bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compensatory Mutants of the Bovine Papillomavirus E5 Protein and the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor β Receptor Reveal a Complex Direct Transmembrane Interaction
Authors: Edwards Anne P. B. , Xie Yanhua , Bowers Lara , DiMaio Daniel
Published: August 2013

The 44-amino-acid E5 protein of bovine papillomavirus is a dimeric transmembrane protein that exists in a stable complex with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) β receptor, causing receptor activation and cell transformation. The transmembrane domain of the PDGF β receptor is required for complex formation, but it is not known if the two proteins contact one another directly. Here, we studied a PDGF β receptor mutant containing a leucine-to-isoleucine substitution in its transmembrane domain, which prevents complex formation with the wild-type E5 protein in mouse BaF3 cells and inhibits receptor activation by the E5 protein. We selected E5 mutants containing either a small deletion or multiple substitution mutations that restored binding to the mutant PDGF β receptor, resulting in receptor activation and growth factor independence. These E5 mutants displayed lower activity with PDGF β receptor mutants containing other transmembrane substitutions in the vicinity of the original mutation, and one of them cooperated with a receptor mutant containing a distal mutation in the juxtamembrane domain. These results provide strong genetic evidence that the transmembrane domains of the E5 protein and the PDGF β receptor contact one another directly. They also demonstrate that different mutations in the E5 protein allow it to tolerate the same mutation in the PDGF β receptor transmembrane domain and that a mutation in the E5 protein can allow it to tolerate different mutations in the PDGF β receptor. Thus, the rules governing direct interactions between transmembrane helices are complex and not restricted to local interactions.
Airway obstruction from accidental ingestion of a live fish
Authors: Tam Tiffany , Weinberg Laurence , Edington John
Published: August 2013

We present a case of a fisherman who swallowed a live fish, which resulted in severe upper airway obstruction. The firm attachments of the fish's external fins and scales to the airway limit the removal when impacted. We outline our emergency airway management strategies and focus our discussion on the technique used to remove the impacted fish from the upper airway, which was paramount for the successful outcome of this case.
Complete inclusion of adaptive rowing only 1000 m ahead
Authors: Smoljanovic Tomislav , Bojanic Ivan , Hannafin Jo A , Urhausen Axel , Theisen Daniel , Seil Romain , Lacoste Alain
Published: August 2013

Adaptive rowing (AR) at the Paralympic level is accessible for rowers with physical disability. AR was included for the first time in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Racing distance for all AR events is currently 1000 m, which impedes public recognition of this sport and leads to many organisational challenges during the inclusive World Rowing Championships. The aim of this report was to discuss the feasibility of increasing AR race distance to 2000 m from a sports injury and athletic health perspective. As limited data on injury and illness risks exist in AR, knowledge and experiences had to be taken from other Paralympic sports. The anticipated duration of 2000 m AR competitions is either comparable or considerably lower than that of the other Paralympic disciplines with similar characteristics. AR has inherent injury and health risks especially within thorax, shoulders and low back region, but they are not expected to be significantly modified by increased racing times. Specific considerations need to be taken into account for athletes with a spinal cord injury, like in other sport disciplines. There are no distinctive contra-indications for AR events of 2000 m based on the current literature review and a 10-year experience in this sport. Long-term follow-ups are needed to understand fully the injury and health risk associated with AR and to develop appropriate prevention strategies.
PERTURBATIONS OF BASIC DIRAC OPERATORS ON RIEMANNIAN FOLIATIONS
Authors: PROKHORENKOV IGOR , RICHARDSON KEN
Published: August 2013

Using the method of Witten deformation, we express the basic index of a transversal Dirac operator over a Riemannian foliation as the sum of integers associated to the critical leaf closures of a given foliated bundle map.
LOW-ENERGY QCD II — STATUS OF LATTICE CALCULATIONS
Authors: WITTIG HARTMUT
Published: August 2013

The current status of lattice calculations is reviewed, with a particular emphasis on the question whether lattice simulations have matured to a stage where there is full interaction with experiment. Particular examples include the hadron spectrum, mesonic form factors and decay constants, the axial charge of the nucleon, and the hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon (g-2).
AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OF AUTOMATIC CENSORED ORDERED STATISTIC DETECTOR TECHNIQUES
Authors: DJEMAL RIDHA
Published: August 2013

We designed and tested a novel field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based embedded system that uses automatic censored ordered statistics detector (ACOSD) algorithms to detect targets in clutter with lognormal distribution. The detection process operates through two techniques called backward and forward ACOSD (B-ACOSD and F-ACOSD, respectively), which work in parallel to increase the detection accuracy and reduce the false alarm rate. Two architectures were considered for the proposed detector. The B-ACOSD algorithm operates the censoring beginning from the last cell belonging to a window of N range cells, whereas the F-ACOSD algorithm considers the censoring based on a scan beginning with the first cell in the same sorted window of cells. The detector is implemented on a FPGA-Altera Stratix II as a system-on-chip that integrates a Nios II core processor with our proposed detector as a co-processor and additional embedded memories and interfaces using parallelism and pipelining. For a reference window of 16 cells, the processor works properly with a processing speed of up to 129.13 MHz and a processing time of only 0.23 μs, within the range of the maximum tolerated delay of 0.5 μs fixed by the pulse width [A. Farina, A. Russo and F. A. Studer, IEE Proc. F Commun. Radar Signal Process.133 (1986) 39–54] for viewing a target at high resolution.
IMPACT OF 3D GRAPHIC STRUCTURE COMPLEXITY TO THE RENDERING TIME
Authors: SKALA TIBOR , SKALA KAROLJ , AFGAN ENIS
Published: August 2013

The paper presents new approach to the analysis of the time required for rendering, depending on the complexity of the 3D object. Ray tracing is used to measure program complexity measure parameter based on the rendering time. Parametric analysis using ray tracing program is achieved by correlation between image parameters and rendering time. Electronic imaging and image processing (rendering) are considered in the 3D virtual photorealistic imaging design and electronic imaging creation and optimization. We are attempting to treat the complexity as a measure in the process of creating and rendering a complex image. The work is directed towards defining and optimizing the rendering time in the photorealistic 3D image creation process. The correlation between large numbers of image components obtained by the ray tracing program is used to measure the scene complexity regarding of render time. To discover which space variable to use as complexity measure, we cross-correlated variables output by ray tracing program, keeping track of the maximum values. Based on this method, the highest correlation was observed on variable Bounding box succeeded tests, and that way obtained the complexity measure for the image. That way the original research is performed in creating analytical (data-visual) methods for determining the image rendering parameters. The results based on experimental verification on a large number of performed standard tests on real sets of graphical contents, and established the impact of graphical content complexity to the rendering time at distributed cluster computing systems.
FUZZY CENTRE BASED SOLUTION OF FUZZY COMPLEX LINEAR SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS
Authors: BEHERA DIPTIRANJAN , CHAKRAVERTY S.
Published: August 2013

A new approach to solve Fuzzy Complex System of Linear Equations (FCSLE) based on fuzzy complex centre procedure is presented here. Few theorems related to the investigation are stated and proved. Finally the presented procedure is used to analyze an example problem of linear time invariant electric circuit with complex crisp coefficient and fuzzy complex sources. The results obtained are also compared with the known solutions and are found to be in good agreement.
A HYBRID-SYSTEM MODEL OF THE COAGULATION CASCADE: SIMULATION, SENSITIVITY, AND VALIDATION
Authors: MAKIN JOSEPH G. , NARAYANAN SRINI
Published: August 2013

The process of human blood clotting involves a complex interaction of continuous-time/continuous-state processes and discrete-event/discrete-state phenomena, where the former comprise the various chemical rate equations and the latter comprise both threshold-limited behaviors and binary states (presence/absence of a chemical). Whereas previous blood-clotting models used only continuous dynamics and perforce addressed only portions of the coagulation cascade, we capture both continuous and discrete aspects by modeling it as a hybrid dynamical system. The model was implemented as a hybrid Petri net, a graphical modeling language that extends ordinary Petri nets to cover continuous quantities and continuous-time flows. The primary focus is simulation: (1) fidelity to the clinical data in terms of clotting-factor concentrations and elapsed time; (2) reproduction of known clotting pathologies; and (3) fine-grained predictions which may be used to refine clinical understanding of blood clotting. Next we examine sensitivity to rate-constant perturbation. Finally, we propose a method for titrating between reliance on the model and on prior clinical knowledge. For simplicity, we confine these last two analyses to a critical purely-continuous subsystem of the model.
INFINITE FAMILIES OF ARITHMETIC IDENTITIES FOR DOUBLED DISTINCT t-CORES FOR t = 3, 4, …, 10
Authors: BARUAH NAYANDEEP DEKA , NATH KALLOL
Published: August 2013

Relations between doubled distinct and self-conjugate t-cores for some small values of t are derived. By employing Ramanujan's simple theta function identities, several infinite families of arithmetic identities for doubled distinct t-cores for t = 3, 4, …, 10 are found.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF POINTS ON THE GENERALIZED MARKOFF–HURWITZ AND DWORK HYPERSURFACES
Authors: SHPARLINSKI IGOR E.
Published: August 2013

We use bounds of mixed character sum modulo a prime p to study the distribution of points on the hypersurface [Formula: see text] for some polynomials fi ∈ ℤ[X] that are not constant modulo a prime p and integers ki with gcd (ki, p-1) = 1, i = 1, …, n. In the case of [Formula: see text] the above congruence is known as the Markoff–Hurwitz hypersurface, while for [Formula: see text] it is known as the Dwork hypersurface. In particular, we obtain non-trivial results about the number of solution in boxes with the side length below p1/2, which seems to be the limit of more general methods based on the bounds of exponential sums along varieties.
THE FOURTH MOMENT OF DIRICHLET L-FUNCTIONS FOR THE RATIONAL FUNCTION FIELD
Authors: TAMAM NATTALIE
Published: August 2013

We study the moments of the Dirichlet L-function when defined over the polynomial ring over finite fields. We obtain an asymptotic formula of the fourth moment for the central value of these Dirichlet L-functions. In addition, we find a lower bound for the 2k th moment of these L-functions. These results agree up to constants with the polynomial ring analog of the Keating and Snaith Conjecture for the asymptotic of leading terms.
CORE-SHELL Zn/ZnO STRUCTURES WITH IMPROVED PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES SYNTHESIZED BY AQUEOUS SOLUTION METHOD
Authors: HUANG YUAN MING , MA QING-LAN , ZHAI BAO-GAI
Published: August 2013

A facile and green method was utilized to synthesize core-shelled Zn / ZnO microspheres by boiling Zn microparticles in water for improving the photocatalytic activity of ZnO . The synthesized Zn / ZnO core-shells were investigated by means of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and photoluminescence spectrometer, respectively. The morphology analysis showed that the metallic Zn core was about 6 μm in diameter while the ZnO shell was about 600 nm in thickness. Compared to ZnO nanoparticles, the core-shelled Zn / ZnO microspheres exhibited improved photocatalytic activity in degrading methyl orange in water. Our results suggest that the metal–semiconductor junction formed at the Zn / ZnO interface is responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZnO .
1,25(OH)2D3-enhanced hypercalciuria in genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming rats fed a low-calcium diet
Authors: Frick Kevin K. , Asplin John R. , Krieger Nancy S. , Culbertson Christopher D. , Asplin Daniel M. , Bushinsky David A.
Published: August 2013

The inbred genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats exhibit many features of human idiopathic hypercalciuria and have elevated levels of vitamin D receptors (VDR) in calcium (Ca)-transporting organs. On a normal-Ca diet, 1,25(OH)2D3(1,25D) increases urine (U) Ca to a greater extent in GHS than in controls [Sprague-Dawley (SD)]. The additional UCa may result from an increase in intestinal Ca absorption and/or bone resorption. To determine the source, we asked whether 1,25D would increase UCa in GHS fed a low-Ca (0.02%) diet (LCD). With 1,25D, UCa in SD increased from 1.2 ± 0.1 to 9.3 ± 0.9 mg/day and increased more in GHS from 4.7 ± 0.3 to 21.5 ± 0.9 mg/day ( P < 0.001). In GHS rats on LCD with or without 1,25D, UCa far exceeded daily Ca intake (2.6 mg/day). While the greater excess in UCa in GHS rats must be derived from bone mineral, there may also be a 1,25D-mediated decrease in renal tubular Ca reabsorption. RNA expression of the components of renal Ca transport indicated that 1,25D administration results in a suppression of klotho, an activator of the renal Ca reabsorption channel TRPV5, in both SD and GHS rats. This fall in klotho would decrease tubular reabsorption of the 1,25D-induced bone Ca release. Thus, the greater increase in UCa with 1,25D in GHS fed LCD strongly suggests that the additional UCa results from an increase in bone resorption, likely due to the increased number of VDR in the GHS rat bone cells, with a possible component of decreased renal tubular calcium reabsorption.
The direct renin inhibitor aliskiren localizes and persists in rat kidneys
Authors: Feldman David L. , Jin Liang , Xuan Hong , Persohn Elke , Zhou Wei , Schuetz Helmut , Park Joon-Keun , Muller Dominik N. , Luft Friedrich C.
Published: August 2013

The aims of this study were to 1) determine whether renal localization of aliskiren and its antihypertensive and renoprotective effects persist after administration of the drug is stopped and 2) define the renal localization of aliskiren by light microscopy autoradiography. Hypertensive double transgenic rats (dTGR) overexpressing genes for human renin and angiotensinogen were treated with aliskiren (3 mg·kg−1·day−1 sc; osmotic minipumps) or enalapril (18 mg/l in drinking water). After a 2-wk treatment, dTGR were assigned to either continued treatment with aliskiren (“continued”), or to cessation of their respective treatment (“stopped”) for a 3-wk washout. One week of treatment with aliskiren and enalapril reduced blood pressure and albuminuria vs. baseline. After cessation of either treatment, blood pressure had returned to pretreatment levels and albuminuria remained relatively low for 1 wk, but rose thereafter similarly in both groups. In contrast, renal mRNA for transforming growth factor-β and renal collagen IV was reduced by aliskiren (continued and stopped groups), but not after cessation of enalapril. Similar patterns were found for collagen IV protein expression. Even 3 wk after stopping aliskiren treatment, renal levels of the drug exceeded its IC50, whereas enalaprilat was not detected. To localize aliskiren accumulation, Wistar rats were treated with [3H]-aliskiren for 7 days. Autoradiography demonstrated specific labeling in glomeruli, arterioles, and afferent arterioles as well as in the distal nephron. Labeling could still be observed even after 7 days' washout. These results suggest that the renophilic properties of aliskiren are different from enalapril and could have contributed to the renoprotective mechanism of this renin inhibitor.
Space Constrained Homology Modelling: The Paradigm of the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of Dengue (Type II) Virus
Authors: Vlachakis Dimitrios , Kontopoulos Dimitrios Georgios , Kossida Sophia
Published: August 2013

Protein structure is more conserved than sequence in nature. In this direction we developed a novel methodology that significantly improves conventional homology modelling when sequence identity is low, by taking into consideration 3D structural features of the template, such as size and shape. Herein, our new homology modelling approach was applied to the homology modelling of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of dengue (type II) virus. The RdRp of dengue was chosen due to the low sequence similarity shared between the dengue virus polymerase and the available templates, while purposely avoiding to use the actual X-ray structure that is available for the dengue RdRp. The novel approach takes advantage of 3D space corresponding to protein shape and size by creating a 3D scaffold of the template structure. The dengue polymerase model built by the novel approach exhibited all features of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and was almost identical to the X-ray structure of the dengue RdRp, as opposed to the model built by conventional homology modelling. Therefore, we propose that the space-aided homology modelling approach can be of a more general use to homology modelling of enzymes sharing low sequence similarity with the template structures.
Time Intervals for Maintenance of Offshore Structures Based on Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Tolentino Dante , Ruiz Sonia E.
Published: August 2013

With the aim of establishing adequate time intervals for maintenance of offshore structures, an approach based on multiobjective optimization for making decisions is proposed. The formulation takes into account the degradation of the mechanical properties of the structures and its influence over time on both the structural capacity and the structural demand, given a maximum wave height. The set of time intervals for maintenance corresponds to a balance between three objectives: (a) structural reliability, (b) damage index, and (c) expected cumulative total cost. Structural reliability is expressed in terms of confidence factors as functions of time by means of closed-form mathematical expressions which consider structural deterioration. The multiobjective optimization is solved using an evolutionary genetic algorithm. The approach is applied to an offshore platform located at Campeche Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The optimization criterion includes the reconstruction of the platform. Results indicate that if the first maintenance action is made in 5 years after installing the structure, the second repair action should be made in the following 7 to 10 years; however, if the first maintenance action is made in 6 years after installing the structure, then the second should be made in the following 5 to 8 years.
MDCT Imaging Findings of Liver Cirrhosis: Spectrum of Hepatic and Extrahepatic Abdominal Complications
Authors: Sangster Guillermo P. , Previgliano Carlos H. , Nader Mathieu , Chwoschtschinsky Elisa , Heldmann Maureen G.
Published: August 2013

Hepatic cirrhosis is the clinical and pathologic result of a multifactorial chronic liver injury. It is well known that cirrhosis is the origin of multiple extrahepatic abdominal complications and a markedly increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This tumor is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer related death. With the rising incidence of HCC worldwide, awareness of the evolution of cirrhotic nodules into malignancy is critical for an early detection and treatment. Adequate imaging protocol selection with dynamic multiphase Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) and reformatted images is crucial to differentiate and categorize the hepatic nodular dysplasia. Knowledge of the typical and less common extrahepatic abdominal manifestations is essential for accurately assessing patients with known or suspected hepatic disease. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the imaging spectrum of intra- and extrahepatic abdominal manifestations of hepatic cirrhosis seen on MDCT.
Avidity of Antibodies against HSV-2 and Risk to Neonatal Transmission among Mexican Pregnant Women
Authors: Herrera-Ortiz Antonia , Conde-Glez Carlos Jesús , Vergara-Ortega Dayana Nicté , García-Cisneros Santa , Olamendi-Portugal Ma. Leonidez , Sánchez-Alemán Miguel Angel
Published: August 2013

Objective. To determine HSV-2 seroprevalence, risk factors, and antibody avidity among a sample of Mexican pregnant women.Material and Methods. The avidity test was standardized with different urea concentrations and incubation times; the cut-off point was calculated to determine the low avidity (early infection). IgG antibodies against HSV-2 were detected from pregnant and postpartum women from Morelos, Mexico, and the avidity test was performed to positive samples. Multivariate regression logistic analysis was employed to evaluate demographic and sexual behavior characteristics associated with HSV-2 infection.Results. HSV-2 seroprevalence among Mexican women analyzed was 14.5% (333/2300), demographic factors (location of General Hospital, age, education level, and civil status), and risky sexual behaviors (STI self-report and number of sexual partners during last year) were associated with HSV-2 infection. Seventeen women were detected with low avidity antibodies (early infection) with a cut-off point of 66.1%.Conclusions. HSV-2 infection was common among this group of women from Mexico; the avidity test detected women with recent infections, and these women were more likely to transmit HSV-2 to their neonates. Neonatal herpes has no epidemiological surveillance, the disease could be overlooked, and so more studies are needed to estimate the magnitude of neonatal infection.
Effects of Nanosilver Exposure on Cholinesterase Activities, CD41, and CDF/LIF-Like Expression in ZebraFish (Danio rerio) Larvae
Authors: Myrzakhanova Marzhan , Gambardella Chiara , Falugi Carla , Gatti Antonietta M. , Tagliafierro Grazia , Ramoino Paola , Bianchini Paolo , Diaspro Alberto
Published: August 2013

Metal nanosolicoparticles are suspected to cause diseases in a number of organisms, including man. In this paper, we report the effects of nanosilver (Ag, 1–20 nm particles) on the early development of the zebrafish, a well-established vertebrate model. Embryos at the midgastrula stage were exposed to concentrations ranging from 100 to 0.001 mg/L to verify the effects on different endpoints: lethality, morphology, expression of cholinergic molecules, and development of the immune system. (1) Relative risk of mortality was exponential in the range between 0.001 and 10 mg/L. Exposure to 100 mg/L caused 100% death of embryos before reaching the tail-bud stage. (2) Developmental anomalies were present in the 72 h larvae obtained from embryos exposed to nanosilver: whole body length, decreased eye dimension, and slow response to solicitation by gentle touch with a needle tip, with a significant threshold at 0.1 mg/L. (3) Dose-dependent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was significant among the exposures, except between 1 mg/L and 10 mg/L. (4) The distribution of CD41+ cells and of CDF/LIF-like immunoreactivity was altered according to the Ag concentration. The possible effect of nanosilver in impairing immune system differentiation through the inhibition of molecules related to the cholinergic system is discussed.
Raising the Level of Awareness of Nurse-to-Nurse Lateral Violence in a Critical Access Hospital
Authors: Embree Jennifer L. , Bruner Deborah A. , White Ann
Published: August 2013

Background/Significance of Problem. Nurse-to-nurse lateral violence (NNLV) has been internationally reported for greater than two decades and results in new nurse turnover and serious negative outcomes.Clinical Question/Project Objective. Will NNLV and cognitive rehearsal (CR) education result in a decrease in perceived nurse-to-nurse lateral violence in a critical access hospital (CAH)? The scope of this project was to determine perceived extent and increase awareness of NNLV through an educational project about NNLV and CR.Clinical Appraisal of Literature/Best Evidence. Trends of NNLV were assessed through an extensive literature review from Health Source, CINAHL, ProQuest Health, and Medical Complete. An educational forum about NNLV with CR was advocated for newly licensed nurses and current nurses (potential perpetrators of NNLV) with the goal of liberation of oppressed individuals.Integration into Practice/Discussion of Results. An interventional study with one group and pre-/postintervention was used to determine NNLV and CR education on perceived levels of lateral violence. Evidence-based measurement occurred through use of the Nurse Workplace Scale and the Silencing the Self-Work Scale. Outcomes were analyzed quantitatively through independentt-tests. Awareness of NNLV was increased.Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practice/Implications. Organizations must learn to eliminate NNLV. With increased levels of awareness of NNLV, nurses requested additional assistance in dealing with inappropriate behavior.
Tai Chi for Essential Hypertension
Authors: Wang Jie , Feng Bo , Yang Xiaochen , Liu Wei , Teng Fei , Li Shengjie , Xiong Xingjiang
Published: August 2013

Objectives. To assess the current clinical evidence of Tai Chi for essential hypertension (EH).Search Strategy. 7 electronic databases were searched until 20 April, 2013.Inclusion Criteria. We included randomized trials testing Tai Chi versus routine care or antihypertensive drugs. Trials testing Tai Chi combined with antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs were also included.Data Extraction and Analyses. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were conducted according to the Cochrane standards.Results. 18 trials were included. Methodological quality of the trials was low. 14 trials compared Tai Chi with routine care. 1 trial compared Tai Chi with antihypertensive drugs. Meta-analysis all showed significant effect of TaiChi in lowering blood pressure (BP). 3 trials compared Tai Chi plus antihypertensive drugs with antihypertensive drugs. Positive results in BP were found in the other 2 combination groups. Most of the trials did not report adverse events, and the safety of Tai Chi is still uncertain.Conclusions. There is some encouraging evidence of Tai Chi for EH. However, due to poor methodological quality of included studies, the evidence remains weak. Rigorously designed trials are needed to confirm the evidence.
Congenital and Acquired Abnormalities of the Corpus Callosum: A Pictorial Essay
Authors: Krupa Katarzyna , Bekiesinska-Figatowska Monika
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this review is to illustrate the wide spectrum of lesions in the corpus callosum, both congenital and acquired: developmental abnormalities, phakomatoses, neurometabolic disorders, demyelinating diseases, infection and inflammation, vascular lesions, neoplasms, traumatic and iatrogenic injury, and others. Cases include fetuses, children, and adults with rich iconography from the authors’ own archive.
Spectral Investigation of Crystalline (CuHPO4, Cu2P4O12,and Cu2P8O22) and Glassy Copper Phosphates
Authors: Günther Christiane , Stachel Dörte , Bogomolova Lydia D.
Published: August 2013

Emerald green crystals of the new composition CuHPO4were synthesized and compared to (copper metaphosphate) Cu2P4O12and (copper ultraphosphate) Cu2P8O22. Various copper ultraphosphate and metaphosphate glasses of different compositions between pure P2O5and Cu2P4O12were melted in crucibles or in evacuated and sealed silica ampoules at 1473 K or 1373 K for 2 hrs. The UV-VIS-spectra and the IR-spectra of all crystals and glasses were measured and compared. The absorption band of Cu2+was resolved into more component Gaussian bands and differentiated between square-pyramidal and octahedrally coordinated copper. These structural changes are responsible for colour changes from green to turquoise. The infrared spectroscopic properties of the copper phosphate glasses differ between metaphosphate and ultraphosphate structures but show similarities between the crystals and the glasses of the same structure type. EPR studies of some of the glasses show different kinds of spectra, with increasing copper content.
Occurrence and Distribution of a Diatom-Diazotrophic Cyanobacteria Association during a Trichodesmium Bloom in the Southeastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Jabir T. , Dhanya V. , Jesmi Y. , Prabhakaran M. P. , Saravanane N. , Gupta G. V. M. , Hatha A. A. M.
Published: August 2013

Symbiotic diatom-diazotrophic cyanobacteria association (DDA) of Rhizosolenia hebetata and Rhizosolenia formosa with endosymbiotic cyanobacteria Richelia intracellularis was noticed and documented for the first time during a bloom of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum in the oligotrophic shelf waters along Kochi and Mangalore transects, southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS), during spring intermonsoon (April 2012). Although the host is frequently seen, the symbiont is rarely reported in the Indian EEZ. The presence of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic association of Rhizosolenia-Richelia along with Trichodesmium erythraeum highlights the significance of DDAs on the nutrient and energy budgets of phytoplankton in the oligotrophic environments of the Arabian Sea during spring intermonsoon.
Gross Morphological Features of the Organ Surface Primo-Vascular System Revealed by Hemacolor Staining
Authors: Lim Chae Jeong , Yoo Jong-Hyun , Kim Yongbaek , Lee So Yeong , Ryu Pan Dong
Published: August 2013

The primo-vascular system (PVS), which consists of primo-vessels (PVs) and primo-nodes (PNs), is a novel thread-like structure identified in many animal species. Various observational methods have been used to clarify its anatomical properties. Here, we used Hemacolor staining to examine the gross morphology of organ-surface PVS in rats. We observed a sinus structure (20–50 μm) with a remarkably low cellularity within PNs and PVs and several lines of ductules (3–5 μm) filled with single cells or granules (~1 μm) in PV. Both sinuses and ductules were linearly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the PVS. Such morphology of the PVS was further confirmed by acridine orange staining. In PN slices, there was a honeycomb-like structure containing the granules with pentagonal lumens (~10 μm). Both PVs and PNs were densely filled with WBCs, RBCs, and putative mast cells (MCs), which were 90.3%, 5.9%, and 3.8% of the cell population, respectively. Granules in putative MCs showed spontaneous vibrating movements. In conclusion, the results show that Hemacolor, a simple and rapid staining system, can reveal the gross morphological features reported previously. Our findings may help to elucidate the structure and function of the PVS in normal and disease states in future studies.
Adverse Outcome of Early Recurrent Ischemic Stroke Secondary to Atrial Fibrillation after Repeated Systemic Thrombolysis
Authors: Sposato Luciano A. , Salutto Valeria , Beratti Diego E. , Monti Paula , Riccio Patricia M. , Mazia Claudio
Published: August 2013

Background. Recurrent ischemic stroke is associated with adverse neurological outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation. There is very scarce information regarding the neurological outcome of atrial fibrillation patients undergoing repeated systemic thrombolysis after early recurrent ischemic stroke.Clinical Case and Discussion. We describe a case of a 76-year-old woman with known paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who was admitted because of an acute right middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke and who underwent repeated systemic thrombolysis within 110 hours. The patient underwent systemic thrombolysis after the first ischemic stroke with almost complete neurological recovery. On the fourth day after treatment, an acute left middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke was diagnosed and she was treated with full-dose intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. A hemorrhagic transformation of the left middle cerebral artery infarction was noted on follow-up cranial computed tomographic scans. The patient did not recover from the second cerebrovascular event and died 25 days after admission.Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case reporting the adverse neurological outcome of a patient with diagnosis of atrial fibrillation undergoing repeated systemic thrombolysis after early recurrent ischemic stroke. Our report represents a contribution to the scarce available evidence suggesting that repeated systemic thrombolysis for recurrent ischemic stroke should be avoided.
Effects of Laser Acupuncture on Longitudinal Bone Growth in Adolescent Rats
Authors: Yeom Mijung , Kim Sung-Hun , Lee Bina , Zhang Xiuyu , Lee Hyangsook , Hahm Dae-Hyun , Sohn Youngjoo , Lee Hyejung
Published: August 2013

Longitudinal bone growth is the results of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy and subsequent endochondral ossification in the growth plate. Recently, laser acupuncture (LA), an intervention to stimulate acupoint with low-level laser irradiation, has been suggested as an intervention to improve the longitudinal bone growth. This study investigated the effects of laser acupuncture on growth, particularly longitudinal bone growth in adolescent male rats. Laser acupuncture was performed once every other day for a total of 9 treatments over 18 days to adolescent male rats. Morphometry of the growth plate, longitudinal bone growth rate, and the protein expression of BMP-2 and IGF-1 in growth plate were observed. The bone growth rate and the heights of growth plates were significantly increased by laser acupuncture. BMP-2 but not IGF-1 immunostaining in growth plate was increased as well. In conclusion, LA promotes longitudinal bone growth in adolescent rats, suggesting that laser acupuncture may be a promising intervention for improving the growth potential for children and adolescents.
Adrenal Gland Metastasis Is an Unusual Manifestation of Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Zaidi Syeda Sadia , Lakhani Vipul T. , Fadare Oluwole , Khabele Dineo
Published: August 2013

This case report describes a woman treated for stage 1 B grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma with surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy who presented 6 months later with pain and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. A large right adrenal mass revealed adenocarcinoma consistent with the endometrial primary.
Microbial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Microfiltration Membranes: A Detailed Characterization Using Model Organisms with Increasing Complexity
Authors: Vanysacker L. , Denis C. , Declerck P. , Piasecka A. , Vankelecom I. F. J.
Published: August 2013

Since many years, membrane biofouling has been described as the Achilles heel of membrane fouling. In the present study, an ecological assay was performed using model systems with increasing complexity: a monospecies assay usingPseudomonas aeruginosaorEscherichia coliseparately, a duospecies assay using both microorganisms, and a multispecies assay using activated sludge with or without spikedP. aeruginosa. The microbial adhesion and biofilm formation were evaluated in terms of bacterial cell densities, species richness, and bacterial community composition on polyvinyldifluoride, polyethylene, and polysulfone membranes. The data show that biofouling formation was strongly influenced by the kind of microorganism, the interactions between the organisms, and the changes in environmental conditions whereas the membrane effect was less important. The findings obtained in this study suggest that more knowledge in species composition and microbial interactions is needed in order to understand the complex biofouling process. This is the first report describing the microbial interactions with a membrane during the biofouling development.
Assessment of Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Screening Methods among Nurses in University Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011
Authors: Lemlem Semarya Berhe , Sinishaw Worknish , Hailu Mignote , Abebe Mesfin , Aregay Alemseged
Published: August 2013

Background. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide and about 465,000 will die from the disease. In Ethiopia breast cancer is the second most often occurring cancer among women. Early diagnosis is especially important for breast cancer because the disease responds best to treatment before it has spread. Objective. To assess knowledge of breast cancer and screening methods among nurses in university hospitals. Method. This cross-sectional descriptive study used simple random sampling on sample of 281 nurses. Structured questionnaires draw out responses about knowledge and screening method of nurses in regard to breast cancer. Bivariate analysis was used principally and variables were then entered to multiple logistic regressions model for controlling the possible effect of confounders and the variables which have significant association were identified on the basis of OR, with 95% CI and P value. Results. The findings of this study revealed that only 156 (57.8%) of them were knowledgeable about breast cancer and its screening and 114 (42.2%) were not. Knowledge of breast cancer was found to be significantly associated with regular course in nursing, family history of respondents, and unit of work. Conclusion and Recommendation. The results of this study indicate that the knowledge of nurses is not satisfying and highlight the need to improve the content in the nursing curriculum and to undergo more workplace training in the area of breast cancer and screening methods.
Fibonacci Collocation Method for Solving High-Order Linear Fredholm Integro-Differential-Difference Equations
Authors: Kurt Ayşe , Yalçınbaş Salih , Sezer Mehmet
Published: August 2013

A new collocation method based on the Fibonacci polynomials is introduced for the approximate solution of high order-linear Fredholm integro-differential-difference equations with the mixed conditions. The proposed method is analyzed to show the convergence of the method. Some further numerical experiments are carried out to demonstrate the method.
The Field and Energy Distributions of the Fundamental Mode in the Solid-Core Photonic Crystal Fibers for Different Geometric Parameters
Authors: Demir Inci Halime , Ozsoy Sedat
Published: August 2013

For a solid core photonic crystal fiber with the triangular lattice, the field and energy distributions of fundamental mode are considered at 1.55 μm wavelength. The silica core is constituted by removing the 7 air holes. The cladding consists of the two-dimensional silica-air photonic crystal with the 4 rings of air holes. The field and energy distributions were investigated for three different values of . Here, d and represent the diameter of air holes and the pitch length, respectively. The simulations show that, for the fixed , the increase in ratio does not cause the considerable changes in the field and energy intensity distributions, but for the fixed , the increase in this ratio affects the intensity distributions reasonably.
Evaluating the Polyphenol Profile in Three Segregating Grape (Vitis viniferaL.) Populations
Authors: Hernández-Jiménez Alberto , Gil-Muñoz Rocío , Ruiz-García Yolanda , López-Roca Jose María , Martinez-Cutillas Adrián , Gómez-Plaza Encarna
Published: August 2013

This paper explores the characteristics of the anthocyanin and flavonol composition and content in grapes from plants resulting from intraspecific crosses ofVitis viniferavarieties Monastrell × Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell × Syrah, and Monastrell × Barbera, in order to acquire information for future breeding programs. The anthocyanin and flavonol compositions of twenty-seven hybrids bearing red grapes and 15 hybrids bearing white grapes from Monastrell × Syrah, 32 red and 6 white from Monastrell × Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13 red from Monastrell × Barbera have been studied. Among the intraspecific crosses, plants with grapes presenting very high concentrations of anthocyanins and flavonols were found, indicating a transgressive segregation for this character, and this could lead to highly colored wines with an increased benefits for human health. As regards the qualitative composition of anthocyanins and flavonols, the hydroxylation pattern of the hybrids that also may influence wine color hue and stability presented intermediate values to those of the parentals, indicating that values higher than that showed by the best parental in this respect will be difficult to obtain. The results presented here can be helpful to acquire information for future breeding efforts, aimed at improving fruit quality through the effects of flavonoids.
Narrow Band Imaging with Magnification Endoscopy for Celiac Disease: Results from a Prospective, Single-Center Study
Authors: De Luca L. , Ricciardiello L. , Rocchi M. B. L. , Fabi M. T. , Bianchi M. L. , de Leone A. , Fiori S. , Baroncini D.
Published: August 2013

In celiac disease (CD), the intestinal lesions can be patchy and partial villous atrophy may elude detection at standard endoscopy (SE). Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) system in combination with a magnifying endoscope (ME) is a simple tool able to obtain targeted biopsy specimens. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between NBI-ME and histology in CD diagnosis and to compare diagnostic accuracy between NBI-ME and SE in detecting villous abnormalities in CD. Forty-four consecutive patients with suspected CD undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy have been prospectively evaluated. Utilizing both SE and NBI-ME, observed surface patterns were compared with histological results obtained from biopsy specimens using the k-Cohen agreement coefficient. NBI-ME identified partial villous atrophy in 12 patients in whom SE was normal, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 92.6%, and 95%, respectively. The overall agreement between NBI-ME and histology was significantly higher when compared with SE and histology (kappa score: 0.90 versus 0.46; P=0.001) in diagnosing CD. NBI-ME could help identify partial mucosal atrophy in the routine endoscopic practice, potentially reducing the need for blind biopsies. NBI-ME was superior to SE and can reliably predict in vivo the villous changes of CD.
Catalytic Synthesis of 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-5,10-dione Derivatives Using Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles as Heterogeneous Catalyst in Green Conditions
Authors: Gharib Ali , Hashemipour Khorasani Bibi Robabeh , Jahangir Manouchehr , Roshani Mina , Safaee Reza
Published: August 2013

We have developed a new methodology for the synthesis of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-5,10-dione derivatives in excellent yields. A new green chemistry protocol with the reusability of the nanoparticle as catalyst has been developed for the synthesis of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-5,10-dione derivatives via one-pot reaction of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, arylaldehydes, and 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione in water as green solvent and using cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) as heterogeneous catalyst. The present methodology affords several advantages such as simple procedure, excellent yields, and short reaction time. The catalyst is inexpensive, stable, easily recycled, and reused for several cycles with consistent activity.
DUSP1Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Obesity-Related Metabolic Complications among Severely Obese Patients and Impact on Gene Methylation and Expression
Authors: Guénard F. , Bouchard L. , Tchernof A. , Deshaies Y. , Hould F. S. , Lebel S. , Marceau P. , Pérusse L. , Vohl M. C.
Published: August 2013

TheDUSP1gene encodes a member of the dual-specificity phosphatase family previously identified as being differentially expressed in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of severely obese men with versus without the metabolic syndrome.Objective.To test the association betweenDUSP1polymorphisms, obesity-related metabolic complications, gene methylation, and expression levels in VAT.Methods.TheDUSP1locus and promoter region were sequenced in 25 individuals. SNPs were tested for association with obesity-related complications in a cohort of more than 1900 severely obese individuals. The impact of SNPs on methylation levels of 36 CpG sites and correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression levels in VAT were computed in a subset of 14 samples.Results.Heterozygotes for rs881150 had lower HDL-cholesterol levels (HDL-C;P=0.01), and homozygotes for the minor allele of rs13184134 and rs7702178 had increased fasting glucose levels (P=0.04and 0.01, resp.). rs881150 was associated with methylation levels of CpG sites located ~1250 bp upstream the transcription start site. Methylation levels of 4 CpG sites were inversely correlated withDUSP1gene expression.Conclusion.These results suggest thatDUSP1polymorphisms modulate plasma glucose and HDL-C levels in obese patients possibly through alterations of DNA methylation and gene expression levels.
Quantitative Analysis of Electroplated Nickel Coating on Hard Metal
Authors: Wahab Hassan A. , Noordin M. Y. , Izman S. , Kurniawan Denni
Published: August 2013

Electroplated nickel coating on cemented carbide is a potential pretreatment technique for providing an interlayer prior to diamond deposition on the hard metal substrate. The electroplated nickel coating is expected to be of high quality, for example, indicated by having adequate thickness and uniformity. Electroplating parameters should be set accordingly for this purpose. In this study, the gap distances between the electrodes and duration of electroplating process are the investigated variables. Their effect on the coating thickness and uniformity was analyzed and quantified using design of experiment. The nickel deposition was carried out by electroplating in a standard Watt’s solution keeping other plating parameters (current: 0.1 Amp, electric potential: 1.0 V, and pH: 3.5) constant. The gap distance between anode and cathode varied at 5, 10, and 15 mm, while the plating time was 10, 20, and 30 minutes. Coating thickness was found to be proportional to the plating time and inversely proportional to the electrode gap distance, while the uniformity tends to improve at a large electrode gap. Empirical models of both coating thickness and uniformity were developed within the ranges of the gap distance and plating time settings, and an optimized solution was determined using these models.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and DFT Study of N′‐(2,4‐Dinitrophenyl)‐2‐Fluorobenzohydrazide
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Arshad Ifzan , Flörke Ulrich
Published: August 2013

A new hydrazide derivative N′‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)‐2‐fluorobenzohydrazide was synthesized and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure was also studied by X‐ray diffraction, and the results of the optimized molecular structure are presented and compared with density functional methods with 631‐G basis set. The calculated results show that the optimized geometry can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters, for example, bond lengths and angles show good agreement with the experimental data.