bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WALL-CROSSINGS FOR TWISTED QUIVER BUNDLES
Authors: KIM BUMSIG , LEE HWAYOUNG
Published: April 2013

Given a double quiver, we study homological algebra of twisted quiver sheaves with the moment map relation using the short exact sequence of Crawley-Boevey, Holland, Gothen, and King. Then in a certain one-parameter space of the stability conditions, we obtain a wall-crossing formula for the generalized Donaldson–Thomas invariants of the abelian category of framed twisted quiver sheaves on a smooth projective curve. To do so, we closely follow the approach of Chuang, Diaconescu and Pan in the ADHM quiver case, which makes use of the theory of Joyce and Song. The invariants virtually count framed twisted quiver sheaves with the moment map relation and directly generalize the ADHM invariants of Diaconescu.
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A STREET WITH OPEN BOUNDARIES
Authors: MHIRECH ABDELAZIZ , ISMAILI ASSIA ALAOUI
Published: April 2013

The Nagel–Schreckenberg (NS) cellular automata (CA) model for describing the vehicular traffic flow in a street with open boundaries is studied. To control the traffic flow, a traffic signalization light operating for a fixed-time scheme is placed in the middle of the street. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to calculate various model characteristics. Essentially, we investigate the formation of the cars queue behind traffic light dependence on the duration of green light Tg, injecting and extracting probabilities α and β, respectively. Two phases of average training queues were found. Besides, the dependence of car accident probability per site and per time step on Tg, α and β is computed.
THE INITIAL STATE OF HEAVY ION COLLISIONS
Authors: ALBACETE JAVIER L. , DUMITRU ADRIAN , MARQUET CYRILLE
Published: April 2013

We present a brief review of recent theoretical developments and related phenomenological approaches for understanding the initial state of heavy ion collisions, with emphasis on the Color Glass Condensate formalism.
ORDINARY AND AMPLITUDE SQUARED SQUEEZING IN FOUR WAVE MIXING PROCESS
Authors: SHUKLA PRAMILA , PRAKASH RANJANA
Published: April 2013

Squeezing in four wave mixing process was studied recently using perturbation method by Giri and Gupta [D. K. Giri and P. S. Gupta, J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt.6 (2004) 91.] We reexamine this using a coherent intense pump mode and with a much better approximation which results in validity of our results for much larger interaction times. We find that for the range of phase where these authors obtained squeezing, only a small squeezing is obtained for a brief period but larger squeezing at large times is obtained in the other range of phase. We also obtain larger amplitude squared squeezing.
HANDOFF DETERMINATION FOR A HYBRID CHANNEL ALLOCATION ALGORITHM IN WIRELESS AND MOBILE NETWORKS
Authors: ZHANG YUHONG , LI WEI WAYNE , SALARI EZZATOLLAH
Published: April 2013

The handoff rate is identified in a hybrid channel allocation algorithm of a wireless and mobile network. In this network model, both new calls and handoff calls to a cell have possibilities to borrow channels from the control center if all allocated channels to the cell are used up. In addition, there is a buffer with finite size reserved exclusively for handoff calls in a cell when they arrived but are not be able to borrow channels from the control center. In this paper, we derived a novel and theoretical expression of the handoff rate in the network first. This analytical expression for handoff rate is a general form which covers several special cases discussed in the literature. Then, an efficient iterative algorithm to calculate this handoff rate is proposed also. By using this algorithm, the handoff rate and the blocking probability of both new calls and handoff calls will be successfully derived at the same time. Furthermore, our numerical analysis validates the algorithm and the corresponding theoretic expression.
A CONTINUATION METHOD AND ITS CONVERGENCE FOR SOLVING NONLINEAR EQUATIONS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: PRASHANTH M. , GUPTA D. K.
Published: April 2013

A continuation method is a parameter based iterative method establishing a continuous connection between two given functions/operators and used for solving nonlinear equations in Banach spaces. The semilocal convergence of a continuation method combining Chebyshev's method and Convex acceleration of Newton's method for solving nonlinear equations in Banach spaces is established in [J. A. Ezquerro, J. M. Gutiérrez and M. A. Hernández [1997] J. Appl. Math. Comput.85: 181–199] using majorizing sequences under the assumption that the second Frechet derivative satisfies the Lipschitz continuity condition.

The aim of this paper is to use recurrence relations instead of majorizing sequences to establish the convergence analysis of such a method. This leads to a simpler approach with improved results. An existence–uniqueness theorem is given. Also, a closed form of error bounds is derived in terms of a real parameter α ∈ [0, 1]. Four numerical examples are worked out to demonstrate the efficacy of our convergence analysis. On comparing the existence and uniqueness region and error bounds for the solution obtained by our analysis with those obtained by using majorizing sequences, it is found that our analysis gives better results in three examples, whereas in one example it gives the same results. Further, we have observed that for particular values of the α, our analysis reduces to those for Chebyshev's method (α = 0) and Convex acceleration of Newton's method (α = 1) respectively with improved results.
Adaptive appetites for salted and unsalted food in rats: differential effects of sodium depletion, DOCA, and dehydration
Authors: McKinley M. J.
Published: April 2013

Most ingested sodium is contained in food. The aim was to investigate whether sodium depletion, dehydration, or DOCA alters intakes of salted and unsalted foods by rats given choices of two foods: salted (0.2–0.5% Na) and unsalted food containing either similar or different other dietary components. Diuretic-induced (furosemide or acetazolamide, two treatments on successive days) sodium depletion always caused pronounced falls in intake of unsalted food within 24 h, continuing at least another 2 days (e.g., 20.9 ± 1.6 pretreatment to 14.8 ± 1.2, 10.6 ± 1.5, and 14.3 ± 1.3 g/day for 3 days of depletion). Intake and preference for salted food increased after 24–72 h (e.g., 6.5 ± 1.2 pretreatment to 7.1 ± 1.1, 16.4 ± 2.3, and 17.0 ± 1.5 g/day at 1, 2, and 3 days of depletion). Valsartan (10 mg/day) blocked the increased intake of salted food but not the reduced intake of unsalted food. DOCA (2 mg/day) caused equivalent increase and decrease in intakes of salted and unsalted food, respectively. Water-deprived rats reduced intake (e.g., 14.2 ± 3.1 to 3.2 ± 2.0 g/day) of and preference for salted food (e.g., 56 ± 13% to 21 ± 11%) after 2 days of dehydration but did not consistently reduce intake of unsalted food. Total food ingested/day fell in both sodium-depleted and dehydrated rats. Rats regulate intakes of different foods to balance sodium needs, osmoregulatory homeostasis, and energy requirements. Reduced appetite for unsalted food may be a homeostatic response to sodium depletion, which together with subsequent generation of appetite for salted food, drives animals to ingest sodium-containing food, thereby restoring sodium balance.
Adaptive Computing Resource Allocation for Mobile Cloud Computing
Authors: Liang Hongbin , Xing Tianyi , Cai Lin X. , Huang Dijiang , Peng Daiyuan , Liu Yan
Published: April 2013

Mobile cloud computing (MCC) enables mobile devices to outsource their computing, storage and other tasks onto the cloud to achieve more capacities and higher performance. One of the most critical research issues is how the cloud can efficiently handle the possible overwhelming requests from mobile users when the cloud resource is limited. In this paper, a novel MCC adaptive resource allocation model is proposed to achieve the optimal resource allocation in terms of the maximal overall system reward by considering both cloud and mobile devices. To achieve this goal, we model the adaptive resource allocation as a semi-Markov decision process (SMDP) to capture the dynamic arrivals and departures of resource requests. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate that our proposed model can achieve higher system reward and lower service blocking probability compared to traditional approaches based on greedy resource allocation algorithm. Performance comparisons with various MCC resource allocation schemes are also provided.
On Best Proximity Point Theorems and Fixed Point Theorems for -Cyclic Hybrid Self-Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: De la Sen M.
Published: April 2013

This paper relies on the study of fixed points and best proximity points of a class of so-called generalized point-dependent -hybrid -cyclic self-mappings relative to a Bregman distance , associated with a Gâteaux differentiable proper strictly convex function in a smooth Banach space, where the real functions and quantify the point-to-point hybrid and nonexpansive (or contractive) characteristics of the Bregman distance for points associated with the iterations through the cyclic self-mapping. Weak convergence results to weak cluster points are obtained for certain average sequences constructed with the iterates of the cyclic hybrid self-mappings.
Fracture of Ceramic Liner and Head in a Total Hip Arthroplasty with a Sandwich Type Cup
Authors: Reátegui Diego , García Sebastián , Bori Guillem , Gallart Xavier
Published: April 2013

Due to its advantages, ceramic-on-ceramic bearings have been widely used in young patients for almost 30 years. Long-term survivorship, low wear, and low biological reactivity to particles are some of its characteristics. Even though this material has had a lot of improvements, the risk of fracture is one of the concerns. There have been reports of fracture of ceramic in the acetabular liner and head but no fractures of both in the same patient. We report a case of a fracture in a sandwich type acetabular liner and the ceramic head in a patient involving ankylosing spondylitis. It occurred three years after the operation and with no history of direct trauma. We decided to change the bearing surfaces to metal polyethylene without removing the metal back. The patient is satisfied by the clinical results after a 5-year followup.
Age-Dependent Fecal Bacterial Correlation to Inflammatory Bowel Disease for Newly Diagnosed Untreated Children
Authors: Nwosu Felix Chinweije , Thorkildsen Lill-Therse , Avershina Ekaterina , Ricanek Petr , Perminow Gøri , Brackmann Stephan , Vatn Morten H. , Rudi Knut
Published: April 2013

The knowledge about correlation patterns between the fecal microbiota and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—comprising the two subforms Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)—for newly diagnosed untreated children is limited. To address this knowledge gap, a selection of faecal specimens (CD,n=27and UC,n=16) and non-IBD controls (n=30) children (age < 18 years) was analysed utilising bacterial small subunit (SSU) rRNA. We found, surprising age dependence for the fecal microbiota correlating to IBD. The most pronounced patterns were thatE. coliwas positively (R2=0.16,P=0.05) and Bacteroidetes, negatively (R2=0.15,P=0.05) correlated to age for CD patients. For UC, we found an apparent opposite age-related disease correlation for bothBacteroidesandEscherichia. In addition, there was an overrepresentation ofHaemophilusfor the UC children. From our, results we propose a model where the aetiology of IBD is related to an on-going immunological development in children requiring different age-dependent bacterial stimuli. The impact of our findings could be a better age stratification for understanding and treating IBD in children.
Effects of Pioglitazone on Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Nondiabetic Patients (EPICAMP Study): A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shokouh Pedram , Joharimoghadam Adel , Roohafza Hamidreza , Sadeghi Masoumeh , Golabchi Allahyar , Boshtam Maryam , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: April 2013

The present trial aimed to investigate the effects of pioglitazone on the serum level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a marker of endothelial function, and some indices of inflammation and glucose and lipid metabolism in nondiabetic metabolic syndrome patients. 104 eligible participants (57% female; age between 20 and 70) were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial and were randomized to receive either pioglitazone (uptitrated to 30 mg/day) or matching placebo for 24 weeks. Participants were clinically examined and a blood sample was obtained at baseline and at the end of the trial. Pioglitazone significantly improved C-reactive protein level irrespective of changes in insulin sensitivity. Compared with the placebo group, alanine and aspartate transaminases were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased after treatment with pioglitazone. A considerably greater weight gain was also recorded in the intervention group. We failed to observe any significant changes in serum ADMA in either group and between groups with and without adjustment for age, sex, and components of the metabolic syndrome. In a nutshell, pioglitazone seems to have positive effects on lipid profile, liver transaminases, and systemic inflammation. However, its previously demonstrated endothelial function-improving properties do not seem to be mediated by ADMA.
Rate of Convergence of Hermite-Fejér Interpolation on the Unit Circle
Authors: Berriochoa E. , Cachafeiro A. , Díaz J. , Martínez-Brey E.
Published: April 2013

The paper deals with the order of convergence of the Laurent polynomials of Hermite-Fejér interpolation on the unit circle with nodal system, thenroots of a complex number with modulus one. The supremum norm of the error of interpolation is obtained for analytic functions as well as the corresponding asymptotic constants.
Resistin Regulates Pituitary Lipid Metabolism and InflammationIn VivoandIn Vitro
Authors: Rodriguez-Pacheco F. , Novelle M. G. , Vazquez M. J. , Garcia-Escobar E. , Soriguer F. , Rojo-Martinez G. , García-Fuentes E. , Malagon M. M. , Dieguez C.
Published: April 2013

The adipokine resistin is an insulin-antagonizing factor that also plays a regulatory role in inflammation, immunity, food intake, and gonadal function and also regulates growth hormone (GH) secretion in rat adenopituitary cells cultures with the adipokine. Although adipose tissue is the primary source of resistin, it is also expressed in other tissues, including the pituitary. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible action of resistin on the lipid metabolism in the pituitary glandin vivo(rats in two different nutritional status, fed and fast, treated with resistin on acute and a chronic way) andin vitro(adenopituitary cell cultures treated with the adipokine). Here, by a combination ofin vivoandin vitroexperimental models, we demonstrated that central acute and chronic administration of resistin enhance mRNA levels of the lipid metabolic enzymes which participated on lipolysis and moreover inhibiting mRNA levels of the lipid metabolic enzymes involved in lipogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that resistin has a regulatory role on lipid metabolism in the pituitary gland providing a novel insight in relation to the mechanism by which this adipokine can participate in the integrated control of lipid metabolism.
A Yoga and Compassion Meditation Program Reduces Stress in Familial Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Authors: Danucalov M. A. D. , Kozasa E. H. , Ribas K. T. , Galduróz J. C. F. , Garcia M. C. , Verreschi I. T. N. , Oliveira K. C. , Romani de Oliveira L. , Leite J. R.
Published: April 2013

Familial caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease exhibit reduced quality of life and increased stress levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week yoga and compassion meditation program on the perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and salivary cortisol levels in familial caregivers. A total of 46 volunteers were randomly assigned to participate in a stress-reduction program for a 2-month period (yoga and compassion meditation program—YCMP group) (n=25) or an untreated group for the same period of time (control group) (n=21). The levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and morning salivary cortisol of the participants were measured before and after intervention. The groups were initially homogeneous; however, after intervention, the groups diverged significantly. The YCMP group exhibited a reduction of the stress (P<0.05), anxiety (P<0.000001), and depression (P<0.00001) levels, as well as a reduction in the concentration of salivary cortisol (P<0.05). Our study suggests that an 8-week yoga and compassion meditation program may offer an effective intervention for reducing perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and salivary cortisol in familial caregivers.
Existence and Asymptotic Behavior of Traveling Wave Fronts for a Time-Delayed Degenerate Diffusion Equation
Authors: Yan Weifang , Liu Rui
Published: April 2013

This paper is concerned with traveling wave fronts for a degenerate diffusion equation with time delay. We first establish the necessary and sufficient conditions to the existence of monotone increasing and decreasing traveling wave fronts, respectively. Moreover, special attention is paid to the asymptotic behavior of traveling wave fronts connecting two uniform steady states. Some previous results are extended.
Construction and Preliminary Characterization Analysis of Wuzhishan Miniature Pig Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Library with Approximately 8-Fold Genome Equivalent Coverage
Authors: Liu Changqing , Guo Yuo , Lu Taofeng , Wu Hongmei , Na Risu , Li Xiangchen , Guan Weijun , Ma Yuehui
Published: April 2013

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries have been invaluable tools for the genome-wide genetic dissection of complex organisms. Here, we report the construction and characterization of a high-redundancy BAC library from a very valuable pig breed in China, Wuzhishan miniature pig (Sus scrofa), using its blood cells and fibroblasts, respectively. The library contains approximately 153,600 clones ordered in 40 superpools of 10 × 384-deep well microplates. The average insert size of BAC clones was estimated to be 152.3 kb, representing approximately 7.68 genome equivalents of the porcine haploid genome and a 99.93% statistical probability of obtaining at least one clone containing a unique DNA sequence in the library. 19 pairs of microsatellite marker primers covering porcine chromosomes were used for screening the BAC library, which showed that each of these markers was positive in the library; the positive clone number was 2 to 9, and the average number was 7.89, which was consistent with 7.68-fold coverage of the porcine genome. And there were no significant differences of genomic BAC library from blood cells and fibroblast cells. Therefore, we identified 19 microsatellite markers that could potentially be used as genetic markers. As a result, this BAC library will serve as a valuable resource for gene identification, physical mapping, and comparative genomics and large-scale genome sequencing in the porcine.
Microglial Dysregulation in Psychiatric Disease
Authors: Frick Luciana Romina , Williams Kyle , Pittenger Christopher
Published: April 2013

Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, are phagocytes of the macrophage lineage that have a key role in responding to inflammation and immune challenge in the brain. More recently, they have been shown to have a number of important roles beyond immune surveillance and response, including synaptic pruning during development and the support of adult neurogenesis. Microglial abnormalities have been found in several neuropsychiatric conditions, though in most cases it remains unclear whether these are causative or are a reaction to some other underlying pathophysiology. Here we summarize postmortem, animal, neuroimaging, and other evidence for microglial pathology in major depression, schizophrenia, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette syndrome. We identify gaps in the existing literature and important areas for future research. If microglial pathology proves to be an important causative factor in these or other neuropsychiatric diseases, modulators of microglial function may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
Some Properties of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Soft Rings
Authors: Ersoy B. A. , Onar S. , Hila K. , Davvaz B.
Published: April 2013

Maji et al. introduced the concept of intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets, which is an extension of soft sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. In this paper, we apply the concept of intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets to rings. The concept of intuitionistic fuzzy soft rings is introduced and some basic properties of intuitionistic fuzzy soft rings are given. Intersection, union, AND, and OR operations of intuitionistic fuzzy soft rings are defined. Then, the deffinitions of intuitionistic fuzzy soft ideals are proposed and some related results are considered.
Mathematical Modeling of a Supply Chain with Imperfect Transport and Two-Echelon Trade Credits
Authors: Thangam A.
Published: April 2013

Although a smoothly running supply chain is ideal, the reality is to deal with imperfectness in transportations. This paper tries to propose a mathematical model for a supply chain under the effect of unexpected disruptions in transport. Supplier offers the retailer a trade credit period and the retailer in turn offers his customers a permissible delay period. The retailer offers his customers a credit period and he receives the revenue from to , where is the cycle time at the retailer. Under this situation, the three cases such as , , and are discussed. An EPQ-based model is established and retailer's optimal replenishment policy is obtained through mathematical theorems. Finally, numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are presented to felicitate the proposed model.
A Lifespan Developmental-Stage Approach to Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse Prevention
Authors: Sussman Steve
Published: April 2013

At least by informal design, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention programs are tailored to human developmental stage. However, few papers have been written to examine how programming has been formulated as a function of developmental stage throughout the lifespan. In this paper, I briefly define lifespan development, how it pertains to etiology of tobacco and other drug use, and how prevention programming might be constructed by five developmental stages: (a) young child, (b) older child, (c) young teen, (d) older teen, and (e) adult (emerging, young-to-middle and older adult substages). A search of the literature on tobacco and other drug abuse prevention by developmental stage was conducted, and multiple examples of programs are provided for each stage. A total of 34 programs are described as examples of each stage (five-young children, 12-older children, eight-young teens, four-older teens, and five-adults). Implications for future program development research are stated. In particular, I suggest that programming continue to be developed for all stages in the lifespan, as opposed to focusing on a single stage and that developmentally appropriate features continues to be pursued to maximize program impact.
Discrete Model Reference Adaptive Control for Gimbal Servosystem of Control Moment Gyro with Harmonic Drive
Authors: Han Bangcheng , Chen Yanpeng , Li Haitao , Yang Lianhui
Published: April 2013

The double-gimbal control moment gyro (DGCMG) demands that the gimbal servosystem should have fast response and small overshoot. But due to the low and nonlinear torsional stiffness of harmonic drive, the gimbal servo-system has poor dynamic performance with large overshoot and low bandwidth. In order to improve the dynamic performance of gimbal servo-system, a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) law is introduced in this paper. The model of DGCMG gimbal servo-system with harmonic drive is established, and the adaptive control law based on POPOV super stable theory is designed. The MATLAB simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm. The experimental results indicate that the MRAC could increase the bandwidth of gimbal servo-system to 3 Hz and improve the dynamic performance with small overshoot.
Spatiotemporal Simulation of Tourist Town Growth Based on the Cellular Automata Model: The Case of Sanpo Town in Hebei Province
Authors: Yang Jun , Xie Peng , Xi Jianchao , Ge Quansheng , Li Xueming , Kong Fanqiang
Published: April 2013

Spatiotemporal simulation of tourist town growth is important for research on land use/cover change under the influence of urbanization. Many scholars have shown great interest in the unique pattern of driving urban development with tourism development. Based on the cellular automata (CA) model, we simulated and predicted the spatiotemporal growth of Sanpo town in Hebei Province, using the tourism urbanization growth model. Results showed that (1) average annual growth rate of the entire region was 1.5 Ha2per year from 2005 to 2010, 4 Ha2per year from 2010 to 2015, and 2.5 Ha2per year from 2015 to 2020; (2) urban growth rate increased yearly, with regional differences, and had a high degree of correlation with the Euclidean distance of town center, traffic route, attractions, and other factors; (3) Gougezhuang, an important village center in the west of the town, demonstrated traffic advantages and increased growth rate since 2010; (4) Magezhuang village has the largest population in the region, so economic advantages have driven the development of rural urbanization. It showed that CA had high reliability in simulating the spatiotemporal evolution of tourist town, which assists the study of spatiotemporal growth under urbanization and rational protection of tourism resources.
The Epidemic of Non–Hodgkin Lymphoma in the United States: Disentangling the Effect of HIV, 1992–2009
Authors: Shiels Meredith S. , Engels Eric A. , Linet Martha S. , Clarke Christina A. , Li Jianmin , Hall H. Irene , Hartge Patricia , Morton Lindsay M.
Published: April 2013

Background: For decades, non–Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) incidence has been increasing worldwide. NHL risk is strongly increased among HIV-infected people. Our understanding of trends in NHL incidence has been hampered by difficulties in separating HIV-infected NHL cases from general population rates.

Methods: NHL incidence data during 1992–2009 were derived from 10 U.S. SEER cancer registries with information on HIV status at NHL diagnosis. The CDC estimated the number of people living with HIV in the registry areas. The proportion of NHL cases with HIV and NHL rates in the total and the HIV-uninfected populations were estimated. Time trends were assessed with Joinpoint analyses.

Results: Of 115,643 NHL cases diagnosed during 1992–2009, 5.9% were HIV-infected. The proportions of NHL cases with HIV were highest for diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL; 7.8%), Burkitt (26.9%), and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (3.2%) with low proportions (≤1.1%) in the other subtypes. NHL rates in the total population increased 0.3% per year during 1992–2009. However, rates of NHL in HIV-uninfected people increased 1.4% per year during 1992–2003, before becoming stable through 2009. Similar trends were observed for DLBCLs and follicular lymphoma in HIV-uninfected people; rates increased 2.7% per year until 2003 and 1.7% per year until 2005, respectively, before stabilizing.

Conclusions: NHL incidence rates in the United States have plateaued over the last 5–10 years, independent of HIV infection.

Impact: Although the causes of the long-term increase in NHL incidence rates in the United States remain unknown, general population rates of NHL have stabilized since the early 2000s, independent of HIV. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(6); 1069–78. ©2013 AACR.
Phylogenomics Supports a Cellularly Structured Urancestor
Authors: Seufferheld Manfredo J. , Caetano-Anollés Gustavo
Published: April 2013

Cells and viruses are structured and harbor complex organization. This manifests in intra- and extracellular compartments such as reticuli and periplasmic spaces, storage and energy-harvesting organelles such as acidocalcisomes and mitochondria, and specialized structures that hold genomic repositories such as nuclei and capsids. Structural phylogenomic reconstruction of the protein repertoire of the common ancestor of life, the urancestor, suggests these entities that existed 2.9 billion years ago were not only complex from a structural and functional point of view, but were also cellularly structured. We also provide support to the existence of urancestral storage organelles that were analogous to acidocalcisomes. These cellular structures probably accumulated compounds that stored energy in their phosphoanhydride bonds, such as polyphosphates. These energy-rich compounds necessary for thioester and pyrophosphate intermediates would have channeled the abundant redox energy of early Earth to the early metabolic needs of the primordial cells. Our findings are compatible with a relatively complex urancestral cell and with abundant microfossil evidence supporting the existence of primordial microbial communities as far back as 3.4 billion years ago. Results highlight the centrality of the cellular compartment and bioenergetics in the early evolutionary stages of life.
Reduction of Skin pH during Treatment for Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis: A Conjecture on the Role of pH-Regulated Water Channel, i.e. Aquaporin
Authors: Nakahigashi Kyoko , Nomura Takashi , Miyachi Yoshiki , Kabashima Kenji
Published: April 2013

Primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a disorder that involves excessive sweating on the palms and soles. Although the pathophysiology of PPH remains unknown, some treatments, including topical aluminum chloride (AC) and tap water iontophoresis (TWI), are effective at suppressing the perspiration. Herein, we report the kinetics of the skin pH of two cases of PPH treated with AC and TWI. We found that the skin pH decreased in accordance with the reduction in sweating. This finding indicates that the reduction in sweating may be attributed to the reduction of skin pH in AC and TWI. Whether or not the pH-regulated function of aquaporin can explain this finding remains unknown.
Radiation-Induced Cavernoma after Total Body Irradiation and Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in an Adult Patient Suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Authors: Walch Julia , Tettenborn Barbara , Weber Johannes , Hundsberger Thomas
Published: April 2013

Cerebral cavernomas are thin-walled vascular lesions composed of dilated capillary spaces. De novo formation of cavernomas after cerebral radiotherapy has been suspected since 1994. They are mostly seen in children after irradiation of brain tumours. Radiation dose and the developing juvenile brain are predisposing factors causing cavernomas. However, the underlying mechanisms are still far from being understood. In adults, radiation-induced cavernomas (RICs) usually occur 10 years after a high cumulative radiation dosage of >30 Gy. Here, we report a 45-year-old man with new-onset focal epileptic seizures caused by a haemorrhagic lesion noted on cerebral computed tomography scan. Brain MRI showed the typical appearance of a ruptured cavernoma. Of note, a cerebral MRI scan 5 years earlier showed no corresponding lesion. The patient had been treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) 16 years before. As part of this procedure, total body irradiation (TBI) consisting of 12 Gy was administered. According to the data from the literature, the typical delay from irradiation and a former normal brain MRI scan, we assume that our patient suffers from a RIC. To our knowledge, this is the first documented adult AML patient with a RIC treated with TBI. We aim to increase awareness among neurologists for the association of cranial irradiation or TBI and de novo cavernomas in patients suffering from malignant diseases.
Alcohol intake and risk of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Gaborit Freja , Overvad Kim , Nørgaard Mette , Kristensen Søren , Tjønneland Anne , Severinsen Marianne
Published: April 2013

Knowledge about the influence of alcohol intake on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is limited. We investigated the risk of VTE according to alcohol intake and drinking pattern among 27,178 men and 29,876 women participating in the Danish follow-up study Diet, Cancer and Health. Information on alcohol exposure and potential confounders were obtained from baseline questionnaires. We used Cox proportional hazard models to assess the association between VTE and alcohol intake. We performed separate analyses for the two sexes. During follow-up 619 incidents VTE events were verified. The lowest incidence rates of VTE were found for an average weekly intake of 3.9–13.9 standard drinks per weeks both for men and women. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 0.91 [95%CI: 0.69–1.19] for women and 0.75 [95%CI: 0.56–1.02] for men according to an average alcohol intake of 3.9–13.9 standard drinks per week compared with low alcohol intake. In men, alcohol intake 2–6 times per week was associated with a lower risk of VTE compared to once per week (HR 0.77 [95%CI: 0.59–0.99]), but the difference disappeared after adjustment for total alcohol intake. We found no difference in the risk of VTE according to wine and beer intake. In conclusion, we found no consistent or statistically significant association between VTE and alcohol intake. Our data showed a u-formed association between alcohol intake and VTE, indicating that moderate alcohol intake may lower the risk of VTE with 10–30% in men.
Cortistatin Inhibits Migration and Proliferation of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Decreases Neointimal Formation on Carotid Artery Ligation
Authors: Duran-Prado Mario , Morell Maria , Delgado-Maroto Virginia , Castaño Justo P. , Aneiros-Fernandez Jose , de Lecea Luis , Culler Michael D. , Hernandez-Cortes Pedro , O’Valle Francisco , Delgado Mario
Published: April 2013

Rationale:

Proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are key steps for the progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Cortistatin is a multifunctional neuropeptide belonging to the somatostatin family that exerts unique functions in the nervous and immune systems. Cortistatin is elevated in plasma of patients experiencing coronary heart disease and attenuates vascular calcification.

Objective:

To investigate the occurrence of vascular cortistatin and its effects on the proliferation and migration of SMCs in vitro and in vivo and to delimitate the receptors and signal transduction pathways governing its actions.

Methods and Results:

SMCs from mouse carotid and human aortic arteries and from human atherosclerotic plaques highly expressed cortistatin. Cortistatin expression positively correlated with the progression of arterial intima hyperplasia. Cortistatin inhibited platelet-derived growth factor–stimulated proliferation of human aortic SMCs via binding to somatostatin receptors (sst2 and sst5) and ghrelin receptor, induction of cAMP and p38-mitogen–activated protein kinase, and inhibition of Akt activity. Moreover, cortistatin impaired lamellipodia formation and migration of human aortic SMCs toward platelet-derived growth factor by inhibiting, in a ghrelin-receptor–dependent manner, Rac1 activation and cytosolic calcium increases. These effects on SMC proliferation and migration correlated with an inhibitory action of cortistatin on the neointimal formation in 2 models of carotid arterial ligation. Endogenous cortistatin seems to play a critical role in regulating SMC function because cortistatin-deficient mice developed higher neointimal hyperplasic lesions than wild-type mice.

Conclusions:

Cortistatin emerges as a natural endogenous regulator of SMCs under pathological conditions and an attractive candidate for the pharmacological management of vascular diseases that course with neointimal lesion formation.
Human Rights Treaty Bodies and the Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice
Authors: Zimmermann Andreas
Published: April 2013

Abstract

In recent years, the ICJ has had to deal more and more often with alleged violations of major human rights treaties and the respective compromissory clauses contained in such treaties. Yet, the interrelationship between the Court’s treaty-based jurisdiction under such clauses and State complaint mechanisms, as provided for in human rights treaties, has not yet been fully considered and analysed. Moreover, there might also be interlinkages between the ICJ’s contentious jurisdiction under Article 36 (2) of the ICJ Statute and such State complaint procedures.
Procedural Developments at the International Court of Justice
Authors: Bordin Fernando Lusa
Published: April 2013

Abstract

The present column covers procedural developments at the International Court of Justice in the period spanning from 1 April 2012 to 31 January 2013. These include: the consideration by the Court of the critical date to ascertain the existence of a dispute, and of the locus standi of States to bring claims in the collective interest, in the Questions relating to the Obligation to Prosecute or Extradite case; questions arising from the decision that a new claim was admissible but could not be upheld in the Territorial and Maritime Dispute case; and proof and quantification of material and moral damages in the Diallo/Compensation case.
Social Participation in Indonesian Media and Art: Echoes from the Past, Visions for the Future
Authors: Jurriëns Edwin
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This article uses a critical and historical perspective to examine some of the achievements of Indonesian community media, the problems they have encountered, as well as the solutions they are offering. It analyses the similarities and differences with earlier genres with an explicit participatory agenda, including certain forms of LEKRA literature and art of the 1950s and 1960s, ‘people’s theatre’ since the 1970s, and ‘conscientization art’ since the 1980s. One of the main challenges for contemporary community media has been to reconcile class differences in the collaboration between media or art facilitators and local communities. These and other factors have affected the accessibility, distribution, sustainability and reach of their ideas, activities and outputs. The article demonstrates how facilitators and practitioners have tried to solve some of these problems through the exploration of alternative media networks, formats and content.
Modern Hindu Intellectuals and Ancient Texts: Reforming Śaiva Yoga in Bali
Authors: Acri Andrea
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This article aims at providing a fresh perspective on the modern, reformed version of ‘Balinese Hinduism’ that came to the fore on the island since the early 20th century. It describes certain important elements of doctrinal continuity and change in the light of the pre-colonial Śaiva religious discourse, on the basis of textual and historical data that have so far been neglected. It attempts to show that the Javano-Balinese theological tradition is characterized by a remarkable continuity, especially when it comes to its exegetical and text-building practices, but also by important elements of changes. To investigate the nature of such changes—in particular the treatment of Yoga in selected textual sources—and the historical and cultural dynamics behind them is the main concern of this article.
Dutch Colonial Containment of Islam in Manggarai, West-Flores, in Favour of Catholicism, 1907-1942
Authors: Steenbrink Karel
Published: April 2013

Abstract

West Flores or Manggarai was until 1900 known as territory of the Muslim Sultan of Bima. In 1907 the Dutch effectively took possession of the region and after 1910 they entrusted the introduction of schools to the Catholic missionaries. The coastal Muslim settlements were neglected in favour of the mountain region, where finally one local chief, mission-educated Alexander Baroek became the most important native counterpart of the colonial rule. The ties with Bima were formally broken in the 1920s. Herewith Catholicism gained political and social influence to the detriment of the expansion of Islam and Manggarai joined the rest of Flores to become a majority Catholic society. There was no overall strategy to destroy Muslim influence, but it was simply the result of a longer chain of not always related decisions. This choice was in line with the colonial strategy of creating a prosperous Flores.
Haploperla choui sp. n. (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae), a remarkable new stonefly from Qinling Mountains of China
Authors: LI WEIHAI , YAO GANG , QIN XUEFENG
Published: April 2013

A new chloroperline stonefly species, Haploperla choui from the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China is de-scribed. It is compared to other species of the genus known from Asia.
Ecological remarks and re-description of the hermit crab-associated pleustid amphipod Pleusymtes japonica (Gurjanova, 1938) (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Pleustidae: Pleusymtinae) from the Russian coasts of the Sea of Japan
Authors: IVAN MARIN , SERGEY SINELNIKOV , AGNIYA SOKOLOVA
Published: April 2013

Numerous specimens of poorly known pleustid amphipod Pleusymtes japonica (Gurjanova, 1938) (Crustacea: Amphipo-da: Pleustidae: Pleusymtinae) were found in association with large hermit crab Pagurus ochotensis Brandt, 1851 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) near Furugelma Island in the Sea of Japan. This is the first report of the species in association with hermit crabs. Amphipods were found living close to the shell aperture and hermit crab feeding append-ages. Color photographs, remarks on ecology and re-description of the species are given.
The adult stage of Paracloeodes charrua Emmerich & Nieto, 2009 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)
Authors: LIMA LUCAS R.C. , CRUZ PAULO VILELA , PINHEIRO ULISSES
Published: April 2013

The genus Paracloeodes Day, 1955, included originally one new species, Paracloeodes abditus Day, 1955, known from nymphs and adults from the USA and one species transferred from Cloeodes Traver, 1938, P. portoricensis (Traver, 1938) from Puerto Rico. Later, McCafferty & Waltz (1990) synonymized the type species with Paracloeodes minutus (Daggy, 1945). Currently, the genus is represented in the New World by 19 species with 14 species reported from South America.
Homogenisation approach in analysis of creep behaviour in multipass weld
Authors: Lvov I. , Naumenko K. , Altenbach H.
Published: April 2013

Different zones of welded joints are subjected to different temperature fields during the process of welding. Furthermore, in multi-pass welding, heating and cooling cycles, which occur due to the overlap of the pass beads, lead to the formation of complex microstructures. A method of evaluating the creep response of a multipass weld based on the micromacro mechanics approach is introduced. Multipass weld microstructures consisting of a columnar zone, which can be related to the microstructure of a single pass weld, and a heat affected zones are considered. To model the microstructure of the multipass weld metal the representative volume element (RVE) method is employed. Numerical tests on one-component loading of the RVEs are performed and creep material properties for equivalent weld material reported for welds with different number of passes.
Multiple mismatches at the low expression HLA loci DP, DQ, and DRB3/4/5 associate with adverse outcomes in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Fernández-Viña Marcelo A. , Klein John P. , Haagenson Michael , Spellman Stephen R. , Anasetti Claudio , Noreen Harriet , Baxter-Lowe Lee Ann , Cano Pedro , Flomenberg Neal , Confer Dennis L. , Horowitz Mary M. , Oudshoorn Machteld , Petersdorf Effie W. , Setterholm Michelle , Champlin Richard , Lee Stephanie J. , de Lima Marcos
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Three or more mismatches at the Low Expression Loci may adversely affect clinical outcome after 7/8 matched transplantation. Match grade at the Low Expression HLA Loci may be considered to select 7/8 donors with potentially lower posttransplant risks.
Complete chloroplast genome of the genus Cymbidium: lights into the species identification, phylogenetic implications and population genetic analyses
Authors: Yang Jun-Bo , Tang Min , Li Hong-Tao , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Li De-Zhu
Published: April 2013

Background

Cymbidium orchids, including some 50 species, are the famous flowers, and they possess high commercial value in the floricultural industry. Furthermore, the values of different orchids are great differences. However, species identification is very difficult. To a certain degree, chloroplast DNA sequence data are a versatile tool for species identification and phylogenetic implications in plants. Different chloroplast loci have been utilized for evaluating phylogenetic relationships at each classification level among plant species, including at the interspecies and intraspecies levels. However, there is no evidence that a short sequence can distinguish all plant species from each other in order to infer phylogenetic relationships. Molecular markers derived from the complete chloroplast genome can provide effective tools for species identification and phylogenetic resolution.

Results

The complete nucleotide sequences of eight individuals from a total of five Cymbidium species’ chloroplast (cp) genomes were determined using Illumina sequencing technology of the total DNA via a combination of de novo and reference-guided assembly. The length of the Cymbidium cp genome is about 155 kb. The cp genomes contain 123 unique genes, and the IR regions contain 24 duplicates. Although the genomes, including genome structure, gene order and orientation, are similar to those of other orchids, they are not evolutionarily conservative. The cp genome of Cymbidium evolved moderately with more than 3% sequence divergence, which could provide enough information for phylogeny. Rapidly evolving chloroplast genome regions were identified and 11 new divergence hotspot regions were disclosed for further phylogenetic study and species identification in Orchidaceae.

Conclusions

Phylogenomic analyses were conducted using 10 complete chloroplast genomes from seven orchid species. These data accurately identified the individuals and established the phylogenetic relationships between the species. The results reveal that phylogenomics based on organelle genome sequencing lights the species identification—organelle-scale “barcodes”, and is also an effective approach for studying whole populations and phylogenetic characteristics of Cymbidium.
Simultaneous miRNA and mRNA transcriptome profiling of human myoblasts reveals a novel set of myogenic differentiation-associated miRNAs and their target genes
Authors: Dmitriev Petr , Barat Ana , Polesskaya Anna , O’Connell Mary J , Robert Thomas , Dessen Philippe , Walsh Thomas A , Lazar Vladimir , Turki Ahmed , Carnac Gilles , Laoudj-Chenivesse Dalila , Lipinski Marc , Vassetzky Yegor S
Published: April 2013

Background

miRNA profiling performed in myogenic cells and biopsies from skeletal muscles has previously identified miRNAs involved in myogenesis.

Results

Here, we have performed miRNA transcriptome profiling in human affinity-purified CD56+ myoblasts induced to differentiatein vitro. In total, we have identified 60 miRNAs differentially expressed during myogenic differentiation. Many were not known for being differentially expressed during myogenic differentiation. Of these, 14 (miR-23b, miR-28, miR-98, miR-103, miR-107, miR-193a, miR-210, miR-324-5p, miR-324-3p, miR-331, miR-374, miR-432, miR-502, and miR-660) were upregulated and 6 (miR-31, miR-451, miR-452, miR-565, miR-594 and miR-659) were downregulated. mRNA transcriptome profiling performed in parallel resulted in identification of 6,616 genes differentially expressed during myogenic differentiation.

Conclusions

This simultaneous miRNA/mRNA transcriptome profiling allowed us to predict with high accuracy target genes of myogenesis-related microRNAs and to deduce their functions.