2014

The heterocaryon test was used to confirm the non-nuclear basis for UV sensitivity in a mutant of Neurospora crassa (uvs-2). A model is presented to explain the results from a cross and the heterocaryon test in which the determinants defined by the uvs-2 mutation are postulated as being bound to the nuclear membrane.
X-RAY INACTIVATION OF THE STYLAR COMPONENT OF THE SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY REACTION IN LILIUM LONGIFLORUM
Authors: Hopper J. E. , Peloquin S. J.
Published: March 2014

Styles of self-incompatible Lilium longiflorum cultivars were X-irradiated to determine the effect on subsequent pollen tube growth. Incompatible pollen tube growth rate in styles exposed to 24 to 70 kr prior to pollination was as high as that of compatible tubes growing in untreated styles. No effect was detected following 6 kr or less; following 6 kr to 24 kr there was a corresponding increase in growth rate. The growth rate of compatible tubes was unaffected by X-irradiation of the styles. Inactivation of the stylar component of the incompatibility reaction by X-irradiation provides a method for obtaining self-seed as well as a possible means of exploring the biochemical nature of this pollen-style interaction.
Transfer of stem rust resistance to wheat from an Agropyron chromosome having a gametocidal effect
Authors: Kibirige-Sebunya I. , Knott D. R.
Published: March 2014

Two procedures were used to induce homoeologous recombination between Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv. chromosome 7el2 and wheat chromosomes. One procedure involved the use of 'Chinese Spring' nullisomic 5B – tetrasomic 5D, and resulted in plants lacking chromosome 5B. In the second procedure, a line carrying the mutant gene ph1b was used, and plants were produced that had only a 5B chromosome carrying ph1b. Both procedures resulted in the transfer of a gene or genes for stem rust (Puccinia graminis tritici Eriks. and Henn.) resistance from chromosome 7el2 to wheat chromosomes. During the transfer process, it was discovered that both the whole Agropyron chromosome and the recombinant chromosomes showed preferential transmission through the female gametes, but not through the male gametes. On heterozygous plants seed set was greatly reduced. Apparently, the Agropyron chromosome or a gene carried by it had a gametocidal action that resulted in female gametes, which did not carry the gene, failing to function. However, homozygous lines showed normal fertility.
An assessment of preferential chromosome pairing at meiosis in Dactylis glomerata
Authors: Lentz E. M. , Crane C. F. , Sleper D. A. , Loegering W. Q.
Published: March 2014

Meiosis was analyzed in 26 full-sib genotypes of tetraploid orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L., 2n = 4x = 28) that had given apparently nontetrasomic segregation for reaction to the stem rust fungus, Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. dactylidis Guyot et Massenot. The mean chromosome associations were 0.24 I, 1.64 rod II, 6.47 ring II, 0.05 III, 0.85 chain IV, and 1.99 ring IV. Optimizations for two classes of mathematical models showed an appreciable excess of bivalents over the number expected upon independent association of long and short chromosome arms. The most probable cause of this bivalent excess was preferential pairing due to slight genomic differentiation in an autotetraploid background. Excess bivalents may have also arisen from close proximity of the two ends of each chromosome upon initiation of pairing. Inequality of chiasma formation between long and short chromosome arms was a minor contributor of excess bivalents. Because of independent segregation of homologous groups, some sibs fit the Kimber–Alonso 2:2 model best, others the 2:1:1.
Assignment of superoxide dismutase (SOD–1) gene to chromosome No. 9 of domestic pig
Authors: Leong M. M. L. , Lin C. C. , Ruth R. F.
Published: March 2014

Pig – mouse somatic cell hybrids were obtained by fusing pig lymphocytes with mouse cells of the RAG (HPTR) line using polyethylene glycol. The expression of pig superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity in 11 hybrid clones as well as in the parental cells was investigated. Seven hybrid clones positive for the expression of pig SOD-1 displayed the corresponding parental RAG and pig bands of SOD-1 plus a heteropolymeric band of intermediate elcctrophoretic mobility. The positive and negative expression of pig SOD-1 was concordant with the retention and loss of pig chromosome No. 9, suggesting that the gene for pig SOD-1 is located on the chromosome No. 9 of the domestic pig.
The localization of genes for HPRT, G6PD, and α-GAL onto the X-chromosome of domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)
Authors: Leong M. M. L. , Lin C. C. , Ruth R. F.
Published: March 2014

Pig – mouse somatic cell hybrids were obtained from fusion of HPRT− -mouse cells (RAG) and pig lymphocytes. The pig – mouse hybrids examined apparently retained on the average only 9 to 15 pig chromosomes. Seven of the hybrid clones were karyotyped to determine the pig chromosome constitution, and the same hybrid clones were tested electrophoretically for the expression of pig hypoxanthine – guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). and α-galactosidase (α-GAL) phenotypes. All five of the hybrid clones which had retained the pig X-chromosome exhibited concordant expression of pig HPRT, G6PD, and α-GAL enzymes. These data indicate that the genes HPRT, G6PD, and α-GAL are located on the X-chromosome of the domestic pig.
Effect of chromosome 1B, chromosome 6B, and low temperature on the frequency of chromosome pairing at first meiotic metaphase in hexaploid triticale
Authors: Thomas Julian B. , Kaltsikes P. J. , Shigenaga S.
Published: March 2014

Chromosome 1B in 'Rosner' and chromosome 6B in line 125 both reduced the frequency with which chromosomes were paired at first meiotic metaphase of hexaploid triticale. On the other hand, chromosome 6B in 'Rosner' and chromosomes 1B and 6B in line 110 had no such effect. The 1B pairing suppressor in 'Rosner' was located on the short arm of the chromosome (1Bs). Between 10 and 30 °C, pairing frequency was quite stable in 'Rosner' triticale in comparison with common wheat, although the level was consistently lower in the triticale. Some reduction of pairing frequency was noted at 10 °C in 'Rosner'. This effect of low temperature did not interact with 1B dosage to cause a disproportionate decrease in pairing frequency when plants with high 1B dosage were grown at 10 °C.
Effect of chromosomes 1B and 6B on nucleolus formation in hexaploid triticale
Authors: Thomas Julian B. , Kaltsikes P. J.
Published: March 2014

Nucleolus organizers present on wheat chromosomes 1B and 6B were found to be solely responsible for nucleolus formation in root-tip cells of hexaploid triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack). The distribution of total nucleolar volume among these active nucleolus organizers was found to be more uniform in some triticales than in others. Further differences were found in the distribution of nucleolar volumes when monosomic 1B was compared with monosomic 6B of the same line of triticale. In 'Rosner,' monosomy for 1B seemed to involve the loss of a larger nucleolus than monosomy for 6B. In line 110 the reverse was true but the difference between monosomics in this line was less pronounced. It was suggested that, depending on the line of triticale involved, either chromosome 1B or chromosome 6B organized larger nucleoli.
SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION OF PHTHALATE ESTERS FROM AQUEOUS SAMPLES USING MESOPOROUS SILICA-COATED MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND THEIR DETERMINATION BY HPLC
Authors: DENG XIAOYING , CHEN XIAOQING , JIANG XINYU
Published: March 2014

We report a novel solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the preconcentration of three phthalate esters (PAEs) from aqueous samples. The material was obtained by modifying multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with mesoporous silica. The structural characterization of the adsorbent was conducted by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N 2 adsorption–desorption measurement, which confirmed the successful coating of mesoporous silica on MWCNTs and the adsorbent possessing large surface and porous structure. The effects of adsorbent amount, type and volume of eluent and sample pH on extraction efficiency were optimized. Following extraction, the PAEs were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Under optimal conditions, the recoveries ranged from 89.8% to 96.3%. The calibration plot was linear in the 3–1000 ng⋅mL-1 concentration range, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9993 to 0.9995. The repeatability of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), ranged from 3.8% to 7.7% (for n = 5). Limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.28 ng mL-1 and 0.53 ng⋅mL-1. The relative recoveries (RR) for spiked river water, pond water and tap water samples were in the ranges of 80.9–98.0%, 82.7–96.1% and 88.3–95.5%, respectively. The results showed that the method obviously had a large potential for preconcentration and determination of PAEs in environmental samples.
What Is the Role of Hysteroscopic Surgery in the Management of Female Infertility? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Carneiro Márcia Mendonça
Published: March 2014

The position of hysteroscopy in current fertility practice is under debate. There are many randomized controlled trials on technical feasibility and patient compliance demonstrating that the procedure is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of intrauterine pathologies. However, no consensus on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery in improving the prognosis of subfertile women is available. A literature review was performed to explore the available information regarding the role of hysteroscopy in the evaluation and management of female infertility as well as to ascertain evidence that treatment of these uterine abnormalities improves fertility. The debate regarding the role of hysteroscopic surgery in the management of female infertility remains as the published studies did not reach a consensus on the benefit of such an intervention in this setting. The randomized trials do not clearly demonstrate that surgical correction of all intrauterine abnormalities improves IVF outcome. However, published observational studies suggest a benefit for resection of submucosal leiomyomas, adhesions, and endometrial polyps in increasing pregnancy rates. More randomised controlled studies are needed to substantiate the effectiveness of the hysteroscopic removal of suspected intrauterine pathology in women with unexplained subfertility or prior to assisted reproductive technology.
In-Depth Profiling of the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Proteome for Clinical Blood Proteomics
Authors: Končarević Saša , Lößner Christopher , Kuhn Karsten , Prinz Thorsten , Pike Ian , Zucht Hans-Dieter
Published: March 2014

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are an easy accessible cellular part of the blood organ and, along with platelets, represent the only site of active gene expression in blood. These cells undergo immunophenotypic changes in various diseases and represent a peripheral source of monitoring gene expression and posttranslational modifications relevant to many diseases. Little is known about the source of many blood proteins and we hypothesise that release from PBMCs through active and passive mechanisms may account for a substantial part of the plasma proteome. The use of state-of-the-art proteomic profiling methods in PBMCs will enable minimally invasive monitoring of disease progression or response to treatment and discovery of biomarkers. To achieve this goal, detailed mapping of the PBMC proteome using a sensitive, robust, and quantitative methodological setup is required. We have applied an indepth gel-free proteomics approach using tandem mass tags (TMT), unfractionated and SCX fractionated PBMC samples, and LC-MS/MS with various modulations. This study represents a benchmark in deciphering the PBMC proteome as we provide a deep insight by identifying 4129 proteins and 25503 peptides. The identified proteome defines the scope that enables PBMCs to be characterised as cellular major biomarker pool within the blood organ.
Hybrid Optical Switching for Data Center Networks
Authors: Fiorani Matteo , Aleksic Slavisa , Casoni Maurizio
Published: March 2014

Current data centers networks rely on electronic switching and point-to-point interconnects. When considering future data center requirements, these solutions will raise issues in terms of flexibility, scalability, performance, and energy consumption. For this reason several optical switched interconnects, which make use of optical switches and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), have been recently proposed. However, the solutions proposed so far suffer from low flexibility and are not able to provide service differentiation. In this paper we introduce a novel data center network based on hybrid optical switching (HOS). HOS combines optical circuit, burst, and packet switching on the same network. In this way different data center applications can be mapped to the optical transport mechanism that best suits their traffic characteristics. Furthermore, the proposed HOS network achieves high transmission efficiency and reduced energy consumption by using two parallel optical switches. We consider the architectures of both a traditional data center network and the proposed HOS network and present a combined analytical and simulation approach for their performance and energy consumption evaluation. We demonstrate that the proposed HOS data center network achieves high performance and flexibility while considerably reducing the energy consumption of current solutions.
Existence for a Second-Order Impulsive Neutral Stochastic Integrodifferential Equations with Nonlocal Conditions and Infinite Delay
Authors: Diem Dang Huan
Published: March 2014

The current paper is concerned with the existence of mild solutions
for a class of second-order impulsive neutral stochastic integrodifferential equations
with nonlocal conditions and infinite delays in a Hilbert space. A sufficient condition
for the existence results is obtained by using the Krasnoselskii-Schaefer-type fixed point
theorem combined with theories of a strongly continuous cosine family of bounded linear
operators. Finally, an application to the stochastic nonlinear wave equation with infinite
delay is given.
Bilateral Paget’s Disease of the Breast—Case Report of Long-Time Misdiagnosed Tumors with Underlying Ductal Carcinomas and Review of the Literature
Authors: Barth Dietrich
Published: March 2014

Paget’s disease of the breast is often misdiagnosed. We report on a 72-year old patient with a history of 2.5 years without any malignant findings, followed by the identification of a bilateral Paget’s disease with bilateral breast cancers. This case underlines how important histological examinations even in unusual clinical pictures are.
Dynamics of Bose-Einstein Condensates: Exact Representation and Topological Classification of Coherent Matter Waves
Authors: Jia Leilei , Liu Qihuai , Tang Shengqiang
Published: March 2014

By using the bifurcation theory of dynamical systems, we present the exact representation and topological classification of coherent matter waves in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), such as solitary waves and modulate amplitude waves (MAWs). The existence and multiplicity of such waves are determined by the parameter regions selected. The results show that the characteristic of coherent matter waves can be determined by the “angular momentum” in attractive BECs while for repulsive BECs; the waves of the coherent form are all MAWs. All exact explicit parametric representations of the above waves are exhibited and numerical simulations support the result.
Sums of Products Involving Power Sums of φ(n) Integers
Authors: Singh Jitender
Published: March 2014

A sequence of rational numbers as a generalization of the sequence of Bernoulli numbers is introduced. Sums of products involving the terms of this generalized sequence are then obtained using an application of Faà di Bruno's formula. These sums of products are analogous to the higher order Bernoulli numbers and are used to develop the closed form expressions for the sums of products involving the power sums Ψk(x,n):=∑d|n‍μ(d)dkSkx/d,  n∈ℤ+ which are defined via the Möbius function μ and the usual power sum Sk(x) of a real or complex variable x. The power sum Sk(x) is expressible in terms of the well-known Bernoulli polynomials by Sk(x):=(Bk+1(x+1)-Bk+1(1))/(k+1).
Does Statin or ASA Affect Survival When Prostate Cancer Is Treated with External Beam Radiation Therapy?
Authors: Caon J. , Paquette M. , Hamm J. , Pickles T.
Published: March 2014

Background. Prior studies evaluating the effect of statins or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the survival of men receiving prostate cancer were treatment have reported conflicting results, and have not adjusted for comorbidity. Our aim is to investigate the influence of statins and ASA on prostate cancer survival, when comorbidity is adjusted for, in men treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer.Methods. A cohort of 3851 patients with prostate cancer treated with curative EBRT ± androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) between 2000 and 2007. Stage, treatment, medication use, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores were analyzed.Results. Median followup was 8.4 years. Mean age was 70.3 years. Neoadjuvant ADT was used in 67%. Statins were used in 23%, ASA in 24%, and both in 11%. Comorbidity scores were 0 in 65%, 1 in 25%, and ≥2 in 10% of patients. Statin and ASA use were associated with increased age and comorbidity. Although statin and ASA use were significantly associated with improved prostate cancer specific survival (PCSS) on univariate analysis, neither were on multivariate analysis.Conclusion. Neither statin nor ASA use impacted PCSS on multivariate competing risks analysis. Survival was impacted by increased comorbidity as well as statin and ASA use.
In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Four Vital Pulp Therapy Materials on L929 Fibroblasts
Authors: Wadajkar Aniket S. , Ahn Chul , Nguyen Kytai T. , Zhu Qiang , Komabayashi Takashi
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity of direct pulp capping materials such as Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B on L929 fibroblasts. Freshly mixed or set materials were prepared and eluted by incubation with cell culture medium for working time period (fresh) or for 6 hours (set). The cells were exposed to media containing elutes for 24 hours, after which the cell survival was evaluated by MTS assays. In freshly mixed materials, average ± standard deviation % cell viabilities were 40.2 ± 14.0%, 43.7 ± 16.0%, 72.9 ± 12.7%, and 66.0 ± 13.6% for Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B, respectively. There was no statistical difference in cell viabilities among material groups, whereas in set materials, the cell viabilities were 48.7 ± 14.8%, 37.2 ± 10.6%, 46.7 ± 15.2%, and 100 ± 21.9% for Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B, respectively. Super-Bond C&B showed more cell viabilities than the other three material groups P< 0.05. The four vital pulp therapy materials had similar cytotoxicity when the materials were fresh. Super-Bond C&B was less cytotoxic than Dycal, Life, and ProRoot MTA after the materials were set, which suggests the use of SB-C&B in future in vivo clinical investigations.
Approximate Solution of Fractional Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations by the Legendre Multiwavelet Galerkin Method
Authors: Mohamed M. A. , Torky M. Sh.
Published: March 2014

The Legendre multiwavelet Galerkin method is adopted to give the approximate solution for the nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (NFPDEs). The Legendre multiwavelet properties are presented. The main characteristic of this approach is using these properties together with the Galerkin method to reduce the NFPDEs to the solution of nonlinear system of algebraic equations. We presented the numerical results and a comparison with the exact solution in the cases when we have an exact solution to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the method. The fractional derivative is described in the Caputo sense.
Purification and Biochemical Characterization of Three Myotoxins fromBothrops mattogrossensisSnake Venom with Toxicity againstLeishmaniaand Tumor Cells
Authors: Moura Andréa A. de , Kayano Anderson M. , Oliveira George A. , Setúbal Sulamita S. , Ribeiro João G. , Barros Neuza B. , Nicolete Roberto , Moura Laura A. , Fuly Andre L. , Nomizo Auro , da Silva Saulo L. , Fernandes Carla F. C. , Zuliani Juliana P. , Stábeli Rodrigo G. , Soares Andreimar M. , Calderon Leonardo A.
Published: March 2014

Bothrops mattogrossensissnake is widely distributed throughout eastern South America and is responsible for snakebites in this region. This paper reports the purification and biochemical characterization of three new phospholipases A2(PLA2s), one of which is presumably an enzymatically active Asp49 and two are very likely enzymatically inactive Lys49 PLA2homologues. The purification was obtained after two chromatographic steps on ion exchange and reverse phase column. The 2D SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the proteins have pI values around 10, are each made of a single chain, and have molecular masses near 13 kDa, which was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The N-terminal similarity analysis of the sequences showed that the proteins are highly homologous with other Lys49 and Asp49 PLA2s fromBothropsspecies. The PLA2s isolated were named BmatTX-I (Lys49 PLA2-like), BmatTX-II (Lys49 PLA2-like), and BmatTX-III (Asp49 PLA2). The PLA2s induced cytokine release from mouse neutrophils and showed cytotoxicity towards JURKAT (leukemia T) and SK-BR-3 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines and promastigote forms ofLeishmania amazonensis. The structural and functional elucidation of snake venoms components may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these proteins during envenomation and their potential pharmacological and therapeutic applications.
Design of Nonlinear Robust Rotor Current Controller for DFIG Based on Terminal Sliding Mode Control and Extended State Observer
Authors: Cai Guowei , Liu Cheng , Yang Deyou , Huang Nantian
Published: March 2014

As to strong nonlinearity of doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) and uncertainty of its model, a novel rotor current controller with nonlinearity and robustness is proposed to enhance fault ride‐though (FRT) capacities of grid‐connected DFIG. Firstly, the model error, external disturbances, and the uncertain factors were estimated by constructing extended state observer (ESO) so as to achieve linearization model, which is compensated dynamically from nonlinear model. And then rotor current controller of DFIG is designed by using terminal sliding mode variable structure control theory (TSMC). The controller has superior dynamic performance and strong robustness. The simulation results show that the proposed control approach is effective.
Interleukins Affect Equine Endometrial Cell Function: Modulatory Action of Ovarian Steroids
Authors: Szóstek Anna Z. , Galvão Antonio M. , Hojo Takuo , Okuda Kiyoshi , Skarzynski Dariusz J.
Published: March 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction between ovarian steroids, interleukins and prostaglandins (PG) in equine epithelial and stromal cells in vitro. In Experiment 1, cells were exposed to IL-1α(10 ng/mL), IL-1β(10 ng/mL) or IL-6 (10 ng/mL) for 24 h and cell proliferation was determined using MTT. In Experiment 2, cells were exposed to progesterone (P4; 10−7 M); 17-βestradiol (E2; 10−9 M) or P4+E2for 24 h and later medium was replaced with a fresh one treated with IL-1α, IL-1βor IL-6 (10 ng/mL, each) for 24 h. The oxytocin (OT; 10−7 M) was used as a positive control. In Experiment 3, cells were exposed to P4(10−7 M), E2(10−9 M) or P4+E2for 24 h and theIL receptormRNAs transcription was determined using Real-time PCR. Prostaglandins concentration was determined using the direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Our findings reveal a functional linking between ovarian steroids and IL-stimulated PG secretion by equine endometrial cells. This interaction could be one of the mechanisms responsible for endometrial local orchestrating events during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.
On Properties of Meromorphic Solutions of Certain Difference Painlevé III Equations
Authors: Lan Shuang-Ting , Chen Zong-Xuan
Published: March 2014

We mainly study the exponents of convergence of zeros and poles of difference and divided difference of transcendental meromorphic solutions for certain difference Painlevé III equations.
Hybrid Algorithms for Solving Variational Inequalities, Variational Inclusions, Mixed Equilibria, and Fixed Point Problems
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Petrusel Adrian , Wong Mu-Ming , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: March 2014

We present a hybrid iterative algorithm for finding a common element of the set of solutions of a finite family of generalized mixed equilibrium problems, the set of solutions of a finite family of variational inequalities for inverse strong monotone mappings, the set of fixed points of an infinite family of nonexpansive mappings, and the set of solutions of a variational inclusion in a real Hilbert space. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed hybrid iterative algorithm has strong convergence under some mild conditions imposed on algorithm parameters. Here, our hybrid algorithm is based on Korpelevič’s extragradient method, hybrid steepest-descent method, and viscosity approximation method.
The Prognostic Values of Leukocyte Rho Kinase Activity in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Cheng Cheng-I. , Lin Yu-Chun , Tsai Tzu-Hsien , Lin Hung-Sheng , Liou Chia-Wei , Chang Wen-Neng , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Yuen Chun-Man , Yip Hon-Kan
Published: March 2014

Objective. It has been reported that leukocyte ROCK activity is elevated in patients after ischemic stroke, but it is unclear whether leukocyte ROCK activity is associated with clinical outcomes following acute stroke events. The objective of this study is to investigate if leukocyte ROCK activity can predict the outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Materials and Methods. We enrolled 110 patients of acute ischemic stroke and measured the leukocyte ROCK activity and plasma level of inflammatory cytokines to correlate the clinical outcomes of these patients.Results. The leukocyte ROCK activity at 48 hours after admission in acute ischemic stroke patients was higher as compared to a risk-matched population. The leukocyte ROCK activity significantly correlated with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) difference between admission and 90 days after stroke event. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed lower stroke-free survival during follow-up period in patients with high leukocyte ROCK activity or plasma hsCRP level. Leukocyte ROCK activity independently predicted the recurrent stroke in patients with atherosclerotic stroke.Conclusions. This study shows elevated leukocyte ROCK activity in patients with ischemic stroke as compared to risk-matched subjects and is an independent predictor for recurrent stroke.
Second-Order Regularity Estimates for Singular Schrödinger Equations on Convex Domains
Authors: Tao Xiangxing
Published: March 2014

LetΩ⊂ℝnbe a nonsmooth convex domain and letfbe a distribution in the atomic Hardy spaceHatp(Ω); we study the Schrödinger equations-div⁡(A∇u)+Vu=finΩwith the singular potentialVand the nonsmooth coefficient matrixA. We will show the existence of the Green function and establish theLpintegrability of the second-order derivative of the solution to the Schrödinger equation onΩwith the Dirichlet boundary condition forn/(n+1)<p≤2. Some fundamental pointwise estimates for the Green function are also given.
A Spatial-Temporal ARMA Model of the Incidence of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Li Jie , Fu Yanjun , Xu Ancha , Zhou Zumu , Wang Weiming
Published: March 2014

To investigate the variability of HFMD in each county of Wenzhou, a spatial-temporal ARMA model is presented, and a general Bayesian framework is given for parameter estimation. The proposed model has two advantages: (i) allowing time series to be correlated, thus it can describe the series both spatially and temporally; (ii) implementing forecast easily. Based on the HFMD data in Wenzhou, we find that HFMD had positive spatial autocorrelation and the incidence seasonal peak was between May and July. In the county-level analysis, we find that after first-order difference the spatial-temporal ARMA(0,0)×(1,0)12model provides an adequate fit to the data.
A Metabolomic Strategy to Screen the Prototype Components and Metabolites ofShuang-Huang-Lian Injectionin Human Serum by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Guo Mingxing , Zhao Baosheng , Liu Haiyu , Zhang Li , Peng Long , Qin Lingling , Zhang Zhixin , Li Jian , Cai Chengke , Gao Xiaoyan
Published: March 2014

Shuang-huang-lian injection(SHLI) is a famous Chinese patent medicine, which has been wildly used in clinic to treat acute respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, influenza, and so forth. Despite the widespread clinical application, the prototype components and metabolites ofSHLIhave not been fully elucidated, especially in human body. To discover and screen the constituents or metabolites of Chinese medicine in biofluids tends to be more and more difficult due to the complexity of chemical compositions, metabolic reactions and matrix effects. In this work, a metabolomic strategy to comprehensively elucidate the prototype components and metabolites ofSHLIin human serum conducted by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was developed. Orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied to distinguish the exogenous, namely, drug-induced constituents, from endogenous in human serum. In the S-plot, 35 drug-induced constituents were found, including 23 prototype compounds and 12 metabolites which indicated thatSHLIin human body mainly caused phase II metabolite reactions. It was concluded that the metabolomic strategy for identification of herbal constituents and metabolites in biological samples was successfully developed. This identification and structural elucidation of the chemical compounds provided essential data for further pharmacological and pharmacokinetics study ofSHLI.
Separation/Preconcentration and Speciation Analysis of Trace Amounts of Arsenate and Arsenite in Water Samples Using Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles and Molybdenum Blue Method
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Ali , Mohadesi Alireza , Hatefi-Mehrjardi Abdolhamid , Mohammadi Sayed Zia , Yarahmadi Javad , Khayrkhah Azadeh
Published: March 2014

A new, simple, and fast method for the separation/preconcentration and speciation analysis of arsenate and arsenite ions using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide immobilized on alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (CTAB@ACMNPs) followed by molybdenum blue method is proposed. The method is based on the adsorption of arsenate on CTAB@ACMNPs. Total arsenic in different samples was determined as As(V) after oxidation of As(III) to As(V) using potassium permanganate. The arsenic concentration has been determined by UV-Visible spectrometric technique based on molybdenum blue method and amount of As(III) was calculated by subtracting the concentration of As(V) from total arsenic concentration. MNPs and ACMNPs were characterized by VSM, XRD, SEM, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the preconcentration factor, detection limit, linear range, and relative standard deviation (RSD) of arsenate were 175 (for 350 mL of sample solution), 0.028 μg mL−1, 0.090–4.0 μg mL−1, and 2.8% (for 2.0 μg mL−1,n=7), respectively. This method avoided the time-consuming column-passing process of loading large volume samples in traditional SPE through the rapid isolation of CTAB@ACMNPs with an adscititious magnet. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination and speciation of arsenic in different water samples and suitable recoveries were obtained.
Evaluation of Pharyngeal Function between No Bolus and Bolus Propofol Induced Sedation for Advanced Upper Endoscopy
Authors: Kiriyama Shinsuke , Naitoh Hiroshi , Fukuchi Minoru , Fukasawa Takaharu , Saito Kana , Tabe Yuichi , Yamauchi Hayato , Yoshida Tomonori , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to assess pharyngeal function between no bolus and bolus propofol induced sedation during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. A retrospective study was conducted involving consecutive gastric cancer patients. Patients in the no bolus group received a 3 mg/kg/h maintenance dose of propofol after the initiation of sedation without bolus injection. All patients in the bolus group received the same maintenance dose of propofol with bolus 0.5 mg/kg propofol injection. Pharyngeal functions were evaluated endoscopically for the first 5 min following the initial administration of propofol. Fourteen patients received no bolus propofol induction and 13 received bolus propofol induction. Motionless vocal cords were observed in 2 patients (14%) in the no bolus group and 3 (23%) in the bolus group. Trachea cartilage was not observed in the no bolus group but was apparent in 6 patients (46%) in the bolus group (P<0.01). Scope stimulated pharyngeal reflex was observed in 11 patients (79%) in the no bolus group and in 3 (23%) in the bolus group (P<0.01). Propofol induced sedation without bolus administration preserves pharyngeal function and may constitute a safer sedation method than with bolus.
Fault Detection for Wireless Network Control Systems with Stochastic Uncertainties and Time Delays
Authors: Zhang Jie , Guo Pengfei , Lyu Ming , Karimi Hamid Reza , Bo Yuming
Published: March 2014

The fault detection problem is investigated for a class of wireless network control systems which has stochastic uncertainties in the state-space matrices, combined with time delays and nonlinear disturbance. First, the system error observer is proposed. Then, by constructing proper Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, we acquire sufficient conditions to guarantee the stability of the fault detection observer for the discrete system, and observer gain is also derived by solving linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a simulation example shows that when a fault happens, the observer residual rises rapidly and fault can be quickly detected, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
H∞Filtering for Discrete-Time Genetic Regulatory Networks with Random Delay Described by a Markovian Chain
Authors: Wang Yantao , Zhou Xingming , Zhang Xian
Published: March 2014

This paper is concerned with theH∞filtering problem for a class of discretetime genetic regulatory networks with random delay and external disturbance. The aim is to designH∞filter to estimate the true concentrations of mRNAs and proteins based on available measurement data. By introducing an appropriate Lyapunov function, a sufficient condition is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) which makes the filtering error system stochastically stable with a prescribedH∞disturbance attenuation level. The filter gains are given by solving the LMIs. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach; that is, our approach is available for a smallerH∞disturbance attenuation level than one in (Liu et al., 2012).
A Note on Strongly Starlike Mappings in Several Complex Variables
Authors: Hamada Hidetaka , Honda Tatsuhiro , Kohr Gabriela , Shon Kwang Ho
Published: March 2014

Letfbe a normalized biholomorphic mapping on the Euclidean unit ball𝔹ninℂnand letα∈0,1. In this paper, we will show that iffis strongly starlike of orderαin the sense of Liczberski and Starkov, then it is also strongly starlike of orderαin the sense of Kohr and Liczberski. We also give an example which shows that the converse of the above result does not hold in dimensionn≥2.
Grading Prediction of Enterprise Financial Crisis Based on Nonlinear Programming Evaluation: A Case Study of Chinese Transportation Industry
Authors: Li Zhi-yuan
Published: March 2014

As the core of the effective financial crisis prevention, enterprise finance crisis prediction has been the focal attention of both theorists and businessmen. Financial crisis predictions need to apply a variety of financial and operating indicators for its analysis. Therefore, a new evaluation model based on nonlinear programming is established, the nature of the model is proved, the detailed solution steps of the model are given, and the significance and algorithm of the model are thoroughly discussed in this study. The proposed model can deal with the case of missing data, and has the good isotonic property and profound theoretical background. In the empirical analysis to predict the financial crisis and through the comparison of the analysis of historical data and the real enterprises with financial crisis, we find that the results are in accordance with the real enterprise financial conditions and the proposed model has a good predictive ability.
Grid-Based Improved Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Dynamic Localization of Mobile Robots
Authors: Feng Sheng , Wu Cheng-dong , Zhang Yun-zhou , Jia Zi-xi
Published: March 2014

The dynamic localization is a kind of technology by which the mobile robot tries to localize the position by itself. According to the dynamic localization failure of mobile robots in indoor network blind areas, an autonomous-dynamic localization system which dynamically chooses beacon node and establishes grids is proposed in this paper. This method applies received signal strength indication (RSSI) for distance measurement. Furthermore, the proposed grid-based improved maximum likelihood estimation (GIMLE) fulfills the localization. Finally, the localization error correction is implemented by Kalman filter. The approach combines the classical Kalman filter with the other localization algorithms. The purpose is to smooth and optimize the results of the algorithms, in order to improve the localization accuracy. In particular, in network blind spots, the Kalman filter provides better performance than the other algorithms listed in the paper. Experimental results show the accuracy, adaptivity, and robustness of the dynamic self-localization of mobile robots.
Stability of a Mathematical Model of Malaria Transmission with Relapse
Authors: Huo Hai-Feng , Qiu Guang-Ming
Published: March 2014

A more realistic mathematical model of malaria is introduced, in which we not only consider the recovered humans return to the susceptible class, but also consider the recovered humans return to the infectious class. The basic reproduction numberR0is calculated by next generation matrix method. It is shown that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable ifR0≤1, and the system is uniformly persistence ifR0>1. Some numerical simulations are also given to explain our analytical results. Our results show that to control and eradicate the malaria, it is very necessary for the government to decrease the relapse rate and increase the recovery rate.
Exploring Personality Features in Patients with Affective Disorders and History of Suicide Attempts: A Comparative Study with Their Parents and Control Subjects
Authors: Camarena Beatriz , Fresán Ana , Sarmiento Emmanuel
Published: March 2014

Personality traits are important candidate predictors of suicidal behavior. Several studies have reported an association between personality/temperament traits and suicidal behavior, suggesting personality traits as intermediary phenotypes related to suicidal behavior. Thus, it is possible that suicide attempts can be accounted for by increased familial rates of risk personality traits. The aim of this work was to evaluate personality traits in affective disorder patients with attempted suicide and to compare them with the personality trait scores of their parents. In addition, ITC scores in the two groups were compared with a healthy control sample. The patients evaluated met the DSM-IV criteria for major depression disorder or dysthymia and had a documented history of suicide attempts. Psychiatric diagnoses of patients and parents were done according to the SCID-I and the personality was assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory. We analyzed 49 suicide attempt subjects and their parents (n=95) and 89 control subjects. We observed that temperament and character dimensions were similar between patients and their parents (P>0.05). In particular, we observed that high HA and low P, SD, and CO were shared among families. Our study is the first to report that the personality traits of affective disorder patients with a history of attempted suicide are shared between patients and their parents.
Development of La3+Doped CeO2Thick Film Humidity Sensors
Authors: Wang Chunjie , Zhang Aihua , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: March 2014

The humidity sensitive characteristics of the sensor fabricated from 10 mol% La2O3doped CeO2nanopowders with particle size 17.26 nm synthesized via hydrothermal method were investigated at different frequencies. It was found that the sensor shows high humidity sensitivity, rapid response-recovery characteristics, and narrow hysteresis loop at 100 Hz in the relative humidity range from 11% to 95%. The impedance of the sensor decreases by about five orders of magnitude as relative humidity increases. The maximum humidity hysteresis is about 6% RH, and the response and recovery time is 12 and 13 s, respectively. These results indicate that the nanosized La2O3doped CeO2powder has potential application as high-performance humidity sensor.
Characterization of a-Si:H/c-Si Heterojunctions by Time Resolved Microwave Conductivity Technique
Authors: Limmanee Amornrat , Nassar Joaquim , Sobkowicz Igor P. , Sritharathikhun Jaran , Sriprapha Kobsak , Courtois Guillaume , Moreau Francois , Cabarrocas Pere Roca I
Published: March 2014

In heterojunction solar cells, a-Si:H/c-Si heterointerface is of significant importance, since the heterointerface characteristics directly affect junction properties and thus solar cell efficiency. In this study, we have performed time resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) measurements on n-type c-Si wafers passivated on both sides with intrinsic and doped a-Si:H layers in order to investigate electrical property and passivation quality of the a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunctions. It was found that the TRMC decay time and decay curve shape varied with the laser wavelength and power intensity and also depended on sample structures. By using 1064 nm laser pulse with high excitation, differences in the decay curve shape between samples with and without p-n junction were observed. The samples containing p-n junction(s) had unique slow decay mode, after the initial fast decay, which we ascribed to the release of carriers from the low-mobility amorphous layer into the high-mobility crystalline wafer as the built-in field of the junction was restored. Experimental results suggest that the TRMC is useful nondestructive technique which is suitable for primary check of the a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunctions during the solar cell fabrication process.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of the Chinese Herbal Formula Sini Tang in Myocardial Infarction Rats
Authors: Liu Jiangang , Peter Karoline , Shi Dazhuo , Zhang Lei , Dong Guoju , Zhang Dawu , Breiteneder Heimo , Bauer Rudolf , Jakowitsch Johannes , Ma Yan
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory profiling of the Chinese herbal formula Sini Tang (SNT) in myocardial infarction (MI) rats. SNT, a decoction consisting of four herbs: Aconitum carmichaelii, Cinnamomum cassia, Zingiber officinale, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, was characterized as a remedy to treat syndromes corresponding to heart failure and MI in China. Potential biomarkers, which reflect the extent of myocardial necrosis and correlate with cardiac outcomes following MI, such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, and interleukin‐1β (TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β) were determined in plasma, serum, and in myocardial tissue of MI rats after treatment with SNT. Our data indicate that SNT decreased significantly the levels of hs‐CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in MI rats. SNT decreased the expression of ANP levels in plasma and increased the vascular active marker nitric oxide, which limits vascular inflammation. In addition, SNT could decrease the expression of endothelin‐1 levels in rat plasma post‐MI. Our data suggest that the Chinese herbal formula SNT has the potential to improve cardiac function after MI. SNT may be a candidate for treating MI and its associated inflammatory responses.