bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Using Radio Frequency Identification to Facilitate Individual Producer Responsibility for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Authors: O'Connell Maurice , Hickey Stewart , Besiou Maria , Fitzpatrick Colin , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: March 2013

Regulatory measures that hold producers accountable for their products at end of life are increasingly common. Some of these measures aim at generating incentives for producers to design products that will be easier and cheaper to recover at the postconsumer stage. However, the allocation of recovery costs to individual producers, which can facilitate realization of the goals of these policies, is hindered by the practical barrier of identification and/or sorting of the products in the waste stream. Technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) can be used for brand or model recognition in order to overcome this obstacle. This article assesses the read rate of RFID technology (i.e., the number of successful retrievals of RFID tag data [“reads”] in a given sample of tagged products) and the potential role of RFID tags in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at current levels of technical development.

We present the results of RFID trials conducted at a civic amenity site in the city of Limerick, Ireland. The experiment was performed for fixed distances up to 2 meters on different material substrates. In the case of white goods (i.e., large household appliances), a 100% read rate was achieved using an RFID handheld reader. High read rates were also achieved for mixed WEEE. For a handheld scan of a steel cage containing mixed WEEE, read rates varied from 50% to 73% depending on the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) metal mount tag employed and the relative positioning of the tags within the cage.

These results confirm that from a technical standpoint, RFID can achieve much greater brand or model identification than has been considered feasible up to now, and thus has a role to play in creating a system that allocates recovery costs to individual producers.
Joint Stocking and Product Offer Decisions Under the Multinomial Logit Model
Authors: Topaloglu Huseyin
Published: March 2013

This article studies a joint stocking and product offer problem. We have access to a number of products to satisfy the demand over a finite selling horizon. Given that customers choose among the set of offered products according to the multinomial logit model, we need to decide which sets of products to offer over the selling horizon and how many units of each product to stock so as to maximize the expected profit. We formulate the problem as a nonlinear program, where the decision variables correspond to the stocking quantity for each product and the duration of time that each set of products is offered. This nonlinear program is intractable due to its large number of decision variables and its nonseparable and nonconcave objective function. We use the structure of the multinomial logit model to formulate an equivalent nonlinear program, where the number of decision variables is manageable and the objective function is separable. Exploiting separability, we solve the equivalent nonlinear program through a dynamic program with a two dimensional and continuous state variable. As the solution of the dynamic program requires discretizing the state variable, we study other approximate solution methods. Our equivalent nonlinear program and approximate solution methods yield insights for good offer sets.
How Collection Cost Structure Drives a Manufacturer's Reverse Channel Choice
Authors: Atasu Atalay , Toktay L. Beril , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: March 2013

This note discusses the impact of collection cost structure on the optimal reverse channel choice of manufacturers who remanufacture their own products. Using collection cost functions that capture collection rate and collection volume dependency, we show that the optimal reverse channel choice (retailer‐ vs. manufacturer‐managed collection) is driven by how the cost structure moderates the manufacturer's ability to shape the retailer's sales and collection quantity decisions.
Structural and Optical Properties of Tunable Warm‐White Light‐Emitting ZrO2:Dy3+–Eu3+ Nanocrystals
Authors: Das Subrata , Yang Che‐Yuan , Lu Chung‐Hsin
Published: March 2013

A series of Dy3+–Eu3+‐codoped ZrO2 nanocrystals with tetragonal and cubic symmetry was synthesized via a wet chemical reaction. When the Eu3+‐doping content was fixed, the crystal structure could be stabilized from the mixed phase to single cubic phase by simply adjusting the content of Dy3+. The cubic ZrO2:Dy3+–Eu3+ nanoparticles exhibited spherical and nonagglomerated morphology. The effective phonon energy of cubic ZrO2:5%Dy3+–5%Eu3+ was calculated to be 445 cm−1, which is lower than the previously reported results. Extensive luminescence studies of ZrO2:Dy3+–Eu3+ as a function of Dy3+ content demonstrated that the dopant concentration and its site symmetry play an important role in the emissive properties. Under 352 nm excitation, the increment of Dy3+ concentration in ZrO2:Dy3+–Eu3+ led to an increase in orange (590 nm) and red (610 nm) emissions of Eu3+ ions, which are attributed to the 5D0→7FJ(J = 1, 2) transitions of Eu3+ ions. This increment is possibly due to the efficient energy transfer (ET) 4F9/2:Dy3+→5D0:Eu3+. The phosphors can generates light from yellow through near white and eventually to warm white by properly tuning the concentration of Dy3+ ions through the ET and change in site symmetry. These phosphors may be promising as warm‐white‐/yellow‐emitting phosphors.
Improved Prediction of Young's Modulus of Fluorine‐Containing Glasses Using MAS‐NMR Structural Data
Authors: Swarnakar Akhilesh Kumar , Stamboulis Artemis , Holland Diane , Van der Biest Omer
Published: March 2013

The model developed by Makishima and Mackenzie (M–M) may yield reasonable estimates for the E‐modulus of a range of glasses. In the M–M model the bonding enthalpy and packing densities present in the compounds that form the glass are taken as input for the calculation. This study shows that a more accurate estimate can be obtained by incorporating in the model structural information from MAS‐NMR data. Specifically, we have determined by means of the impulse excitation technique (IET) the E‐modulus for ionomer glasses with composition 4.5SiO2–3Al2O3–1.5P2O5–3MO–2MF2, where M denotes the alkaline earth metal (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba). The MAS‐NMR structural analysis shows that substitution of calcium by barium or strontium results in a disrupted network, whereas magnesium leads to a more packed network. In this study we will show how a higher coordination state of the aluminum as determined by 27Al MAS‐NMR can be taken into account in the model. This leads to rather small corrections of the estimates for these particular glasses. In contrast, the 19F MAS‐NMR study shows the presence of Al–F–M(n) or Al–F and Si–F–M(n) types of environment in the glass network. Al–F and Si–F bonds are not accounted for in the E‐modulus estimate by the M–M model. We will show how by incorporating the new bonding of F with Al and Si a significantly improved estimate of the E‐modulus is obtained compared with the original model.
Experimental Test of Escape Theory: Accessibility to Implicit Suicidal Mind
Authors: Tang Junhua , Wu Shengjun , Miao Danmin
Published: March 2013

This study tested the Escape Theory prediction that individuals blaming themselves for failure experience increased accessibility to implicit suicidal mind. One hundred and thirty‐eight undergraduate medical students were randomly assigned to three groups: failure‐related priming, success‐related priming, and control. Following experimental conditions, participants completed a death/suicide Implicit Association Test. Results revealed significant differences between groups in accessibility to implicit suicidal mind. Furthermore, priming manipulation interacted with individual differences in locus of control (LOC). Significant differences in accessibility to implicit suicidal mind were observed in individuals with internal LOC, while effects of priming manipulation were eliminated in individuals with external LOC.
Database‐assisted low‐dose CT image restoration
Authors: Xu Wei , Ha Sungsoo , Mueller Klaus
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

Acquiring data for CT at low radiation doses has become a pressing goal. Unfortunately, the reduced data quality adversely affects the quality of the reconstructions, impeding their readability. In previous work, the authors showed how a prior regular‐dose scan of the same patient can efficiently be used to mitigate low‐dose artifacts. However, since a prior is not always available, the authors now extend the authors’ method to use a database of images of other patients.

Methods:

The authors’ framework first matches the low‐dose (target) scan with the images in the database and then selects a set of images that contain anatomical content similar to the target. These “priors” are then registered to the target and form the set of regular‐dose priors for restoration via an extended nonlocal means (NLM) filtering framework. To accommodate the larger spatial variability of the patient scans, the authors subdivide the image area into blocks and perform the filtering locally. The database itself is first preprocessed to map each image from its 2D image space to a corresponding high‐D image feature space. From this encoding a visual vocabulary is learned that assists in the query of the database.

Results:

The authors demonstrate the authors’ framework via a lung scan example, for both streak artifacts (resulting from smaller projection sets) as well as noise artifacts (resulting from lower mA settings). The authors find that in the authors’ particular example case three priors were sufficient to restore all features faithfully. The authors also observe that the authors’ method is quite robust in that it generates good results even when the noise conditions significantly worsen (here by 20%). Finally, the authors find that the restoration quality is significantly better than with conventional NLM filtering.

Conclusions:

The authors image restoration algorithm successfully restores images to high quality when the registration is well performed and also when the priors match the target well. When the priors do not contain sufficient information, the affected image regions can only be restored to the quality achieved with conventional regularization. Hence, a sufficiently rich database is a key for successful artifact mitigation with this approach. Finally, the blockwise scheme demonstrates the potential of using small patches of images to form the database.
First‐order convex feasibility algorithms for x‐ray CT
Authors: Sidky Emil Y. , Jørgensen Jakob S. , Pan Xiaochuan
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

Iterative image reconstruction (IIR) algorithms in computed tomography (CT) are based on algorithms for solving a particular optimization problem. Design of the IIR algorithm, therefore, is aided by knowledge of the solution to the optimization problem on which it is based. Often times, however, it is impractical to achieve accurate solution to the optimization of interest, which complicates design of IIR algorithms. This issue is particularly acute for CT with a limited angular‐range scan, which leads to poorly conditioned system matrices and difficult to solve optimization problems. In this paper, we develop IIR algorithms which solve a certain type of optimization called convex feasibility. The convex feasibility approach can provide alternatives to unconstrained optimization approaches and at the same time allow for rapidly convergent algorithms for their solution—thereby facilitating the IIR algorithm design process.

Methods:

An accelerated version of the Chambolle−Pock (CP) algorithm is adapted to various convex feasibility problems of potential interest to IIR in CT. One of the proposed problems is seen to be equivalent to least‐squares minimization, and two other problems provide alternatives to penalized, least‐squares minimization.

Results:

The accelerated CP algorithms are demonstrated on a simulation of circular fan‐beam CT with a limited scanning arc of 144°. The CP algorithms are seen in the empirical results to converge to the solution of their respective convex feasibility problems.

Conclusions:

Formulation of convex feasibility problems can provide a useful alternative to unconstrained optimization when designing IIR algorithms for CT. The approach is amenable to recent methods for accelerating first‐order algorithms which may be particularly useful for CT with limited angular‐range scanning. The present paper demonstrates the methodology, and future work will illustrate its utility in actual CT application.
A LSQR‐type method provides a computationally efficient automated optimal choice of regularization parameter in diffuse optical tomography
Authors: Prakash Jaya , Yalavarthy Phaneendra K.
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

Developing a computationally efficient automated method for the optimal choice of regularization parameter in diffuse optical tomography.

Methods:

The least‐squares QR (LSQR)‐type method that uses Lanczos bidiagonalization is known to be computationally efficient in performing the reconstruction procedure in diffuse optical tomography. The same is effectively deployed via an optimization procedure that uses the simplex method to find the optimal regularization parameter. The proposed LSQR‐type method is compared with the traditional methods such as L‐curve, generalized cross‐validation (GCV), and recently proposed minimal residual method (MRM)‐based choice of regularization parameter using numerical and experimental phantom data.

Results:

The results indicate that the proposed LSQR‐type and MRM‐based methods performance in terms of reconstructed image quality is similar and superior compared to L‐curve and GCV‐based methods. The proposed method computational complexity is at least five times lower compared to MRM‐based method, making it an optimal technique.

Conclusions:

The LSQR‐type method was able to overcome the inherent limitation of computationally expensive nature of MRM‐based automated way finding the optimal regularization parameter in diffuse optical tomographic imaging, making this method more suitable to be deployed in real‐time.
An optimized ultrasound detector for photoacoustic breast tomography
Authors: Xia Wenfeng , Piras Daniele , van Hespen Johan C. G. , van Veldhoven Spiridon , Prins Christian , van Leeuwen Ton G. , Steenbergen Wiendelt , Manohar Srirang
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

Photoacoustic imaging has proven to be able to detect vascularization‐driven optical absorption contrast associated with tumors. In order to detect breast tumors located a few centimeter deep in tissue, a sensitive ultrasound detector is of crucial importance for photoacoustic mammography. Further, because the expected photoacoustic frequency bandwidth (a few MHz to tens of kHz) is inversely proportional to the dimensions of light absorbing structures (0.5–10+ mm), proper choices of materials and their geometries and proper considerations in design have to be made to implement optimal photoacoustic detectors. In this study, we design and evaluate a specialized ultrasound detector for photoacoustic mammography.

Methods:

Based on the required detector sensitivity and its frequency response, a selection of active material and matching layers and their geometries is made leading to functional detector models. By iteration between simulation of detector performances, fabrication and experimental characterization of functional models an optimized implementation is made and evaluated. For computer simulation, we use 1D Krimholtz–Leedom–Matthaei and 3D finite‐element based models.

Results:

The experimental results of the designed first and second functional detectors matched with the simulations. In subsequent bare piezoelectric samples the effect of lateral resonances was addressed and their influence minimized by subdicing the samples. Consequently, using simulations, a final optimized detector was designed, with a center frequency of 1 MHz and a −6 dB bandwidth of 0.4–1.25 MHz (fractional bandwidth of ∼80%). The minimum detectable pressure was measured to be 0.5 Pa.

Conclusions:

A single‐element, large‐aperture, sensitive, and broadband detector is designed and developed for photoacoustic tomography of the breast. The detector should be capable of detecting vascularized tumors with 1–2 mm resolution. The minimum detectable pressure is 0.5 Pa, which will facilitate deeper imaging compared to the current systems. Further improvements by proper electrical grounding and shielding and implementation of this design into an arrayed detector will pave the way for clinical applications of photoacoustic mammography.
Wild Pollinators Enhance Fruit Set of Crops Regardless of Honey Bee Abundance
Authors: Garibaldi Lucas A. , Steffan-Dewenter Ingolf , Winfree Rachael , Aizen Marcelo A. , Bommarco Riccardo , Cunningham Saul A. , Kremen Claire , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Harder Lawrence D. , Afik Ohad , Bartomeus Ignasi , Benjamin Faye , Boreux Virginie , Cariveau Daniel , Chacoff Natacha P. , Dudenhöffer Jan H. , Freitas Breno M. , Ghazoul Jaboury , Greenleaf Sarah , Hipólito Juliana , Holzschuh Andrea , Howlett Brad , Isaacs Rufus , Javorek Steven K. , Kennedy Christina M. , Krewenka Kristin M. , Krishnan Smitha , Mandelik Yael , Mayfield Margaret M. , Motzke Iris , Munyuli Theodore , Nault Brian A. , Otieno Mark , Petersen Jessica , Pisanty Gideon , Potts Simon G. , Rader Romina , Ricketts Taylor H. , Rundlöf Maj , Seymour Colleen L. , Schüepp Christof , Szentgyörgyi Hajnalka , Taki Hisatomo , Tscharntke Teja , Vergara Carlos H. , Viana Blandina F. , Wanger Thomas C. , Westphal Catrin , Williams Neal , Klein Alexandra M.
Published: March 2013

Honeybees Can't Do It Alone

The majority of food crops require pollination to set fruit with the honeybee providing a pollination workhorse, with both feral and managed populations an integral component of crop management (see the Perspective by

Tylianakis

, published online 28 February).

Garibaldi
et al.

(p.
1608
, published online 28 February) now show that wild pollinators are also a vital part of our crop systems. In more than 40 important crops grown worldwide, wild pollinators improved pollination efficiency, increasing fruit set by twice that facilitated by honeybees.

Burkle
et al.

(p.
1611
, published online 28 February) took advantage of one of the most thorough and oldest data sets available on plant-pollinator interaction networks and recollected data on plant-pollinator interactions after more than 120 years of climate change and landscape alteration. The historical data set consists of observations collected by Charles Robertson near Carlinville, Illinois (USA), in the late 1800s on the phenology of plants and their pollinating insects, as well as information about which plants and pollinators interacted with one another. Many sites were revisited in the early 1970s and in 2009 and 2010 to collect similar plant-pollinator data. Pollinator function has declined through time, with bees showing lower visitation rates and lower fidelity to individual plant species.
The Global Plight of Pollinators
Authors: Tylianakis Jason M.
Published: March 2013

Wild pollinators are in decline, and managed honeybees cannot compensate for their loss.

[Also see Reports by

Garibaldi
et al.

and

Burkle
et al.

]
Genome Sequence of the “Indian Bison Type” Biotype of Mycobacterium avium subsp.
paratuberculosis
Strain S5
Authors: Singh Shoor Vir , Kumar Naveen , Singh Shree Narayan , Bhattacharya Tapas , Sohal Jagdip Singh , Singh Pravin Kumar , Singh Ajay Vir , Singh Brajesh , Chaubey Kundan Kumar , Gupta Saurabh , Sharma Nitu , Kumar Shailesh , Raghava Gajendra Pal Singh
Published: March 2013

We report the 4.79-Mb genome sequence of the “Indian Bison Type” biotype of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
strain S5, isolated from a terminally sick Jamunapari goat at the CIRG (Central Institute for Research on Goats) farm in India. This draft genome will help in studying novelties of this biotype, which is widely distributed in animals and human beings in India.
Draft Genome Sequence of the
Wolbachia
Endosymbiont of
Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Siozios Stefanos , Cestaro Alessandro , Kaur Rupinder , Pertot Ilaria , Rota-Stabelli Omar , Anfora Gianfranco
Published: March 2013

Wolbachia
is one of the most successful and abundant symbiotic bacteria in nature, infecting more than 40% of the terrestrial arthropod species. Here we report the draft genome sequence of a novel
Wolbachia
strain named “
w
Suzi” that was retrieved from the genome sequencing of its host, the invasive pest
Drosophila suzukii
.
Genome Sequences and Photosynthesis Gene Cluster Composition of a Freshwater Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototroph,
Sandarakinorhabdus
sp. Strain AAP62, Isolated from the Shahu Lake in Ningxia, China
Authors: Zeng Yonghui , Feng Fuying , Liu Yapeng , Li Yunxu , Koblížek Michal
Published: March 2013

We report the first genome sequence from the recently established alpha-4 proteobacterial genus
Sandarakinorhabdus
. The genome of the
Sandarakinorhabdus
sp. strain AAP62 contains a photosynthesis gene cluster carrying major genes for bacterial reaction centers. The presence of genes related to aerobic respiratory electron transport confirms the lifestyle of this organism as an aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotroph.
Whole-Genome Draft Sequences of 26 Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains
Authors: Eppinger Mark , Daugherty Sean , Agrawal Sonia , Galens Kevin , Sengamalay Naomi , Sadzewicz Lisa , Tallon Luke , Cebula Thomas A. , Mammel Mark K. , Feng Peter , Soderlund Robert , Tarr Phillip I. , DebRoy Chitrita , Dudley Edward G. , Fraser Claire M. , Ravel Jacques
Published: March 2013

First identified in 1982,
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 is the dominant enterohemorrhagic serotype underlying food-borne human infections in North America. Here, we report the genomes of twenty-six strains derived from patients and the bovine reservoir. These resources enable detailed whole-genome comparisons and permit investigations of genotypic and phenotypic plasticity.
A Systems Biology Examination of the Human Female Genital Tract Shows Compartmentalization of Immune Factor Expression
Authors: Burgener Adam , Tjernlund Annelie , Kaldensjo Tove , Abou Max , McCorrister Stuart , Westmacott Garrett R. , Mogk Kenzie , Ambrose Emma , Broliden Kristina , Ball Blake
Published: March 2013

Many mucosal factors in the female genital tract (FGT) have been associated with HIV susceptibility, but little is known about their anatomical distribution in the FGT compartments. This study comprehensively characterized global immune factor expression in different tissue sites of the lower and upper FGT by using a systems biology approach. Tissue sections from the ectocervix, endocervix, and endometrium from seven women who underwent hysterectomy were analyzed by a combination of quantitative mass spectrometry and immunohistochemical staining. Of the >1,000 proteins identified, 281 were found to be differentially abundant in different tissue sites. Hierarchical clustering identified four major functional pathways distinguishing compartments, including innate immune pathways (acute-phase response, LXR/RXR) and development (RhoA signaling, gluconeogenesis), which were enriched in the ectocervix/endocervix and endometrium, respectively. Immune factors important for HIV susceptibility, including antiproteases, immunoglobulins, complement components, and antimicrobial factors, were most abundant in the ectocervix/endocervix, while the endometrium had a greater abundance of certain factors that promote HIV replication. Immune factor abundance is heterogeneous throughout the FGT and shows unique immune microenvironments for HIV based on the exposure site. This may have important implications for early events in HIV transmission and site-specific susceptibility to HIV in the FGT.
NOTES ON F-THEORY COMPACTIFICATIONS
Authors: KAWANO TERUHIKO
Published: March 2013

We study the Kähler potential of charged matter fields, whose profiles have a peak on their matter curve — on an "intersection" of 7-branes, in an F-theory compactification. It is shown that the Kähler potential is exactly given by the integral over the matter curve, but not by the integral over the whole GUT surface of 7-branes. This talk is based on our paper "A Note on Kahler Potential of Charged Matter in F-theory," in collaboration with Yoichi Tsuchiya and Taizan Watari.
SURPRISING TRACE ANOMALY FROM FREAKOLOGRAPHY
Authors: NAKAYAMA YU
Published: March 2013

I will discuss how an unexpected form of trace anomaly can be obtained from holographic models with no simple string interpretation. In addition to the usual trace anomaly, Euler density and Weyl tensor squared, we pursue the possibility that it is given by Ricci scalar and Hirzebruch-Pontryagin density. It has a deep connection with scale but non-conformal field theories and their holographic dual. I would like to urge you to judge whether such holographic theories are consistent or pathological.
NONEQUILIBRIUM PHASE TRANSITIONS AND CRITICAL PHENOMENA FROM AdS/CFT
Authors: NAKAMURA SHIN
Published: March 2013

We find novel phase transitions and critical phenomena that occur only outside the linear-response regime of current-driven nonequilibrium states, by using the AdS/CFT correspondence. We compute the nonlinear non-ballistic quark-charge conductivity of a strongly-interacting (3 + 1)-dimensional gauge theory, and we find that the system exhibits a nonequilibrium first-order and second-order phase transitions where the sign of the differential conductivity flips at finite current density. The present work provides a new example of nonequilibrium phase transitions and nonequilibrium critical points.
HIGHER SPIN AdS3 SUPERGRAVITY AND ITS CFT DUAL
Authors: CREUTZIG THOMAS , HIKIDA YASUAKI , RØNNE PETER B.
Published: March 2013

Gravity, itself a gauge theory of a spin 2 field, can be extended to a higher spin gauge theory on AdS spaces. Recently, Gaberdiel and Gopakumar conjectured that a large N limit of a 2d minimal model is dual to a bosonic subsector of a higher spin supergravity theory on 3d AdS space. We propose and test the untruncated supersymmetric version of this conjecture where the dual CFT is a large N limit of the [Formula: see text] CP N Kazama-Suzuki model.
Carbon, oxygen and strontium isotopic composition of low-latitude Permian carbonates (Venezuelan Andes): climate proxies of tropical Pangea
Authors: Laya Juan Carlos , Tucker Maurice E. , Gröcke Darren R. , Perez-Huerta Alberto
Published: March 2013

The Late Palaeozoic period was an important time in Earth history, primarily as a result of the formation of Pangea and the Gondwana glaciations that had direct influences in high latitudes and indirect, but no less important, effects in low latitudes. This study documents and interprets the isotopic record for the Early–Middle Permian in northern Gondwana from detailed fieldwork in the Venezuelan Andes. Sr-isotope dating of well-preserved brachiopod shells suggests a Kungurian age from samples located within the middle part of the Palmarito Formation. δ
13
C data show a long-term trend through the section towards more positive values, but with some very negative δ
13
C values suggesting carbonates affected by pedogenic processes. In the middle part of the succession, major excursions in δ
13
C and δ
18
O show a strong connection with glacial–deglacial events during the Early–Middle Permian. Overall results presented here fill an important gap in the regional palaeogeography and, therefore, have significant implications for the palaeoclimate and palaeoceanography of this Late Palaeozoic time.
Osmotic regulation of hepatic betaine metabolism
Authors: Hoffmann Lars , Brauers Gernot , Gehrmann Thor , Häussinger Dieter , Mayatepek Ertan , Schliess Freimut , Schwahn Bernd C.
Published: March 2013

Betaine critically contributes to the control of hepatocellular hydration and provides protection of the liver from different kinds of stress. To investigate how the hepatocellular hydration state affects gene expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism of betaine and related organic osmolytes, we used quantitative RT-PCR gene expression studies in rat hepatoma cells as well as metabolic and gene expression profiling in primary hepatocytes of both wild-type and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)-deficient mice. Anisotonic incubation caused coordinated adaptive changes in the expression of various genes involved in betaine metabolism, in particular of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase, dimethylglycine dehydrogenase, and sarcosine dehydrogenase. The expression of betaine-degrading enzymes was downregulated by cell shrinking and strongly induced by an increase in cell volume under hypotonic conditions. Metabolite concentrations in the culture system changed accordingly. Expression changes were mediated through tyrosine kinases, cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases, and JNK-dependent signaling. Assessment of hepatic gene expression using a customized microarray chip showed that hepatic betaine depletion in MTHFR−/−mice was associated with alterations that were comparable to those induced by cell swelling in hepatocytes. In conclusion, the adaptation of hepatocytes to changes in cell volume involves the coordinated regulation of betaine synthesis and degradation and concomitant changes in intracellular osmolyte concentrations. The existence of such a well-orchestrated response underlines the importance of cell volume homeostasis for liver function and of methylamine osmolytes such as betaine as hepatic osmolytes.
Neonatal colonic inflammation sensitizes voltage-gated Na+channels via upregulation of cystathionine β-synthetase expression in rat primary sensory neurons
Authors: Qu Ruobing , Tao Jingde , Wang Yongmeng , Zhou Youlang , Wu Geping , Xiao Ying , Hu Chuang-Ying , Jiang Xinghong , Xu Guang-Yin
Published: March 2013

The pathogenesis of pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is poorly understood, and treatment remains difficult. We have previously reported that colon-specific dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were hyperactive in a rat model of IBS induced by neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI). This study was designed to examine plasticity of voltage-gated Na+channel activities and roles for the endogenous hydrogen sulfide-producing enzyme cystathionine β-synthetase (CBS) in chronic visceral hyperalgesia. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores were recorded in response to graded colorectal distention in adult male rats as a measure of visceral hypersensitivity. Colon-specific DRG neurons were labeled with 1,1′-dioleyl-3,3,3′,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine methanesulfonate and acutely dissociated for measuring Na+channel currents. Western blot analysis was employed to detect changes in expressions of voltage-gated Na+(NaV) channel subtype 1.7, NaV1.8, and CBS. NCI significantly increased AWR scores when compared with age-matched controls. NCI also led to an ∼2.5-fold increase in Na+current density in colon-specific DRG neurons. Furthermore, NCI dramatically enhanced expression of NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and CBS in colon-related DRGs. CBS was colocalized with NaV1.7 or -1.8 in colon-specific DRG neurons. Administration of O-(carboxymethyl)hydroxylamine hemihydrochloride (AOAA), an inhibitor for CBS, remarkably suppressed Na+current density and reduced expression of NaV1.7 and NaV1.8. More importantly, intraperitoneal or intrathecal application of AOAA attenuated AWR scores in NCI rats in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that NCI enhances Na+channel activity of colon DRG neurons, which is most likely mediated by upregulation of CBS expression, thus identifying a potential target for treatment for chronic visceral pain in patients with IBS.
Predicting Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes in the Post-UKPDS Era: Longitudinal Analysis of the Swedish National Diabetes Register
Authors: Ahmad Kiadaliri Aliasghar , Clarke Philip M. , Gerdtham Ulf-G. , Nilsson Peter , Eliasson Björn , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia , Steen Carlsson Katarina
Published: March 2013

The aim of the current study was to provide updated time-path equations for risk factors of type-2-diabetes-related cardiovascular complications for application in risk calculators and health economic models. Observational data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register were analysed using Generalized Method of Moments estimation for dynamic panel models (N=5,043, aged 25–70 years at diagnosis in 2001–2004). Validation was performed using persons diagnosed in 2005 (n=414). Results were compared with the UKPDS outcome model. The value of the risk factor in the previous year was the main predictor of the current value of the risk factor. People with high (low) values of risk factor in the year of diagnosis experienced a decreasing (increasing) trend over time. BMI was associated with elevations in all risk factors, while older age at diagnosis and being female generally corresponded to lower levels of risk factors. Updated time-path equations predicted risk factors more precisely than UKPDS outcome model equations in a Swedish population. Findings indicate new time paths for cardiovascular risk factors in the post-UKPDS era. The validation analysis confirmed the importance of updating the equations as new data become available; otherwise, the results of health economic analyses may be biased.
Structure Topology Prediction of Discriminative Sequence Motifs in Membrane Proteins with Domains of Unknown Functions
Authors: Grunert Steffen , Heinke Florian , Labudde Dirk
Published: March 2013

Motivation. Membrane proteins play essential roles in cellular processes of organisms. Photosynthesis, transport of ions and small molecules, signal transduction, and light harvesting are examples of processes which are realised by membrane proteins and contribute to a cell's specificity and functionality. The analysis of membrane proteins has shown to be an important part in the understanding of complex biological processes. Genome-wide investigations of membrane proteins have revealed a large number of short, distinct sequence motifs.Results. The in silico analysis of 32 membrane protein families with domains of unknown functions discussed in this study led to a novel approach which describes the separation of motifs by residue-specific distributions. Based on these distributions, the topology structure of the majority of motifs in hypothesised membrane proteins with unknown topology can be predicted.Conclusion. We hypothesise that short sequence motifs can be separated into structure-forming motifs on the one hand, as such motifs show high prediction accuracy in all investigated protein families. This points to their general importance inα-helical membrane protein structure formation and interaction mediation. On the other hand, motifs which show high prediction accuracies only in certain families can be classified as functionally important and relevant for family-specific functional characteristics.
Aged Garlic Extract Improves Adiponectin Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Crossover Study
Authors: Gómez-Arbeláez Diego , Lahera Vicente , Oubiña Pilar , Valero-Muñoz Maria , de las Heras Natalia , Rodríguez Yudy , García Ronald Gerardo , Camacho Paul Anthony , López-Jaramillo Patricio
Published: March 2013

Background. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to have important benefits in individuals at high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the risk factors that constitute the cluster of metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods and Design. Double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of 1.2 g/day of AGE (Kyolic), for 24 weeks of treatment (12 weeks of AGE and 12 weeks of placebo), on subjects with MS.Results. The administration of AGE increased the plasma levels of adiponectin (). No serious side effects associated with the intervention were reported.Conclusion. The present results have shown for the first time that the administration of AGE for 12 weeks increased plasma adiponectin levels in patients with MS. This suggests that AGE might be a useful, novel, nonpharmacological therapeutic intervention to increase adiponectin and to prevent cardiovascular (CV) complications in individuals with MS.
Super-Resolution Raman Spectroscopy by Digital Image Processing
Authors: Tomita Motohiro , Hashiguchi Hiroki , Yamaguchi Takuya , Takei Munehisa , Kosemura Daisuke , Ogura Atsushi
Published: March 2013

We demonstrate the results of a strain (stress) evaluation obtained from Raman spectroscopy measurements with the super-resolution method (the so-called super-resolution Raman spectroscopy) for a Si substrate with a patterned SiN film (serving as a strained Si sample). To improve the spatial resolution of Raman spectroscopy, we used the super-resolution method and a high-numerical-aperture immersion lens. Additionally, we estimated the spatial resolution by an edge force model (EFM) calculation. One- and two-dimensional stress distributions in the Si substrate with the patterned SiN film were obtained by super-resolution Raman spectroscopy. The results from both super-resolution Raman spectroscopy and the EFM calculation were compared and were found to correlate well. The best spatial resolution, 70 nm, was achieved by super-resolution Raman measurements with an oil immersion lens. We conclude that super-resolution Raman spectroscopy is a useful method for evaluating stress in miniaturized state-of-the-art transistors, and we believe that the super-resolution method will soon be a requisite technique.
Measuring the Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Clinical Practice: A Necessary Challenge
Authors: Baumstarck Karine , Boyer Laurent , Boucekine Mohamed , Michel Pierre , Pelletier Jean , Auquier Pascal
Published: March 2013

While the physical disability aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS) is of great importance, quality of life (QoL) measurements are being considered increasingly important with regard to evaluating disease progression, treatment, and the management of care provided to MS patients. Despite the acknowledged need to consider QoL issues, QoL assessment remains underutilized in clinical practice. These issues should be explored and understood to promote the use of measuring QoL in MS clinical practice. We explore the difficulties for clinicians: choosing and determining the most appropriate QoL measure and how to best integrate QoL measurements into clinical practice. This paper discusses several avenues to provide to clinicians arguments of the clinical relevance and accuracy of QoL instruments and ultimately to enhance the use of QoL measures in clinical practice for MS patients.
Sustained Low-Dose Treatment with the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor LBH589 Induces Terminal Differentiation of Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Cain Jason E. , McCaw Andrew , Jayasekara W. Samantha N. , Rossello Fernando J. , Marini Kieren D. , Irving Aaron T. , Kansara Maya , Thomas David M. , Ashley David M. , Watkins D. Neil
Published: March 2013

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) were identified nearly four decades ago based on their ability to induce cellular differentiation. However, the clinical development of these compounds as cancer therapies has focused on their capacity to induce apoptosis in hematologic and lymphoid malignancies, often in combination with conventional cytotoxic agents. In many cases, HDACi doses necessary to induce these effects result in significant toxicity. Since osteosarcoma cells express markers of terminal osteoblast differentiation in response to DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, we reasoned that the epigenetic reprogramming capacity of HDACi might be exploited for therapeutic benefit. Here, we show that continuous exposure of osteosarcoma cells to low concentrations of HDACi LBH589 (Panobinostat) over a three-week period induces terminal osteoblast differentiation and irreversible senescence without inducing cell death. Remarkably, transcriptional profiling revealed that HDACi therapy initiated gene signatures characteristic of chondrocyte and adipocyte lineages in addition to marked upregulation of mature osteoblast markers. In a mouse xenograft model, continuous low dose treatment with LBH589 induced a sustained cytostatic response accompanied by induction of mature osteoblast gene expression. These data suggest that the remarkable capacity of osteosarcoma cells to differentiate in response to HDACi therapy could be exploited for therapeutic benefit without inducing systemic toxicity.
Detection of Metal Ions and Protons with a New Blue Fluorescent Bis(1,8-Naphthalimide)
Authors: Yordanova Stanislava , Stoianov Stanimir , Grabchev Ivo , Petkov Ivan
Published: March 2013

The synthesis of a new blue fluorescent bis(1,8-naphthalimide) has been described and its basic photophysical characteristics have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The detection of protons and different metal cations (Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe3+ and Zn2+) with the new compound has been investigated by the use fluorescence spectroscopy.
Electroacupuncture Modulates Reproductive Hormone Levels in Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Results from a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Zhou Kehua , Jiang Jingxi , Wu Jiani , Liu Zhishun
Published: March 2013

To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on serum FSH, E2, and LH levels, women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) were treated with EA once a day, five times a week for the first four weeks and once every other day, three times a week, for the following two months, and then were followed up for three months. Serum E2, FSH, and LH levels were measured at baseline, at the end of treatment, and during followup. A total of 11 women with POI were included in this prospective consecutive case series study. Compared with baseline, patients’ serum E2 increased, FSH decreased, and LH decreased (P=0.002, 0.001, and 0.002, resp.) after EA treatment, and these effects persisted during followup. With treatment, 10 patients resumed menstruation (10/11, 90.91%), whereas one patient remained amenorrhea. During followup, two patients, including the one with amenorrhea during treatment, reported absence of menstruation. Temporary pain occurred occasionally, and no other adverse events were found during treatment. The results suggest that EA could decrease serum FSH and LH levels and increase serum E2 level in women with POI with little or no side effects; however, further randomized control trials are needed.
Numerical Simulations and Analysis of June 16, 2010 Heavy Rainfall Event over Singapore Using the WRFV3 Model
Authors: Vaid B. H.
Published: March 2013

The Numerical Simulations of the June 16, 2010, Heavy Rainfall Event over Singapore are highlighted by an unprecedented precipitation which produced widespread, massive flooding in and around Singapore. The objective of this study is to check the ability of Weather Research Forecasting version 3 (WRFV3) model to predict the heavy rain event over Singapore. Results suggest that simulated precipitation amounts are sensitive to the choice of cumulus parameterization. Various model configurations with initial and boundary conditions from the NCEP Final Global Analysis (FNL), convective and microphysical process parameterizations, and nested-grid interactions have been tested with 48-hour (June 15–17, 2010) integrations of the WRFV3. The spatial distributions of large-scale circulation and dynamical and thermodynamical fields have been simulated reasonably well in the model. The model produced maximum precipitation of ~5 cm over Changi airport which is very near to observation (6.4 cm recorded at Changi airport). The model simulated dynamic and thermodynamic features at 00UTC of June 16, 2010, lead to understand the structure of the mesoscale convective system (MCS) that caused the extreme precipitation over Singapore. It is observed that Singapore heavy rain was the result of an interaction of synoptic-scale weather systems with the mesoscale features.
Compact, Slotted, Printed Antennas for Dual-Band Communication in Future Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kakoyiannis Constantine G. , Constantinou Philip
Published: March 2013

Inverted-F antennas (IFAs) are a primary choice to implement the radiating system of portable devices. A tried and tested idea can remain topical if proven useful in modern applications. This paper shows that printed IFAs (PIFAs) are capable of forming robust, compact, dual-band radiating systems for wireless microsensors with an adjustable spacing between bands. Reactive tuning was applied by inductively loading the structures with prefractal slots; inductive slot loading degenerates higher-order resonances and increases the fractional bandwidth (FBW). The current distributions revealed that most of the element area is used for radiation at both resonances. In radiation terms, the antennas provide satisfactory gains and high efficiencies (≥82%). A simple figure of merit is used to compare the performance of the three PIFAs head to head. Operation at 2.5 GHz and 5.5 GHz indicated that changes in slot geometry almost double the FBW. The proposed antennas serve both the 5.15–5.35 GHz U-NII and the 5.8 GHz ISM bands; at the lower band, their size is less or equal to the half-wavelength dipole. This study of dual-band antennas also showed that the aggregate FBW of a PIFA is bounded; by degenerating higher-order modes, the designer redistributes whatever bandwidth is available by the antenna itself to the desired bands.
Organized Sports, Overweight, and Physical Fitness in Primary School Children in Germany
Authors: Drenowatz Clemens , Steiner Ronald P. , Brandstetter Susanne , Klenk Jochen , Wabitsch Martin , Steinacker Jürgen M.
Published: March 2013

Physical inactivity is associated with poor physical fitness and increased body weight. This study examined the relationship between participation in organized sports and overweight as well as physical fitness in primary school children in southern Germany. Height, weight, and various components of physical fitness were measured in 995 children (7.6±0.4years). Sports participation and confounding variables such as migration background, parental education, parental body weight, and parental sports participation were assessed via parent questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression as well as multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to determine associations between physical fitness, participation in organized sports, and body weight. Participation in organized sports less than once a week was prevalent in 29.2%, once or twice in 60.2%, and more often in 10.6% of the children. Overweight was found in 12.4% of the children. Children participating in organized sports more than once per week displayed higher physical fitness and were less likely to be overweight (OR  =  0.52,P<0.01). Even though causality cannot be established, the facilitation of participation in organized sports may be a crucial aspect in public health efforts addressing the growing problems associated with overweight and obesity.
Growth of Meromorphic Solutions of Some -Difference Equations
Authors: Zhang Guowei
Published: March 2013

We estimate the growth of the meromorphic solutions of some complex -difference equations and investigate the convergence exponents of fixed points and zeros of the transcendental solutions of the second order -difference equation. We also obtain a theorem about the -difference equation mixing with difference.