bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of oxidative and inflammatory cardiac response by nonselective 1- and 2-cyclooxygenase inhibitor and benznidazole in mice
Authors: Santos Eliziária C , Novaes Rômulo D , Bastos Daniel S S , Oliveira Jerusa M , Penitente Arlete R , Gonçalves Wagner G , Cardoso Silvia A , Talvani André , Oliveira Leandro L
Published: June 2015

Objectives

This study investigated the combined effects of benznidazole (BZ) and ibuprofen (IB) on the oxidative and inflammatory status of the cardiac tissue in vivo.

Methods

Swiss mice were randomized in groups receiving BZ (100 mg/kg) and IB (400 mg/kg) alone or combined (BZ + IB 200 or 400 mg/kg). Control animals were concurrently treated with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose. All treatments were administered orally for 7 days.

Key findings

BZ treatment increased cardiac production of nitrogen/oxygen-reactive species, malondialdeyde, carbonyl proteins, prostaglandins as well as the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These parameters were attenuated by IB, with the best results at higher dose. Individually, BZ and IB significantly reduced the tissue levels of chemokine ligand 2, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-10, but no reduction was observed when the treatments were combined.

Conclusions

BZ triggers an oxidative and nitrosative route, which is associated with increased prostaglandin synthesis and marked damages to the lipids and proteins of the cardiac tissue. IB treatment attenuated reactive stresses triggered by BZ, which was an independent effects of this drug on the endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Individually, but not together, BZ and IB reduced the cardiac inflammatory status, indicating a beneficial and complex drug interaction.
Characterization of progenitor cells and stem cells from the periodontal ligament tissue derived from a single person
Authors: Prateeptongkum E. , Klingelhöffer C. , Müller S. , Ettl T. , Morsczeck C.
Published: June 2015

Background

Periodontal ligament progenitor cells (PDLPs) and PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) are progenitor and stem cells that were isolated from PDL tissues using the outgrowth and single cell isolation methods respectively. The differences between PDLPs and PDLSCs characteristics could be observed from previous studies. However, these cells were obtained from different patients. This study was the first report to compare the characterization of PDLPs and PDLSCs from the same person.

Material and Methods

The characterization of PDLPs and PDLSCs includes flow cytometry analysis, cell proliferation assay and the assessment of the colony‐forming unit fibroblast. The osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity, biomineralization (alizarin red staining) and gene expression of osteogenic markers. The adipogenic differentiation was examined by Oil Red O staining and adipocyte‐related gene expression.

Results

Mesenchymal stem cell marker expression and colony‐forming unit fibroblast analysis of PDLPs and PDLSCs were similar. However, PDLSCs grew faster than PDLPs on days 3 and 5 of the cell proliferation assay. Both PDLPs and PDLSCs could differentiate into osteoblast and adipocyte‐like cells. However, the mineralization of PDLSCs was stronger than that of PDLPs.

Conclusions

The characteristics of undifferentiated PDL cells in our study were not significantly impacted by the isolation method. We assumed that both PDLPs and PDLSCs are valuable cell sources for periodontal regeneration. However, PDLSCs have a possible advantage for the regeneration of alveolar bone.
Erectile Dysfunction is Associated with Subsequent Cardiovascular and Respiratory Mortality in Cohort of 1,436 Chinese Elderly Men
Authors: Chung Roger Y. , Chan Dicken , Woo Jean , Kwok Timothy , Leung Jason C.S. , Lai Francisco T.T. , Wong Samuel Y.S.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly shown to be associated with subsequent cardiovascular mortality, but not respiratory mortality, despite respiratory disease being highly prevalent among ED patients.

Aim

We aim to examine associations of ED with all-cause and cause-specific (i.e., cardiovascular and respiratory) mortality in a prospective cohort of 1,436 Chinese men, followed up from 2001 for a median of 11.5 years.

Methods

ED measurement was based on a single question of four categories at the 4-year follow up.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcome measures include all-cause and cause-specific mortality (i.e., cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, classified according to the International Classification of Disease-version 10 [ICD-10]). Multivariable regression models estimated associations between ED and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, adjusting for the presence of chronic conditions, and socio-demographics and lifestyle factors. For each category of disease-specific mortality, subjects with the corresponding diseases and death cases from other causes were excluded. Cancer mortality was included for comparison.

Results

Participants who were completely impotent had significantly increased risk of all-cause (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.20–2.23), cardiovascular (HR = 3.94, 95% CI = 1.77–8.76) and respiratory mortality (HR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.46–6.81) compared with non-impotent participants, adjusting for chronic conditions, and socio-demographics and lifestyle factors.

Conclusion

ED is significantly associated with subsequent all-cause mortality, possibly via its association with cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. Primary care practitioners should pay attention to ED patients' cardiovascular and respiratory risk profiles, which may benefit their prognosis.
Can leaf area index and biomass be estimated from Braun‐Blanquet cover scores in tropical forests?
Authors: Döbert Timm F. , Webber Bruce L. , Sugau John B. , Dickinson Katharine J.M. , Didham Raphael K.
Published: June 2015

Questions

The loss and degradation of tropical forests is having severe impacts on the dynamics of understorey plant communities. Understanding these impacts requires efficient ways to measure vegetation change over broad spatial and temporal scales. Leaf area index (LAI) and above‐ground biomass are preferred quantitative measures of variation in plant community structure. However, their accurate measurement requires destructive sampling, which can be impractical or inappropriate. Here we test whether semi‐quantitative assessment of Braun‐Blanquet vegetation cover scores is a reliable proxy for direct quantitative measures of LAI and above‐ground biomass of differing plant growth forms (PGF) within tropical forests.

Location

Six hundred square kilometre area of tropical lowland rain forest in Sabah, Malaysia.

Methods

We sampled understorey rain forest plant communities across a disturbance gradient in 2 × 2 m plots at 301 locations. We used a modified Braun‐Blanquet scale to estimate plant cover, destructively harvested all live above‐ground biomass up to a height of 2 m, calculated the above‐ground biomass of each species from separately processed stem and leaf fractions in each plot, and then calculated LAI using reference measures of specific leaf area for each species. For each of nine PGFs, we regressed LAI and biomass against the nine‐point Braun‐Blanquet ordinal transform scale (OTS) using linear mixed effects models.

Results

We found a simple, uniform logarithmic scaling of LAI with increasing Braun‐Blanquet cover classes that was consistent across most PGFs, and with slope estimates close to 1.0. By contrast, no simple scaling relationship was found for above‐ground biomass, with most PGFs exhibiting an asymptotic relationship in which the Braun‐Blanquet estimates across high cover scores provided almost no resolution of observed variation in empirical biomass measures.

Conclusions

We found that the Braun‐Blanquet OTS provides a remarkably simple and accurate logarithmic scaling of LAI, but care should be taken in applying scaling rules uniformly across PGFs. In contrast, the Braun‐Blanquet OTS shows a more complex relationship with plant above‐ground biomass and we caution against its unconditional use for biomass estimation. The findings of this study should be broadly applicable to other ecosystems due to the heterogeneity of plant communities included in this work.
The effects of resveratrol and SIRT1 activation on dystrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kuno Atsushi , Tanno Masaya , Horio Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2015

The muscular dystrophies, which cause progressive weakening of the skeletal muscles, are frequently associated with cardiomyopathy. In fact, the leading cause of mortality in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common and most severe type of muscular dystrophy, is heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. Therefore, more effective methods for treating cardiomyopathy are expected to improve long‐term outcomes for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our recent preclinical data show that treatment with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol is beneficial for dystrophic cardiomyopathy. We examined the effects of resveratrol treatment in two different models of muscular dystrophy: dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice and δ‐sarcoglycan–deficient TO‐2 hamsters. In both models, resveratrol suppressed cardiac hypertrophy, preserved cardiac function, and reduced tissue fibrosis in the diseased heart. Importantly, resveratrol significantly improved survival in TO‐2 hamsters. Resveratrol also attenuated skeletal muscle pathology in mdx mice. These promising results indicate resveratrol's potential for clinical translation to treat cardiomyopathy in patients with muscular dystrophies.
Photodynamic Action Mechanism Mediated by Zinc(II) 2,9,16,23‐Tetrakis[4‐(N‐methylpyridyloxy)]phthalocyanine in Candida albicans Cells
Authors: Di Palma María Albana , Alvarez María Gabriela , Durantini Edgardo N.
Published: June 2015

The photoreaction type I/type II pathways mediated by zinc(II) 2,9,16,23‐tetrakis[4‐(N‐methylpyridyloxy)]phthalocyanine (ZnPPc4+) was studied in Candida albicans cells. This photosensitizer was strongly bound to C. albicans cells at short times. After 30 min irradiation, 5 μM ZnPPc4+ produced ~5 log decrease in cell viability. Different probes were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell suspensions (~106 CFU mL−1). Singlet molecular oxygen, O2(1Δg), was observed by the reaction with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (DMA) and tetrasodium 2,2‐(anthracene‐9,10‐diyl)bis(methylmalonate) (ABMM), whereas the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) method was used to sense superoxide anion radical (). Moreover, the effects produced by an anoxic atmosphere and cell suspensions in D2O, as well as the addition of sodium azide and mannitol as ROS trapping were evaluated in the PDI of C. albicans. These investigation indicates that O2(1Δg) is generated in the cells, although a minor extension other radical species can also be involved in the PDI of C. albicans mediated by ZnPPc4+.
Race and Nation: How Racial Hierarchy Shapes National Attachments
Authors: Carter Niambi M. , Pérez Efrén O.
Published: June 2015

We contend that the boundaries and nature of national attachments are shaped by the position of one's group within America's racial order, with higher status yielding more racially exclusive forms of identity. We test our claims in the realm of xenophobia. Using an original survey of African Americans (n = 1,000) and Whites (n = 1,000), we assess national pride, nationalism, nativism, and racial identity, plus affect toward various immigrant groups. We establish that national attachments have racially varied meanings, thereby producing sharp differences in each racial group's response to foreigners. Although national pride is unrelated to White antipathy toward outsiders, nationalism and nativism increase White hostility to immigrants—except when they are White. In contrast, national pride diminishes African American hostility to Black and non‐Black immigrants, while nativism is generally unrelated to Black antipathy to outsiders. Finally, while nationalism heightens xenophobia among Blacks, this sentiment envelops all foreigners—including African immigrants. We discuss our results' implications for theories of national attachment in intergroup settings.
Global nanotechnology regulatory governance from a network analysis perspective
Authors: Snir Reut , Ravid Gilad
Published: June 2015

Over the last decade, there has been a proliferation of nanotechnology regulatory initiatives, developed to ensure the responsible development of nanotechnology applications. This article examines the emergence and diffusion of environmental, health and safety (EHS) policies dealing with nanotechnology. Drawing on a citation network analysis of global nanotechnology regulatory governance, the article analyzes the role of key organizations at multiple levels and their interplay in initiating and diffusing occupational safety and health policies. It shows that private international standard‐setting organizations become “centers of information,” which play a strategic role as intermediaries that diffuse national policies globally. Through this process, these centers help to shape supranational policies. Such an understanding of the role of international private standard‐setting organizations sheds new light on the current debate over the privatization and internationalization of EHS governance.
Acute and chronic cytokine responses to resistance exercise and training in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kjølhede T. , Dalgas U. , Gade A. B. , Bjerre M. , Stenager E. , Petersen T. , Vissing K.
Published: June 2015

Exercise is a well‐established part of rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and it has been hypothesized to stimulate an anti‐inflammatory environment that might be disease modifying. Yet, investigations on exercise‐induced immune responses are scarce and generally not paying attention to the medical treatments of the patient. At present, PwMS are routinely enrolled in immunosuppressive medication, but exercise‐induced immunomodulatory effects have not been investigated under these circumstances. The objective of this study was to investigate the acute and chronic cytokines responses to resistance exercise training in medicated PwMS. Thirty‐five people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with interferon (IFN)‐β, were randomized to a 24‐week progressive resistance training (PRT) or control group. Plasma interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐17F, IL‐23, tumor necrosis factor‐α and IFN‐γ were measured before and after 24 weeks of PRT. The acute effect was evaluated following standardized single‐bout resistance exercise in the untrained and the trained state. No changes were observed in resting cytokine levels after PRT. However, an indication of reduced IL‐17F secretion following resistance exercise was observed in the trained compared with the untrained state. This study suggests little acute and chronic effect of PRT on cytokine levels in IFN‐treated PwMS.
Risk factors of hand climbing‐related injuries
Authors: Lion A. , van der Zwaard B. C. , Remillieux S. , Perrin P. P. , Buatois S.
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to investigate the protective mechanisms or risk factors that can be related to the occurrence of hand climbing‐related injuries (CRIH). CRIH (tendon, pulley, muscle, and joint injuries) were retrospectively screened in 528 adult climbers. The questionnaire contained anthropometric items (e.g., body mass index – BMI), as well as items regarding climbing and basic training activities (warm‐up, cool‐down and session durations, number of session per week, hydration, practice level, climbing surface, and duration of the cardiovascular training). Higher skilled climbers and climbers with BMI above 21 kg/m2 were more likely to have experienced CRIH (P < 0.01). Climbers with BMI above 20 kg/m2 were more likely to have tendon injuries while those with a BMI above 21 kg/m2 were more likely to have pulley injuries (P < 0.01). Skilled climbers, who climb more difficult routes, may use smaller grip size and a reduced number of fingers. Higher BMI will require a higher force to climb. Both high level and elevated BMI may increase the demands to the hands and fingers leading to CRIH. These risk factors are difficult to address as we cannot recommend the climbers to climb easier routes and decrease their BMI below 20 kg/m2.
Parallel enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay screening for human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors in five Chinese blood centres: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Zeng P. , Liu J. , Wang J. , Dong X. , Li J. , Bi X. , Ma H. , Wen X. , He M. , Liu Y. , Ness P. , Shan H. ,   for the International Component of the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐II (REDS‐II)
Published: June 2015

Aims

To evaluate the strategy of parallel screening with different enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) among Chinese blood donors.

Background

Parallel screening with ELISA has been the main strategy to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in blood donations in China for more than a decade. The performance of the strategy should be analysed.

Methods

A total of 821,927 donations collected from five Chinese blood centres in 2008–2010 were tested using two third‐generation ELISAs by different manufacturers licenced and confirmed by the Western blot (WB) in this study. The confirmatory positive predictive values (PPV), false positive rates (FPR), false negative rates (FNR) and potential risks for transfusion resulting from single or sequential ELISA screening were evaluated.

Results

A total of 5318 (0·647%) of donations screened HIV reactive and were discarded. WB confirmatory results on 1668 available samples suggested that PPVs for dual ELISA, one round ELISA reactive and grey zone samples were 75·1, 0·7 and 0·5%, respectively. Eight out of 1124 one round ELISA reactive and 1 out of 195 grey zone samples were WB confirmed positive. All but one ELISA assay displayed comparable PPVs but variable FPRs and FNRs that differed by blood centre.

Conclusions

In the absence of nucleic acid testing (NAT), parallel ELISA screening prevented a substantial number of HIV infected donations from entering the Chinese blood supply. However, the loss of false positive donors should be re‐evaluated especially given the frequently reported blood supply shortage in China.
Within-Match PlayerLoad™ Patterns During a Simulated Soccer Match: Potential Implications for Unit Positioning and Fatigue Management
Authors: Barrett Steve , Midgley Adrian W. , Towlson Christopher , Garrett Andrew , Portas Matt , Lovell Ric
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To assess the acute alterations in triaxial accelerometry (PlayerLoad [PLVM]) and its individual axial planes (anteroposterior PlayerLoad [PLAP], mediolateral PlayerLoad [PLML], and vertical PlayerLoad [PLV]) during a standardized 90-min soccer match-play simulation (SAFT90). Secondary aims of the study were to assess the test–retest reliability and anatomical location of the devices.

Methods:

Semiprofessional (n = 5) and university (n = 15) soccer players completed 3 trials (1 familiarization, 2 experimental) of SAFT90. PlayerLoad and its individual planes were measured continuously using micromechanical-electrical systems (MEMS) positioned at the scapulae (SCAP) and near the center of mass (COM).

Results:

There were no between-halves differences in PLVM; however, within-half increases were recorded at the COM, but only during the 1st half at the SCAP. Greater contributions to PLVM were provided by PLV and PLML when derived from the SCAP and COM, respectively. PLVM (COM 1451 ± 168, SCAP 1029 ± 113), PLAP (COM 503 ± 99, SCAP 345 ± 61), PLML (COM 712 ± 124, SCAP 348 ± 61), and PLV (COM 797 ± 184, SCAP 688 ± 124) were significantly greater at the COM than at the SCAP. Moderate and high test–retest reliability was observed for PlayerLoad and its individual planes at both locations (ICC .80–.99).

Conclusions:

PlayerLoad and its individual planes are reliable measures during SAFT90 and detected within-match changes in movement strategy when the unit was placed at the COM, which may have implications for fatigue management. Inferring alterations in lower-limb movement strategies from MEMS units positioned at the SCAP should be undertaken with caution.
The Effects of Doming of the Diaphragm in Subjects With Short-Hamstring Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Valenza Marie Carmen , Cabrera-Martos Irene , Torres-Sánchez Irene , Garcés-García Aurelio , Mateos-Toset Sara , Valenza-Demet Gerald
Published: June 2015

Context:

Taking into account the complex structure of the diaphragm and its important role in the postural chain, the authors were prompted to check the effects of a diaphragm technique on hamstring flexibility.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of the doming-of-the-diaphragm (DD) technique on hamstrings flexibility and spine mobility.

Design:

Randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Patients:

Sixty young adults with short-hamstring syndrome were included in this randomized clinical trial using a between-groups design.

Intervention:

The sample was randomly allocated to a placebo group (n = 30) or an intervention group (n = 30). Duration, position, and therapist were the same for both treatments.

Main Outcome Measures:

Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the forward-flexion-distance (FFD) and popliteal-angle test (PAT). Spinal motion was evaluated using the modified Schober test and cervical range of movement.

Results:

Twoway ANOVA afforded pre- to postintervention statistically significant differences (P < .001) in the intervention group compared with the placebo group for hamstring flexibility measured by the FFD (mean change 4.59 ± 5.66 intervention group vs 0.71 ± 2.41 placebo group) and the PAT (mean change intervention group 6.81 ± 8.52 vs placebo group 0.57 ± 4.41). Significant differences (P < .05) were also found in the modified Schober test (mean change intervention group –1.34 ± 3.95 vs placebo group 1.02 ± 3.05) and cervical range of movement. Significant between-groups differences (P < .05) were also found in all the variables measured.

Conclusions:

The DD technique provides sustained improvement in hamstring flexibility and spine mobility.
Is the Acute and Short-Term Effect of Whole-Body Vibration the Same on the H-Reflex Recruitment Curve and Agility?
Authors: Ahmadi Morteza , Torkaman Giti , Kahrizi Sedigheh , Ghabaee Mojdeh , Arani Leila Dadashi
Published: June 2015

Context:

Despite the widespread use of whole-body vibration (WBV), especially in recent years, its neurophysiological mechanism is still unclear and it is yet to be determined whether acute and short-term WBV exposure produce neurogenic enhancement for agility.

Objective:

To compare the acute and short-term effects of WBV on the H-reflex-recruitment curve and agility.

Design:

Cross-over study.

Setting:

Clinical electrophysiology laboratory.

Participants:

20 nonathlete male volunteers (mean age 24.85 ± 3.03 y).

Main Outcome Measures:

Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups, H-reflex and agility. In the sham protocol, subjects stood on the turned-off vibration plate while maintaining the semisquat position, and then, after a 2-wk washout, vibration-training sessions were performed in the same position with a frequency of 30 Hz and an amplitude of 3 mm. H-reflex-recruitment curve was recorded and the agility test of a shuttle run was performed before and after the first session and also 48 h after the 11th session in both sham and vibration-training protocols.

Results:

Acute effects of WBV training caused a significant decrease of threshold amplitude and H-max/M-max (P = .01 and P = .04, respectively). Short-term WBV training significantly decreased the threshold intensity of the soleus H-reflex-recruitment curve (P = .01) and caused a decrease and increase respectively, in the threshold intensity and the area under the recruitment curve.

Conclusions:

The results suggest an inhibitory effect of acute WBV training on the H-reflex response.
Detection of somatic mutations and HPV in the saliva and plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Springer Simeon , Mulvey Carolyn L. , Silliman Natalie , Schaefer Joy , Sausen Mark , James Nathan , Rettig Eleni M. , Guo Theresa , Pickering Curtis R. , Bishop Justin A. , Chung Christine H. , Califano Joseph A. , Eisele David W. , Fakhry Carole , Gourin Christine G. , Ha Patrick K. , Kang Hyunseok , Kiess Ana , Koch Wayne M. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Quon Harry , Richmon Jeremy D. , Sidransky David , Tufano Ralph P. , Westra William H. , Bettegowda Chetan , Diaz Luis A. , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Agrawal Nishant
Published: June 2015

Tumor DNA in saliva and plasma can provide a noninvasive biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Long-term effectiveness and outcome predictors of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder in routine psychiatric care
Authors: El Alaoui Samir , Hedman Erik , Ljótsson Brjánn , Lindefors Nils
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Although the short-term outcome of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (ICBT) for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been well studied, little research has been undertaken on the sustainability of treatment gains, especially under clinically representative conditions. Further, there is some debate whether delivering psychological treatment via the internet may be suitable for more severely ill patients.

Design

Longitudinal multilevel growth-modelling of long-term (1–4 years) follow-up cohort data.

Setting

An outpatient psychiatric clinic specialised in internet interventions.

Participants

446 adults having been treated for SAD.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were estimated improvement rate and Cohen's d effect size on the self-rated Liebowitz Social Anxiety Disorder Scale. Secondary outcome measures were change in comorbid depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Results

A large treatment effect was observed on the primary outcome measure after treatment (d=0.8 (95% CI 0.7 to 0.9)), with continued long-term improvements (d=1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.3)). However, the rate of change varied significantly between individuals over time. A faster rate of improvement was observed among patients with higher illness severity, whereas having a family history of social anxiety was related to worse response. Long-term improvements were also observed in comorbid depressive symptoms (d=0.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.8)) and health-related quality of life (d=−0.3 (95% CI −0.4 to −0.1)).

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for the long-term effectiveness of ICBT for SAD in routine clinical practice, even for more severe cases.
Molecular changes induced by repeated restraint stress in the heart: the effect of oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban
Authors: Bartekova Monika , Barancik Miroslav , Pokusa Michal , Prokopova Barbora , Radosinska Jana , Rusnak Andrej , Breier Albert , Jezova Daniela
Published: June 2015

Even though stress belongs to the most common lifestyle risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, there are only limited data on direct influence of stressors on the heart. The aim of the present study was to explore selected protein signaling pathways in response to repeated immobilization stress in the heart tissue. Effects of simultaneous treatment with atosiban, an oxytocin receptor antagonist, on stress-induced changes in the heart were also investigated. Male Wistar rats were exposed to repeated immobilization (2 h daily, lasting 2 weeks). The results showed increased phosphorylation of Akt kinase, enhanced levels of Bcl-2, and decreased levels of cleaved caspase-3 in the left ventricle in response to chronic stress independently of the treatment. Exposure to restraint led to the rise of HSP-90 and p53 in vehicle-treated rats only. Stress failed to modify MMP-2 activity and ultrastructure of the heart tissue. Treatment with the oxytocin/vasopressin receptor antagonist atosiban reversed stress-induced rise in HSP-90 and p53 proteins. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that repeated restraint stress induces Akt kinase activation and this is associated with elevation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2) and down-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3). These findings suggest that activation of pro-survival anti-apoptotic Akt kinase pathway plays an important role in molecular mechanisms underlying responses and adaptation of the rat heart to repeated stress exposure. The results further indicate a regulatory role of oxytocin/vasopressin in the control of stress-induced activation in HSP-90 and related proteins.
Thermal Requirements for Maturation, Spawning, and Embryo Survival of the Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis
Authors: Hokanson Kenneth E. F. , McCormick J. Howard , Jones Bernard R. , Tucker James H.
Published: June 2015

Thermal requirements for brook trout reproduction were determined at a natural day-length cycle and five constant temperatures (10–21 C) and one treatment that followed the seasonal temperature regime of Lake Superior. The optimum range for growth (unrestricted rations) and relative condition factor was 10–19 C. Survival was 90% or greater and gonad growth and secondary sexual characteristics were well developed at all temperatures. The maximum temperature at which males became functionally mature and contained motile spermatozoa was 19 C. Ovulation and spawning occurred at 16 C and lower. Water temperature had little influence on time of spawning, but had a major influence on spawning activity and egg viability. The upper median effective temperature (ET50) for the number of viable eggs spawned per female was 11.7 C. The upper median tolerance limit (TL50) for normal hatch was 12.7 C; the optimum temperature was near 6 C. Major factors influencing the number of embryos surviving to hatch were spawning and incubation temperatures and age of the embryo when exposed to test temperatures. Thermal criteria that recognize seasonal changes in their thermal requirements are recommended for self-sustaining brook trout populations.
Preliminary Survey of Mercury and Other Metals Contained in Animals from the Fraser River Mudflats
Authors: Parsons T. R. , Bawden C. A. , Heath W. A.
Published: June 2015

Benthic animals from Sturgeon Bank contained larger amounts of mercury and other metals than animals from similar environments on the coast of British Columbia. These high levels of metals are believed to be associated with the Vancouver City sewer outfall.
Similarity of Genie Polymorphism of Tetrazolium Oxidase in Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Atlantic Coast of France and the Western North Atlantic
Authors: Edmunds Philip H. , Sammons III James I.
Published: June 2015

Using electrophoretic techniques, we found three phenotypes of the enzyme tetrazolium oxidase in bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Bay of Biscay. The phenotypes were indistinguishable from those that in western Atlantic bluefin are controlled by two codominant, autosomal alleles. The frequency distributions of phenotypes in eastern and western Atlantic samples do not differ significantly from each other, nor does a frequency distribution of phenotypes in the combined sample differ significantly from a Hardy-Weinberg distribution. These facts support the hypothesis that bluefin tuna from the Bay of Biscay and from the western North Atlantic might belong to a single breeding population rather than to geographically discrete races. The facts are consistent with evidence from tagging, which shows sporadic transoceanic migration.
A two-lane cellular automaton traffic flow model with the influence of driver, vehicle and road
Authors: Zhao Han-Tao , Nie Cen , Li Jing-Ru , Wei Yu-Ao
Published: June 2015

On the basis of one-lane comfortable driving model, this paper established a two-lane traffic cellular automata model, which improves the slow randomization effected by brake light. Considering the driver psychological characteristics and mixed traffic, we studied the lateral influence between vehicles on adjacent lanes. Through computer simulation, the space-time diagram and the fundamental figure under different conditions are obtained. The study found that aggressive driver makes a slight congestion in low-density traffic and improves the capacity of high-density traffic, when the density exceeds 20[Formula: see text]pcu/km the more aggressive drivers the greater the flow, when the density below 40[Formula: see text]pcu/km driver character makes an effect, the more cautious driver, the lower the flow. The ratio of big cars has the same effect as the ratio of aggressive drivers. Brake lights have the greatest impact on traffic flow and when the density exceeds 10[Formula: see text]pcu/km the traffic flow fluctuates. Under periodic boundary conditions, the disturbance of road length on traffic is minimal. The lateral influence only play a limited role in the medium-density conditions, and only affect the average speed of traffic at low density.
CENTRAL BANK INTERVENTION AND EXCHANGE RATE BEHAVIOR: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR INDIA
Authors: INOUE TAKESHI
Published: June 2015

This paper examines the causal relationship between central bank intervention and exchange rate returns in India. Using monthly data from December 1997 to December 2011, the empirical results derived from the CCF approach of Cheung and Ng [Journal of Econometrics72 (1996) 33–48] suggest that there is causality-in-variance from exchange rate returns to central bank intervention, but not vice versa. These findings are robust in the sense that they hold in cases where the returns were measured from either the spot rate or the forward rate. Therefore, we conclude that the Indian central bank has intervened in the foreign exchange market to respond to exchange rate volatility, although the volatility has not been influenced by central bank intervention in the form of net purchases of foreign currency in the market.
Mass and energy dependence of the transverse momentum densities in covariant parton model
Authors: Yazdanpanah M. M. , Mirjalili A. , Behjat Ramezani A.
Published: June 2015

The parton densities which are dependent on transverse momentum, open a way to understand better the structure of quarks and gluons in a more complete way. We are investigating a method based on the covariant quark model which enables us to extract the transverse momentum dependent (TMD) densities from the usual parton densities which are just dependent on the longitudinal momentum. In continuation, we obtain the dependence of the TMDs on binding energy and the mass of quarks. We do some calculations to obtain the TMDs in the unpolarized case while the mass and binding energy of partons are varying. Considering these effects, the results for TMDs are in good agreement with the results of the recent related models.
A Constructive Heuristic for Application Mapping onto Mesh Based Network-on-Chip
Authors: Sahu Pradip Kumar , Manna Kanchan , Shah Tapan , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: June 2015

Mapping constitutes a very important step in network-on-chip (NoC)-based implementation of an application. An application is often represented in the form of an application core graph. The cores of the core graph communicate between themselves using the underlying network. This paper presents a constructive heuristic to statically map applications on two-dimensional mesh-connected NoC. The approach corresponds to a design time decision of attachment of cores to the routers. The mapping results, in terms of overall communication cost metric, have been compared with many well-known techniques reported in the literature and also with an exact method built around integer linear programming (ILP). A thorough complexity analysis of the algorithm has been performed. For smaller benchmarks, the results obtained are same as those for the ILP generated solutions. For benchmarks containing 64 and higher number of cores, the mapping solutions are better than the existing ones. Dynamic performances of the mapped solutions have been compared with respect to synthetically generated self-similar traffic. In many cases, our approach requires less latency and energy per packet than the existing methods while providing higher throughput.
Region crossing change on spatial-graph diagrams
Authors: Hayano Kenta , Shimizu Ayaka , Shinjo Reiko
Published: June 2015

Region crossing change at a region of a knot, link or spatial-graph diagram is a local transformation which changes all the crossings on the boundary of the region. In this paper, we show that we can make any crossing change by a finite number of region crossing changes on any diagram of a connected spatial graph which has no cutting circles.
On the possible onset of the Pioneer anomaly
Authors: Feldman Michael R. , Anderson John D.
Published: June 2015

We explore the possibility that the observed onset of the Pioneer anomaly after Saturn encounter by Pioneer 11 is not necessarily due to mismodeling of solar radiation pressure but instead reflects a physically relevant characteristic of the anomaly itself. We employ the principles of a recently proposed cosmological model termed "the theory of inertial centers" along with an understanding of the fundamental assumptions taken by the Deep Space Network (DSN) to attempt to model this sudden onset. Due to an ambiguity that arises from the difference in the DSN definition of expected light-time with light-time according to the theory of inertial centers, we are forced to adopt a seemingly arbitrary convention to relate DSN-assumed clock-rates to physical clock-rates for this model. We offer a possible reason for adopting the convention employed in our analysis; however, we remain skeptical. Nevertheless, with this convention, one finds that this theory is able to replicate the previously reported Hubble-like behavior of the "clock acceleration" for the Pioneer anomaly as well as the sudden onset of the anomalous acceleration after Pioneer 11 Saturn encounter. While oscillatory behavior with a yearly period is also predicted for the anomalous clock accelerations of both Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11, the predicted amplitude is an order of magnitude too small when compared with that reported for Pioneer 10.
STRUCTURAL, MORPHOLOGICAL, ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NANOSTRUCTUREDCoFeTHIN FILMS PREPARED BY SPRAY PYROLYSIS DEPOSITION METHOD
Authors: AMIRABADIZADEH AHMAD , SARHADDI REZA , VAHEDIPANAH ZAHRA , MARDANI REZA
Published: June 2015

Nanostructured CoFe thin films were prepared on the glass substrates by spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD) method. The as-deposited films were separately annealed at 500°C in ambient air and hydrogen atmospheres to investigate the effect of annealing atmosphere on different properties of the deposited films. Structural, morphological, magnetic and electrical properties of annealed thin films were investigated by the X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and four-point probe measurements, respectively. XRD patterns show that by changing the annealing atmosphere from ambient air to hydrogen, the crystal structure transformed from cubic spinel phase (Fd-3m) to cubic CsCl -type phase (Pm-3m). SEM images demonstrated that the morphology, grain size and thickness of annealed thin films depend greatly on the atmosphere type. Thickness of the films annealed in ambient air and hydrogen atmosphere were 378 and 356 nm, respectively. The morphology of the films changes from small sized granular for the ambient air-annealed films to coral-like structures for the hydrogen atmosphere annealed films. The magnetic properties of the annealed thin films depend on the annealing atmosphere, the applied field directions and film microstructural properties. Hydrogen annealing induced a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in CoFe thin films. Room temperature hysteresis measurements show soft magnetic behavior of the hydrogen atmosphere annealed CoFe films in the perpendicular direction suggested its application in perpendicular magnetic recording media.
Multi-Threshold Voltage CMOS Design for Low-Power Half Adder Circuit
Authors: Kushwah Preeti , Khandelwal Saurabh , Akashe Shyam
Published: June 2015

The new era of portable electronic devices demands lesser power dissipation for longer battery life and design compactability. Leakage current and leakage power are dominating factors which greatly affect the power consumption in low voltage and low power applications. For many numerical representations of binary numbers, combinational circuits like adder, encoder, multiplexer, etc. are useful circuits for arithmetic operation. A novel high speed and low power half adder cell is introduced here which consists of AND gate and OR gate. This cell shows high speed, lower power consumption than conventional half adder. In CMOS technology, transistors used have small area and low power consumption. It is used in various applications like adder, subtract or, multiplexer, ALU and microprocessors digital VLSI systems. As the scaling technology reduces, the leakage power increases. In this paper, multi threshold complementary metal oxide semiconductor (MTCMOS) technique is proposed to reduce the leakage current and leakage power. MTCMOS is an effective circuit level technique that increases the performance of a cell by using both low- and high-threshold voltage transistors. Leakage current is reduced by 85.37% and leakage power is reduced by 87.45% using MTCMOS technique as compared to standard CMOS technique. The half adder design simulation work was performed by cadence simulation tool at 45-nm technology.
FPGA Implementation of Fuzzy Inference System Based Edge Detection Algorithm
Authors: Selvathi D. , Selvaraj Henry , Dharani J.
Published: June 2015

Edge detection is a very important area in the field of Computer Vision. Edge detectors behave very poorly, their behavior may fall within tolerance in specific situations and have difficulty in adapting to different situations. Human vision is inherently a multiscale phenomenon and is sensitive to orientation and elongation. This work proposes the hardware implementation of efficient fuzzy logic based algorithm, which is used to detect the edges of an image without determining the threshold value. Edge detection in software is not suited for strong real-time applications. This problem is resolved by using hardware implementation on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Fuzzy inference system is developed with four input pixel containing two fuzzy sets (FSs) one for white and another for black and one output pixel containing three FSs for white, black and edge. Fuzzy if-then rules are used to modify the membership functions. Finally, Mamdanidefuzzifier method is used to form the final edge image. For comparison, the same work was implemented using sobel operator. The hardware part is developed by using Verilog language. The FPGA implementation is targeted on Virtex5 Starter kit (xc5vlx50tff1136-1) and Virtex7 starter kit (xc7vx485tffq1157-1) using the updated Xilinx PlanAhead within the ISE 13.4 development suite. The edge thickness can be changed easily by adding new rules or changing output parameters. That is, rule-based approach has flexible structure that can be easily adapted to any time or anywhere and the new fuzzy approach produces better result than sobel operator. Experimental results show the ability and high performance of the proposed algorithm.
Free Vibration Analysis of Elastic Plates in Contact with an Inviscid Fluid Medium
Authors: Soltani Helnaz , Reddy J. N.
Published: June 2015

In the present study, a finite element formulation is presented to investigate vibration response of elastic plates in contact with a fluid medium. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and inviscid, and the impermeability condition of the plate is taken into account. The classical plate theory (CPT), first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT), and Reddy third-order shear deformation plate theory (RSDT) are considered for the kinematic description of the solid medium and the simplified Navier–Stokes equations are used as the governing equations for the fluid medium. For each plate theory, a coupled set of finite element equations is derived. The effect of the fluid pressure is considered as an added mass and its effect on natural frequencies and mode shapes is investigated through several numerical simulations by varying the boundary conditions.
Post-Buckling Analysis of Axially Functionally Graded Three-Dimensional Beams
Authors: Akbaş Şeref Doğuşcan
Published: June 2015

Post-buckling analysis of an axially functionally graded (AFG) cantilever beam subjected to an axial nonfollower compression load is studied in this paper by using the total Lagrangian finite element model of three-dimensional continuum approximations. Material properties of the beam change in the axial direction according to a power-law function. In this study, finite element model of the beam is constructed by using total Lagrangian finite element model of three-dimensional continuum for an eight-node quadratic element. It is known that post-buckling problems are geometrically nonlinear problems. The considered highly nonlinear problem is solved by using incremental displacement-based finite element method in conjunction with Newton–Raphson iteration method. There is no restriction on the magnitudes of deflections and rotations in contradistinction to von-Karman strain displacement relations. The obtained results are compared with the published results. In this study, the effects of the material distribution on the post-buckling response of the AFG beam are investigated in detail. The differences between of material distributions are investigated in the post-buckling analysis. Numerical results show that the above-mentioned effects play a very important role on the post-buckling responses of the beam, and it is believed that new results are presented for post-buckling of AFG beams which are of interest to the scientific and engineering community in the area of FGM structures.
Transformation Method to Control Shear Horizontal Waves
Authors: Liu Yongquan , Liu Wei , Li Bing , Su Xianyue
Published: June 2015

The transformation method is of great interest to control electromagnetic waves and acoustic waves in recent years, but it does not always work to manipulate elastic waves. In this paper, a detailed analysis of controlling the shear horizontal (SH) wave, which is a special form of elastic waves, is presented by employing the transformation method. Two scenarios of setting needed materials are provided, and the equivalence of them is proved theoretically. To reduce the complexity of required material parameters, the case of a changing out-of-plane coordinate is studied. The linear transformation method and the effective medium theory are introduced to control SH waves by using homogeneous and isotropic materials. Moreover, numerical simulations confirm the validity of this approach even in the cases of anisotropic and inhomogeneous background media, which are rarely investigated before. Finally, the multiple transformations method is proposed as a strategy of designing multi-domain and multi-function devices.