bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetically Altering the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Has Profound Effects on Virus Replication in Cell Culture
Authors: Tan Zhenning , Maguire Megan L. , Loeb Daniel D. , Zlotnick Adam
Published: January 2013

Capsid (core) assembly is essential for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. We hypothesize that assembly kinetics and stability are tuned for optimal viral replication, not maximal assembly. Assembly effectors (AEfs) are small molecules proposed to disrupt this balance by inappropriately enhancing core assembly. Guided by the structure of an AEf-bound core, we designed a structural mimic of AEf-bound core protein, the V124W mutant. In biochemical studies, the V124W mutant recapitulated the effects of AEfs, with fast assembly kinetics and a strong protein-protein association energy. Also, the mutant was resistant to exogenous AEfs. In cell culture, the V124W mutant behaved like a potent AEf: expression of HBV carrying the V124W mutant was defective for genome replication. Critically, the V124W mutant interfered with replication of wild-type HBV in a dose-dependent manner, mimicking AEf activity. In addition, the V124W mutant was shown to adopt a more compact conformation than that of the wild type, confirming the allosteric regulation in capsid assembly. These studies show that the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) binding pocket is a promiscuous target for inducing assembly. Suppression of viral replication by the V124W mutant suggests that mutations that fill the HAP site are not a path for HBV to escape from AEfs.
The growth and survival of three closely related Myosotis species in a 3-year transplant experiment
Authors: Koutecká Eva , Lepš Jan
Published: January 2013

We studied the growth and survival of three closely related species (Myosotis caespitosa C.F. Schultz, Myosotis palustris (L.) L. subsp. laxiflora (Reichenb.) Schubler et Martens, and Myosotis nemorosa Besser) in a 3-year reciprocal transplant experiment. Plants from two populations of each species were transplanted into five experimental localities where one of the three Myosotis species was resident. Young plants were planted into three types of competitive microsites as follows: gap, sparse vegetation, and dense vegetation. The experiment demonstrated differences among the species. It also showed large differences among populations within a species. The relative success of the species differed among individual localities and among different microsites, and the favorableness of microsites differed among localities. The Myosotis species typically had an advantage in localities where the species was resident. Myosotis caespitosa exhibited the highest mortality of its clones, particularly under competition, which corresponds well to its habitat preferences (disturbed and short-term sites), but it also exhibited the ability to spread in gaps by secondary rosettes. Myosotis palustris subsp. laxiflora spreads best clonally, but its clonal spread was most suppressed by competition. This was consistent with its ability to colonize quickly vegetation-free sites along water, but with weak competitiveness in later stages of succession. Myosotis nemorosa exhibited the highest survival rate, which fits with its preference for permanent wet grasslands.
An age-structured state-space stock–recruit model for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchusspp.)
Authors: Fleischman Steven J. , Catalano Matthew J. , Clark Robert A. , Bernard David R.
Published: January 2013

We describe an age-structured state-space model for stock–recruit analysis of Pacific salmon data. The model allows for incorporation of process variation in stock productivity, recruitment, and maturation schedules, as well as observation error in run abundance, harvest, and age composition. Explicit consideration of age structure allows for realistic depiction of system dynamics and sample design, more complete use of recent data, and forecasts that consider sibling relationships. A Bayesian framework is adopted, implemented with Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, which provides an enhanced ability to incorporate auxiliary information, convenient and rigorous consideration of measurement error and missing data, and a more complete assessment of uncertainty. We fit the model to annual upstream weir counts, commercial and recreational harvest estimates, and age composition data from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Karluk River, Alaska. For the case study, the model is configured with a Ricker stock–recruit relationship, autoregressive lag-1 productivity, and Dirichlet age-at-maturity. Details of alternate configurations are also described. We introduce the optimal yield probability profile as an objective tool for informing the selection of escapement goals based on yield considerations and describe alternative versions useful for addressing other management questions.
Predicting forest growth based on airborne light detection and ranging data, climate data, and a simplified process-based model
Authors: Härkönen Sanna , Tokola Timo , Packalén Petteri , Korhonen Lauri , Mäkelä Annikki
Published: January 2013

Increasing use of airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in forest inventories offers new possibilities to apply process-based forest models (PBM) in practice. We present a new approach, where a simplified PBM is run using inputs derived from the LiDAR data. The PBM was built by combining several existing models together, and it was tested with 52 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominated sample plots in Finland with the LiDAR (PBM_LIDAR) and field (PMB_FIELD) inputs. The results were compared with empirical growth predictions (EM_FIELD) and field reference growth. LiDAR-based stand variables (mean height of tree and crown base and leaf area index) were, on average, well in line with the field measurements. Basal area growth was slightly underestimated with the PBM_LIDAR (bias 4.1%, root mean square prediction error (RMSPE, 26.7%) and overestimated with the PBM_FIELD (bias –10.2%, RMSPE 33.3%), the EM_FIELD being the least biased (bias –1.9%, RMSPE of 24.6%). The bias varied with stand age and fertility. The dependence on field reference growth was highest with EM_FIELD and PBM_LIDAR (R2 = 0.47 and 0.34, respectively), and lowest with PBM_FIELD (R2 = 0.18). Despite several development needs, the approach is promising for easy incorporation of canopy and weather data into forest growth predictions.
STRATEGIC BEHAVIOR IN GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTERACTIONS
Authors: PATRONE FIORAVANTE , DINAR ARIEL
Published: December 2012

This introduction presents the theme of this volume, the rationale for it, and the history of the conference series from which it originated. It provides also a short description of the papers included.
INFLUENCE OF mRNA FEATURES ON siRNA INTERFERENCE EFFICACY
Authors: LIU YUANNING , CHANG YAPING , ZHANG CHAO , WEI QINGKAI , CHEN JINGBO , CHEN HUILING , XU DONG
Published: December 2012

Design of small interference RNA (siRNA) is one of the most important steps in effectively applying the RNA interference (RNAi) technology. The current siRNA design often produces inconsistent design results, which often fail to reliably select siRNA with clear silencing effects. We propose that when designing siRNA, one should consider mRNA global features and near siRNA-binding site local features. By a linear regression study, we discovered strong correlations between inhibitory efficacy and both mRNA global features and neighboring local features. This paper shows that, on average, less GC content, fewer stem secondary structures, and more loop secondary structures of mRNA at both global and local flanking regions of the siRNA binding sites lead to stronger inhibitory efficacy. Thus, the use of mRNA global features and near siRNA-binding site local features are essential to successful gene silencing and hence, a better siRNA design. We use a random forest model to predict siRNA efficacy using siRNA features, mRNA features, and near siRNA binding site features. Our prediction method achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.7 in 10-fold cross validation in contrast to 0.63 when using siRNA features only. Our study demonstrates that considering mRNA and near siRNA binding site features helps improve siRNA design accuracy. The findings may also be helpful in understanding binding efficacy between microRNA and mRNA.
APPLYING LINKED DATA IN MULTIMEDIA ANNOTATIONS
Authors: LI YUNJIA , WALD MIKE , WILLS GARY
Published: December 2012

Current multimedia applications in Web 2.0 have generated large repositories for multimedia resources and annotations, so there is an urgent requirement to interlink annotations of these resources across different repositories to achieve better indexing and searching. To solve this problem, many researchers have been trying to apply semantic Web technologies to media fragments and annotations. Linked data has brought forward a promising way to expose, index and search media fragments and annotations which used to be isolated in different applications. This paper discusses in depth three key research problems when applying linked data principles in multimedia annotations: choosing URIs for media fragments, dereferencing media fragments and ontology alignment. An architecture is designed based on the possible solutions of the research problems. The key idea of the architecture is that it should act like an extra layer built on top of existing applications when publishing linked data. A demo is built as an implementation of the architecture to show that media fragments can be published and linked to various datasets in the linked data cloud. In the future, some algorithms should be designed to make full use of the interlinked media fragments and annotations for indexing and searching.
SEMANTIC-BASED RETRIEVAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE MULTIMEDIA OBJECTS
Authors: STALMANN KAI , WEGENER DENNIS , DOERR MARTIN , HILL HERMANN JOSEF , FRIESEN NATALJA
Published: December 2012

Today's search interfaces typically offer keyword searches and facets for the retrieval of cultural heritage multimedia objects. Facets, however, are usually based on a static set of metadata fields. This set is often called an indexing profile. Graph-based repositories based on predicates about resources allow for more precise semantics. They offer stronger support for retrieval, and they can be adopted to almost any metadata format. Technically, those predicates may be serialized as RDF triples, but handling a huge amount of objects with numerous predicates puts an unpredictable load on the query engine. In this paper, we present an approach on analysing transition paths in the RDF triples at ingest time and using the results to create facets in the search index.
CONVERTING NATURAL LANGUAGE TEXT SENTENCES INTO SPN REPRESENTATIONS FOR ASSOCIATING EVENTS
Authors: BOURBAKIS NIKOLAOS , MILLS MICHAEL
Published: December 2012

A better understanding of events many times requires the association and the efficient representation of multi-modal information. A good approach to this important issue is the development of a common platform for converting different modalities (such as images, text, etc.) into the same medium and associating them for efficient processing and understanding. In a previous paper we have presented a Local-Global graph model for the conversion of images into graphs with attributes and then into natural language (NL) text sentences [25]. Here, in this paper we propose the conversion of NL text sentences into graphs and then into Stochastic Petri-nets (SPN) descriptions in order to efficiently offer a model of associating "activities or changes" in multimodal information for events representation and understanding. The selection of the SPN graph model is due to its capability for efficiently representing structural and functional knowledge. Simple illustrative examples are provided for proving the concept proposed here.
MAXIMUM POPULATION SIZES IN HOST–PARASITOID MODELS
Authors: GÓMEZ-CORRAL A. , LÓPEZ GARCÍA M.
Published: December 2012

We are concerned with the problem of characterizing the distribution of the maximum number of individuals alive during a fixed time interval in host–parasitoid models, which is shown to have a matrix exponential form. We present simple conditions on the rates of change of population sizes for the matrix exponential solution to be explicit or algorithmically tractable. A particularly appealing feature of our solution based on splitting methods is that it allows us to obtain global error control.
ZnO NANONEEDLES DEPOSITED ON CHEMICALLY ETCHED SILICON NANOWIRES VIA HYDROTHERMAL PROCESS
Authors: YU NAISEN , ZHAO YING , YUAN QING , WU YUNFENG , DU HAIYING , DONG BIN , DU LIFANG , WANG YONG
Published: December 2012

ZnO nanoneedles were deposited on the chemically etched silicon nanowires via simple low temperature hydrothermal process in this paper. The morphology, structure and optical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectrum, respectively. The XRD pattern reveals a wurtzite structure for the ZnO nanoneedles. And SEM results show that the ZnO nanoneedles have a length of ∼ 400 nm with an average tip diameter of ∼ 5 nm and a base diameter of ∼ 50 nm. Meanwhile, the PL results show that the nanoneedles have wide band emission. Furthermore, the Raman results confirmed that the ultrafine nanoneedles have high surface area and surface defects. The wide band emission of ZnO nanoneedles suggests that it might serve as a potential host for white-light-emitting materials.
Activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor increases renal claudin-14 expression and urinary Ca2+ excretion
Authors: Dimke Henrik , Desai Prajakta , Borovac Jelena , Lau Alyssa , Pan Wanling , Alexander R. Todd
Published: January 2013

Kidney stones are a prevalent clinical condition imposing a large economic burden on the healthcare system. Hypercalciuria remains the major risk factor for development of a Ca2+-containing stone. The kidney's ability to alter Ca2+ excretion in response to changes in serum Ca2+ is in part mediated by the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR). Recent studies revealed renal claudin-14 (Cldn14) expression localized to the thick ascending limb (TAL) and its expression to be regulated via the CaSR. We find that Cldn14 expression is increased by high dietary Ca2+ intake and by elevated serum Ca2+ levels induced by prolonged 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration. Consistent with this, activation of the CaSR in vivo via administration of the calcimimetic cinacalcet hydrochloride led to a 40-fold increase in Cldn14 mRNA. Moreover, overexpression of Cldn14 in two separate cell culture models decreased paracellular Ca2+ flux by preferentially decreasing cation permeability, thereby increasing transepithelial resistance. These data support the existence of a mechanism whereby activation of the CaSR in the TAL increases Cldn14 expression, which in turn blocks the paracellular reabsorption of Ca2+. This molecular mechanism likely facilitates renal Ca2+ losses in response to elevated serum Ca2+. Moreover, dysregulation of the newly described CaSR-Cldn14 axis likely contributes to the development of hypercalciuria and kidney stones.
PAR2-induced inflammatory responses in human kidney tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Vesey David A. , Suen Jacky Y. , Seow Vernon , Lohman Rink-Jan , Liu Ligong , Gobe Glenda C. , Johnson David W. , Fairlie David P.
Published: January 2013

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor abundantly expressed in the kidney. The aim of this study was to profile inflammatory gene and protein expression induced by PAR2 activation in human kidney tubular epithelial cells (HTEC). A novel PAR2 antagonist, GB88, was used to confirm agonist specificity. Intracellular Ca2+ (iCa2+) mobilization, confocal microscopy, gene expression profiling, qRTPCR, and protein expression were used to characterize PAR2 activation. PAR2 induced a pronounced increase in iCa2+ concentration that was blocked by the PAR2 antagonist. Treatment with SLIGKV-NH2 at the apical or basolateral cell surface for 5 h induced expression of a range of inflammatory genes by greater than fourfold, including IL-1β, TRAF1, IL-6, and MMP-1, as assessed by cDNA microarray and qRTPCR analysis. Using antibody arrays, GM-CSF, ICAM-1, TNF-α, MMP-1, and MMP-10 were among the induced proteins secreted. Cytokine-specific ELISAs identified three- to sixfold increases in GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, which were blocked by GB88 and protein kinase C inhibitors. Treatment of cells at the basolateral surface induced more potent inflammatory responses, with release of MCP-1 and fibronectin to the apical and basolateral compartments; apical treatment only increased secretion of these factors to the apical compartment. PAR2 activation at the basolateral surface dramatically reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) whereas apical treatment had no effect. There was very little leakage (<5%) of peptides across the cell monolayer (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). In summary, SLIGKV-NH2 induced robust proinflammatory responses in HTEC that were antagonized by GB88. These results suggest that PAR2 antagonists could be useful disease-modifying, anti-inflammatory agents in kidney disease.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Driver′s Propensity Based on Evidence Theory
Authors: Zhang Jinglei , Wang Xiaoyuan , Gao Song , Song Yiqing
Published: December 2012

Traffic safety is related closely with driver’s physiological and psychological characteristics. And the influence on traffic safety is represented as driver’s propensity. Evidence theory is introduced to the evaluation system of driver’s propensity in this paper, and it is utilized to combine the expert opinions, which can eliminate unavoidable uncertain elements in the traditional appraisal methods. The appraisal problems of subjective index can also be resolved by this method in the appraisal system. Results show that the method is objective and reasonable, and driver’s propensity can be evaluated effectively.
EBG Size Reduction for Low Permittivity Substrates
Authors: Expósito-Domínguez Gonzalo , Fernández-González José Manuel , Padilla Pablo , Sierra-Castañer Manuel
Published: December 2012

Double layer and edge-location via techniques are combined for electromagnetic band gap (EBG) size reduction. The study of the required number of elements and their dimensions is carried out in order to suppress the surface wave propagation modes and consequently to reduce the mutual coupling between radiating elements in low-permittivity substrates. By applying these techniques, the size of the EBG mushroom is reduced by 30%; however, the bandwidth operation maintains its value, and these structures can be integrated between radiating elements in broad bandwidth antennas.
Self-Adaptive Image Reconstruction Inspired by Insect Compound Eye Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Jiahua , Shi Aiye , Wang Xin , Bian Linjie , Huang Fengchen , Xu Lizhong
Published: December 2012

Inspired by the mechanism of imaging and adaptation to luminosity in insect compound eyes (ICE), we propose an ICE-based adaptive reconstruction method (ARM-ICE), which can adjust the sampling vision field of image according to the environment light intensity. The target scene can be compressive, sampled independently with multichannel through ARM-ICE. Meanwhile, ARM-ICE can regulate the visual field of sampling to control imaging according to the environment light intensity. Based on the compressed sensing joint sparse model (JSM-1), we establish an information processing system of ARM-ICE. The simulation of a four-channel ARM-ICE system shows that the new method improves the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and resolution of the reconstructed target scene under two different cases of light intensity. Furthermore, there is no distinct block effect in the result, and the edge of the reconstructed image is smoother than that obtained by the other two reconstruction methods in this work.
Microstructure and Glass Phase of Inorganic Binder Coated on Mold for Thin Casting
Authors: Kim Eun-Hee , Cho Geun-Ho , Jung Yeon-Gil , Lee Je-Hyun , Choi Baig-Gyu , Jo Chang Young
Published: December 2012

A new dual dipping process has been introduced for the increase in the fracture strength of casting mold through the effective glassification of inorganic binder precursors. Two different dipping processes have been employed to investigate the reactivity of the precursors. Process I is that the substrate was coated with a sodium oxide (Na2O) precursor through dipping in the solution, and then a silicon dioxide (SiO2) precursor was coated onto the substrate coated with the Na2O precursor. Process II is the inverse coating sequence for process I. In the case of the mold prepared by process I, the glass phase converted from the precursors is uniformly observed at the surface of the particle and the interface between particles, compared with that by process II, inducing that the fracture strength of the mold prepared by process I is significantly improved. In addition, when the PDMS without a sol‐gel reaction was used as the SiO2 precursor, especially in process II, the glass phase is not absolutely observed at the surface of the particle owing to the evaporation of PDMS and Na ion during the heat treatment, resulting in the collapse of the mold sample after the heat treatment.
Mammographic Breast Density Patterns in Asymptomatic Mexican Women
Authors: Calderón-Garcidueñas Ana Laura , Sanabria-Mondragón Mónica , Hernández-Beltrán Lourdes , López-Amador Noé , Cerda-Flores Ricardo M.
Published: December 2012

Breast density (BD) is a risk factor for breast cancer.Aims. To describe BD patterns in asymptomatic Mexican women and the pathological mammographic findings.Methods and Material. Prospective, descriptive, and comparative study. Women answered a questionnaire and their mammograms were analyzed according to BI-RADS. Univariate () and conditional logistic regression analyses were performed.Results. In 300 women studied the BD patterns were fat 56.7% (170), fibroglandular 29% (87), heterogeneously dense 5.7% (17), and dense pattern 8.6% (26). Prevalence of fat pattern was significantly different in women under 50 years (37.6%, 44/117) and older than 50 (68.8%, 126/183). Patterns of high breast density (BD) (dense + heterogeneously dense) were observed in 25.6% (30/117) of women ≤50 years and 7.1% (13/183) of women >50. Asymmetry in BD was observed in 22% (66/300). Compression cone ruled out underlying disease in 56 cases. In the remaining 10, biopsy revealed one fibroadenoma, one complex cyst, and 6 invasive and 2 intraductal carcinomas. 2.6% (8/300) of patients had non-palpable carcinomas. Benign lesions were observed in 63.3% (190/300) of cases, vascular calcification in 150 cases (78.9%), and fat necrosis in 38 cases (20%).Conclusions. Mexican women have a low percentage of high-density patterns.
Sickle Retinopathy in a Person with Hemoglobin S/New York Disease
Authors: Calder Donovan , Etienne-Julan Maryse , Romana Marc , Watkins Naomi , Knight-Madden Jennifer M.
Published: December 2012

A patient who presented with sickle retinopathy and hemoglobin electrophoresis results compatible with sickle cell trait was found, on further investigation, to be a compound heterozygote with hemoglobin S and hemoglobin New York disease. This recently reported form of sickle cell disease was not previously known to cause retinopathy and surprisingly was observed in a non-Asian individual. The ophthalmological findings, the laboratory diagnosis, and possible pathophysiology of this disorder are discussed. Persons diagnosed with sickle cell trait who present with symptoms of sickle cell disease may benefit from specific screening for this variant.
Conservative Management of Azygous Vein Rupture in Blunt Thoracic Trauma
Authors: McDermott Cian , O'Connor Gabrielle , McGovern Eilish , McMahon Geraldine
Published: December 2012

We report a case of successful conservative management of acute traumatic rupture of the azygous vein. A 48-year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle collision. Primary survey revealed acute right intrathoracic haemorrhage. He remained haemodynamically stable with rapid infusion of warmed crystalloid solution and blood. Computed tomographic imaging showed a contained haematoma of the azygous vein. The patient was managed conservatively in the intensive care. Azygous vein laceration resulting from blunt thoracic trauma is a rare condition that carries a universally poor prognosis unless the appropriate treatment is instituted. Clinical features include acute hypovolaemic shock, widened mediastinum on chest radiograph, and a right-sided haemothorax. Haemodynamic collapse necessitates immediate resuscitative thoracotomy. Interest in this injury stems from the severity of the clinical condition, difficulty in diagnosis, the onset of a rapidly deteriorating clinical course all of which can be promptly reversed by timely and appropriate treatment. Although it is a rare cause of intramediastinal haemorrhage, it is proposed that a ruptured azygous vein should be considered in every trauma case causing a right-sided haemothorax or widened mediastinum. All cases described in the literature to date involved operative management. We present a case of successful conservative management of this condition.
Oculomotor Nerve Palsy due to an Odontogenic Abscess Originating from the Mandibular Third Molar
Authors: Park Hee-Keun , Kim Moon-Key , Kang Sang-Hoon
Published: December 2012

We report a case of oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) as a result of odontogenic infection originating from the third molar, which is considered rare.
Symmetries, Conservation Laws, and Wave Equation on the Milne Metric
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad M. , Bokhari Ashfaque H. , Zaman F. D.
Published: December 2012

Noether symmetries provide conservation laws that are admitted by Lagrangians
representing physical systems. For partial differential equation possessing Lagrangians these symmetries are obtained by the invariance of the corresponding action integral. In this paper we provide a systematic procedure for determining Noether symmetries and conserved vectors for a Lagrangian constructed from a Lorentzian metric of interest in mathematical physics. For completeness, we give Lie point symmetries and conservation laws admitted by the wave equation on this Lorentzian metric.
Fabrication of Single-Phase NiTi by Combustion Synthesis of Mechanically Activated Powders
Authors: Mousavi Nasab S. , Aboutalebi M. , Seyedein S. H. , Molavi Kakhki A. , Vahdati Khaki J.
Published: December 2012

Single-phase NiTi was fabricated through the thermal explosion mode of combustion synthesis of mechanically activated powders. Combustion and ignition temperatures of combustion synthesis were investigated in different milling times. In this process, equiatomic powder mixtures of nickel and titanium were activated by planetary ball mill and pressed into disk-shaped pellets then heated in a tube furnace, while temperature-time profile was recorded. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was performed on milled powders as well as synthesized samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to study the microstructural evolution during milling. The results showed that there was a threshold milling time to obtain single-phase NiTi. It was also seen that the ignition temperature and combustion temperature were reduced significantly by increasing milling time.
Leptogenesis in the Universe
Authors: Fong Chee Sheng , Nardi Enrico , Riotto Antonio
Published: December 2012

Leptogenesis is a class of scenarios in which the cosmic baryon asymmetry originates from an initial lepton asymmetry generated in the decays of heavy sterile neutrinos in the early Universe. We explain why leptogenesis is an appealing mechanism for baryogenesis. We review its motivations and the basic ingredients and describe subclasses of effects, like those of lepton flavours, spectator processes, scatterings, finite temperature corrections, the role of the heavier sterile neutrinos, and quantum corrections. We then address leptogenesis in supersymmetric scenarios, as well as some other popular variations of the basic leptogenesis framework.
Theranostic Implications of Nanotechnology in Multiple Sclerosis: A Future Perspective
Authors: Singh Ajay Vikram , Khare Manish , Gade W. N. , Zamboni Paolo
Published: December 2012

Multiple Sclerosis is a multifactorial disease with several pathogenic mechanisms and pathways. Successful MS management and medical care requires early accurate diagnosis along with specific treatment protocols based upon multifunctional nanotechnology approach. This paper highlights advances in nanotechnology that have enabled the clinician to target the brain and CNS in patient with multiple sclerosis with nanoparticles having therapeutic and imaging components. The multipartite theranostic (thera(py) + (diag)nostics) approach puts forth strong implications for medical care and cure in MS. The current nanotheranostics utilize tamed drug vehicles and contain cargo, targeting ligands, and imaging labels for delivery to specific tissues, cells, or subcellular components. A brief overview of nonsurgical nanorepair advances as future perspective is also described. Considering the potential inflammatory triggers in MS pathogenesis, a multifunctional nanotechnology approach will be needed for the prognosis.
Probabilistic Solution of the General Robin Boundary Value Problem on Arbitrary Domains
Authors: Akhlil Khalid
Published: December 2012

Using a capacity approach and the theory of the measure’s perturbation of the Dirichlet forms, we give the probabilistic representation of the general Robin boundary value problems on an arbitrary domain Ω, involving smooth measures, which give rise to a new process obtained by killing the general reflecting Brownian motion at a random time. We obtain some properties of the semigroup directly from its probabilistic representation, some convergence theorems, and also a probabilistic interpretation of the phenomena occurring on the boundary.
Radiotherapy Can Cause Haemostasis in Bleeding Skin Malignancies
Authors: Jang Helena Sung-In , Spillane Andrew , Boyle Frances , Fogarty Gerald
Published: December 2012

Radiotherapy (RT) can cause haemostasis in select cases of malignant bleeding. We present two cases where RT was used to prevent fatal exsanguination from bleeding skin malignancies. Treatment was with radical intent in one case and palliative intent in the other. The dose used in both cases was 20 Gray (Gy) in 5 fractions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of radiation-induced haemostasis in bleeding skin malignancies.
Age-Associated Molecular Changes in the Kidney in Aged Mice
Authors: Lim Ji Hee , Kim Eun Nim , Kim Min Young , Chung Sungjin , Shin Seok Joon , Kim Hyung Wook , Yang Chul Woo , Kim Yong-Soo , Chang Yoon Sik , Park Cheol Whee , Choi Bum Soon
Published: December 2012

Background. Aging is a multifactorial process characterized by a progressive decline in physiological function. Decreased kidney function is associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality. Therefore, increasing our insight into kidney aging by understanding the anatomic, physiologic, and pathologic changes of aging in the kidney is important to prevent disastrous outcomes in elderly people.Methods. Male two-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57/BL6 mice were used in this study. We measured histological change, oxidative stress, and aging-related protein expression in the kidneys.Results. Twenty-four-month-old mice displayed increased albuminuria. Creatinine clearance decreased with aging, although this was not statistically significant. There were increases in mesangial volume and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in 24-month-old mice. There were also increases in F4/80 expression and in apoptosis detected by TUNEL assay. Urine isoprostane excretion increased with aging and SOD1 and SOD2 were decreased in 24-month-old mice. Oxidative stress may be mediated by a decrease in Sirt1, PGC-1α, ERR-1α, and PPARαexpression. Klotho expression also decreased.Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that Sirt1 was decreased with aging and may relate to changed target molecules including PGC-1α/ERR-1αsignaling and PPARα. Klotho can also induce oxidative stress. Pharmacologically targeting these signaling molecules may reduce the pathologic changes of aging in the kidney.
Dual Functions of the C5a Receptor as a Connector for the K562 Erythroblast-Like Cell-THP-1 Macrophage-Like Cell Island and as a Sensor for the Differentiation of the K562 Erythroblast-Like Cell during Haemin-Induced Erythropoiesis
Authors: Nishiura Hiroshi , Zhao Rui , Yamamoto Tetsuro
Published: December 2012

The transcriptional nuclear factor binding to the Y box of human leukocyte antigen genes (NF-Y) for theC5a receptor(C5aR) gene is active in erythroblasts. However, the roles of theC5aRin erythropoiesis are unclear. We have previously demonstrated that apoptotic cell-derived ribosomal proteinS19(RP S19) oligomers exhibit extraribosomal functions in promoting monocyte chemotaxis and proapoptosis via theC5aRwithout receptor internalisation. In contrast to the extraribosomal functions of theRP S19, a proapoptotic signal in pro-EBs, which is caused by mutations in theRP S19gene, is associated with the inherited erythroblastopenia, Diamond-Blackfan anaemia. In this study, we detectedC5aRexpression andRP S19oligomer generation in human erythroleukemia K562 cells during haemin-induced erythropoiesis. Under monocell culture conditions, the differentiation into K562 erythrocyte-like cells was enhanced following the overexpression of Wild-typeRP S19. Conversely, the differentiation was repressed following the overexpression of mutantRP S19. AnRP S19oligomer inhibitor and aC5aRinhibitor blocked the association of the K562 basophilic EB-like cells and the THP-1 macrophage-like cells under coculture conditions. When bound toRP S19oligomers, theC5aRmay exhibit dual functions as a connector for the EB-macrophage island and as a sensor for EB differentiation in the bone marrow.
Fast and Analytical EAP Approximation from a 4th-Order Tensor
Authors: Ghosh Aurobrata , Deriche Rachid
Published: December 2012

Generalized diffusion tensor imaging (GDTI) was developed to model complex apparent diffusivity coefficient (ADC) using higher-order tensors (HOTs) and to overcome the inherent single-peak shortcoming of DTI. However, the geometry of a complex ADC profile does not correspond to the underlying structure of fibers. This tissue geometry can be inferred from the shape of the ensemble average propagator (EAP). Though interesting methods for estimating a positive ADC using 4th-order diffusion tensors were developed, GDTI in general was overtaken by other approaches, for example, the orientation distribution function (ODF), since it is considerably difficult to recuperate the EAP from a HOT model of the ADC in GDTI. In this paper, we present a novel closed-form approximation of the EAP using Hermite polynomials from a modified HOT model of the original GDTI-ADC. Since the solution is analytical, it is fast, differentiable, and the approximation converges well to the true EAP. This method also makes the effort of computing a positive ADC worthwhile, since now both the ADC and the EAP can be used and have closed forms. We demonstrate our approach with 4th-order tensors on synthetic data and in vivo human data.
Parkinson's Disease and Sleep/Wake Disturbances
Authors: Swick Todd J.
Published: December 2012

Parkinson's disease (PD) has traditionally been characterized by its cardinal motor symptoms of bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability. However, PD is increasingly being recognized as a multidimensional disease associated with myriad nonmotor symptoms including autonomic dysfunction, mood disorders, cognitive impairment, pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, impaired olfaction, psychosis, and sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances, which include sleep fragmentation, daytime somnolence, sleep-disordered breathing, restless legs syndrome (RLS), nightmares, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), are estimated to occur in 60% to 98% of patients with PD. For years nonmotor symptoms received little attention from clinicians and researchers, but now these symptoms are known to be significant predictors of morbidity in determining quality of life, costs of disease, and rates of institutionalization. A discussion of the clinical aspects, pathophysiology, evaluation techniques, and treatment options for the sleep disorders that are encountered with PD is presented.
Compressed Sensing Photoacoustic Imaging Based on Fast Alternating Direction Algorithm
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Peng Dong , Guo Wei , Ma Xibo , Yang Xin , Tian Jie
Published: December 2012

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has been employed to reconstruct endogenous optical contrast present in tissues. At the cost of longer calculations, a compressive sensing reconstruction scheme can achieve artifact-free imaging with fewer measurements. In this paper, an effective acceleration framework using the alternating direction method (ADM) was proposed for recovering images from limited-view and noisy observations. Results of the simulation demonstrated that the proposed algorithm could perform favorably in comparison to two recently introduced algorithms in computational efficiency and data fidelity. In particular, it ran considerably faster than these two methods. PAI with ADM can improve convergence speed with fewer ultrasonic transducers, enabling a high-performance and cost-effective PAI system for biomedical applications.
Analyzing, Modeling, and Simulation for Human Dynamics in Social Network
Authors: Xiao Yunpeng , Wang Bai , Liu Yanbing , Yan Zhixian , Chen Xian , Wu Bin , Xu Guangxia , Liu Yuanni
Published: December 2012

This paper studies the human behavior in the top‐one social network system in China (Sina Microblog system). By analyzing real‐life data at a large scale, we find that the message releasing interval (intermessage time) obeys power law distribution both at individual level and at group level. Statistical analysis also reveals that human behavior in social network is mainly driven by four basic elements: social pressure, social identity, social participation, and social relation between individuals. Empirical results present the four elements′ impact on the human behavior and the relation between these elements. To further understand the mechanism of such dynamic phenomena, a hybrid human dynamic model which combines “interest” of individual and “interaction” among people is introduced, incorporating the four elements simultaneously. To provide a solid evaluation, we simulate both two‐agent and multiagent interactions with real‐life social network topology. We achieve the consistent results between empirical studies and the simulations. The model can provide a good understanding of human dynamics in social network.
Nanorheometry of Molecularly Thin Liquid Lubricant Films Coated on Magnetic Disks
Authors: Itoh Shintaro , Hamamoto Yuya , Ishii Koki , Fukuzawa Kenji , Zhang Hedong
Published: December 2012

Molecularly thin lubricant films are used for the lubrication of head disk interfaces in hard disk drives. The film thickness is reduced to 1-2 nm to minimize the magnetic spacing, and optimal, precise design is required to obtain sufficient lubrication. However, until now, there was no generally applicable method for investigating such thin films. Therefore, we developed a highly sensitive shear force measuring method and have applied it to the viscoelastic measurement of lubricant films coated on magnetic disk surfaces. In this paper, we review the method and summarize the useful findings we have demonstrated so far.
A Lyapunov Function and Global Stability for a Class of Predator‐Prey Models
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Ma Huihai
Published: December 2012

We construct a new Lyapunov function for a class of predation models. Global stability of the positive equilibrium states of these systems can be established when the Lyapunov function is used.
Cognitive Impairment Affects Physical Recovery of Patients with Heart Failure Undergoing Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Caminiti Giuseppe , Ranghi Francesca , De Benedetti Sara , Battaglia Daniela , Arisi Arianna , Franchini Alessio , Facchini Fabiana , Cioffi Veronica , Volterrani Maurizio
Published: December 2012

Purpose. To determine whether the presence of cognitive impairment (CI) affects physical recovery of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP).Methods. We enrolled 80 CHF patients (M/F = 53/27). CI was evaluated by means of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), exercise tolerance was evaluated by six-minute walking test (6 mwt). All patients underwent a 6-week CRP program at 50–70% of maximalVO2. Patients were divided into two groups according to their MMSE (group 1: 16–23; group 2: 24–30).Results. MMSE resulted directly related to ejection fraction (r=0.42;P=0.03), and it was inversely related to creatinine (r=-0.36;P=0.04). At 6 week group 1 had a lower increase in distance walked at 6 MWT than group 2 (P=0.008). At multivariate logistic regression MMSE 16–23 predicted a reduced exercise recovery in the overall population (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.50–2.18) and in women (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.22–1.75), while it was not predicted in males.Conclusions. CI is a marker of advanced CHF and is an independent predictor of lower exercise recovery after CRP.
Model Reference Control of Hyperchaotic Systems
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Liu Cai , Feng Xuan
Published: December 2012

We have applied a famous engineering method, called model reference control, to control hyperchaos. We have proposed a general description of the hyperchaotic system and its reference system. By using the Lyapunov stability theorem, we have obtained the expression of the controller. Four examples for the both certain case and the uncertain case show that our method is very effective for controlling hyperchaotic systems with both certain parameters and uncertain parameters.
Wind Turbine Radar Cross Section
Authors: Jenn David , Ton Cuong
Published: December 2012

The radar cross section (RCS) of a wind turbine is a figure of merit for assessing its effect on the performance of electronic systems. In this paper, the fundamental equations for estimating the wind turbine clutter signal in radar and communication systems are presented. Methods of RCS prediction are summarized, citing their advantages and disadvantages. Bistatic and monostatic RCS patterns for two wind turbine configurations, a horizontal axis three-blade design and a vertical axis helical design, are shown. The unique electromagnetic scattering features, the effect of materials, and methods of mitigating wind turbine clutter are also discussed.
Animal Models of Diabetes Mellitus for Islet Transplantation
Authors: Sakata Naoaki , Yoshimatsu Gumpei , Tsuchiya Haruyuki , Egawa Shinichi , Unno Michiaki
Published: December 2012

Due to current improvements in techniques for islet isolation and transplantation and protocols for immunosuppressants, islet transplantation has become an effective treatment for severe diabetes patients. Many diabetic animal models have contributed to such improvements. In this paper, we focus on 3 types of models with different mechanisms for inducing diabetes mellitus (DM): models induced by drugs including streptozotocin (STZ), pancreatomized models, and spontaneous models due to autoimmunity. STZ-induced diabetes is one of the most commonly used experimental diabetic models and is employed using many specimens including rodents, pigs or monkeys. The management of STZ models is well established for islet studies. Pancreatomized models reveal different aspects compared to STZ-induced models in terms of loss of function in the increase and decrease of blood glucose and therefore are useful for evaluating the condition in total pancreatomized patients. Spontaneous models are useful for preclinical studies including the assessment of immunosuppressants because such models involve the same mechanisms as type 1 DM in the clinical setting. In conclusion, islet researchers should select suitable diabetic animal models according to the aim of the study.
Simple Method to Synthesize Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Employing Cobalt Nitrate and Acetone by Using Spray Pyrolysis Deposition Technique
Authors: Gómez Jorge A. , Marquez Alfredo , Pérez Antonino , Duarte-Moller A.
Published: December 2012

Recently alcohols and ketones have been employed to sensitize CNT by CVD. A study has shown the importance of the chemical nature of those carbon precursors on the characteristics of the CNT (carbon nanotubes) obtained. In the present work we show the influence of the catalyst employed on the synthesis of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) utilizing acetone as carbon source and cobalt nitrate Co(NO3)2as catalyst.
State-of-the-Art Prescriptive Criteria Weight Elicitation
Authors: Riabacke Mona , Danielson Mats , Ekenberg Love
Published: December 2012

Comparatively few of the vast amounts of decision analytical methods suggested have been widely spread in actual practice. Some approaches have nevertheless been more successful in this respect than others. Quantitative decision making has moved from the study of decision theory founded on a single criterion towards decision support for more realistic decision-making situations with multiple, often conflicting, criteria. Furthermore, the identified gap between normative and descriptive theories seems to suggest a shift to more prescriptive approaches. However, when decision analysis applications are used to aid prescriptive decision-making processes, additional demands are put on these applications to adapt to the users and the context. In particular, the issue of weight elicitation is crucial. There are several techniques for deriving criteria weights from preference statements. This is a cognitively demanding task, subject to different biases, and the elicited values can be heavily dependent on the method of assessment. There have been a number of methods suggested for assessing criteria weights, but these methods have properties which impact their applicability in practice. This paper provides a survey of state-of-the-art weight elicitation methods in a prescriptive setting.
Synthesis of Diamides and Diimines Derived from 4,4′-(1,3-Phenylenebis(oxy))dianiline, Units for Symmetrical Macrocycles
Authors: Nadeem Said , Shah Muhammad R. , Shah Kiramat , Mohammad Akhtar , Khan Burhan
Published: December 2012

4,4′-(1,3-Phenylenebis(oxy))dianiline 1 is an aromatic diamine compound and has been very less utilized in the organic synthesis. Different diimines and diamides were synthesized by reacting compound 1 with aromatic and heterocyclic compounds having different functionalities. These longer electron rich spacer molecules were synthesized to utilize them in the near future in making macrocycles of different sizes and functionalities. A hydrazide was also prepared from a diamide spacer molecule containing ester group. A diamide prepared containing nibrobenzene moiety was further reduced to amine to obtain longer spacer diamine molecule than the starting molecule 1.