bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of physical proximity and attachment working models on cardiovascular reactivity: Comparing mental activation and romantic partner presence
Authors: Bourassa Kyle J. , Ruiz John M. , Sbarra David A.
Published: January 2019

Close relationships, especially high‐quality romantic relationships, are consistently associated with positive physical health outcomes. Attenuated cardiovascular reactivity is one physiological mechanism implicated in explaining these effects. Drawing on attachment and social baseline theories, this experimental study evaluated two potential affiliative cues as mechanisms through which romantic relationships may attenuate cardiovascular reactivity to a laboratory‐based stressor. Prior to a cold pressor task, 102 participants were randomly assigned to either have their partner physically present, call upon a mental representation of their partner, or think about their day during the stressor. Consistent with our preregistered hypotheses, participants in both the partner present and mental activation conditions had significantly lower blood pressure (BP) reactivity during the cold pressor task compared to control participants for both systolic (d = −0.54) and diastolic BP (d = −0.53), but no significant differences emerged for heart rate or heart rate variability. Although participants in the partner present and mental activation conditions had similar BP reactivity to the cold pressor task, those in the partner present condition reported significantly less pain as a result of the task. The difference in BP reactivity by condition was moderated—BP reactivity was greater for people with lower self‐reported relationship satisfaction. The results suggest that accessing the mental representation of a romantic partner and a partner’s presence each buffer against exaggerated acute stress responses to a similar degree.
Semiparametric Model for Bivariate Survival Data Subject to Biased Sampling
Authors: Piao Jin , Ning Jing , Shen Yu
Published: January 2019

To understand better the relationship between patient characteristics and their residual survival after an intermediate event such as the local recurrence of cancer, it is of interest to identify patients with the intermediate event and then to analyse their residual survival data. One challenge in analysing such data is that the observed residual survival times tend to be longer than those in the target population, since patients who die before experiencing the intermediate event are excluded from the cohort identified. We propose to model jointly the ordered bivariate survival data by using a copula model and appropriately adjusting for the sampling bias. We develop an estimating procedure to estimate simultaneously the parameters for the marginal survival functions and the association parameter in the copula model, and we use a two-stage expectation–maximization algorithm. Using empirical process theory, we prove that the estimators have strong consistency and asymptotic normality. We conduct simulation studies to evaluate the finite sample performance of the method proposed. We apply the method to two cohort studies to evaluate the association between patient characteristics and residual survival.
A General Framework for Quantile Estimation with Incomplete Data
Authors: Han Peisong , Kong Linglong , Zhao Jiwei , Zhou Xingcai
Published: January 2019

Quantile estimation has attracted significant research interest in recent years. However, there has been only a limited literature on quantile estimation in the presence of incomplete data. We propose a general framework to address this problem. Our framework combines the two widely adopted approaches for missing data analysis, the imputation approach and the inverse probability weighting approach, via the empirical likelihood method. The method proposed is capable of dealing with many different missingness settings. We mainly study three of them: estimating the marginal quantile of a response that is subject to missingness while there are fully observed covariates; estimating the conditional quantile of a fully observed response while the covariates are partially available; estimating the conditional quantile of a response that is subject to missingness with fully observed covariates and extra auxiliary variables. The method proposed allows multiple models for both the missingness probability and the data distribution. The resulting estimators are multiply robust in the sense that they are consistent if any one of these models is correctly specified. The asymptotic distributions are established by using empirical process theory.
Two-stage reactive ion etching of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor type heterostructures
Authors: Owczarzak Sławomir , Stafiniak Andrzej , Paszkiewicz Regina
Published: January 2019

Three-dimensional geometrical shaping of semiconductor heterostructures could be realized through research of their etch rate and inclination side wall angle control. The formation of complicate shapes requires repeating several times the technological processes such as mask deposition, lithography, and heterostructures etching. In this article, experimental results of the study of double repeated reactive ion etching (RIE) process are presented, which was performed without the second photolithography process. This solution allows reducing the duration and costs of new piezotronic devices fabrication through decreasing the number of technological steps that are necessary for devices fabrication. Additionally, the evolution of depth and side walls inclination was studied during the second stage RIE. The two-stage RIE process allowed obtaining trenches of two different depths in the surface.
Talker change detection: A comparison of human and machine performance
Authors: Sharma Neeraj Kumar , Ganesh Shobhana , Ganapathy Sriram , Holt Lori L.
Published: January 2019

The automatic analysis of conversational audio remains difficult, in part, due to the presence of multiple talkers speaking in turns, often with significant intonation variations and overlapping speech. The majority of prior work on psychoacoustic speech analysis and system design has focused on single-talker speech or multi-talker speech with overlapping talkers (for example, the cocktail party effect). There has been much less focus on how listeners detect a change in talker or in probing the acoustic features significant in characterizing a talker's voice in conversational speech. This study examines human talker change detection (TCD) in multi-party speech utterances using a behavioral paradigm in which listeners indicate the moment of perceived talker change. Human reaction times in this task can be well-estimated by a model of the acoustic feature distance among speech segments before and after a change in talker, with estimation improving for models incorporating longer durations of speech prior to a talker change. Further, human performance is superior to several online and offline state-of-the-art machine TCD systems.
Effect of intracortical bone properties on the phase velocity and cut-off frequency of low-frequency guided wave modes (20–85 kHz)
Authors: Pereira Daniel , Haïat Guillaume , Fernandes Julio , Belanger Pierre
Published: January 2019

The assessment of intracortical bone properties is of interest since early-stage osteoporosis is associated with resorption in the endosteal region. However, understanding the interaction between ultrasonic guided waves and the cortical bone structure remains challenging. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of intracortical bone properties on the ultrasonic response obtained at low-frequency (<100 kHz) using an axial transmission configuration. The semi-analytical finite element method was used to simulate the propagation of guided waves in a waveguide with realistic geometry and material properties. An array of 20 receivers was used to calculate the phase velocity and cut-off frequency of the excited modes using the two-dimensional Fourier transform. The results show that the position of the emitter around the circumference of the bone is an important parameter to control since it can lead to variations of up to 10 dB in the amplitude of the transmitted modes. The cut-off frequency of the high order modes was, however, only slightly affected by the circumferential position of the emitter, and was sensitive mainly to the axial shear modulus. The phase velocity and cut-off frequency in the 20–85 kHz range are promising parameters for the assessment of intracortical properties.
Linezolid Pharmacokinetics in South African Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and a High Prevalence of HIV Coinfection
Authors: Wasserman Sean , Denti Paolo , Brust James C. M. , Abdelwahab Mahmoud , Hlungulu Siphokazi , Wiesner Lubbe , Norman Jennifer , Sirgel Frederick A. , Warren Robin M. , Esmail Aliasgar , Dheda Keertan , Gandhi Neel R. , Meintjes Graeme , Maartens Gary
Published: January 2019

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended that linezolid be prioritized in treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), but there are limited data on its pharmacokinetics (PK) in patients with this disease. We conducted an observational study to explore covariate effects on linezolid PK and to estimate the probability of PK/pharmacodynamic target attainment in South African patients with drug-resistant TB.
Effects of Absolute Humidity, Relative Humidity, Temperature, and Wind Speed on Influenza Activity in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Peci Adriana , Winter Anne-Luise , Li Ye , Gnaneshan Saravanamuttu , Liu Juan , Mubareka Samira , Gubbay Jonathan B.
Published: January 2019

This study examined the relationship between environmental factors and the occurrence of influenza in general. Since the seasonality of influenza A and B viruses is different in most temperate climates, we also examined each influenza virus separately. This study reports a negative association of both absolute humidity and temperature with influenza A and B viruses and tries to understand the controversial effect of RH on influenza A and B viruses. This study reports a nonlinear relation between influenza A and B viruses with temperature and influenza B virus with absolute and relative humidity. The nonlinear nature of these relations could explain the complexity and difference in seasonality between influenza A and B viruses, with the latter predominating later in the season. Separating community-based specimens from those obtained during outbreaks was also a novel approach in this research. These findings provide a further understanding of influenza virus transmission in temperate climates.
Molecular Mechanisms of
hsdS
Inversions in the
cod
Locus of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Li Jing-Wen , Li Jing , Wang Juanjuan , Li Chunhao , Zhang Jing-Ren
Published: January 2019

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a major pathogen of human infections with the capacity for adaptation to host environments, but the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unclear. Previous studies reveal that pneumococcus extends epigenetic and phenotypic diversity by DNA inversions in three methyltransferase
hsdS
genes of the
cod
locus. This work revealed that only the
hsdS
gene that is in the same orientation as
hsdM
is actively transcribed, but the other two are silent, serving as DNA sources for inversions. While most of the
hsdS
inversions are catalyzed by PsrA recombinase, the sequences bound by long inverted repeats also undergo inversions via an unknown mechanism. Our results revealed that
S. pneumoniae
switches the methylation patterns of the genome (epigenetics) by employing multiple mechanisms of DNA inversion.
Investigation of Host Range of and Host Defense against a Mitochondrially Replicating Mitovirus
Authors: Shahi Sabitree , Eusebio-Cope Ana , Kondo Hideki , Hillman Bradley I. , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: January 2019

Capsidless mitoviruses, which are ubiquitously detected in filamentous fungi, have the simplest RNA genomes of 2.2 to 4.4 kb, encoding only RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Despite their simple genomes, detailed biological characterization of mitoviruses has been hampered by their mitochondrial location within the cell, posing challenges to their experimental introduction and study. Here we developed a protoplast fusion-based protocol for horizontal transfer of the prototype mitovirus, Cryphonectria parasitica mitovirus 1 (CpMV1), which was isolated from strain NB631 of the chestnut blight fungus (
Cryphonectria parasitica
), a model filamentous fungus for studying virus-host interactions. The host range of CpMV1 has been expanded to many different strains of
C. parasitica
and different fungal species within and outside the Cryphonectriaceae. Comparison of CpMV1 accumulation among various RNA silencing-deficient and -competent strains showed clearly that the virus was unaffected by RNA silencing. This study provides a solid foundation for further exploration of mitovirus-host interactions.
Examination and Reconstruction of Three Ancient Endogenous Parvovirus Capsid Protein Gene Remnants Found in Rodent Genomes
Authors: Callaway Heather M. , Subramanian Suriyasri , Urbina Christian A. , Barnard Karen N. , Dick Robert A. , Bator Carol M. , Hafenstein Susan L. , Gifford Robert J. , Parrish Colin R.
Published: January 2019

Parvovirus endogenous viral elements (EVEs) that have been incorporated into the genomes of different animals represent remnants of the DNA sequences of ancient viruses that infected the ancestors of those animals millions of years ago, but we know little about their properties or how they differ from currently circulating parvoviruses. By expressing the capsid proteins of different parvovirus EVEs that were found integrated into the genomes of three different rodents, we can examine their structures and functions. A VP2 (major capsid protein) EVE sequence from a mouse genome assembled into capsids that had a similar structure and biophysical properties to extant parvoviruses and also bound sialic acids and entered rodent cells. Chimeras formed from combinations of canine parvovirus and portions of the parvovirus sequences from the brown rat genome allowed us to examine the structures and functions of the surface loops of that EVE capsid.
Geminiviral V2 Protein Suppresses Transcriptional Gene Silencing through Interaction with AGO4
Authors: Wang Yunjing , Wu Yuyao , Gong Qian , Ismayil Asigul , Yuan Yuxiang , Lian Bi , Jia Qi , Han Meng , Deng Haiteng , Hong Yiguo , Hanley-Bowdoin Linda , Qi Yijun , Liu Yule
Published: January 2019

In plants, the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway is a natural antiviral defense mechanism against geminiviruses. However, how geminiviruses counter RdDM-mediated defense is largely unknown. Our findings reveal that
Cotton leaf curl Multan virus
V2 contributes to viral infection by interaction with NbAGO4 to suppress RNA-directed DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional gene silencing in plants. Our work provides the first evidence that a geminiviral protein is able to directly target core RdDM components to counter RdDM-mediated TGS antiviral defense in plants, which extends our current understanding of viral counters to host antiviral defense.
West Nile Virus-Inclusive Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity in the Type I Interferon Response within Single Cells
Authors: O’Neal Justin T. , Upadhyay Amit A. , Wolabaugh Amber , Patel Nirav B. , Bosinger Steven E. , Suthar Mehul S.
Published: January 2019

West Nile virus (WNV) is a clinically relevant pathogen responsible for recurrent epidemics of neuroinvasive disease. Type I interferon is essential for promoting an antiviral response against WNV infection; however, it is unclear how heterogeneity in the antiviral response at the single-cell level impacts viral control. Specifically, conventional approaches lack the ability to distinguish differences across cells with varying viral abundance. The significance of our research is to demonstrate a new technique for studying WNV infection at the single-cell level. We discovered extensive variation in antiviral gene expression and viral abundance across cells. This protocol can be applied to primary cells or
in vivo
models to better understand the underlying cellular heterogeneity following WNV infection for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum Exploits Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Components in a Novel Polymicrobial Defense Strategy
Authors: Hardy Britney L. , Dickey Seth W. , Plaut Roger D. , Riggins Daniel P. , Stibitz Scott , Otto Michael , Merrell D. Scott
Published: January 2019

While some individuals are nasally colonized with
S. aureus
, the underlying factors that determine colonization are not understood. There is increasing evidence that indicates that resident bacteria play a role; some commensal species can eradicate
S. aureus
from the nasal cavity. Among these,
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
can eliminate
S. aureus
from the human nose. We sought to understand this phenomenon at a molecular level and found that
C. pseudodiphtheriticum
produces a factor(s) that specifically kills
S. aureus
. While resistant
S. aureus
isolates were recovered at a low frequency, resistance came at the cost of attenuated virulence in these strains. Molecular dissection of the specific strategies used by
C. pseudodiphtheriticum
to kill
S. aureus
could lead to the development of novel treatments or therapies. Furthermore, commensal competition that requires virulence components of the competitor may represent an exciting and unexplored possibility for development of novel antimicrobial compounds.
Pangenomic Approach To Understanding Microbial Adaptations within a Model Built Environment, the International Space Station, Relative to Human Hosts and Soil
Authors: Blaustein Ryan A. , McFarland Alexander G. , Ben Maamar Sarah , Lopez Alberto , Castro-Wallace Sarah , Hartmann Erica M.
Published: January 2019

The built environment contains a variety of microorganisms, some of which pose critical human health risks (e.g., hospital-acquired infection, antibiotic resistance dissemination). We uncovered a combination of complex biological functions that may play a role in bacterial survival under the presumed selective pressures in a model built environment—the International Space Station—by using an approach to compare pangenomes of bacterial strains from two clinically relevant species (
B. cereus
and
S. aureus
) isolated from both built environments and humans. Our findings suggest that the most crucial bacterial functions involved in this potential adaptive response are specific to bacterial lifestyle and do not appear to have direct impacts on human health.
Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) in limited cutaneous sclerosis: a rare disease combination
Authors: Anand Sucharita , Das Animesh , Choudhury Surjyaprakash Shivnarayan
Published: January 2019

A 26-year-old patient of limited cutaneous sclerosis presented to us with insidious-onset posterior fossa symptoms of headache, vomiting, vertigo and gait imbalance, progressing over a period of 3 weeks. A diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids was made by combining the clinical features with radiological evidence showing punctate infiltration of the pons, brainstem and cerebellum. Relevant differentials in the form of neurosarcoid, infections, central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma and Neuro-Behcet’s disease were ruled out by history and investigations. The patient responded dramatically to steroid therapy, and had no neurological deficits after 18 months of follow-up. This case highlights the rare association of a not-so-common immunological disease with a rare neurological disease.
What are the social predictors of accident and emergency attendance in disadvantaged neighbourhoods? Results from a cross-sectional household health survey in the north west of England
Authors: Giebel Clarissa , McIntyre Jason Cameron , Daras Konstantinos , Gabbay Mark , Downing Jennifer , Pirmohamed Munir , Walker Fran , Sawicki Wojciech , Alfirevic Ana , Barr Ben
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the most important determinants of accident and emergency (A&E) attendance in disadvantaged areas.

Design, setting and participants

A total of 3510 residents from 20 disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the North West Coast area in England completed a comprehensive public health survey.

Main outcome measures

Participants were asked to complete general background information, as well as information about their physical health, mental health, lifestyle, social issues, housing and environment, work and finances, and healthcare service usage. Only one resident per household could take part in the survey. Poisson regression analysis was employed to assess the predictors of A&E attendance frequency in the previous 12 months.

Results

31.6% of the sample reported having attended A&E in the previous 12 months, ranging from 1 to 95 visits. Controlling for demographic and health factors, not being in employment and living in poor quality housing increased the likelihood of attending an A&E service. Service access was also found to be predictive of A&E attendance insofar as there were an additional 18 fewer A&E attendances per 100 population for each kilometre closer a person lived to a general practitioner (GP) practice, and 3 fewer attendances per 100 population for each kilometre further a person lived from an A&E department.

Conclusions

This is one of the first surveys to explore a comprehensive set of socio-economic factors as well as proximity to both GP and A&E services as predictors of A&E attendance in disadvantaged areas. Findings from this study suggest the need to address both socioeconomic issues, such as employment and housing quality, as well as structural issues, such as public transport and access to primary care, to reduce the current burden on A&E departments.
How does the process of group singing impact on people affected by cancer? A grounded theory study
Authors: Warran Katey , Fancourt Daisy , Wiseman Theresa
Published: January 2019

Objective

This study aimed to build an understanding of how the process of singing impacts on those who are affected by cancer, including patients, staff, carers and those who have been bereaved.

Design

A qualitative study, informed by a grounded theory approach.

Setting and participants

Patients with cancer, staff, carers and bereaved who had participated for a minimum of 6 weeks in one of two choirs for people affected by cancer.

Methods

31 participants took part in Focus Group Interviews lasting between 45 min and an hour, and 1 participant had a face-to-face interview.

Findings

Four overarching themes emerged from the iterative analysis procedure. The overarching themes were: building resilience, social support, psychological dimensions and process issues. Following further analyses, a theoretical model was created to depict how building resilience underpins the findings.

Conclusion

Group singing may be a suitable intervention for building resilience in those affected by cancer via an interaction between the experience and impact of the choir.
Development and piloting of a highly tailored digital intervention to support adherence to antihypertensive medications as an adjunct to primary care consultations
Authors: Kassavou Aikaterini , Houghton Vikki , Edwards Simon , Brimicombe James , Sutton Stephen
Published: January 2019

Objectives

This paper describes the systematic development and piloting of a highly tailored text and voice message intervention to increase adherence to medication in primary care.

Methods

Following the Medical Research Council guidance, this paper describes (a) the systematic development of the theoretical framework, based on review of theories and meta-analyses of effectiveness; (b) the systematic development of the delivery mode, intervention content and implementation procedures, based on consultations, face-to-face interviews, think-aloud protocols, focus groups, systematic reviews, patient and public involvement/engagement input, intervention pre-test; and (c) the piloting of the intervention, based on a 1-month intervention; and follow-up assessment including interviews and questionnaires. The mixed-methods analysis combined findings from the parallel studies complementarily.

Results

intervention development suggested the target behaviour of the intervention should be the tablets taken at a regular time of the day. It recommended that patients could be more receptive to intervention content when they initiate medication taking or they change prescription plan; and more emphasis is needed to patients’ consent process. Intervention piloting suggested high intervention engagement with, and fidelity of, the intervention content; which included a combination of behaviour change techniques, and was highly tailored to patients’ beliefs and prescription plan. Patients reported that the intervention content increased awareness about the necessity to take and maintain adherent to medication, reinforced social support and habit formation, and reminded them to take medication as prescribed.

Conclusion

Tailored automated text and voice message interventions are feasible ways to improve medication adherence as an adjunct to primary care.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN10668149.
Using neutron spectroscopy to measure soil-water retention at high suction ranges
Authors: Carnero-Guzman Gonzalo G. , Gates Will P. , Bouazza Abdelmalek , Aldridge Laurie P. , Bordallo Heloisa N.
Published: January 2019

Laboratory determination of water retention curves for geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and their bentonite components are time-consuming, especially for high suction ranges. This paper explores the potential use of neutron spectroscopy as a useful method to assess the water retention properties of montmorillonite at suction levels >10 MPa for GCL studies. The results from neutron spectroscopy are in good agreement with traditional methods when assessing the water retention of bentonite and GCLs. Additionally, the primary advantage of neutron scattering is that, contrary to conventional methods, water populations within the clay matrix, such as bulk-like water, confined water, and structure OH, are observed and can be quantified independently.
Petrography, geochemistry, and Nd isotope systematics of metaconglomerates and matrix-rich metasedimentary rocks: implications for the provenance and tectonic setting of the Labrador Trough, Canada
Authors: Henrique-Pinto R. , Guilmette C. , Bilodeau C. , Stevenson R. , Carvalho B.B.
Published: January 2019

The New Quebec Orogen consists of a supracrustal belt that was reworked when the Superior Craton collided with the Core Zone terrane during the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogeny. Within the New Quebec Orogen, the Kaniapiskau Supergroup can be divided into four terrigenous lithotypes metamorphosed at low-grade: one set with greater compositional and textural sedimentary maturity classified as quartz arenites and subarkoses, and another set with lower textural maturity classified as feldspathic wackes and mudrocks. In contrast, the Laporte Group includes homogeneous lithotypes represented by feldspathic and lithic wackes with a range of matrix contents metamorphosed at low to medium grade. The Kaniapiskau Supergroup rocks have a wide range of SiO2 and Al2O3 contents (SiO2/Al2O3 = 3.7–51) compared to the restricted compositional range of the Laporte Group rocks (SiO2/Al2O3 = 4.4–6.8). In general, the geochemical variations in both formations of the Laporte Group are within the range of the main clast varieties from basal metaconglomerates, although the Deborah Formation (top unit) records higher TiO2, P2O5, MgO, and Ni contents and high Cr/Th, Co/Ba, Th/U, and Rb/Sr ratios indicating additional mafic sources. Our results support the hypothesis that the Kaniapiskau Supergroup was deposited along an intraplate continental margin with predominantly recycled (εNd(1.87Ga) –12) Paleoarchean sources (TDM 3.2 Ga). In contrast, the Laporte Group marks the transition from a continental forearc (Grand Rosoy Fm.) with a typical juvenile source, including granitic clasts (εNd(1.83Ga) –0.1 to +3.1), to a wedge-top depozone (Deborah Fm.) in the context of a collisional proforeland basin. This syncollisional sedimentary environment is characterized by the presence of old crustal components (εNd(1.83Ga) –4.4 to –9.1).
Puerarin Reduces Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Targeting eNOS
Authors: Shi Weili , Yuan Rong , Chen Xun , Xin Qiqi , Wang Yan , Shang Xiaohong , Cong Weihong , Chen Keji
Published: January 2019

Puerarin is an isoflavonoid isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata (Gegen in Chinese) that has been widely used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. Here, we investigated the hypotensive effects and mechanisms of puerarin in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The qPCR array technique was used to determine the expression of hypertension-related genes. Then, the differentially expressed genes were analyzed using the STRING database. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of rats decreased after the administration of puerarin for nine weeks. Puerarin, but not losartan, also slowed the heart rate of rats. NO and cGMP levels were improved by puerarin. Eighteen differentially expressed hypertension-related genes were identified by comparing the model group with the control group and the high-dose puerarin group with the model group. NO and cGMP levels were increased by high-dose puerarin. High-dose puerarin increased the levels of the phosphorylated eNOS protein and decreased AT1 and Cav1 levels. Based on our results, eNOS was a key target in the mechanism by which puerarin reduced blood pressure, and puerarin represents a potential antihypertensive agent.
Targeting Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3
Authors: Chen I-Cheng , Chang Chia-Ning , Chen Wan-Ling , Lin Te-Hsien , Chao Chih-Ying , Lin Chih-Hsin , Lin Hsuan-Yuan , Cheng Mei-Ling , Chiang Mu-Chun , Lin Jung-Yaw , Wu Yih-Ru , Lee-Chen Guey-Jen , Chen Chiung-Mei
Published: January 2019

Nine autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats that encodes a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within different genes. Accumulation of aggregated mutant proteins is a common feature of polyQ diseases, leading to progressive neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. SCA type 3 (SCA3), the most common form of SCA worldwide, is characterized by a CAG triplet expansion in chromosome 14q32.1 ATXN3 gene. As accumulation of the mutated polyQ protein is a possible initial event in the pathogenic cascade, clearance of aggregated protein by ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has been proposed to inhibit downstream detrimental events and suppress neuronal cell death. In this study, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) extracts were studied for their proteasome-activating, polyQ aggregation-inhibitory and neuroprotective effects in GFPu and ATXN3/Q[Formula: see text]-GFP 293/SH-SY5Y cells. Among the 14 tested extracts, 8 displayed increased proteasome activity, which was confirmed by 20S proteasome activity assay and analysis of ubiquitinated and fused GFP proteins in GFPu cells. All the eight extracts displayed good aggregation-inhibitory potential when tested in ATXN3/Q[Formula: see text]-GFP 293 cells. Among them, neuroprotective effects of five selected extracts were shown by analyses of polyQ aggregation, neurite outgrowth, caspase 3 and proteasome activities, and ATXN3-GFP, ubiquitin, BCL2 and BAX protein levels in neuronal differentiated ATXN3/Q[Formula: see text]-GFP SH-SY5Y cells. Finally, enhanced proteasome function, anti-oxidative activity and neuroprotection of catalpol, puerarin and daidzein (active constituents of Rehmannia glutinosa and Pueraria lobata) were demonstrated in GFPu and/or ATXN3/Q[Formula: see text]-GFP 293/SH-SY5Y cells. This study may have therapeutic implication in polyQ-mediated disorders.
In VitroandIn VivoProtective Effects of Flavonoid-Enriched Lotus Seedpod Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatic Inflammation
Authors: Tseng Hsien-Chun , Tsai Pei-Min , Chou Ying-Hsiang , Lee Yueh-Chun , Lin Hui-Hsuan , Chen Jing-Hsien
Published: January 2019

Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an important role in the acceleration of hepatic inflammation. Natural medicinal plants that can prevent inflammation by targeting LPS have potential therapeutic clinical application. The aim of the study is to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of lotus seedpod extract (LSE), used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with hemostasis function and for eliminating bruise, on the LPS-induced hepatic inflammation and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, LSE and its purified compound (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) dose-dependently inhibited the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], interleukin (IL)-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability in LPS-stimulated human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Molecular studies showed the anti-LPS effect of HLP or EGC might be mediated via downregulation of Toll-like receptor 4. (TLR4)-mediated both NF-[Formula: see text]B and p38 signaling, as demonstrated by the usage of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a specific NF-[Formula: see text]B inhibitor. In vivo, LPS-induced hepatic inflammation was significantly ameliorated in LSE-fed mice as gauged by dose-dependent inhibition of serum levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, the changes of hepatic lobular architecture and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, as well as induction of anti-oxidant enzymes. As a result, our data presented the first evidence of EGC-enriched LSE as an anti-inflammatory agent in LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells and mice, and these findings may open interesting perspectives to the strategy in treatment for hepatic inflammation.
Total Glycosides of Peony Protects Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Regulating IL-23/IL-17 Axis and Th17/Treg Balance
Authors: Li Qinglin , Shan Qiyuan , Sang Xianan , Zhu Ruyi , Chen Xiaocheng , Cao Gang
Published: January 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of autoimmune diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, characterized by nonspecific inflammation in the gut. Total glycoside of peony (TGP) has been widely used for treatment of autoimmune diseases because of its pharmacological effects. However, it is lack of depth in whether TGP regulate T helper 17 cell (Th17) / T regulatory cell (Treg) immune balance or interleukin 23 (IL-23) / IL-17 axis to achieve the goal of treating IBD. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TGP on experimental colitis mice and the related mechanisms. In the present study, we demonstrated that administration of TGP effectively attenuates colonic inflammation of TNBS-induced colitis mice, mainly reflected in significantly improved clinical parameters, reduced inflammatory response and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, even stronger systemic immune ability and effective improvement of Th17/Treg immune disorders. In addition, there was a stronger immunosuppressive ability in a positive cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4[Formula: see text]) T-lymphocytes from the TGP treated mouse colon, characterized by the inhibition of high levels of inflammatory factors and increased regulatory T cells. Importantly, high-dose TGP has similar therapeutic effects as salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) on IBD treatment. The potential mechanisms might be, at least in part, related to the adjustment of imbalance of Th17/Treg cells and the inhibition of IL-23/IL17 inflammatory signal axis.
Roberge–Weiss phase transition and QCD phase diagram in the (2 + 1) flavor Polyakov quark meson model
Authors: Li Xiu-Fei
Published: January 2019

The Roberge–Weiss (RW) phase transition of (2 + 1) flavor QCD at imaginary quark chemical potentials [Formula: see text] is investigated by employing the Polyakov loop extended Quark Meson model (PQM), where [Formula: see text] is temperature, and [Formula: see text] is a dimensionless chemical potential. We calculate some thermodynamic quantities and draw the phase diagram. This work can be considered as a supplement of studying the RW transition by using the effective model.
Shannon entropy and interference in the double-slit experiment with matter waves
Authors: de Araujo O. R. , Marinho L. S. , Costa H. A. S. , Sampaio Marcos , da Paz I. G.
Published: January 2019

The Shannon entropy has been used to study the localization/delocalization of a distribution for different systems. Greater increased localization was associated with the smaller values and increased delocalization with the larger values of the Shannon entropy. In this paper, we show that for the double-slit experiment in the position and momentum spaces, smaller values of the Shannon entropy are associated with larger number of interference fringes and larger values of the Shannon entropy with smaller number of interference fringes.
Multipole expansions for time-dependent charge and current distributions in quasistatic approximation
Authors: Krynytskyi Yuri , Rovenchak Andrij
Published: January 2019

We propose a consistent approach to the definition of electric, magnetic and toroidal multipole moments. Electric and magnetic fields are split into potential, vortex and radiative terms, with the latter ones dropped off in the quasistatic approximation. The potential part of the electric field, the vortex parts of the magnetic field and vector potential contain gradients of scalar functions. Formally introducing magnetic and toroidal analogs of the electric charge, we apply multipole expansions for those scalars. Closed-form expressions are derived in an arbitrary order for electric, magnetic and toroidal multipoles, which constitute a full system for expansions of the electromagnetic field.
Research on frequency modulation character of the current driven DFB semiconductor laser
Authors: Zhang Jian , Gao Cunxiao , Xue Mingyuan , Liu Ruisheng
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a study on the issue of current-driven distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers (LD) experiencing nonlinear laser frequency variation in the course of linear frequency modulation. A theoretical model of the linear frequency modulation process of DFB semiconductor lasers is established. On this basis, the relationship between injection current and laser frequency is analyzed and a correction method has been put forward, to improve the linearity of the laser frequency variation. It was eventually verified that the proposed correction method can greatly improve the linearity of the linear frequency modulation (LFM) output laser signal.
The transport phenomenon of inertia Brownian particles in a periodic potential with non-Gaussian noise
Authors: Wang Bing , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Sun Yajuan , Qu Zhongwei , Li Xuechao
Published: January 2019

The transport phenomenon (movement and diffusion) of inertia Brownian particles in a periodic potential with non-Gaussian noise is investigated. It is found that proper noise intensity Q will promote particles directional movement (or diffusion), but large Q will inhibit this phenomenon. For large value of Q, the average velocity [Formula: see text] (or the diffusion coefficient D) has a maximum with increasing correlation time [Formula: see text]. But for small value of Q, [Formula: see text] (or D) decreases with increasing [Formula: see text]. In some cases, for the same value of Q and the same value of [Formula: see text], non-Gaussian noise can induce particles directional movement (or diffusion), but Gaussian colored noise cannot.
Studying on effective local region size of Ising model in non-equilibrium steady state
Authors: Deng Yuanxiang , Xiao Changming
Published: January 2019

In this paper, both the local region and sub-Monte Carlo steps were introduced to study the non-equilibrium steady state of two-dimensional Ising model. As the size of local region can vary on a large scale, it is very important to determine the effective local region size. In our studies, a series of local regions with different sizes were taken into consideration, and the results show that, when the temperature of a local region is far away from the critical temperature of the system, no matter the local region size is large or small, the results obtained by our calculations are almost the same; however, when the temperature of the local region is near to the critical point, the difference between the calculated results is very large if the local region size is very small, but this difference will decrease quickly when the local region size is enlarged, and the calculation results will tend to be the same when the local region size is larger than a certain value. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the effective local region size is almost unaffected by the temperature gradient of the system. It is clear that the local region and expanded Monte Carlo method provide us an efficient numerical method to study the non-equilibrium steady state.
The electronic structure and spin-charge separation of one-dimensional SrCuO2
Authors: Zhao Huaisong , Qian Jiasheng , Xu Sheng , Yuan Feng
Published: January 2019

Based on the t-J model and slave-boson theory, we have studied the electronic structure in one-dimensional SrCuO2 by calculating the electron spectrum. Our results show that the electron spectra are mainly composed of three parts in one-dimensional SrCuO2, a sharp low-energy peak, a broad intermediate-energy peak and a high-energy peak. The sharp low-energy peak corresponds to the main band (MB) while the broad intermediate-energy peak and high-energy peak are associated with the shadow band (SB) and high-energy band (HB), respectively. From low-energy to intermediate-energy region, a clear two-peak structure (MB and SB) around the momentum [Formula: see text] appears, and the distance between two peaks decreases along the momentum direction from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], then disappears at the critical momentum point [Formula: see text], leaving a single peak above [Formula: see text]. The electron spectral function in one-dimensional SrCuO2 is also the doping and temperature dependent. In particular, in the very low doping concentration, the HB merges into the MB. However, with the increases of the doping concentration, the HB separates from the MB and moves quickly to the high-binding energy region. The HB and MB are the direct results of the spin-charge separation while SB is the result of strong interaction between charge and spin parts. Therefore, our theoretical result predicts that the HB is more likely to be found at the low doping concentration, and it will be drowned in the background when the doping concentration is larger. Then with the temperature increases, the magnitude of the SB decreases, and it disappears at high temperature.
Group-Theoretic Spectrum Analysis of Population Distribution in Southern Germany and Eastern USA
Authors: Ikeda Kiyohiro , Takayama Yuki , Onda Mikihisa , Murakami Daisuke
Published: January 2019

Self-organization of hexagonal distributions of cities of various sizes in Southern Germany is envisaged in central place theory. Yet scientific verification of this theory has been lacking over the years. To scientifically support this theory, we propose a group-theoretic double Fourier spectrum analysis procedure that can detect self-organizing patterns bifurcating from a uniform state. This procedure is reinforced by the optimization of the choice of an analysis domain and the spatial eigen-decomposition to capture agglomeration effects. Strong power spectra for hexagonal networks of cities were detected by the procedure for population data in Southern Germany. Moreover, a gigantic hexagonal distribution of cities in Eastern USA was found as an assemblage of a series of hexagonal networks. The amazing geometrical regularity observed in this distribution manifests the existence of such distribution in the real world, thereby underpinning central place theory.
Bifurcation and Erosion of Safe Basin for a Spur Gear System
Authors: Shi Jianfei , Gou Xiangfeng , Zhu Lingyun
Published: January 2019

Tooth surface contact deformation is part of the main causes for gear system vibration. The safety region of the single-stage spur system vibration is established based on the tooth surface contact deformation. Safe basin and its erosion are calculated numerically according to the safety region as the system control parameters are varied. The basin of attraction in the safe basin is computed by combining the simple cell-to-cell method. Vibration safety and global dynamics of the gear system are investigated. Some bifurcations and mechanisms of the erosion of safe basin are studied by using phase portraits, Poincaré maps, bifurcation diagrams under multi-initial values and top Lyapunov exponents (TLE). The sensitivity of system behavior and bifurcation to initial values are discussed as well. Hidden bifurcating points and attractors are revealed. To get a better understanding of the sensitivity of the system behavior to initial values, a bifurcation dendrogram under multi-initial values is designed. It is found that there is the erosion of safe basin existing in the examining area. Both vibration amplitude changing of coexisting attractors and appearing or disappearing of coexisting attractors are the main causes for the erosion of the safe basin. Bifurcation of the system behavior is selective to initial values. With varying frequency, backlash and comprehensive transmission error, the period-1 response gradually bifurcates under multi-initial conditions and evolves into other new periodic responses that coexist with the period-1 response. The new coexisting response has a key effect on the erosion of the safe basin. The study is helpful to the optimization design of the gear system and the control of the system behavior.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Vibro-Impact Viscoelastic Oscillator with Fractional Derivative Element
Authors: Yang Yong-Ge , Xu Wei , Chen YangQuan , Zhou Bingchang
Published: January 2019

To the best of authors’ knowledge, little work has been focused on the noisy vibro-impact systems with fractional derivative element. In this paper, stochastic bifurcation of a vibro-impact oscillator with fractional derivative element and a viscoelastic term under Gaussian white noise excitation is investigated. First, the viscoelastic force is approximately replaced by damping force and stiffness force. Thus the original oscillator is converted to an equivalent oscillator without a viscoelastic term. Second, the nonsmooth transformation is introduced to remove the discontinuity of the vibro-impact oscillator. Third, the stochastic averaging method is utilized to obtain analytical solutions of which the effectiveness can be verified by numerical solutions. We also find that the viscoelastic parameters, fractional coefficient and fractional derivative order can induce stochastic bifurcation.
Propagation of Lorentz beam in strongly nonlocal nonlinear media
Authors: Song Limin , Jiang Xuesong , Yang Zhenjun , Li Xingliang , Zhang Shumin
Published: January 2019

Based on the Collins formula in strongly nonlocal nonlinear media (SNNM), the analytical expression for Lorentz beam passing through SNNM has been derived. It is found that the propagation behavior of Lorentz beam is variable and closely related to the parameters of initial ellipticity [Formula: see text] and input power. The beam has its own critical power in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] directions, respectively. If the Lorentz beam with critical power in a certain direction enters in SNNM, its beam width will remain constant in that direction during propagation, otherwise its beam width varies periodically, as either broad or compressed. Moreover, when [Formula: see text], the beam spot is always symmetrical in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] directions; when [Formula: see text], the beam spot is no longer symmetrical in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] directions. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate these quintessential propagation properties.