bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiorespiratory responses of seawater-acclimated adult Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to an acute temperature increase
Authors: Penney Chantelle M. , Nash Gordon W. , Gamperl A. Kurt
Published: March 2014

In this first study examining the thermal tolerance of adult Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) acclimated to seawater, we measured their critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and several cardiorespiratory parameters (oxygen consumption (MO2), heart rate (fH), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q), ventilatory frequency (VF), opercular pressure (PO), and ventilatory effort (VE)) when exposed to a temperature increase of 2 °C·h−1. Further, we directly compared these results with those obtained for the eurythermal Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) under identical conditions. There was no significant difference in cardiorespiratory values between the two species at their acclimation temperature (9.5–10 °C). In contrast, the slope of the MO2–temperature relationship was lower (by 27%) in the char as compared with that in the salmon, and the char had significantly lower values for maximum fH(by 13%), maximum MO2(by 35%), absolute metabolic scope (by 39%), and CTMax(approximately 23 versus 26.5 °C, respectively). Although not a focus of the study, preliminary data suggest that interspecific differences in mitochondrial respiration (oxidative phosphorylation), and its temperature sensitivity, may partially explain the difference in thermal tolerance between the two species. These results provide considerable insights into why Atlantic salmon are displacing Arctic char in the current era of accelerated climate change.
Genetic parameters and genotype–environment interactions of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) in Fujian Province
Authors: Bian Liming , Shi Jisen , Zheng Renhua , Chen Jinhui , Wu Harry X.
Published: March 2014

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) is the most commercially important conifer in China, and the Nanjing Forestry University – Fujian Province Chinese fir Cooperation (NJFU – Fujian Cooperation) breeding program has advanced it into the third cycle of selection and breeding. In this paper, we estimated genetic parameters from four sites for 80 half-sib families and summarized previous estimates of genetic parameters in Chinese fir with an objective to propose optimal breeding strategy. Heritability averaged 0.20 and 0.14 for height and diameter at breast height (DBH), respectively, for the four sites. A significant genotype–environment interaction (G × E) for growth was also observed among the four sites, with the greatest interactions between a marginal site and the three central sites in the Fujian Province Chinese fir plantation region. The average estimated type-B genetic correlation between the marginal site and the three central sites was 0.08 for height and –0.09 for DBH. However, the highly productive families were among the most stable across the four sites. The results from this study in combination with summarized genetic parameters from literature were used to discuss and propose an optimal breeding strategy for the third generation of the breeding program for Chinese firs in Fujian Province.
Influence of dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on the overall rumen microbiota of dairy cows and linkages with production parameters
Authors: Torok Valeria A. , Percy Nigel J. , Moate Peter J. , Ophel-Keller Kathy
Published: March 2014

The rumen microbiota contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and has an impact on feed efficiency and ruminant product fatty acid composition. Dietary fat supplements have shown promise in reducing enteric methane production and in altering the fatty acid profiles of ruminant-derived products, yet in vivo studies on how these impact the rumen microbiota are limited. In this study, we investigated the rumen bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and ciliate protozoan communities of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with 4 levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (0, 25, 50, and 75 g·cow−1·day−1) and established linkages between microbial communities and production parameters. Supplementation with DHA significantly (P < 0.05) altered rumen bacterial and archaeal, including methanogenic archaeal, communities but had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on rumen fungal or ciliate protozoan communities. Rumen bacterial communities of cows receiving no DHA were correlated with increased saturated fatty acids (C18:0 and C11:0) in their milk. Furthermore, rumen bacterial communities of cows receiving a diet supplemented with 50 g DHA·cow−1·day−1 were correlated with increases in monounsaturated fatty acids (C20:1n-9) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (C22:5n-3; C22:6n-3; C18:2 cis-9, trans-11; C22:3n-6; and C18:2n-6 trans) in their milk. The significant diet-associated changes in rumen archaeal communities observed did not result in altered enteric methane outputs in these cows.
Neuronal classes and their specialization in the corticoid complex of a food-storing bird, the Indian House Crow (Corvus splendens)
Authors: Srivastava U.C. , Singh Durgesh , Kumar Prashant
Published: March 2014

Neuronal classes and their specialization in the corticoid complex of a food-storing bird (the Indian House Crow, Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817) have been investigated using Golgi and Cresyl-violet methods. The aim of present study is to observe the neuronal characteristics of corticoid complex of the House Crow (food-storing bird) and to compare them with that of a nonfood-storing bird (the Strawberry Finch, Estrilda amandava = Amandava amandava (L., 1758)). Three main neuronal classes, viz. projection neurons, local circuit neurons, and stellate neurons, have been identified in both intermediate corticoid area (CI) and dorsolateral corticoid area (CDL) based on soma shape, arrangement of dendrites around the soma, and axonal projection. Projection neurons have four neuronal subtypes: multipolar, pyramidal, pyramidal-like, and horizontal cells. It seems that the specialization in pyramidal, local circuit, and pyramidal-like neurons show advantages in the House Crow as a food-storing bird for better memory, cognition, and connectivity in corticoid complex. This is the first study of its kind that provides information regarding neuronal classes within the corticoid complex of a food-storing bird and a comparison between a food-storing bird (House Crow) and the only available study on a nonfood-storing bird (Strawberry Finch).
Lack of genetic divergence in capelin (Mallotusvillosus) spawning at beach versus subtidal habitats in coastal embayments of Newfoundland
Authors: Penton Paulette M. , McFarlane Craig T. , Spice Erin K. , Docker Margaret F. , Davoren Gail K.
Published: March 2014

Capelin (Mallotus villosus (Müller, 1776)), a focal forage fish in the north Atlantic, spawn on both beach and demersal (deep-water) sites throughout their circumpolar distribution. Although these habitats rarely occur in close proximity, demersal spawning sites within 4 km of beach spawning sites (subtidal) have recently been discovered in two coastal embayments in Newfoundland, Canada. The physical environment differs considerably between beach and subtidal spawning sites, creating the potential for local adaptation and genetic divergence of capelin from the two habitats, but this has never been investigated on a fine spatial scale. We use eight microsatellite loci to test for genetic divergence between capelin spawning at beach and subtidal sites within these two coastal regions in Newfoundland. We found no genetic differentiation between fish spawning at beach and subtidal sites or between the two regions. The results from this fine-scale study are in agreement with the lack of habitat-based structure reported in other studies examining beach and demersal sites separated by a larger geographic area. We suggest that instead of showing site fidelity and local adaptation, the facultative use of alternate spawning habitats may be a more successful strategy in an unpredictable environment.
Thermal Casimir effect for rectangular cavities inside (D+1)-dimensional Minkowski space–time revisited
Authors: Lin Rui-Hui , Zhai Xiang-Hua
Published: March 2014

We reconsider the thermal scalar Casimir effect for p-dimensional rectangular cavity inside (D+1)-dimensional Minkowski space–time and clarify the ambiguity in the regularization of the temperature-dependent part of the free energy. We derive rigorously the regularization of the temperature-dependent part of the free energy by making use of the Abel–Plana formula repeatedly and get the explicit expression of the terms to be subtracted. In the cases of D = 3, p = 1 and D = 3, p = 3, we precisely recover the results of parallel plates and three-dimensional box in the literature. Furthermore, for D>p and D = p cases with periodic, Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, we give the explicit expressions of the Casimir free energy in both low temperature (small separations) and high temperature (large separations) regimes, through which the asymptotic behavior of the free energy changing with temperature and the side length is easy to see. We find that for D>p, with the side length going to infinity, the Casimir free energy tends to positive or negative constants or zero, depending on the boundary conditions. But for D = p, the leading term of the Casimir free energy for all three boundary conditions is a logarithmic function of the side length. We also discuss the thermal Casimir force changing with temperature and the side length in different cases and find that when the side length goes to infinity, the force always tends to be zero for different boundary conditions regardless of D>p or D = p. The Casimir free energy and force at high temperature limit behave asymptotically alike that they are proportional to the temperature, be they positive (repulsive) or negative (attractive) in different cases. Our study may be helpful in providing a comprehensive and complete understanding of this old problem.
Recurrent conformal 2-forms on pseudo-Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Mantica Carlo Alberto , Suh Young Jin
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we introduce the notion of recurrent conformal 2-forms on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold of arbitrary signature. Some theorems already proved for the same differential structure on a Riemannian manifold are proven to hold in this more general contest. Moreover other interesting results are pointed out; it is proven that if the associated covector is closed, then the Ricci tensor is Riemann compatible or equivalently, Weyl compatible: these notions were recently introduced and investigated by one of the present authors. Further some new results about the vanishing of some Weyl scalars on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold are given: it turns out that they are consequence of the generalized Derdziński–Shen theorem. Topological properties involving the vanishing of Pontryagin forms and recurrent conformal 2-forms are then stated. Finally, we study the properties of recurrent conformal 2-forms on Lorentzian manifolds (space-times). Previous theorems stated on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold of arbitrary signature are then interpreted in the light of the classification of space-times in four or in higher dimensions.
A Hecke correspondence theorem for automorphic integrals with infinite log-polynomial sum period functions
Authors: Daughton Austin
Published: March 2014

We generalize the correspondence between Dirichlet series with finitely many poles that satisfy a functional equation and automorphic integrals with log-polynomial sum period functions. In particular, we extend the correspondence to hold for Dirichlet series with finitely many essential singularities. We also study Dirichlet series with infinitely many poles in a vertical strip. For Hecke groups with λ ≥ 2 and some weights, we prove a similar correspondence for these Dirichlet series. For this case, we provide a way to estimate automorphic integrals with infinite log-polynomial periods by automorphic integrals with finite log-polynomial periods.
IMPROVING ICE FORMATION BY ADDITIVE FOR COLD ENERGY STORAGE
Authors: HU JIN , SARI OSMANN , MAHMED CYRIL
Published: March 2014

Ice storage is one technique for effective use of thermal energy. Application of bionucleant (a protein from the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae) as a snow inducer in ski field has shown great potential to enhance the quantity of snow and increase freezing temperature. In this study, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and lab-built ice formation reactor were employed to study experimentally the heterogeneous ice nucleation under super-cooled conditions at different dissolved bionucleant concentrations. It was found the degree of supercooling is reduced by addition of bionucleant. However, ice nucleation-activity of bionucleant will drop down when bionucleant solution is saturated/supersaturated. In our DSC measured heat release study, when bionucleant acts as ice nucleation agent in aqueous solution, prior to reaching its saturation/supersaturation, there is an increase in latent heat release during freezing/melting as the amount of dissolved bionucleant increases. In another test, the supercooling does not occur in 0.5% bionucleant solution, it began to freeze around 0°C. Our results suggest that, the addition of bionucleant may help induce ice nucleation and increase freezing temperature thereby reduces the energy consumption of ice formation for cold storage.
Sustained sympathetic nervous system support of arterial blood pressure during repeated brief umbilical cord occlusions in near-term fetal sheep
Authors: Galinsky Robert , Jensen Ellen C. , Bennet Laura , Mitchell Clinton J. , Gunn Eleanor R. , Wassink Guido , Fraser Mhoyra , Westgate Jennifer A. , Gunn Alistair J.
Published: March 2014

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)-mediated peripheral vasoconstriction plays a key role in initial maintenance of blood pressure during rapid-onset asphyxia in the mammalian fetus, but it is attenuated after the first few minutes. It is unclear whether the SNS response is sustained during the brief, but frequently repeated, episodes of asphyxia characteristic of labor. In the present study, 14 fetal sheep at 0.85 of gestation received either chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; n = 7) or sham injection (control; n = 7), followed 4–5 days later by repeated 2-min episodes of complete umbilical cord occlusion every 5 min for up to 4 h or until mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) fell to <20 mmHg for two successive occlusions. In controls, umbilical cord occlusions were associated with a rapid initial fall in fetal heart rate (FHR) and femoral blood flow (FBF), with initial hypertension, followed by progressive development of hypotension during ongoing occlusions. Sympathectomy was associated with attenuation of the initial rise in MAP during umbilical cord occlusion, and after the onset of hypotension, a markedly more rapid fall of MAP to the nadir, with a correspondingly slower fall in FBF ( P < 0.05). In contrast, MAP and FHR between successive occlusions were higher after sympathectomy ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of occlusions before terminal hypotension (6-OHDA; 16.1 ± 2.2 vs. control; 18.7 ± 2.3). These data show that SNS activity provides ongoing support for fetal MAP during prolonged exposure to brief repeated asphyxia.
MRI-based glomerular morphology and pathology in whole human kidneys
Authors: Beeman Scott C. , Cullen-McEwen Luise A. , Puelles Victor G. , Zhang Min , Wu Teresa , Baldelomar Edwin J. , Dowling John , Charlton Jennifer R. , Forbes Michael S. , Ng Amanda , Wu Qi-zhu , Armitage James A. , Egan Gary F. , Bertram John F. , Bennett Kevin M.
Published: March 2014

Nephron number ( Nglom) and size (Vglom) are correlated with risk for chronic cardiovascular and kidney disease and may be predictive of renal allograft viability. Unfortunately, there are no techniques to assess Nglom and Vglom in intact kidneys. This work demonstrates the use of cationized ferritin (CF) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent to measure Nglom and Vglom in viable human kidneys donated to science. The kidneys were obtained from patients with varying levels of cardiovascular and renal disease. CF was intravenously injected into three viable human kidneys. A fourth control kidney was perfused with saline. After fixation, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy confirmed binding of CF to the glomerulus. The intact kidneys were imaged with three-dimensional MRI and CF-labeled glomeruli appeared as punctate spots. Custom software identified, counted, and measured the apparent volumes of CF-labeled glomeruli, with an ∼6% false positive rate. These measurements were comparable to stereological estimates. The MRI-based technique yielded a novel whole kidney distribution of glomerular volumes. Histopathology demonstrated that the distribution of CF-labeled glomeruli may be predictive of glomerular and vascular disease. Variations in CF distribution were quantified using image texture analyses, which be a useful marker of glomerular sclerosis. This is the first report of direct measurement of glomerular number and volume in intact human kidneys.
Role of the TNF pathway in the progression of diabetic nephropathy in KK-Aymice
Authors: Omote Keisuke , Gohda Tomohito , Murakoshi Maki , Sasaki Yu , Kazuno Saiko , Fujimura Tsutomu , Ishizaka Masanori , Sonoda Yuji , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: March 2014

Chronic inflammation promotes the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the role of TNF-α remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to examine whether TNF-α inhibition with a soluble TNF receptor (TNFR)2 fusion protein, i.e., etanercept (ETN), improves the early stage of DN in the type 2 diabetic model of the KK-Aymouse and to also investigate which TNF pathway, TNFR1 or TNFR2, is predominantly involved in the progression of this disease. ETN was injected intraperitoneally into mice for 8 wk. Renal damage was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and/or real-time PCR. In vitro, mouse tubular proximal cells were stimulated by TNF-α and/or high glucose (HG) and treated with ETN. ETN dramatically improved not only albuminuria but also glycemic control. Renal mRNA and/or protein levels of TNFR2, but not TNF-α and TNFR1, in ETN-treated KK-Aymice were significantly decreased compared with untreated KK-Aymice. mRNA levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and the number of F4/80-positive cells were all decreased after treatment. Numbers of cleaved caspase-3- and TUNEL-positive cells in untreated mice were very few and were not different from ETN-treated mice. In vitro, stimulation with TNF-α or HG markedly increased both mRNA levels of TNFRs, unlike in the in vivo case. Furthermore, ETN partly recovered TNF-α-induced but not HG-induced TNFR mRNA levels. In conclusion, it appears that ETN may improve the progression of the early stage of DN predominantly through inhibition of the anti-inflammatory action of the TNF-α-TNFR2 pathway.
Perturbation schedule does not alter retention of a locomotor adaptation across days
Authors: Hussain Sara J. , Morton Susanne M.
Published: March 2014

Motor adaptation in response to gradual vs. abrupt perturbation schedules may involve different neural mechanisms, potentially leading to different levels of motor memory. However, no study has investigated whether perturbation schedules alter memory of a locomotor adaptation across days. We measured adaptation and retention (memory) of altered interlimb symmetry during walking in two groups of participants over 2 days. On day 1, participants adapted to either a single, large perturbation (abrupt schedule) or a series of small perturbations that increased in size over time (gradual schedule). Retention was examined on day 2. On day 1, initial swing time and foot placement symmetry error sizes differed between groups but overall adaptation magnitudes were similar. On day 2, participants in both groups showed similar retention, readaptation, and aftereffect sizes, although there were some trends for improved memory in the abrupt group. These results conflict with previous data but are consistent with newer studies reporting no behavioral differences following adaptation using abrupt vs. gradual schedules. Although memory levels were very similar between groups, we cannot rule out the possibility that the neural mechanisms underlying this memory storage differ. Overall, it appears that adaptation of locomotor patterns via abrupt and gradual perturbation schedules produces similar expression of locomotor memories across days.
Spiral motion selective neurons in area MSTd contribute to judgments of heading
Authors: Xu Hong , Wallisch Pascal , Bradley David C.
Published: March 2014

Self-motion generates patterns of optic flow on the retina. Neurons in the dorsal part of the medial superior temporal area (MSTd) are selective for these optic flow patterns. It has been shown that neurons in this area that are selective for expanding optic flow fields are involved in heading judgments. We wondered how subpopulations of MSTd neurons, those tuned for expansion, rotation or spiral motion, contribute to heading perception. To investigate this question, we recorded from neurons in area MSTd with diverse tuning properties, while the animals performed a heading-discrimination task. We found a significant trial-to-trial correlation (choice probability) between the MSTd neurons and the animals' decision. Neurons in different subpopulations did not differ significantly in terms of their choice probability. Instead, choice probability was strongly related to the sensitivity of the neuron in our sample, regardless of tuning preference. We conclude that a variety of subpopulations of MSTd neurons with different tuning properties contribute to heading judgments.
Vibration, Oscillation, and Escape of the Fiber-Optic Signal under Two-Frequency Perturbations
Authors: Yin Jiuli , Xing Qianqian , Zhao Liuwei
Published: March 2014

Chaos occurs easily in the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with external perturbations owing to the absence of damping. For the process of information transmission, the perturbation will cause distortion. If we add a suitable controller, it is easy to discover that chaos still appears in the process of propagation of fiber-optic signal when the strength of controller is weak. With the strength of controller increasing, the propagation of fiber-optic signal will arrive at the stable state. As the strength exceeds a certain degree, the propagation of fiber-optic signal system would tend toward the unstable state. Moreover, we consider the parameters’ sensitivity to be controlled. The result demonstrates that the nonlinear term parameter and the two quite different frequencies have less effect on the propagation of fiber-optic signal. Meanwhile, the phenomena of vibration, oscillation, and escape occur in some regions.
Effects of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Derived from Tropaeolum majus L. in Rat Preimplantation Embryos: Evidence for the Dehydroepiandrosterone and Estradiol Role
Authors: Botelho Lourenço Emerson Luiz , Muller Juliane Centeno , Boareto Ana Claudia , Gomes Caroline , Lourenço Ana Carolina , Calloi Palozi Rhanany Alan , Lima Prando Thiago Bruno , Gasparotto Junior Arquimedes , Dalsenter Paulo Roberto
Published: March 2014

Although several studies have shown the inhibitory effects of Tropaeolum majus extracts (HETM) on angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity, no studies have been carried out during the beginning of pregnancy, when humoral and hormonal imbalance may affect zygote and early embryo transport. This study investigates whether HETM can affect embryonic development when administered during the one‐cell‐blastocyst period. Pregnant Wistar rats received orally the HETM (3, 30, and 300 mg/kg/day) from the 1st to the 7th gestational day. Rats were killed on the 8th day of pregnancy and the following parameters were evaluated: clinical symptoms of toxicity (including organ weights), number of corpora lutea, implants per group, preimplantation losses ratio, and the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estradiol, and progesterone. No clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity were evidenced. On the 8th day of pregnancy, the levels of DHEA and estradiol were increased and significant preimplantation losses were observed at all doses used. The present study reveals that the HETM can raise levels of DHEA and estradiol and induce difficulty in the embryo implantation in the early stages of pregnancy. The data contributes significantly to the safety aspects of using this natural product when trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy.
Cutting Force Predication Based on Integration of Symmetric Fuzzy Number and Finite Element Method
Authors: Wang Zhanli , Hu Yanjuan , Wang Yao , Dong Chao , Pang Zaixiang
Published: March 2014

In the process of turning, pointing at the uncertain phenomenon of cutting which is caused by the disturbance of random factors, for determining the uncertain scope of cutting force, the integrated symmetric fuzzy number and the finite element method (FEM) are used in the prediction of cutting force. The method used symmetric fuzzy number to establish fuzzy function between cutting force and three factors and obtained the uncertain interval of cutting force by linear programming. At the same time, the change curve of cutting force with time was directly simulated by using thermal-mechanical coupling FEM; also the nonuniform stress field and temperature distribution of workpiece, tool, and chip under the action of thermal-mechanical coupling were simulated. The experimental result shows that the method is effective for the uncertain prediction of cutting force.
Matching Biological Mesh and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Reconstructing an Open Abdomen Defect
Authors: Caviggioli Fabio , Klinger Francesco Maria , Lisa Andrea , Maione Luca , Forcellini Davide , Vinci Valeriano , Codolini Luca , Klinger Marco
Published: March 2014

Reconstruction of open abdominal defects is a clinical problem which general and plastic surgeons have to address in cooperation. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who presented an abdominal dehiscence after multiple laparotomies for a sigmoid-rectal adenocarcinoma that infiltrated into the abdominal wall, subsequently complicated by peritonitis and enteric fistula. A cutaneous dehiscence and an incontinent abdominal wall resulted after the last surgery. The abdominal wall was reconstructed using a biological porcine cross-linked mesh Permacol (Covidien Inc., Norwalk, CT). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), instead, was used on the mesh in order to reduce wound dimensions, promote granulation tissue formation, and obtain secondary closure of cutaneous dehiscence which was finally achieved with a split-thickness skin graft. Biological mesh behaved like a scaffold for the granulation tissue that was stimulated by the negative pressure. The biological mesh was rapidly integrated in the abdominal wall restoring abdominal wall continence, while the small dehiscence, still present in the central area, was subsequently covered with a split-thickness skin graft. The combination of these different procedures led us to solve this complicated case obtaining complete wound closure after less than 2 months.
Control and Optimization of Network in Networked Control System
Authors: Zhiwen Wang , Hongtao Sun
Published: March 2014

In order to avoid quality of performance (QoP) degradation resulting from quality of service (QoS), the solution to network congestion from the point of control theory, which marks departure of our results from the existing methods, is proposed in this paper. The congestion and bandwidth are regarded as state and control variables, respectively; then, the linear time‐invariant (LTI) model between congestion state and bandwidth of network is established. Consequently, linear quadratic method is used to eliminate the network congestion by allocating bandwidth dynamically. At last, numerical simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of this modeling approach.
A Formula for the Numerical Range of Elementary Operators
Authors: Barraa M.
Published: March 2014

Let BH be the algebra of bounded linear operators on a complex Hilbert space H. For k-tuples of elements of BH, A=A1,…,Ak and B=B1,…,Bk, let RA,B denote the elementary operator on BH defined by RA,BX=∑i=1kAiXBi. In this paper, we prove the following formula for the numerical range of
RA,B:
VRA,B,BBH=[∪U∈UHW(∑i=1kUAiU*Bi)-]-, where UH is the set of unitary operators.
Can Na18F PET/CT Be Used to Study Bone Remodeling in the Tibia When Patients Are Being Treated with a Taylor Spatial Frame?
Authors: Lundblad Henrik , Maguire Gerald Q. , Olivecrona Henrik , Jonsson Cathrine , Jacobsson Hans , Noz Marilyn E. , Zeleznik Michael P. , Weidenhielm Lars , Sundin Anders
Published: March 2014

Monitoring and quantifying bone remodeling are of interest, for example, in correction osteotomies, delayed fracture healing pseudarthrosis, bone lengthening, and other instances. Seven patients who had operations to attach an Ilizarov-derived Taylor Spatial Frame to the tibia gave informed consent. Each patient was examined by Na18F PET/CT twice, at approximately six weeks and three months after the operation. A validated software tool was used for the following processing steps. The first and second CT volumes were aligned in 3D and the respective PET volumes were aligned accordingly. In the first PET volume spherical volumes of interest (VOIs) were delineated for the crural fracture and normal bone and transferred to the second PET volume forSUVmaxevaluation. This method potentially provides clinical insight into questions such as, when has the bone remodeling progressed well enough to safely remove the TSF? and when is intervention required, in a timelier manner than current methods? For example, in two patients who completed treatment, theSUVmaxbetween the first and second PET/CT examination decreased by 42% and 13%, respectively. Further studies in a larger patient population are needed to verify these preliminary results by correlating regional Na18F PET measurements to clinical and radiological findings.
Kalman Filter for Cross‐Noise in the Integration of SINS and DVL
Authors: Liu Xixiang , Xu Xiaosu , Liu Yiting , Wang Lihui
Published: March 2014

The integration of strapdown inertial navigation system and Doppler velocity log (SINS/DVL) is widely used for navigation in automatic underwater vehicles (AUVs). In the integration of SINS/DVL, the velocity measured by DVL in body frame should be projected into navigation frame with the help of attitude matrix calculated by SINS to participate in data fusion. In the process of data fusion based on standard Kalman filter, the errors in calculated attitude matrix are characterized by state variance and process noise while the errors in measurement vector from DVL are by measurement noise. But the above projection will bring process noise into measurement noise, and thus the assumption of the independence between process noise and measurement noise will not stand. In this paper, the forming mechanism of cross‐noise in SINS/DVL is studied in detail and Kalman filter for cross‐noise is introduced to deal with this problem. Simulation results indicate that navigation accuracy, especially the position accuracy, can be improved when the cross‐noise is processed in Kalman filter.
A Path-Based Gradient Projection Algorithm for the Cost-Based System Optimum Problem in Networks with Continuously Distributed Value of Time
Authors: Wu Wen-Xiang , Huang Hai-Jun
Published: March 2014

The cost-based system optimum problem in networks with continuously distributed value of time is formulated as a path-based form, which cannot be solved by the Frank-Wolfe algorithm. In light of magnitude improvement in the availability of computer memory in recent years, path-based algorithms have been regarded as a viable approach for traffic assignment problems with reasonably large network sizes. We develop a path-based gradient projection algorithm for solving the cost-based system optimum model, based on Goldstein-Levitin-Polyak method which has been successfully applied to solve standard user equilibrium and system optimum problems. The Sioux Falls network tested is used to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm.
The Anxiolytic Effects of Valtrate in Rats Involves Changes of Corticosterone Levels
Authors: Shi Shu-Ning , Shi Jin-Li , Liu Yong , Wang Yan-Li , Wang Chun-Guo , Hou Wen-Hui , Guo Jian-You
Published: March 2014

Valtrate is a principle compound isolated from Valeriana jatamansi Jones, which is a Traditional Chinese Medicine used to treat various mood disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic effects of valtrate in rats. The animals were orally administered valtrate (5, 10, and 20 g/kg daily) for 10 days and exposed to open field test (OFT) and elevated plus‐maze (EPM). Then the corticosterone levels in the rat serum were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The valtrate (10 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited the anxiolytic effect in rats by increasing the time and entry percentage into the open arms in the EPM and the number of central entries in the OFT. Valtrate (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the corticosterone level in the rat serum. Taken together, these results suggest that the valtrate has anxiolytic activity in behavioral models that might be mediated via the function of hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis.
Is Sexual Dimorphism in the Immune Response of Gryllodes sigillatus Related to the Quality of Diet?
Authors: Galicia Adolfo , Cueva del Castillo Raúl , Contreras-Garduño Jorge
Published: March 2014

Whereas some authors have proposed that sexual dimorphism in the immune response is fixed, others pose that it is dynamic and depends on diet. The aim of the present study was to explore the second hypothesis. Immunocompetence differences between females and males can be linked to resource availability. We tested this idea by providing a low or high quality diet to two groups of Gryllodes sigilatus during their developmental period. Then, at the adult phase half of each group was challenged with LPS from Serratia marcescens. The size, phenol oxidase (PO), and lytic activity were compared between groups according to diet, sex, and immune challenge. Results show that diet quality favor size in both sexes. However, the overall immune response did not seem to be significantly different based on diet, but instead on sex. Females showed greater phenol oxidase levels than males, but the opposite was found with lytic activity. Perhaps in G. sigillatus the differences in the pathogens commonly confronted by each sex in the distinct habitat of each could explain the differences on PO and lytic activity.
Development and Evaluation of Novel Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems Based on a Homolipid from Capra hircus and Its Admixtures with Melon Oil for the Delivery of Indomethacin
Authors: Obitte Nicholas C. , Ofokansi Kenneth C. , Kenechukwu Franklin C.
Published: March 2014

In this study, goat fat (Capra hircus) and melon oil were extracted and used to formulate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) based on either goat fat alone or its admixture with melon oil by employing escalating ratios of oil(s), surfactant blend (1 : 1 Tween 60 and Tween 80), and cosurfactant (Span 85), with or without carbosil, a glidant, for the delivery of indomethacin. The formulations were encapsulated in hard gelatin capsules and then assessed using isotropicity test, aqueous dilution stability and precipitation propensity, absolute drug content, emulsification time, in vitro drug release, and anti-inflammatory activity. The SNEDDS exhibited low precipitation propensity and excellent stability on copious dilution, as well as high drug release in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition produced by the SNEDDS was comparable to that of indomethacin injection (positive control) for much of the 5 h test period, indicating a high degree of bioavailability of the administered SNEDDS. The absolute drug contents and emulsification times fell within narrow limits. This study has shown that a 1 : 1 ratio of melon oil and goat fat could confer favourable properties with respect to drug release and anti-inflammatory activity on SNEDDS for the delivery of indomethacin, thus encouraging further development of the formulations.
Circulating miRNA-125b Is a Potential Biomarker Predicting Response to Rituximab in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Duroux-Richard Isabelle , Pers Yves-Marie , Fabre Sylvie , Ammari Meryem , Baeten Dominique , Cartron Guillaume , Touitou Isabelle , Jorgensen Christian , Apparailly Florence
Published: March 2014

Although biologic therapies have changed the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), today’s major challenge remains to identify biomarkers to target treatments to selected patient groups. Circulating micro(mi)RNAs represent a novel class of molecular biomarkers whose expression is altered in RA. Our study aimed at quantifying miR-125b in blood and serum samples from RA patients, comparing healthy controls and patients with other forms of rheumatic diseases and arthritis, and evaluating its predictive value as biomarker for response to rituximab. Detectable levels of miR-125b were measured in total blood and serum samples and were significantly elevated in RA patients compared to osteoarthritic and healthy donors. The increase was however also found in patients with other forms of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Importantly, high serum levels of miR-125b at disease flare were associated with good clinical response to treatment with rituximab three months later (P=0.002). This predictive value was not limited to RA as it was also found in patients with B lymphomas. Our results identify circulating miR-125b as a novel miRNA over expressed in RA and suggest that serum level of miR-125b is potential predictive biomarker of response to rituximab treatment.
Polyphenols as Key Players for the Antileukaemic Effects of Propolis
Authors: Abubakar Murtala B. , Abdullah Wan Zaidah , Sulaiman Siti Amrah , Ang Boon Suen
Published: March 2014

Propolis (a bee product) which has a long history of medicinal use by humans has attracted a great deal of research interest in the recent time; this is due to its widely reported biological activities such as antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties. Crude form of propolis and its phenolic contents have both been reported to exhibit antileukaemic effects in various leukaemia cell lines. The ability of the polyphenols found in propolis to arrest cell cycle and induce apoptosis and differentiation in addition to inhibition of cell growth and proliferation makes them promising antileukaemic agents, and hence, they are believed to be a key to the antileukaemic effects of propolis in different types of leukaemia. This paper reviews the molecular bases of antileukaemic activity of both crude propolis and individual polyphenols on various leukaemia cell lines, and it indicates that propolis has the potential to be used in both treatment and prevention of leukaemia. This however needs further evaluation by in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies as well as clinical trials.
Serratiopeptidase Niosomal Gel with Potential in Topical Delivery
Authors: Shinde Ujwala A. , Kanojiya Shivkumar S.
Published: March 2014

The objective of present study was to develop nonionic surfactant vesicles of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase (SRP) by adapting reverse phase evaporation (REV) technique and to evaluate the viability of SRP niosomal gel in treating the topical inflammation. The feasibility of SRP niosomes by REV method using Span 40 and cholesterol has been successfully demonstrated in this investigation. The entrapment efficiency was found to be influenced by the molar ratio of Span 40 : cholesterol and concentration of SRP in noisome. The developed niosomes were characterized for morphology, particle size, andin vitrorelease. Niosomal gel was prepared by dispersing xanthan gum into optimized batch of SRP niosomes.Ex vivopermeation andin vivoanti-inflammatory efficacy of gel formulation were evaluated topically. SRP niosomes obtained were round in nanosize range. At Span 40 : cholesterol molar ratio 1 : 1 entrapment efficiency was maximum, that is, 54.82% ± 2.08, and showed consistent release pattern. Furthermoreex vivoskin permeation revealed that there was fourfold increase in a steady state flux when SRP was formulated in niosomes and a significant increase in the permeation of SRP, from SRP niosomal gel containing permeation enhancer.In vivoefficacy studies indicated that SRP niosomal gel had a comparable topical anti-inflammatory activity to that of dicolfenac gel.
Fuzzy‐Based Segmentation for Variable Font‐Sized Text Extraction from Images/Videos
Authors: Tehsin Samabia , Masood Asif , Kausar Sumaira , Arif Fahim
Published: March 2014

Textual information embedded in multimedia can provide a vital tool for indexing and retrieval. A lot of work is done in the field of text localization and detection because of its very fundamental importance. One of the biggest challenges of text detection is to deal with variation in font sizes and image resolution. This problem gets elevated due to the undersegmentation or oversegmentation of the regions in an image. The paper addresses this problem by proposing a solution using novel fuzzy‐based method. This paper advocates postprocessing segmentation method that can solve the problem of variation in text sizes and image resolution. The methodology is tested on ICDAR 2011 Robust Reading Challenge dataset which amply proves the strength of the recommended method.
The Expression and Clinical Significance of Different Forms of Mer Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Zhu Huaqun , Sun Xiaolin , Zhu Lei , Hu Fanlei , Shi Lianjie , Li Zhanguo , Su Yin
Published: March 2014

Objective. To investigate the expression and clinical significance of trans-membrane MerTK (mMer) on circulating CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and soluble MerTK (sMer) levels in plasma in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Method. 108 SLE patients and 42 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The expression of mMer on the surfaces of CD14+ monocytes/macrophages was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). The sMer levels were measured by ELISA. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to evaluate the mRNA levels of MerTK and ADAM17.Results. Both mMer expression on CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and sMer levels in plasma significantly increased in SLE patients compared to healthy subjects. The frequency of anti-inflammatory MerTK expressing CD14+CD16+ monocytes decreased in SLE. mMer expression was positively correlated with CD163 expression on CD14+ cells. Both the mMer expression on CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and sMer levels in plasma were positively correlated with SLEDAI. Furthermore, more elevated mMer and sMer levels were found in patients with higher SLEDAI, presence of anti-SSA, anti-Sm autoantibodies, and lupus nephritis.Conclusion. Both mMer and sMer levels significantly increased in SLE and positively correlated with disease activity and severity. The upregulation of MerTK expression may serve as a biomarker of the disease activity and severity of SLE.
Contributions of Flexible‐Arch Configurations in Shimenzi Arch Dam: New Evidence from Field Measurements
Authors: Zhong Jianwen , Wang Enzhi , Zhou Yuande , Li Qingbin , Li Penghui
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a retrospective investigation into the performance of a new type of flexible‐arch configurations in Shimenzi arch dam based on the past ten‐year‐long field measurements. The flexible‐arch configurations are mainly comprised of artificial short joints at the middle downstream surface and a middle
contraction joint with hinged well and enlarged arch ends with bending joints. Fundamental design considerations of these components are provided, and their
contributions to the performance of Shimenzi arch dam are discussed in detail using the monitoring data from joint meters, strain gauges, and thermometers. Some elementary numerical studies have been conducted on a typical arch structure with different arrangements of artificial joints. Both the field data and numerical results
prove well the effectiveness of the purposely built short joints and the middle contraction joint on the relaxation of tensile stress mobilization. Field survey data also
clearly demonstrate the significance of the hinged well at the upstream side of the middle joint for a continuous arch force transfer.
Relationship between Size of Cloud Ice and Lightning in the Tropics
Authors: Lal Deen Mani , Ghude Sachin D. , Singh Jagvir , Tiwari Suresh
Published: March 2014

The association of lightning flashes with mean cloud ice size over continental and oceanic region in the tropical areas has been analyzed using the observations from various satellite platforms (MODIS, TRMM, and LIS) for the period 2000–2011. We found that frequency of lightning in general is higher over the continental region compared to oceanic region, whereas larger size of cloud ice is observed over the oceanic regions compared to the continental regions. Relationship between lighting and cloud ice size shows similar features over both continental and oceanic regions. For the first time, we show that total lighting increases with increase in the cloud ice size; attends maximum at certain cloud ice size and then decreases with increase in cloud ice size. Maximum lightning occurred for the mean cloud ice size of around 23–25 µm over the continental region and mean cloud ice size of around 24–28 µm over the oceanic region. Based on our observation we argue that the relation between lightning and mean cloud ice size follow the curve linear pattern, and not linear.
Active Sliding Mode for Synchronization of a Wide Class of Four-Dimensional Fractional-Order Chaotic Systems
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhou Yuangui , Xue Jianyi , Zhu Delan
Published: March 2014

We focus on the synchronization of a wide class of four-dimensional (4-D) chaotic systems. Firstly, based on the stability theory in fractional-order calculus and sliding mode control, a new method is derived to make the synchronization of a wide class of fractional-order chaotic systems. Furthermore, the method guarantees the synchronization between an integer-order system and a fraction-order system and the synchronization between two fractional-order chaotic systems with different orders. Finally, three examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
An Energy Efficient Dynamic Address Encoding Scheme for Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Zheng Liuxiao , Zhang Kewang , Zhang Deyun
Published: March 2014

Wireless sensor network is drawing intensive research attention and being applied in various practical scenarios. The integration of WSN in industrial manufacturing process provides low cost industrial automation systems. The benefits of WSN include rapid deployment, self-organization, and being maintenance free. However, wireless sensor nodes are battery powered; replacing or recharging battery is usually impossible after deployment, which makes energy a scarce resource for WSN. Furthermore, in industrial applications, environment information is gathered and delivered in a timely manner, which makes traditional energy saving methods such as listen-sleeping duty approach less efficient. In this work, a novel dynamic address encoding scheme based on packet arrival rate is proposed; the scheme can reduce the protocol overhead by reducing MAC and network address size and thus saves energy needed for data transmission. The implementation of the scheme is fully distributed and needs little modification of the existing applications. Simulation results show the proposed scheme is efficient and robust on both the MAC layer and the network layer.