bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoimmunology in orthodontic tooth movement
Authors: Jiang C , Li Z , Quan H , Xiao L , Zhao J , Jiang C , Wang Y , Liu J , Gou Y , An S , Huang Y , Yu W , Zhang Y , He W , Yi Y , Chen Y , Wang J
Published: July 2014

The skeletal and immune systems share a multitude of regulatory molecules, including cytokines, receptors, signaling molecules, and signaling transducers, thereby mutually influencing each other. In recent years, several novel insights have been attained that have enhanced our current understanding of the detailed mechanisms of osteoimmunology. In orthodontic tooth movement, immune responses mediated by periodontal tissue under mechanical force induce the generation of inflammatory responses with consequent alveolar bone resorption, and many regulators are involved in this process. In this review, we take a closer look at the cellular/molecular mechanisms and signaling involved in osteoimmunology and at relevant research progress in the context of the field of orthodontic tooth movement.
Degeneration in sweetpotato due to viruses, virus‐cleaned planting material and reversion: a review
Authors: Gibson R. W. , Kreuze J. F.
Published: July 2014

This review examines viral degeneration in sweetpotato in different regions of the World, particularly that caused by Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) and Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), comparing impacts on yield in single and complex infections of all the major viruses affecting the crop. How cultivars are generated and virus resistance are also covered, especially for Africa. The synergistic (SPCSV + SPFMV) sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) is amongst the most dramatic diseases of sweetpotato but its overall yield impacts may not be as high as is generally assumed. It is constrained by resistance, roguing and selection of symptomless planting material. Instead, the cumulative impact of individual and combinations of symptomless viruses may be globally greater. These include sweepoviruses and various potyviruses, of which the commonest is SPFMV. A number of aspects of virus‐cleaned planting stocks are identified, including reinfection rates, that need investigating before their use is considered as sustainable in developing countries. Popular East African cultivars appear to sustain their long‐term survival by reverting from symptomless infection. The likely biochemistry of this is discussed, and parallels are drawn with other crops. It is concluded that breeding for this attribute will be the best strategy for achieving long‐term control of most sweetpotato viruses.
How much does it cost to be stylish? Ease, effort, and energy consumption in Benvenuto Cellini's Vita
Authors: Turello Dan
Published: July 2014

Ever since Baldassar Castiglione's Book of the Courtier, sprezzatura, or the art of concealing one's effort, had become a dominant aesthetic code of comportment in Renaissance court culture. Recent scholars have noted how this same discourse about the projection of ease also came to permeate writings about science and the mechanical arts. In this article, I argue that Benvenuto Cellini's Vita offered an alternative to this aesthetic, highlighting, rather than concealing, the physical toil and energetic expenditure required to produce artistic form out of raw matter. This alternative is significant, I contend, especially when considered in the context of the writings of sixteenth‐century engineers like Georgius Agricola, who were beginning to think in terms of the tradeoffs between ore extraction, agricultural production, and human well‐being. Tradeoffs imply effort and difficult choices rather than ease, hence, writers like Cellini and Agricola, by offering an alternative manner of describing costs and energy expenditures, also allowed for a greater degree of awareness of employed resources.
Association between brain activation (fMRI), cognition and school performance in extremely preterm and term born children
Authors: Griffiths Silja Torvik , Aukland Stein Magnus , Markestad Trond , Eide Geir Egil , Elgen Irene , Craven Alexander R , Hugdahl Kenneth
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the study was to investigate a possible association between brain activation in functional magnetic resonance imaging scans, cognition and school performance in extremely preterm children and term born controls. Twenty eight preterm and 28 term born children were scanned while performing a working memory/selective attention task, and school results from national standardized tests were collected. Brain activation maps reflected difference in cognitive skills but not in school performance. Differences in brain activation were found between children born preterm and at term, and between high and low performers in cognitive tests. However, the differences were located in different brain areas. The implication may be that lack of cognitive skills does not alone explain low performance due to prematurity.
Narrating Culture on the Web: An Audience-Generated Exhibit
Authors: Pettice Mary
Published: July 2014

Narrating Culture on the Web: An Audience-Generated Exhibit
Viewing T Cell Biology Through a Genomic Lens
Authors: Maus Marcela V.
Published: July 2014

Deep sequencing of single T cells simultaneously identifies information about their antigen specificity, clonal ancestry, and function.
The Art of War on Viruses
Authors: Dela Cruz Charles S.
Published: July 2014

Computation-based protein design reveals a potent inhibitor of the Epstein-Barr viral protein that prevents apoptosis of the infected host cell.
Unprecedented High-Resolution View of Bacterial Operon Architecture Revealed by RNA Sequencing
Authors: Conway Tyrrell , Creecy James P. , Maddox Scott M. , Grissom Joe E. , Conkle Trevor L. , Shadid Tyler M. , Teramoto Jun , San Miguel Phillip , Shimada Tomohiro , Ishihama Akira , Mori Hirotada , Wanner Barry L.
Published: July 2014

We analyzed the transcriptome of
Escherichia coli
K-12 by strand-specific RNA sequencing at single-nucleotide resolution during steady-state (logarithmic-phase) growth and upon entry into stationary phase in glucose minimal medium. To generate high-resolution transcriptome maps, we developed an organizational schema which showed that in practice only three features are required to define operon architecture: the promoter, terminator, and deep RNA sequence read coverage. We precisely annotated 2,122 promoters and 1,774 terminators, defining 1,510 operons with an average of 1.98 genes per operon. Our analyses revealed an unprecedented view of
E. coli
operon architecture. A large proportion (36%) of operons are complex with internal promoters or terminators that generate multiple transcription units. For 43% of operons, we observed differential expression of polycistronic genes, despite being in the same operons, indicating that
E. coli
operon architecture allows fine-tuning of gene expression. We found that 276 of 370 convergent operons terminate inefficiently, generating complementary 3′ transcript ends which overlap on average by 286 nucleotides, and 136 of 388 divergent operons have promoters arranged such that their 5′ ends overlap on average by 168 nucleotides. We found 89 antisense transcripts of 397-nucleotide average length, 7 unannotated transcripts within intergenic regions, and 18 sense transcripts that completely overlap operons on the opposite strand. Of 519 overlapping transcripts, 75% correspond to sequences that are highly conserved in
E. coli
(>50 genomes). Our data extend recent studies showing unexpected transcriptome complexity in several bacteria and suggest that antisense RNA regulation is widespread.

IMPORTANCE
We precisely mapped the 5′ and 3′ ends of RNA transcripts across the
E. coli
K-12 genome by using a single-nucleotide analytical approach. Our resulting high-resolution transcriptome maps show that ca. one-third of
E. coli
operons are complex, with internal promoters and terminators generating multiple transcription units and allowing differential gene expression within these operons. We discovered extensive antisense transcription that results from more than 500 operons, which fully overlap or extensively overlap adjacent divergent or convergent operons. The genomic regions corresponding to these antisense transcripts are highly conserved in
E. coli
(including
Shigella
species), although it remains to be proven whether or not they are functional. Our observations of features unearthed by single-nucleotide transcriptome mapping suggest that deeper layers of transcriptional regulation in bacteria are likely to be revealed in the future.
Thyroid storm following suicide attempt by hanging
Authors: Shrum J M , Byers B , Parhar K
Published: July 2014

A 19-year-old woman with asphyxiation complicated by cardiac arrest, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt by hanging, developed an uncommon complication of trauma-induced thyroid storm. She was initially admitted to the intensive care unit intubated and mechanically ventilated for postcardiac arrest management. Investigation of thyroid storm was pursued after the patient was noted to be persistently hypertensive, tachycardic and agitated despite high levels of sedation. Thyroid function tests confirmed the clinical suspicion of progressive thyrotoxicosis, with associated imaging consistent with thyroid inflammation secondary to band-like traumatic pressure to the lower half of the thyroid gland. Treatment with β-blockers and a thionamide resulted in the eventual resolution of her thyroid storm state and normalisation of her thyroid function. We conclude that traumatically induced thyroid storm should be considered in all hypermetabolic patients following blunt neck injuries including hanging, and that traditional treatment of hyperthyroidism can be successfully applied.
An unusual case of iatrogenic haemoptysis
Authors: Pal Kavita , Seeram Vandana Kavita , Cury James Davis
Published: July 2014

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes and lung masses is a powerful tool in the diagnostic evaluation of mediastinal adenopathies including malignancies. As its use becomes more widespread, few cases have been reported with complications. We present a case of a 57-year-old man who was transferred to our institution for uncontrolled haemoptysis following endobronchial ultrasound-guided TBNA. At our institution, emergent bronchoscopy revealed a large clot distal to the right upper lobe bronchus without a visible fistula tract. A CT pulmonary angiogram and a subsequent pulmonary angiogram showed an aneurysm originating from the right superior pulmonary vein. Management was conservative with strict blood pressure control and lowering the left atrial pressure allowed spontaneous resolution of the bleed.
Perspectives of UK Pakistani women on their behaviour change to prevent type 2 diabetes: qualitative study using the theory domain framework
Authors: Penn Linda , Dombrowski Stephan U , Sniehotta Falko F , White Martin
Published: July 2014

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a debilitating disease, highly prevalent in UK South Asians, and preventable by lifestyle intervention. The ‘New life, New you’ (NLNY) physical activity (PA) and dietary intervention for T2D prevention was culturally adapted to better engage minority ethnic populations and tested for feasibility.

Objectives

To investigate Pakistani female participants’ perspectives of their behaviour change and of salient intervention features.

Setting

A community-based 8-week programme of group delivered PA sessions with behavioural counselling and dietary advice, culturally adapted for ethnic minority populations, in an area of socioeconomic deprivation. Participants to NLNY were recruited through screening events in community venues across the town.

Participants

Interviews were conducted with 20 Pakistani female NLNY participants, aged 26–45 (mean 33.5) years, from different parts of town.

Results

Within the a priori Theoretical Domains Framework (intentions and goals, reinforcement, knowledge, nature of the activity, social role and identity, social influences, capabilities and skills, regulation and decision, emotion and environment), we identified the importance of social factors relating to participants’ own PA and dietary behaviour change. We also identified cross-cutting themes as collateral benefits of the intervention including participants’ ‘psychological health’; ‘responsibility’ (for others’ health, especially family members included in the new PA and diet regimes) and ‘inclusion’ (an ethos of accommodating differences).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that culturally adapted interventions for Pakistani women at risk of T2D, delivered via group PA sessions with counselling and dietary advice, may encourage their PA and dietary behaviour change, and have collateral health and social benefits. The NLNY intervention appeared to be acceptable. We plan to evaluate recruitment, retention and likely effect of the intervention on participant behaviour prior to definitive evaluation.
Comparison of KRAS mutation analysis of colorectal cancer samples by standard testing and next-generation sequencing
Authors: Kothari Nishi , Schell Michael J , Teer Jamie K , Yeatman Timothy , Shibata David , Kim Richard
Published: July 2014

Aims

Based on KRAS testing, the subset of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that could benefit from anti-EGFR therapy can be better delineated. Though KRAS testing has become significantly more prevalent over the last few years, methods for testing remain heterogeneous and discordance has been reported between methods.

Methods

In this study, we examined a CRC patient population and compared KRAS testing done in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved laboratories as part of standard clinical care and by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using the Illumina platform. Discordances were further evaluated with manual review of the NGS testing.

Results

Out of 468 CRC patient samples, 77 had KRAS testing done by both CLIA assay and NGS. There were concordant results between testing methodologies in 74 out of 77 patients, or 96% (95% CI 89% to 99%). There were three patient samples that showed discordant results between the two methods of testing. Upon further investigation of the NGS results for the three discordant cases, one sample showed a low level of the mutation seen in the standard testing, one sample showed low tumour fraction and a third did not show any evidence of the mutation that was found with the standard assay. Five patients had KRAS mutations not typically tested with standard testing.

Conclusions

Overall there was a high concordance rate between NGS and standard testing for KRAS. However, NGS revealed mutations that are not tested for with standard KRAS assays that might have clinical impact with regards to the role for anti-EGFR therapy.
Posterior spinal artery aneurysm rupture after ‘Ecstasy’ abuse
Authors: Johnson Jeremiah , Patel Shnehal , Saraf-Lavi Efrat , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad Ali , Yavagal Dileep R
Published: July 2014

Posterior spinal artery (PSA) aneurysms are a rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The commonly abused street drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘Ecstasy’ has been linked to both systemic and neurological complications. A teenager presented with neck stiffness, headaches and nausea after ingesting ‘Ecstasy’. A brain CT was negative for SAH but a CT angiogram suggested cerebral vasculitis. A lumbar puncture showed SAH but a cerebral angiogram was negative. After a spinal MR angiogram identified abnormalities on the dorsal surface of the cervical spinal cord, a spinal angiogram demonstrated a left PSA 2 mm fusiform aneurysm. The patient underwent surgery and the aneurysmal portion of the PSA was excised without postoperative neurological sequelae. ‘Ecstasy’ can lead to neurovascular inflammation, intracranial hemorrhage, SAH and potentially even de novo aneurysm formation and subsequent rupture. PSA aneurysms may be treated by endovascular proximal vessel occlusion or open surgical excision.
Ginkgo biloba on Focal Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yin Bo , Xu Yang , Wei Ruili , Luo Benyan
Published: July 2014

Gingko biloba extract (EGB) has been used in traditional medicines for centuries, and although its application to cerebral ischemia has been of great interest in recent years, high quality evidence-based clinical trials have not been carried out. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the neuroprotective effect of EGB on focal cerebral ischemia in animal models. A systematic literature search was performed using five databases spanning January 1980–July 2013. The outcome was assessed using the effect size, which was based on infarct size and/or neurological score. A total of 42 studies with 1,232 experimental animals matched our inclusion criteria. The results revealed that EGB improved the effect size by 34% compared to the control group. The animal species, the method and time to measure outcome, and the route and dosage of EGB administration affected the variability of the effect size. Mechanisms of EGB neuroprotection were reported as anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory. In conclusion, EGB exerts a significant protective effect on experimental focal cerebral ischemia. However, possible experimental bias should be taken into account in future clinical studies.
Lotus Leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) and its Active Constituents Prevent Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages via JNK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Shing-Hwa , Lu Tien-Hui , Su Chin-Chuan , Lay Ing-Shiow , Lin Hui-Yi , Fang Kai-Min , Ho Tsung-Jung , Chen Kuo-Liang , Su Yi-Chang , Chiang Wen-Chang , Chen Ya-Wen
Published: July 2014

Inflammation is a serious health issue worldwide that induces many diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), sepsis, acute pancreatitis and lung injury. Thus, there is a great deal of interest in new methods of limiting inflammation. In this study, we investigated the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, an aquatic perennial plant cultivated in eastern Asia and India, in anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Results showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2, as well as the mRNA expression and level of IL-6 and TNF-α, while NNE significantly reduced these effects of LPS. LPS also induced phospho-JNK protein expression. The JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 decreased the proteins expression of phospho-JNK, iNOS, COX-2, and the mRNAs expression and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. Further, NNE reduced the protein expression of phospho-JNK. LPS was also found to promote the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus and to decrease the expression of cytosolic IκB. NNE and SP600125 treatment recovered the LPS-induced expression of NF-κB and IκB. While phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 induced by LPS, could not be reversed by NNE. To further investigate the major components of NNE in anti-inflammatory effects, we determined the quercetin and catechin in inflammatory signals. Results showed that quercetin and catechin significantly decreased the proteins expression of iNOS, COX-2 and phospho-JNK. Besides, the mRNAs and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α also decreased by quercetin and catechin treatment in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results showed that NNE and its major components quercetin and catechin exhibit anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the JNK- and NF-κB-regulated pathways and could therefore be an useful anti-inflammatory agent.
Flavonoids from Litsea coreana Decreases TNF-α Secretion from Peritoneal Macrophages in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rats via UPR Pathway
Authors: Zhong Jian , Ma Taotao , Huang Cheng , Liu Huanzhong , Chen Zhaolin , Cao Lu , Li Xiaohui , Li Jun
Published: July 2014

Macrophages play a crucial role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their activation is the initial step of RA. This study was designed to detect the effects of total flavonoids from Litsea coreana Levl. (TFLC) on the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced (CFA-induced) arthritis (AA) in rats and to explore whether inflammatory cytokines were induced by the IRE1/mTORC1/TNF-α-dependant mechanism in peritoneal macrophages. In vivo, our data indicated that TFLC (100, 200 mg/kg, i.g. × 10 days) could significantly suppress secondary paw swelling and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Histopathological figures showed that TFLC treatment improved the morphologic changes of articular cartilages and synovium. Results of RT-PCR and western blotting demonstrated that TFLC suppressed expression of 78-KD glucose regulated protein (GRP78), X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and TNF-α in peritoneal macrophages of AA rats. Collectively, these results indicate that TFLC is able to ameliorate adjuvant-induced arthritis in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing the IRE1/mTORC1/TNF-α-regulated inflammatory response initiated in peritoneal macrophages.
Millettia pachycarpaExhibits Anti-Inflammatory Activity Through the Suppression of LPS-Induced NO/iNOS Expression
Authors: Ye Haoyu , Xie Caifeng , Wu Wenshuang , Xiang Minli , Liu Zhuowei , Li Yanfang , Tang Minghai , Li Shucai , Yang Jianhong , Tang Huan , Chen Kai , Long Chaofeng , Peng Aihua , Chen Lijuan
Published: July 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids isolated from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. The seeds of M. pachycarpa Benth were extracted with ethanol and subjected to chromatographic separation for the isolation of bioactive compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was investigated by evaluating the inhibition ability of NO production, iNOS activity and iNOS protein expression induced by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro and the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in vivo. Molecular docking simulation was also employed to obtain the binding parameters in the binding pocket of iNOS. Thirteen compounds (1–13) were isolated from Chinese herbal medicine M. pachycarpa Benth. Among them, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) and deguelin (7) exhibited remarkable inhibitory rates of 66.5% and 57.7%, respectively, compared with that of 52.5% of indomethacin in LPS-induced macrophages cells. 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) with low toxicity (IC50> 100 μm) exhibited better inhibitory effects to positive control of 1400W on iNOS activity at the concentration of 10 μm. Western blot assay revealed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) inhibited iNOS protein expression in RAW264.7 cells and molecular docking simulation showed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) fit well into the binding pocket of iNOS. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, our data revealed that the anti-inflammatory potential of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 10 mg/kg showed comparable inhibitory ability to indomethacin at 5 h while a higher concentration of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 50 mg/kg showed higher inhibitory activity than indomethacin, which was further confirmed by plasma levels of nitrite. The overall results suggest that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-associated disorders.
Degeneracy between Abelian and non-Abelian strings
Authors: Monin Sergey , Shifman M.
Published: July 2014

In a model that supports both Abelian (Abrikosov–Nielsen–Olesen) and non-Abelian strings we analyze the parameter space to find examples in which these strings not only coexist but are degenerate in tension. We prove that both solutions are locally stable, i.e. there are no negative modes in the string background. The tension degeneracy is achieved at the classical level and is expected to be lifted by quantum corrections. The setup of the model, analogous to that of Witten's superconducting cosmic strings, had been extended to include non-Abelian strings previously [M. Shifman, Phys. Rev. D87, 025025 (2013), arXiv:1212.4823 [hep-th]].
Evolution law of photocounting probability in a diffusion channel
Authors: Fan Hong-Yi , Jia Fang , Zhang Peng-Fei , He Rui
Published: July 2014

We find that in optical fields' diffusion process, the l-photocounting probability formula [Formula: see text] at time t = 0 should be generalized to a new formula [Formula: see text] at time t, where ρ(0) is the initial density operator of the field, Ll is the Laguerre polynomial, : : denotes normal ordering, and ξ is the quantum efficiency of the photocounting detector. This new formula brings much convenience for different ρ0, because for deriving [Formula: see text] there is no need to derive the corresponding ρ(t) in the diffusion channel.
Characteristics of impact-generated plasma with different electron temperature and gas temperature
Authors: Li Jianqiao , Song Weidong , Ning Jianguo , Tang Huiping
Published: July 2014

The characteristics of the plasma with difference between the electron temperature and gas temperature were investigated and the relationship between the plasma ionization degree and the internal energy of a system was obtained. A group of equations included the chemical reaction equilibrium equation, the chemical reaction rate equation and the energy conservation equation were adopted to calculate the electron density, the electron temperature and the atom temperature with a given internal energy. These equations combined with Navier–Stokes (N–S) equations is solved by a smooth particle hydrodynamic (SPH) code. The charges generated in hypervelocity impacts with five different velocities are calculated and verified with the empirical formulas. The influence of a critical velocity for plasma generation is considered in the empirical formula and the parameters are fitted by the numerical results. By comparing with the results in reference, the fitted new empirical formula is verified to be reasonable and useful for a wide range of impact velocity.
Minimum lattice length and ropelength of knots
Authors: Hong Kyungpyo , Kim Hyoungjun , Oh Seungsang , No Sungjong
Published: July 2014

Let Len (K) be the minimum length of a knot on the cubic lattice (namely the minimum length necessary to construct the knot in the cubic lattice). This paper provides upper bounds for Len (K) of a nontrivial knot K in terms of its crossing number c(K) as follows: [Formula: see text] The ropelength of a knot is the quotient of its length by its thickness, the radius of the largest embedded normal tube around the knot. We also provide upper bounds for the minimum ropelength Rop (K) which is close to twice Len (K): [Formula: see text]
REGENERATION OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT WITH SILK-BASED SCAFFOLD IN PORCINE MODEL
Authors: LI ZHENG , HE JIANKANG , LI XIANG , BIAN WEIGUO , ZHANG WENYOU , LI DICHEN , JIN ZHONGMIN , QIU YUSHENG , SNEDEKER JESS G.
Published: July 2014

Silk was widely investigated as a promising scaffold material in ligament tissue engineering. Although a variety of silk scaffolds were developed for the regeneration of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in vitro and in vivo, more investigations should be performed in large animals to translate these findings into clinical applications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using silk-based ACL scaffolds to regenerate damaged ACLs in porcine model. The microstructural organization, tissue regeneration as well as ligament-bone interface of silk implants were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy, micro-computerized tomography, histological and immunohistochemical staining at three and six months postoperatively. The results demonstrated that silk fibers in the ACL scaffolds organized in parallel similar with collagen fibers in native ligaments, which facilitated and guided the penetration of newly regenerated tissue into the pores among silk fibers. Collagen production especially collagen I in silk implants significantly increased from three to six months, and was gradually close to the level of native ligaments. At implant-bone interface, indirect ligament-bone insertion was observed at three months and substantial Sharpey's fibers formed at six months. The results indicated that the silk-based ACL scaffold provides a promising tissue engineering approach for ACL regeneration.
A STUDY OF PR PRACTITIONERS' USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS IN CYPRUS
Authors: KOMODROMOS MARCOS
Published: July 2014

This study is aimed at both researchers and public relations (PR) practitioners. The use of social media tools and technologies — such as blogs, social networking, microblogging, podcasts, etc. — is a very important factor for PR practitioners, helping them to improve important organizational processes. The research employs a mixed methodology, with data being analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. A sample of 25 senior PR practitioners was purposively selected from different sectors in Cyprus using a mixed methodology approach. Understanding how PR practitioners use social media tools in organizations in Cyprus can have a positive impact in terms of more effective branding, stronger brand loyalty and improved marketing, including stronger customer dialogue, reduced internal communications costs, ability to mine and analyze customer data more effectively, improved customer service and support, increased customer satisfaction, and better product development (such as social networking). Previous studies describe the implementation of social media in terms of yes/no. This paper is original and innovative in that it explores how PR practitioners use social media in Cyprus (and to what extent), and how this can benefit their organization as a whole.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE RELATIONAL MARKETING PARADIGM ON THE GOVERNANCE OF THE NOVEL CHANNEL FORMAT NAMED SOCIAL FRANCHISING: AN EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FOUR SOCIAL FRANCHISES FROM THE UK
Authors: ZAFEIROPOULOU FIORI A. , KOUFOPOULOS DIMITRIOS
Published: July 2014

This paper explores the influence of the relational paradigm on the governance structure and performance of the novel inter-organizational format named social franchising. This format has emerged as a channel strategy to tackle the issues of growth and financial sustainability social enterprises face, to enhance the alleviation of poverty and to address the need to reduce fiscal deficits and satisfy social needs. We explore the issue of social franchising from a social network theory perspective through case study analyses of four social franchises active in the United Kingdom. We collected data through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews from the owners of the Social Franchisor. We coded the behavior of actors on the four constructs of governance and performance into eight relational norms and classified outcomes as levels of relational embeddedness. Propositions were developed to explain the outcome of each behavior. Our findings indicate that relational embeddedness plays the preeminent role in the design of the governance structure and the performance of social franchises. We learned that the biggest challenges social franchisors face are the creation of a straightforward clear model, the training of the partners to a different operationally-wise and commercially-wise culture and the ability to focus on supporting the whole network.
Frobenius numbers of Pythagorean triples
Authors: Gil Byung Keon , Han Ji-Woo , Kim Tae Hyun , Koo Ryun Han , Lee Bon Woo , Lee Jaehoon , Nam Kyeong Sik , Park Hyeon Woo , Park Poo-Sung
Published: July 2014

Given relatively prime integers a1,…, an, the Frobenius number g(a1,…, an) is defined as the largest integer which cannot be expressed as x1a1 +⋯+ xnan with xi nonnegative integers. In this paper, we give the Frobenius number of primitive Pythagorean triples:
Characteristics of Leading Tsunami Waves Generated in Three Recent Tsunami Events
Authors: An Chao , Liu Philip L.-F.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, the time series of ocean water surface elevation, recorded by Deep-ocean Assessment and Recording of Tsunamis (DART) sensors in the Pacific Ocean, during three recent tsunami events — 2010 Chile tsunami, 2011 Tohoku tsunami, and 2012 Haida Gwaii tsunami — are analyzed. The characteristics of leading tsunami waves are examined in terms of their propagation speed, wave period and wave amplitude so as to determine the importance of wave nonlinearity and frequency dispersion. Using the estimated arrival time of leading waves at each DART station and the distance from each station to the epicenter of the corresponding earthquake, the averaged propagation speed of leading waves for each event is calculated. It is found that the wave propagation speed for 2010 Chile tsunami is roughly 190 m/s, and is slightly slower than that of 2011 Tohoku and 2012 Haida Gwaii tsunamis, 210 m/s for both events. Two time scales associated with the leading waves are introduced: the duration of leading wave crest and the leading wave period obtained from a wavelet analysis. The results show that the leading wave crest duration is roughly 15–20 min and the wave period is roughly 25–30 min at most of DART stations for all the three events. The wave nonlinearity and frequency dispersion parameters, being defined as the wave amplitude to water depth ratio and the square of water depth to wavelength ratio, respectively, are calculated for the leading waves. The parameter for wave nonlinearity is found to be smaller than 4.0 × 10-4, while the parameter for frequency dispersion is smaller than 0.02 at all stations for all the three events. Finally, the cumulative effects of nonlinearity and frequency dispersion for the leading waves are investigated. It is found that the distances between the epicenter and all DART stations in each event are much smaller than those required for the nonlinearity and/or frequency dispersive effects to become significant.
Intrinsic bursting of AII amacrine cells underlies oscillations in the rd1 mouse retina
Authors: Choi Hannah , Zhang Lei , Cembrowski Mark S. , Sabottke Carl F. , Markowitz Alexander L. , Butts Daniel A. , Kath William L. , Singer Joshua H. , Riecke Hermann
Published: July 2014

In many forms of retinal degeneration, photoreceptors die but inner retinal circuits remain intact. In the rd1 mouse, an established model for blinding retinal diseases, spontaneous activity in the coupled network of AII amacrine and ON cone bipolar cells leads to rhythmic bursting of ganglion cells. Since such activity could impair retinal and/or cortical responses to restored photoreceptor function, understanding its nature is important for developing treatments of retinal pathologies. Here we analyzed a compartmental model of the wild-type mouse AII amacrine cell to predict that the cell's intrinsic membrane properties, specifically, interacting fast Na and slow, M-type K conductances, would allow its membrane potential to oscillate when light-evoked excitatory synaptic inputs were withdrawn following photoreceptor degeneration. We tested and confirmed this hypothesis experimentally by recording from AIIs in a slice preparation of rd1 retina. Additionally, recordings from ganglion cells in a whole mount preparation of rd1 retina demonstrated that activity in AIIs was propagated unchanged to elicit bursts of action potentials in ganglion cells. We conclude that oscillations are not an emergent property of a degenerated retinal network. Rather, they arise largely from the intrinsic properties of a single retinal interneuron, the AII amacrine cell.
Combination of Acellular Nerve Graft and Schwann Cells-Like Cells for Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Gao Songtao , Zheng Yan , Cai Qiqing , Deng Zhansheng , Yao Weitao , Wang Jiaqiang , Wang Xin , Zhang Peng
Published: July 2014

Objective.To investigate the effect of tissue engineering nerve on repair of rat sciatic nerve defect.Methods.Forty-five rats with defective sciatic nerve were randomly divided into three groups. Rats in group A were repaired by acellular nerve grafts only. Rats in group B were repaired by tissue engineering nerve. In group C, rats were repaired by autogenous nerve grafts. After six and twelve weeks, sciatic nerve functional index (SFI), neural electrophysiology (NEP), histological and transmission electron microscope observation, recovery ratio of wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle, regenerated myelinated nerve fibers number, nerve fiber diameter, and thickness of the myelin sheath were measured to assess the effect.Results.After six and twelve weeks, the recovery ratio of SFI and wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle, NEP, and the result of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers in groups B and C were superior to that of group A (P<0.05), and the difference between groups B and C was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion.The tissue engineering nerve composed of acellular allogenic nerve scaffold and Schwann cells-like cells can effectively repair the nerve defect in rats and its effect was similar to that of the autogenous nerve grafts.
Automatic Defect Detection in Spring Clamp Production via Machine Vision
Authors: Zhu Xia , Chen Renwen , Zhang Yulin
Published: July 2014

There is an increasing demand for automatic online detection system and computer vision plays a prominent role in this growing field. In this paper, the automatic real-time detection system of the clamps based on machine vision is designed. It hardware is composed of a specific light source, a laser sensor, an industrial camera, a computer, and a rejecting mechanism. The camera starts to capture an image of the clamp once triggered by the laser sensor. The image is then sent to the computer for defective judgment and location through gigabit Ethernet (GigE), after which the result will be sent to rejecting mechanism through RS485 and the unqualified ones will be removed. Experiments on real-world images demonstrate that the pulse coupled neural network can extract the defect region and judge defect. It can recognize any defect greater than 10 pixels under the speed of 2.8 clamps per second. Segmentations of various clamp images are implemented with the proposed approach and the experimental results demonstrate its reliability and validity.
Neuronal Ensemble Decoding Using a Dynamical Maximum Entropy Model
Authors: Sin Duho , Kim Jinsoo , Choi Jee Hyun , Kim Sung-Phil
Published: July 2014

As advances in neurotechnology allow us to access the ensemble activity of multiple neurons simultaneously, many neurophysiologic studies have investigated how to decode neuronal ensemble activity. Neuronal ensemble activity from different brain regions exhibits a variety of characteristics, requiring substantially different decoding approaches. Among various models, a maximum entropy decoder is known to exploit not only individual firing activity but also interactions between neurons, extracting information more accurately for the cases with persistent neuronal activity and/or low-frequency firing activity. However, it does not consider temporal changes in neuronal states and therefore would be susceptible to poor performance for nonstationary neuronal information processing. To address this issue, we develop a novel decoder that extends a maximum entropy decoder to take time-varying neural information into account. This decoder blends a dynamical system model of neural networks into the maximum entropy model to better suit for nonstationary circumstances. From two simulation studies, we demonstrate that the proposed dynamic maximum entropy decoder could cope well with time-varying information, which the conventional maximum entropy decoder could not achieve. The results suggest that the proposed decoder may be able to infer neural information more effectively as it exploits dynamical properties of underlying neural networks.
Immunosuppressant-Associated Neurotoxicity Responding to Olanzapine
Authors: Bourgeois James A. , Hategan Ana
Published: July 2014

Immunosuppressants, particularly tacrolimus, can induce neurotoxicity in solid organ transplantation cases. A lower clinical threshold to switch from tacrolimus to another immunosuppressant agent has been a common approach to reverse this neurotoxicity. However, immunosuppressant switch may place the graft at risk, and, in some cases, continuation of the same treatment protocol may be necessary. We report a case of immunosuppressant-associated neurotoxicity with prominent neuropsychiatric manifestation and describe psychiatric intervention with olanzapine that led to clinical improvement while continuing tacrolimus maintenance.
Towards Dynamic Remote Data Auditing in Computational Clouds
Authors: Sookhak Mehdi , Akhunzada Adnan , Gani Abdullah , Khurram Khan Muhammad , Anuar Nor Badrul
Published: July 2014

Cloud computing is a significant shift of computational paradigm where computing as a utility and storing data remotely have a great potential. Enterprise and businesses are now more interested in outsourcing their data to the cloud to lessen the burden of local data storage and maintenance. However, the outsourced data and the computation outcomes are not continuously trustworthy due to the lack of control and physical possession of the data owners. To better streamline this issue, researchers have now focused on designing remote data auditing (RDA) techniques. The majority of these techniques, however, are only applicable for static archive data and are not subject to audit the dynamically updated outsourced data. We propose an effectual RDA technique based on algebraic signature properties for cloud storage system and also present a new data structure capable of efficiently supporting dynamic data operations like append, insert, modify, and delete. Moreover, this data structure empowers our method to be applicable for large-scale data with minimum computation cost. The comparative analysis with the state-of-the-art RDA schemes shows that the proposed scheme is secure and highly efficient in terms of the computation and communication overhead on the auditor and server.
Expression of Acetylcholine Receptors by Experimental Rat Renal Allografts
Authors: Meixner Marion , Atanasova Srebrena , Padberg Winfried , Grau Veronika
Published: July 2014

Chronic allograft injury (CAI) is a major cause for renal allograft dysfunction and characterized by vasculopathies, tubular atrophy, and fibrosis. We demonstrated that numerous leukocytes interact with vascular endothelial cells of allografts and produce acetylcholine, which contributes to vascular remodeling. The cholinergic system might be a promising target for the development of novel therapies. However, neither the cellular mechanisms nor the acetylcholine receptors involved in CAI are known. Kidney transplantation was performed in the Lewis to Lewis and in the Fischer-334 to Lewis rat strain combination, which is an established experimental model for CAI. Expression of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mRNA was quantified in renal tissue by real-time RT-PCR on days 9 and 42 after surgery. We detected CHRNA2–7, CHRNA10, CHRNB2, CHRNB4, and CHRM1–3 mRNA in normal kidneys and in renal transplants. In contrast, CHRNA9, CHRM4, and CHRM5 mRNA remained below the threshold of detection. In renal allografts, CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 mRNA expression were dramatically reduced compared to isografts. In conclusion, we demonstrated that most acetylcholine receptor subtypes are expressed by normal and transplanted kidneys. Allograft rejection downmodulates CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 mRNA. The role of different acetylcholine receptor subtypes in the development of CAI remains to be established.
Scene Consistency Verification Based on PatchNet
Authors: Li Jinjiang , Guo Xiaoqing , Hua Zhen , An Zhiyong
Published: July 2014

In the real world, the object does not exist in isolation, and it always appears in a certain scene. Usually the object is fixed in a particular scene and even in special spatial location. In this paper, we propose a method for judging scene consistency effectively. Scene semantics and geometry relation play a key role. In this paper, we use PatchNet to deal with these high-level scene structures. We construct a consistent scene database, using semantic information of PatchNet to determine whether the scene is consistent. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by a lot of experiments.
Antiperiodic Solutions to Impulsive Cohen-Grossberg Neural Networks with Delays on Time Scales
Authors: Wang Yanqin , Han Maoan
Published: July 2014

We use the method of coincidence degree and construct suitable Lyapunov functional to investigate the existence and global exponential stability of antiperiodic solutions of impulsive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with delays on time scales. Our results are new even if the time scaleT=RorZ. An example is given to illustrate our feasible results.
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with Previous Prostate Surgery and Radiotherapy
Authors: Acar Ömer , Esen Tarık
Published: July 2014

Herein, we will review the available literature about robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in patients who have undergone prostate surgery or radiotherapy. Current data about this topic consists of small case series with limited follow-up. Despite being technically demanding, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) can be considered feasible in either setting. Prostate surgery or prostatic irradiation should not be considered as a contraindication for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Nevertheless, patient counseling about the possible complications and the need for reintervention is of extreme importance in this patient population. Early oncologic and functional results of RARP performed in case of radiorecurrent prostate cancer look promising. Regarding postprostate surgery RARP, some series have reported comparable results, while some have demonstrated more inferior outcomes than those of naive cases. In order to assess the exact functional and oncologic outcome of RARP in patients with previous prostate surgery and radiotherapy, studies enrolling higher number of patients and providing longer follow-up data are needed.
Existence of Solutions for Fractionalq-Integrodifference Equations with Nonlocal Fractionalq-Integral Conditions
Authors: Asawasamrit Suphawat , Tariboon Jessada , Ntouyas Sotiris K.
Published: July 2014

We study a class of fractionalq-integrodifference equations with nonlocal fractionalq-integral boundary conditions which have different quantum numbers. By applying the Banach contraction principle, Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem, and Leray-Schauder nonlinear alternative, the existence and uniqueness of solutions are obtained. In addition, some examples to illustrate our results are given.
Construction of Differential-Methylation Subtractive Library
Authors: Hu Wei , Liang Xiaolei , Dong Tian , Hu Yanfeng , Liu Jie , Mao Lina , Liu Xu , Bi Yurong
Published: July 2014

Stress-induced ROS changes DNA methylation patterns. A protocol combining methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease (MS-RE) digestion with suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to construct the differential-methylation subtractive library was developed for finding genes regulated by methylation mechanism under cold stress. The total efficiency of target fragment detection was 74.64%. DNA methylation analysis demonstrated the methylation status of target fragments changed after low temperature or DNA methyltransferase inhibitor treatment. Transcription level analysis indicated that demethylation of DNA promotes gene expression level. The results proved that our protocol was reliable and efficient to obtain gene fragments in differential-methylation status.