bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy and centrality dependence of dynamical higher cumulant of proton multiplicity distributions at RHIC
Authors: Li Zhiming ,   (for the STAR collaboration)
Published: April 2014

Higher cumulant of baryon number is suggested to be a good probe of critical point of QCD phase transition in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The energy and centrality dependence of dynamical kurtosis for Au + Au collisions at RHIC beam energies [Formula: see text] are measured. The dynamical kurtosis of both net and total protons are studied and their sign behaviors are discussed. The results are compared with those from transport model of AMPT. The contribution of non-critical effect on centrality definition is investigated.
The Λ(1520) photoproduction from proton
Authors: He Jun
Published: April 2014

The Λ(1520) photoproduction from proton target is investigated within the effective Lagrangian method and well compared with the experimental data. The D13 state N(2120) plays the most important role among the nucleon resonances. Besides N(2120), a nucleon resonance [Formula: see text] predicted by the constituent quark model is found also important to reproduce the experimental data. Other nucleon resonances give negligible contributions in the channel considered in this work.
Study of the ππ system in a finite volume
Authors: Zhou Dan , Chen Hua-Xing , Oset E.
Published: April 2014

We evaluate energy levels of the ππ system in the ρ channel in a finite volume using chiral unitary theory. We investigate ππ phase shifts and ρ meson properties using Lattice QCD data with high precision. We also shortly discuss the πK system in the K* channel in a finite volume.
The role of N*(2120) nucleon resonance in KΛ(1520) photon and hadronic productions
Authors: Xie Ju-Jun , Wang En , Liu Bo-Chao , Nieves J.
Published: April 2014

The associate KΛ(1520) photon and hadronic production in the γp → K+Λ(1520), pp → pK+Λ(1520) and π-p → K0Λ(1520) reactions are investigated within the effective Lagrangian approach and the isobar model. We are interested in the contribution from the N*(2120) (previously called N*(2080)) resonance, which has a significant coupling to the KΛ(1520) channel. The theoretical results show that the current experimental data for the γp → K+Λ(1520) reaction favor the existence of the N*(2120) resonance, and that these measurements can be used to further constrain its properties. We present results, including the N*(2120) contribution, for total cross sections of the γp → K+Λ(1520), π-p → K0Λ(1520), and pp → pK+Λ(1520) reactions. For this latter one, we also calculate invariant mass and Dalitz plot distributions.
Study of nucleon resonances in the photoproduction γp → K*+Λ
Authors: Kim Sang-Ho , Hosaka Atsushi , Kim Hyun-Chul
Published: April 2014

The mechanism of K* vector meson photoproduction off the proton target, γp → K*+Λ, is deeply studied by using an effective Lagrangian method. Based on the (t,s,u)-channel Born diagrams, we included higher resonance terms, i.e., S11(2090) and G17(2190), along with the D13(2080) and D15(2200), which are already considered in a previous theoretical analysis. The total and differential cross section are computed and we obtain quite precise results in comparison with the recent CLAS data.
Orbital excited meson mass spectra in the solvable potential model of two-body Dirac equation
Authors: He Jun-Kang , Li Yue , Chen Hong
Published: April 2014

The meson mass spectra are obtained by solving exactly the two-body Dirac equation for the linear plus Coulomb potentials with complex spin-angular structure. In such a solvable model, the orbital excited heavy meson states as well as the orbital light meson states agree well with available experimental data. It turns out that the quark-antiquark interaction potential may be more intricate than those predicted so far.
Recent results of light hadron spectroscopy from BESIII
Authors: Song Xin-Ying ,   (on behalf of BESIII collaboration)
Published: April 2014

We present a selection of recent results on light hadron spectroscopy from the BESIII collaboration. The topics include the full partial wave analysis on J/ψ radiative decays, including J/ψ → γηη and γωϕ. Besides, we also cover the topics about the resonance Y(2175) and η(1405).
New hadron spectroscopies
Authors: Olsen Stephen Lars
Published: April 2014

QCD-motivated models for hadrons predict an assortment of "exotic" hadrons that have structures that are more complex than the quark-antiquark mesons and three-quark baryons of the original quark-parton model. These include pentaquark baryons, the six-quark H-dibaryon, and tetraquark and glueball mesons. Despite extensive experimental searches, no unambiguous candidates for any of these exotic configurations have yet to be identified. On the other hand, a number of meson states, one that seems to be a proton-antiproton bound state, and others that contain either charmed-anticharmed quark pairs or bottom-antibottom quark pairs, have been recently discovered that neither fit into the quark-antiquark meson picture nor match the expected properties of the QCD-inspired exotics. Here I briefly review results from a recent search for the H-dibaryon, and discuss some properties of the newly discovered states –the so-called XYZ mesons– and compare them with expectations for conventional quark-antiquark mesons and the predicted QCD-exotic states.
Jun kinase-induced overexpression of leukemia-associated Rho GEF (LARG) mediates sustained hypercontraction of longitudinal smooth muscle in inflammation
Authors: Al-Shboul Othman , Nalli Ancy D. , Kumar Divya P. , Zhou Ruizhe , Mahavadi Sunila , Kuemmerle John F. , Grider John R. , Murthy Karnam S.
Published: April 2014

The signaling pathways mediating sustained contraction of mouse colonic longitudinal smooth muscle and the mechanisms involved in hypercontractility of this muscle layer in response to cytokines and TNBS-induced colitis have not been fully explored. In control longitudinal smooth muscle cells, ACh acting via m3 receptors activated sequentially Gα12, RhoGEF (LARG), and the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway. There was abundant expression of MYPT1, minimal expression of CPI-17, and a notable absence of a PKC/CPI-17 pathway. LARG expression was increased in longitudinal muscle cells isolated from muscle strips cultured for 24 h with IL-1β or TNF-α or obtained from the colon of TNBS-treated mice. The increase in LARG expression was accompanied by a significant increase in ACh-stimulated Rho kinase and ZIP kinase activities, and sustained muscle contraction. The increase in LARG expression, Rho kinase and ZIP kinase activities, and sustained muscle contraction was abolished in cells pretreated with the Jun kinase inhibitor, SP600125 . Expression of the MLCP activator, telokin, and MLCP activity were also decreased in longitudinal muscle cells from TNBS-treated mice or from strips treated with IL-1β or TNF-α. In contrast, previous studies had shown that sustained contraction in circular smooth muscle is mediated by sequential activation of Gα13, p115RhoGEF, and dual RhoA-dependent pathways involving phosphorylation of MYPT1 and CPI-17. In colonic circular smooth muscle cells isolated from TNBS-treated mice or from strips treated with IL-1β or TNF-α, CPI-17 expression and sustained muscle contraction were decreased. The disparate changes in the two muscle layers contribute to intestinal dysmotility during inflammation.
Cellular Mechanisms of Tissue Fibrosis. 8. Current and future drug targets in fibrosis: focus on Rho GTPase-regulated gene transcription
Authors: Tsou Pei-Suen , Haak Andrew J. , Khanna Dinesh , Neubig Richard R.
Published: April 2014

Tissue fibrosis occurs with excessive extracellular matrix deposition from myofibroblasts, resulting in tissue scarring and inflammation. It is driven by multiple mediators, such as the G protein-coupled receptor ligands lysophosphatidic acid and endothelin, as well as signaling by transforming growth factor-β, connective tissue growth factor, and integrins. Fibrosis contributes to 45% of deaths in the developed world. As current therapeutic options for tissue fibrosis are limited and organ transplantation is the only effective treatment for end-stage disease, there is an imminent need for efficacious antifibrotic therapies. This review discusses the various molecular pathways involved in fibrosis. It highlights the Rho GTPase signaling pathway and its downstream gene transcription output through myocardin-related transcription factor and serum response factor as a convergence point for targeting this complex set of diseases.
Amygdala mediates respiratory responses to sudden arousing stimuli and to restraint stress in rats
Authors: Bondarenko Evgeny , Hodgson Deborah M. , Nalivaiko Eugene
Published: April 2014

Both human and animal studies have demonstrated that respiratory parameters change in response to presentation of alerting stimuli, as well as during stress, yet central neuronal pathways that mediate such responses remain unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the involvement of the amygdala in mediating respiratory responses to stressors of various intensities and duration. Adult male Wistar rats ( n = 8) received microinjections of GABAAagonist muscimol or saline into the amygdala bilaterally and were subjected to a respiratory recording using whole body plethysmography. Presentation of acoustic stimuli (500-ms white noise, 40–90 dB) caused transient responses in respiratory rate that were proportional to the stimulus intensity, ranging from +13 ± 9 cpm to +276 ± 67 cpm for 40- and 90-dB stimuli, respectively. Inhibition of the amygdala significantly suppressed respiratory rate responses to the high-intensity stimuli (70–90 dB). Submitting rats to the restraint stress significantly elevated the mean respiratory rate (+72 ± 8 cpm) and the dominant respiratory rate (+51 ± 12 cpm), as well as the fraction of high-frequency respiratory rate (+10 ± 3%). Inhibition of the amygdala by muscimol significantly suppressed these responses. We conclude that the amygdala is one of the key structures that are essential for expression of respiratory responses to stressful or alerting stimuli in rats.
Recruitment and subsequent proliferation of bone marrow-derived cells in the postischemic kidney are important to the progression of fibrosis
Authors: Jang Hee-Seong , Kim Jee In , Han Sang Jun , Park Kwon Moo
Published: April 2014

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor of the development of chronic kidney disease. Kidney fibrosis is a typical feature of chronic kidney disease and is characterized as an expansion of the interstitium due to increases in extracellular matrix molecules and interstitial cells caused by accumulations of extrarenal cells and by the proliferation or differentiation of intrarenal cells. However, the role of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) in AKI-induced kidney fibrosis remains to be defined. Here, we investigated the role of BMDCs in kidney fibrosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced AKI in green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing bone marrow chimeric mice. IRI resulted in severe fibrotic changes in kidney tissues and dramatically increased interstitial cell numbers. Furthermore, GFP-expressing BMDCs accounted for >80% of interstitial cells in fibrotic kidneys. Interstitial GFP-expressing cells expressed α-smooth muscle actin (a myofibroblast marker), fibroblast-specific protein-1 (a fibroblast marker), collagen type III, and F4/80 (a macrophage marker). Over 20% of interstitial cells were bromodeoxyuridine-incorporating (proliferating) cells, and of these, 80% cells were GFP-expressing BMDCs. Daily treatment of IRI mice with apocynin (a NADPH oxidase inhibitor that functions as an antioxidant) from the day after surgery until euthanization slightly inhibited these changes with a small reduction of fibrosis. Taken together, our findings show that BMDCs make a major contribution to IRI-induced fibrosis due to their infiltration, subsequent differentiation, and proliferation in injured kidneys, suggesting that BMDCs be considered an important target for the treatment of kidney fibrosis.
Mesangial cell αvβ8-integrin regulates glomerular capillary integrity and repair
Authors: Lakhe-Reddy Sujata , Li Vincent , Arnold Thomas D. , Khan Shenaz , Schelling Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2014

αvβ8-Integrin is most abundantly expressed in the kidney, brain, and female reproductive organs, and its cognate ligand is latent transforming growth factor (LTGF)-β. Kidney αvβ8-integrin localizes to mesangial cells, and global β8-integrin gene ( Itgb8) deletion results in embryonic lethality due to impaired placentation and cerebral hemorrhage. To circumvent the lethality and better define kidney αvβ8-integrin function, Cre-lox technology was used to generate mesangial-specific Itgb8-null mice. Platelet-derived growth factor-β receptor ( PDGFBR)- Cre mice crossed with a reporter strain revealed functional Cre recombinase activity in a predicted mesangial pattern. However, mating between two different PDGFBR-Cre or Ren1d-Cre strains with Itgb8flox/−mice consistently resulted in incomplete recombination, with no renal phenotype in mosaic offspring. Induction of a renal phenotype with Habu snake venom, a reversible mesangiolytic agent, caused exaggerated glomerular capillary microaneurysms and delayed recovery in Cre+/−PDGFRBflox/−mice compared with Cre+/−PDGFRBflox/+control mice. To establish the mechanism, in vitro experiments were conducted in Itgb8-null versus Itgb8-expressing mesangial cells and fibroblasts, which revealed β8-integrin-regulated adhesion to Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides within a mesangial-conditioned matrix as well as β8-integrin-dependent migration on RGD-containing LTGF-β or vitronectin matrices. We speculate that kidney αvβ8-integrin indirectly controls glomerular capillary integrity through mechanical tension generated by binding RGD peptides in the mesangial matrix, and healing after glomerular injury may be facilitated by mesangial cell migration, which is guided by transient β8-integrin interactions with RGD ligands.
Spatiotemporal Patterns in a Ratio-Dependent Food Chain Model with Reaction-Diffusion
Authors: Zhang Lei
Published: April 2014

Predator-prey models describe biological phenomena of pursuit-evasion interaction. And this interaction exists widely in the world for the necessary energy supplement of species. In this paper, we have investigated a ratio-dependent spatially extended food chain model. Based on the bifurcation analysis (Hopf and Turing), we give the spatial pattern formation via numerical simulation, that is, the evolution process of the system near the coexistence equilibrium point(u2*,v2*,w2*), and find that the model dynamics exhibits complex pattern replication. For fixed parameters, on increasing the control parameterc1, the sequence “holes→holes-stripe mixtures→stripes→spots-stripe mixtures→spots” pattern is observed. And in the case of pure Hopf instability, the model exhibits chaotic wave pattern replication. Furthermore, we consider the pattern formation in the case of which the top predator is extinct, that is, the evolution process of the system near the equilibrium point(u1*,v1*,0), and find that the model dynamics exhibits stripes-spots pattern replication. Our results show that reaction-diffusion model is an appropriate tool for investigating fundamental mechanism of complex spatiotemporal dynamics. It will be useful for studying the dynamic complexity of ecosystems.
Numerical Simulation on Hydromechanical Coupling in Porous Media Adopting Three-Dimensional Pore-Scale Model
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Song Rui , Cui Mengmeng
Published: April 2014

A novel approach of simulating hydromechanical coupling in pore-scale models of porous media is presented in this paper. Parameters of the sandstone samples, such as the stress-strain curve, Poisson’s ratio, and permeability under different pore pressure and confining pressure, are tested in laboratory scale. The micro-CT scanner is employed to scan the samples for three-dimensional images, as input to construct the model. Accordingly, four physical models possessing the same pore and rock matrix characteristics as the natural sandstones are developed. Based on the micro-CT images, the three-dimensional finite element models of both rock matrix and pore space are established by MIMICS and ICEM software platform. Navier-Stokes equation and elastic constitutive equation are used as the mathematical model for simulation. A hydromechanical coupling analysis in pore-scale finite element model of porous media is simulated by ANSYS and CFX software. Hereby, permeability of sandstone samples under different pore pressure and confining pressure has been predicted. The simulation results agree well with the benchmark data. Through reproducing its stress state underground, the prediction accuracy of the porous rock permeability in pore-scale simulation is promoted. Consequently, the effects of pore pressure and confining pressure on permeability are revealed from the microscopic view.
A General Approximation Method for a Kind of Convex Optimization Problems in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Tian Ming , Huang Li-Hua
Published: April 2014

The constrained convex minimization problem is to find a pointx∗with the property thatx∗∈C, andh(x∗)=min  h(x),∀x∈C, whereCis a nonempty, closed, and convex subset of a real Hilbert spaceH,h(x)is a real-valued convex function, andh(x)is not Fréchet differentiable, but lower semicontinuous. In this paper, we discuss an iterative algorithm which is different from traditional gradient-projection algorithms. We firstly construct a bifunctionF1(x,y)defined asF1(x,y)=h(y)−h(x). And we ensure the equilibrium problem forF1(x,y)equivalent to the above optimization problem. Then we use iterative methods for equilibrium problems to study the above optimization problem. Based on Jung’s method (2011), we propose a general approximation method and prove the strong convergence of our algorithm to a solution of the above optimization problem. In addition, we apply the proposed iterative algorithm for finding a solution of the split feasibility problem and establish the strong convergence theorem. The results of this paper extend and improve some existing results.
The Approximate Solution of Fredholm Integral Equations with Oscillatory Trigonometric Kernels
Authors: Wu Qinghua
Published: April 2014

A method for approximating the solution of weakly singular Fredholm integral equation of the second kind with highly oscillatory trigonometric kernel is presented. The unknown function is approximated by expansion of Chebychev polynomial and the coefficients are determinated by classical collocation method. Due to the highly oscillatory kernels of integral equation, the discretised collocation equation will give rise to the computation of oscillatory integrals. These integrals are calculated by using recursion formula derived from the fundamental recurrence relation of Chebyshev polynomial. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method are tested by numerical examples.
Lipschitz Spaces and Fractional Integral Operators Associated with Nonhomogeneous Metric Measure Spaces
Authors: Zhou Jiang , Wang Dinghuai
Published: April 2014

The fractional operator on nonhomogeneous metric measure spaces is introduced, which is a bounded operator fromLpμinto the spaceLq,∞μ. Moreover, the Lipschitz spaces on nonhomogeneous metric measure spaces are also introduced, which contain the classical Lipschitz spaces. The authors establish some equivalent characterizations for the Lipschitz spaces, and some results of the boundedness of fractional operator in Lipschitz spaces are also presented.
Anticancer Drug-Incorporated Layered Double Hydroxide Nanohybrids and Their Enhanced Anticancer Therapeutic Efficacy in Combination Cancer Treatment
Authors: Kim Tae-Hyun , Lee Gyeong Jin , Kang Joo-Hee , Kim Hyoung-Jun , Kim Tae-il , Oh Jae-Min
Published: April 2014

Objective. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles have been studied as cellular delivery carriers for anionic anticancer agents. As MTX and 5-FU are clinically utilized anticancer drugs in combination therapy, we aimed to enhance the therapeutic performance with the help of LDH nanoparticles.Method. Anticancer drugs, MTX and 5-FU, and their combination, were incorporated into LDH by reconstruction method. Simply, LDHs were thermally pretreated at 400°C, and then reacted with drug solution to simultaneously form drug-incorporated LDH. Thus prepared MTX/LDH (ML), 5-FU/LDH (FL), and (MTX + 5-FU)/LDH (MFL) nanohybrids were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, zeta potential measurement, dynamic light scattering, and so forth. The nanohybrids were administrated to the human cervical adenocarcinoma, HeLa cells, in concentration-dependent manner, comparing with drug itself to verify the enhanced therapeutic efficacy.Conclusion. All the nanohybrids successfully accommodated intended drug molecules in their house-of-card-like structures during reconstruction reaction. It was found that the anticancer efficacy of MFL nanohybrid was higher than other nanohybrids, free drugs, or their mixtures, which means the multidrug-incorporated LDH nanohybrids could be potential drug delivery carriers for efficient cancer treatment via combination therapy.
Human Behavior-Based Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Liu Hao , Xu Gang , Ding Gui-yan , Sun Yu-bo
Published: April 2014

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has attracted many researchers interested in dealing with various optimization problems, owing to its easy implementation, few tuned parameters, and acceptable performance. However, the algorithm is easy to trap in the local optima because of rapid losing of the population diversity. Therefore, improving the performance of PSO and decreasing the dependence on parameters are two important research hot points. In this paper, we present a human behavior-based PSO, which is called HPSO. There are two remarkable differences between PSO and HPSO. First, the global worst particle was introduced into the velocity equation of PSO, which is endowed with random weight which obeys the standard normal distribution; this strategy is conducive to trade off exploration and exploitation ability of PSO. Second, we eliminate the two acceleration coefficientsc1andc2in the standard PSO (SPSO) to reduce the parameters sensitivity of solved problems. Experimental results on 28 benchmark functions, which consist of unimodal, multimodal, rotated, and shifted high-dimensional functions, demonstrate the high performance of the proposed algorithm in terms of convergence accuracy and speed with lower computation cost.
Lifestyle Intervention Involving Calorie Restriction with or without Aerobic Exercise Training Improves Liver Fat in Adults with Visceral Adiposity
Authors: Yoshimura Eiichi , Kumahara Hideaki , Tobina Takuro , Matsuda Takuro , Ayabe Makoto , Kiyonaga Akira , Anzai Keizo , Higaki Yasuki , Tanaka Hiroaki
Published: April 2014

Objective. To evaluate the effect of calorie restriction-induced weight loss with or without aerobic exercise on liver fat.Methods. Thirty-three adults with visceral adiposity were divided into calorie restriction (CR;n = 18) or CR and aerobic exercise (CR + Ex;n = 15) groups. Target energy intake was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. The CR + Ex group had a targeted exercise time of 300 min/wk or more at lactate threshold intensity for 12 weeks.Results. Reductions in body weight (CR,-5.3 ± 0.8 kg; CR + Ex,-5.1 ± 0.7 kg), fat mass (CR,-4.9± 0.9kg; CR + Ex,-4.4 ± 0.6 kg), and visceral fat (CR,-24 ± 5 cm2; CR + Ex,-37 ± 5 cm2) were not statistically different between groups. Liver fat decreased significantly in both groups, with no difference between groups. Change in maximal oxygen uptake was significantly greater in the CR + Ex group than in the CR group (CR,-0.7 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min; CR + Ex,2.9 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min).Conclusion. Both CR and CR + Ex resulted in an improved reduction in liver fat; however, there was no additive effect of exercise training.
Metaheuristic Algorithm for Solving Biobjective Possibility Planning Model of Location-Allocation in Disaster Relief Logistics
Authors: Barzinpour Farnaz , Saffarian Mohsen , Makoui Ahmad , Teimoury Ebrahim
Published: April 2014

Thousands of victims and millions of affected people are hurt by natural disasters every year. Therefore, it is essential to prepare proper response programs that consider early activities of disaster management. In this paper, a multiobjective model for distribution centers which are located and allocated periodically to the damaged areas in order to distribute relief commodities is offered. The main objectives of this model are minimizing the total costs and maximizing the least rate of the satisfaction in the sense of being fair while distributing the items. The model simultaneously determines the location of relief distribution centers and the allocation of affected areas to relief distribution centers. Furthermore, an efficient solution approach based on genetic algorithm has been developed in order to solve the proposed mathematical model. The results of genetic algorithm are compared with the results provided by simulated annealing algorithm and LINGO software. The computational results show that the proposed genetic algorithm provides relatively good solutions in a reasonable time.
Detection of Burst Suppression Patterns in EEG Using Recurrence Rate
Authors: Liang Zhenhu , Wang Yinghua , Ren Yongshao , Li Duan , Voss Logan , Sleigh Jamie , Li Xiaoli
Published: April 2014

Burst suppression is a unique electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern commonly seen in cases of severely reduced brain activity such as overdose of general anesthesia. It is important to detect burst suppression reliably during the administration of anesthetic or sedative agents, especially for cerebral-protective treatments in various neurosurgical diseases. This study investigates recurrent plot (RP) analysis for the detection of the burst suppression pattern (BSP) in EEG. The RP analysis is applied to EEG data containing BSPs collected from 14 patients. Firstly we obtain the best selection of parameters for RP analysis. Then, the recurrence rate (RR), determinism (DET), and entropy (ENTR) are calculated. Then RR was selected as the best BSP index one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison tests. Finally, the performance of RR analysis is compared with spectral analysis, bispectral analysis, approximate entropy, and the nonlinear energy operator (NLEO). ANOVA and multiple comparison tests showed that the RR could detect BSP and that it was superior to other measures with the highest sensitivity of suppression detection (96.49%, P=0.03). Tracking BSP patterns is essential for clinical monitoring in critically ill and anesthetized patients. The purposed RR may provide an effective burst suppression detector for developing new patient monitoring systems.
Effect Analysis of Design Variables on the Disc in a Double-Eccentric Butterfly Valve
Authors: Kang Sangmo , Kim Da-Eun , Kim Kuk-Kyeom , Kim Jun-Oh
Published: April 2014

We have performed a shape optimization of the disc in an industrial double-eccentric butterfly valve using the effect analysis of design variables to enhance the valve performance. For the optimization, we select three performance quantities such as pressure drop, maximum stress, and mass (weight) as the responses and three dimensions regarding the disc shape as the design variables. Subsequently, we compose a layout of orthogonal array (L16) by performing numerical simulations on the flow and structure using a commercial package, ANSYS v13.0, and then make an effect analysis of the design variables on the responses using the design of experiments. Finally, we formulate a multiobjective function consisting of the three responses and then propose an optimal combination of the design variables to maximize the valve performance. Simulation results show that the disc thickness makes the most significant effect on the performance and the optimal design provides better performance than the initial design.
HIV Prevention Messages Targeting Young Latino Immigrant MSM
Authors: Solorio Rosa , Norton-Shelpuk Pamela , Forehand Mark , Martinez Marcos , Aguirre Joel
Published: April 2014

Young Latino immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for HIV and for delayed diagnosis. A need exists to raise awareness about HIV prevention in this population, including the benefits of timely HIV testing. This project was developed through collaboration between University of WA researchers and Entre Hermanos, a community-based organization serving Latinos. Building from a community-based participatory research approach, the researchers developed a campaign that was executed by Activate Brands, based in Denver, Colorado. The authors (a) describe the development of HIV prevention messages through the integration of previously collected formative data; (b) describe the process of translating these messages into PSAs, including the application of a marketing strategy; (c) describe testing the PSAs within the Latino MSM community; and (c) determine a set of important factors to consider when developing HIV prevention messages for young Latino MSM who do not identify as gay.
The Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Foods
Authors: Ramalingum Nelvana , Mahomoodally M. Fawzi
Published: April 2014

Pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences have recently witnessed a bloom in the scientific literature geared towards the use of food plants for their diversified health benefits and potential clinical applications. Health professionals now recognize that a synergism of drug therapy and nutrition might confer optimum outcomes in the fight against diseases. The prophylactic benefits of food plants are being investigated for potential use as novel medicinal remedies due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds. Although the availability of scientific data is rapidly growing, there is still a paucity of updated compilation of data and concerns about the rationale of these health-foods still persist in the literature. This paper attempts to congregate the nutritional value, phytochemical composition, traditional uses,in vitroandin vivostudies of 10 common medicinal food plants used against chronic noncommunicable and infectious diseases. Food plants included were based on the criteria that they are consumed as a common food in a typical diet as either fruit or vegetable for their nutritive value but have also other parts which are in common use in folk medicine. The potential challenges of incorporating these medicinal foods in the diet which offers prospective opportunities for future drug development are also discussed.
The Regularity of Functions on Dual Split Quaternions in Clifford Analysis
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Shon Kwang Ho
Published: April 2014

This paper shows some properties of dual split quaternion numbers and expressions of power series in dual split quaternions and provides differential operators in dual split quaternions and a dual split regular function onΩ⊂ℂ2×ℂ2that has a dual split Cauchy-Riemann system in dual split quaternions.
Stability to a Kind of Functional Differential Equations of Second Order with Multiple Delays by Fixed Points
Authors: Tunç Cemil , Biçer Emel
Published: April 2014

We discuss the stability of solutions to a kind of scalar Liénard type equations with multiple variable delays by means of the fixed point technique under an exponentially weighted metric. By this work, we improve some related results from one delay to multiple variable delays.
GeneralizednDimensional Ostrowski Type and Grüss Type Inequalities on Time Scales
Authors: Zheng Bin , Feng Qinghua
Published: April 2014

Some new generalizedndimensional Ostrowski type and Grüss type integral inequalities on time scales are established in this paper. The present results unify continuous and discrete analysis, and extend some known results in the literature.
Combinatorial Properties and Characterization of Glued Semigroups
Authors: García-García J. I. , Moreno-Frías M. A. , Vigneron-Tenorio A.
Published: April 2014

This work focuses on the combinatorial properties of glued semigroups and provides its combinatorial characterization. Some classical results for affine glued semigroups are generalized and some methods to obtain glued semigroups are developed.
Hyperglycemia, a Neglected Factor during Cancer Progression
Authors: Duan Wanxing , Shen Xin , Lei Jianjun , Xu Qinhong , Yu Yongtian , Li Rong , Wu Erxi , Ma Qingyong
Published: April 2014

Recent evidence from large cohort studies suggests that there exists a higher cancer incidence in people with type 2 diabetes (DM2). However, to date, the potential reasons for this association remain unclear. Hyperglycemia, the most important feature of diabetes, may be responsible for the excess glucose supply for these glucose-hungry cells, and it contributes to apoptosis resistance, oncogenesis, and tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy. Considering associations between diabetes and malignancies, the effect of hyperglycemia on cancer progression in cancer patients with abnormal blood glucose should not be neglected. In this paper, we describe the role that hyperglycemia plays in cancer progression and treatment and illustrate that hyperglycemia may contribute to a more malignant phenotype of cancer cells and lead to drug resistance. Therefore, controlling hyperglycemia may have important therapeutic implications in cancer patients.
Disruption of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Blunts a Time of Day-Dependent Variation in Systemic Anaphylactic Reaction in Mice
Authors: Nakamura Yuki , Ishimaru Kayoko , Tahara Yu , Shibata Shigenobu , Nakao Atsuhito
Published: April 2014

Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction which is rapid in onset and potentially fatal, caused by excessive release of mediators including histamine and cytokines/chemokines from mast cells and basophils upon allergen/IgE stimulation. Increased prevalence of anaphylaxis in industrialized countries requires urgent needs for better understanding of anaphylaxis. However, the pathophysiology of the disease is not fully understood. Here we report that the circadian clock may be an important regulator of anaphylaxis. In mammals, the central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus synchronizes and entrains peripheral circadian clock present in virtually all cell types via neural and endocrine pathways, thereby driving the daily rhythms in behavior and physiology. We found that mechanical disruption of the SCN resulted in the absence of a time of day-dependent variation in passive systemic anaphylactic (PSA) reaction in mice, associated with loss of daily variations in serum histamine, MCP-1 (CCL2), and IL-6 levels. These results suggest that the central SCN clock controls the time of day-dependent variation in IgE-mediated systemic anaphylactic reaction, which may provide a novel insight into the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis.
Model Based Research of Dynamic Performance of Shaft-Bearing System in High-Speed Field
Authors: Hu Teng , Yin Guofu , Sun Mingnan
Published: April 2014

Dynamic performance of the high-speed running shaft-bearing system (SBS) is different from that of idle state system due to the high-speed effects (HSE), including shaft centrifugal force, gyroscopic moment, and nonlinear bearing operational stiffness. In this paper, aiming at improving the operation stability, dynamic performance of SBS operating in high-speed field is investigated based on a finite element (FE) dynamic model. Firstly, the Timoshenko beam elements are applied to develop the SBS FE model with full consideration of HSE. Secondly, idle state frequency response function at the front tip is obtained analytically and experimentally to validate that the FE model can illustrate the system dynamic behaviors in static condition. Finally, by substituting various rotational velocities into the FE model, the HSE on system natural frequencies are studied one by one as well as together. The results show that, when bearing is being extremely light preloaded, SBS frequencies are affected by the HSE of shaft more than bearing, especially where the gyroscopic moment effect of shaft is the most influential factor. Moreover, the nonmonotonic variation of bearing operational stiffness is analyzed. The “stiffen” phenomenon explained in this paper provides a more comprehensive understanding of the nonlinear bearing operational stiffness.
Balance Maintenance in High-Speed Motion of Humanoid Robot Arm-Based on the 6D Constraints of Momentum Change Rate
Authors: Zhang Da-song , Xiong Rong , Wu Jun , Chu Jian
Published: April 2014

Based on the 6D constraints of momentum change rate (CMCR), this paper puts forward a real-time and full balance maintenance method for the humanoid robot during high-speed movement of its 7-DOF arm. First, the total momentum formula for the robot’s two arms is given and the momentum change rate is defined by the time derivative of the total momentum. The author also illustrates the idea of full balance maintenance and analyzes the physical meaning of 6D CMCR and its fundamental relation to full balance maintenance. Moreover, discretization and optimization solution of CMCR has been provided with the motion constraint of the auxiliary arm’s joint, and the solving algorithm is optimized. The simulation results have shown the validity and generality of the proposed method on the full balance maintenance in the 6 DOFs of the robot body under 6D CMCR. This method ensures 6D dynamics balance performance and increases abundant ZMP stability margin. The resulting motion of the auxiliary arm has large abundance in joint space, and the angular velocity and the angular acceleration of these joints lie within the predefined limits. The proposed algorithm also has good real-time performance.
Analysis of Pull-In Instability of Geometrically Nonlinear Microbeam Using Radial Basis Artificial Neural Network Based on Couple Stress Theory
Authors: Heidari Mohammad , Heidari Ali , Homaei Hadi
Published: April 2014

The static pull-in instability of beam-type microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is theoretically investigated. Two engineering cases including cantilever and double cantilever microbeam are considered. Considering the midplane stretching as the source of the nonlinearity in the beam behavior, a nonlinear size-dependent Euler-Bernoulli beam model is used based on a modified couple stress theory, capable of capturing the size effect. By selecting a range of geometric parameters such as beam lengths, width, thickness, gaps, and size effect, we identify the static pull-in instability voltage. A MAPLE package is employed to solve the nonlinear differential governing equations to obtain the static pull-in instability voltage of microbeams. Radial basis function artificial neural network with two functions has been used for modeling the static pull-in instability of microcantilever beam. The network has four inputs of length, width, gap, and the ratio of height to scale parameter of beam as the independent process variables, and the output is static pull-in voltage of microbeam. Numerical data, employed for training the network, and capabilities of the model have been verified in predicting the pull-in instability behavior. The output obtained from neural network model is compared with numerical results, and the amount of relative error has been calculated. Based on this verification error, it is shown that the radial basis function of neural network has the average error of 4.55% in predicting pull-in voltage of cantilever microbeam. Further analysis of pull-in instability of beam under different input conditions has been investigated and comparison results of modeling with numerical considerations shows a good agreement, which also proves the feasibility and effectiveness of the adopted approach. The results reveal significant influences of size effect and geometric parameters on the static pull-in instability voltage of MEMS.
Effect of Dietary Intake of Avocado Oil and Olive Oil on Biochemical Markers of Liver Function in Sucrose-Fed Rats
Authors: Carvajal-Zarrabal Octavio , Nolasco-Hipolito Cirilo , Aguilar-Uscanga Ma. Guadalupe , Melo Santiesteban Guadalupe , Hayward-Jones Patricia M. , Barradas-Dermitz Dulce Ma.
Published: April 2014

Metabolic changes, along with cardiovascular and hepatic factors, are associated with the development of diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. We evaluated the effect of avocado oil supplementation (centrifuged and solvent extracted), compared with olive oil, upon the hepatic function in sucrose-fed rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: control (basal diet), a sucrose-fed group (basal diet plus 30% sucrose solution), and three other groups (S-OO, S-AOC, and S-AOS, indicating basal diet plus 30% sucrose solution plus olive oil OO, avocado oil extracted by centrifugation AOC or using solvent AOS, resp.). Glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, direct bilirubin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase, andα-amylase concentrations were determined and avocado oil effect on them was studied. In some cases the induced metabolic alteration significantly affected total protein and bilirubin levels and also had a highly significant effect onα-amylase levels. AOC and AOS exhibited effects similar to those of olive oil, according to the nonsignificant difference in fatty acid profile observed by other authors. Avocado oil consumption could be beneficial in the control of altered metabolic profile illnesses as it presents effects on hepatic function biochemical markers similar to olive oil.
Genome-Wide and Gene-Specific Epigenomic Platforms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biomarker Development Trials
Authors: Michailidi Christina , Soudry Ethan , Brait Mariana , Maldonado Leonel , Jaffe Andrew , Ili-Gangas Carmen , Brebi-Mieville Priscilla , Perez Jimena , Kim Myoung Sook , Zhong Xiaoli , Yang Quiang , Valle Blanca , Meltzer Stephen J. , Torbenson Michael , Esteller Manel , Sidransky David , Guerrero-Preston Rafael
Published: April 2014

The majority of the epigenomic reports in hepatocellular carcinoma have focused on identifying novel differentially methylated drivers or passengers of the oncogenic process. Few reports have considered the technologies in place for clinical translation of newly identified biomarkers. The aim of this study was to identify epigenomic technologies that need only a small number of samples to discriminate HCC from non-HCC tissue, a basic requirement for biomarker development trials. To assess that potential, we used quantitative Methylation Specific PCR, oligonucleotide tiling arrays, and Methylation BeadChip assays. Concurrent global DNA hypomethylation, gene-specific hypermethylation, and chromatin alterations were observed as a hallmark of HCC. A global loss of promoter methylation was observed in HCC with the Illumina BeadChip assays and the Nimblegen oligonucleotide arrays. HCC samples had lower median methylation peak scores and a reduced number of significant promoter-wide methylated probes. Promoter hypermethylation ofRASSF1A,SSBP2, andB4GALT1quantified by qMSP had a sensitivity ranging from 38% to 52%, a specificity of 100%, and an AUC from 0.58 to 0.75. A panel combining these genes with HCC risk factors had a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 100%, and an AUC of 0.91.
Effect of Curcumin on Lifespan, Activity Pattern, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in the Brains of TransgenicDrosophilaModel of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Siddique Yasir Hasan , Naz Falaq , Jyoti Smita
Published: April 2014

Background. A time dependent loss of dopaminergic neurons and the formation of intracellular aggregates of alpha synuclein have been reported in PD model flies.Methods. The progeny (PD flies) expressing human alpha synuclein was exposed to 25, 50, and 100 µM of curcumin mixed in the diet for 24 days. The effect of curcumin was studied on lifespan, activity pattern, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the brains of PD model flies. The activity of PD model flies was monitored by usingDrosophilaactivity monitors (DAMs). For the estimation of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content were estimated in the flies brains of each treated groups. The cell death inDrosophilabrain was analyzed by isolating brains in Ringer’s solution placing them in 70% ethanol and stained in acridine orange to calculate the gray scale values.Results. The exposure of flies to 25, 50, and 100 µM of curcumin showed a dose dependent significant delay in the loss of activity pattern, reduction in the oxidative stress and apoptosis, and increase in the life span of PD model flies.Conclusion. Curcumin is potent in reducing PD symptoms.
Effects of Rolling Reduction and Strength of Composed Layers on Bond Strength of Pure Copper and Aluminium Alloy Clad Sheets Fabricated by Cold Roll Bonding
Authors: Miyajima Yoji , Iguchi Kotaro , Onaka Susumu , Kato Masaharu
Published: April 2014

Three types of clad sheets, Cu/Al, Cu/AA5052, and Cu/AA5083, were produced by cold roll bonding with the rolling reduction of 50% and 75%. Tensile shear tests which give tensile shear strength were performed in order to assess the bond strength. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on the fractured interface produced by the tensile shear tests, which suggests that the fracture occurs within the Al alloy layer. The tensile shear strengths considering the area fraction of deposit of Al alloy on Cu side were compared with the shear stress converting from the ultimate tensile strengths. As a result, the tensile shear strength of the clad sheets is attributed to the shear strength of Al alloy layer close to the well bonded interface. A simple model was proposed that explains the effects of the rolling reduction and area fraction of deposit of Al alloy.
Existence and Uniqueness of Almost Periodic Solutions for Neural Networks with Neutral Delays
Authors: Xu Min , Du Zengji , Zhuang Kaige
Published: April 2014

A class of neural networks system with neutral delays is investigated. The existence and uniqueness of almost periodic solution for the system are obtained by using fixed point theorem; we extend some results in the references.
Model of Handover and Traffic Based on Cellular Geometry with Smart Antenna
Authors: Zhang Zufan , Zhang Jie , Sun Shaohui
Published: April 2014

Based on the application of smart antennas in cellular mobile communications, this paper introduces the impact of the width of the antenna beams playing on the dwell time probability density function in cellular geometry with smart antenna. The research results indicate that the smart cell structure can improve the dwell time of users within the cell and improve the traffic system performance.
Combinatorial Control of Transgene Expression by Hypoxia-Responsive Promoter and MicroRNA Regulation for Neural Stem Cell-Based Cancer Therapy
Authors: Luo Yumei , Zhu Detu
Published: April 2014

Owing to their strong migratory capacity, tumor tropism, and tumor inhibitory effect, neural stem cells (NSCs) have recently emerged as one of the most attractive gene delivery vectors for cancer therapy. However, further animal studies found that proportional NSC vectors were distributed to nontarget organs after intravenous injection and the nonspecific transgene expression led to significant cytotoxic effects in these organs. Hence, an expression cassette that controls the transgene expression within NSC vectors in a tumor site-specific manner is desired. Considering hypoxia as a hallmark of tumor microenvironment, we have developed a novel NSC vector platform coupling transcriptional targeting with microRNA (miRNA) regulation for tumor hypoxia targeting. This combinatorial vector employed a hypoxia-responsive promoter and repeated targeting sequences of an miRNA that is enriched in NSCs but downregulated upon hypoxia induction to control the transgene expression. This resulted in significantly improved hypoxic selectivity over the use of a control vector without miRNA regulation. Thus, incorporating miRNA regulation into a transcriptional targeting vector adds an extra layer of security to prevent off-target transgene expression and should be useful for the development of NSC vectors with high targeting specifcity for cancer therapy.