bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET VOLATILITY, ASYMMETRY AND RETAIL INTEREST RATES PASS‐THROUGH
Authors: FADIRAN GIDEON O. , EZEOHA ABEL
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interest rate transmission mechanism for South Africa as an emerging economy in a pre‐repo and repo system. It explains how the money market rate is transmitted to the retail interest rates both in the long run and short run, and tests the symmetric and asymmetric interest rate pass‐through using the error‐correction model (ECM) and the adjusted ECM‐exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ECM‐EGARCH) (1,1)‐M methodology. This permitted the examination of the impact of interest rate volatility, along with the leverage effect. An incomplete pass‐through is found in the short run. From the entire sample period, a symmetric adjustment is found in the deposit rate, which had upward rigidity adjustment, while an asymmetric adjustment is found in the lending rate, with a downward rigidity adjustment. All the adjustments supported the collusive pricing arrangements. According to the conditional variance estimation of the ECM‐EGARCH (1,1), negative volatility impact and leverage effect are present and influential only in the symmetric deposit interest rate adjustment process in South Africa.
WATER BILL ESTIMATION WHEN PRICE IS CRYPTIC: EXPERIENCE FROM WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
Authors: KARUAIHE SELMA , WANDSCHNEIDER PHILIP , YODER JONATHAN
Published: June 2012

For water policy to be effective, policy makers must know how water users perceive and respond to changes in water prices. However, it is not uncommon for water prices faced by consumers to be unclear. In Windhoek, Namibia, the marginal and average water price is difficult to calculate from the information provided in users' utility bills. This paper applies a hedonic pricing approach to investigate price perceptions of water users in a setting with cryptic price information. Using self‐reported water charges as the dependent variable, the pricing model utilises reported utility characteristics and other factors that may affect perceived price. Low‐income standpipe water users report a weighted average monthly charges of N$24.68, whereas users in high income segments report N$521.34. This reflects differences in service levels, possible subsidies to low‐income users and potential errors in respondents' understanding of their water price. Average price per litre (N$11.78 for the low‐use segment; N$1.89 for the highest segment of Tier 1 water use) tends to be perceived as higher by those with lower water use even though average prices in the relevant range should generally be identical.
SOUTH AFRICA'S TRANSITION TO A CONSOLIDATED BUDGET
Authors: JOOSTE CHARL , MARINKOV MARINA
Published: June 2012

The size of South Africa's fiscal stimuli, whether intended or not, has helped to avert negative consequences of the global financial downturn. With the economic cycle turning again, consolidation of deficits and a reduction of the level of debt are again the focus of policymakers. These outcomes are generally achieved by either increasing tax rates or cutting spending (discretionary fiscal policy), whereas an alternative option is to allow automatic stabilisers to consolidate budgets. This study attempts to answer whether cyclical factors or discretionary policy minimise output volatility and which one of the two presents a better policy option regarding uncertainty in real economic recovery. For this purpose, a small open‐economy gap model is built using South African data, where the budget deficit is endogenised by way of a fiscal policy “rule.” Sensitivity analyses and robustness checks are carried out using a structural vector autoregression. Given the estimates of both the automatic stabilisers as well as the components of discretionary fiscal policy, we are able to obtain impact multipliers on output and conduct scenario testing for optimal fiscal policy response towards fiscal consolidation as well as debt sustainability.
Concentrations of Noncortisol Adrenal Steroids in Response to ACTH in Dogs with Adrenal‐Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism, Pituitary‐Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism, and Nonadrenal Illness
Authors: Monroe W.E. , Panciera D.L. , Zimmerman K.L.
Published: June 2012

Background

Increases of adrenal hormone concentrations other than cortisol have been reported in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC).

Hypothesis/Objectives

Measuring noncortisol adrenal hormone concentrations will help identifyHACin dogs. The objective was to determine plasma cortisol, androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone concentrations duringACTHstimulation testing of dogs with clinical signs ofHACto ascertain their utility in diagnosis of the disease.

Animals

Ninety dogs with clinical findings consistent withHAChadACTHstimulation tests performed. Results from 29 dogs were excluded from analysis because diagnoses were inconclusive for a variety of reasons. Results from 32 dogs withHACand 29 dogs with disease other thanHACwere analyzed.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Concentrations of adrenocortical hormones were determined before and 1 hour after injecting 5 μg/kgACTH IM. Diagnoses were determined by response to therapy, histopathology or both.

Results

Post‐ACTH cortisol (P < .001), progesterone (P = .001), and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (P < .001) concentrations were associated with a diagnosis ofHAC. Sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for diagnosingHACfor post‐ACTHcortisol were 84 and 59%, progesterone 88 and 55%, and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone 91 and 59%, and for post‐ACTHcortisol, progesterone and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone combined were 88 and 55%. Of 5 dogs withHACand normal post‐ACTHcortisol concentrations, 5 had increased progesterone and 4 had increased 17‐hydroxyprogesterone.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum progesterone and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone concentrations were useful to diagnoseHACin this study, but were not more sensitive or specific than cortisol concentration.
Intravenous Hypertonic Saline Solution (7.5%) and Oral Electrolytes to Treat of Calves with Noninfectious Diarrhea and Metabolic Acidosis
Authors: Leal M.L.R. , Fialho S.S. , Cyrillo F.C. , Bertagnon H.G. , Ortolani E.L. , Benesi F.J.
Published: June 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of treating osmotic diarrhea and dehydration in calves with hypertonic saline solution (HSS)IV, isotonic electrolyte solution (IES)PO, and a combination of these 2 solutions (HSS + IES).

Experimental Design

Eighteen male calves 8–30 days of age were used to evaluate the efficacy of 3 methods of fluid therapy after induction of osmotic diarrhea and dehydration. The diarrhea and dehydration were induced by administration of saccharose, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide for 48 hours. The animals were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: Group 1: 7.2% hypertonic saline solution‐HSS(5 mL/kgIV); Group 2: oral isotonic electrolyte solutionIES(60 mL/kgPO); or Group 3:HSS+IES. Clinical signs and laboratory finding observed 48 hours post‐induction (Time 0) included diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, and metabolic acidosis.

Results

Calves treated withHSS + IESexperienced decreases in hematocrit, total protein concentration, albumin concentration, urea nitrogen concentration, and plasma volume as well as increases in bloodpH, blood bicarbonate concentration, and central venous pressure between 1 and 3 hours post‐treatment. These findings also were observed in animals treated with IES, however, at a slower rate than in theHSS + IES‐treated animals. Animals treated with HSS continued to display signs of dehydration, lethargy, and metabolic acidosis 24 hours post‐treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment with a combination ofHSSandIESproduced rapid and sustainable correction of hypovolemia and metabolic acidosis in calves with noninfections diarrhea and dehydration.
The End of Investment Bank Capitalism? An Economic Geography of Financial Jobs and Power
Authors: Wójcik Dariusz
Published: June 2012

abstract

This article investigates employment patterns, remuneration, and power relations in the U.S. financial sector between 1978 and 2008. It demonstrates that investment banking has played a central part in the securities industry, which has been by far the most expansive segment of the U.S. financial sector and a significant contributor to growing income inequality. The power of investment banking has risen over the past 30 years under the conditions of the growing demand for investment services, technological changes, deregulation, and globalization. Investment banks were at the heart of the shadow banking system, inventing many of the products used by it and often disguising its operation, thus contributing decisively to the outbreak of the global financial crisis of 2007–9. With leading U.S. investment banks converted into bank holding companies and the threat of reregulation, the future of investment banking is uncertain. One area of uncertainty is the banks' relationship with sovereign wealth funds, which involves both opportunities and challenges. The article identifies the economic geography of investment banking as one of the keys to understanding the dynamics of the contemporary world economy and promotes a mesolevel approach to geographies of finance.
Beyond Upgrading: Gendered Labor and the Restructuring of Firms in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Werner Marion
Published: June 2012

abstract

In the literature on global commodity chains, industrial upgrading describes the process whereby firms shift to more secure or more profitable niches within or between industries through organizational learning facilitated by networks. While the framework of upgrading identifies key dynamics of competition between capitals, it nonetheless sidelines inquiry into how such imperatives condition and are conditioned by labor. To address this conceptual weakness, I argue that studies of the restructuring of production networks can be enriched through a feminist analysis of value. In particular, the efforts of firms to reposition themselves in networks should be considered in light of struggles to rework the basis of labor's value to capital, a process of reproducing and recombining interlocking social differences into novel combinations of exploitable workers. I explore this process through an in‐depth case study of a large garment firm in the Dominican Republic, in which upgrading involved the reworking of skilled and unskilled work, animated by gendered practices and norms, that led to the masculinization of skilled sewing and the feminization of new service engineering functions.
The fate of Treponema denticola within human gingival epithelial cells
Authors: Shin J. , Choi Y.
Published: June 2012

Treponema denticola is one of the major pathogens associated with chronic periodontitis. Bacterial invasion into gingival tissues is a critical process in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. We recently reported that T. denticola can invade gingival epithelial cells. The aim of this study is to determine the fate of internalized T. denticola in gingival epithelial cells. Immortalized human gingival epithelial HOK‐16B cells were infected with 5‐ (and 6‐) carboxy‐fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)‐labeled live or heat‐killed T. denticola for 24 h, and the presence of bacteria inside the cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Live T. denticola, but not heat‐killed bacteria, invaded HOK‐16B cells. Confocal microscopy also revealed that internalized T. denticola rarely colocalized with either endosomes or lysosomes. Transmission electron microscopy of infected cells showed that intracellular T. denticola was localized inside endosome‐like structures. Although a culture‐based antibiotics protection assay could not detect viable intracellular T. denticola 12 h after infection, a substantial number of bacteria were observed by confocal microscopy and weak expression of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA was detected 48 h after infection. In addition, flow cytometric analysis of HOK‐16B cells infected with CFSE‐labeled T. denticola showed no loss of fluorescence over 48 h. Collectively, T. denticola invades gingival epithelial cells and remains within the host cells for many hours by resisting endolysosomal degradation. These findings may provide new insight into the role of T. denticola in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.
betapart: an R package for the study of beta diversity
Authors: Baselga Andrés , Orme C. David L.
Published: June 2012

1. Beta diversity, that is, the variation in species composition among sites, can be the result of species replacement between sites (turnover) and species loss from site to site (nestedness).

2. We present betapart, an R package for computing total dissimilarity as Sørensen or Jaccard indices, as well as their respective turnover and nestedness components.

3. betapart allows the assessment of spatial patterns of beta diversity using multiple‐site dissimilarity measures accounting for compositional heterogeneity across several sites or pairwise measures providing distance matrices accounting for the multivariate structure of dissimilarity.

4. betapart also allows computing patterns of temporal difference in assemblage composition, and its turnover and nestedness components.

5. Several example analyses are shown, using the data included in the package, to illustrate the relevance of separating the turnover and nestedness components of beta diversity to infer different mechanisms behind biodiversity patterns.
A Laser Surface Textured Journal Bearing
Authors: Brizmer V. , Kligerman Y.
Published: June 2012

The potential use of laser surface texturing (LST) in hydrodynamic journal bearings is examined theoretically. The regular surface texture has the form of micro-dimples with preselected diameter, depth, and area density. It can be applied to only a certain portion of the bearing perimeter (partial LST) or the full bearing perimeter (full LST). The effect of such a texture on load capacity and on the attitude angle of the journal bearing is investigated in the present work. The optimum parameters of the dimples and favorable LST mode for maximum load capacity have been found.
Steady-State Hydrodynamic Lubrication Modeled With the Payvar-Salant Mass Conservation Model
Authors: Xiong Shangwu , Jane Wang Q.
Published: June 2012

Steady-state smooth surface hydrodynamic lubrications of a pocketed pad bearing, an angularly grooved thrust bearing, and a plain journal bearing are simulated with the mass-conservation model proposed by Payvar and Salant. Three different finite difference schemes, i.e., the harmonic mean scheme, arithmetic mean scheme, and middle point scheme, of the interfacial diffusion coefficients for the Poiseuille terms are investigated by using a uniform and nonuniform set of meshes. The research suggests that for the problems with continuous film thickness and pressure distributions, the results obtained with these numerical schemes generally well agree with those found in the literatures. However, if the film thickness is discontinuous while the pressure is continuous, there may be an obvious deviation. Compared with both the analytical solution and other two schemes, the harmonic mean scheme may overestimate or underestimate the pressure. In order to overcome this problem artificial nodes should be inserted along the wall of the bearings where discontinuous film thickness appears. Moreover, the computation efficiency of the three solvers, i.e., the direct solver, the line-by-line the tridiagonal matrix algorithm (TDMA) solver, and the global successive over-relaxation (SOR) solver, are investigated. The results indicate that the direct solver has the best computational efficiency for a small-scale lubrication problem (around 40 thousand nodes). TDMA solver is more robust and requires the least storage, but the SOR solver may work faster than TDMA solver for thrust bearing lubrication problems. Numerical simulations of a group of grooved thrust bearings were conducted for the cases of different outer and inner radii, groove depth and width, velocity, viscosity, and reference film thickness. A curve fitting formula has been obtained from the numerical results to express the correlation of load, maximum pressure, and friction of an angularly grooved thrust bearing in lubrication.
Magnetization dynamics, gyromagnetic relation, and inertial effects
Authors: Wegrowe J.-E. , Ciornei M.-C.
Published: June 2012

The gyromagnetic relation—that is, the proportionality between the angular momentum L→ and the magnetization M→—is evidence of the intimate connections between the magnetic properties and the inertial properties of ferromagnetic bodies. However, inertia is absent from the dynamics of a magnetic dipole: The Landau–Lifshitz equation, the Gilbert equation, and the Bloch equation contain only the first derivative of the magnetization with respect to time. In order to investigate this paradoxical situation, the Lagrangian approach, proposed originally by Gilbert, is revisited keeping an arbitrary nonzero inertia tensor. The corresponding physical picture is a generalization to three dimensions of Ampère’s hypothesis of molecular currents. A dynamic equation generalized to the inertial regime is obtained. It is shown how both the usual gyromagnetic relation and the well-known Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation are recovered in the kinetic limit, that is, for time scales longer than the relaxation time of the angular momentum.
How the cross-sectional discontinuity between ear canal and probe affects the ear canal length estimation
Authors: Zebian Makram , Hensel Johannes , Fedtke Thomas
Published: June 2012

Many ear canal probes both deliver and measure sound via narrow tubes. This study investigates the effect of the cross-sectional discontinuity at the interface between ear canal models and the connecting tubes of a commercially available otoacoustic emission probe on the “acoustically” estimated cavity lengths. Rigid cavities having the same length but different diameters were produced, and modeled by the finite element method. Cavities with a diameter larger than 8 mm had acoustic lengths that considerably overestimated the real geometry. A length correction was derived, which, in most applications, compensates for the measurement errors emerging from the discontinuity effects.
Protecting livestock, improving human lives
Authors: Sones Keith
Published: June 2012

The Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) was recently awarded £31 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Government's Department for International Development. The five‐year grant will enable the Edinburgh‐based international livestock health charity to implement the second phase of its ‘Protecting livestock, saving human life’ project. Keith Sones, an animal health consultant based in Kenya, explains more about the charity's work
FRACTIONAL MATHEMATICAL INVESTIGATION OF BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATION IN DILUTE 87Rb, 23Na AND 7Li ATOMIC GASES
Authors: ERTİK HÜSEYİN , ŞİRİN HÜSEYİN , DEMİRHAN DOǦAN , BÜYÜKKİLİÇ FEVZİ
Published: June 2012

Although atomic Bose gases are experimentally investigated in the dilute regime, interparticle interactions play an important role on the transition temperatures of Bose–Einstein condensation. In this study, Bose–Einstein condensation is handled using fractional calculus for a Bose gas consisting of interacting bosons which are trapped in a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator. In this frame, in order to introduce the nonextensive effect, fractionally generalized Bose–Einstein distribution function which features Mittag–Leffler function is adopted. The dependence of the transition temperature of Bose–Einstein condensation on α (a measure of fractality of space) has been established. The transition temperatures for the dilute 87 Rb , 23 Na and 7 Li atomic gases have been obtained in consistent with experimental data and the nature of the interactions in the Bose–Einstein condensate has been enlightened. In the course of our investigations, we have arrived to the conclusion that for α < 1 attractive interactions and for α > 1 repulsive interactions are predominant.
STATISTICAL PREDICTION OF EMOTIONAL STATES BY PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS WITH MANOVA AND MACHINE LEARNING
Authors: CHUEH TUNG-HUNG , CHEN TAI-BEEN , LU HENRY HORNG-SHING , JU SHAN-SHAN , TAO TEH-HO , SHAW JIUNN-HAUR
Published: June 2012

For the importance of communication between human and machine interface, it would be valuable to develop an implement which has the ability to recognize emotional states. In this paper, we proposed an approach which can deal with the daily dependence and personal dependence in the data of multiple subjects and samples. 30 features were extracted from the physiological signals of subject for three states of emotion. The physiological signals measured were: electrocardiogram (ECG), skin temperature (SKT) and galvanic skin response (GSR). After removing the daily dependence and personal dependence by the statistical technique of MANOVA, six machine learning methods including Bayesian network learning, naive Bayesian classification, SVM, decision tree of C4.5, Logistic model and K-nearest-neighbor (KNN) were implemented to differentiate the emotional states. The results showed that Logistic model gives the best classification accuracy and the statistical technique of MANOVA can significantly improve the performance of all six machine learning methods in emotion recognition system.
THE VARIATIONAL THEORY OF COMPLEX RAYS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL HELMHOLTZ PROBLEMS
Authors: KOVALEVSKY LOUIS , LADEVÈZE PIERRE , RIOU HERVÉ , BONNET MARC
Published: June 2012

This paper proposes an extension of the variational theory of complex rays (VTCR) to three-dimensional linear acoustics, The VTCR is a Trefftz-type approach designed for mid-frequency range problems and has been previously investigated for structural dynamics and 2D acoustics. The proposed 3D formulation is based on a discretization of the amplitude portrait using spherical harmonics expansions. This choice of discretization allows to substantially reduce the numerical integration work by taking advantage of well-known analytical properties of the spherical harmonics. It also permits (like with the previous 2D Fourier version) an effective a priori selection method for the discretization parameter in each sub-region, and allows to estimate the directivity of the pressure field by means of a natural definition of rescaled amplitude portraits. The accuracy and performance of the proposed formulation are demonstrated on a set of numerical examples that include results on an actual case study from the automotive industry.
SINGLE IMPLANT–RETAINED DENTURES: LOADING OF VARIOUS ATTACHMENT TYPES UNDER OBLIQUE OCCLUSAL FORCES
Authors: ZMUDZKI J. , CHLADEK G. , KASPERSKI J.
Published: June 2012

The primary clinical assessments show that single implant–retained dentures (SIDs) are not worse than two implant–retained dentures (TIDs), although the determination of SID biomechanics is still insufficient. The aim of this work was to determine the loading of commonly used denture attachments that occurs while bearing occlusal forces on SIDs. Finite element method analyses, which took into account the possibility of dentures detaching and sliding on the mucous membrane surface, were used. In the contact calculations conducted, an augmented multiplier Lagrangian method with a classical linear friction model was used. We assumed denture-loading conditions that included oblique mastication forces. The distribution of the occlusal loads between the mucous membrane–bearing area and a denture attachment was examined for economical denture solutions with solitary attachments. Variations in denture movement restrictions among the most typical ball, stud, and axially resilient attachments only insignificantly influenced lateral loads borne by single implantological supports. Axial mobility does not reduce the load on the attachments because mastication loads induce denture settlement that is oblique to the implant axis. The assumption of denture loading with vertical forces leads to a serious underestimation of the loads on implantological supports.
EFFECTIVEGaNSURFACE PASSIVATION BY PLASMA ENHANCED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION OF SILICON OXIDE
Authors: CHAKROUN A. , JAOUAD A. , GIGUÈRE A. , AIMEZ V. , ARÈS R.
Published: June 2012

We report on an effective and stable process for GaN surface passivation by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of silicon oxide (SiOx). Metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitors were fabricated on unintentionally doped n- GaN layers grown by OMVPE on sapphire substrates and characterized using capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) measurements. A high level of surface potential modulation, a small voltage shift, a small hysteresis, and no evident frequency dispersion are observed on C–V characteristics, indicating a high SiOx/GaN interface quality with a low electronic surface state density.
ONE-STEP AND CONTROLLABLE SELF-ASSEMBLY OF Au/TiO2/CARBON SPHERES TERNARY NANOCOMPOSITES WITH A NANOPARTICLE MONOSHELL WALL
Authors: HAO XIAODONG , ZHANG YUXIN , LIU JIA , DONG MENG , HUANG MING , YUAN YUAN , LI XINLU , HUANG JIAMU
Published: June 2012

In this work, stable and well dispersed colloidal Au/TiO2 binary nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized initially. Meanwhile, they were immobilized simultaneously on colloidal carbon spheres (CSs), one of popular hard templates, to prepare hybrid self-assembly nanostructures. The morphology and crystal structure of these nanocomposites (NCs) were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TGA) and N2 sorption analysis. By controlling the NPs size, ratio of Au/TiO2 NPs, process temperature and time, and concentration of surfactants (e.g., MPA), Au/TiO2 @CSs NCs could be tailored into core-shell nanostructures with various surface coverages of Au NPs and/or TiO2 NPs. Interestingly, hollow spheres with a binary-nanoparticle monoshell could be achieved by calcinations of typical Au/TiO2 @CSs NCs. In principle, these novel hybrid nanostructures with controllable functionality and high-surface-area traits could be very promising photocatalysts for waste water treatment.
INVESTIGATION OF TIME-RATED DEFECT FORMATION, INFRARED ABSORPTION AND TRANSPORT CHARACTERISTICS OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES WET-PROCESSED IN PHOSPHORIC ACID
Authors: OMARI M. , HOSSEINI T. , BROCKER D. , KOUKLIN N. A.
Published: June 2012

Time-dependent wet-processing of HiPCo nanotubes in ~ 0.5 M phosphoric acid and its effect on the structural, transport, infrared light absorption and photoconduction characteristics have been studied. Nanotubes were treated for nominal time intervals of 1, 2 and 3 h. The treatment is found to be a two-step process that initially results in the removal/partial replacement of most pre-existing C-O , O–H and CHxgroups with phosphorous oxy and carbonyl groups. According to T-dependent current–voltage measurements, the differential conductance, G of nanotube network varies with temperature as ~ Ta, with a exhibiting a slight increase as a result of the treatment, attributed to a slight increase in disorder and not doping effects. The nanotubes processed for three hours also show an order of magnitude improvement in photoconduction response time compared to that of untreated tubes, with growth/decay characteristic time constants approaching a sub-second range.
Self-Assembled BaTiO3-MnZnFe2O4Nanocomposite Films
Authors: Yu Guo , Bai Feiming , Zhang Huaiwu
Published: June 2012

Self-assembled nanocomposite BaTiO3-Mn0.4Zn0.87Fe2O4magnetodielectric films have been grown on (001)-oriented SrTiO3substrates by a pulsed laser deposition method. High resolution X-ray diffraction shows that both BaTiO3and MnZn-ferrite phases are epitaxial along the out-of-plane direction with a 0–3 composite structure in spite of very large lattice mismatch. The magnetic, ferroelectric, and dielectric properties of the nanocomposite films are reported. A saturated magnetization of 330 emu/cc and double remanent polarization of 40 μC/cm2were obtained. Structural and compositional factors limiting the effective permeability and the dielectric constant will be discussed.
Locally Different Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Protein Levels in Ascending Aortic Aneurysms of Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Valve
Authors: Mohamed Salah A. , Radtke Arlo , Saraei Roza , Bullerdiek Joern , Sorani Hajar , Nimzyk Rolf , Karluss Antje , Sievers Hans H. , Belge Gazanfer
Published: June 2012

Aims. Dysregulated expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is observed in aortic aneurysms associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). We determined eNOS protein levels in various areas in ascending aortic aneurysms.Methods and Results. Aneurysmal specimens were collected from 19 patients, 14 with BAV and 5 with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). ENOS protein levels were measured in the outer curve (convexity), the opposite side (concavity), the distal and above the sinotubular junction (proximal) aneurysm. Cultured aortic cells were treated with NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME and the amounts of 35 apoptosis-related proteins were determined. In patients with BAV, eNOS levels were significantly lower in the proximal aorta than in the concavity and distal aorta. ENOS protein levels were also lower in the convexity than in the concavity. While the convexity and distal aorta showed similar eNOS protein levels in BAV and TAV patients, levels were higher in TAV proximal aorta. Inhibition of NO synthesis in aneurysmal aortic cells by L-NAME led to a cytosolic increase in the levels of mitochondrial serine protease HTRA2/Omi.Conclusion. ENOS protein levels were varied at different areas of the aneurysmal aorta. The dysregulation of nitric oxide can lead to an increase in proapoptotic HTRA2/Omi.
Role of Exercise Therapy in Prevention of Decline in Aging Muscle Function: Glucocorticoid Myopathy and Unloading
Authors: Seene Teet , Kaasik Priit
Published: June 2012

Changes in skeletal muscle quantity and quality lead to disability in the aging population. Physiological changes in aging skeletal muscle are associated with a decline in mass, strength, and inability to maintain balance. Glucocorticoids, which are in wide exploitation in various clinical scenarios, lead to the loss of the myofibrillar apparatus, changes in the extracellular matrix, and a decrease in muscle strength and motor activity, particularly in the elderly. Exercise therapy has shown to be a useful tool for the prevention of different diseases, including glucocorticoid myopathy and muscle unloading in the elderly. The purpose of the paper is to discuss the possibilities of using exercise therapy in the prevention of glucocorticoid caused myopathy and unloading in the elderly and to describe relationships between the muscle contractile apparatus and the extracellular matrix in different types of aging muscles.
Epigenetic Alterations in Muscular Disorders
Authors: Lanzuolo Chiara
Published: June 2012

Epigenetic mechanisms, acting via chromatin organization, fix in time and space different transcriptional programs and contribute to the quality, stability, and heritability of cell-specific transcription programs. In the last years, great advances have been made in our understanding of mechanisms by which this occurs in normal subjects. However, only a small part of the complete picture has been revealed. Abnormal gene expression patterns are often implicated in the development of different diseases, and thus epigenetic studies from patients promise to fill an important lack of knowledge, deciphering aberrant molecular mechanisms at the basis of pathogenesis and diseases progression. The identification of epigenetic modifications that could be used as targets for therapeutic interventions could be particularly timely in the light of pharmacologically reversion of pathological perturbations, avoiding changes in DNA sequences. Here I discuss the available information on epigenetic mechanisms that, altered in neuromuscular disorders, could contribute to the progression of the disease.
Plasma Cell Mucositis of Oro- and Hypopharynx: A Case Report
Authors: Puvanendran Mark , Lieder Anja , Issing Wolfgang
Published: June 2012

Objective. To raise awareness of plasma cell mucositis as a rare differential diagnosis for oral mucosal ulceration and its macroscopic similarity to malignancy.Method. We report a patient who presented with oral features suggestive of malignancy. A biopsy revealed plasma cell mucositis.Results. The patient successfully had a full excision of one lesion and a spontaneous resolution of the other.Conclusion. With the increasing incidence of oral mucosal pathology, physicians should be aware of this differential diagnosis.
Choline Deficiency Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Improves Glucose Tolerance in ob/ob Mice
Authors: Wu Gengshu , Zhang Liyan , Li Tete , Lopaschuk Gary , Vance Dennis E. , Jacobs René L.
Published: June 2012

Previous studies demonstrated that choline supply is directly linked to high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate if choline supply could also modulate obesity and insulin resistance caused by a genetic defect. Eight-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed for two months with either choline-deficient or choline-supplemented diet. Tissue weight including fat mass and lean mass was assessed. Intracellular signaling, plasma glucagon and insulin, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were also investigated. The choline-deficient diet slowed body weight gain and decreased fat mass. Choline deficiency also decreased plasma glucose level and improved glucose and insulin tolerance although fatty liver was exacerbated. Increased adipose lipolytic activity, decreased plasma glucagon and reduced expression of hepatic glucagon receptor were also observed with the choline-deficient diet. Our results demonstrate that a choline-deficient diet can decrease fat mass and improve glucose tolerance in obese and diabetic mice caused by a genetic defect.
Plasma Fractionation Enriches Post-Myocardial Infarction Samples Prior to Proteomics Analysis
Authors: de Castro Brás Lisandra E. , DeLeon Kristine Y. , Ma Yonggang , Dai Qiuxia , Hakala Kevin , Weintraub Susan T. , Lindsey Merry L.
Published: June 2012

Following myocardial infarction (MI), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels increase, and MMP-9 deletion improves post-MI remodeling of the left ventricle (LV). We provide here a technical report on plasma-analysis from wild type (WT) and MMP-9 null mice using fractionation and mass-spectrometry-based proteomics. MI was induced by coronary artery ligation in male WT and MMP-9 null mice (4–8 months old;n=3/genotype). Plasma was collected on days 0 (pre-) and 1 post-MI. Plasma proteins were fractionated and proteins in the lowest (fraction 1) and highest (fraction 12) molecular weight fractions were separated by 1-D SDS-PAGE, digested in-gel with trypsin and analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS on an Orbitrap Velos. We tried five different fractionation protocols, before reaching an optimized protocol that allowed us to identify over 100 proteins. Serum amyloid A substantially increased post-MI in both genotypes, while alpha-2 macroglobulin increased only in the null samples. In fraction 12, extracellular matrix proteins were observed only post-MI. Interestingly, fibronectin-1, a substrate of MMP-9, was identified at both day 0 and day 1 post-MI in the MMP-9 null mice but was only identified post-MI in the WT mice. In conclusion, plasma fractionation offers an improved depletion-free method to evaluate plasma changes following MI.
Methylation Markers for Urine-Based Detection of Bladder Cancer: The Next Generation of Urinary Markers for Diagnosis and Surveillance of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Reinert Thomas
Published: June 2012

Cancer of the urinary bladder is the fifth most common neoplasm in the industrialized countries. Diagnosis and surveillance are dependent on invasive evaluation with cystoscopy and to some degree cytology as an adjunct analysis. Nomuscle invasive bladder cancer is characterized by frequent recurrences after resection, and up to 30% will develop an aggressive phenotype. The journey towards a noninvasive test for diagnosing bladder cancer, in order to replace or extend time between cystoscopy, has been ongoing for more than a decade. However, only a handful of tests that aid in clinical decision making are commercially available. Recent reports of DNA methylation in urine specimens highlight a possible clinical use of this marker type, as high sensitivities and specificities have been shown. This paper will focus on the currently available markers NMP22, ImmunoCyt, and UroVysion as well as novel DNA methylation markers for diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer.
Beyond Genetics in Glioma Pathways: The Ever-Increasing Crosstalk between Epigenomic and Genomic Events
Authors: Martínez Ramón
Published: June 2012

Diffuse gliomas are the most frequent brain tumor in adults. This group of brain neoplasms, ranging from histologically benign to aggressive malignant forms, represents a challenge in modern neurooncology because of the diffuse infiltrative growth pattern and the inherent tendency to relapse as a more malignant tumor. Once the disease achieves the stage of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the prognosis of patients is dismal and the median survival time is 15 months. Exhaustive genetic analyses have revealed a variety of deregulated genetic pathways involved in DNA repair, apoptosis, cell migration/adhesion, and cell cycle. Recently, investigation of epigenetic alterations in gliomas has contributed to depict the complexity of the molecular lesions leading to these malignancies. Even though, the efficacy of the state-of-the-art form of chemotherapy in malignant gliomas with temozolomide is based on the methylation-associated silencing of the DNA repair geneMGMT. Nevertheless, the whole scenario including global DNA hypomethylation, aberrant promoter hypermethylation, histone modification, chromatin states, and the role of noncoding RNAs in gliomas has only been partially revealed. We discuss the repercussion of epigenetic alterations underlying deregulated molecular pathways in the pathogenesis and evolution of gliomas and their impact on management of patients.
Direct Liver Invasion from a Gastric Adenocarcinoma as an Initial Presentation of Extranodal Tumor Spread
Authors: Shah Mitanshu , Prasad Apsara , Rajan Dhyan , Tan Christopher B. , Shah Mansi , Raghavan Pooja , Mustacchia Paul
Published: June 2012

Gastric cancer often carries a poor prognosis, with an estimated 740,000 deaths from the malignancy occurring yearly worldwide (Dicken et al., 2005). The mortality of disease is largely dependent on the extent of tumor spread, as gastric cancer has a predilection to metastasize to other visceral secondaries via hematogenous and lymphatic dissemination. Direct invasion of a gastric adenocarcinoma to adjacent organs secondary to gastric wall perforation does occur; however, it is often present in the setting of advanced disease. Rarely does direct tumor invasion to adjacent organs from a gastric adenocarcinoma present as the initial manifestation of extranodal tumor spread. We present a case of a 40-year-old male with direct tumor extension to the liver as an initial presentation of extranodal tumor spread from a gastric adenocarcinoma. Clinicians should be aware of such an occurrence, as treatment modalities in direct liver extension from a gastric adenocarcinoma vary and may be directed towards palliation rather than curative intent.
Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, and c-Abl Signaling: At the Crossroad in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
Authors: Gonfloni Stefania , Maiani Emiliano , Di Bartolomeo Claudia , Diederich Marc , Cesareni Gianni
Published: June 2012

The c-Abl tyrosine kinase is implicated in diverse cellular activities including growth factor signaling, cell adhesion, oxidative stress, and DNA damage response. Studies in mouse models have shown that the kinases of the c-Abl family play a role in the development of the central nervous system. Recent reports show that aberrant c-Abl activation causes neuroinflammation and neuronal loss in the forebrain of transgenic adult mice. In line with these observations, an increased c-Abl activation is reported in human neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases. This suggests that aberrant nonspecific posttranslational modifications induced by c-Abl may contribute to fuel the recurrent phenotypes/features linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as an impaired mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and accumulation of protein aggregates. Herein, we review some reports on c-Abl function in neuronal cells and we propose that modulation of different aspects of c-Abl signaling may contribute to mediate the molecular events at the interface between stress signaling, metabolic regulation, and DNA damage. Finally, we propose that this may have an impact in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Study on Apparent Kinetic Prediction Model of the Smelting Reduction Based on the Time‐Series
Authors: Fan Guo-feng , Qing Shan , Wang Hua , Shi Zhe , Hong Wei-Chiang , Dai Lin
Published: June 2012

A series of direct smelting reduction experiment has been carried out with high phosphorous iron ore of the different bases by thermogravimetric analyzer. The derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) data have been obtained from the experiments. One‐step forward local weighted linear (LWL) method , one of the most suitable ways of predicting chaotic time‐series methods which focus on the errors, is used to predict DTG. In the meanwhile, empirical mode decomposition‐autoregressive (EMD‐AR), a data mining technique in signal processing, is also used to predict DTG. The results show that (1) EMD‐AR(4) is the most appropriate and its error is smaller than the former; (2) root mean square error (RMSE) has decreased about two‐thirds; (3) standardized root mean square error (NMSE) has decreased in an order of magnitude. Finally in this paper, EMD‐AR method has been improved by golden section weighting; its error would be smaller than before. Therefore, the improved EMD‐AR model is a promising alternative for apparent reaction rate (DTG). The analytical results have been an important reference in the field of industrial control.
Ca+2/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Mediates Glucose Toxicity-Induced Cardiomyocyte Contractile Dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Rong-Huai , Guo Haitao , Kandadi Machender R. , Wang Xiao-Ming , Ren Jun
Published: June 2012

(1) Hyperglycemia leads to cytotoxicity in the heart. Although several theories are postulated for glucose toxicity-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction, the precise mechanism still remains unclear. (2) This study was designed to evaluate the impact of elevated extracellular Ca2+on glucose toxicity-induced cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca2+anomalies as well as the mechanism(s) involved with a focus on Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase. Isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes were maintained in normal (NG, 5.5 mM) or high glucose (HG, 25.5 mM) media for 6-12 hours. Contractile indices were measured including peak shortening (PS), maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), time-to-PS (TPS), and time-to-90% relengthening (TR90). (3) Cardiomyocytes maintained with HG displayed abnormal mechanical function including reduced PS, ±dL/dt, and prolonged TPS, TR90and intracellular Ca2+clearance. Expression of intracellular Ca2+regulatory proteins including SERCA2a, phospholamban and Na+-Ca2+exchanger were unaffected whereas SERCA activity was inhibited by HG. Interestingly, the HG-induced mechanical anomalies were abolished by elevated extracellular Ca2+(from 1.0 to 2.7 mM). Interestingly, the high extracellular Ca2+-induced beneficial effect against HG was abolished by the CaM kinase inhibitor KN93. (4) These data suggest that elevated extracellular Ca2+protects against glucose toxicity-induced cardiomyocyte contractile defects through a mechanism associated with CaM kinase.
Acute Otitis due toVibrio fluvialisafter Swimming
Authors: Chen Ping-Jen , Tseng Chi-Chou , Chan Huan-Tee , Chao Chien-Ming
Published: June 2012

A 40-year-old female presented with purulent exudate through the left auditive duct and pain in the left ear region, which intensified during mastication. After collection of the pus from the left ear lesion, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for seven days was prescribed for a presumed diagnosis of acute otitis. Four days later, the pus culture grewV. fluvialiswhich is further identified by API 20E identification system (bioMérieux). Following the successful completion of a course of antibiotics, the patient recovered completely and without complication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case ofVibrio fluvialisotitis after swimming in an immunocompetent patient.
Compact Circular/Linear Polarization Dual-Band Prime-Focus Feed for Space Communication
Authors: Galuscak Rastislav , Hazdra Pavel , Mazanek Milos
Published: June 2012

We propose a novel, compact, prime-focus antenna feed for space communication. The feed requires full-wave simulator optimization for a given parabolic reflector and is designed to operate simultaneously on two bands, offering LHC/RHC polarizations for the 13 cm band and V/H polarizations for the 70 cm band. With performance results confirmed by measurement, it has been verified in practice that this compact feed is suitable for use in a low-noise Earth-Moon-Earth communication link.
Supercritical SC-CO2and Soxhletn-Hexane Extract of TunisianOpuntia ficus indicaSeeds and Fatty Acids Analysis
Authors: Yeddes Nizar , Chérif Jamila Kalthoum , Jrad Amel , Barth Danielle , Trabelsi-Ayadi Malika
Published: June 2012

The fatty acids profiles of TunisianOpuntia ficus indicaseeds (spiny and thornless form) were investigated. Results of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and soxhletn-hexane extract were compared. Quantitatively, the better yield was obtained through soxhletn-hexane: 10.32% (spiny) and 8.91% (thornless) against 3.4% (spiny) and 1.94% (thornless) by SC-CO2extract (T = 40°C,P=180bar, time = 135 mn, CO2flow rate = 15 mL·s−1). Qualitatively, the main fatty acids components were the same for the two types of extraction. Linoleic acid was the major compound, SC-CO2: 57.60% (spiny), 59.98% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 57.54% (spiny), 60.66% (thornless), followed by oleic acid, SC-CO2: 22.31% (spiny), 22.40% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 25.28% (spiny), 20.58% (thornless) and palmitic acid, SC-CO2: 14.3% (spiny), 12.92% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 11.33% (spiny), 13.08% (thornless). The SC-CO2profiles fatty acids showed a richness with other minority compounds such as C20:1, C20:2, and C22.The seeds oil was highly unsaturated (US = 4.44–5.25), and the rising temperatures donot affect the selectivity of fatty acids extract by SC-CO2: US = 4.44 (T = 40°C) and 4.13 (T = 70°C).