bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of NAD kinase 2 overexpression on primary metabolite profiles in rice leaves under elevated carbon dioxide
Authors: Onda Y. , Miyagi A. , Takahara K. , Uchimiya H. , Kawai‐Yamada M.
Published: January 2014

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is projected to double by the end of the 21st century. In C3 plants, elevated CO2 concentrations promote photosynthesis but inhibit the assimilation of nitrate into organic nitrogen compounds. Several steps of nitrate assimilation depend on the availability of ATP and sources of reducing power, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). Plastid‐localised NAD kinase 2 (NADK2) plays key roles in increasing the ATP/ADP and NADP(H)/NAD(H) ratios. Here we examined the effects of NADK2 overexpression on primary metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa) leaves in response to elevated CO2. By using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry, we showed that the primary metabolite profile of NADK2‐overexpressing plants clearly differed from that of wild‐type plants under ambient and elevated CO2. In NADK2‐overexpressing leaves, expression of the genes encoding glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase was up‐regulated, and the levels of Asn, Gln, Arg, and Lys increased in response to elevated CO2. The present study suggests that overexpression of NADK2 promotes the biosynthesis of nitrogen‐rich amino acids under elevated CO2.
Foreign Direct Investment and the External Wealth of Nations: How Important Is Valuation?
Authors: Damgaard Jannick , Elkjaer Thomas
Published: January 2014

While the balance sheet approach has increased the focus on position data, differences in valuation practices for foreign direct investment (FDI) make cross‐country comparisons difficult. To enhance comparability, the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition, which some countries have already implemented and others will implement in the coming years, recommends seven methods for valuation of unlisted FDI. This paper demonstrates that both the valuation method and simple differences in estimation techniques can fundamentally change a country's financial balance sheet. Using Denmark as an illustration, unlisted FDI equity liabilities vary from 22 to 156 percent of GDP when applying different estimation techniques, but just one valuation method, price to earnings. These measurement uncertainties can lead to important misunderstandings and affect policy recommendations, thus pointing to the need for further international harmonization. While the results are presented in an FDI context, the uncertainties also apply to other macroeconomic datasets, including national accounts statistics.
Naturally Green: Harnessing Stone Age Psychological Biases to Foster Environmental Behavior
Authors: van Vugt Mark , Griskevicius Vladas , Schultz P. Wesley
Published: January 2014

It is widely agreed that humans must reduce their environmental impact. We propose that an improved understanding of our evolved human nature can help to improve programs and policies to address environmental problems. Combining evolutionary and social psychological approaches, we argue that environmental problems are often caused or exacerbated by five evolutionarily adaptive psychological biases: Humans (1) value personal over collective outcomes (self‐interest), (2) prefer immediate over delayed rewards (shortsightedness), (3) value relative over absolute status (status), (4) copy the behaviors of others (social imitation), and (5) ignore problems that we cannot see or feel (sensing). By considering how and why these five “Stone Age” biases continue to influence modern environmental practices, although acknowledging the role of individual and cultural differences, we present novel ways that human nature can be harnessed to develop intervention strategies to lessen resource depletion, restrain wasteful consumption, curb overpopulation, and foster green choices.
A new non‐expressed allele HLA‐A*03:168N, identified by serological and sequence‐based typing in a voluntary Norwegian hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Abad M. L. , Balas A. , Andersen I. , Rodríguez‐Calvo M. I. , Eiras A. , Vicario J. L.
Published: January 2014

HLA‐A*03:168N differs from HLA‐A*03:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution resulting in a coding change Y27X.
High density FTA plates serve as efficient long‐term sample storage for HLA genotyping
Authors: Lange V. , Arndt K. , Schwarzelt C. , Boehme I. , Giani A. S. , Schmidt A. H. , Ehninger G. , Wassmuth R.
Published: January 2014

Storage of dried blood spots (DBS) on high‐density FTA® plates could constitute an appealing alternative to frozen storage. However, it remains controversial whether DBS are suitable for high‐resolution sequencing of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Therefore, we extracted DNA from DBS that had been stored for up to 4 years, using six different methods. We identified those extraction methods that recovered sufficient high‐quality DNA for reliable high‐resolution HLA sequencing. Further, we confirmed that frozen whole blood samples that had been stored for several years can be transferred to filter paper without compromising HLA genotyping upon extraction. Concluding, DNA derived from high‐density FTA® plates is suitable for high‐resolution HLA sequencing, provided that appropriate extraction protocols are employed.
Abdominal incisions and sutures in obstetrics and gynaecology
Authors: Raghavan Radhae , Arya Pallavi , Arya Prathibha , China Susnata
Published: January 2014

Key content

Selection of any incision must be highly individualised.

Numerous options of skin closure have become available and it is paramount to choose the method tailored to each patient and surgical procedure.

The ideal wound closure device should be easy to use, painless, provide good cosmesis and be cost‐effective.

This article reviews the traditional closure materials as well as some materials that have recently become available, such as staples and glue.

Use of electrosurgery on the skin.

Learning objectives

To review the medical literature on this subject.

To outline the anatomical and technical aspects that influence the choice of incisions and sutures.

To assess the safety aspects, risks and the appropriate use of various closure techniques.

Ethical issues

Is it ethical to allow the selection of an incision dictated by patient choice to preserve cosmesis if it may compromise the surgical approach?

Is it ethical to subject high‐risk women to laparotomy for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes when laparoscopic management has demonstrated benefits?
The Myth of Cognitive Decline: Non‐Linear Dynamics of Lifelong Learning
Authors: Ramscar Michael , Hendrix Peter , Shaoul Cyrus , Milin Petar , Baayen Harald
Published: January 2014

As adults age, their performance on many psychometric tests changes systematically, a finding that is widely taken to reveal that cognitive information‐processing capacities decline across adulthood. Contrary to this, we suggest that older adults' changing performance reflects memory search demands, which escalate as experience grows. A series of simulations show how the performance patterns observed across adulthood emerge naturally in learning models as they acquire knowledge. The simulations correctly identify greater variation in the cognitive performance of older adults, and successfully predict that older adults will show greater sensitivity to fine‐grained differences in the properties of test stimuli than younger adults. Our results indicate that older adults' performance on cognitive tests reflects the predictable consequences of learning on information‐processing, and not cognitive decline. We consider the implications of this for our scientific and cultural understanding of aging.
In vivoconfocal microscopy of corneal microscopic foreign bodies in horses
Authors: Ledbetter Eric C. , Irby Nita L. , Schaefer Deanna M. W.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To describein vivocorneal confocal microscopy of horses with microscopic corneal foreign bodies and to correlate findings with clinical, cytological, and histopathologic evaluations of clinical cases and foreign body morphologies observedin vitrowith the confocal microscope.

Animal studied

Five horses with microscopic corneal foreign bodies.

Procedures

Sedated and anesthetized horses were examined with a modifiedHeidelbergRetinaTomographIIandRostockCorneaModule. Confocal microscopy images were compared with images from cytologic and histopathologic corneal samples. To establish microscopic morphologic features, confocal microscopy images of burdock pappus bristles and surgical glove powder were obtained byin vitroexamination.

Results

Horses were examined byin vivoconfocal microscopy to assist in identifying corneal opacities detected by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, to determine the etiology of clinically idiopathic keratitis, or to localize corneal opacities presumed to be foreign bodies for surgical planning. Corneal foreign bodies presumptively identified by confocal microscopy included burdock pappus bristles, other plant foreign materials, and surgical glove powder. The corneal foreign bodies appeared as moderately or hyper‐reflective linear, circular, or oval structures by confocal microscopy and did not resemble any normal anatomic structures. The confocal microscopic identification of the foreign bodies was corroborated by cytologic and histopathologic findings in some horses. Thein vivoconfocal microscopic appearance of the foreign bodies was consistent with morphologies observed during examination of foreign bodiesin vitro.

Conclusions

In vivocorneal confocal microscopy provides a noninvasive method for the detection, characterization, and localization of microscopic foreign bodies in the equine cornea.
Backward Bifurcation in SIVS Model with Immigration of Non-Infectives
Authors: Knipl Diána H , Röst Gergely
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates a simple SIVS (susceptible-infected-vaccinated-susceptible) disease transmission model with immigration of susceptible and vaccinated individuals. We show global stability results for the model, and give an explicit condition for the existence of backward bifurcation and multiple endemic equilibria. We examine in details how the structure of the bifurcation diagram depends on the immigration.
Low‐Z linac targets for low‐MV gold nanoparticle radiation therapy
Authors: Tsiamas P. , Mishra P. , Cifter F. , Berbeco R. I. , Marcus K. , Sajo E. , Zygmanski P.
Published: January 2014

Purpose:

To investigate the potential of low‐Z/low‐MV (low‐Z) linac targets for gold nanoparticle radiotherapy (GNPT) and to determine the microscopic dose enhancement ratio (DER) due to GNP for the alternative beamlines. In addition, to evaluate the degradation of dose enhancement arising from the increased attenuation of x rays and larger skin dose in water for the low‐MV beams compared to the standard linac.

Methods:

Monte Carlo simulations were used to compute dose and DER for various flattening‐filter‐free beams (2.5, 4, 6.5 MV). Target materials were beryllium, diamond, and tungsten‐copper high‐Z target. Target thicknesses were selected based on 20%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of the continuous slowing down approximation electron ranges for a given target material and energy. Evaluation of the microscopic DER was carried out for 100 nm GNP including the degradation factors due to beam attenuation.

Results:

The greatest increase in DER compared to the standard 6.5 MV linac was for a 2.5 MV Be‐target (factor of ∼2). Skin dose ranged from ∼10% (Be, 6.5 MV‐80%) to ∼85% (Be, 2.5 MV‐20%) depending on the target case. Attenuation of 2.5 MV beams at 22 cm was higher by ∼75% compared with the standard beam. Taking into account the attenuation at 22 cm depth, the effective dose enhancement was up to ∼60% above the DER of the high‐Z target. For these cases the effective DER ranged between ∼1.6 and 6 compared with the standard linac.

Conclusions:

Low‐Z (2.5 MV) GNPT is possible even after accounting for greater beam attenuation for deep‐seated tumors (22 cm) and the increased skin dose. Further, it can lead to significant sparing of normal tissue while simultaneously escalating the dose in the tumor cells.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 7 January 2014
Authors: Gack Michaela U. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2014

A deubiquitinase promotes interferon production to prolong the antiviral response.
Inhibiting the Response to VEGF in Diabetes
Authors: Moriya Junji , Ferrara Napoleone
Published: January 2014

Hyperglycemia dampens endothelial cell responses to VEGF by triggering receptor activation and degradation in a ligand-independent manner.
SmeOP-TolC
Sm
Efflux Pump Contributes to the Multidrug Resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Lin Cheng-Wen , Huang Yi-Wei , Hu Rouh-Mei , Yang Tsuey-Ching
Published: January 2014

A five-gene cluster,

tolC
Sm
-pcm-smeRo-smeO-smeP

, of
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
was characterized. The presence of
smeOP
and

smeRo-pcm-tolC
Sm

operons was verified by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Both operons were negatively regulated by the TetR-type transcriptional regulator SmeRo, as demonstrated by quantitative RT-PCR and a promoter-fusion assay. SmeO and SmeP were associated with TolC
Sm
(the TolC protein of
S. maltophilia
) for the assembly of a resistance-nodulation-cell-division (RND)-type pump. The compounds extruded by SmeOP-TolC
Sm
mainly included nalidixic acid, doxycycline, amikacin, gentamicin, erythromycin, leucomycin, carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, crystal violet, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and tetrachlorosalicylanilide.
Low or High Doses of Cefquinome Targeting Low or High Bacterial Inocula Cure Klebsiella pneumoniae Lung Infections but Differentially Impact the Levels of Antibiotic Resistance in Fecal Flora
Authors: Vasseur Maleck V. , Laurentie Michel , Rolland Jean-Guy , Perrin-Guyomard Agnès , Henri Jérôme , Ferran Aude A. , Toutain Pierre-Louis , Bousquet-Mélou Alain
Published: January 2014

The combination of efficacious treatment against bacterial infections and mitigation of antibiotic resistance amplification in gut microbiota is a major challenge for antimicrobial therapy in food-producing animals. In rats, we evaluated the impact of cefquinome, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, on both
Klebsiella pneumoniae
lung infection and intestinal flora harboring CTX-M-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
. Germfree rats received a fecal flora specimen from specific-pathogen-free pigs, to which a CTX-M-producing
Escherichia coli
strain had been added.
K. pneumoniae
cells were inoculated in the lungs of these gnotobiotic rats by using either a low (10
5
CFU) or a high (10
9
CFU) inoculum. Without treatment, all animals infected with the low or high
K. pneumoniae
inoculum developed pneumonia and died before 120 h postchallenge. In the treated groups, the low-inoculum rats received a 4-day treatment of 5 mg/kg of body weight cefquinome beginning at 24 h postchallenge (prepatent phase of the disease), and the high-inoculum rats received a 4-day treatment of 50 mg/kg cefquinome beginning when the animals expressed clinical signs of infection (patent phase of the disease). The dose of 50 mg/kg targeting the high
K. pneumoniae
inoculum cured all the treated rats and resulted in a massive amplification of CTX-M-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
. A dose of 5 mg/kg targeting the low
K. pneumoniae
inoculum cured all the rats and averted an outbreak of clinical disease, all without any amplification of CTX-M-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
. These findings might have implications for the development of new antimicrobial treatment strategies that ensure a cure for bacterial infections while avoiding the amplification of resistance genes of human concern in the gut microbiota of food-producing animals.
Peptidoglycan Cross-Linking in Glycopeptide-Resistant Actinomycetales
Authors: Hugonnet Jean-Emmanuel , Haddache Nabila , Veckerlé Carole , Dubost Lionel , Marie Arul , Shikura Noriyasu , Mainardi Jean-Luc , Rice Louis B. , Arthur Michel
Published: January 2014

Synthesis of peptidoglycan precursors ending in
d
-lactate (
d
-Lac) is thought to be responsible for glycopeptide resistance in members of the order
Actinomycetales
that produce these drugs and in related soil bacteria. More recently, the peptidoglycan of several members of the order
Actinomycetales
was shown to be cross-linked by
l
,
d
-transpeptidases that use tetrapeptide acyl donors devoid of the target of glycopeptides. To evaluate the contribution of these resistance mechanisms, we have determined the peptidoglycan structure of
Streptomyces coelicolor
A(3)2, which harbors a
vanHAX
gene cluster for the production of precursors ending in
d
-Lac, and
Nonomuraea
sp. strain ATCC 39727, which is devoid of
vanHAX
and produces the glycopeptide A40296. Vancomycin retained residual activity against
S. coelicolor
A(3)2 despite efficient incorporation of
d
-Lac into cytoplasmic precursors. This was due to a
d
,
d
-transpeptidase-catalyzed reaction that generated a stem pentapeptide recognized by glycopeptides by the exchange of
d
-Lac for
d
-Ala and Gly. The contribution of
l
,
d
-transpeptidases to resistance was limited by the supply of tetrapeptide acyl donors, which are essential for the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links by these enzymes. In the absence of a cytoplasmic metallo-
d
,
d
-carboxypeptidase, the tetrapeptide substrate was generated by hydrolysis of the C-terminal
d
-Lac residue of the stem pentadepsipeptide in the periplasm in competition with the exchange reaction catalyzed by
d
,
d
-transpeptidases. In
Nonomuraea
sp. strain ATCC 39727, the contribution of
l
,
d
-transpeptidases to glycopeptide resistance was limited by the incomplete conversion of pentapeptides into tetrapeptides despite the production of a cytoplasmic metallo-
d
,
d
-carboxypeptidase. Since the level of drug production exceeds the level of resistance, we propose that
l
,
d
-transpeptidases merely act as a tolerance mechanism in this bacterium.
Gingerol Fraction from Zingiber officinale Protects against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Rodrigues Francisco A. P. , Prata Mara M. G. , Oliveira Iris C. M. , Alves Natacha T. Q. , Freitas Rosa E. M. , Monteiro Helena S. A. , Silva Jame's A. , Vieira Paulo C. , Viana Daniel A. , Libório Alexandre B. , Havt Alexandre
Published: January 2014

Nephrotoxicity is the main complication of gentamicin (GM) treatment. GM induces renal damage by overproduction of reactive oxygen species and inflammation in proximal tubular cells. Phenolic compounds from ginger, called gingerols, have been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated if oral treatment with an enriched solution of gingerols (GF) would promote a nephroprotective effect in an animal nephropathy model. The following six groups of male Wistar rats were studied: (i) control group (CT group); (ii) gingerol solution control group (GF group); (iii) gentamicin treatment group (GM group), receiving 100 mg/kg of body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.); and (iv to vi) gentamicin groups also receiving GF, at doses of 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg, respectively (GM+GF groups). Animals from the GM group had a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and higher levels of urinary protein excretion. This was associated with markers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide production. Also, there were increases of the mRNA levels for proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-2, and gamma interferon [IFN-γ]). Histopathological findings of tubular degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration reinforced GM-induced nephrotoxicity. All these alterations were attenuated by previous oral treatment with GF. Animals from the GM+GF groups showed amelioration in renal function parameters and reduced lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress, in addition to an increment in the levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Gingerols also promoted significant reductions in mRNA transcription for TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ. These effects were dose dependent. These results demonstrate that GF promotes a nephroprotective effect on GM-mediated nephropathy by oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, and renal dysfunction.
The Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the Carbapenem Resistance-Conferring Conjugative Plasmid pLD209 from a Pseudomonas putida Clinical Strain Reveals a Chimeric Design Formed by Modules Derived from Both Environmental and Clinical Bacteria
Authors: Marchiaro Patricia M. , Brambilla Luciano , Morán-Barrio Jorgelina , Revale Santiago , Pasteran Fernando , Vila Alejandro J. , Viale Alejandro M. , Limansky Adriana S.
Published: January 2014

The complete sequence of the carbapenem-resistance-conferring conjugative plasmid pLD209 from a
Pseudomonas putida
clinical strain is presented. pLD209 is formed by 3 well-defined regions: an adaptability module encompassing a Tn
402
-like class 1 integron of clinical origin containing
bla
VIM-2
and
aacA4
gene cassettes, partitioning and transfer modules, and a replication module derived from plasmids of environmental bacteria. pLD209 is thus a mosaic of modules originating in both the clinical and environmental (nonclinical) microbiota.
Extrapyramidal syndrome
Authors: Panda Akhila Kumar , Bala Kiran , Bhirud Lomesh
Published: January 2014

Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a common occurrence in the rural areas of developing countries like India. Acute cholinergic crisis is one of the important causes of mortality related to OP poisoning. Delayed peripheral neuropathy, extrapyramidal syndromes and neuropsychiatric manifestations are the major consequences of secondary neuronal damage. This case illustrates a 14-year-old girl who ingested 50 mL of OP pesticide and developed extrapyramidal symptoms in the form of parkinsonism and hand dystonia in spite of immediate medical attention. MRI of the brain with T2, fluid attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion-weighted sequences revealed bilateral symmetrical basal ganglia hyperintensities. Further follow-up revealed a significant clinical improvement with marked resolutions of the brain lesions. The reversible extrapyramidal symptoms with disappearance of neuroimaging findings without neuropathy or neuropsychiatric manifestations are unusual in OP poisoning.
Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy in an adult
Authors: Iyengar Keerthi B , Udyavara Kudru Chandrashekar , Kaniyoor Nagiri Shivashankara , Rao Anuradha C K
Published: January 2014

We describe a patient who presented to us with fever, decreased appetite, weight loss and dry cough for 1 month with no abnormalities on examination. A chest radiograph showed a mediastinal shadow. CT of the chest revealed multiple mediastinal lymph nodes. Bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for acid-fast bacilli and cytological examination did not show malignant cells. Serum ACE levels were high (93 U/L). Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy did not reveal any pathology. Mediastinoscopy-guided mediastinal lymph node biopsy showed features of granulomatous lymphadenitis. This case report summarises an unusual presentation of tuberculosis in an adult.
Outcomes of a specialist weight management programme in the UK National Health Service: prospective study of 1838 patients
Authors: Logue Jennifer , Allardice Gwen , Gillies Michelle , Forde Lorna , Morrison David S
Published: January 2014

Objectives

There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of weight management programmes provided within routine healthcare and inconsistent use of outcome measures. Our aim was to evaluate a large National Health Service (NHS) weight management service and report absolute and proportional weight losses over 12 months.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Glasgow and Clyde Weight Management Service (GCWMS), which provides care for residents of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area (population 1.2 million).

Participants

All patients who began GCWMS between 1 October 2008 and 30 September 2009.

Interventions

Structured educational lifestyle programme employing cognitive behavioural therapy, 600 kcal deficit diet, physical activity advice, lower calorie diet and pharmacotherapy.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures

Baseline observation carried forward (BOCF), last observation carried forward (LOCF) and changes in programme completers reported using outcomes of absolute 5 kg and 5% weight losses and mean weight changes at a variety of time points.

Results

6505 referrals were made to GCWMS, 5637 were eligible, 3460 opted in and 1916 (34%) attended a first session. 78 patients were excluded from our analysis on 1838 patients. 72.9% of patients were women, mean age of all patients at baseline was 49.1 years, 43.3% lived in highly socioeconomically deprived areas and mean weights and body mass indices at baseline were 118.1 kg and 43.3 kg/m2, respectively. 26% lost ≥5 kg by the end of phase 1, 30% by the end of phase 2 and 28% by the end of phase 3 (all LOCF). Weight loss was more successful among men, particularly those ≤29 years old.

Conclusions

Routine NHS weight management services may achieve moderate weight losses through a comprehensive evidence-based dietary, activity and behavioural approach including psychological care. Weight losses should be reported using a range of outcome measures so that the effectiveness of different services can be compared.
RsaI but notDraI polymorphism inCYP2E1gene increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in Malaysians: a case–control study
Authors: Chong Eric Tzyy Jiann , Lee Chong Cin , Chua Kek Heng , Chuah Jitt Aun , Lee Ping-Chin
Published: January 2014

Objectives

Our study aimed to investigate the association ofCYP2E1C-1019TRsaI and T7678ADraI polymorphisms and factors such as age, gender and ethnicity to the risk of gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) in Malaysians.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Malaysia.

Participants

520 consented healthy blood donors with no previous GIC record and 175 patients with GIC.

Measurements

C-1019TRsaI and T7678ADraI genotyping ofCYP2E1gene; direct sequencing.

Results

This study reveals that the variantc2allele and carrier with at least onec2allele of C-1019T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) significantly increased the risk of GIC but no significant association was found between T7678A SNP and combined analysis of C-1019T and T7678A SNPs to risk of GIC. The Malaysian Chinese had greater risk of GIC compared with the Malays, Indians and KadazanDusun. An increased risk of GIC was observed in individuals aged >40 years and women had a 2.22-fold and 1.58-fold increased risk of stomach and colorectal cancers, respectively, when compared with men.

Limitations

The future research should be conducted with a larger sample population and including the gene–gene and gene–environmental interactions.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the rarec2allele and carrier with at least onec2allele ofCYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism significantly elevated the risk of GIC and may be used as a genetic biomarker for early screening of GIC in Malaysians. The risk age-group has been shifted to a younger age at 40s and women showed a significant greater risk of stomach and colorectal cancers than men.
Low-lying or malpositioned intrauterine devices and systems
Authors: Golightly Ellen , Gebbie Ailsa E
Published: January 2014

Introduction

The intrauterine device (IUD) and intrauterine system (IUS) are widely used forms of long-acting reversible contraception. Occasionally, IUD/IUS users have an ultrasound scan that shows a low-lying IUD/IUS or an IUD/IUS is found incidentally on scan to be low-lying within the uterus. No formal guidelines exist on the clinical implications of this scenario or the most appropriate management. We report here on a systematic review of the literature.

Methods

A search of the online database PubMed was performed to identify articles relating to low-lying or malpositioned IUD/IUS.

Results

A total of 1101 articles was identified, and 15 were determined to be relevant to the research question.

Discussion

There is little published evidence to determine the nature and extent of the clinical relevance of a low-lying IUD. We recommend individualised management of these women, with particular caution in younger women and those with a history of previous IUD/IUS expulsion. Consideration may be given to attempting to readjust the IUD/IUS position, but if removal is performed, immediate replacement is essential if provision of alternative effective contraception has not been established.
The independent and combined effects of exercise training and reducing sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic risk factors
Authors: Kozey Keadle Sarah , Lyden Kate , Staudenmayer John , Hickey Amanda , Viskochil Richard , Braun Barry , Freedson Patty S.
Published: January 2014

This pilot study examined if the combination of exercise training and reducing sedentary time (ST) results in greater changes to health markers than either intervention alone. Fifty-seven overweight/obese participants (19 males/39 females) (mean ± SD; age, 43.6 ± 9.9 years; body mass index (BMI), 35.1 ± 4.6 kg·m–2) completed the 12-week study and were randomly assigned to (i) EX: exercise 5 days·week–1 for 40 min·session–1 at moderate intensity; (ii) rST: reduce ST and increase nonexercise physical activity; (iii) EX-rST: combination of EX and rST; and (iv) CON: maintain behavior. Fasting lipids, blood pressure (BP), peak oxygen uptake, BMI, and 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests were completed pre- and post-intervention. EX and EX-rST increased peak oxygen uptake by ∼10% and decreased systolic BP (both p < 0.001). BMI decreased by –3.3% (95% confidence interval: –4.6% to –1.9%) for EX-rST and –2.2% (–3.5% to 0.0%) for EX. EX-rST significantly increased composite insulin-sensitivity index by 17.8% (2.8% to 32.8%) and decreased insulin area under the curve by 19.4% (–31.4% to –7.3%). No other groups improved in insulin action variables. rST group decreased ST by 7% (∼50 min·day–1); however, BP was the only health-related outcome that improved. EX and EX-rST improved peak oxygen uptake and BMI, providing further evidence that moderate-intensity exercise is beneficial. The within-group analysis provides preliminary evidence that exercising and reducing ST may result in improvements in metabolic biomarkers that are not seen with exercise alone, though between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Future studies, with larger samples, should examine health-related outcomes resulting from greater reductions in ST over longer intervention periods.
Costs and benefits of the mixed-mating system ofNarcissus serotinus(Amaryllidaceae) in the conservation of small fragmented populations
Authors: Marques Isabel , Draper David , Iriondo José María
Published: January 2014

Small fragmented populations often exhibit reduced plant–pollinator interactions and scarce outcrossing opportunities. In this context, mixed-mating systems can be advantageous since selfing can provide reproductive assurance, but they may also carry relevant costs such as those involved in inbreeding depression. This study examines the advantages and costs of selfing in Narcissus serotinus L., a mixed-mating geophyte that currently occurs in several fragmented populations in Portugal, that resulted from the construction of the largest European dam. Observation of pollinators revealed that cross-pollination is less frequent in small than in large populations. Manual self-pollinations significantly increased fruit and seed set in small-size populations, also suggesting limited insect pollination. The existence of selfing may provide reproductive assurance in small-size populations of N. serotinus where outcrossing pollination is reduced. Although floral biology and experimental pollinations showed that N. serotinus is capable of autonomous selfing, four of the six fitness traits studied showed significant inbreeding depression in all populations. The high levels of inbreeding depression found in N. serotinus suggest that the initial reproductive assurance advantage of selfing may be counterbalanced by lower survival of the resulting individuals and a decrease in the evolutionary potential of the populations.
Experimental and numerical study on the effect of repairing reinforced concrete cracked beams strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: Duarte P. , Correia J.R. , Ferreira J.G. , Nunes F. , Arruda M.R.T.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on the effect of repairing cracks in reinforced concrete (RC) beams prior to strengthening them with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. The experimental campaign comprised flexural tests on three types of full-scale RC beams with T-shaped cross-section: (i) two reference un-strengthened beams, (ii) two CFRP-strengthened beams previously loaded and cracked, and (iii) two CFRP-strengthened beams, previously loaded, cracked and repaired with epoxy resin. The repair and strengthening techniques consisted of respectively injecting the cracks with epoxy resin and applying CFRP laminates according to the externally bonding reinforcement technique. In the numerical study, the structural response of all beams tested was simulated using the finite element software Atena, which features a smeared cracked model constitutive relationship for concrete. A parametric study was carried out in which the influence of material parameters, namely the fracture energy, on the beams structural response was assessed. Experimental results showed that repairing cracks by means of epoxy injection before strengthening them with CFRP laminates provided a considerable increase of stiffness, but only a slight increase of ultimate strength, as failure was triggered by the debonding of the strengthening system at the anchorage zones. In the numerical study a very good agreement with experimental data was obtained. For the repaired and strengthened beams, such agreement was obtained by increasing concrete’s fracture energy when compared to that of the reference beams.
Atrazine exposure increases time until cannibalistic response in the widow skimmer dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa)
Authors: St. Clair C.R. , Fuller C.A.
Published: January 2014

Agricultural runoff containing herbicide is known to have adverse effects on freshwater organisms. Aquatic insects are particularly susceptible, and herbicide runoff has the potential to affect behavior in this group. Here we examine the effects of short-term exposure to the herbicide atrazine on cannibalistic behavior in larvae of the widow skimmer dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa Burmeister, 1839). Large larvae (>12 mm length) were exposed to concentrations of 0, 1, 10, or 100 μg/L atrazine for 96 h. A smaller (<8 mm) conspecific was then placed with the large larva and the behavior of the large larvae was observed for 30 min. Time until initiation of stalking and time until strike were determined. After the initial 30 min, each pair was checked at 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h. Time of consumption and amount consumed were determined. The number of larvae that engaged in cannibalistic activity within the initial 30 min observation period was significantly higher for controls compared with all experimental treatments. When stalking, striking, and consumption times were examined together (a measure of overall response time), concentration had a significant effect with the 10 μg/L group taking significantly longer to cannibalize than the control group. Cannibalism is a particularly important behavior in dragonfly larvae populations, and this study confirms that this interaction is altered by exposure to atrazine, with the potential to affect ecological relationships.
ON TOPOLOGICAL DEFECTS AND COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT
Authors: RAYCHAUDHURI B. , RAHAMAN F. , KALAM M.
Published: January 2014

Einstein introduced cosmological constant in his field equations in an ad hoc manner. Cosmological constant plays the role of vacuum energy of the universe which is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. To give a theoretical support, it remains an elusive goal to modern physicists. We provide a prescription to obtain cosmological constant from the phase transitions of the early universe when topological defects, namely monopole might have existed.
ANALYSIS OF VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND ENERGY DISSIPATION OF STEPWISE ADIABATIC CHARGING OF A CAPACITOR USING A NONRESONANT INDUCTOR CURRENT
Authors: NAKATA SHUNJI , MAKINO HIROSHI , HONDA RYOTA , MIYAMA MASAYUKI , MATSUDA YOSHIO
Published: January 2014

This paper describes characteristics of stepwise adiabatic charging with an inductor current by controlling switching transistors. An exact analytical resolution is obtained by using a vector comprising a voltage and a current. From a matrix calculation, the voltage and current can be written with solutions of the characteristic equation, power supply voltage, the switching ratio in the switching transistor circuit, and the number of switchings. Using the expression, the voltage and current in the stepwise adiabatic charging method can be derived clearly. As a result, it is clarified analytically that, in N-step charging, the current is reduced to 1/N so that the energy dissipation is reduced to 1/N. Next, the experimental switching transistor circuit with the controller is described, which is composed of discrete ICs. The experimental inductor current in the circuit is investigated. The measured current is reduced to 1/N in N-step charging, which is consistent with the simulated one from the theory. It is also confirmed experimentally from the average power supply current that power consumption is reduced to 1/N.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATIC IDLING STOP AND GO CONTROL APPARATUS FOR AN EFI SCOOTER
Authors: YU CHIH-HSIEN , TSENG HAO-YUAN
Published: January 2014

In an attempt to reduce exhaust emissions from transportation vehicles, the Taiwanese government plans to enact the "no idling emission" policy regarding motorcycles/scooters. Automatic Idling Stop and Go (AISG) technology is a simple low cost method in which the internal combustion engine is automatically powered off when the scooter stops and restarted when the driver wishes. However, due to dissimilarities between scooters and automobiles in terms of driving behavior and powertrain configuration, the AISG topology and control strategy as used in automobiles cannot be applied to scooters directly. This paper investigated the feasibility of applying the AISG control technique to scooters to enhance the system's security and reliability and address public concerns about AISG by analyzing riding behavior and security issues. The goal of this study was to demonstrate an AISG device, which included the development of a miniaturized AISG control module and control logic algorithm considering operative convenience and safety. Finally the developed AISG control module was installed in a four-stroke, electronic-fuel-injection (EFI) scooter, enabling us to perform an actual on-road test to verify the feasibility and reliability of the AISG control technology.
TRAVELING WAVES, CATASTROPHES AND BIFURCATIONS IN A GENERIC SECOND ORDER TRAFFIC FLOW MODEL
Authors: CARRILLO FRANCISCO A. , DELGADO JOAQUÍN , SAAVEDRA PATRICIA , VELASCO ROSA MARÍA , VERDUZCO FERNANDO
Published: January 2014

We consider the macroscopic, second order model of Kerner–Konhäuser for traffic flow given by a system of PDE. Assuming conservation of cars, traveling waves solution of the PDE are reduced to a dynamical system in the plane. We prove that under generic conditions on the so-called fundamental diagram, the surface of critical points has a fold or cusp catastrophe and each fold point gives rise to a Takens–Bogdanov bifurcation. In particular, limit cycles arising from a Hopf bifurcation give place to traveling wave solutions of the PDE.
EFFECTS OF FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIATION ORDERS ON A COUPLED DUFFING CIRCUIT
Authors: LEUNG A. Y. T. , GUO ZHONGJIN
Published: January 2014

Classical electrical circuits consist of resistors and capacitors and are governed by integer-order model. Circuits may have so-called fractance which represents an electrical element with fractional order impedance. Therefore, fractional order derivative is important to study the dynamical behaviors of circuits. This paper extends the classical coupled Duffing circuits to cover a new fractional order Duffing system consisting of two identical periodic forced circuits coupled by a linear resistor. The fundamental resonance responses under various paired and unpaired fractional orders are investigated in detail using the harmonic balance in combination with polynomial homotopy continuation. The approximate solutions having a high degree of accuracy in the steady state response are sought. There exist different shapes of frequency versus response and excitation amplitude versus response curves under various fractional orders. Multiple-valued solutions and nonclassical bifurcations are observed analytically and verified numerically. The influence of coupling intensity on the fundamental resonance response is also examined. New contributions include the innovative introduction of fractional order to the coupled Duffing circuits, the explicit integration of fractional order and the linear consideration of higher harmonics to improve the nonlinear solutions of the lower harmonics without increasing the computational complexity.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL BASINS OF ATTRACTION IN HIGH-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS
Authors: ELHADJ ZERAOULIA , SPROTT J. C.
Published: January 2014

In this letter, we will show the existence of invariant sets called universal basins of attraction for typical nonlinear high-dimensional dynamical systems such as randomly sampled high-dimensional vector fields (ODEs) or maps. The method of analysis is based on the definition of an equivalence class between systems with the same number of neurons, the same number of time lags, and the same upper bound for one family of bifurcation parameters.
CHAOTIC ANALOG-TO-INFORMATION CONVERSION: PRINCIPLE AND RECONSTRUCTABILITY WITH PARAMETER IDENTIFIABILITY
Authors: XI FENG , CHEN SHENGYAO , LIU ZHONG
Published: January 2014

This paper proposes a chaos-based analog-to-information conversion system for the acquisition and reconstruction of sparse analog signals. The sparse signal acts as an excitation term of a continuous-time chaotic system and the compressive measurements are performed by sampling chaotic system outputs. The reconstruction is realized through the estimation of the sparse coefficients by the principle of chaotic parameter estimation. With the deterministic formulation, the analysis on the reconstructability is conducted via the sensitivity matrix from the parameter identifiability of chaotic systems. For the sparsity-regularized nonlinear least squares estimation, it is shown that the sparse signal is locally reconstructable if the columns of the sparsity-regularized sensitivity matrix are linearly independent. A Lorenz system excited by the sparse multitone signal is taken as an example to illustrate the principle and the performance.
FRACTAL APPROACH, BIFURCATION POKER AND SUC-LOGIC FOR NONLINEAR DYNAMICS FORECASTING
Authors: KOLOKOLOV YURY , MONOVSKAYA ANNA
Published: January 2014

The paper is devoted to the novel logic (SUC-logic) of the nonlinear dynamics forecasting. The SUC-logic is based on three main points: the special sections (S) to build the 2D projections of multidimensional spaces without the loss of useful information; the special units (U) of measurement to estimate the nonlinear dynamics evolution; the special consecutions (C) to realize the nonlinear dynamics forecasting step-by-step. The fractal approach to forecasting the nonlinear dynamics in real-time together with the approach to build the modified bifurcation diagrams to research the regularities and the uncertainties of the evolution scenarios are developed with the SUC-logic. The physical meaning of the uncertainty zone, the stability margin, the risk estimation, the farthest forecasting and the earliest forecasting are considered from the viewpoint of the nonlinear dynamics aspect. Reasonings and discussions are based on experimental and computational results.
PACMAN PERCOLATION AND THE GLASS TRANSITION
Authors: PASTORE RAFFAELE , CIAMARRA MASSIMO PICA , CONIGLIO ANTONIO
Published: January 2014

We investigate via Monte Carlo simulations the kinetically constrained Kob-Andersen lattice glass model showing that, contrary to current expectations, the relaxation process and the dynamical heterogeneities seems to be characterized by different time scales. Indeed, we found that the relaxation time is related to a reverse percolation transition, whereas the time of maximum heterogeneity is related to the spatial correlation between particles. This investigation leads to a geometrical interpretation of the relaxation processes and of the different observed time scales.
SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY OBSERVATIONS OF LINK STRUCTURES ON RUTILE TiO2(110)-(1 × 2)
Authors: WANG ZHONGPING , SONG XIN , OUYANG HONGPING , LIU XIAOQING , XIANG FEIFEI , LI CHAO , WANG LI
Published: January 2014

Various types of linked structures between added rows on a rutile TiO 2(110) surface have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). A new type of linked structure, cycle-link structure comprised of eight oxygen atoms and six titanium atoms, has been observed for the first time on TiO 2(110)-(1 × 2) surface. High resolution images for asymmetrical and cycle-link structures directly demonstrate that these link structures are only constructed by Ti 3 O 6 added row model, suggesting that Ti 3 O 6 is the suitable basis unit of the added rows on the TiO 2(110) surface.
COLLECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING USING SOCIAL COMPUTE UNITS
Authors: SENGUPTA BIKRAM , JAIN ANSHU , BHATTACHARYA KAMAL , TRUONG HONG-LINH , DUSTDAR SCHAHRAM
Published: January 2014

Service process orchestration using workflow technologies has led to significant improvements in generating predicable outcomes by automating tedious manual tasks but suffer from challenges related to the flexibility required in work especially when humans are involved. Recently emerging trends in enterprises to explore social computing concepts have realized value in more agile work process orchestrations but tend to be less predictable with respect to outcomes. In this paper, we use IT services management, specifically, incident management for large scale systems, to investigate the interplay of workflow systems and social computing. We apply a recently introduced concept of social compute units (SCU), and flexible teams sourced based on various parameters such as skills, availability, incident urgency, etc. in the context of resolution of incidents in an IT service provider organization. Results from simulation-based experiments indicate that the combination of SCUs and workflow based processes can lead to significant improvement in key service delivery outcomes, with average resolution time per incident and number of SLO violations being at times as low as 53.7% and 38.1%, respectively of the corresponding values for pure workflow based incident management. Moreover, significant benefits may also be obtained through cross-skilling of practitioners via exposure to new skills in the context of collaborative work.
STUDY ON AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE BIONIC AIRFOIL BASED ON THE SWALLOW'S WING
Authors: TIAN WEIJUN , LIU FANGYUAN , CONG QIAN , LIU YURONG , REN LUQUAN
Published: January 2014

This paper demonstrates the design of the airfoil of small wind turbines, the bionic airfoil was inspired by the morphology of the swallow's extended wing. The wind tunnel tests on the bionic and standard airfoils NACA4412 were conducted, and the aerodynamic performances of the airfoils were numerically investigated. The results show that the bionic airfoil has better aerodynamic performance, the lift coefficient and lift-drag ratio are larger than those of the NACA4412; with the angle of attack increases, both the bionic and standard airfoils stall, but the stall characteristics of the bionic airfoil are better.