bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms Inform Discovery: Identification and Characterization of a Novel Amycolatopsis Strain Producing Ristocetin
Authors: Truman Andrew W. , Kwun Min Jung , Cheng Jinhua , Yang Seung Hwan , Suh Joo-Won , Hong Hee-Jeon
Published: July 2014

Discovering new antibiotics is a major scientific challenge, made increasingly urgent by the continued development of resistance in bacterial pathogens. A fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance will be vital for the future discovery or design of new, more effective antibiotics. We have exploited our intimate knowledge of the molecular mechanism of glycopeptide antibiotic resistance in the harmless bacterium
Streptomyces coelicolor
to develop a new two-step cell wall bioactivity screen, which efficiently identified a new actinomycete strain containing a previously uncharacterized glycopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster. The screen first identifies natural product extracts capable of triggering a generalized cell wall stress response and then specifically selects for glycopeptide antibacterials by assaying for the induction of glycopeptide resistance genes. In this study, we established a diverse natural product extract library from actinomycete strains isolated from locations with widely varying climates and ecologies, and we screened them using the novel two-step bioassay system. The bioassay ultimately identified a single strain harboring the previously unidentified biosynthetic gene cluster for the glycopeptide ristocetin, providing a proof of principle for the effectiveness of the screen. This is the first report of the ristocetin biosynthetic gene cluster, which is predicted to include some interesting and previously uncharacterized enzymes. By focusing on screening libraries of microbial extracts, this strategy provides the certainty that identified producer strains are competent for growth and biosynthesis of the detected glycopeptide under laboratory conditions.
Case-Case-Control Study of Patients with Carbapenem-Resistant and Third-Generation-Cephalosporin-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Gallagher Jason C. , Kuriakose Safia , Haynes Kevin , Axelrod Peter
Published: July 2014

Strains of third-generation-cephalosporin-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(3GCRKP) and carbapenem-resistant
K. pneumoniae
(CRKP) are rapidly spreading. Evidence is needed to establish whether differences exist between patients at risk for 3GCRKP and those at risk for CRKP bloodstream infections (BSIs); thus, this retrospective case-case-control study was conducted to determine if the risk factors for these two infections differ. The inclusion criteria for cases were positive blood cultures for
K. pneumoniae
, first episode of BSI, age of ≥18 years, and susceptibility results indicating resistance to either third-generation cephalosporins (3GCRKP group) or carbapenems and cephalosporins (CRKP group). Controls were patients admitted for ≥72 h and were matched to cases by month/year and medical unit. Variables of interest were analyzed by univariate analysis, and those of significance were analyzed by logistic regression. In total, 111 patients with 3GCRKP BSIs and 43 patients with CRKP BSIs were matched to 154 controls. Multivariate analyses of 3GCRKP case and control groups demonstrated that a length of stay (LOS) of >40 days (odds ratio [OR], 17.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7 to 84.3), the use of antibiotics in the past 90 days (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.5 to 11.9), and the presence of a central venous catheter (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 13.4) were independent risk factors. Multivariate analyses of the CRKP case and control groups demonstrated that a LOS of >40 days (OR, 13.5; 95% CI, 2.9 to 62.8) and the use of antibiotics in the past 90 days (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 26.5) were independent risk factors. Similar factors put patients at risk for these two types of
K. pneumoniae
BSIs.
Type II Toxoplasma gondii Induction of CD40 on Infected Macrophages Enhances Interleukin-12 Responses
Authors: Morgado Pedro , Sudarshana Dattanand M. , Gov Lanny , Harker Katherine S. , Lam Tonika , Casali Paolo , Boyle Jon P. , Lodoen Melissa B.
Published: July 2014

Toxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause severe neurological disease in infected humans. CD40 is a receptor on macrophages that plays a critical role in controllingT. gondiiinfection. We examined the regulation of CD40 on the surface ofT. gondii-infected bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMdMs).T. gondiiinduced CD40 expression both at the transcript level and on the cell surface, and interestingly, the effect was parasite strain specific: CD40 levels were dramatically increased in type IIT. gondii-infected BMdMs compared to type I- or type III-infected cells. Type II induction of CD40 was specific to cells harboring intracellular parasites and detectable as early as 6 h postinfection (hpi) at the transcript level. CD40 protein expression peaked at 18 hpi. Using forward genetics with progeny from a type II × type III cross, we found that CD40 induction mapped to a region of chromosome X that included the gene encoding the dense granule protein 15 (GRA15). Using type I parasites stably expressing the type II allele ofGRA15(GRA15II), we found that type I GRA15IIparasites induced the expression of CD40 on infected cells in an NF-κB-dependent manner. In addition, stable expression of hemagglutinin-tagged GRA15IIin THP-1 cells resulted in CD40 upregulation in the absence of infection. Since CD40 signaling contributes to interleukin-12 (IL-12) production, we examined IL-12 from infected macrophages and found that CD40L engagement of CD40 amplified the IL-12 response in type II-infected cells. These data indicate that GRA15IIinduction of CD40 promotes parasite immunity through the production of IL-12.
The Legionella longbeachae Icm/Dot Substrate SidC Selectively Binds Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate with Nanomolar Affinity and Promotes Pathogen Vacuole-Endoplasmic Reticulum Interactions
Authors: Dolinsky Stephanie , Haneburger Ina , Cichy Adam , Hannemann Mandy , Itzen Aymelt , Hilbi Hubert
Published: July 2014

Legionella
spp. cause the severe pneumonia Legionnaires' disease. The environmental bacteria replicate intracellularly in free-living amoebae and human alveolar macrophages within a distinct, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived compartment termed the
Legionella
-containing vacuole (LCV). LCV formation requires the bacterial Icm/Dot type IV secretion system (T4SS) that translocates into host cells a plethora of different “effector” proteins, some of which anchor to the pathogen vacuole by binding to phosphoinositide (PI) lipids. Here, we identified by unbiased pulldown assays in
Legionella longbeachae
lysates a 111-kDa SidC homologue as the major phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PtdIns(4)
P
]-binding protein. The PI-binding domain was mapped to a 20-kDa P4C [
P
tdIns(
4
)
P
binding of Sid
C
] fragment. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that SidC of
L. longbeachae
(SidC
Llo
) binds PtdIns(4)
P
with a

K
d

(dissociation constant) of 71 nM, which is 3 to 4 times lower than that of the SidC orthologue of
Legionella pneumophila
(SidC
Lpn
). Upon infection of RAW 264.7 macrophages with
L. longbeachae
, endogenous SidC
Llo
or ectopically produced SidC
Lpn
localized in an Icm/Dot-dependent manner to the PtdIns(4)
P
-positive LCVs. An
L. longbeachae
Δ
sidC
deletion mutant was impaired for calnexin recruitment to LCVs in
Dictyostelium discoideum
amoebae and outcompeted by wild-type bacteria in
Acanthamoeba castellanii
. Calnexin recruitment was restored by SidC
Llo
or its orthologues SidC
Lpn
and SdcA
Lpn
. Conversely, calnexin recruitment was restored by SidC
Llo
in
L. pneumophila
lacking
sidC
and
sdcA
. Together, biochemical, genetic, and cell biological data indicate that SidC
Llo
is an
L. longbeachae
effector that binds through a P4C domain with high affinity to PtdIns(4)
P
on LCVs, promotes ER recruitment to the LCV, and thus plays a role in pathogen-host interactions.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Outer Membrane Vesicles Are Internalized in Human Host Cells and Trigger NOD1- and NOD2-Dependent NF-κB Activation
Authors: Thay Bernard , Damm Anna , Kufer Thomas A. , Wai Sun Nyunt , Oscarsson Jan
Published: July 2014

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
is an oral and systemic pathogen associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. We recently demonstrated that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) disseminated by
A. actinomycetemcomitans
could deliver multiple proteins, including biologically active cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), into the cytosol of HeLa cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). In the present work, we have used immunoelectron and confocal microscopy analysis and fluorescently labeled vesicles to further investigate mechanisms for
A. actinomycetemcomitans
OMV-mediated delivery of bacterial antigens to these host cells. Our results supported that OMVs were internalized into the perinuclear region of HeLa cells and HGF. Colocalization analysis revealed that internalized OMVs colocalized with the endoplasmic reticulum and carried antigens, detected using an antibody specific to whole
A. actinomycetemcomitans
serotype a cells. Consistent with OMV internalization mediating intracellular antigen exposure, the vesicles acted as strong inducers of cytoplasmic peptidoglycan sensor NOD1- and NOD2-dependent NF-κB activation in human embryonic kidney cells. Moreover, NOD1 was the main sensor of OMV-delivered peptidoglycan in myeloid THP1 cells, contributing to the overall inflammatory responses induced by the vesicles. This work reveals a role of
A. actinomycetemcomitans
OMVs as a trigger of innate immunity via carriage of NOD1- and NOD2-active pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).
Early Induction of Interleukin-10 Limits Antigen-Specific CD4+T Cell Expansion, Function, and Secondary Recall Responses during Persistent Phagosomal Infection
Authors: Singh Abinav Kumar , Thirumalapura Nagaraja R.
Published: July 2014

Diverse pathogens have evolved to survive and replicate in the endosomes or phagosomes of the host cells and establish persistent infection. Ehrlichiae are Gram-negative, intracellular bacteria that are transmitted by ticks. Ehrlichiae reside in the endosomes of the host phagocytic or endothelial cells and establish persistent infection in their vertebrate reservoir hosts. CD4+T cells play a critical role in protection against phagosomal infections. In the present study, we investigated the expansion, maintenance, and functional status of antigen-specific CD4+T cells during persistentEhrlichia murisinfection in wild-type and interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice. Our study indicated that early induction of IL-10 led to reduced inflammatory responses and impaired bacterial clearance during persistentEhrlichiainfection. Notably, we demonstrated that the functional production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) by antigen-specific CD4+T cells maintained during a persistent phagosomal infection progressively deteriorates. The functional loss of IFN-γ production by antigen-specific CD4+T cells was reversed in the absence of IL-10. Furthermore, we demonstrated that transient blockade of IL-10 receptor during the T cell priming phase early in infection was sufficient to enhance the magnitude and the functional capacity of antigen-specific effector and memory CD4+T cells, which translated into an enhanced recall response. Our findings provide new insights into the functional status of antigen-specific CD4+T cells maintained during persistent phagosomal infection. The study supports the concept that a better understanding of the factors that influence the priming and differentiation of CD4+T cells may provide a basis to induce a protective immune response against persistent infections.
Effect of Apoptotic Cell Recognition on Macrophage Polarization and Mycobacterial Persistence
Authors: de Oliveira Fulco Tatiana , Andrade Priscila Ribeiro , de Mattos Barbosa Mayara Garcia , Pinto Thiago Gomes Toledo , Ferreira Paula Fernandez , Ferreira Helen , da Costa Nery José Augusto , Real Suzana Côrte , Borges Valéria Matos , Moraes Milton Ozório , Sarno Euzenir Nunes , Sampaio Elizabeth Pereira , Pinheiro Roberta Olmo
Published: July 2014

IntracellularMycobacterium lepraeinfection modifies host macrophage programming, creating a protective niche for bacterial survival. The milieu regulating cellular apoptosis in the tissue plays an important role in defining susceptible and/or resistant phenotypes. A higher density of apoptotic cells has been demonstrated in paucibacillary leprosy lesions than in multibacillary ones. However, the effect of apoptotic cell removal onM. leprae-stimulated cells has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether apoptotic cell removal (efferocytosis) induces different phenotypes in proinflammatory (Mϕ1) and anti-inflammatory (Mϕ2) macrophages in the presence ofM. leprae. We stimulated Mϕ1 and Mϕ2 cells withM. lepraein the presence or absence of apoptotic cells and subsequently evaluated theM. lepraeuptake, cell phenotype, and cytokine pattern in the supernatants. In the presence ofM. lepraeand apoptotic cells, Mϕ1 macrophages changed their phenotype to resemble the Mϕ2 phenotype, displaying increased CD163 and SRA-I expression as well as higher phagocytic capacity. Efferocytosis increasedM. lepraesurvival in Mϕ1 cells, accompanied by reduced interleukin-15 (IL-15) and IL-6 levels and increased transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and IL-10 secretion. Mϕ1 cells primed withM. lepraein the presence of apoptotic cells induced the secretion of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in autologous T cells compared with cultures stimulated withM. lepraeor apoptotic cells alone. Efferocytosis did not alter the Mϕ2 cell phenotype or cytokine secretion profile, except for TGF-β. Based on these data, we suggest that, in paucibacillary leprosy patients, efferocytosis contributes to mycobacterial persistence by increasing the Mϕ2 population and sustaining the infection.
Angiographic suppression of the artery of Adamkiewicz by venous hypertension resolving after embolization in a case of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Eckart Sorte Danielle , Pardo Carlos A , Gailloud Philippe
Published: July 2014

A case of complete angiographic suppression of the artery of Adamkiewicz and anterior spinal artery in a patient with a spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is reported. Slow flow AVFs typically present with progressive myelopathy secondary to spinal venous hypertension (SVH). The lack of a normal venous phase during angiography and its restoration after treatment is commonly observed with these lesions, yet a similar phenomenon seems exceptional at the arterial level. Right T11 intercostal artery angiograms obtained before and after treatment of a left L4 epidural AVF documented the initial suppression of the artery of Adamkiewicz and anterior spinal artery, and their normal appearance immediately after correction of the SVH by embolization. This report confirms that SVH can angiographically suppress prominent and functionally important spinal arteries, re-emphasizing the potential role played by secondary arterial changes in SVH induced myelopathy. This hemodynamic phenomenon also represents a potential pitfall during diagnostic and therapeutic endovascular procedures.
Spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome associated with contrast dye iohexol use in mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Yun Seongseok , Vincelette Nicole D , Phan Tuan , Anwer Faiz
Published: July 2014

We describe a case of a 73-year-old man who presented with right-sided abdominal pain associated with palpable mass. Initial laboratory examination was normal except lactate dehydrogenase level. Subsequent CT image showed situs inversus and splenic mass with multiple lymph nodes enlargement. Biopsy taken from the splenic mass demonstrated mantle cell lymphoma. Staging CT examination was performed with intravenous contrast, and patient developed altered mental status, respiratory failure and acute kidney injury requiring intensive care unit care. Laboratory examination revealed hyperuricaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia, which are consistent with spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome. The patient was successfully treated with rasburicase and haemodialysis, and completed the first course of chemotherapy without further complications.
Large eddy simulation of forest canopy flow for wildland fire modeling
Authors: Mueller Eric , Mell William , Simeoni Albert
Published: July 2014

Large eddy simulation (LES) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulators have obtained increasing attention in the wildland fire research community, as these tools allow the inclusion of important driving physics. However, due to the complexity of the models, individual aspects must be isolated and tested rigorously to ensure meaningful results. As wind is a driving force that can significantly dictate the behavior of a wildfire, the simulation of wind is studied in the context of a particular LES CFD model, the Wildland–urban interface Fire Dynamics Simulator (WFDS). As WFDS has yet to be tested extensively with regard to wind flow within and above forest canopies, a study of its ability to do so is carried out. First, three simulations are conducted using periodic boundary conditions. Two of these assume a spatially heterogeneous forest and one models wind downstream of a canopy edge. Second, two simulations are conducted with specified “inflow” conditions using two inflow profiles: one static and one dynamic (driven by a precursor simulation). Using periodic boundary conditions, the model is found to generate profiles of mean velocity and turbulent statistics that are representative of experimental measurements. The dynamic inflow scenario is found to perform better than the static case.
Testing new ideas regarding the nature of interstellar extinction
Authors: Turner D.G. , Majaess D.J. , Balam D.D.
Published: July 2014

The nature of Galactic interstellar extinction is tested using reddening line parameters for several fields in conjunction with equivalent widths W(λ4430) for the diffuse interstellar band at 4430 Å. The Cardelli et al. relations (Astrophys. J. 345, 245 (1989). doi:10.1086/167900) at infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths are inconsistent with the newly-derived quadratic variation of RV(observed) on reddening slope X. A minimum of RV = 2.82 ± 0.06 exists for X = 0.83 ± 0.01, and is argued to represent true Galactic extinction described by A(λ) ∝ λ–1.375. It matches expectations for a new description of extinction in the infrared, optical, and ultraviolet by Zagury (Astron. Nachr. 334, 1107 (2013)). Additional consequences, reddened stars with no 2175 Å feature and a correlation of normalized λ4430 absorption with X, are not predicted by the Cardelli et al. relation (Astrophys. J. 345, 245 (1989). doi:10.1086/167900 ). Known variations in X from 0.62 to 0.83, and corresponding variations in RV(observed) from 4.0 to 2.8, presumably result from forward-scattered starlight in the ultraviolet contaminating optical light of stars affected by dust extinction. A new understanding of the true nature of interstellar extinction is important for establishing an accurate picture of the extragalactic distance scale, which in turn is related to our understanding of the nature of the Universe.
Optimal Semi-Online Algorithm for Scheduling on Two Parallel Batch Processing Machines
Authors: Liu Ming , Zheng Feifeng , Zhu Zhanguo , Chu Chengbin
Published: July 2014

Batch processing machine scheduling in uncertain environment attracts more and more attention in the last decade. This paper deals with semi-online scheduling on two parallel batch processing machines with non-decreasing processing time of job. Jobs arrive over time in the online paradigm, and the processing time of any batch is equal to the length of the last arrival job in the batch. We study the unbounded model where each processing batch may contain an unlimited number of jobs, and the objective is to minimize the makespan. Given any job Jj together with its following job Jj+1, it is assumed that their processing times satisfy pj+1 ≥ αpj where α ≥ 1 is a constant. That is, jobs arrive in a non-decreasing order of processing times. We mainly propose an optimal ϕ-competitive online algorithm where ϕ ≥ 1 is a solution of equation ϕ3 + (α-1)ϕ2 + (α2 - α - 1)ϕ - α2 = 0.
Comparison of magnetoelastic properties between the 〈110〉 oriented TbxDy1-xFe1.95 polycrystalline alloys with different Tb/Dy composition ratio under magnetomechanical loading
Authors: Zhao Pei , Zhou You-He , Lin Zhong-Zheng
Published: July 2014

This paper presents comparison of magnetoelastic properties between the 〈110〉 oriented Tb x Dy 1-x Fe 1.95 polycrystalline alloys for x = 0.27, 0.3, 0.45 under coupled loading of magnetic field and compressive stress. The simultaneously measure are investigated for the magnetization and magnetostriction under applied magnetic field from -200 to 200 kA/m and compressive stress from 0 to 50 MPa along the rod axis at room temperature. The results show that, according to the increase of Tb concentration and compressive stress, the hysteresis, coercive force and magnetostriction hysteresis loops of Tb x Dy 1-x Fe 1.95 alloys increase rapidly and the distortion of the hysteresis loops occurs at higher compressive stress, especially Tb 0.45 Dy 0.55 Fe 1.95 alloys, while the maximum relative permeability of Tb x Dy 1-x Fe 1.95 alloys monotonously decrease. Meanwhile, the higher the Tb concentration the stronger is magnetostrictive "jump" effect. For these experimental results, the effect of compressive stress and Tb / Dy ratio on magnetoelastic properties of Tb x Dy 1-x Fe 1.95 alloys are coupling and remarkable. A tradeoff and optimization are very important for many engineering designs and applications.
APPROXIMATION ALGORITHMS FOR A VARIANT OF DISCRETE PIERCING SET PROBLEM FOR UNIT DISKS
Authors: DE MINATI , DAS GAUTAM K. , CARMI PAZ , NANDY SUBHAS C.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we consider constant factor approximation algorithms for a variant of the discrete piercing set problem for unit disks. Here a set of points P is given; the objective is to choose minimum number of points in P to pierce the unit disks centered at all the points in P. We first propose a very simple algorithm that produces 12-approximation result in O(n log n) time. Next, we improve the approximation factor to 4 and then to 3. The worst case running time of these algorithms are O(n8 log n) and O(n15 log n) respectively. Apart from the space required for storing the input, the extra work-space requirement for each of these algorithms is O(1). Finally, we propose a PTAS for the same problem. Given a positive integer k, it can produce a solution with performance ratio [Formula: see text] in nO(k) time.
Discrete Bayesian Network Classifiers
Authors: Bielza Concha , Larrañaga Pedro
Published: July 2014

We have had to wait over 30 years since the naive Bayes model was first introduced in 1960 for the so-called Bayesian network classifiers to resurge. Based on Bayesian networks, these classifiers have many strengths, like model interpretability, accommodation to complex data and classification problem settings, existence of efficient algorithms for learning and classification tasks, and successful applicability in real-world problems. In this article, we survey the whole set of discrete Bayesian network classifiers devised to date, organized in increasing order of structure complexity: naive Bayes, selective naive Bayes, seminaive Bayes, one-dependence Bayesian classifiers,
k
-dependence Bayesian classifiers, Bayesian network-augmented naive Bayes, Markov blanket-based Bayesian classifier, unrestricted Bayesian classifiers, and Bayesian multinets. Issues of feature subset selection and generative and discriminative structure and parameter learning are also covered.
Chaotic Motions of the Duffing-Van der Pol Oscillator with External and Parametric Excitations
Authors: Zhou Liangqiang , Chen Fangqi
Published: July 2014

The chaotic motions of the Duffing-Van der Pol oscillator with external and parametric excitations are investigated both analytically and numerically in this paper. The critical curves separating the chaotic and nonchaotic regions are obtained. The chaotic feature on the system parameters is discussed in detail. Some new dynamical phenomena including the controllable frequency are presented for this system. Numerical results are given, which verify the analytical ones.
Gaseous Detector with Sub-keV Threshold to Study Neutrino Scattering at Low Recoil Energies
Authors: Kopylov A. V. , Orekhov I. V. , Petukhov V. V. , Solomatin A. E.
Published: July 2014

Gaseous detector with a sub-keV electron equivalent threshold is a very perspective tool for the precision measurement of the neutrino magnetic moment and for observing coherent scattering of neutrinos on nuclei. The progress in the development of low noise electronics makes it possible to register the rare events at the threshold less than 100 eV. The construction of the gaseous detector is given and the typical pulses with amplitudes of a few eV observed on a bench scale installation are presented. The possible implications for future experiments are discussed.
Mineralization Rates of Soil Forms of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium as Affected by Organomineral Fertilizer in Sandy Loam
Authors: Leye Samuel Ayeni , Omotayo Ebenezer Adeleye
Published: July 2014

Farmers tend to use organomineral fertilizers as a result of inadequacies embedded in the sole use of organic and mineral fertilizers. A laboratory incubation study to determine the rate of the forms of N, P, and K released by organomineral fertilizer was conducted at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, southwest Nigeria, in 2013. Organomineral fertilizer (OMF) at the rates of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g/100 g soil to represent 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1OMF, respectively, was incubated for ninety days. The treatments were replicated three times and arranged in a completely randomized design. The determined forms of N were total N, NH4–N, and NO3–N; the forms of P were total P, solution P, and available P while the forms of K were total K, solution K, and exchangeable K. Organomineral fertilizer significantly increased N, NH4–N, NO3–N, total P, solution P, exchangeable P, solution K, and exchangeable K at all rates with different values. The rate of ammonification of N was higher than the rate of nitrification of NH4+ N to NO3+ N especially at 10 and 20 t ha−1OMF. Application of 5 and 10 t ha−1OMF could be used to increase soil forms of N, P, and K.
Haar Wavelet Operational Matrix Method for Fractional Oscillation Equations
Authors: Saeed Umer , Rehman Mujeeb ur
Published: July 2014

We utilized the Haar wavelet operational matrix method for fractional order nonlinear oscillation equations and find the solutions of fractional order force-free and forced Duffing-Van der Pol oscillator and higher order fractional Duffing equation on large intervals. The results are compared with the results obtained by the other technique and with exact solution.
A Sequential Optimization Sampling Method for Metamodels with Radial Basis Functions
Authors: Pan Guang , Ye Pengcheng , Wang Peng , Yang Zhidong
Published: July 2014

Metamodels have been widely used in engineering design to facilitate analysis and optimization of complex systems that involve computationally expensive simulation programs. The accuracy of metamodels is strongly affected by the sampling methods. In this paper, a new sequential optimization sampling method is proposed. Based on the new sampling method, metamodels can be constructed repeatedly through the addition of sampling points, namely, extrema points of metamodels and minimum points of density function. Afterwards, the more accurate metamodels would be constructed by the procedure above. The validity and effectiveness of proposed sampling method are examined by studying typical numerical examples.
Modeling Complex System Correlation Using Detrended Cross‐Correlation Coefficient
Authors: Dong Keqiang , Zhang Hong , Gao You
Published: July 2014

The understanding of complex systems has become an area of active research for physicists because such systems exhibit interesting dynamical properties such as scale invariance, volatility correlation, heavy tails, and fractality. We here focus on traffic dynamic as an example of a complex system. By applying the detrended cross‐correlation coefficient method to traffic time series, we find that the traffic fluctuation time series may exhibit cross‐correlation characteristic. Further, we show that two traffic speed time series derived from adjacent sections exhibit much stronger cross‐correlations than the two speed series derived from adjacent lanes. Similarly, we also demonstrate that the cross‐correlation property between the traffic volume variables from two adjacent sections is stronger than the cross‐correlation property between the volume variables of adjacent lanes.
A Parametric Study of Nonlinear Seismic Response Analysis of Transmission Line Structures
Authors: Tian Li , Wang Yanming , Yi Zhenhua , Qian Hui
Published: July 2014

A parametric study of nonlinear seismic response analysis of transmission line structures subjected to earthquake loading is studied in this paper. The transmission lines are modeled by cable element which accounts for the nonlinearity of the cable based on a real project. Nonuniform ground motions are generated using a stochastic approach based on random vibration analysis. The effects of multicomponent ground motions, correlations among multicomponent ground motions, wave travel, coherency loss, and local site on the responses of the cables are investigated using nonlinear time history analysis method, respectively. The results show the multicomponent seismic excitations should be considered, but the correlations among multicomponent ground motions could be neglected. The wave passage effect has a significant influence on the responses of the cables. The change of the degree of coherency loss has little influence on the response of the cables, but the responses of the cables are affected significantly by the effect of coherency loss. The responses of the cables change little with the degree of the difference of site condition changing. The effect of multicomponent ground motions, wave passage, coherency loss, and local site should be considered for the seismic design of the transmission line structures.
POD-DEIM Based Model Order Reduction for the Spherical Shallow Water Equations with Turkel-Zwas Finite Difference Discretization
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Liu Cai , Feng Xuan
Published: July 2014

We consider the shallow water equations (SWE) in spherical coordinates solved by Turkel-Zwas (T-Z) explicit large time-step scheme. To reduce the dimension of the SWE model, we use a well-known model order reduction method, a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). As the computational complexity still depends on the number of variables of the full spherical SWE model, we use discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) proposed by Sorensen to reduce the computational complexity of the reduced-order model. DEIM is very helpful in evaluating quadratically nonlinear terms in the reduced-order model. The numerical results show that POD-DEIM is computationally very efficient for implementing model order reduction for spherical SWE.
Flavonoids inJuglans regiaL. Leaves and Evaluation ofIn VitroAntioxidant Activity via Intracellular and Chemical Methods
Authors: Zhao Ming-Hui , Jiang Zi-Tao , Liu Tao , Li Rong
Published: July 2014

Flavonoids are rich inJuglans regiaL. leaves. They have potent antioxidant properties, which have been related to regulating immune function and enhancing anticancer activity. Herein, qualitative and quantitative determination of flavonoids fromJ. regialeaves was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization and negative ion detection (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) by comparison of the retention times and mass spectral fragments with standard substances or related literatures. Seventeen compounds were identified and major components are quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (453.11 μg/g, dry weight), quercetin-3-O-arabinoside (73.91 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-xyloside (70.04 μg/g), kaempferol-O-pentoside derivative (49.04 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (48.61 μg/g), and kaempferol-O-pentoside (48.46 μg/g). Thein vitrointracellular antioxidation indicated that flavonoids fromJ. regialeaves could reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in RAW264.7 cells and showed good radical scavenging activities. These results proved to be more related to the flavonoids that could be considered in the design of new formulations of dietary supplements or functional foods.
On Regularity Criteria for the Two-Dimensional Generalized Liquid Crystal Model
Authors: Wang Yanan , Jiang Zaihong
Published: July 2014

We establish the regularity criteria for the two-dimensional generalized liquid crystal model. It turns out that the global existence results satisfy our regularity criteria naturally.
Terbutaline and Associated Risks for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Perna Robert , Loughan Ashlee , Perkey Hana , Tyson Kelly
Published: July 2014

Preterm labor often leads to a preterm birth and has been shown to be the most important determinant of risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality. While medication management has been utilized by physicians to delay preterm labor, the results these medications achieve remain inconsistent, in addition to increasing the risk to the developing fetus. Terbutaline has been among the most commonly used β2-adrenoreceptor (β2AR) agonists in the management of preterm labor. The research suggests that tocolytic terbutaline therapy carries a significant risk for the mother and the child, which can be magnified by extended exposure, sex of the fetus, and administration during critical fetal developmental periods. This paper highlights the research on terbutaline in treatment of preterm labor, along with the possible associated cognitive deficits in adolescents who were treated with terbutaline in utero. Two case summaries are presented to illustrate the potential deficits in clinical presentations of adolescents with history of intrauterine exposure to terbutaline. Publicizing the association between terbutaline and these deficits can not only assist obstetricians and expectant mothers in making a more informed choice in the treatment of preterm labor but also provide neuropsychologists and pediatricians with information helpful in understanding the etiology of these impairments.
On the Seismic Response of Protected and Unprotected Middle-Rise Steel Frames in Far-Field and Near-Field Areas
Authors: Foti Dora
Published: July 2014

Several steel moment-resisting framed buildings were seriously damaged during Northridge (1994); Kobe (1995); Kocaeli, Turkey (1999), earthquakes. Indeed, for all these cases, the earthquake source was located under the urban area and most victims were in near-field areas. In fact near-field ground motions show velocity and displacement peaks higher than far-field ones. Therefore, the importance of considering near-field ground motion effects in the seismic design of structures is clear. This study analyzes the seismic response of five-story steel moment-resisting frames subjected to Loma Prieta (1989) earthquake—Gilroy (far-field) register and Santa Cruz (near-field) register. The design of the frames verifies all the resistance and stability Eurocodes’ requirements and the first mode has been determined from previous shaking-table tests. In the frames two diagonal braces are installed in different positions. Therefore, ten cases with different periods are considered. Also, friction dampers are installed in substitution of the braces. The behaviour of the braced models under the far-field and the near-field records is analysed. The responses of the aforementioned frames equipped with friction dampers and subjected to the same ground motions are discussed. The maximum response of the examined model structures with and without passive dampers is analysed in terms of damage indices, acceleration amplification, base shear, and interstory drifts.
Part-Based Visual Tracking via Online Weighted P-N Learning
Authors: Fan Heng , Xiang Jinhai , Xu Jun , Liao Honghong
Published: July 2014

We propose a novel part-based tracking algorithm using online weighted P-N learning. An online weighted P-N learning method is implemented via considering the weight of samples during classification, which improves the performance of classifier. We apply weighted P-N learning to track a part-based target model instead of whole target. In doing so, object is segmented into fragments and parts of them are selected as local feature blocks (LFBs). Then, the weighted P-N learning is employed to train classifier for each local feature block (LFB). Each LFB is tracked through the corresponding classifier, respectively. According to the tracking results of LFBs, object can be then located. During tracking process, to solve the issues of occlusion or pose change, we use a substitute strategy to dynamically update the set of LFB, which makes our tracker robust. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art trackers.
Identification of Protein Coding Regions in the Eukaryotic DNA Sequences Based on Marple Algorithm and Wavelet Packets Transform
Authors: Liu Guangchen , Luan Yihui
Published: July 2014

The identification of protein coding regions (exons) plays a critical role in eukaryotic gene structure prediction. Many techniques have been introduced for discriminating between the exons and the introns in the eukaryotic DNA sequences, such as the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) based techniques, but these DFT-based methods rapidly lose their effectiveness in the case of short DNA sequences. In this paper, a novel integrated algorithm based on autoregressive spectrum analysis and wavelet packets transform is presented to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the coding regions identification. The experimental results show that the new algorithm outperforms the conventional DFT-based approaches in improving the prediction accuracy of protein coding regions distinctly by testing GENSCAN65, HMR195, and BG570 benchmark datasets.
The Gerber‐Shiu Discounted Penalty Function of Sparre Andersen Risk Model with a Constant Dividend Barrier
Authors: Huang Yujuan , Yu Wenguang
Published: July 2014

This paper constructs a Sparre Andersen risk model with a constant dividend barrier in which the claim interarrival distribution is a mixture of an exponential distribution and an Erlang(n) distribution. We derive the integro‐differential equation satisfied by the Gerber‐Shiu discounted penalty function of this risk model. Finally, we provide a numerical example.
Sound Lateralization Test Distinguishes Unimpaired MS Patients from Healthy Controls
Authors: Bacon Joshua H. , Kister Ilya , Bacon Tamar E. , Pasternak Eliana , Strauchler Yael , Herbert Joseph
Published: July 2014

There is an urgent need to develop a practical and reliable clinical measure of disease progression in early and mild MS. We hypothesized that a test of sound lateralization, which is exquisitely sensitive to transmission delays in auditory brainstem, could be more useful for detecting processing speed deficits in mildly impaired MS subjects than standard cognitive tasks.Objective. To develop a practical test of sound lateralization for the clinic and to compare performance of MS subjects with variable disability and healthy subjects on Sound Lateralization Test (SLT) and two speed-of-processing tasks.Design. 42 healthy controls and 90 subjects with clinically definite MS, divided into no, mild, and moderate disability strata, were administered the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and 3-second Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).Results. All of the tests showed an overall difference in performance between controls and the three MS groups, but only the SLT measured a significant difference between controls and the no disability group.Conclusion. SLT is rapidly applied, technically simple, and superior to standard processing speed tests for discriminating between healthy controls and nondisabled MS subjects. SLT should be investigated as an outcome measure in early-phase trials and for monitoring early disease progression in the clinic.
Capacitance-Based Frequency Adjustment of Micro Piezoelectric Vibration Generator
Authors: Mao Xinhua , He Qing , Li Hong , Chu Dongliang
Published: July 2014

Micro piezoelectric vibration generator has a wide application in the field of microelectronics. Its natural frequency is unchanged after being manufactured. However, resonance cannot occur when the natural frequencies of a piezoelectric generator and the source of vibration frequency are not consistent. Output voltage of the piezoelectric generator will sharply decline. It cannot normally supply power for electronic devices. In order to make the natural frequency of the generator approach the frequency of vibration source, the capacitance FM technology is adopted in this paper. Different capacitance FM schemes are designed by different locations of the adjustment layer. The corresponding capacitance FM models have been established. Characteristic and effect of the capacitance FM have been simulated by the FM model. Experimental results show that the natural frequency of the generator could vary from 46.5 Hz to 42.4 Hz when the bypass capacitance value increases from 0 nF to 30 nF. The natural frequency of a piezoelectric vibration generator could be continuously adjusted by this method.
Scaffolding Biomaterials for Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Cao Zhen , Dou Ce , Dong Shiwu
Published: July 2014

Completely repairing of damaged cartilage is a difficult procedure. In recent years, the use of tissue engineering approach in which scaffolds play a vital role to regenerate cartilage has become a new research field. Investigating the advances in biological cartilage scaffolds has been regarded as the main research direction and has great significance for the construction of artificial cartilage. Native biological materials and synthetic polymeric materials have their advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages can be overcome through either physical modification or biochemical modification. Additionally, developing composite materials, biomimetic materials, and nanomaterials can make scaffolds acquire better biocompatibility and mechanical adaptability.
MNDWSN for Helping People with Different Disabilities
Authors: Aly Wael Hosny Fouad
Published: July 2014

This paper introduces a monitoring and navigation system to help people with disabilities ([Formula: see text]). The proposed system is based on wireless sensor networks. In the [Formula: see text] system, each disabled person uses a handheld smart phone device. Three types of disabilities are studied in this paper: (1) blind, (2) deaf, and (3) on wheelchair. We experimented with a three-floor university building. Sensor nodes and cameras are scattered in all rooms and hallways. Smart phones are used to communicate with the sensor nodes to take instructions to navigate through the appropriate path. Dijkstra's algorithm is used for navigation. [Formula: see text] also monitors the disabled person while navigating. The proposed system is compared to a baseline reference experiment. Results show improvement of 34% compared to the baseline reference experiment.
Application of Traditional Medical Ideas to Geriatric Syndrome
Authors: Seki Takashi , Takayama Shin , Watanabe Masashi , Tsuruoka Noriko , Matsunaga Tadao , Haga Yoichi , Okajima Junnosuke , Komiya Atsuki , Maruyama Shigenao , Meguro Kenichi
Published: July 2014

Background. Japan is a superaging society, with the percentage of persons aged >65 years increasing year after year. Traditional medicine (TM) for elderly has been practiced worldwide for thousands of years. Treatment methods for aspiration pneumonia, gait disorder, glaucoma, and bowel symptoms have been developed. The ideas of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine have been implemented in modern medical settings, and medical devices using heat transfer engineering and nanotechnology have been developed. An ultrasound scanner can be used for the evaluation of effects and indications for these therapeutic measures. Objectives. To review published literature and our studies that evaluated medical treatments for the elderly on the basis of ideas of TM. Search Methods. We searched Pubmed, Scopus, and reference lists of relevant clinical trials. Authors’ Conclusions. Many studies were found. But there are insufficient data on the effects of traditional medical therapies and further research is needed. TM therapies vary widely and studies of these therapies that ascertain practical application are essential for the utilization of ideas of TM in modern medicine. Moreover, to verify practical application, a quantitative evaluation index is necessary. Nonetheless, modalities using ideas of TM may be promising treatments for some diseases in the elderly.
Existence of Solutions for a Baby-Skyrme Model
Authors: Hu Hongan , Hu Kunlin
Published: July 2014

The existence of the energy-minimizing solutions for a baby-Skyrme model on the sphere is proved using variational method. Some properties of the solutions are also established.
Preserving Differential Privacy for Similarity Measurement in Smart Environments
Authors: Wong Kok-Seng , Kim Myung Ho
Published: July 2014

Advances in both sensor technologies and network infrastructures have encouraged the development of smart environments to enhance people’s life and living styles. However, collecting and storing user’s data in the smart environments pose severe privacy concerns because these data may contain sensitive information about the subject. Hence, privacy protection is now an emerging issue that we need to consider especially when data sharing is essential for analysis purpose. In this paper, we consider the case where two agents in the smart environment want to measure the similarity of their collected or stored data. We use similarity coefficient functionFSCas the measurement metric for the comparison with differential privacy model. Unlike the existing solutions, our protocol can facilitate more than one request to computeFSCwithout modifying the protocol. Our solution ensures privacy protection for both the inputs and the computedFSCresults.
The Incidence and Risk Factors for Lower Limb Skin Graft Failure
Authors: Reddy Sumeet , El-Haddawi Falah , Fancourt Michael , Farrant Glenn , Gilkison William , Henderson Nigel , Kyle Stephen , Mosquera Damien
Published: July 2014

Lower limb skin grafts are thought to have higher failure rates than skin grafts in other sites of the body. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on specific factors associated with lower limb skin graft failure. We present a series of 70 lower limb skin grafts in 50 patients with outcomes at 6 weeks. One-third of lower limb skin grafts went on to fail with increased BMI, peripheral vascular disease, and immunosuppressant medication use identified as significant risk factors.