bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroacupuncture Exerts An Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a Rat Tissue Chamber Model of Inflammation via Suppression of Nf-κB Activation
Authors: Liu Fang , Fang Jianqiao , Shao Xiaomei , Liang Yi , Wu Yuanyuan , Jin Yabei
Published: May 2014

Objective

Electroacupuncture (EA) has beneficial effects in patients with various inflammatory diseases. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. As the kappa B inhibitor/nuclear factor-kappa B (IκB/NF-κB) pathway exerts a pivotal role in the mammalian immune response, we examined the involvement of the IκB/NF-κB pathway in EA-induced anti-inflammation.

Methods

Ninety tissue chamber implanted rats were randomly divided into control (C), model (M) and EA (E) groups. Physiological saline and human recombinant interleukin-1β (hr IL-1β) were injected into the rats in groups C and M, respectively, and EA treatment was applied to the rats in group E after IL-1β injection. Nuclear staining of p65 (a subunit of NF-κB) was quantified in the exudate cells by immunohistochemical analysis and IκBα expression in the cytoplasm was quantified by western blot analysis.

Results

Our results showed that, compared with group C, the percentage of cells with nuclear-localised p65 was increased in group M by 71.3%, 50.7% and 33.1% at 1, 5 and 24 h time points (p<0.01), respectively. This increase was fully inhibited in group E at 5 and 24 h time points (p<0.01). The expression of IκBα was stably enhanced in group M (p<0.05) during the test period. Compared with group M, greater expression of IκBα in group E was only observed at the 1 h time point (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Collectively, our data suggest that EA inhibits the nuclear translocation of p65 and increases the expression of IκBα, which leads to the suppression of NF-κB activation in a rat tissue chamber model of inflammation.
A retroperitoneal enteric duplication cyst communicating with the right upper ureter in an infant
Authors: Bal Harshjeet Singh , Kisku Sundeep , Sen Sudipta , Masih Dipti
Published: May 2014

We report an extremely rare case of isolated retroperitoneal enteric duplication cyst with gastric mucosa causing haematuria and dysuria by communicating with the urinary system. A 9-month-old male child was admitted to our hospital with persistent haematuria, dysuria and anaemia. Investigations revealed a retroperitoneal cyst abutting the hydronephrotic non-functioning right kidney. At surgery an isolated retroperitoneal cyst communicating with the right pelviureteric junction was found. The kidney and associated cyst were excised. Histology of the cystic lesion revealed an enteric duplication cyst lined by ectopic gastric mucosa. Isolated retroperitoneal enteric duplication cyst communicating with the urinary tract has not been previously reported in the English literature. We propose that acid secretion into the right renal system was the cause of the haematuria–dysuria syndrome which promptly resolved postoperatively.
A rare case of orthostatic complete atrioventricular block
Authors: Schroers Jade Elizabeth , Gunaruwan Prasad
Published: May 2014

We describe a rare case of syncope caused by complete atrioventricular (AV) block on upright posture. The index case is a 72-year-old man who presented with recurrent syncopal episodes without a significant postural drop on presentation. During his admission we demonstrated reproducible AV block on standing for 15 s.
Comparing population attributable risks for heart disease across the adult lifespan in women
Authors: Brown Wendy J , Pavey Toby , Bauman Adrian E
Published: May 2014

Background

Recent estimates suggest that high body mass index (BMI), smoking, high blood pressure (BP) and physical inactivity are leading risk factors for the overall burden of disease in Australia. The aim was to examine the population attributable risk (PAR) of heart disease for each of these risk factors, across the adult lifespan in Australian women.

Methods

PARs were estimated using relative risks (RRs) for each of the four risk factors, as used in the Global Burden of Disease Study, and prevalence estimates from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, in 15 age groups from 22–27 (N=9608) to 85–90 (N=3901).

Results

RRs and prevalence estimates varied across the lifespan. RRs ranged from 6.15 for smoking in the younger women to 1.20 for high BMI and high BP in the older women. Prevalence of risk exposure ranged from 2% for high BP in the younger women to 79% for high BMI in mid-age women. In young adult women up to age 30, the highest population risk was attributed to smoking. From age 31 to 90, PARs were highest for physical inactivity.

Conclusions

From about age 30, the population risk of heart disease attributable to inactivity outweighs that of other risk factors, including high BMI. Programmes for the promotion and maintenance of physical activity deserve to be a much higher public health priority for women than they are now, across the adult lifespan.
Using Lean principles to optimise inpatient phlebotomy services
Authors: Le Rachel D , Melanson Stacy E F , Santos Katherine S , Paredes Jose D , Baum Jonathan M , Goonan Ellen M , Torrence-Hill Joi N , Gustafson Michael L , Tanasijevic Milenko J
Published: May 2014

Background

In the USA, inpatient phlebotomy services are under constant operational pressure to optimise workflow, improve timeliness of blood draws, and decrease error in the context of increasing patient volume and complexity of work. To date, the principles of Lean continuous process improvement have been rarely applied to inpatient phlebotomy.

Aims

To optimise supply replenishment and cart standardisation, communication and workload management, blood draw process standardisation, and rounding schedules and assignments using Lean principles in inpatient phlebotomy services.

Methods

We conducted four Lean process improvement events and implemented a number of interventions in inpatient phlebotomy over a 9-month period. We then assessed their impact using three primary metrics: (1) percentage of phlebotomists drawing their first patient by 05:30 for 05:00 rounds, (2) percentage of phlebotomists completing 08:00 rounds by 09:30, and (3) number of errors per 1000 draws.

Results

We saw marked increases in the percentage of phlebotomists drawing their first patient by 05:30, and the percentage of phlebotomists completing rounds by 09:30 postprocess improvement. A decrease in the number of errors per 1000 draws was also observed.

Conclusions

This study illustrates how continuous process improvement through Lean can optimise workflow, improve timeliness, and decrease error in inpatient phlebotomy. We believe this manuscript adds to the field of clinical pathology as it can be used as a guide for other laboratories with similar goals of optimising workflow, improving timeliness, and decreasing error, providing examples of interventions and metrics that can be tailored to specific laboratories with particular services and resources.
Augmentation of N-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization of cranial, head, and neck tumors by simultaneous infusion of 5% dextrose solution
Authors: Alaraj Ali , Dashti Reza , Mehta Nikhil K , Goodin Sean , Charbel Fady T , Aletich Victor A
Published: May 2014

Background

N-Butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is an adhesive liquid embolic agent widely used for embolization of cranial, head and neck tumors. Adequate distal penetration of NBCA into vessels with the smallest possible diameter, while preventing its reflux, is still a challenge, even in experienced hands. Simultaneous infusion of 5% dextrose in water solution (D5W) through the guiding catheter has been described before as a technique for improving embolization of dural arteriovenous malformations.

Objective

To describe our experience with a modified D5W guide catheter push technique during embolization of hemorrhagic cranial, head and neck tumors. The embolization technique and pitfalls which might lead to complications are discussed in detail.

Materials

A retrospective series of 20 patients treated with the D5W push technique during embolization of cranial, head and neck lesions between 2007 and 2013 is presented. The goal of embolization was preoperative or palliative embolization of hemorrhagic tumors. Localization and histopathologic diagnosis of lesions, concentration of NBCA used, subsequent surgical treatment, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were evaluated.

Results

A total of 44 arterial pedicles were embolized during 22 treatment sessions. Adequate embolization of the lesions was achieved in all cases. Transient ischemic attack due to atheroma embolization (from the aorta) was seen in one patient (4%). Persistent vascularity of tumor associated with minimal intraoperative bleeding was reported in one patient (4%). Recurrence of epistaxis was reported in two patients diagnosed with Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome.

Conclusions

The D5W push technique during NBCA embolization of cranial, head and neck tumors is a safe and effective method to enhance penetration of the embolizing agent.
Presence of digital dermatitis treponemes on cattle and sheep hoof trimming equipment
Authors: Sullivan L. E. , Blowey R. W. , Carter S. D. , Duncan J. S. , Grove‐White D. H. , Page P. , Iveson T. , Angell J. W. , Evans N. J.
Published: May 2014

Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious foot disease causing severe lameness in dairy cattle (worldwide) and sheep (UK). This study investigated whether DD Treponema phylogroups can be present on equipment used to trim ruminant hooves and, therefore, consider this trimming equipment as a possible vector for the transmission of DD. Equipment was tested after being used to trim DD symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle and sheep hooves, and subsequently after disinfection of equipment. After trimming, ‘Treponema medium /Treponema vincentii ‐like’, ‘Treponema phagedenis ‐like’ and ‘Treponema denticola /T putidum ‐like’ DD spirochaetes, were shown to be present on 23/37 (62%), 21/37 (57%) and 20/37 (54%) of knives, respectively. After disinfection, detection rates for the DD treponemes were 9/37 (24%), 6/37 (16%) and 3/37 (8%), respectively. Following culture of a swab, an isolate belonging to the T phagedenis ‐like spirochaetes was identified from a knife sample after trimming a DD positive cow. No isolates were obtained from knife samples after disinfection. This new data has, for the first time, identified treponemes in the farm environment, and highlighted disinfection of hoof trimming equipment between animals and between farms, as a logical precaution to limit the spread of DD.
Prepubertal gonadectomy in cats: different surgical techniques and comparison with gonadectomy at traditional age
Authors: Porters N. , Polis I. , Moons C. , Duchateau L. , Goethals K. , Huyghe S. , de Rooster H.
Published: May 2014

Feasibility, surgical time and complications of different surgical techniques for prepubertal gonadectomy (PPG; 8–12 weeks of age) in cats were studied and compared to gonadectomy at traditional age (TAG; 6–8 months of age). Kittens were randomly assigned to PPG or TAG. Ovarian pedicle haemostasis for PPG was achieved by ligatures (n=47), vascular clips (n=50), bipolar electrocoagulation (n=50), or pedicle tie (n=50); for TAG (n=34) ligatures were used. In male cats, PPG consisted of closed castration by spermatic cord knot (n=92) or ligature (n=91) while TAG (n=34) was an open castration by spermatic cord knot. A linear (surgical time) and a logistic regression (complications) model were designed. Significance was set at 0.05. For female PPG, clips and coagulation were the fastest procedures; placement of ligatures was most time‐consuming. In male PPG, knot placement was significantly faster than ligation. In both sexes, very few intraoperative or wound complications were observed, irrespective of the surgical technique used. Surgical times in females (ligatures) as well as in males (knot) were significantly shorter for PPG than for TAG. PPG was as safe as TAG, yet took less time to perform and did not result in a greater rate of postoperative complications.
Ultrasonographic anatomy of the sacrococcygeal region and ultrasound‐guided epidural injection at the sacrococcygeal space in dogs
Authors: Gregori T. , Viscasillas J. , Benigni L.
Published: May 2014

Sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia allows selective desensitisation of the sacral plexus. Ultrasound is used for guidance in human anaesthesia to facilitate sacrococcygeal epidural injections. The aims of this study were to describe the sonographic appearance of the sacrococcygeal region in dogs and a technique for performing epidural injection at this location under ultrasound guidance. In the preliminary part of the study four cadavers were used to describe the sonoanatomy of the sacrococcygeal space and to develop the ultrasound‐guided puncture technique. In the second phase of the study this technique was repeated in four dogs under general anaesthesia. In all dogs the sacrococcygeal space appeared as a circular hypoechoic region, located caudal to the sacral caudal articular processes, delimited by bony hyperechoic structures such as body and arch of the first caudal vertebra. Ultrasound guidance allowed the operator to visualise and position the spinal needle into the sacrococcygeal epidural space. No complications were reported during this procedure. Preliminary results indicate that ultrasound‐guided sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia may be considered as an alternative to a blind approach technique.
Postexercise rehydration: potassium-rich drinks versus water and a sports drink
Authors: Pérez-Idárraga Alexandra , Aragón-Vargas Luis Fernando
Published: May 2014

Fluid retention, thirst quenching, tolerance, and palatability of different drinks were assessed. On 4 different days, 12 healthy, physically active volunteers (24.4 ± 3.2 years old, 74.75 ± 11.36 kg body mass (mean ± S.D)), were dehydrated to 2.10% ± 0.24% body mass by exercising in an environmental chamber (32.0 ± 0.4 °C dry bulb, 53.8 ± 5.2% relative humidity). Each day they drank 1 of 4 beverages in random order: fresh coconut water (FCW), bottled water (W), sports drink (SD), or potassium-rich drink (NEW); volume was 120% of weight loss. Urine was collected and perceptions self-reported for 3 h. Urine output was higher (p < 0.05) for W (894 ± 178 mL) than SD (605 ± 297 mL) and NEW (599 ± 254 mL). FCW (686 ± 250 mL) was not different from any other drink (p > 0.05). Fluid retention was higher for SD than W (68.2% ± 13.0% vs. 51.3% ± 12.6%, p = 0.013), but not for FCW and NEW (62.5% ± 15.4% and 65.9% ± 15.4%, p > 0.05). All beverages were palatable and well tolerated; none maintained a positive net fluid balance after 3 h, but deficit was greater in W versus SD (p = 0.001). FCW scored higher for sweetness (p = 0.03). Thirst increased immediately after exercise but returned to baseline after drinking a small volume (p < 0.0005). In conclusion, additional potassium in FCW and NEW did not result in additional rehydration benefits over those already found in a conventional sports drink with sodium.
Two-step thinning fabrication of giant magnetoresistance sensors for flexible applications
Authors: Yin Cong , Xie Dan , Xu Jian-Long , Ren Tian-Ling
Published: May 2014

Spin valve giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors were prepared by a two-step thinning method combining grind thinning and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching together. The fabrication processes of front GMR sensors and backside ICP etching were described in detail. Magnetoresistance ratio of about 4.24% and coercive field of approximately 11 Oe were obtained in a tested bendable GMR sensor. The variations of the magnetic property in GMR sensors were explained mainly from the temperature, ion beam damage and mechanical damage generated by the fabrication process.
Stochastic resonance induced by Lévy noise in a tumor growth model with periodic treatment
Authors: Xu Wei , Hao Mengli , Gu Xudong , Yang Guidong
Published: May 2014

In this paper, the stochastic resonance phenomenon in a tumor growth model under subthreshold periodic therapy and Lévy noise excitation is investigated. The possible reoccurrence of tumor due to stochastic resonance is discussed. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is calculated numerically to measure the stochastic resonance. It is found that smaller stability index is better for avoiding tumor reappearance. Besides, the effect of the skewness parameter on the tumor regrowth is related to the stability index. Furthermore, increasing the intensity of periodic treatment does not always facilitate tumor therapy. These results are beneficial to the optimization of periodic tumor therapy.
NONLINEAR CONTROL OF ROTATING MULTI-TETHERED FORMATIONS IN HALO ORBITS
Authors: CAI ZHIQIN , ZHAO JUN , PENG HAIJUN , QI ZHAOHUI
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear orbit tracking control of rotating multi-tethered satellite formations in Halo orbits. A dynamical formulation is first applied for a rotating multi-tethered formation arranged in a hub-spoke configuration. Then, a new nonlinear optimal tracking control method is proposed for the stabilization of the parent satellite to follow the predefined trajectory. Numerical simulations illustrating the effectiveness of the nonlinear controller are presented. The results show that the actual trajectory of the parent satellite tracks the nominal Halo orbit with good accuracy under the influence of initial injection errors and the perturbations of subsatellites. In addition, the control acceleration and the total fuel cost of the control can be quite reasonable. Furthermore, a number of the relevant parameters that affect the control costs are varied in order to demonstrate the robustness of the nonlinear controller.
USE OF SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS IN STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESSES CONDUCTED IN BRAZIL
Authors: DA SILVA ANTONIO WALDIMIR LEOPOLDINO , SELIG PAULO MAURÍCIO , VAN BELLEN HANS MICHAEL
Published: May 2014

Sustainability indicators (SIs) are important elements in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. By means of Content Analysis, the documentary study underlying this paper aimed to characterise and analyse the use of SIs in the final reports of 32 SEAs conducted in Brazil. The results are that 30 SEAs utilise SIs, aiming to make the baseline of the study (all of them), anticipate and monitor the effects of the plan or program (73.3%), compare scenarios (46.7%) and/or alternatives (26.7%). Reports have shortcomings in addressing the SIs, such as insufficient description of the selection process, no reference to the selection criteria adopted, and the use of vague and poorly formulated SIs, that are often expressed in the form of impact or objective. Other aspects related to SIs are analysed, with the quantification of their occurrence. The study also highlighted good practices identified in SEAs, which may improve the management of SIs in future processes.
Long-term impact of temperature on the hydraulic permeability of bentonite
Authors: Harrington J. F. , Volckaert G. , Noy D. J.
Published: May 2014

In a Swedish repository for the disposal of heat-emitting waste, the long-term thermal stability of the bentonite engineered barrier forms a key component of the safety case. Central to such consideration is the evolution of hydraulic permeability and a potential degradation of hydraulic properties, in response to prolonged thermal exposure of the clay. To address this issue, a detailed programme of laboratory-based experiments has been undertaken at both the British Geological Survey and Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie/Centre d'Etude de L'Energie Nucleaire, in order to examine the hydraulic behaviour of bentonite that had previously been exposed to elevated temperatures. Hydraulic properties were calculated from both steady-state pressure gradients and from analysis of the pressure transients. Inspection of the data found no significant difference in hydraulic behaviour between the virgin material and clay samples taken from the Canister Retrieval Test. Based on these observations, the authors find no evidence for an adverse increase in hydraulic conductivity of bentonite as a result of prolonged thermal exposure to temperatures of 80 °C.
Technical notes
Authors: Chailloux Jerome
Published: May 2014

VCMC1 is a virtual machine designed to observe "in vitro" the behaviour of VLISP interpreters. VCMC1 is actually entirely simulated in VLISP 10. We present a short description of the VCMC1 machine followed by the complete listing of the code of a VLISP interpreter, This interpreter incorporates the special feature for tail-recursion function calls.
MC
2
Authors: Xia Ming , Dong Yabo , Xu Wenyuan , Li Xiangyang , Lu Dongming
Published: May 2014

Real-world, long-running wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require intense user intervention in the development, hardware testing, deployment, and maintenance stages. A majority of network design is network centric and focuses primarily on network performance, for example, efficient sensing and reliable data delivery. Although several tools have been developed to assist debugging and fault diagnosis, it is yet to systematically examine the underlying heavy burden that users face throughout the lifetime of WSNs. In this article, we propose a general Multimode user-CentriC (MC
2
) framework that can, with simple user inputs, adjust itself to assist user operation and thus reduce the users' burden at various stages. In particular, we have identified utilities that are essential at each stage and grouped them into
modes
. In each mode, only the corresponding utilities will be loaded, and modes can be easily switched using the customized MC
2
sensor platform. As such, we reduce the runtime interference between various utilities and simplify their development as well as their debugging. We validated our MC
2
software and the sensor platform in a long-lived microclimate monitoring system deployed at a wildland heritage site, Mogao Grottoes. In our current system, 241 sensor nodes have been deployed in 57 caves, and the network has been running for over five years. Our experimental validation shows that the MC
2
framework shortens the time for network deployment and maintenance, and makes network maintenance doable by field experts (in our case, historians).
Efficient Solutions Framework for Optimal Multitask Resource Assignments for Data Fusion in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Hariharan Srikanth , Bisdikian Chatschik , Kaplan Lance M. , Pham Tien
Published: May 2014

Motivated by the need to judiciously allocate scarce sensing resources to attain the highest benefit for the applications that sensor networks serve, in this article we develop a flexible solutions methodology for maximizing the overall reward attained, subject to constraints on the resource demands under fairly general reward or demand functions. We map a broad class of related problems for data fusion in wireless sensor networks into an integer programming problem and provide an iterative Lagrangian relaxation technique to solve it. Each iteration step involves solving for a maximum-weight independent set of an appropriately constructed graph, which, in many cases, can be obtained in polynomial time. We apply our methodology to the problem of tracking targets moving over a period of time through a nonhomogeneous, energy-constrained sensor field. With rewards represented by the quality of information attained in tracking, we study its trade-offs and relationship with energy consumption and periodic measurement taking. We finally illustrate other applications of our framework in sensor networks.
Finding More Than One Worm in the Apple
Authors: Bland Mike
Published: May 2014

In February Apple revealed and fixed an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) vulnerability that had gone undiscovered since the release of iOS 6.0 in September 2012. It left users vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks thanks to a short circuit in the SSL/TLS (Transport Layer Security) handshake algorithm introduced by the duplication of a goto statement. Since the discovery of this very serious bug, many people have written about potential causes. A close inspection of the code, however, reveals not only how a unit test could have been written to catch the bug, but also how to refactor the existing code to make the algorithm testable - as well as more clues to the nature of the error and the environment that produced it.
Light-Emitting Diodes for Analytical Chemistry
Authors: Macka Mirek , Piasecki Tomasz , Dasgupta Purnendu K.
Published: May 2014

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are playing increasingly important roles in analytical chemistry, from the final analysis stage to photoreactors for analyte conversion to actual fabrication of and incorporation in microdevices for analytical use. The extremely fast turn-on/off rates of LEDs have made possible simple approaches to fluorescence lifetime measurement. Although they are increasingly being used as detectors, their wavelength selectivity as detectors has rarely been exploited. From their first proposed use for absorbance measurement in 1970, LEDs have been used in analytical chemistry in too many ways to make a comprehensive review possible. Hence, we critically review here the more recent literature on their use in optical detection and measurement systems. Cloudy as our crystal ball may be, we express our views on the future applications of LEDs in analytical chemistry: The horizon will certainly become wider as LEDs in the deep UV with sufficient intensity become available.
Itch Mechanisms and Circuits
Authors: Han Liang , Dong Xinzhong
Published: May 2014

The itch-scratch reflex serves as a protective mechanism in everyday life. However, chronic persistent itching can be devastating. Despite the clinical importance of the itch sensation, its mechanism remains elusive. In the past decade, substantial progress has been made to uncover the mystery of itching. Here, we review the molecules, cells, and circuits known to mediate the itch sensation, which, coupled with advances in understanding the pathophysiology of chronic itching conditions, will hopefully contribute to the development of new anti-itch therapies.
Firms, Misallocation, and Aggregate Productivity: A Review
Authors: Hopenhayn Hugo A.
Published: May 2014

Firm heterogeneity and the allocation of resources across firms play a key role in determining aggregate productivity. Entry barriers and misallocation can substantially impact productivity, as evidenced in recent work. This article provides a unifying theoretical framework and a review of this literature.
Social Learning in Economics
Authors: Mobius Markus , Rosenblat Tanya
Published: May 2014

Social learning is a rapidly growing field for empirical and theoretical research in economics. We encounter social learning in many economically important phenomena, such as the adoption of new products and technologies or job search in labor markets. We review the existing empirical and theoretical literatures and argue that they have evolved largely independently of each other. This suggests several directions for future research that can help bridge the gap between both literatures. For example, the theory literature has come up with several models of social learning, ranging from naïve DeGroot models to sophisticated Bayesian models whose assumptions and predictions need to be empirically tested. Alternatively, empiricists have often observed that social learning is more localized than existing theory models assume, and that information can decay along a transmission path. Incorporating these findings into our models might require theorists to look beyond asymptotic convergence in social learning.
Mechanistic Studies in Friction and Wear of Bulk Materials
Authors: Sawyer W. Gregory , Argibay Nicolas , Burris David L. , Krick Brandon A.
Published: May 2014

From the context of a contemporary understanding of the phenomenological origins of friction and wear of materials, we review insightful contributions from recent experimental investigations of three classes of materials that exhibit uniquely contrasting tribological behaviors: metals, polymers, and ionic solids. We focus on the past decade of research by the community to better understand the correlations between environment parameters, materials properties, and tribological behavior in systems of increasingly greater complexity utilizing novel synthesis and in situ experimental techniques. In addition to such review, and a half-century after seminal publications on the subject, we present recently acquired evidence linking anisotropy in friction response with anisotropy in wear behavior of crystalline ionic solids as a function of crystallographic orientation. Although the tribological behaviors of metals, polymers, and ionic solids differ widely, it is increasingly more evident that the mechanistic origins (such as fatigue, corrosion, abrasion, and adhesion) are essentially the same. However, we hope to present a clear and compelling argument favoring the prominent and irreplaceable role of in situ experimental techniques as a bridge between fundamental atomistic and molecular processes and emergent behaviors governing tribological contacts.
Hypoxia and Adipocyte Physiology: Implications for Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity
Authors: Trayhurn Paul
Published: May 2014

Hypoxia develops in white adipose tissue in obese mice, resulting in changes in adipocyte function that may underpin the dysregulation that leads to obesity-associated disorders. Whether hypoxia occurs in adipose tissue in human obesity is unclear, with recent studies contradicting earlier reports that this was the case. Adipocytes, both murine and human, exhibit extensive functional changes in culture in response to hypoxia, which alters the expression of up to 1,300 genes. These include genes encoding key adipokines such as leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which are upregulated, and adiponectin, which is downregulated. Hypoxia also inhibits the expression of genes linked to oxidative metabolism while stimulating the expression of genes associated with glycolysis. Glucose uptake and lactate release by adipocytes are both stimulated by hypoxia, and insulin sensitivity falls. Preadipocytes and macrophages in adipose tissue also respond to hypoxia. The hypoxia-signaling pathway may provide a new target for the treatment of obesity-associated disorders.
Network Modeling to Understand Plant Immunity
Authors: Windram Oliver , Penfold Christopher A. , Denby Katherine J.
Published: May 2014

Deciphering the networks that underpin complex biological processes using experimental data remains a significant, but promising, challenge, a task made all the harder by the added complexity of host-pathogen interactions. The aim of this article is to review the progress in understanding plant immunity made so far by applying network modeling algorithms and to show how this computational/mathematical strategy is facilitating a systems view of plant defense. We review the different types of network modeling that have been used, the data required, and the type of insight that such modeling can provide. We discuss the current challenges in modeling the regulatory networks that underlie plant defense and the future developments that may help address these challenges.
Reactive oxygen species induce the association of SHP-1 with c-Src and the oxidation of both to enhance osteoclast survival
Authors: Ke Ke , Sul Ok-Joo , Choi Eun-Kyung , Safdar Ali M. , Kim Eun-Sook , Choi Hye-Seon
Published: May 2014

Loss of ovarian function causes oxidative stress as well as bone loss. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by the failure of ovarian function are responsible for the bone loss by increasing the number of osteoclasts (OC). We found that ROS enhanced OC survival via Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), c-Src, Akt, and ERK. ROS induced the association of SHP-1 with c-Src as well as the oxidation of c-Src and SHP-1. This resulted in inactivation of SHP-1 and activation of c-Src via phosphorylation of Tyr416. Knockdown of c-Src or SHP-1 abolished the effect of ROS on OC survival. Moreover, downregulation of SHP-1 upregulated activation of c-Src, Akt, and ERK in the absence of any stimulus, suggesting that inactivation of SHP-1 is required for OC survival. We demonstrated that the association and oxidation of c-Src and SHP-1 by ROS are key steps in enhancing OC survival, which are responsible for increased bone loss when ovarian function ceases.
Bone loss patterns in cortical, subcortical, and trabecular compartments during simulated microgravity
Authors: Cervinka Tomas , Sievänen Harri , Hyttinen Jari , Rittweger Jörn
Published: May 2014

Disuse studies provide a useful model for bone adaptation. A direct comparison of these studies is, however, complicated by the different settings used for bone analysis. Through pooling and reanalysis of bone data from previous disuse studies, we determined bone loss and recovery in cortical, subcortical, and trabecular compartments and evaluated whether the study design modulated skeletal adaptation. Peripheral quantitative tomographic (pQCT) images from control groups of four disuse studies with a duration of 24, 35, 56, and 90 days were reanalyzed using a robust threshold-free segmentation algorithm. The pQCT data were available from 27 young healthy men at baseline, and at specified intervals over disuse and reambulation phases. The mean maximum absolute bone loss (mean ± 95% CI) was 6.1 ± 4.5 mg/mm in cortical, 2.4 ± 1.6 mg/mm in subcortical, and 9.8 ± 9.1 mg/mm in trabecular compartments, after 90 days of bed rest. The percentage changes in all bone compartments were, however, similar. During the first few weeks after onset of reambulation, the bone loss rate was systematically greater in the cortical than in the trabecular compartment ( P < 0.002), and this was observed in all studies except for the longest study. We conclude that disuse-induced bone losses follow similar patterns irrespective of study design, and the largest mean absolute bone loss occurs in the cortical compartment, but apparently only during the first 60 days. With longer study duration, trabecular loss may become more prominent.
Plasma K+dynamics and implications during and following intense rowing exercise
Authors: Atanasovska Tania , Petersen Aaron C. , Rouffet David M. , Billaut François , Ng Irene , McKenna Michael J.
Published: May 2014

We investigated whether potassium (K+) disturbances during and following intense exercise may be pronounced when utilizing a large contracting muscle mass, examining maximal 2,000-m rowing exercise effects on radial arterial plasma K+concentration ([K+]a) in 11 healthy adults. Blood was sampled at baseline, preexercise, each 30 s during rowing, and for 30 min postexercise. Time to complete 2,000 m was 7.26 ± 0.59 min; power output at 30 s was 326 ± 81 W (mean ± SD). With exercise time expressed in deciles, power output fell 16.5% from the first to fourth decile ( P < 0.05) and 19.9% at the ninth decile ( P < 0.05); EMG median frequency declined 4.6% by the third decile and 5.5% by the eighth decile ( P < 0.05). Plasma [K+]aincreased from 3.89 ± 0.13 mM at rest to 6.13 ± 0.46 mM by 90 s rowing ( P < 0.001) and was then sustained until end exercise ( P < 0.001). In recovery, [K+]adecreased abruptly, reaching 3.33 ± 0.22 mM at 5 min postexercise ( P < 0.001) and remaining below preexercise after 30 min ( P < 0.005). At end exercise, blood [lactate]a(preexercise 0.64 ± 0.18 mM) reached 10.87 ± 1.33 mM, plasma volume decreased 9.7 ± 2.3% from preexercise, and pHadecreased to 7.10 ± 0.07 units ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, arterial hyperkalemia was sustained during exhaustive rowing reflecting a balance between K+release and reuptake in contracting muscles and K+uptake by inactive muscles. While high, the [K+]awas lower than anticipated compared with maximal cycling or sprinting, possibly reflecting greater adrenergic response and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in contracting muscles; fatigue was evidenced by reduced power output and EMG median frequency. A prolonged hypokalemia after rowing likely reflected continuing muscular Na+,K+-ATPase activity.
Novel Prospects and Possibilities in Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics by means of Direct Inkjet Printing
Authors: Wätjen Anja Mareike , Gingter Philipp , Kramer Michael , Telle Rainer
Published: May 2014

Direct inkjet printing is a versatile additive manufacturing technology to produce complex three-dimensional components from ceramic suspensions. By successive printing of cross-sections, the sample is built up layer by layer. The aim of this paper is to show the different possibilities of direct inkjet printing of ceramic suspensions, like printing of oxide (3Y-TZP, Al2O3, and ZTA) or nonoxide (Si3N4, MoSi2) ceramics, featuring microstructures, laminates, three-dimensional specimens, and dispersion ceramics. A modified thermal inkjet printer was used and the ink replaced by aqueous ceramic suspensions of high solids content. The suspensions were processed in an attrition mill or agitator bead mill to reduce the grain size <1 μm to avoid clogging of printhead nozzles. Further significant parameters are rheological properties (viscosity and surface tension) and solids content which were adjusted to the requirements of the printheads. The printed and sintered samples were analysed by SEM. Mechanical properties of 3Y-TZP samples were examined as well by use of the ball-on-three-balls test. The biaxial flexural strength of 3Y-TZP specimens was up to 1393 MPa with a Weibull modulus of 10.4 for small specimens (3 × 4×0.3 mm3).
Small-Size Eight-Band Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna Loading a MEMS Switch for Mobile Handset Applications
Authors: Meng Xin
Published: May 2014

A planar small-size eight-band frequency reconfigurable antenna for LTE/WWAN mobile handset applications is proposed. The proposed antenna consists of a feeding strip and a coupled strip, with a total dimension of 10 × 29.5 mm2. Reconfigurability is realized by incorporating a one-pole four-throw RF switch, which is embedded in the coupled strip and changes the resonant modes for the lower band. By combining four different working modes, the proposed antenna successfully realize the eight-band operation, covering the operating bands of 700~787 MHz, 824~960 MHz, and 1710~2690 MHz. In addition, the simple DC bias circuit of the RF switch has little effect on the antenna performances, with no significant reduction in antenna efficiency and variations in the radiation patterns. The measured antenna efficiencies are 40%~50% and over 60% for the lower band and the upper band, respectively. Prototypes of the proposed frequency reconfigurable antenna incorporating the one-pole four-throw switch are fabricated and measured. The measured results including return losses and radiation characteristics are presented.
Global Exponential Stability of a Unique Almost Periodic Solution for Neutral-Type Cellular Neural Networks with Distributed Delays
Authors: Wu Wenquan
Published: May 2014

This paper is concerned with the problem of the existence, uniqueness, and global exponential stability for neutral-type cellular neural networks with distributed delays. Based on fixed point theory and Lyapunov functional, several sufficient conditions are established for the existence, uniqueness, and global exponential stability of almost periodic solution for the above system. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our main results.
Parameters Optimization for Magnetic Resonance Coupling Wireless Power Transmission
Authors: Li Changsheng , Zhang He , Jiang Xiaohua
Published: May 2014

Taking maximum power transmission and power stable transmission as research objectives, optimal design for the wireless power transmission system based on magnetic resonance coupling is carried out in this paper. Firstly, based on the mutual coupling model, mathematical expressions of optimal coupling coefficients for the maximum power transmission target are deduced. Whereafter, methods of enhancing power transmission stability based on parameters optimal design are investigated. It is found that the sensitivity of the load power to the transmission parameters can be reduced and the power transmission stability can be enhanced by improving the system resonance frequency or coupling coefficient between the driving/pick-up coil and the transmission/receiving coil. Experiment results are well conformed to the theoretical analysis conclusions.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate): Structure, Property, and Fiber
Authors: Liu Qingsheng , Zhang Hongxia , Deng Bingyao , Zhao Xiaoyan
Published: May 2014

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] are produced by various microorganisms as an intracellular carbon and energy reserve from agricultural feedstocks such as sugars and plant oils under unbalanced growth conditions. P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) have attracted the attention of academia and industry because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility, thermoplasticity, and plastic-like properties. This review first introduced the isodimorphism, spherulites, and molecular interaction of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV). In addition, the effects of 3HV content on the melting temperature and crystallization rate were discussed. Then the drawbacks of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) including brittleness, narrow melt processing window, low crystallization rate, slow biodegradation rate in body, and so on were summarized. At last, the preparation, structure, and properties of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) fiber were introduced.
Determination of Acquisition Frequency for Intrafractional Motion of Pancreas in CyberKnife Radiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Huailing , Zhao Guoru , Djajaputra David , Xie Yaoqin
Published: May 2014

Purpose.To report the characteristics of pancreas motion as tracked using implanted fiducials during radiotherapy treatments with CyberKnife.Methods and Materials. Twenty-nine patients with pancreas cancer treated using CyberKnife system were retrospectively selected for this study. During the treatment, the deviation is examined every 3-4 nodes (~45 s interval) and compensated by the robot. The pancreas displacement calculated from X-ray images acquired within the time interval between two consecutive couch motions constitute a data set.Results. A total of 498 data sets and 4302 time stamps of X-ray images were analyzed in this study. The average duration for each data set is 634 s. The location of the pancreas becomes more dispersed as the time elapses. The acquisition frequency depends on the prespecified movement distance threshold of pancreas. If the threshold between two consecutive images is 1 mm, the acquisition frequency should be less than 30 s, while if the threshold is 2 mm, the acquisition frequency can be around 1 min.Conclusions. The pancreas target moves significantly and unpredictably during treatment. Effective means of compensating the intrafractional movement is critical to ensure adequate dose coverage of the tumor target.
The Analysis of Genetic Aberrations in Children with Inherited Neurometabolic and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Szymańska Krystyna , Szczałuba Krzysztof , Ługowska Agnieszka , Obersztyn Ewa , Radkowski Marek , Nowakowska Beata A. , Kuśmierska Katarzyna , Tryfon Jolanta , Demkow Urszula
Published: May 2014

Inherited encephalopathies include a broad spectrum of heterogeneous disorders. To provide a correct diagnosis, an integrated approach including genetic testing is warranted. We report seven patients with difficult to diagnose inborn paediatric encephalopathies. The diagnosis could not be attained only by means of clinical and laboratory investigations and MRI. Additional genetic testing was required. Cytogenetics, PCR based tests, and array-based comparative genome hybridization were performed. In 4 patients with impaired language abilities we found the presence of microduplication in the region 16q23.1 affecting two dose-sensitive genes:WWOX(OMIM 605131) andMAF(OMIM 177075) (1 case), an interstitial deletion of the 17p11.2 region (2 patients further diagnosed as Smith-Magenis syndrome), and deletion encompassing first three exons of Myocyte Enhancer Factor gene2MEF2C(1 case). The two other cases represented progressing dystonia. Characteristic GAG deletion inDYT1consistently with the diagnosis of torsion dystonia was confirmed in 1 case. Last enrolled patient presented with clinical picture consistent with Krabbe disease confirmed by finding of two pathogenic variants ofGALCgene and the absence of mutations inPSAP. The integrated diagnostic approach including genetic testing in selected examples of complicated hereditary diseases of the brain is largely discussed in this paper.
The Use of Bioflocculant and Bioflocculant‐Producing Bacillus mojavensis Strain 32A to Synthesize Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Zaki Sahar , Etarahony Marwa , Elkady Marwa , Abd-El-Haleem Desouky
Published: May 2014

It is preferable to use an organism to produce more than one product at the same time. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of bioflocculant‐producing Bacillus mojavensis strain 32A as a nanosilver synthesizer beside bioflocculant production. To achieve this target, three media, nutrient broth, bioflocculant‐producing medium, and pure bioflocculant, were tested. Produced nanosilver was characterized by UV‐vis, XRD, and TEM. In all cases, the results demonstrated that UV‐vis showed a peak at ~420 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of nanosilver. XRD spectrum exhibited 2θ values corresponding to the silver nanocrystal that is produced in hexagonal and cubic crystal configurations. TEM confirmed formation, size, shape, and morphologies of nanosilver particles. The results emphasized that purified bioflocculant has the ability to produce anisotropy clusters of nanosilver ranging in size from 6 to 72 nm proving that the bioflocculant functioned as reducing and stabilizing agent in nanosilver synthesis.
Bayesian Inference of Burr Type VIII Distribution Based on Censored Samples
Authors: Feroz Navid
Published: May 2014

This paper is concerned with estimation of the parameter of Burr type VIII distribution under a Bayesian framework using censored samples. The Bayes estimators and associated risks have been derived under the assumption of five priors and three loss functions. The comparison among the performance of different estimators has been made in terms of posterior risks. A simulation study has been conducted in order to assess and compare the performance of different estimators. The study proposes the use of inverse Levy prior based on quadratic loss function for Bayes estimation of the said parameter.
Applications of PCA and SVM‐PSO Based Real‐Time Face Recognition System
Authors: Shieh Ming-Yuan , Chiou Juing-Shian , Hu Yu-Chia , Wang Kuo-Yang
Published: May 2014

This paper incorporates principal component analysis (PCA) with support vector machine‐particle swarm optimization (SVM‐PSO) for developing real‐time face recognition systems. The integrated scheme aims to adopt the SVM‐PSO method to improve the validity of PCA based image recognition systems on dynamically visual perception. The face recognition for most human‐robot interaction applications is accomplished by PCA based method because of its dimensionality reduction. However, PCA based systems are only suitable for processing the faces with the same face expressions and/or under the same view directions. Since the facial feature selection process can be considered as a problem of global combinatorial optimization in machine learning, the SVM‐PSO is usually used as an optimal classifier of the system. In this paper, the PSO is used to implement a feature selection, and the SVMs serve as fitness functions of the PSO for classification problems. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method simplifies features effectively and obtains higher classification accuracy.