bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserved transport mechanisms but distinct auxin responses govern shoot patterning in Selaginella kraussiana
Authors: Sanders Heather L. , Langdale Jane A.
Published: February 2013

To provide a comparative framework to understand the evolution of auxin regulation in vascular plants, the effect of perturbed auxin homeostasis was examined in the lycophyte Selaginella kraussiana.

Polar auxin transport was measured by tracing tritiated IAA in excised shoots. Shoots were cultured in the presence of auxin efflux inhibitors and exogenous auxin, and developmental abnormalities were documented.

Auxin transport in Selaginella shoots is exclusively basipetal, as in angiosperms. Perturbed auxin transport results in the loss of meristem maintenance and abnormal shoot architecture. Dichotomous root branching in Selaginella appears to be regulated by an antagonistic relationship between auxin and cytokinin.

The results suggest that basipetal polar auxin transport occurred in the common ancestor of lycophytes and euphyllophytes. Although the mechanisms of auxin transport appear to be conserved across all vascular plants, distinct auxin responses govern shoot growth and development in lycophytes and euphyllophytes.
Genetic manipulation of the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt in rice: overexpression of truncated glutamate decarboxylase (GAD2) and knockdown of γ‐aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA‐T) lead to sustained and high levels of GABA accumulation in rice kernels
Authors: Shimajiri Yasuka , Oonishi Takayuki , Ozaki Kae , Kainou Kumiko , Akama Kazuhito
Published: February 2013

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non‐protein amino acid commonly present in all organisms. Because cellular levels of GABA in plants are mainly regulated by synthesis (glutamate decarboxylase, GAD) and catabolism (GABA‐transaminase, GABA‐T), we attempted seed‐specific manipulation of the GABA shunt to achieve stable GABA accumulation in rice. A truncated GAD2 sequence, one of five GAD genes, controlled by the glutelin (GluB‐1) or rice embryo globulin promoters (REG) and GABA‐T‐based trigger sequences in RNA interference (RNAi) cassettes controlled by one of these promoters as well, was introduced into rice (cv. Koshihikari) to establish stable transgenic lines under herbicide selection using pyriminobac. T1 and T2 generations of rice lines displayed high GABA concentrations (2–100 mg/100 g grain). In analyses of two selected lines from the T3 generation, there was a strong correlation between GABA level and the expression of truncated GAD2, whereas the inhibitory effect of GABA‐T expression was relatively weak. In these two lines both with two T‐DNA copies, their starch, amylose, and protein levels were slightly lower than non‐transformed cv. Koshihikari. Free amino acid analysis of mature kernels of these lines demonstrated elevated levels of GABA (75–350 mg/100 g polished rice) and also high levels of several amino acids, such as Ala, Ser, and Val. Because these lines of seeds could sustain their GABA content after harvest (up to 6 months), the strategy in this study could lead to the accumulation GABA and for these to be sustained in the edible parts.
The multifaceted relationship between leaf water 18O enrichment and transpiration rate
Authors: CERNUSAK LUCAS A. , KAHMEN ANSGAR
Published: February 2013

This article comments on: Transpiration rate relates to within‐ and across‐species variations in effective path length in a leaf water model of oxygen isotope enrichment
Analysis of metabolic flux using dynamic labelling and metabolic modelling
Authors: FERNIE A. R. , MORGAN J. A.
Published: February 2013

Metabolic fluxes and the capacity to modulate them are a crucial component of the ability of the plant cell to react to environmental perturbations. Our ability to quantify them and to attain information concerning the regulatory mechanisms that control them is therefore essential to understand and influence metabolic networks. For all but the simplest of flux measurements labelling methods have proven to be the most informative. Both steady‐state and dynamic labelling approaches have been adopted in the study of plant metabolism. Here the conceptual basis of these complementary approaches, as well as their historical application in microbial, mammalian and plant sciences, is reviewed, and an update on technical developments in label distribution analyses is provided. This is supported by illustrative cases studies involving the kinetic modelling of secondary metabolism. One issue that is particularly complex in the analysis of plant fluxes is the extensive compartmentation of the plant cell. This problem is discussed from both theoretical and experimental perspectives, and the current approaches used to address it are assessed. Finally, current limitations and future perspectives of kinetic modelling of plant metabolism are discussed.
The Arabidopsis tandem CCCH zinc finger proteins AtTZF4, 5 and 6 are involved in light‐, abscisic acid‐ and gibberellic acid‐mediated regulation of seed germination
Authors: BOGAMUWA SRIMATHI , JANG JYAN‐CHYUN
Published: February 2013

Tandem CCCH zinc finger proteins (TZFs) are post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression in animals and yeast. Genetic studies indicate that plant TZFs are involved in hormone‐mediated developmental and environmental responses. We have demonstrated previously that Arabidopsis AtTZF1 can localize to processing bodies (PBs) and stress granules (SGs), and affects abscisic acid (ABA)‐ and gibberellic acid (GA)‐mediated growth, stress and gene expression responses. Here we show that AtTZF4, 5 and 6 are specifically expressed in seeds. Consistent with the observation that their expression levels decline during seed imbibition, AtTZF4, 5 and 6 are up‐regulated by ABA and down‐regulated by GA. Mutant analyses indicate that AtTZF4, 5 and 6 act as positive regulators for ABA‐ and negative regulators for light‐ and GA‐mediated seed germination responses. Results of gene expression analysis indicate that AtTZF4, 5 and 6 affect seed germination by controlling genes critical for ABA and GA response. Furthermore, AtTZF4, 5 and 6 can co‐localize with both PB and SG markers in Arabidopsis cells. Specifically, AtTZF6 can be assembled into PBs and SGs in embryos with the induction of stress hormone methyl jasmonate under the control of native AtTZF6 promoter.
Effects of ureteral stents on risk of bacteriuria in renal allograft recipients
Authors: Chordia P. , Schain D. , Kayler L.
Published: February 2013

Background

Placement of ureteral stents at the time of renal transplantation is thought to decrease the incidence of postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage and stenosis. However, stents may also predispose to post‐transplantation urinary tract infection, which can lead to increased risks of graft dysfunction, sepsis, and death. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of post‐transplantation bacteriuria with ureteral stent placement in renal allograft recipients.

Methods

A retrospective single‐center analysis was conducted to investigate the incidence of bacteriuria in all renal allograft recipients transplanted between January 2007 and March 2009. Recipients were categorized as in the nonstent group (NSTG) or the stent group (STG). Stent removal was performed per protocol at 6 weeks, and all patients were followed for at least 1 year post transplantation. In the NSTG, the incidence of bacteriuria was assessed at 0–6, 6–12, and 12 weeks to 1 year post transplantation. In the STG, bacteriuria was assessed prior to stent removal, 6 weeks after stent removal, and thereafter until 1 year post transplantation.

Results

A total of 395 renal allograft recipients, 183 in the NSTG and 212 in the STG groups, were studied. The overall incidence of bacteriuria within 1 year post transplantation was similar between NSTG and STG (28.0 vs. 24.0%, P = 0.38). No difference was found in the incidence of bacteriuria when NSTG and STG were compared at 0–6 weeks or prior to stent removal (9.7% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.81), at 6–12 weeks, or 6 weeks after stent removal (6.7% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.75), and thereafter for 1 year post transplantation (13.3% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.46). The incidence of graft failure at 1 year was similar in NSTG and STG (6.2% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.6). Urinary anastomotic leakage occurred in none of the NSTG and 2 of the STG recipients. On multivariate analysis, risk factors for bacteriuria were female recipient gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–4.3, P = 0.001), delayed graft function (DGF) (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.8, P = 0.01), and postoperative Foley catheterization for >5 days (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.3–17.6, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Independent risk factors for bacteriuria following kidney transplantation include DGF, prolonged postoperative Foley catheterization, and recipient female gender, but not placement of ureteral stents.
The Fiscal Impact of Immigration in France: A Generational Accounting Approach
Authors: Chojnicki Xavier
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study is to use both static and dynamic frameworks to compare the benefits that immigrants draw from the public system with their contributions through the taxes that they pay. The main conclusion of this paper is that the impact of immigration on welfare systems is weak. Thus, if we compare, on a given date, immigrants' global contribution to the public administration budget with the volume of transfers they receive, immigrants appear to be relatively favoured by the redistribution system. At the same time, even if immigrants seem to pay less taxes and receive more transfers than natives, the difference in distribution between the two populations, with a higher concentration of immigrants in the active age groups and a sparser concentration among the net beneficiaries of the social transfer system, leads to a slightly positive long‐term impact of immigration on public finances. However, the impact of immigration remains very slight compared with the global effort that would have to be undertaken to reduce budgetary imbalances.
Multimode Dynamics of Inextensional Beams on the Elastic Foundation With Two-to-One Internal Resonances
Authors: Wang Lianhua , Ma Jianjun , Yang Minghui , Li Lifeng , Zhao Yueyu
Published: February 2013

The modal interactions and nonlinear responses of inextensional beams resting on elastic foundations with two-to-one internal resonances are investigated and the primary resonance excitations are considered. The multimode discretization and the method of multiple scales are applied to obtain the modulation equations. The equilibrium and dynamic solutions of the modulation equations are examined by the Newton–Raphson, shooting, and continuation methods. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the chaotic dynamics of the beam. It is shown that the nonlinear responses may undergo different bifurcations and exhibit rich nonlinear phenomena. Finally, the effects of the foundation models on the nonlinear interactions of the beam are examined.
Quantifying Function in the Early Embryonic Heart
Authors: Johnson Brennan M. , Garrity Deborah M. , Dasi Lakshmi Prasad
Published: February 2013

Congenital heart defects arise during the early stages of development, and studies have linked abnormal blood flow and irregular cardiac function to improper cardiac morphogenesis. The embryonic zebrafish offers superb optical access for live imaging of heart development. Here, we build upon previously used techniques to develop a methodology for quantifying cardiac function in the embryonic zebrafish model. Imaging was performed using bright field microscopy at 1500 frames/s at 0.76 μm/pixel. Heart function was manipulated in a wild-type zebrafish at ∼55 h post fertilization (hpf). Blood velocity and luminal diameter were measured at the atrial inlet and atrioventricular junction (AVJ) by analyzing spatiotemporal plots. Control volume analysis was used to estimate the flow rate waveform, retrograde fractions, stroke volume, and cardiac output. The diameter and flow waveforms at the inlet and AVJ are highly repeatable between heart beats. We have developed a methodology for quantifying overall heart function, which can be applied to early stages of zebrafish development.
A methodology for image quality evaluation of advanced CT systems
Authors: Wilson Joshua M. , Christianson Olav I. , Richard Samuel , Samei Ehsan
Published: February 2013

Purpose:

This work involved the development of a phantom‐based method to quantify the performance of tube current modulation and iterative reconstruction in modern computed tomography (CT) systems. The quantification included resolution, HU accuracy, noise, and noise texture accounting for the impact of contrast, prescribed dose, reconstruction algorithm, and body size.

Methods:

A 42‐cm‐long, 22.5‐kg polyethylene phantom was designed to model four body sizes. Each size was represented by a uniform section, for the measurement of the noise‐power spectrum (NPS), and a feature section containing various rods, for the measurement of HU and the task‐based modulation transfer function (TTF). The phantom was scanned on a clinical CT system (GE, 750HD) using a range of tube current modulation settings (NI levels) and reconstruction methods (FBP and ASIR30). An image quality analysis program was developed to process the phantom data to calculate the targeted image quality metrics as a function of contrast, prescribed dose, and body size.

Results:

The phantom fabrication closely followed the design specifications. In terms of tube current modulation, the tube current and resulting image noise varied as a function of phantom size as expected based on the manufacturer specification: From the 16‐ to 37‐cm section, the HU contrast for each rod was inversely related to phantom size, and noise was relatively constant (<5% change). With iterative reconstruction, the TTF exhibited a contrast dependency with better performance for higher contrast objects. At low noise levels, TTFs of iterative reconstruction were better than those of FBP, but at higher noise, that superiority was not maintained at all contrast levels. Relative to FBP, the NPS of iterative reconstruction exhibited an ∼30% decrease in magnitude and a 0.1 mm−1 shift in the peak frequency.

Conclusions:

Phantom and image quality analysis software were created for assessing CT image quality over a range of contrasts, doses, and body sizes. The testing platform enabled robust NPS, TTF, HU, and pixel noise measurements as a function of body size capable of characterizing the performance of reconstruction algorithms and tube current modulation techniques.
CD19
+
CD24
hi
CD38
hi
B Cells Maintain Regulatory T Cells While Limiting T
H
1 and T
H
17 Differentiation
Authors: Flores-Borja Fabian , Bosma Anneleen , Ng Dorothy , Reddy Venkat , Ehrenstein Michael R. , Isenberg David A. , Mauri Claudia
Published: February 2013

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have fewer regulatory B cells with decreased function, which may be associated with inflammation.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 20 February 2013
Authors: Christman Karen , Frisk Megan
Published: February 2013

A conversation with Karen Christman about the use of a tissue-derived biomaterial to help heal a damaged heart after myocardial infarction.
Reprogramming Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Tanhehco Yvette
Published: February 2013

iPSCs can be generated from CD34
+
HSCs using excisable or nonintegrating viral vector systems.
Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase CTX-M-15-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae of Sequence Type ST274 in Companion Animals
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Nordmann Patrice , Ducroz Sébastien , Boulouis Henri-Jean , Arné Pascal , Millemann Yves
Published: February 2013

Screening of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria in companion animals living in the Paris area in France identified a high rate of CTX-M-15-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Those isolates were recovered during the 2010-2011 period from both infections and asymptomatic colonizations. Sequence typing revealed that most of these isolates belonged to sequence type ST274. Interestingly, the
bla
CTX-M-15
gene was located on a specific and novel plasmid scaffold. These findings highlight that companion animals may be reservoirs for CTX-M-15-producing
K. pneumoniae
evolving separately from the human reservoir of CTX-M-15 producers.
Multiple Legionella pneumophila Type II Secretion Substrates, Including a Novel Protein, Contribute to Differential Infection of the Amoebae Acanthamoeba castellanii, Hartmannella vermiformis, and Naegleria lovaniensis
Authors: Tyson Jessica Y. , Pearce Meghan M. , Vargas Paloma , Bagchi Sreya , Mulhern Brendan J. , Cianciotto Nicholas P.
Published: February 2013

Type II protein secretion (T2S) by
Legionella pneumophila
is required for intracellular infection of host cells, including macrophages and the amoebae
Acanthamoeba castellanii
and
Hartmannella vermiformis
. Previous proteomic analysis revealed that T2S by
L. pneumophila
130b mediates the export of >25 proteins, including several that appeared to be novel. Following confirmation that they are unlike known proteins, T2S substrates NttA, NttB, and LegP were targeted for mutation.
nttA
mutants were impaired for intracellular multiplication in
A. castellanii
but not
H. vermiformis
or macrophages, suggesting that novel exoproteins which are specific to
Legionella
are especially important for infection. Because the importance of NttA was host cell dependent, we examined a panel of T2S substrate mutants that had not been tested before in more than one amoeba. As a result, RNase SrnA, acyltransferase PlaC, and metalloprotease ProA all proved to be required for optimal intracellular multiplication in
H. vermiformis
but not
A. castellanii
. Further examination of an
lspF
mutant lacking the T2S apparatus documented that T2S is also critical for infection of the amoeba
Naegleria lovaniensis
. Mutants lacking SrnA, PlaC, or ProA, but not those deficient for NttA, were defective in
N. lovaniensis
. Based upon analysis of a double mutant lacking PlaC and ProA, the role of ProA in
H. vermiformis
was connected to its ability to activate PlaC, whereas in
N. lovaniensis
, ProA appeared to have multiple functions. Together, these data document that the T2S system exports multiple effectors, including a novel one, which contribute in different ways to the broad host range of
L. pneumophila
.
The Absence of Myocardial Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A
2
γ Results in Impaired Prostaglandin E
2
Production and Decreased Survival in Mice with Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Authors: Sharma Janhavi , Eickhoff Christopher S. , Hoft Daniel F. , Ford David A. , Gross Richard W. , McHowat Jane
Published: February 2013

Cardiomyopathy is a serious complication of Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
. The parasite often infects cardiac myocytes, causing the release of inflammatory mediators, including eicosanoids. A recent study from our laboratory demonstrated that calcium-independent phospholipase A
2
γ (iPLA
2
γ) accounts for the majority of PLA
2
activity in rabbit ventricular myocytes and is responsible for arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
) release. Thus, we hypothesized that cardiac iPLA
2
γ contributes to eicosanoid production in
T. cruzi
infection. Inhibition of the isoform iPLA
2
γ or iPLA
2
β, with the
R
or
S
enantiomer of bromoenol lactone (BEL), respectively, demonstrated that iPLA
2
γ is the predominant isoform in immortalized mouse cardiac myocytes (HL-1 cells). Stimulation of HL-1 cells with thrombin, a serine protease associated with microthrombus formation in Chagas' disease and a known activator of iPLA
2
, increased AA and PGE
2
release, accompanied by platelet-activating factor (PAF) production. Similarly,
T. cruzi
infection resulted in increased AA and PGE
2
release over time that was inhibited by pretreatment with (
R
)-BEL. Further,
T. cruzi
-infected iPLA
2
γ-knockout (KO) mice had lower survival rates and increased tissue parasitism compared to wild-type (WT) mice, suggesting that iPLA
2
γ-KO mice were more susceptible to infection than WT mice. A significant increase in iPLA
2
activity was observed in WT mice following infection, whereas iPLA
2
γ-KO mice showed no alteration in cardiac iPLA
2
activity and produced less PGE
2
. In summary, these studies demonstrate that
T. cruzi
infection activates cardiac myocyte iPLA
2
γ, resulting in increased AA and PGE
2
release, mediators that may be essential for host survival during acute infection. Thus, these studies suggest that iPLA
2
γ plays a cardioprotective role during the acute stage of Chagas' disease.
Diversity Covering AMA1-MSP1
19
Fusion Proteins as Malaria Vaccines
Authors: Faber Bart W. , Younis Sumera , Remarque Edmond J. , Rodriguez Garcia Roberto , Riasat Vanessa , Walraven Vanessa , van der Werff Nicole , van der Eijk Marjolein , Cavanagh David R. , Holder Anthony A. , Thomas Alan W. , Kocken Clemens H. M.
Published: February 2013

To overcome polymorphism in the malaria vaccine candidate
Plasmodium falciparum
apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1), fusion protein chimeras comprised of three diversity-covering (DiCo) PfAMA1 molecules (D1, D2, and D3) and two allelic variants of the C-terminal 19-kDa region of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1
19
) (variants M1 and M2) were generated. A mixture of fusion proteins (D1M1/D2M2D3) and the D1M1D2M2D3 fusion were compared to a single-unit mixture (D1/D2/D3/M1) in an immunological study in groups of rabbits. Following immunization, titers of antibodies (Abs) against four naturally occurring PfAMA1 alleles were high for all groups, as were growth inhibition assay (GIA) levels against two antigenically distinct laboratory parasite strains. Fusion of AMA1 to MSP1
19
did not suppress levels of antibodies against the AMA1 component. In addition, the breadth of antibody responses was unaffected. Anti-AMA1 antibodies were largely responsible for parasite growth inhibition, as shown in reversal-of-inhibition experiments by adding competing AMA1 antigen. For all groups, titration of the MSP1
19
antigen into the GIA led to only a small decrease in parasite inhibition, although titers of antibodies against MSP1
19
were increased 15-fold for the groups immunized with fusion proteins. GIA with affinity-purified anti-MSP1
19
antibodies showed that the 50% inhibitory concentrations of the anti-MSP1
19
antibody preparations were in the same order of magnitude for all animals tested, leading to the conclusion that fusing MSP1
19
to PfAMA1 leads to a small but significant increase in functional antibody levels. This study shows that combination of multiple vaccine candidates in fusion proteins may lead to improved characteristics of the vaccine.
Critical Roles for Lipomannan and Lipoarabinomannan in Cell Wall Integrity of Mycobacteria and Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Fukuda Takeshi , Matsumura Takayuki , Ato Manabu , Hamasaki Maho , Nishiuchi Yukiko , Murakami Yoshiko , Maeda Yusuke , Yoshimori Tamotsu , Matsumoto Sohkichi , Kobayashi Kazuo , Kinoshita Taroh , Morita Yasu S.
Published: February 2013

Lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) are mycobacterial glycolipids containing a long mannose polymer. While they are implicated in immune modulations, the significance of LM and LAM as structural components of the mycobacterial cell wall remains unknown. We have previously reported that a branch-forming mannosyltransferase plays a critical role in controlling the sizes of LM and LAM and that deletion or overexpression of this enzyme results in gross changes in LM/LAM structures. Here, we show that such changes in LM/LAM structures have a significant impact on the cell wall integrity of mycobacteria. In
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, structural defects in LM and LAM resulted in loss of acid-fast staining, increased sensitivity to β-lactam antibiotics, and faster killing by THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, equivalent
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
mutants became more sensitive to β-lactams, and one mutant showed attenuated virulence in mice. Our results revealed previously unknown structural roles for LM and LAM and further demonstrated that they are important for the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

IMPORTANCE
Tuberculosis (TB) is a global burden, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is a causative agent of TB, and understanding the biology of
M. tuberculosis
is essential for tackling this devastating disease. The cell wall of
M. tuberculosis
is highly impermeable and plays a protective role in establishing infection. Among the cell wall components, LM and LAM are major glycolipids found in all
Mycobacterium
species, show various immunomodulatory activities, and have been thought to play roles in TB pathogenesis. However, the roles of LM and LAM as integral parts of the cell wall structure have not been elucidated. Here we show that LM and LAM play critical roles in the integrity of mycobacterial cell wall and the pathogenesis of TB. These findings will now allow us to seek the possibility that the LM/LAM biosynthetic pathway is a chemotherapeutic target.
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders in liver transplant recipients: a clinicopathological study
Authors: Lo Regina Cheuk-lam , Chan See-ching , Chan Kwong-leung , Chiang Alan Kwok-shing , Lo Chung-mau , Ng Irene Oi-lin
Published: February 2013

Background and aims

Complications after liver transplantation are major factors that determine the prognosis of patients. In this study, we aimed at investigating an important though less frequently occurring complication, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD), in a single institution after liver transplantation.

Methods

15 cases with a diagnosis of PTLD in post-liver transplant patients were retrieved from our archive and the clinicopathological features reviewed.

Results

The overall incidence of PTLD was 2.3% (n=15/658), and the incidence was much higher in the paediatric than the adult age groups, being 11.1% (9/81) and 1% (6/577), respectively. The median time of presentation was 16 months after transplantation (occurrence time ranging from 2 to 87 months after transplantation). Lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract and graft liver were the commonest sites of involvement. 11 cases were classified as monomorphic PTLD according to WHO classification and the majority (n=10/11) of them were of B cell differentiation. 12 of the total 15 PTLD cases showed a positive result for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNAs with in situ hybridisation. Eight patients were alive at the time of review, and two of them suffered from recurrence of the PTLD. Among the seven patients who died, six succumbed within 1 year from the diagnosis of PTLD.

Conclusions

Despite its relative rarity as a complication for liver transplantation, PTLD imposes significant effects on the morbidity, mortality and treatment implications in postliver transplant patients. The clinicopathological data would hopefully provide better insight into the surveillance and management for susceptible patients.
AN ALGORITHM FOR SMOKE ROF DETECTION BASED ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
Authors: ZHANG XU , XIE JIANBIN , YAN WEI , ZHONG QIANYI , LIU TONG
Published: February 2013

In this paper, an algorithm for smoke region of focus (ROF) detection based on surveillance video is proposed in order to solve the problem of limited application in scenes range and imaging environment of the traditional smoke detection algorithm. The frog vision perception model is used in this algorithm. First the suspect regions are detected, and then the static and the dynamic features of the regions are chosen for the smoke ROF detection. Experimental results show that the algorithm is efficient and significant for improving the operational rate of the detection.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT ON EPIDEMIC THRESHOLD OF TRAVEL BETWEEN COMMUNITIES OF RESIDENT POPULATIONS
Authors: PATANARAPEELERT KLOT , LOPEZ D. GARCIA , TANG I-MING , DUBOIS MARC A.
Published: February 2013

During the initial phase of an epidemic, individual displacements between different regions modify the contact patterns. Understanding mobility processes and their consequences is necessary to predict the subsequent spread of the disease in order to optimize control policies. The basic reproduction number is commonly used to determine the threshold between extinction and expansion of the disease. Once it is derived for an epidemic model that includes the travel of population between distinct localities, the dependence of the diseases dynamics upon travel rates becomes explicit. In this study, we examine the effects of travel on the epidemic threshold for a model of two communities. The travel rates are treated as varying subject to two scenarios. We show theoretically that if the transmission potentials within communities are moderate, the epidemic threshold can be modified by travel. The conditions for the presence of the threshold induced by travel is determined and the critical values of travel at which the basic reproduction number is equal to one are derived. We show further that these results can also be applied to a model of three communities under specific travel patterns and that the derived basic reproduction number has a form similar to that of the two communities problem.
HIERARCHICAL SPARSE METHOD WITH APPLICATIONS IN VISION AND SPEECH RECOGNITION
Authors: ALSAIDI RAMADHAN ABDO MUSLEH , LI HONG , WEI YANTAO , KHAJI ROKAN , TANG YUAN YAN
Published: February 2013

A new approach for feature extraction using neural response has been developed in this paper through combining the hierarchical architectures with the sparse coding technique. As far as proposed layered model, at each layer of hierarchy, it concerned two components that were used are sparse coding and pooling operation. While the sparse coding was used to solve increasingly complex sparse feature representations, the pooling operation by comparing sparse outputs was used to measure the match between a stored prototype and the input sub-image. It is recommended that value of the best matching should be kept and discarding the others. The proposed model is implemented and tested taking into account two ranges of recognition tasks i.e. image recognition and speech recognition (on isolated word vocabulary). Experimental results with various parameters demonstrate that proposed scheme leads to extract more efficient features than other methods.
Mesozoic magmatic and sedimentary development of the Tavşanlı Zone (NW Turkey): implications for rifting, passive margin development and ocean crust emplacement
Authors: Özbey Zeynep , Ustaömer Timur , Robertson Alastair H. F.
Published: February 2013

Upper Ordovician–Upper Cretaceous high-pressure–low-temperature metasedimentary and meta-igneous rocks in the Dursunbey area provide insights into the Tavşanlı Zone (Anatolides) when compared to crustal units further south (e.g. Afyon Zone and Taurides). Schists near the base of the Tavşanlı Zone succession are cut by a small Upper Ordovician metagranite. This is covered by metaclastic sediments that are interbedded with bimodal rift-related basic-silicic volcanics of inferred Triassic age. Above this is a thick metacarbonate platform interpreted as the result of post-rift subsidence. Overlying metacarbonates, metapelites and metachert with metabasaltic intercalations (Upper Cretaceous?) reflect platform collapse. Overlying mélange contains blocks of ocean-derived intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks (e.g. ocean island-type basalt), metacarbonates and radiolarian chert, set in a low-grade metamorphosed shaly matrix. The Tavşanlı Zone was buried in a north-dipping subduction zone to 74–79 km at
c.
88 Ma, exhumed and tectonically juxtaposed with accretionary mélange prior to the Late Palaeocene–Early Eocene. Geochemical studies of the meta-igneous rocks indicate the presence of ocean island basalt (OIB) and mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) sources modified by crustal contamination, evidenced by Th enrichment and fractional crystallization. A subduction chemical influence in the lower part of the succession (e.g. Nb depletion) was probably derived from subcontinental mantle lithosphere, modified during some previous subduction event (Panafrican?).

supplementary-material:

Full geochemical data are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18570
Role of the Palaeogene–Recent sinistral El-Kabir Lineament and the associated transtensional Neogene–Recent El-Kabir Basin (northern Syria) in distributed deformation between the African and Eurasian plates
Authors: Hardenberg Mathew F. , Robertson Alastair H. F.
Published: February 2013

The El-Kabir Lineament and the El-Kabir Basin further south form part of the southernmost of several sinistral strike-slip lineaments that characterize the distributed Africa–Eurasian collision zone in the easternmost Mediterranean region. Based on onshore field evidence and offshore two-dimensional (2D) seismic evidence, the El-Kabir fault lineament is interpreted as a sinistral strike-slip fault zone that was active at least from Middle Eocene time onwards. The El-Kabir Lineament was probably active in a transpressional mode during Middle Eocene–Early Miocene(?). The fault lineament was then active in a transtensional mode during Miocene–Recent time. The transtension resulted in the formation of the adjacent NE–SW El-Kabir Basin. Continuing subsidence provided the accommodation space for thick sediment accumulation (>3 km) within the El-Kabir Basin and its offshore extension (roughly corresponding to the Latakia Basin). Offshore 2D seismic data confirm that the basin is fault-bounded and that it continued to be active during Pliocene–Recent time. To the NE, the NE–SW El-Kabir Lineament is truncated and offset by the north–south-trending Dead Sea Transform Fault Zone (Ghab Graben), which propagated northwards during the Pliocene. The inferred Neogene–Recent transtension is explicable by kinematic linkage with oceanic crust in the easternmost Mediterranean that is likely to have experienced contemporaneous subduction zone rollback.
Effects of corticosteroids in the development of limb muscle weakness in a porcine intensive care unit model
Authors: Aare Sudhakar , Radell Peter , Eriksson Lars I. , Akkad Hazem , Chen Yi-Wen , Hoffman Eric P. , Larsson Lars
Published: February 2013

Severe muscle wasting is a debilitating condition in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients, characterized by general muscle weakness and dysfunction, resulting in a prolonged mobilization, delayed weaning from the ventilator, and a decreased quality of life post-ICU. The mechanisms underlying limb muscle weakness in ICU patients are complex and involve the impact of primary disease, but also factors common to critically ill ICU patients such as sepsis, mechanical ventilation (MV), immobilization, and systemic administration of corticosteroids (CS). These factors may have additive negative effects on skeletal muscle structure and function, but their respective role alone remain unknown. The primary aim of this study was to examine how CS administration potentiates ventilator and immobilization-related limb muscle dysfunction at the gene level. Comparing biceps femoris gene expression in pigs exposed to MV and CS for 5 days with only MV pigs for the same duration of time showed a distinct deregulation of 186 genes according to microarray. Surprisingly, the decreased force-generation capacity at the single muscle fiber reported in response to the addition of CS administration in mechanically ventilated and immobilized pigs was not associated with an additional upregulation of proteolytic pathways. On the other hand, an altered expression of genes regulating kinase activity, cell cycle, transcription, channel regulation, oxidative stress response, cytoskeletal, sarcomeric, and heat shock protein, as well as protein synthesis at the translational level, appears to play an additive deleterious role for the limb muscle weakness in immobilized ICU patients.
Characterization of the rat developmental liver transcriptome
Authors: Chapple Richard H. , Tizioto Polyana C. , Wells Kevin D. , Givan Scott A. , Kim JaeWoo , McKay Stephanie D. , Schnabel Robert D. , Taylor Jeremy F.
Published: February 2013

Gene regulation and transcriptome studies have been enabled by the development of RNA-Seq applications for high-throughput sequencing platforms. Next generation sequencing is remarkably efficient and avoids many issues inherent in hybridization-based microarray methodologies including the exon-specific dependence of probe design. Biologically relevant transcripts including messenger and regulatory RNAs may now be quantified and annotated regardless of whether they have previously been observed. We used RNA-Seq to investigate global patterns of gene expression in early developing rat liver. Liver samples from timed-pregnant Lewis rats were collected at six fetal and neonatal stages [embryonic day (E)14, E16, E18, E20, postnatal day (P)1, P7], transcripts were sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2000, and data analysis was performed with the Tuxedo software suite. Genes and isoforms differing in abundance were queried for enrichment within functionally related gene groups using the Functional Annotation Tool of the DAVID Bioinformatics Database. While hematopoietic gene expression is initiated by E14, hepatocyte maturation is a gradual process involving clusters of genes responsible for response to nutrients and enzymes responsible for glycolysis and fatty acid catabolism. Following birth, a large cluster of differentially abundant genes was enriched for mitochondrial gene expression and cholesterol synthesis indicating that by 1 wk of age, the liver is engaged in lipid sensing and bile production. Clustering results for differentially abundant genes and isoforms were similar with the greatest difference for the E14/E16 comparison. Finally, a bioinformatic approach was used to annotate 1,307 novel liver transcripts assembled from sequences that aligned to intergenic regions of the rat genome.
Enhanced Antitumor Activity with Combining Effect of mTOR Inhibition and Microtubule Stabilization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Qian , Wong Chi Hang , Lau Cecilia Pik Yuk , Hui Connie Wun Chun , Lui Vivian Wai Yan , Chan Stephen Lam , Yeo Winnie
Published: February 2013

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the microtubules are shown to be potential targets for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PI3K/Akt/mTOR activation is associated with resistance to microtubule inhibitors. Here, we evaluated the antitumor activity by cotargeting of the mTOR (using allosteric mTOR inhibitor everolimus) and the microtubules (using novel microtubule-stabilizing agent patupilone) in HCC models.In vitrostudies showed that either targeting mTOR signaling with everolimus or targeting microtubules with patupilone was able to suppress HCC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cotargeting of the mTOR (by everolimus) and the microtubules (by patupilone, at low nM) resulted in enhanced growth inhibition in HCC cells (achieving maximal growth inhibition of 60–87%), demonstrating potent antitumor activity of this combination.In vivostudies showed that everolimus treatment alone for two weeks was able to inhibit the growth of Hep3B xenografts. Strikingly, the everolimus/patupilone combination induced a more significant antitumor activity. Mechanistic study demonstrated that this enhanced antitumor effect was accompanied by marked cell apoptosis induction and antiangiogenic activity, which were more significant than single-agent treatments. Our findings demonstrated that the everolimus/patupilone combination, which had potent antitumor activity, was a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.
An Efficient Model for Smart Home by the Virtualization of Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Islam Md. Motaharul , Lee Jun Hyuk , Huh Eui-Nam
Published: February 2013

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are gaining tremendous importance thanks to their broad range of commercial applications. Out of the contemporary fields of research in WSNs, the virtualization of wireless sensor network (VSN) is a brand new research approach. In this age of economic recession, this state-of-the-art technology can provide the opportunity to build an economic business model for application area such as smart home. Building smart home is a big challenge for worldwide increasing elderly populations which are the largest demographic group of developed countries. In this paper, we propose a VSN based business model for implementing smart home for the rapidly growing elderly populations of the world in a cost-effective way. We also propose the virtualization architecture of fully functional sensor node known as sensor gateway router and mathematical model for the embedding of VSN node and link to the physical sensor node and links. Finally, we have implemented and evaluated the sensor virtualization scheme in embedded Linux environment. The evaluation method shows that the virtualization of sensor network technology reduces the overall cost and complexity significantly for the implementation of smart home.
Dielectric Relaxation and Hopping Conduction in La2NiO4+δ
Authors: Jung Woo-Hwan
Published: February 2013

An ac conductivity as well as dielectric relaxation property of La2NiO4.1is reported in the temperature range of 77 K–130 K and in the frequency range of 20 Hz–1 MHz. Complex impedance plane plots show that the relaxation (conduction) mechanism in this material is purely a bulk effect arising from the semiconductive grain. The relaxation mechanism has been discussed in the frame of electric modulus spectra. The scaling behavior of the modulus suggests that the relaxation mechanism describes the same mechanism at various temperatures. The logarithmic angular frequency dependence of the loss peak is found to obey the Arrhenius law with the activation energy of~0.09 eV. The frequency-dependent electrical data are also analyzed in the frame of ac conductivity formalism. The ac conductivity has been found to follow a power-law behavior at a limited temperature and frequency region where Anderson localization plays a significant role in the transport mechanism for La2NiO4.1.
The Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Combined with Computer-Based eMPC Algorithm for Tight Glucose Control in Cardiosurgical ICU
Authors: Kopecký Petr , Mráz Miloš , Bláha Jan , Lindner Jaroslav , Svačina Štĕpán , Hovorka Roman , Haluzík Martin
Published: February 2013

Aim. In postcardiac surgery patients, we assessed the performance of a system for intensive intravenous insulin therapy using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and enhanced model predictive control (eMPC) algorithm.Methods. Glucose control in eMPC-CGM group (n=12) was compared with a control (C) group (n=12) treated by intravenous insulin infusion adjusted according to eMPC protocol with a variable sampling interval alone. In the eMPC-CGM group glucose measured with a REAL-Time CGM system (Guardian RT) served as input for the eMPC adjusting insulin infusion every 15 minutes. The accuracy of CGM was evaluated hourly using reference arterial glucose and Clarke error-grid analysis (C-EGA). Target glucose range was 4.4–6.1 mmol/L.Results. Of the 277 paired CGM-reference glycemic values, 270 (97.5%) were in clinically acceptable zones of C-EGA and only 7 (2.5%) were in unacceptable D zone. Glucose control in eMPC-CGM group was comparable to C group in all measured values (average glycemia, percentage of time above, within, and below target range,). No episode of hypoglycemia (<2.9 mmol) occurred in eMPC-CGM group compared to 2 in C group.Conclusion. Our data show that the combination of eMPC algorithm with CGM is reliable and accurate enough to test this approach in a larger study population.
Estimation of Optimum Dilution in the GMAW Process Using Integrated ANN-GA
Authors: Sreeraj P. , Kannan T. , Maji Subhashis
Published: February 2013

To improve the corrosion resistant properties of carbon steel, usually cladding process is used. It is a process of depositing a thick layer of corrosion resistant material over carbon steel plate. Most of the engineering applications require high strength and corrosion resistant materials for long-term reliability and performance. By cladding these properties can be achieved with minimum cost. The main problem faced on cladding is the selection of optimum combinations of process parameters for achieving quality clad and hence good clad bead geometry. This paper highlights an experimental study to optimize various input process parameters (welding current, welding speed, gun angle, and contact tip to work distance and pinch) to get optimum dilution in stainless steel cladding of low carbon structural steel plates using gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Experiments were conducted based on central composite rotatable design with full replication technique, and mathematical models were developed using multiple regression method. The developed models have been checked for adequacy and significance. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques were integrated and labeled as integrated ANN-GA to estimate optimal process parameters in GMAW to get optimum dilution.
Carvacrol Protects against Hepatic Steatosis in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet by Enhancing SIRT1-AMPK Signaling
Authors: Kim Eunkyung , Choi Youngshim , Jang Jihee , Park Taesun
Published: February 2013

We investigated the protective effect of carvacrol against high-fat-diet-induced hepatic steatosis in mice and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Mice were fed a normal diet, high-fat diet, or carvacrol-supplemented high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Compared to mice fed the high-fat diet, those fed the carvacrol-supplemented diet showed significantly lower hepatic lipid levels and reduced plasma activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and tumor necrosis factorα. Carvacrol decreased the expression of LXRα, SREBP1c, FAS, leptin, and CD36 genes and phosphorylation of S6 kinase 1 protein involved in lipogenesis, whereas it increased the expression of SIRT1 and CPT1 genes and phosphorylation of liver kinase B1, AMP-activated protein kinase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation in the liver of mice fed the high-fat diet. These results suggest that carvacrol prevents HFD-induced hepatic steatosis by activating SIRT1-AMPK signaling.
Efficacy ofPlectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng in a Murine Model of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusSkin Abscesses
Authors: de Oliveira Francisco Fábio Martins , Torres Alba Fabiola , Gonçalves Thially Braga , Santiago Gilvandete Maria Pinheiro , de Carvalho Cibele Barreto Mano , Aguiar Milena Braga , Camara Lilia Maria Carneiro , Rabenhorst Silvia Helena , Martins Alice Maria Costa , Valença Junior José Telmo , Nagao-Dias Aparecida Tiemi
Published: February 2013

The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness ofPlectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng against MRSA clinical isolates. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE), the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction and its subfractions were determined by broth microdilution and bioautography against MRSA clinical isolates. The microdilution checkerboard method was used to assess in vitro drug combination studies. To induce abscess formation, bacterial suspensions were added to Citodex and inoculated subcutaneously into male Swiss mice. The treatment protocol consisted of 2 doses of HE, the EA fraction or vancomycin introduced intraperitoneally into mice 3 and 12 h after infection. The EA fraction and its subfractions presented the lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC, 0.25 to 0.5 mg/mL). The plant samples were bacteriostatic at 2x and 4x MIC and bactericidal at 100 mg/mL. The EA fraction presented synergism with vancomycin and an additive effect with ciprofloxacin. A significant reduction of abscess volume, bacterial cell counts in abscess slurries, and inflammatory scores was observed in the HE and EA fraction-treated groups. The samples were effective in treating the animals in a dose-dependent fashion. The present study proved the effectiveness ofP. amboinicusfractions against MRSA using in vitro and in vivo assays.