bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cranial remains of
Poposaurus gracilis
(Pseudosuchia: Poposauroidea) from the Upper Triassic, the distribution of the taxon, and its implications for poposauroid evolution
Authors: Parker William G. , Nesbitt Sterling J.
Published: January 2013

The partial postcrania of
Poposaurus gracilis
, a bipedal poposauroid convergent with theropod dinosaurs, has been known for nearly a century, but the skull of
P. gracilis
has proven elusive.
P. gracilis
is part of a clade of morphologically divergent pseudosuchians (poposauroids) whose members are sometimes bipedal, lack dentition (i.e. beaks) and some have elongated neural spines (i.e. sails). However, the timing and acquisition of these character states is unknown given the uncertainty of the skull morphology of the ‘mid-grade’ poposauroid
P. gracilis.
Here, we present the first confirmed skull remains of
P. gracilis
directly associated with diagnostic pelvic elements that overlap with the holotype. The incomplete skeleton (PEFO 34865) from the Chinle Formation of Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona, USA) includes a left maxilla with a large, mediolaterally compressed tooth, left dentary, right prearticular and a partial postcranium. The character states of
P. gracilis
(bipedal, ‘sail-less’ and toothed) demonstrate that the evolution of bipedalism, the origin/loss of a dorsal ‘sail’ and the shift to an edentulous beak are complex in poposauroids.
P. gracilis
is widespread in the Upper Triassic formations in the western USA and is restricted temporally prior to the Adamanian–Revueltian faunal turnover during the Norian.
Overexpression of developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein-2 increases bone loss
Authors: Ke Ke , Sul Ok-Joo , Kim Woon-Ki , Lee Mi-Hyun , Ko Myung-Seok , Suh Jae-Hee , Kim Hyun-Ju , Kim Shin-Yoon , Park Jeong-Woo , Choi Hye-Seon
Published: January 2013

The developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein-2 (DRG2) is a novel subclass of GTP-binding proteins. Many functional characteristics of osteoclasts (OC) are associated with small GTPases. We hypothesized that DRG2 affects bone mass via modulating OC activity. Using DRG2 transgenic mice, we investigated the role of DRG2 in bone remodeling. DRG2 overexpression caused a decrease in bone mass and an increase in the number and activity of OC in vivo. DRG2 overexpression increased fusion, spreading, survival, and resorption activity of OC in vitro . Downregulation of DRG2 by siRNA decreased fusion, spreading, and survival of OC, supporting the observations found in DRG2 transgenic OC. Transgenic mature OCs were larger, with actin rings and higher ERK, Akt, Rac1 and Rho activities than wild-type OCs. Inhibition of these proteins abolished the effects of DRG2 on formation of large OCs with actin rings, implying that DRG2 affects cytoskeleton reorganization in a Rac1/Rho/ERK/Akt-dependent manner. In summary, DRG2 is associated with survival and cytoskeleton organization of OC under influence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and its overexpression leads to elevated bone resorptive activity of OC, resulting in bone loss.
CaSR-mediated interactions between calcium and magnesium homeostasis in mice
Authors: Quinn Stephen J. , Thomsen Alex R. B. , Egbuna Ogo , Pang Jian , Baxi Khanjan , Goltzman David , Pollak Martin , Brown Edward M.
Published: January 2013

Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) homeostasis are interrelated and share common regulatory hormones, including parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D. However, the role of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in Mg homeostasis in vivo is not well understood. We sought to investigate the interactions between Mg and Ca homeostasis using genetic mouse models with targeted inactivation of PTH (PTH KO) or both PTH and the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) (double knockout, DKO). Serum Mg is lower in PTH KO and DKO mice than in WT mice on standard chow, whereas supplemental dietary Ca leads to equivalent Mg levels for all three genotypes. Mg loading increases serum Mg in all genotypes; however, the increase in serum Mg is most pronounced in the DKO mice. Serum Ca is increased with Mg loading in the PTH KO and DKO mice but not in the WT mice. Here, too, the hypercalcemia is much greater in the DKO mice. Serum and especially urinary phosphate are reduced during Mg loading, which is likely due to intestinal chelation of phosphate by Mg. Mg loading decreases serum PTH in WT mice and increases serum calcitonin in both WT and PTH KO mice but not DKO mice. Furthermore, Mg loading elevates serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in all genotypes, with greater effects in PTH KO and DKO mice, possibly due to reduced levels of serum phosphorus and FGF23. These hormonal responses to Mg loading and the CaSR's role in regulating renal function may help to explain changes in serum Mg and Ca found during Mg loading.
Inhibitory mechanism of the nucleus of the solitary tract involved in the control of cardiovascular, dipsogenic, hormonal, and renal responses to hyperosmolality
Authors: Blanch Graziela T. , Freiria-Oliveira André H. , Murphy David , Paulin Renata F. , Antunes-Rodrigues José , Colombari Eduardo , Menani José V. , Colombari Débora S. A.
Published: January 2013

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is the primary site of visceral afferents to the central nervous system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of lesions in the commissural portion of the NTS (commNTS) on the activity of vasopressinergic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, plasma vasopressin, arterial pressure, water intake, and sodium excretion in rats with plasma hyperosmolality produced by intragastric 2 M NaCl (2 ml/rat). Male Holtzman rats with 15–20 days of sham or electrolytic lesion (1 mA; 10 s) of the commNTS were used. CommNTS lesions enhanced a 2 M NaCl intragastrically induced increase in the number of vasopressinergic neurons expressing c-Fos in the PVN (28 ± 1, vs. sham: 22 ± 2 c-Fos/AVP cells) and SON (26 ± 4, vs. sham: 11 ± 1 c-Fos/AVP cells), plasma vasopressin levels (21 ± 8, vs. sham: 6.6 ± 1.3 pg/ml), pressor responses (25 ± 7 mmHg, vs. sham: 7 ± 2 mmHg), water intake (17.5 ± 0.8, vs. sham: 11.2 ± 1.8 ml/2 h), and natriuresis (4.9 ± 0.8, vs. sham: 1.4 ± 0.3 meq/1 h). The pretreatment with vasopressin antagonist abolished the pressor response to intragastric 2 M NaCl in commNTS-lesioned rats (8 ± 2.4 mmHg at 10 min), suggesting that this response is dependent on vasopressin secretion. The results suggest that inhibitory mechanisms dependent on commNTS act to limit or counterbalance behavioral, hormonal, cardiovascular, and renal responses to an acute increase in plasma osmolality.
Higher cardiorespiratory fitness attenuates arterial stiffening associated with the Ala54Thr polymorphism in FABP2
Authors: Fujie Shumpei , Iemitsu Motoyuki , Murakami Haruka , Sanada Kiyoshi , Kawano Hiroshi , Gando Yuko , Kawakami Ryoko , Miyachi Motohiko
Published: January 2013

Fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) Ala54Thr polymorphism is a candidate gene associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Habitual exercise brings higher cardiorespiratory fitness and results in the improvement of cardiovascular disease risk. However, the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness level and FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism on the risk of cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. In the present study, a cross-sectional investigation of 837 Japanese men and women was performed to clarify the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on the relationship between risk of cardiovascular disease and FABP2 Ala54Thr gene polymorphism. The study subjects were divided into high-cardiorespiratory fitness (High-Fit) and low-cardiorespiratory fitness (Low-Fit) groups based on the median value of peak oxygen uptake in each sex and decade. The FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism did not significantly affect carotid β-stiffness or blood pressure. In the Low-Fit group, carotid β-stiffness, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were higher for individuals with the Ala/Ala genotype compared with those with the Ala/Thr or Thr/Thr genotype, whereas no differences were observed in the High-Fit group. Additionally, serum triglyceride and plasma glucose levels were lower and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher in the High-Fit group compared with the Low-Fit group; the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism did not significantly affect these parameters. These results suggest that the higher cardiorespiratory fitness may attenuate the changes in central arterial stiffness and blood pressure that are associated with the FABP2 genotype.
Functional polymorphisms affecting the clinically important arginine-137 residue ofAVPR2do not influence serum sodium concentration at the population level
Authors: Fu Yi , Cheetham Tim , Bourn David , Orwoll Eric , Cohen David M.
Published: January 2013

The protein product of the AVPR2 gene, coding for the arginine vasopressin receptor type 2, is essential for vasopressin-dependent concentration of the urine. The arginine residue at position 137 in the protein product of this gene is uniquely pivotal for function. The R137H mutant inactivates the receptor conferring congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, whereas activating mutations at this same residue (i.e., R137C and R137L) confer pathological water retention in the nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis. These mutations were discovered in human subjects with conspicuous phenotypes in clinical water balance. Prevalence of these polymorphisms among asymptomatic individuals has not been assessed, nor has their contribution to broad interindividual variation in serum sodium concentration; no data addressing minor allele frequency are available. We genotyped two large cohorts using a validated high-throughput Pyrosequencing-based assay that we designed to capture the totality of pathological variation at this important residue. In the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study, all participants were male (i.e., hemizygous for AVPR2 gene on the X-chromosome), and participants were oversampled at the extremes of the population distribution for serum sodium concentration. In the Offspring Cohort of the Framingham Heart Study, male and female participants were genotyped. No pathological variants affecting R137 were detected among the 5,142 AVPR2 alleles successfully genotyped. Even at the population extremes of serum sodium distribution, we estimate minor allele frequency < 0.06%. We conclude that these disease-associated variants are exceedingly uncommon and do not contribute broadly to interindividual variability in serum sodium concentration or to its heritability.
Lagrange Spaces with (γ,β)-Metric
Authors: Shukla Suresh K. , Pandey P. N.
Published: January 2013

We study Lagrange spaces with (γ,β)-metric, where γ is a cubic metric and β is a 1-form. We obtain fundamental metric tensor, its inverse, Euler-Lagrange equations, semispray coefficients, and canonical nonlinear connection for a Lagrange space endowed with a (γ,β)-metric. Several other properties of such space are also discussed.
Integral Estimates for the Potential Operator on Differential Forms
Authors: Johnson Casey , Ding Shusen
Published: January 2013

We develop the local inequalities with new weights for the potential operator applied to differential forms. We also prove the global weighted norm inequalities for the potential operator in averaging domains and explore applications of our new results.
A Hybrid Energy- and Time-Driven Cluster Head Rotation Strategy for Distributed Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ma Guoxi , Tao Zhengsu
Published: January 2013

Clustering provides an effective way to extend the lifetime and improve the energy efficiency of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, the cluster heads will deplete energy faster than cluster members due to the additional tasks of information collection and transmission. The cluster head rotation among sensors is adopted to solve this problem. Cluster head rotation strategies can be generally divided into two categories: time-driven strategy and energy-driven strategy. The time-driven strategy can balance energy consumption better, but it is not suitable for heterogonous WSNs. The energy-driven cluster head rotation strategy has high energy efficiency, especially in heterogonous networks. However, the rotation will become increasingly frequent with the reduction of the nodes residual energy for this strategy, which causes lots of energy waste. In this paper, we propose a hybrid cluster head rotation strategy which combines the advantages of both energy-driven and time-driven cluster head rotation strategies. In our hybrid rotation strategy, the time-driven strategy or energy-driven strategy will be selected according to the residual energy. Simulations show that the hybrid strategy can enhance the energy efficiency and prolong network lifetime in both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks, compared with either single time-driven or energy-driven cluster head rotation method.
On Right Caputo Fractional Ostrowski Inequalities Involving Three Functions
Authors: Pachpatte Deepak B.
Published: January 2013

We establish Ostrowski inequalities involving three functions in right Caputo fractional derivative in spaces.
Role of Calcium Channels in Heavy Metal Toxicity
Authors: Marchetti Carla
Published: January 2013

The role of voltage-dependent Ca channels (VDCC) in the membrane permeation of two toxic metals, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), was studied in mammalian cells. Both metals interact with Ca-binding sites, but, while Cd influx appears to occur mainly through the same pathways as Ca, Pb is also rapidly taken up by different passive transport systems. Furthermore, I compared the effect of Cd in two Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, a wild-type and a modified cell line, which were permanently transfected with an L-type VDCC. When cultures were subjected to a brief (30–60 min) exposure to 50–100 μM Cd, apoptotic features, metal accumulation, and death were comparable in both cell lines although, in transfected cells, the effect of Cd treatment was partially prevented by nimodipine (VDCC antagonist) and enhanced by BayK8644 (VDCC agonist). Thus, expression of L-type Ca channels is not sufficient to modify Cd accumulation and sensitivity to a toxicological significant extent and while both Cd and Pb can take advantage of VDCC to permeate the membrane, these transport proteins are not the only, and frequently not the most important, pathways of permeation.
An Empirical Study of the Effect of Power Law Distribution on the Interpretation of OO Metrics
Authors: Shatnawi Raed , Althebyan Qutaibah
Published: January 2013

Context. Software metrics are surrogates of software quality. Software metrics can be used to find possible problems or chances for improvements in software quality. However, software metrics are numbers that are not easy to interpret. Previous analysis of software metrics has shown fat tails in the distribution. The skewness and fat tails of such data are properties of many statistical distributions and more importantly the phenomena of the power law. These statistical properties affect the interpretation of software quality metrics. Objectives. The objective of this research is to validate the effect of power laws on the interpretation of software metrics. Method. To investigate the effect of power law properties on software quality, we study five open-source systems to investigate the distribution and their effect on fault prediction models. Results. Study shows that power law behavior has an effect on the interpretation and usage of software metrics and in particular the CK metrics. Many metrics have shown a power law behavior. Threshold values are derived from the properties of the power law distribution when applied to open-source systems. Conclusion. The properties of a power law distribution can be effective in improving the fault-proneness models by setting reasonable threshold values.
Amikacin Population Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Kuwaiti Patients
Authors: Matar Kamal M. , Al-lanqawi Yousef , Abdul-Malek Kefaya , Jelliffe Roger
Published: January 2013

Amikacin pharmacokinetic data in Kuwaiti (Arab) intensive care unit (ICU) patients are lacking. Fairly sparse serum amikacin peak and trough concentrations data were obtained from adult Kuwaiti ICU patients. The data were analysed using a nonparametric adaptive grid (NPAG) maximum likelihood algorithm. The estimations of the developed model were assessed using mean error (ME) as a measure of bias and mean squared error (MSE) as a measure of precision. A total of 331 serum amikacin concentrations were obtained from 56 patients. The mean (±SD) model parameter values found wereVc= 0.2302 ± 0.0866 L/kg,kslope= 0.004045 ± 0.00705 min per unit of creatinine clearance,k12= 2.2121 ± 5.506 h−1, andk21= 1.431 ± 2.796 h−1. The serum concentration data were estimated with little bias (ME = −0.88) and good precision (MSE = 13.08). The present study suggests that amikacin pharmacokinetics in adult Kuwaiti ICU patients are generally rather similar to those found in other patients. This population model would provide useful guidance in developing initial amikacin dosage regimens for such patients, especially using multiple model (MM) dosage design, followed by appropriate Bayesian adaptive control, to optimize amikacin dosage regimens for each individual patient.
Smartphone Household Wireless Electroencephalogram Hat
Authors: Szu Harold , Hsu Charles , Moon Gyu , Yamakawa Takeshi , Tran Binh Q. , Jung Tzyy Ping , Landa Joseph
Published: January 2013

Rudimentarybrain machine interfacehas existed for the gaming industry. Here, we propose a wireless, real-time, and smartphone-based electroencephalogram (EEG) system for homecare applications. The system uses high-density dry electrodes and compressive sensing strategies to overcome conflicting requirements between spatial electrode density, temporal resolution, and spatiotemporal throughput rate.Spatial sparsenessis addressed by close proximity between active electrodes and desired source locations and using an adaptive selection ofNactive among10Npassive electrodes to formm-organized random linear combinations of readouts,m≪N≪10N.Temporal sparsenessis addressed via parallel frame differences in hardware. During the design phase, we took tethered laboratory EEG dataset and applied fuzzy logic to compute (a) spatiotemporal average of larger magnitude EEG data centers in 0.3 second intervals and (b) inside brainwave sources by Independent Component Analysis blind deconvolution without knowing the impulse response function. Our main contributions are the fidelity of quality wireless EEG data compared to original tethered data and the speed of compressive image recovery. We have compared our recovery of ill-posed inverse data against results using Block Sparse Code. Future work includes development of strategies to filter unwanted artifact from high-density EEGs (i.e., facial muscle-related events and wireless environmental electromagnetic interferences).
Some Properties of Solutions of Second-Order Linear Differential Equations
Authors: Latreuch Zinelaâbidine , Belaïdi Benharrat
Published: January 2013

We study the growth and oscillation of gf=d1f1+d2f2, where d1 and
d2 are entire functions of finite order not all vanishing identically and f1 and
f2 are two linearly independent solutions of the linear differential equation f′′+A(z)f=0.
The Impairment of Macrophage-to-Feces Reverse Cholesterol Transport during Inflammation Does Not Depend on Serum Amyloid A
Authors: de Beer Maria C. , Wroblewski Joanne M. , Noffsinger Victoria P. , Ji Ailing , Meyer Jason M. , van der Westhuyzen Deneys R. , de Beer Frederick C. , Webb Nancy R.
Published: January 2013

Studies suggest that inflammation impairs reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We investigated whether serum amyloid A (SAA) contributes to this impairment using an established macrophage-to-feces RCT model. Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in SAA1.1 and SAA2.1 (SAAKO) were injected intraperitoneally with3H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages 4 hr after administration of LPS or buffered saline.3H-cholesterol in plasma 4 hr after macrophage injection was significantly reduced in both WT and SAAKO mice injected with LPS, but this was not associated with a reduced capacity of serum from LPS-injected mice to promote macrophage cholesterol effluxin vitro. Hepatic accumulation of3H-cholesterol was unaltered in either WT or SAAKO mice by LPS treatment. Radioactivity present in bile and feces of LPS-injected WT mice 24 hr after macrophage injection was reduced by 36%  (P<0.05)and 80%  (P<0.001), respectively. In contrast, in SAAKO mice, LPS did not significantly reduce macrophage-derived3H-cholesterol in bile, and fecal excretion was reduced by only 45%  (P<0.05). Injection of cholesterol-loaded allogeneic J774 cells, but not syngeneic bone-marrow-derived macrophages, transiently induced SAA in C57BL/6 mice. Our study confirms reports that acute inflammation impairs steps in the RCT pathway and establishes that SAA plays only a minor role in this impairment.
Periodic Solution of the Hematopoiesis Equation
Authors: He Ji-Huan
Published: January 2013

Wu and Liu (2012) presented some results for the existence and uniqueness of the periodic solutions for the hematopoiesis model. This paper gives a simple approach to find an approximate period of the model.
Universal Design: A Step toward Successful Aging
Authors: Carr Kelly , Weir Patricia L. , Azar Dory , Azar Nadia R.
Published: January 2013

The concept of aging successfully has become increasingly important as demographics shift towards an aging population. Successful aging has been defined to include (1) a low probability of disease and disease-related disability; (2) a high level of physical and cognitive functioning; and (3) an active engagement in life. The built environment can create opportunities or constraints for seniors to participate in social and productive activities. Universally designed spaces are more easily accessed and used by a spectrum of people without specialized adaptations. Thus, a universally designed environment creates opportunities for older adults to participate in these activities without the stigmatization associated with adapted or accessible designs. Providing older adults with specific universal design options (e.g., lever handle faucets) has the potential to increase the ease of completing activities of daily living, which promotes a continual engagement in life. Literature regarding universal design is promising; however, its theory requires further attention from professionals designing the built environment, evidence of the significance of its application from academics, and the embracement of its core principles from society. Overall, universal design has the potential to provide a stepping stone toward successful aging.
Protective Effects of Polydatin on Septic Lung Injury in Mice via Upregulation of HO-1
Authors: Li Xiao-hui , Gong Xia , Zhang Li , Jiang Rong , Li Hong-zhong , Wu Meng-jiao , Wan Jing-yuan
Published: January 2013

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects and mechanisms of polydatin (PD) in septic mice. The model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP-)induced sepsis was employed. Pretreatment of mice with PD (15, 45, and 100 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced sepsis-induced mortality and lung injury, as indicated by alleviated lung pathological changes and infiltration of proteins and leukocytes. In addition, PD inhibited CLP-induced serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, lung cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoform (iNOS) protein expressions and NF-κB activation. Notably, PD upregulated the expression and activity of heme oxygenase (HO-)1 in lung tissue of septic mice. Further, the protective effects of PD on sepsis were abrogated by ZnPP IX, a specific HO-1 inhibitor. These findings indicated that PD might be an effective antisepsis drug.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trails
Authors: Wang Zhi-qian , Li Jin-long , Sun Yue-li , Yao Min , Gao Jie , Yang Zhu , Shi Qi , Cui Xue-jun , Wang Yong-jun
Published: January 2013

Background. Osteoporosis is a major health problem for the elderly population. Chinese herb may be beneficial to osteoporosis due to its capability.Objectives. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese medicine treatment on the patients with osteoporosis.Search Methods. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved from different 9 databases.Results. This meta analysis included 12 RCTs involving 1816 patients to compare Chinese herbs with placebo or standard anti-osteoporotic therapy in the treatment of bone loss. The pooled data showed that the percent change of increased BMD in the spine is higher with Chinese herb compared to placebo (lumber spine: WMD = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.04). In the femoral, Chinese herb showed significantly higher increments of BMD compared to placebo (femoral neck: WMD = 0.06, 95% CI: −0.02–0.13). Compared to the other standard anti-osteoporotic drugs, Chinese herbs also show advantage in BMD change (lumber spine: WMD = 0.03, 95% CI: −0.01–0.08; femoral: WMD = 0.01, 95% CI: −0.01–0.02).Conclusions. Our results demonstrated that Chinese herb significantly increased lumbar spine BMD as compared to the placebo or other standard anti-osteoporotic drugs.
One-Phase Problems for Discontinuous Heat Transfer in Fractal Media
Authors: Hu Ming-Sheng , Baleanu Dumitru , Yang Xiao-Jun
Published: January 2013

We first propose the fractal models for the one-phase problems of discontinuous transient heat transfer. The models are taken in sense of local fractional differential operator and used to describe the (dimensionless) melting of fractal solid semi-infinite materials initially at their melt temperatures.
Sums of Products of Cauchy Numbers, Including Poly-Cauchy Numbers
Authors: Komatsu Takao
Published: January 2013

We investigate sums of products of Cauchy numbers including poly-Cauchy numbers: Tm(k)(n)=∑i1+⋯+im=n, i1,…,im≥0(ni1,…,im)ci1⋯cim-1 cim(k) (m≥1,n≥0). A relation among these sums Tmkn shown in the paper and explicit expressions of sums of two and three products (the case of m=2 and that of m=3 described in the paper) are given. We also study the other three types of sums of products related to the Cauchy numbers of both kinds and the poly-Cauchy numbers of both kinds.
Air Pollution Metric Analysis While Determining Susceptible Periods of Pregnancy for Low Birth Weight
Authors: Warren Joshua L. , Fuentes Montserrat , Herring Amy H. , Langlois Peter H.
Published: January 2013

Multiple metrics to characterize air pollution are available for use in environmental health analyses in addition to the standard Air Quality System (AQS) pollution monitoring data. These metrics have complete spatial-temporal coverage across a domain and are therefore crucial in calculating pollution exposures in geographic areas where AQS monitors are not present. We investigate the impact that two of these metrics, output from a deterministic chemistry model (CMAQ) and from a spatial-temporal downscaler statistical model which combines information from AQS and CMAQ (DS), have on risk assessment. Using each metric, we analyze ambient ozone's effect on low birth weight utilizing a Bayesian temporal probit regression model. Weekly windows of susceptibility are identified and analyzed jointly for all births in a subdomain of Texas, 2001–2004, and results from the different pollution metrics are compared. Increased exposures during weeks 20–23 of the pregnancy are identified as being associated with low birth weight by the DS metric. Use of the CMAQ output alone results in increased variability of the final risk assessment estimates, while calibrating the CMAQ through use of the DS metric provides results more closely resembling those of the AQS. The AQS data are still preferred when available.
Combined Data with Particle Swarm Optimization for Structural Damage Detection
Authors: Kang Fei , Li Junjie , Liu Sheng
Published: January 2013

This paper proposes a damage detection method based on combined data of static and modal tests using particle swarm optimization (PSO). To improve the performance of PSO, some immune properties such as selection, receptor editing, and vaccination are introduced into the basic PSO and an improved PSO algorithm is formed. Simulations on three benchmark functions show that the new algorithm performs better than PSO. The efficiency of the proposed damage detection method is tested on a clamped beam, and the results demonstrate that it is more efficient than PSO, differential evolution, and an adaptive real-parameter simulated annealing genetic algorithm.
The 2-(v,11,1) Designs with Unsolvable Block Transitive Automorphism
Authors: Zhao Kun , Dai Shaojun
Published: January 2013

This paper is a contribution to the study of the automorphism groups of 2-(v,k,1) designs. Let 𝒟 be 2-(v,11,1) design and G≤ Aut(D) a block transitive and a point primitive. If G is unsolvable, then Soc(G), the socle of G, is not F42(q2).
Newton-Type Iteration for Tikhonov Regularization of Nonlinear Ill-Posed Problems
Authors: George Santhosh
Published: January 2013

Recently in the work of George, 2010, we considered a modified Gauss-Newton method for approximate solution of a nonlinear ill-posed operator equationF(x)=y, whereF:D(F)⊆X→Yis a nonlinear operator between the Hilbert spacesXandY. The analysis in George, 2010 was carried out using a majorizing sequence. In this paper, we consider also the modified Gauss-Newton method, but the convergence analysis and the error estimate are obtained by analyzing the odd and even terms of the sequence separately. We use the adaptive method in the work of Pereverzev and Schock, 2005 for choosing the regularization parameter. The optimality of this method is proved under a general source condition. A numerical example of nonlinear integral equation shows the performance of this procedure.
High-Fat Diet-Induced Alterations in the Feeding Suppression of Low-Dose Nisoxetine, a Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Authors: Bello Nicholas T. , Walters Amy L. , Verpeut Jessica L. , Cunha Priscila P.
Published: January 2013

Central noradrenergic pathways are involved in feeding and cardiovascular control, physiological processes altered by obesity. The present studies determined how high-fat feeding and body weight gain alter the sensitivity to the feeding suppression and neural activation to a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, nisoxetine. Acute administration of nisoxetine (saline: 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg; IP) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the 24 h refeeding response in male Sprague Dawley rats maintained on standard chow. In a similar fashion, nisoxetine resulted in reductions in blood pressure and a compensatory increase in heart rate. From these studies, the 3 mg/kg dose was subthreshold. In a separate experiment, however, 10 wk exposure to a high-fat diet (60% fat) resulted in weight gain and significant feeding suppression following administration of nisoxetine (3 mg/kg) compared with animals fed a control diet (10% fat). Nisoxetine (3 mg/kg) also resulted in greater neural activation, as measured by c-Fos immunohistochemistry, in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in animals exposed to the high-fat diet. Such data indicate acute nisoxetine doses that suppress food intake can impact cardiovascular measures. It also suggests that the feeding suppression to a low-dose nisoxetine is enhanced as a result of high-fat diet and weight gain.
Construction of Optimal Sets of Frequency Hopping Sequences
Authors: Wen Bin
Published: January 2013

Frequency hopping spread spectrum and direct sequence spread spectrum are two main spread coding technologies. Frequency hopping sequences are needed in FH-CDMA systems. In this paper, a construction of optimal sets of frequency hopping sequences is presented. The construction is based on the set-theoretic characterization of an optimal set of FH sequences.
Macrophage Plasticity and the Role of Inflammation in Skeletal Muscle Repair
Authors: Kharraz Yacine , Guerra Joana , Mann Christopher J. , Serrano Antonio L. , Muñoz-Cánoves Pura
Published: January 2013

Effective repair of damaged tissues and organs requires the coordinated action of several cell types, including infiltrating inflammatory cells and resident cells. Recent findings have uncovered a central role for macrophages in the repair of skeletal muscle after acute damage. If damage persists, as in skeletal muscle pathologies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), macrophage infiltration perpetuates and leads to progressive fibrosis, thus exacerbating disease severity. Here we discuss how dynamic changes in macrophage populations and activation states in the damaged muscle tissue contribute to its efficient regeneration. We describe how ordered changes in macrophage polarization, from M1 to M2 subtypes, can differently affect muscle stem cell (satellite cell) functions. Finally, we also highlight some of the new mechanisms underlying macrophage plasticity and briefly discuss the emerging implications of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cell types in normal versus pathological muscle repair.
The Potential Role of the cABR in Assessment and Management of Hearing Impairment
Authors: Anderson Samira , Kraus Nina
Published: January 2013

Hearing aid technology has improved dramatically in the last decade, especially in the ability to adaptively respond to dynamic aspects of background noise. Despite these advancements, however, hearing aid users continue to report difficulty hearing in background noise and having trouble adjusting to amplified sound quality. These difficulties may arise in part from current approaches to hearing aid fittings, which largely focus on increased audibility and management of environmental noise. These approaches do not take into account the fact that sound is processed all along the auditory system from the cochlea to the auditory cortex. Older adults represent the largest group of hearing aid wearers; yet older adults are known to have deficits in temporal resolution in the central auditory system. Here we review evidence that supports the use of the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds (cABR) in the assessment of hearing-in-noise difficulties and auditory training efficacy in older adults.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Yoga on Stress Reactivity in 6th Grade Students
Authors: Hagins Marshall , Haden Sara C. , Daly Leslie A.
Published: January 2013

There is an increasing interest in developing school programs that improve the ability of children to cope with psychosocial stress. Yoga may be an appropriate intervention as it has demonstrated improvements in the ability of children to manage psychosocial stress. Yoga is thought to improve the control of reactivity to stress via the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The current study examined the effects of yoga compared to a physical education class on physiological response (blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR)) to behavioral stressor tasks (mental arithmetic and mirror tracing tasks). Data analysis of BP and HR was performed using a 2 × 2 × 4 repeated measures ANOVA (time × group × stressor time points). 30 (17 male) 6th graders participated in the study. Yoga did not provide significant differences in stress reactivity compared to a physical education class (group × time: systolic (F(1,28)=.538,P=.470); diastolic (F(1,28)=.1.061,P=.312); HR (F(1,28)=.401,P=.532)). The lack of significant differences may be due to the yoga intervention failing to focus on stress management and/or the stressor tasks not adequately capturing attenuation of stressor response.
Functional Limit Theorem for Products of Sums of Independent and Nonidentically Distributed Random Variables
Authors: Matuła Przemysław , Stępień Iwona
Published: January 2013

We study the weak convergence in the spaceD[0,1]of processes constructed from products of sums of independent but not necessarily identically distributed random variables. The presented results extend and generalize limit theorems known so far for i.i.d. sequences.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Factor 6 Signaling Contributes to Control Host Lung Pathology but Favors Susceptibility againstToxocara canisInfection
Authors: Faz-López Berenice , Ledesma-Soto Yadira , Romero-Sánchez Yolanda , Calleja Elsa , Martínez-Labat Pablo , Terrazas Luis I.
Published: January 2013

UsingSTAT6−/−BALB/c mice, we have analyzed the role of STAT6-induced Th2 response in determining the outcome of experimental toxocariasis caused by embryonated eggs of the helminth parasiteToxocara canis. FollowingT. canisinfection wild-type BALB/c mice developed a strong Th2-like response, produced high levels of IgG1, IgE, and IL-4, recruited alternatively activated macrophages, and displayed a moderate pathology in the lungs; however, they harbored heavy parasite loads in different tissues. In contrast, similarly infectedSTAT6−/−BALB/c mice mounted a weak Th2-like response, did not recruit alternatively activated macrophages, displayed a severe pathology in the lungs, but efficiently controlledT. canisinfection. These findings demonstrate that Th2-like response induced via STAT6-mediated signaling pathway mediates susceptibility to larval stage ofT. canis. Furthermore, they also indicate that unlike most gastrointestinal helminths, immunity against larvae ofT. canisis not mediated by a Th2-dominant response.
Metabolic Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Ferraz-Amaro Iván , González-Juanatey Carlos , López-Mejias Raquel , Riancho-Zarrabeitia Leyre , González-Gay Miguel A.
Published: January 2013

Insulin resistance is an essential feature of the metabolic syndrome that has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understanding how inflammation arising in one tissue affects the physiology and pathology of other organs remains an unanswered question with therapeutic implications for chronic conditions including obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and RA. Adipokines may play a role in the development of atherogenesis in patients with RA. Biologic therapies, such as TNF-αantagonists, that block proinflammatory cytokines have beneficial effects on the insulin resistance that is often observed in patients with RA.
The Influence of Zusanli and Nonmeridian Acupuncture Points on the Survival Rate and Intestinal Tissue Features after Fatal Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats
Authors: Shi Xian , Zhong Yuxian , Yao Jiarui , Hu Sen , Wang Lu , Litscher Gerhard
Published: January 2013

Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: (a) control group (HS); (b) Immediate rehydration group (IFR); (c) ST36 electroacupuncture (EA) delay rehydration group (EA/DFR): EA at ST36 immediately after blood loss with infusion 3 h later; (d) EA nonmeridian rehydration group (SEA/DFR): EA at nonacupuncture sites with rehydration similar to EA/DFR; (e) ST36 EA group (EA): EA at ST36 immediately after blood loss with no rehydration. Forty-five percent of the entire blood volume was taken out to make lethal hemorrhagic shock models. We recorded the survival rate, intestinal tissue DAO content, and microcirculation. The survival rate of the EA/DFR group and the IFR group was significantly higher than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). Twelve hours after blood loss, intestinal tissue DAO content of the EA/DFR group and the IFR group was significantly higher than that of the SEA/DFR group, EA group, and HS group (P<0.05andP<0.01). The mucosal blood flow of the EA/DFR group and the IFR group was significantly higher than the other groups (P<0.05each). We conclude that EA improves the blood pressure and raises the early survival rate of hemorrhagic shock rats, maintains the intestinal barrier function, and improves the degree of intestinal ischemia.
An Anti-Inflammatory Sterol Decreases Obesity-Related Inflammation-Induced Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Dysregulation
Authors: Reading Chris L. , Flores-Riveros Jaime , Stickney Dwight R. , Frincke James M.
Published: January 2013

Obesity-related inflammation-induced insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation were investigated in retrospective analysis of placebo hematologic and metabolic laboratory data from trials associated with increasing chronic low-grade inflammation and body mass index. Studies included healthy subjects and those with progressive stages of metabolic dysregulation, including type 2 diabetes mellitus with uncontrolled hemoglobin A1c. Intrasubject variances in erythroid and metabolic values increased with metabolic dysregulation. Random effects were demonstrated in treatment-naïve diabetes for erythroid, glucose, and HbA1c fluctuations. The anti-inflammatory insulin sensitizer, HE3286, was tested for its ability to decrease obesity-related inflammation-induced insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation in diabetes. HE3286 significantly decreased erythroid and metabolic variances and improved 1,5-anhydroglucitol (a surrogate of postprandial glucose) compared to the placebo group. HE3286 HbA1c decrease correlated with weight loss and inversely with baseline monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in metformin-treated diabetics. Normalization of HbA1c to the 84-day average hemoglobin revealed that HE3286 HbA1c decrease correlated with high baseline MCP-1 and MCP-1 decrease in treatment-naïve diabetics. HE3286 decreased insulin resistance, increased the frequency of decreased day 84 HbA1c in metformin-treated subjects, and decreased day 112 HbA1c in treatment-naïve diabetics. HE3286 may be useful to restore metabolic homeostasis in type 2 diabetes.
Propertiesandfor Bounded Linear Operators
Authors: Rashid M. H. M.
Published: January 2013

We shall consider properties which are related to Weyl type theorem for bounded linear operators , defined on a complex Banach space . These properties, that we callproperty, means that the set of all poles of the resolvent of of finite rank in the usual spectrum are exactly those points of the spectrum for which is an upper semi-Fredholm with index less than or equal to 0 and we callproperty, means that the set of all poles of the resolvent of in the usual spectrum are exactly those points of the spectrum for which is an upper semi--Fredholm with index less than or equal to 0. Properties and are related to a strong variants of classical Weyl’s theorem, the so-called property and property We shall characterize properties and in several ways and we shall also describe the relationships of it with the other variants of Weyl type theorems. Our main tool is localized version of the single valued extension property. Also, we consider the properties and in the frame of polaroid type operators.
First Use of Multiple Imputation with the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System
Authors: Vinnard Christopher , Wileyto E. Paul , Bisson Gregory P. , Winston Carla A.
Published: January 2013

Aims. The purpose of this study was to compare methods for handling missing data in analysis of the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of the high rate of missing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection status in this dataset, we used multiple imputation methods to minimize the bias that may result from less sophisticated methods.
Methods. We compared analysis based on multiple imputation methods with analysis based on deleting subjects with missing covariate data from regression analysis (case exclusion), and determined whether the use of increasing numbers of imputed datasets would lead to changes in the estimated association between isoniazid resistance and death. Results. Following multiple imputation, the odds ratio for initial isoniazid resistance and death was 2.07 (95% CI 1.30, 3.29); with case exclusion, this odds ratio decreased to 1.53 (95% CI 0.83, 2.83). The use of more than 5 imputed datasets did not substantively change the results. Conclusions. Our experience with the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System dataset supports the use of multiple imputation methods in epidemiologic analysis, but also demonstrates that close attention should be paid to the potential impact of missing covariates at each step of the analysis.
Further Results on Colombeau Product of Distributions
Authors: Jolevska-Tuneska Biljana , Atanasova-Pacemska Tatjana
Published: January 2013

Results on Colombeau product of distributions and are derived. They are obtained in Colombeau differential algebra of generalized functions that contains the space of Schwartz distributions as a subspace and has a notion of “association” that is a faithful generalization of the weak equality in .
Weakness and the Inability to Ambulate in a 14-Month-Old Female: A Case Report and Concise Review of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Authors: Bloch Scott A. , Akhavan Mahsa , Avarello Jahn
Published: January 2013

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acquired disease of the peripheral nervous system which causes demyelination and leads to weakness, ataxia, and areflexia. There are a variety of forms of the syndrome, and although it is found in all age groups, it is rare in children less than two years of age. The present complaint of weakness, ataxia, or lower extremity pain in the pediatric population should cause the practitioner to consider GBS in the differential. We describe a case of a 14-month-old girl presenting with weakness and the inability to ambulate who was diagnosed with GBS. The purpose of this paper is to review the emergency medicine diagnosis and management of Guillain-Barre syndrome in children.
Binding Stoichiometry of a Recombinant Selenophosphate Synthetase with One Synonymic Substitution E197D to a Fluorescent Nucleotide Analog of ATP, TNP-ATP
Authors: Preobrazhenskaya Y. V. , Stenko A. I. , Shvarts M. V. , Lugovtsev V. Y.
Published: January 2013

The transformation of the strainDH5αTM-T1Rwith plasmid vector pET11a containing the cloned gene of bacterial selenophosphate synthetase (SPS),selD, from theE. coliBL21-Gold (DE3) strain gives an overproducing strain of SPS with one synonymic substitution, E197D. The transformation efficiency was estimated as 8 × 108CFU/μg plasmid DNA. 28 mg of highly purified preparation of recombinant SPS capable of binding TNP-ATP was eluted from DEAE-Sephadex column in amount of 15 % from the total soluble protein in crude extract. The fluorescent derivative of ATP, 2′(3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine-5′-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), was used as a synthetic analog of the substrate for the monitoring and quantitative analysis of the functional activity of SPS. The non-linear regression analysis of the saturation curve of TNP-ATP binding to D197 SPS with GraphPad Prism software fits to a model with 2 distinct binding sites withKDsdifferent in order. The SPS existence in a form of tetramer in given reaction conditions, in accordance with the concentration stoichiometry of 4 moles of TNP-ATP to 1 mole of recombinant protein, is being discussed. The tetramer structure was predicted with molecular modelling software YASARA and modelled in vacuum using steepest descent minimization energy method. We hypothesize here the recombinant SPS exists as a dimer in solution with two active sites capable of ATP binding in each subunit.