bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Sensing of Microbial Life on Surfaces
Authors: Fischer M. , Triggs G. J. , Krauss T. F.
Published: December 2015

The label-free detection of microbial cells attached to a surface is an active field of research. The field is driven by the need to understand and control the growth of biofilms in a number of applications, including basic research in natural environments, industrial facilities, and clinical devices, to name a few. Despite significant progress in the ability to monitor the growth of biofilms and related living cells, the sensitivity and selectivity of such sensors are still a challenge. We believe that among the many different technologies available for monitoring biofilm growth, optical techniques are the most promising, as they afford direct imaging and offer high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, as each technique offers different insights into the biofilm growth mechanism, our analysis allows us to provide an overview of the biological processes at play. In addition, we use a set of key parameters to compare state-of-the-art techniques in the field, including a critical assessment of each method, to identify the most promising types of sensors. We highlight the challenges that need to be overcome to improve the characteristics of current biofilm sensor technologies and indicate where further developments are required. In addition, we provide guidelines for selecting a suitable sensor for detecting microbial cells on a surface.
Oxygen Affects Gut Bacterial Colonization and Metabolic Activities in a Gnotobiotic Cockroach Model
Authors: Tegtmeier Dorothee , Thompson Claire L. , Schauer Christine , Brune Andreas
Published: December 2015

The gut microbiota of termites and cockroaches represents complex metabolic networks of many diverse microbial populations. The distinct microenvironmental conditions within the gut and possible interactions among the microorganisms make it essential to investigate how far the metabolic properties of pure cultures reflect their activities in their natural environment. We established the cockroach
Shelfordella lateralis
as a gnotobiotic model and inoculated germfree nymphs with two bacterial strains isolated from the guts of conventional cockroaches. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that both strains specifically colonized the germfree hindgut. In diassociated cockroaches, the facultatively anaerobic strain EbSL (a new species of
Enterobacteriaceae
) always outnumbered the obligately anaerobic strain FuSL (a close relative of
Fusobacterium varium
), irrespective of the sequence of inoculation, which showed that precolonization by facultatively anaerobic bacteria does not necessarily favor colonization by obligate anaerobes. Comparison of the fermentation products of the cultures formed
in vitro
with those accumulated
in situ
indicated that the gut environment strongly affected the metabolic activities of both strains. The pure cultures formed the typical products of mixed-acid or butyrate fermentation, whereas the guts of gnotobiotic cockroaches accumulated mostly lactate and acetate. Similar shifts toward more-oxidized products were observed when the pure cultures were exposed to oxygen, which corroborated the strong effects of oxygen on the metabolic fluxes previously observed in termite guts. Oxygen microsensor profiles of the guts of germfree, gnotobiotic, and conventional cockroaches indicated that both gut tissue and microbiota contribute to oxygen consumption and suggest that the oxygen status influences the colonization success.
Mapping the Distribution of Cysts from the Toxic Dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides in Bloom-Prone Estuaries by a Novel Fluorescence
In Situ
Hybridization Assay
Authors: Hattenrath-Lehmann Theresa K. , Zhen Yu , Wallace Ryan B. , Tang Ying-Zhong , Gobler Christopher J.
Published: December 2015

Cochlodinium polykrikoides
is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate that is notorious for causing fish-killing harmful algal blooms (HABs) across North America and Asia. While recent laboratory and ecosystem studies have definitively demonstrated that
Cochlodinium
forms resting cysts that may play a key role in the dynamics of its HABs, uncertainties regarding cyst morphology and detection have prohibited even a rudimentary understanding of the distribution of
C. polykrikoides
cysts in coastal ecosystems. Here, we report on the development of a fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH) assay using oligonucleotide probes specific for the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of
C. polykrikoides
. The LSU rDNA-targeted FISH assay was used with epifluorescence microscopy and was iteratively refined to maximize the fluorescent reaction with
C. polykrikoides
and minimize cross-reactivity. The final LSU rDNA-targeted FISH assay was found to quantitatively recover cysts made by North American isolates of
C. polykrikoides
but not cysts formed by other common cyst-forming dinoflagellates. The method was then applied to identify and map
C. polykrikoides
cysts across bloom-prone estuaries. Annual cyst and vegetative cell surveys revealed that elevated densities of
C. polykrikoides
cysts (>100 cm
−3
) during the spring of a given year were spatially consistent with regions of dense blooms the prior summer. The identity of cysts in sediments was confirmed via independent amplification of
C. polykrikoides
rDNA. This study mapped
C. polykrikoides
cysts in a natural marine setting and indicates that the excystment of cysts formed by this harmful alga may play a key role in the development of HABs of this species.
Gastric Metaplasia Induced by Helicobacter pylori Is Associated with Enhanced SOX9 Expression via Interleukin-1 Signaling
Authors: Serizawa Takako , Hirata Yoshihiro , Hayakawa Yoku , Suzuki Nobumi , Sakitani Kosuke , Hikiba Yohko , Ihara Sozaburo , Kinoshita Hiroto , Nakagawa Hayato , Tateishi Keisuke , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: December 2015

Histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa after
Helicobacter pylori
infection, such as atrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia, are considered to be precursors of gastric cancer, yet the mechanisms of histological progression are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the histopathological features of the gastric mucosa in mice infected with
H. pylori
strain PMSS1 in relation to gastric stem cell marker expression. C57BL/6J mice infected with PMSS1 were examined for histopathological changes, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and expression of stem cell markers. Histopathological gastritis scores, such as atrophy and metaplasia, and levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), were increased after PMSS1 infection. Expression levels of the cell proliferation and stem cell markers CD44 and SOX9 were also significantly increased in PMSS1-infected mice. Importantly, almost all metaplastic cells induced by PMSS1 infection expressed SOX9. When IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) knockout mice were infected with PMSS1, metaplastic changes and expression levels of stem cell markers were significantly decreased compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice. In conclusion,
H. pylori
infection induced the expression of cytokines and stem cell markers and histopathological metaplasia in the mouse gastric mucosa. SOX9 expression, in particular, was strongly associated with metaplastic changes, and these changes were dependent on IL-1 signaling. The results suggested the importance of SOX9 in gastric carcinogenesis.
Evaluation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization−Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Mycobacterium species, Nocardia species, and Other Aerobic Actinomycetes
Authors: Buckwalter S. P. , Olson S. L. , Connelly B. J. , Lucas B. C. , Rodning A. A. , Walchak R. C. , Deml S. M. , Wohlfiel S. L. , Wengenack N. L.
Published: December 2015

The value of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization−time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of bacteria and yeasts is well documented in the literature. Its utility for the identification of mycobacteria and
Nocardia
spp. has also been reported in a limited scope. In this work, we report the specificity of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of 162
Mycobacterium
species and subspecies, 53
Nocardia
species, and 13 genera (totaling 43 species) of other aerobic actinomycetes using both the MALDI-TOF MS manufacturer's supplied database(s) and a custom database generated in our laboratory. The performance of a simplified processing and extraction procedure was also evaluated, and, similar to the results in an earlier literature report, our viability studies confirmed the ability of this process to inactivate
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
prior to analysis. Following library construction and the specificity study, the performance of MALDI-TOF MS was directly compared with that of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for the evaluation of 297 mycobacteria isolates, 148
Nocardia
species isolates, and 61 other aerobic actinomycetes isolates under routine clinical laboratory working conditions over a 6-month period. MALDI-TOF MS is a valuable tool for the identification of these groups of organisms. Limitations in the databases and in the ability of MALDI-TOF MS to rapidly identify slowly growing mycobacteria are discussed.
Dimerization of the SP1 Region of HIV-1 Gag Induces a Helical Conformation and Association into Helical Bundles: Implications for Particle Assembly
Authors: Datta Siddhartha A. K. , Clark Patrick K. , Fan Lixin , Ma Buyong , Harvin Demetria P. , Sowder Raymond C. , Nussinov Ruth , Wang Yun-Xing , Rein Alan
Published: December 2015

HIV-1 immature particle (virus-like particle [VLP]) assembly is mediated largely by interactions between the capsid (CA) domains of Gag molecules but is facilitated by binding of the nucleocapsid (NC) domain to nucleic acid. We previously investigated the role of SP1, a “spacer” between CA and NC, in VLP assembly. We found that small changes in SP1 drastically disrupt assembly and that a peptide representing the sequence around the CA-SP1 junction is helical at high but not low concentrations. We suggested that by virtue of such a concentration-dependent change, this region could act as a molecular switch to activate HIV-1 Gag for VLP assembly. A leucine zipper domain can replace NC in Gag and still lead to the efficient assembly of VLPs. We find that SP1 mutants also disrupt assembly by these Gag-Zip proteins and have now studied a small fragment of this Gag-Zip protein, i.e., the CA-SP1 junction region fused to a leucine zipper. Dimerization of the zipper places SP1 at a high local concentration, even at low total concentrations. In this context, the CA-SP1 junction region spontaneously adopts a helical conformation, and the proteins associate into tetramers. Tetramerization requires residues from both CA and SP1. The data suggest that once this region becomes helical, its propensity to self-associate could contribute to Gag-Gag interactions and thus to particle assembly. There is complete congruence between CA/SP1 sequences that promote tetramerization when fused to zippers and those that permit the proper assembly of full-length Gag; thus, equivalent interactions apparently participate in VLP assembly and in SP1-Zip tetramerization.

IMPORTANCE
Assembly of HIV-1 Gag into virus-like particles (VLPs) appears to require an interaction with nucleic acid, but replacement of its principal nucleic acid-binding domain with a dimerizing leucine zipper domain leads to the assembly of RNA-free VLPs. It has not been clear how dimerization triggers assembly. Results here show that the SP1 region spontaneously switches to a helical state when fused to a leucine zipper and that these helical molecules further associate into tetramers, mediated by interactions between hydrophobic faces of the helices. Thus, the correct juxtaposition of the SP1 region makes it “association competent.” Residues from both capsid and SP1 contribute to tetramerization, while mutations disrupting proper assembly in Gag also prevent tetramerization. Thus, this region is part of an associating interface within Gag, and its intermolecular interactions evidently help stabilize the immature Gag lattice. These interactions are disrupted by proteolysis of the CA-SP1 junction during virus maturation.
NP1 Protein of the Bocaparvovirus Minute Virus of Canines Controls Access to the Viral Capsid Genes via Its Role in RNA Processing
Authors: Fasina Olufemi O. , Dong Yanming , Pintel David J.
Published: December 2015

Minute virus of canines (MVC) is an autonomous parvovirus in the genus
Bocaparvovirus
. It has a single promoter that generates a single pre-mRNA processed via alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation to produce at least 8 mRNA transcripts. MVC contains two polyadenylation sites, one at the right-hand end of the genome, (pA)d, and another complex site, (pA)p, within the capsid-coding region. During viral infection, the mRNAs must extend through (pA)p and undergo additional splicing of the immediately upstream 3D∕3A intron to access the capsid gene. MVC NP1 is a 22-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein unique to the genus
Bocaparvovirus
of the
Parvovirinae
which we have shown governs suppression of (pA)p independently of viral genome replication. We show here that in addition to suppression of (pA)p, NP1 is also required for the excision of the MVC 3D∕3A intron, independently of its effect on alternative polyadenylation. Mutations of the arginine∕serine (SR) di-repeats within the intrinsically disordered amino terminus of NP1 are required for splicing of the capsid transcript but not suppression of polyadenylation at (pA)p. 3′-end processing of MVC mRNAs at (pA)p is critical for viral genome replication and the optimal expression of NP1 and NS1. Thus, a finely tuned balance between (pA)p suppression and usage is necessary for efficient virus replication. NP1 is the first parvovirus protein implicated in RNA processing. Its characterization reveals another way that parvoviruses govern access to their capsid protein genes, namely, at the RNA level, by regulating the essential splicing of an intron and the suppression of an internal polyadenylation site.

IMPORTANCE
The
Parvovirinae
are small nonenveloped icosahedral viruses that are important pathogens in many animal species, including humans. Although parvoviruses have only subtle early-to-late expression shifts, they all regulate access to their capsid genes. Minute virus of canines (MVC) is an autonomous parvovirus in the genus
Bocaparvovirus
. It has a single promoter generating a single pre-mRNA which is processed via alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation to generate at least 8 mRNA transcripts. MVC contains two polyadenylation sites, one at the right-hand end of the genome, (pA)d, and another, (pA)p, within the capsid-coding region. It had not been clear how the potent internal polyadenylation motif is suppressed to allow processing, export, and accumulation of the spliced capsid protein-encoding mRNAs. We show here that MVC NP1, the first parvovirus protein to be implicated in RNA processing, governs access to the MVC capsid gene by facilitating splicing and suppressing internal polyadenylation of MVC pre-mRNAs.
Episodic Diversifying Selection Shaped the Genomes of Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus and Related Gammaretroviruses
Authors: Alfano Niccolò , Kolokotronis Sergios-Orestis , Tsangaras Kyriakos , Roca Alfred L. , Xu Wenqin , Eiden Maribeth V. , Greenwood Alex D.
Published: December 2015

Gibbon ape leukemia viruses (GALVs) are part of a larger group of pathogenic gammaretroviruses present across phylogenetically diverse host species of Australasian mammals. Despite the biomedical utility of GALVs as viral vectors and in cancer gene therapy, full genome sequences have not been determined for all of the five identified GALV strains, nor has a comprehensive evolutionary analysis been performed. We therefore generated complete genomic sequences for each GALV strain using hybridization capture and high-throughput sequencing. The four strains of GALV isolated from gibbons formed a monophyletic clade that was closely related to the woolly monkey virus (WMV), which is a GALV strain that likely originated in a gibbon host. The GALV-WMV clade in turn formed a sister group to the koala retroviruses (KoRVs). Genomic signatures of episodic diversifying selection were detected among the gammaretroviruses with concentration in theenvgene across the GALV strains that were particularly oncogenic and KoRV strains that were potentially exogenous, likely reflecting their adaptation to the host immune system.In vitrostudies involving vectors chimeric between GALV and KoRV-B established that variable regions A and B of the surface unit of the envelope determine which receptor is used by a viral strain to enter host cells.

IMPORTANCEThe gibbon ape leukemia viruses (GALVs) are among the most medically relevant retroviruses due to their use as viral vectors for gene transfer and in cancer gene therapy. Despite their importance, full genome sequences have not been determined for the majority of primate isolates, nor has comprehensive evolutionary analysis been performed, despite evidence that the viruses are facing complex selective pressures associated with cross-species transmission. Using hybridization capture and high-throughput sequencing, we report here the full genome sequences of all the GALV strains and demonstrate that diversifying selection is acting on them, particularly in the envelope gene in functionally important domains, suggesting that host immune pressure is shaping GALV evolution.
Reduction of chromate by molybdenum hydrogen bronze
Authors: Barber Kevin N. , Perkins Cory K. , Apblett Allen W.
Published: December 2015

Molybdenum hydrogen bronze, H0.57MoO3, is capable of removing up to 80 mequiv./g chromate from aqueous solution. The redox process is accompanied by adsorption of the reduced chromium species so that the chromium is completely removed from solution. Chromate removal was only weakly dependent on pH, being slightly favored at acidic pH. The kinetics appear to involve the rapid adsorption of chromate in an equilibrium process that is followed by reduction of the chromium(VI). The rate constant was found to be first order in chromate and the amount of suspended H0.57MoO3 with a rate constant of 1.40 L g−1 min−1.
All ASD complex and real 4-dimensional Einstein spaces with Λ≠0 admitting a nonnull Killing vector
Authors: Chudecki Adam
Published: December 2015

Anti-self-dual (ASD) 4-dimensional complex Einstein spaces with nonzero cosmological constant [Formula: see text] equipped with a nonnull Killing vector are considered. It is shown that any conformally nonflat metric of such spaces can be always brought to a special form and the Einstein field equations can be reduced to the Boyer–Finley–Plebański equation (Toda field equation). Some alternative forms of the metric are discussed. All possible real slices (neutral, Euclidean and Lorentzian) of ASD complex Einstein spaces with [Formula: see text] admitting a nonnull Killing vector are found.
Using palaeomagnetism to determine late Mesoproterozoic palaeogeographic history and tectonic relations of the Sinclair terrane, Namaqua orogen, Namibia
Authors: Panzik J. E. , Evans D. A. D. , Kasbohm J. J. , Hanson R. , Gose W. , Desormeau J.
Published: December 2015

The Sinclair terrane is an important part of the Namaqua orogenic province in southern Namibia containing well-preserved Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary successions suitable for palaeomagnetic and geochronological studies. The Guperas Formation in the upper part of the Sinclair stratigraphic assemblage contains both volcanic and sedimentary rocks cut by a bimodal dyke swarm with felsic members dated herein by U–Pb on zircon at
c.
1105 Ma. Guperas igneous rocks yield a pre-fold direction and palaeomagnetic pole similar to that previously reported. Guperas sedimentary rocks yield positive conglomerate and fold tests, with a maximum concentration of characteristic remanence directions at 100% untilting. The combined Guperas data generate a palaeomagnetic pole of 69.8° N, 004.1° E (
A
95
=7.4°,
N=
9). The 1105 Ma post-Guperas dykes yield stable remanence directions with positive baked-contact tests and a palaeomagnetic pole at 62.3° N, 031.9° E (
A
95
=6.9°,
N=
26), which is coincident with that of the Kalahari-wide Umkondo large igneous province, demonstrating tectonic coherence of the Sinclair terrane with the Kalahari craton at the time of dyke emplacement. These results show that palaeomagnetic and geochronological studies of the Sinclair terrane can provide kinematic constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Namaqua–Natal–Maud orogenic belt and its role in the formation of the Rodinia supercontinent.
Image-Based Predictive Modeling of Heart Mechanics
Authors: Wang V.Y. , Nielsen P.M.F. , Nash M.P.
Published: December 2015

Personalized biophysical modeling of the heart is a useful approach for noninvasively analyzing and predicting in vivo cardiac mechanics. Three main developments support this style of analysis: state-of-the-art cardiac imaging technologies, modern computational infrastructure, and advanced mathematical modeling techniques. In vivo measurements of cardiac structure and function can be integrated using sophisticated computational methods to investigate mechanisms of myocardial function and dysfunction, and can aid in clinical diagnosis and developing personalized treatment. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art in cardiac imaging modalities, model-based interpretation of 3D images of cardiac structure and function, and recent advances in modeling that allow personalized predictions of heart mechanics. We discuss how using such image-based modeling frameworks can increase the understanding of the fundamental biophysics behind cardiac mechanics, and assist with diagnosis, surgical guidance, and treatment planning. Addressing the challenges in this field will require a coordinated effort from both the clinical-imaging and modeling communities. We also discuss future directions that can be taken to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical translation.
Governance of Family Firms
Authors: Villalonga Belén , Amit Raphael , Trujillo María-Andrea , Guzmán Alexander
Published: December 2015

We review what the financial economics literature has to say about the unique ways in which the following three classic agency problems manifest themselves in family firms: (a) shareholders versus managers, (b) controlling (family) shareholders versus noncontrolling shareholders, and (c) shareholders versus creditors. We also call attention to a fourth agency problem that is unique to family firms: the conflict of interest between family shareholders and the family at large, which can be thought of as the “superprincipal” in a multi-tier agency structure akin to those found in other concentrated ownership structures in which the controlling owner is the state, a bank, a corporation, or other institutions. We then discuss the solutions or corporate governance mechanisms that have been devised to address these problems and what research has taught us about these mechanisms' effectiveness at solving these four conflicts in family firms.
An Overview of Macroprudential Policy Tools
Authors: Claessens Stijn
Published: December 2015

Macroprudential policies—caps on loan to value ratios, limits on credit growth and other balance-sheet restrictions, (countercyclical) capital and reserve requirements and surcharges, and Pigouvian levies—have become part of the policy paradigm in emerging markets and developed countries alike. But knowledge of these tools is still limited. Macroprudential policies ought to be motivated by market failures and externalities, but these can be hard to identify. They may also interact with various other policies, such as monetary and microprudential, raising coordination issues. Countries, especially emerging markets, have used these tools, and analyses suggest that some of those tools reduce procyclicality and crisis risks. Yet, much remains to be studied, including the costs of such tools, as they may adversely affect resource allocations; how best to adapt these tools to a country's circumstances; and preferred institutional designs, including how to address political economy risks. As such, policy makers should move carefully in adopting these tools.
A Review of Empirical Research on the Design and Impact of Regulation in the Banking Sector
Authors: Jakovljević Sanja , Degryse Hans , Ongena Steven
Published: December 2015

We review existing empirical research on the design and impact of regulation in the banking sector. The impact of each individual piece of regulation may inexorably depend on the set of regulations already in place, the characteristics of the banks involved (from their size or ownership structure to operational idiosyncrasies in terms of capitalization levels or risk-taking behavior), and the institutional development of the country where the regulation is introduced. This complexity is challenging for the econometrician, who relies either on single-country data to identify challenges for regulation or on cross-country data to assess the overall effects of regulation. It is also troubling for the policy maker, who has to optimally design regulation to avoid any unintended consequences, especially those that vary over the credit cycle such as the currently developing macroprudential frameworks.
The Axiomatic Approach to Risk Measures for Capital Determination
Authors: Föllmer Hans , Weber Stefan
Published: December 2015

The quantification of downside risk in terms of capital requirements is a key issue for both regulators and the financial industry. This review presents the axiomatic approach, which is based on monetary risk measures. These provide a unifying mathematical framework for the determination of capital requirements, for economic indices of riskiness, and for the analysis of preferences in the face of risk and Knightian uncertainty. In the special case of distribution-based risk measures, we review recent advances in characterizing their statistical properties such as elicitability and robustness.
Output Consensus Regulation for State-Unmeasurable Discrete-Time Multiagent Systems with External Disturbances
Authors: Jiang He , Yang Dongsheng
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with the output consensus regulation problem for discrete-time multiagent systems with state-unmeasurable agents and external disturbances under directed communication network topologies. Firstly, the mathematical model for the output consensus problem of discrete-time multiagent systems is deduced and formulated via making matrix transformation. Then, based on state observers, a novel output consensus protocol with dynamic compensator which is used as observer for the exosystem is proposed to solve this problem. Some knowledge of matrix theory and graph theory is introduced to design protocol parameters and the convergence of output consensus errors is proved. Finally, a numerical simulation example is shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed protocol design.
The Relationship between Training and Mental Health among Caregivers of Individuals with Polytrauma
Authors: Stevens Lillian Flores , Pickett Treven C. , Wilder Schaaf Kathryn P. , Taylor Brent C. , Gravely Amy , Van Houtven Courtney Harold , Friedemann-Sánchez Greta , Griffin Joan M.
Published: December 2015

This was a hypothesis-generating exploration of relationships between caregiver training during TBI/polytrauma rehabilitation and caregiver mental health. In this cross-sectional study, 507 informal caregivers to US service members with TBI who received inpatient rehabilitation care in a Veterans Affairs’ Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center from 2001 to 2009 completed a retrospective, self-report survey. Embedded in the survey were measures of caregiver mental health, including the National Institutes of Health’s Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety and Depression Short Forms, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Zarit Burden Short Form. Though no groups endorsed clinical levels, mental health symptoms varied by caregiver training category (Trained, Not Trained, and Did Not Need Training). Caregivers who did not receive training on how to navigate healthcare systems endorsed higher depression and burden and lower self-esteem than those who did. Caregivers who did not receive training in supporting their care recipients’ emotions endorsed higher anxiety, depression, and burden and lower self-esteem than those who did. Analyses also suggested a different association between training and mental health based on caregivers’ relationship to the care recipient and the intensity of care recipient needs. Potential hypotheses for testing in future studies raised by these findings are discussed.
A Time Variant Outdoor-to-Indoor Channel Model for Mobile Radio Based Navigation Applications
Authors: Wang Wei , Jost Thomas , Fiebig Uwe-Carsten , Koch Wolfgang
Published: December 2015

Time based positioning with terrestrial mobile radio signals has gained remarkable attention. To develop and validate positioning algorithms under realistic conditions, an accurate knowledge of the propagation channel is significant. However, there is still a lack of outdoor-to-indoor channel models suitable for positioning applications. To be applicable for positioning, the channel model has to fulfill three requirements that have not been accurately considered so far: the non-line-of-sight bias (affecting ranging accuracy), nondiscrete valued channel parameters (affecting algorithm performance), and the evolution of individual multipath components (MPCs) with time (affecting tracking performance). In this paper, an outdoor-to-indoor channel model is proposed based on an extension of the geometry-based stochastic modeling approach to fulfill the requirements. We consider MPCs occurring due to reflection, scattering, and combinations of both. In the model, three different types of MPCs are modeled separately according to their characteristics. Each MPC is represented by a fixed scatterer, which has a fixed position while the receiver antenna is moving. The parameters of the outdoor-to-indoor channel model are extracted from two channel measurement campaigns. The proposed outdoor-to-indoor channel model is capable of accurately simulating the time variant channel. A comparison of the channel model with the channel measurement data is performed by comparing statistics.
Design and Analysis of Bionic Cutting Blades Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Li Mo , Yang Yuwang , Guo Li , Chen Donghui , Sun Hongliang , Tong Jin
Published: December 2015

Praying mantis is one of the most efficient predators in insect world, which has a pair of powerful tools, two sharp and strong forelegs. Its femur and tibia are both armed with a double row of strong spines along their posterior edges which can firmly grasp the prey, when the femur and tibia fold on each other in capturing. These spines are so sharp that they can easily and quickly cut into the prey. The geometrical characteristic of the praying mantis’s foreleg, especially its tibia, has important reference value for the design of agricultural soil-cutting tools. Learning from the profile and arrangement of these spines, cutting blades with tooth profile were designed in this work. Two different sizes of tooth structure and arrangement were utilized in the design on the cutting edge. A conventional smooth-edge blade was used to compare with the bionic serrate-edge blades. To compare the working efficiency of conventional blade and bionic blades, 3D finite element simulation analysis and experimental measurement were operated in present work. Both the simulation and experimental results indicated that the bionic serrate-edge blades showed better performance in cutting efficiency.
Role of TLR4-Mediated PI3K/AKT/GSK-3βSignaling Pathway in Apoptosis of Rat Hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Xian , Jiang Daorong , Jiang Wei , Zhao Min , Gan Jianhe
Published: December 2015

We investigated the mechanism of the Toll-like receptor 4- (TLR4-) mediated PI3K/AKT/GSK-3βsignaling pathway in rat hepatocytes apoptosis induced by LPS. The cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with LPS alone or first pretreated with TLR4 inhibitor, AKT inhibitor, and GSK-3βinhibitor, respectively, and then stimulated with the same dose of LPS. Cell viability, cell apoptotic rate, and apoptosis morphology were assessed; the level of P-AKTSer473, P-GSK-3βSer9, and active Caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were evaluated. The results indicated that cell viability decreased, while cell apoptotic rate increased with time after LPS stimulation. The expression of P-AKTSer473and P-GSK-3βSer9in the LPS group decreased compared with the control, while the level of active Caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly increased. These effects were attenuated by pretreatment with CLI-095. In addition, the apoptotic ratio decreased after pretreatment with LiCl but increased following pretreatment with LY294002. The expression of P-AKTSer473further decreased following pretreatment with LY294002 and the expression of P-GSK-3βSer9increased following pretreatment with LiCl. Moreover, pretreatment with CLI-095 weakened LPS-induced nuclear translocation of GSK-3β. Our findings suggest that the TLR4-mediated PI3K/AKT/GSK-3βsignaling pathway is present in rat hepatocytes and participates in apoptosis of BRL-3A cells.
In VitroAntimicrobial Activity and Effect on Biofilm Production of a White Grape Juice (Vitis vinifera) Extract
Authors: Filocamo Angela , Bisignano Carlo , Mandalari Giuseppina , Navarra Michele
Published: December 2015

Background. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of a white grape juice extract (WGJe) against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and the fungusAspergillus niger. WGJe was also tested on the production of bacterial biofilmsin vitro.Results. WGJe inhibitedin vitromost Gram-positive bacteria tested,Staphylococcus aureusATCC 6538P being the most sensitive strain (MIC values of 3.9 μg/mL). The effect was bactericidal at the concentration of 500 μg/mL. Amongst the Gram-negative bacteria,Escherichia coliwas the only susceptible strain (MIC and MBC of 2000 μg/mL). No effect on the growth ofCandidasp. and the fungusAspergillus nigerwas detected (MIC values > 2000 μg/mL). WGJe inhibited the biofilms formation ofE. coliandPseudomonas aeruginosawith a dose-dependent effect.Conclusions. WGJe exerted both bacteriostatic and bactericidal activityin vitro. The presented results could be used to develop novel strategies for the treatment of skin infections and against potential respiratory pathogens.
Evaluation of a Novel Water Treatment Residual Nanoparticles as a Sorbent for Arsenic Removal
Authors: Elkhatib Elsayed , Mahdy Ahmed , Sherif Fatma , Hamadeen Hala
Published: December 2015

A novel sorbent, water treatment residual nanoparticles (nWTR), was synthesized and used to remove As(V) from water solutions. The kinetics and equilibrium of As(V) adsorption by nWTR were evaluated. The kinetic data for nWTR at 3 different pH values indicate that As(V) sorption is biphasic, is favored at low pH values, and followed the power function and first‐order kinetics models fit. The results of the batch adsorption study showed that nWTR was effective in As(V) removal and its removal capability was 16 times higher than that of bulk WTR. Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR), SEM‐EDX spectra, and As fractionation results indicate the crucial role of surface hydroxyl groups in As retention onto nWTR and the high capability of nWTR to immobilize As(V). The stability of As‐nWTR surface complexes is suggested as less than 2% of adsorbed As(V) was released from nWTR after 4 consecutive desorption cycles.
Optimal Control of Probabilistic Logic Networks and Its Application to Real-Time Pricing of Electricity
Authors: Kobayashi Koichi , Hiraishi Kunihiko
Published: December 2015

In analysis and control of large-scale complex systems, a discrete model plays an important role. In this paper, a probabilistic logic network (PLN) is considered as a discrete model. A PLN is a mathematical model where multivalued logic functions are randomly switched. For a PLN with two kinds of control inputs, the optimal control problem is formulated, and an approximate solution method for this problem is proposed. In the proposed method, using a matrix-based representation for a PLN, this problem is approximated by a mixed integer linear programming problem. In application, real-time pricing of electricity is studied. In real-time pricing, electricity conservation is achieved by setting a high electricity price. A numerical example is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Tempol, a Membrane‐Permeable Radical Scavenger, Exhibits Anti‐Inflammatory and Cardioprotective Effects in the Cerulein‐Induced Pancreatitis Rat Model
Authors: Marciniak Andrzej , Walczyna Beata , Rajtar Grażyna , Marciniak Sebastian , Wojtak Andrzej , Lasiecka Katarzyna
Published: December 2015

To date, it remains unclear whether mild form of acute pancreatitis (AP) may cause myocardial damage which may be asymptomatic for a long time. Pathogenesis of AP‐related cardiac injury may be attributed in part to ROS/RNS overproduction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress changes in both the pancreas and the heart and to estimate the protective effects of 1‐oxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐hydroxypiperidine (tempol) at the early phase of AP. Cerulein‐induced AP led to the development of acute edematous pancreatitis with a significant decrease in the level of sulfhydryl (–SH) groups (oxidation marker) both in heart and in pancreatic tissues as well as a substantial increase in plasma creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK‐MB) activity (marker of the heart muscle lesion) which confirmed the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of cardiac damage. The tempol treatment significantly reduced the intensity of inflammation and oxidative damage and decreased the morphological evidence of pancreas injury at early AP stages. Moreover, it markedly attenuated AP‐induced cardiac damage revealed by normalization of the –SH group levels and CK‐MB activity. On the basis of these studies, it is possible to conclude that tempol has a profound protective effect against cardiac and pancreatic damage induced by AP.
Quantifying the Role of Circulating Unconjugated Estradiol in Mediating the Body Mass Index–Breast Cancer Association
Authors: Schairer Catherine , Fuhrman Barbara J. , Boyd-Morin Jennifer , Genkinger Jeanine M. , Gail Mitchell H. , Hoover Robert N. , Ziegler Regina G.
Published: December 2015

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) and circulating estrogen levels each increase postmenopausal breast cancer risk, particularly estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) tumors. Higher BMI also increases estrogen production.

Methods: We estimated the proportion of the BMI-ER+ breast cancer association mediated through estrogen in a case–control study nested within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Participants included 143 women with invasive ER+ breast cancer and 268 matched controls, all postmenopausal and never having used hormone therapy at baseline. We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to measure 15 estrogens and estrogen metabolites in baseline serum. We calculated BMI from self-reported height and weight at baseline. We estimated the mediating effect of unconjugated estradiol on the BMI-ER+ breast cancer association using Aalen additive hazards and Cox regression models.

Results: All estrogens and estrogen metabolites were statistically significantly correlated with BMI, with unconjugated estradiol most strongly correlated [Pearson correlation (r) = 0.45]. Approximately 7% to 10% of the effect of overweight, 12% to 15% of the effect of obesity, and 19% to 20% of the effect of a 5 kg/m2 BMI increase on ER+ breast cancer risk was mediated through unconjugated estradiol. The BMI–breast cancer association, once adjusted for unconjugated estradiol, was not modified by further adjustment for two metabolic ratios statistically significantly associated with both breast cancer and BMI.

Conclusion: Circulating unconjugated estradiol levels partially mediate the BMI–breast cancer association, but other potentially important estrogen mediators (e.g., bioavailable estradiol) were not evaluated.

Impact: Further research is required to identify mechanisms underlying the BMI–breast cancer association. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(1); 105–13. ©2015 AACR.
Fatigue in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Prevalence, Pathogenesis and Management
Authors: Jopson Laura , Jones David E.J.
Published: December 2015

Fatigue is a significant problem in approximately 50% of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients, with 20% of all patients experiencing significant or life-altering fatigue. Large-scale population studies show that fatigue has a major impact on quality of life (QoL) in PBC, and that it disproportionately affects younger patients. The presence of social dysfunction that accompanies fatigue appears to be a major factor in determining whether fatigue of a particular severity impacts on QoL. The pathogenesis of fatigue in PBC remains unclear, although it is unrelated to the severity of underlying disease and is unresponsive to ursodeoxycholic acid. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, it appears to be complex in origin, probably multifactorial in the majority of patients and associated with depression, autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbance. Clinically, fatigue has both central and peripheral components. The central component is associated with cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance and characterised by neurophysiological abnormalities of activation and facilitation, together with CNS changes. Peripheral fatigue is associated with muscle dysfunction and an inability to sustain exercise. One hypothesis is that the central processes result directly from cholestasis, which impacts autonomic centres in the brain; these processes then regulate peripheral muscle perfusion, leading to systemic peripheral effects. At present, there is no specific drug therapy for fatigue in PBC and no significant improvement following transplantation. In managing patients with fatigue, understanding their situation is crucial and advice regarding pacing and maintaining social interactions is critical. Most important of all is an understanding of the impact this symptom has on patients' lives and an empathetic clinical interaction.
PET Radioligands Reveal the Basis of Dementia in Parkinson's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Authors: Gomperts Stephen N. , Marquie Marta , Locascio Joseph J. , Bayer Stephen , Johnson Keith A. , Growdon John H.
Published: December 2015

Background: Effective therapies for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD) dementia will require accurate diagnosis and an understanding of the contribution of distinct molecular pathologies to these diseases. We seek to use imaging biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy and to clarify the contribution of molecular species to cognitive impairment in DLB and PD. Summary: We have performed cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies in subjects with DLB, PD with normal cognition, PD with mild cognitive impairment and PD with dementia, contrasted with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy control subjects (HCS). Subjects underwent formal neurological examination, detailed neuropsychological assessments, MRI and PET scans with the radioligands altropane (a dopamine transporter, DAT) and Pittsburgh compound B (PiB; β-amyloid). Putamen DAT concentrations were similar in DLB and PD and differentiated them from HCS and AD. Decreased caudate DAT concentration related to functional impairment in DLB but not PD. PiB uptake was greatest in DLB. However, cortical PiB retention was common in PD and predicted cognitive decline. PET imaging of tau aggregates holds promise both to clarify the contribution of tau to cognitive decline in these diseases and to differentiate DLB and PD from the parkinsonian tauopathies. Key Messages: Together, DAT and amyloid PET imaging discriminate DLB from PD and from other disease groups and identify pathological processes that contribute to their course. Multimodal PET imaging has the potential to increase the diagnostic accuracy of DLB and PD in the clinic, improve cohort uniformity for clinical trials, and serve as biomarkers for targeted molecular therapies.
Applications of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Lasers) for Restorative Dentistry
Authors: Najeeb Shariq , Khurshid Zohaib , Zafar Muhammad Sohail , Ajlal Syed
Published: December 2015

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) has been used widely in a range of biomedical and dental applications in recent years. In the field of restorative dentistry, various kinds of lasers have been developed for diagnostic (e.g. caries detection) and operative applications (e.g. tooth ablation, cavity preparation, restorations, bleaching). The main benefits for laser applications are patient comfort, pain relief and better results for specific applications. Major concerns for using dental lasers frequently are high cost, need for specialized training and sensitivity of the technique, thereby compromising its usefulness particularly in developing countries. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate and summarize the applications of lasers in restorative dentistry, including a comparison of the applications of lasers for major restorative dental procedures and conventional clinical approaches. A remarkable increase in the use of lasers for dental application is expected in the near future.
New Predictive Equations for Serum Ionized Calcium in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Mateu-de Antonio Javier
Published: December 2015

Objective: To study a new and easy way to calculate equations to predict ionized calcium (Ca2+) for adult hospitalized patients with the usual laboratory and clinical parameters. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in a third-level university hospital. An initial learning cohort (cohort L: 269 patients) was selected to derive the new equations. These equations were tested in a validation of another cohort (cohort V: 146 patients). Patients selected were hospitalized adults who had simultaneous determinations of Ca2+ and serum total calcium (CaTot). They were classified using their estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFRe) into normal function, moderate and severe kidney dysfunction. Demographic and biochemical parameters, in addition to comorbidities, were collected from hospital databases. Nine published equations to predict Ca2+ and 2 widely used equations to predict corrected CaTot were also selected to be compared to newer equations for accuracy in detecting serum calcium alterations. New equations were derived by a multiple linear-regression analysis from patients in cohort L. Results: Three equations were derived containing the CaTot square root as the main independent variable. Equation 1: Ca2+ = 0.815 × CaTot0.5. Equation 2: Ca2+ = 0.826 × CaTot0.5 - 0.023 × renal function. Equation 3: Ca2+ = 0.813 × CaTot0.5 - 0.006 × albumin0.75 + 0.079. These equations performed better than published equations to predict Ca2+ when their error measures were analyzed in cohort V, even in special populations such as critically ill and very old patients. Conclusions: Three new equations predicting Ca2+ were derived requiring easily available clinical and laboratory parameters. They could be valuable in predicting hypocalcemia but are of limited use in hypercalcemia.