bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextual valence modulates the neural dynamics of risk processing
Authors: Zheng Ya , Li Qi , Wang Kai , Wu Haiyan , Liu Xun
Published: February 2015

A well‐known bias in risky decision making is that most people tend to be risk averse when gains are salient but risk seeking when losses are salient. The present study addressed the neural dynamics of this process by recording ERPs during a gambling task in a gain and a loss context. Behaviorally, participants were found to be risk averse in the gain context but risk neutral in the loss context. During the anticipation stage, an increased stimulus‐preceding negativity was elicited by high‐ versus low‐risk choices in the gain but not the loss context. During the outcome‐appraisal stage, the feedback‐related negativity was larger after high‐ versus low‐risk choices in the gain instead of the loss context. For the P300, an outcome valence effect (a larger P300 for gain vs. loss outcomes) emerged following the high‐ versus low‐risk decisions in the gain but not the loss context. Our findings suggest that risk processing can be modulated by the context of valence during the anticipation stage and by both the contextual valence and the outcome valence during the outcome‐appraisal stage, which may be driven by the motivational salience imposed by the context of valence.
Quantifying and mapping topsoil inorganic carbon concentrations and stocks: approaches tested in France
Authors: Marchant B. P. , Villanneau E. J. , Arrouays D. , Saby N. P. A. , Rawlins B. G.
Published: February 2015

Soils act as a sink or a source of atmospheric carbon, and great efforts are made to monitor soil organic carbon stocks, but soil inorganic carbon (SIC) stocks are not measured by many national‐ and continental‐scale soil monitoring networks. Topsoil (0–30 cm)SICconcentrations were determined for > 2000 sites on a regular 16‐km grid as part of the French, Réseau de Mesures de la Qualité des Sols (RMQS). We used design‐based statistical methods to calculate unbiased estimates of the meanSICconcentration and total stocks across France. Model‐based methods were used to determine the uncertainty of these estimates and to map the spatial distribution of these quantities. Observations of inorganic carbon were highly skewed and did not conform to standard statistical models. Data were normalized using a nonparametric transformation. The estimates and predictions of inorganic carbon are baselines against which the results of future phases of the network can be compared. We found that the total topsoil inorganic carbon stocks in France amount to 1070 ± 61 Tg, ca. one‐third of the corresponding organic carbon stocks. Spatial distribution ofSICwas strongly linked to the underlying geology. We tested the reliability of estimatingSICconcentrations and stocks from the French Soil Test Database, which contains the results of 280 000 soil analyses requested by farmers between 1990 and 2004. A biased estimate of soil inorganic carbon concentrations resulted, presumably because soil samples were selected according to concerns of farmers rather than by a statistical design.
Teaching probability: a socio‐constructivist perspective
Authors: Sharma Sashi
Published: February 2015

There is a considerable and rich literature on students' misconceptions in probability. However, less attention has been paid to the development of students' probabilistic thinking in the classroom. This paper offers a sequence, grounded in socio‐constructivist perspective for teaching probability.
Symbiodinium transcriptome and global responses of cells to immediate changes in light intensity when grown under autotrophic or mixotrophic conditions
Authors: Xiang Tingting , Nelson William , Rodriguez Jesse , Tolleter Dimitri , Grossman Arthur R.
Published: February 2015

Symbiosis between unicellular dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium) and their cnidarian hosts (e.g. corals, sea anemones) is the foundation of coral reef ecosystems. Dysfunction of this symbiosis under changing environmental conditions has led to global reef decline. Little information is known about Symbiodinium gene expression and mechanisms by which light impacts host–symbiont associations. To address these issues, we generated a transcriptome from axenic Symbiodinium strain SSB01. Here we report features of the transcriptome, including occurrence and length distribution of spliced leader sequences, the functional landscape of encoded proteins and the impact of light on gene expression. Expression of many Symbiodinium genes appears to be significantly impacted by light. Transcript encoding cryptochrome 2 declined in high light while some transcripts for Regulators of Chromatin Condensation (RCC1) declined in the dark. We also identified a transcript encoding a light harvesting AcpPC protein with homology to Chlamydomonas LHCSR2. The level of this transcript increased in high light autotrophic conditions, suggesting that it is involved in photo‐protection and the dissipation of excess absorbed light energy. The most extensive changes in transcript abundances occurred when the algae were transferred from low light to darkness. Interestingly, transcripts encoding several cell adhesion proteins rapidly declined following movement of cultures to the dark, which correlated with a dramatic change in cell surface morphology, likely reflecting the complexity of the extracellular matrix. Thus, light‐sensitive cell adhesion proteins may play a role in establishing surface architecture, which may in turn alter interactions between the endosymbiont and its host.
Trade Costs in Bilateral Trade Flows: Heterogeneity and Zeroes in Structural Gravity Models
Authors: Bernardini Papalia Rosa , Bertarelli Silvia
Published: February 2015

This paper contributes to the explanation of international trade flows with structural gravity models taking heterogeneity and excess zeroes into account. We introduce a more general hypothesis on the structure of trade costs in Helpman et al. (The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2008; 123, 2, 441) theoretical model that is capable of explaining over‐dispersion in trade data. Zero‐inflated negative binomial models are considered to analyse the impact of trade costs, measured in terms of geographical distance and contiguity effects. An analysis related to a sample of 37 countries' trade flows, with heterogeneous effects across sectors and trade‐integrated areas, such as APEC and EU, is presented. The size of exporting and destination economies and cultural and institutional factors are considered as influencing both the extensive and the intensive margin of trade.
Resveratrol protects against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in aged hearts through the SIRT1‐USP7 axis
Authors: Sin Thomas K. , Tam Bjorn T. , Yung Benjamin Y. , Yip Shea P. , Chan Lawrence W. , Wong Cesar S. , Ying Michael , Rudd John A. , Siu Parco M.
Published: February 2015

Key points

Doxorubicin induced functional deteriorations and elevations of USP7‐related apoptotic/catabolic signalling in the senescent heart

Resveratrol protects against doxorubicin‐induced alterations through the restoration of SIRT1 deacetylase activity

A compromised cardiac function is often seen in elderly cancer patients receiving doxorubicin therapy. The present study tested the hypothesis that acute intervention with resveratrol, a natural anti‐oxidant found in grapes and red wine, reduces the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin through restoration of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deacetylase activity, and attenuation of the catabolic/apoptotic pathways orchestrated by USP7, a p53 deubiquitinating protein, using young (aged 2 months) and old (aged 10 months) senescence‐accelerated mice prone 8 (SAMP8). Animals were randomised to receive saline, doxorubicin, and doxorubicin in combination with resveratrol, in the presence or absence of SIRT1 inhibitors, sirtinol or EX527. Resveratrol alone, but not in combination with either of the SIRT1 inhibitors, suppressed the doxorubicin‐induced impairment of cardiac systolic function in aged animals. Doxorubicin reduced SIRT1 deacetylase activity, and elevated proteasomal activity and USP7; it also increased the protein level of p300 and ubiquitinated proteins in hearts from aged SAMP8. These doxorubicin‐induced alterations were prevented by resveratrol, whereas the protective action of resveratrol was antagonised by sirtinol and EX527. In young SAMP8 hearts, resveratrol attenuated the doxorubicin‐induced increases in acetylation of Foxo1 and transactivation of MuRF‐1, whereas these mitigations were not found after treatment with SIRT1 inhibitors. However, the protein contents of acetylated Foxo1 and MuRF‐1 were not affected by any of the drugs studied in aged SAMP8 hearts. Resveratrol also ameliorated the augmentation of pro‐apoptotic markers including p53, Bax, caspase 3 activity and apoptotic DNA fragmentation induced by doxorubicin in hearts from aged animals, whereas these reductions were diminished by combined treatment with SIRT1 inhibitors. These data demonstrate that resveratrol ameliorates doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in aged hearts through the restoration of SIRT1 activity to attenuate USP7‐related catabolic/pro‐apoptotic signalling.
Developments in Robust and Stochastic Predictive Control in the Presence of Uncertainty
Authors: Kouvaritakis B. , Cannon M.
Published: February 2015

Model-based predictive control (MPC), arguably the most effective control methodology for constrained systems, has seen rapid growth over the last few decades. The theory of classical MPC is well established by now, and robust MPC (RMPC) that deals with uncertainty (either in the form of additive disturbance or imprecise and/or time-varying knowledge of the system parameters) is itself reaching a state of maturity. There have been a number of new developments reported in the area of stochastic MPC (SMPC), which deals with the case where uncertainty is random and some or all of the constraints are probabilistic. The present paper surveys these developments, setting the scene by first discussing the key ingredients of classical MPC, then highlighting some major contributions in RMPC, and finally, describing recent results in SMPC. The discussion of the latter is restricted to uncertainty with bounded support, which is consistent with practice and provides the basis for the establishment of control theoretic properties, such as recurrent feasibility, stability, and convergence.
In Vitro Measurement of the Coaptation Force Distribution in Normal and Functional Regurgitant Porcine Mitral Valves
Authors: Adams John , O'Rourke Malachy J.
Published: February 2015

Closure of the left atrioventricular orifice is achieved when the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve press together to form a coaptation zone along the free edge of the leaflets. This coaptation zone is critical to valve competency and is maintained by the support of the mitral annulus, chordae tendinae, and papillary muscles. Myocardial ischemia can lead to an altered performance of this mitral complex generating suboptimal mitral leaflet coaptation and a resultant regurgitant orifice. This paper reports on a two-part experiment undertaken to measure the dependence of coaptation force distribution on papillary muscle position in normal and functional regurgitant porcine mitral heart valves. Using a novel load sensor, the local coaptation force was measured in vitro at three locations (A1–P1, A2–P2, and A3–P3) along the coaptation zone. In part 1, the coaptation force was measured under static conditions in ten whole hearts. In part 2, the coaptation force was measured in four explanted mitral valves operating in a flow loop under physiological flow conditions. Here, two series of tests were undertaken corresponding to the normal and functional regurgitant state as determined by the position of the papillary muscles relative to the mitral valve annulus. The functional regurgitant state corresponded to grade 1. The static tests in part 1 revealed that the local force was directly proportional to the transmitral pressure and was nonuniformly distributed across the coaptation zone, been strongest at A1–P1. In part 2, tests of the valve in a normal state showed that the local force was again directly proportional to the transmitral pressure and was again nonuniform across the coaptation zone, been strongest at A1–P1 and weakest at A2–P2. Further tests performed on the same valves in a functional regurgitant state showed that the local force measured in the coaptation zone was directly proportional to the transmitral pressure. However, the force was now observed to be weakest at A1–P1 and strongest at A2–P2. Movement of the anterolateral papillary muscle (APM) away from both the annular and anterior–posterior (AP) planes was seen to contribute significantly to the altered force distribution in the coaptation zone. It was concluded that papillary muscle displacement typical of myocardial ischemia changes the coaptation force locally within the coaptation zone.
The Influence of the Aortic Root Geometry on Flow Characteristics of a Prosthetic Heart Valve
Authors: Barannyk Oleksandr , Oshkai Peter
Published: February 2015

In this paper, performance of aortic heart valve prosthesis in different geometries of the aortic root is investigated experimentally. The objective of this investigation is to establish a set of parameters, which are associated with abnormal flow patterns due to the flow through a prosthetic heart valve implanted in the patients that had certain types of valve diseases prior to the valve replacement. Specific valve diseases were classified into two clinical categories and were correlated with the corresponding changes in aortic root geometry while keeping the aortic base diameter fixed. These categories correspond to aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve insufficiency. The control case that corresponds to the aortic root of a patient without valve disease was used as a reference. Experiments were performed at test conditions corresponding to 70 beats/min, 5.5 L/min target cardiac output, and a mean aortic pressure of 100 mmHg. By varying the aortic root geometry, while keeping the diameter of the orifice constant, it was possible to investigate corresponding changes in the levels of Reynolds shear stress and establish the possibility of platelet activation and, as a result of that, the formation of blood clots.
Graph Based Method and Tool for Complete and Selective Disassembly Time Estimation in Early Design
Authors: Hu Yang , Srinivasan Raghunathan , Spoll Jessica , Ameta Gaurav
Published: February 2015

The goal of this research is to develop a method and tool (a) to estimate disassembly time automatically from early embodiment design based CAD model and (b) to provide design suggestions to improve product disassemblability. Disassembly is a critical process in the end-of-life (EOL) stage of a product. It is usually followed by sorting and then by material recovery for recycling or part recovery for reuse or remanufacturing. Manual estimation of disassembly time, through physical prototype disassembly or through Boothroyd and Dewhurst system, is time consuming and is not applicable in the early design stage. In this research, graph based data structures and related metrics are utilized to estimate complete and selective disassembly time at embodiment design stage. Selective disassembly is important when a single part of subassembly is to be recovered while the rest of the product is to be discarded. Selective disassembly time is estimated by merging particular nodes in assembly and bipartite graph and then recomputing the graph metrics. The method and algorithm presented in this paper is implemented using SolidWorks application programming interface (API) in Visual C#. Results are compared with the results obtained by Boothroyd and Dewhurst method, the error range is reasonable.
Transient Heat Transfer of a Hollow Cylinder Subjected to Periodic Boundary Conditions
Authors: Sun Yujia , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this paper is to study the transient temperature responses of a hollow cylinder subjected to periodic boundary conditions, which comprises with a short heating period (a few milliseconds) and a relative long cooling period (a few seconds). During the heating process, the inner surface is under complex convection heat transfer condition, which is not so easy to approximate. This paper first calculated the gas temperature history and the convective heat transfer coefficient history between the gas flow and the inner surface and then they were applied to the inner surface as boundary conditions. Finite element analysis was used to solve the transient heat transfer equations of the hollow cylinder. Results show that the inner surface is under strong thermal impact and large temperature gradient occurs in the region adjacent to the inner surface. Sometimes chromium plating and water cooling are used to relief the thermal shock of a tube under such thermal conditions. The effects of these methods are analyzed, and it indicates that the chromium plating can reduce the maximum temperature of the inner surface for the first cycle during periodic heating and the water cooling method can reduce the growth trend of the maximum temperature for sustained conditions. We also investigate the effects of different parameters on the maximum temperature of the inner surface, like chromium thickness, water velocity, channel diameter, and number of cooling channels.
Slipping of a Viscoplastic Fluid Flowing on a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Ozogul Hamdullah , Jay Pascal , Magnin Albert
Published: February 2015

The slipping effect during creeping flow of viscoplastic fluids around a circular cylinder has been investigated via numerical simulations. For the bulk behavior of the fluid, a Herschel–Bulkley law is considered. For the parietal behavior, an original and recent slip law based on an elastohydrodynamic lubrication model defined with a physical approach has been implemented. In particular, this law represents the behavior of Carbopol gels, which are commonly used during experimental studies on yield stress fluid mechanics and in industry. This law has two parameters that control the kinematic conditions at the fluid–structure interface. Variations in the plastic drag coefficient are given as a function of these parameters. It has been shown in particular the decreasing of the drag coefficient when there is slipping at the fluid–structure interface. The kinematic field has been analyzed and the evolution of rigid zones is illustrated. Results are provided for different slipping conditions ranging from the no-slip to the perfect-slip (PS) case. The sheared zone becomes smaller so the flow is more and more confined due to the slip, which induces modifications on the rigid zones. Some of the results are compared with existing asymptotic plastic drag coefficients and experimental data.
Eulerian Method for Multiphase Interactions of Soft Solid Bodies in Fluids
Authors: Valkov Boris , Rycroft Chris H. , Kamrin Ken
Published: February 2015

We introduce an Eulerian approach for problems involving one or more soft solids immersed in a fluid, which permits mechanical interactions between all phases. The reference map variable is exploited to simulate finite-deformation constitutive relations in the solid(s) on the same fixed grid as the fluid phase, which greatly simplifies the coupling between phases. Our coupling procedure, a key contribution in the current work, is shown to be computationally faster and more stable than an earlier approach and admits the ability to simulate both fluid–solid and solid–solid interaction between submerged bodies. The interface treatment is demonstrated with multiple examples involving a weakly compressible Navier–Stokes fluid interacting with a neo-Hookean solid, and we verify the method's convergence. The solid contact method, which exploits distance-measures already existing on the grid, is demonstrated with two examples. A new, general routine for cross-interface extrapolation is introduced and used as part of the new interfacial treatment.
A Machine Learning-Based Design Representation Method for Designing Heterogeneous Microstructures
Authors: Xu Hongyi , Liu Ruoqian , Choudhary Alok , Chen Wei
Published: February 2015

In designing microstructural materials systems, one of the key research questions is how to represent the microstructural design space quantitatively using a descriptor set that is sufficient yet small enough to be tractable. Existing approaches describe complex microstructures either using a small set of descriptors that lack sufficient level of details, or using generic high order microstructure functions of infinite dimensionality without explicit physical meanings. We propose a new machine learning-based method for identifying the key microstructure descriptors from vast candidates as potential microstructural design variables. With a large number of candidate microstructure descriptors collected from literature covering a wide range of microstructural material systems, a four-step machine learning-based method is developed to eliminate redundant microstructure descriptors via image analyses, to identify key microstructure descriptors based on structure–property data, and to determine the microstructure design variables. The training criteria of the supervised learning process include both microstructure correlation functions and material properties. The proposed methodology effectively reduces the infinite dimension of the microstructure design space to a small set of descriptors without a significant information loss. The benefits are demonstrated by an example of polymer nanocomposites optimization. We compare designs using key microstructure descriptors versus using empirically chosen microstructure descriptors as a demonstration of the proposed method.
Atomic layer deposition of tin oxide and zinc tin oxide using tetraethyltin and ozone
Authors: Warner Ellis J. , Johnson Forrest , Campbell Stephen A. , Gladfelter Wayne L.
Published: February 2015

Silicon or glass substrates exposed to sequential pulses of tetraethyltin (TET) and ozone (O3) were coated with thin films of SnO2. Self-limiting deposition was found using 8 s pulse times, and a uniform thickness per cycle (TPC) of 0.2 nm/cycle was observed in a small, yet reproducible, temperature window from 290 to 320 °C. The as-deposited, stoichiometric SnO2 films were amorphous and transparent above 400 nm. Interspersing pulses of diethylzinc and O3 among the TET:O3 pulses resulted in deposition of zinc tin oxide films, where the fraction of tin, defined as [at. % Sn/(at. % Sn + at. % Zn)], was controlled by the ratio of TET pulses, specifically nTET:(nTET + nDEZ) where nTET and nDEZ are the number of precursor/O3 subcycles within each atomic layer deposition (ALD) supercycle. Based on film thickness and composition measurements, the TET pulse time required to reach saturation in the TPC of SnO2 on ZnO surfaces was increased to >30 s. Under these conditions, film stoichiometry as a function of the TET pulse ratio was consistent with the model devised by Elliott and Nilsen. The as-deposited zinc tin oxide (ZTO) films were amorphous and remained so even after annealing at 450 °C in air for 1 h. The optical bandgap of the transparent ZTO films increased as the tin concentration increased. Hall measurements established that the n-type ZTO carrier concentration was 3 × 1017 and 4 × 1018 cm−3 for fractional tin concentrations of 0.28 and 0.63, respectively. The carrier mobility decreased as the concentration of tin increased. A broken gap pn junction was fabricated using ALD-deposited ZTO and a sputtered layer of cuprous oxide. The junction demonstrated ohmic behavior and low resistance consistent with similar junctions prepared using sputter-deposited ZTO.
Fluorescent in situ hybridization showsDIPLOSPOROUSlocated on one of the NOR chromosomes in apomictic dandelions (Taraxacum) in the absence of a large hemizygous chromosomal region
Authors: Vašut Radim J. , Vijverberg Kitty , van Dijk Peter J. , de Jong Hans
Published: February 2015

Apomixis in dandelions (Taraxacum: Asteraceae) is encoded by two unlinked dominant loci and a third yet undefined genetic factor: diplosporous omission of meiosis (DIPLOSPOROUS, DIP), parthenogenetic embryo development (PARTHENOGENESIS, PAR), and autonomous endosperm formation, respectively. In this study, we determined the chromosomal position of the DIP locus in Taraxacum by using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) that genetically map within 1.2–0.2 cM of DIP. The BACs showed dispersed fluorescent signals, except for S4-BAC 83 that displayed strong unique signals as well. Under stringent blocking of repeats by C0t-DNA fragments, only a few fluorescent foci restricted to defined chromosome regions remained, including one on the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) chromosomes that contains the 45S rDNAs. FISH with S4-BAC 83 alone and optimal blocking showed discrete foci in the middle of the long arm of one of the NOR chromosomes only in triploid and tetraploid diplosporous dandelions, while signals in sexual diploids were lacking. This agrees with the genetic model of a single dose, dominant DIP allele, absent in sexuals. The length of the DIP region is estimated to cover a region of 1–10 Mb. FISH in various accessions of Taraxacum and the apomictic sister species Chondrilla juncea, confirmed the chromosomal position of DIP within Taraxacum but not outside the genus. Our results endorse that, compared to other model apomictic species, expressing either diplospory or apospory, the genome of Taraxacum shows a more similar and less diverged chromosome structure at the DIP locus. The different levels of allele sequence divergence at apomeiosis loci may reflect different terms of asexual reproduction. The association of apomeiosis loci with repetitiveness, dispersed repeats, and retrotransposons commonly observed in apomictic species may imply a functional role of these shared features in apomictic reproduction, as is discussed.
Investigating noise tolerance in an efficient engine for inferring biological regulatory networks
Authors: Komori Asako , Maki Yukihiro , Ono Isao , Okamoto Masahiro
Published: February 2015

Biological systems are composed of biomolecules such as genes, proteins, metabolites, and signaling components, which interact in complex networks. To understand complex biological systems, it is important to be capable of inferring regulatory networks from experimental time series data. In previous studies, we developed efficient numerical optimization methods for inferring these networks, but we have yet to test the performance of our methods when considering the error (noise) that is inherent in experimental data. In this study, we investigated the noise tolerance of our proposed inferring engine. We prepared the noise data using the Langevin equation, and compared the performance of our method with that of alternative optimization methods.
Dynamics of populations with two sexes
Authors: Pérez M. Cecilia , Saavedra E. Adriana , Ferrari Mariano A.
Published: February 2015

A mathematical model is presented in order to describe the dynamics of polygamous populations, bearing in mind single individuals of both sexes and the development of reproductive groups. In this context, the description leads us to consider positive homogeneous dynamical systems, establishing conditions for the stationary state existence and its local stability. A fourth pre-reproductive stage was considered, i.e. males and females spend part of their lives before being in condition to reproduce, as a first step to consider more general models. Finally, we parametrized the proposed model using southern elephant seal data, to analyze the direct applicability to a real population.
Predictor homotopy analysis method for nanofluid flow through expanding or contracting gaps with permeable walls
Authors: Freidoonimehr Navid , Rostami Behnam , Rashidi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: February 2015

In this paper a definitely new analytical technique, predictor homotopy analysis method (PHAM), is employed to solve the problem of two-dimensional nanofluid flow through expanding or contracting gaps with permeable walls. Moreover, comparison of the PHAM results with numerical results obtained by the shooting method coupled with a Runge–Kutta integration method as well as previously published study results demonstrates high accuracy for this technique. The fluid in the channel is water containing different nanoparticles: silver, copper, copper oxide, titanium oxide, and aluminum oxide. The effects of the nanoparticle volume fraction, Reynolds number, wall expansion ratio, and different types of nanoparticles on the flow are discussed.
Hybrid Tumor of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sabri Alain , Bawab Ibrahim , Khalifeh Ibrahim , Alam Elie
Published: February 2015

The parotid gland is the most common location of benign neoplasms affecting major salivary glands. Hybrid tumors are very rare tumor entities which are composed of two different tumor types, each of which conforms to an exactly defined tumor category. The tumor entities of a hybrid tumor are not separated but have an identical origin within the same topographical area. This report describes a 51-year-old male with three neoplasms occurring within a single parotid gland tumor. The clinical, radiological, and histologic features are described in addition to a review of the literature.
Importance of Maternal Diabetes on the Chronological Deregulation of the Intrauterine Development: An Experimental Study in Rat
Authors: Salazar García Marcela , Reyes Maldonado Elba , Revilla Monsalve María Cristina , Villavicencio Guzmán Laura , Reyes López Alfonso , Sánchez-Gómez Concepción
Published: February 2015

We investigated whether maternal diabetes induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ) on Day 5 of pregnancy affects the intrauterine developmental timeline. A total of 30 pregnant Sprague-Dawley diabetic rats (DRs) and 20 control rats (CRs) were used to obtain 21-day fetuses (F21) and newborn (NB) pups. Gestational age, weight, and body size were recorded as were the maxillofacial morphometry and morphohistological characteristics of the limbs. In DRs, pregnancy continued for ∼1.7 days, and delivery occurred 23 days postcoitus (DPC). In this group, the number of pups was lower, and 13% had maxillofacial defects. F21 in the DR group had lower weights and were smaller; moreover, the morphological characteristics of the maxillofacial structures, derived from the neural crest, were discordant with their chronological gestational age, resembling 18- to 19-day-old fetuses. These deficiencies were counterbalanced in NB pups. We conclude that hyperglycemia, which results from maternal diabetes and precedes embryo implantation, deregulates the intrauterine developmental timeline, restricts embryo-fetal growth, and primarily delays the remodeling and maturation of the structures derived from neural crest cells.
Antiosteoporosis Activity of New Oriental Medicine Preparation (Kyungokgo Mixed with Water Extract ofHovenia dulcis) on the Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Hwang Yun-Ho , Kim Kwang-Jin , Kim Jong-Jin , Kang Kyung-Yun , Lee Sung-Ju , Jeong Gil-Yeon , Choi Kyung-Hee , Son Young-Jin , Yee Sung-Tae
Published: February 2015

Protective effect of new oriental medicine (Kyungokgo mixed with water extract ofHovenia dulcis, KOGHD) was assessed on the bone loss induced mice by ovariectomy. In thein vivoexperiments, antiosteoporosis effect of KOGHD was investigated using ovariectomized osteoporosis mice model. After 6 weeks of treatment, the mice were euthanized, and the effect of Kyungokgo (KOG) and KOGHD on body weight, spleen weigh, thymus weight, uterine weight, serum biochemical indicators, bone weight and length, immune cell population, bone morphometric parameters, and histological stains was observed. Our results showed that KOGHD prevented the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture caused by ovariectomy, which were accompanied by the lower levels of bone turnover markers and immune cell population as evidenced by the inhibition of RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxic effect on bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs). Therefore, these results suggest that theHovenia dulcis(HD) supplementation in the KOG may also prevent and treat bone loss.
Adaptive Time-Stepping Using Control Theory for the Chemical Langevin Equation
Authors: Ilie Silvana , Morshed Monjur
Published: February 2015

Stochastic modeling of biochemical systems has been the subject of intense research in recent years due to the large number of important applications of these systems. A critical stochastic model of well-stirred biochemical systems in the regime of relatively large molecular numbers, far from the thermodynamic limit, is the chemical Langevin equation. This model is represented as a system of stochastic differential equations, with multiplicative and noncommutative noise. Often biochemical systems in applications evolve on multiple time-scales; examples include slow transcription and fast dimerization reactions. The existence of multiple time-scales leads to mathematical stiffness, which is a major challenge for the numerical simulation. Consequently, there is a demand for efficient and accurate numerical methods to approximate the solution of these models. In this paper, we design an adaptive time-stepping method, based on control theory, for the numerical solution of the chemical Langevin equation. The underlying approximation method is the Milstein scheme. The adaptive strategy is tested on several models of interest and is shown to have improved efficiency and accuracy compared with the existing variable and constant-step methods.
Pharmacological Properties of Protocatechuic Acid and Its Potential Roles as Complementary Medicine
Authors: Semaming Yoswaris , Pannengpetch Patchareewan , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: February 2015

This paper reviews the reported pharmacological properties of protocatechuic acid (PCA, 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid), a type of phenolic acid found in many food plants such as olives and white grapes. PCA is a major metabolite of anthocyanin. The pharmacological actions of PCA have been shown to include strongin vitroandin vivoantioxidant activity. Inin vivoexperiments using rats and mice, PCA has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory as well as antihyperglycemic and antiapoptotic activities. Furthermore, PCA has been shown to inhibit chemical carcinogenesis and exert proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects in different cancerous tissues. Moreover,in vitrostudies have shown PCA to have antimicrobial activities and also to exert synergistic interaction with some antibiotics against resistant pathogens. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the pharmacological properties of PCA reported to date with an emphasis on its biological properties and mechanisms of action which could be therapeutically useful in a clinical setting.
Shikonin Induces Apoptosis, Necrosis, and Premature Senescence of Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells through Upregulation of p53 Expression
Authors: Yeh Yueh-Chiao , Liu Tsun-Jui , Lai Hui-Chin
Published: February 2015

Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone pigment isolated fromLithospermum erythrorhizon, has been reported to suppress growth of various cancer cells. This study was aimed to investigate whether this chemical could also inhibit cell growth of lung cancer cells and, if so, works via what molecular mechanism. To fulfill this, A549 lung cancer cells were treated with shikonin and then subjected to microscopic, biochemical, flow cytometric, and molecular analyses. Compared with the controls, shikonin significantly induced cell apoptosis and reduced proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Specially, lower concentrations of shikonin (1–2.5 μg/mL) cause viability reduction; apoptosis and cellular senescence induction is associated with upregulated expressions of cell cycle- and apoptotic signaling-regulatory proteins, while higher concentrations (5–10 μg/mL) precipitate both apoptosis and necrosis. Treatment of cells with pifithrin-α, a specific inhibitor of p53, suppressed shikonin-induced apoptosis and premature senescence, suggesting the role of p53 in mediating the actions of shikonin on regulation of lung cancer cell proliferation. These results indicate the potential and dose-related cytotoxic actions of shikonin on A549 lung cancer cells via p53-mediated cell fate pathways and raise shikonin a promising adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of lung cancer in clinical practice.
Microwave Sensors Based on Symmetry Properties of Resonator-Loaded Transmission Lines
Authors: Naqui Jordi , Martín Ferran
Published: February 2015

This review paper is focused on the design of microwave sensors using symmetry properties of transmission lines loaded with symmetric resonators. The operating principle of these sensors is presented and then several prototype devices are reported, including linear and angular displacement sensors and rotation speed sensors. The main advantage of the proposed sensors is the robustness against changing environmental conditions.
Knowledge of Pregnant Women on Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Meket District, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Birhane Tesfaye , Assefa Tessema Gizachew , Addis Alene Kefyalew , Dadi Abel Fekadu
Published: February 2015

Knowledge of pregnant women on the three periods of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV has implication for child HIV acquisition. This study aims to assess the knowledge of pregnant women on mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to identify associated factors in Meket district, northeast Ethiopia. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the presence and strength of association. About one-fifth (19%) of women were knowledgeable on mother-to-child transmission of HIV (95% CI: 15.5%, 22.4%). Being urban resident (AOR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.48, 4.87), having primary education (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.60), reporting receiving information on HIV from health care providers (AOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.53, 6.83), having discussion with partner about mother-to-child transmission of HIV (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.59, 4.39), and attending antenatal care (AOR: 5.80, 95% CI: 2.63, 12.77) were positively associated with increased maternal knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among pregnant women was low. Providing information, especially for rural women and their partners, is highly recommended.
Matrix Metalloproteinases and Other Matrix Proteinases in Relation to Cariology: The Era of ‘Dentin Degradomics'
Authors: Tjäderhane Leo , Buzalaf Marília Afonso Rabelo , Carrilho Marcela , Chaussain Catherine
Published: February 2015

Dentin organic matrix, with type I collagen as the main component, is exposed after demineralization in dentinal caries, erosion or acidic conditioning during adhesive composite restorative treatment. This exposed matrix is prone to slow hydrolytic degradation by host collagenolytic enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cysteine cathepsins. Here we review the recent findings demonstrating that inhibition of salivary or dentin endogenous collagenolytic enzymes may provide preventive means against progression of caries or erosion, just as they have been shown to retain the integrity and improve the longevity of resin composite filling bonding to dentin. This paper also presents the case that the organic matrix in caries-affected dentin may not be preserved as intact as previously considered. In partially demineralized dentin, MMPs and cysteine cathepsins with the ability to cleave off the terminal non-helical ends of collagen molecules (telopeptides) may lead to the gradual loss of intramolecular gap areas. This would seriously compromise the matrix ability for intrafibrillar remineralization, which is considered essential in restoring the dentin's mechanical properties. More detailed data of the enzymes responsible and their detailed function in dentin-destructive conditions may not only help to find new and better preventive means, but better preservation of demineralized dentin collagenous matrix may also facilitate true biological remineralization for the better restoration of tooth structural and mechanical integrity and mechanical properties.
Comparability of Modern Recording Devices for Speech Analysis: Smartphone, Landline, Laptop, and Hard Disc Recorder
Authors: Vogel Adam P. , Rosen Kristin M. , Morgan Angela T. , Reilly Sheena
Published: February 2015

Background: Large-scale multi-site experimental and clinical speech protocols require high-fidelity, easy-to-use speech recording technologies. However, little is known about the reliability and comparability of affordable, portable and commonly used technologies with traditional well-validated devices (e.g., a hard disc recorder with a high-quality microphone). Objective: To examine the comparability of speech and voice samples acquired from protocols involving high- and low-quality devices. Methods: Speech samples were acquired simultaneously from 15 healthy adults using four devices and analyzed acoustically for measures of timing and voice quality. For the purpose of making initial comparisons, methods were deemed comparable if the resultant acoustic data yielded root mean squared error values ≤10% and statistically significant Spearman's correlation coefficients. Results: The data suggest that there is significant and widespread variability in the quality and reliability between different acquisition methods for voice and speech recording. Not one method provided statistically similar data to the protocol using the benchmark device (i.e., a high-quality recorder coupled with a condenser microphone). Acoustic analysis cannot be assumed to be comparable if different recording methods are used to record speech. Conclusions: Findings have implications for researchers and clinicians hoping to make comparisons between labs or, where lower-quality devices are suggested, to offer equal fidelity.
Assessment of Morphosyntactic Development in European Portuguese-Speaking Children
Authors: Cadório Inês , Lousada Marisa , Aparici Melina , Hall Andreia
Published: February 2015

Objective: Studies on the late acquisition of morphosyntax in European Portuguese (EP)-speaking children are relatively scarce in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to report data on the morphosyntactic domain from typically developing children. The present investigation focused on differences in morphosyntactic performance according to specific demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, ecological setting, and socioeconomic background). Patients and Methods: Eighty EP-speaking children aged between 6 years and 6 years and 11 months were assessed with the Language Test - Preschool Language Assessment (TL-ALPE). Results: Within the age range considered, some receptive and productive competencies were acquired. Significant differences were found for gender and age. Conclusion: These outcomes contribute to the knowledge of late developmental processes in the morphosyntactic domain, in EP-speaking children, presenting well-established performance standards. The provided reference information is fundamental to accurately identify children with language impairment and to construct new valid assessment instruments.
Aquagenic Wrinkling of the Palms: Morphological Changes in Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and High-Definition Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Bielicky Lea , Braun-Falco Markus , Ruzicka Thomas , Maier Tanja
Published: February 2015

Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is a rare condition, which is characterized by appearance of whitish papules and plaques, and an excessive wrinkling and swelling of the palmar skin after exposure to water. In most cases, young women are affected, and an association of AWP with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been surmised. We report on two cases of AWP, which were not related to CF, in whom we used two innovative imaging techniques, namely high-definition optical coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy, to show in vivo skin changes occurring after exposure of the skin to tap water in comparison to the findings in a healthy control person.
The Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily Members TWEAK, TNFSF15 and Fibroblast Growth Factor-Inducible Protein 14 Are Upregulated in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Abu El-Asrar Ahmed M. , De Hertogh Gert , Nawaz Mohd Imtiaz , Siddiquei Mohammad Mairaj , Van den Eynde Kathleen , Mohammad Ghulam , Opdenakker Ghislain , Geboes Karel
Published: February 2015

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15), members of the TNF superfamily, play important roles in the modulation of inflammation and neovascularization. TWEAK activity is mediated via binding to fibroblast growth factor-inducible molecule 14 (Fn14). We investigated the expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and TNFSF15 and the correlation between TWEAK levels and the levels of the inflammatory biomarker soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we examined the expression of FN14 and TNFSF15 in retinas of diabetic rats. Methods: Vitreous samples from 34 PDR and 23 nondiabetic patients were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Epiretinal membranes from 14 patients with PDR were studied by immunohistochemistry. The retinas of rats were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: We identified a significant increase in the expression of TWEAK, Fn14, TNFSF15 and sICAM-1 in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared to controls. A significant positive correlation was found between levels of TWEAK and levels of sICAM-1 (r = 0.3, p = 0.02). In epiretinal membranes, TWEAK and TNFSF15 protein expression was confined to vascular endothelial cells, monocytes/macrophages and myofibroblasts. Significant positive correlations were observed between the number of blood vessels expressing CD34 and the number of blood vessels expressing TWEAK (r = 0.670; p = 0.017) and TNFSF15 (r = 0.784; p = 0.001). The expression level of TNFSF15 was upregulated in the retinas of diabetic rats, whereas Fn14 was not upregulated. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that TNFSF15 and the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway are novel mediators involved in persistent inflammation and modulation of pathological neovascularization associated with PDR.
Combined Oral Contraceptive for Treatment of Women with Uterine Fibroids and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Systematic Review
Authors: Moroni Rafael M. , Martins Wellington P. , Dias Sabrine V. , Vieira Carolina S. , Ferriani Rui A. , Nastri Carolina O. , Brito Luiz Gustavo
Published: February 2015

Background/Aims: We aimed at assessing the efficacy of combined oral contraceptives (COC) in treating women with uterine leiomyomata and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), as well as their effect over quality of life (QoL), tumor size, and hemoglobin concentration. Methods: We searched various electronic databases and reference lists from all included studies. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials were selected, and two trials were considered eligible - one randomized and one ‘pseudo'-randomized. Results: COCs performed less well than levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUSs) in controlling HMB, improving QoL, and improving the hemoglobin concentration, whereas the estimate was not sufficiently precise to define whether COCs were better than, equal to, or worse than LNG-IUSs in reducing tumor size. It must be stressed that these results are based on low-quality evidence, stemming from a single trial. Additionally, COCs were more effective than placebo in tumor size reduction, another conclusion based on another single study, considered as being at a high risk of bias and judged as very low-quality evidence. Conclusion: Evidence regarding the use of COCs as treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids is very scarce and of low quality, and we are very uncertain about the real efficacy of such treatment.