bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcription of TP0126, Treponema pallidum Putative OmpW Homolog, Is Regulated by the Length of a Homopolymeric Guanosine Repeat
Authors: Giacani Lorenzo , Brandt Stephanie L. , Ke Wujian , Reid Tara B. , Molini Barbara J. , Iverson-Cabral Stefanie , Ciccarese Giulia , Drago Francesco , Lukehart Sheila A. , Centurion-Lara Arturo
Published: March 2015

An effective mechanism for introduction of phenotypic diversity within a bacterial population exploits changes in the length of repetitive DNA elements located within gene promoters. This phenomenon, known as phase variation, causes rapid activation or silencing of gene expression and fosters bacterial adaptation to new or changing environments. Phase variation often occurs in surface-exposed proteins, and in
Treponema pallidum
subsp.
pallidum
, the syphilis agent, it was reported to affect transcription of three putative outer membrane protein (OMP)-encoding genes. When the
T. pallidum
subsp.
pallidum
Nichols strain genome was initially annotated, the TP0126 open reading frame was predicted to include a poly(G) tract and did not appear to have a predicted signal sequence that might suggest the possibility of its being an OMP. Here we show that the initial annotation was incorrect, that this poly(G) is instead located within the TP0126 promoter, and that it varies in length
in vivo
during experimental syphilis. Additionally, we show that TP0126 transcription is affected by changes in the poly(G) length consistent with regulation by phase variation.
In silico
analysis of the TP0126 open reading frame based on the experimentally identified transcriptional start site shortens this hypothetical protein by 69 amino acids, reveals a predicted cleavable signal peptide, and suggests structural homology with the OmpW family of porins. Circular dichroism of recombinant TP0126 supports structural homology to OmpW. Together with the evidence that TP0126 is fully conserved among
T. pallidum
subspecies and strains, these data suggest an important role for TP0126 in
T. pallidum
biology and syphilis pathogenesis.
A Humoral Immune Defect Distinguishes the Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Mice with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes from That in Mice with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Farnsworth Christopher W. , Shehatou Cindy T. , Maynard Robert , Nishitani Kohei , Kates Stephen L. , Zuscik Michael J. , Schwarz Edward M. , Daiss John L. , Mooney Robert A.
Published: March 2015

Obesity and diabetes are among the greatest risk factors for infection following total joint arthroplasty. However, the underlying mechanism of susceptibility is unclear. We compared orthopedic implant-associated
Staphylococcus aureus
infections in type 1 (T1D) versus type 2 (T2D) diabetic mouse models and in patients with
S. aureus
infections, focusing on the adaptive immune response. Mice were fed a high-fat diet to initiate obesity and T2D. T1D was initiated with streptozotocin. Mice were then given a trans-tibial implant that was precoated with bioluminescent Xen36
S. aureus
. Although both mouse models of diabetes demonstrated worse infection severity than controls, infection in T2D mice was more severe, as indicated by increases in bioluminescence,
S. aureus
CFU in tissue, and death within the first 7 days. Furthermore, T2D mice had an impaired humoral immune response at day 14 with reduced total IgG, decreased
S. aureus-
specific IgG, and increased IgM. These changes were not present in T1D mice. Similarly, T2D patients and obese nondiabetics with active
S. aureus
infections had a blunted IgG response to
S. aureus
. In conclusion, we report the first evidence of a humoral immune deficit, possibly due to an immunoglobulin class switch defect, in obesity and T2D during exacerbated
S. aureus
infection which may contribute to the increased infection risk following arthroplasty in patients with T2D and obesity.
Membrane Protein Complex ExbB
4
-ExbD
1
-TonB
1
from Escherichia coli Demonstrates Conformational Plasticity
Authors: Sverzhinsky Aleksandr , Chung Jacqueline W. , Deme Justin C. , Fabre Lucien , Levey Kristian T. , Plesa Maria , Carter David M. , Lypaczewski Patrick , Coulton James W.
Published: March 2015

Iron acquisition at the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is powered by the proton motive force (PMF) of the cytoplasmic membrane (CM), harnessed by the CM-embedded complex of ExbB, ExbD, and TonB. Its stoichiometry, ensemble structural features, and mechanism of action are unknown. By panning combinatorial phage libraries, periplasmic regions of dimerization between ExbD and TonB were predicted. Using overexpression of full-length His
6
-tagged
exbB-exbD
and S-tagged
tonB
, we purified detergent-solubilized complexes of ExbB-ExbD-TonB from
Escherichia coli
. Protein-detergent complexes of ∼230 kDa with a hydrodynamic radius of ∼6.0 nm were similar to previously purified ExbB
4
-ExbD
2
complexes. Significantly, they differed in electronegativity by native agarose gel electrophoresis. The stoichiometry was determined to be ExbB
4
-ExbD
1
-TonB
1
. Single-particle electron microscopy agrees with this stoichiometry. Two-dimensional averaging supported the phage display predictions, showing two forms of ExbD-TonB periplasmic heterodimerization: extensive and distal. Three-dimensional (3D) particle classification showed three representative conformations of ExbB
4
-ExbD
1
-TonB
1
. Based on our structural data, we propose a model in which ExbD shuttles a proton across the CM via an ExbB interprotein rearrangement. Proton translocation would be coupled to ExbD-mediated collapse of extended TonB in complex with ligand-loaded receptors in the OM, followed by repositioning of TonB through extensive dimerization with ExbD. Here we present the first report for purification of the ExbB-ExbD-TonB complex, molar ratios within the complex (4:1:1), and structural biology that provides insights into 3D organization.

IMPORTANCE
Receptors in the OM of Gram-negative bacteria allow entry of iron-bound siderophores that are necessary for pathogenicity. Numerous iron-acquisition strategies rely upon a ubiquitous and unique protein for energization: TonB. Complexed with ExbB and ExbD, the Ton system links the PMF to OM transport. Blocking iron uptake by targeting a vital nanomachine holds promise in therapeutics. Despite much research, the stoichiometry, structural arrangement, and molecular mechanism of the CM-embedded ExbB-ExbD-TonB complex remain unreported. Here we demonstrate
in vitro
evidence of ExbB
4
-ExbD
1
-TonB
1
complexes. Using 3D EM, we reconstructed the complex in three conformational states that show variable ExbD-TonB heterodimerization. Our structural observations form the basis of a model for TonB-mediated iron acquisition.
Helicobacter pylori FlhA Binds the Sensor Kinase and Flagellar Gene Regulatory Protein FlgS with High Affinity
Authors: Tsang Jennifer , Hirano Takanori , Hoover Timothy R. , McMurry Jonathan L.
Published: March 2015

Flagellar biogenesis is a complex process that involves multiple checkpoints to coordinate transcription of flagellar genes with the assembly of the flagellum. In
Helicobacter pylori
, transcription of the genes needed in the middle stage of flagellar biogenesis is governed by RpoN and the two-component system consisting of the histidine kinase FlgS and response regulator FlgR. In response to an unknown signal, FlgS autophosphorylates and transfers the phosphate to FlgR, initiating transcription from RpoN-dependent promoters. In the present study, export apparatus protein FlhA was examined as a potential signal protein. Deletion of its N-terminal cytoplasmic sequence dramatically decreased expression of two RpoN-dependent genes,
flaB
and
flgE
. Optical biosensing demonstrated a high-affinity interaction between FlgS and a peptide consisting of residues 1 to 25 of FlhA (FlhA
NT
). The

K
D

(equilibrium dissociation constant) was 21 nM and was characterized by fast-on (
k
on
= 2.9 × 10
4
M
−1
s
−1
) and slow-off (
k
off
= 6.2 × 10
−4
s
−1
) kinetics. FlgS did not bind peptides consisting of smaller fragments of the FlhA
NT
sequence. Analysis of binding to purified fragments of FlgS demonstrated that the C-terminal portion of the protein containing the kinase domain binds FlhA
NT
. FlhA
NT
binding did not stimulate FlgS autophosphorylation
in vitro
, suggesting that FlhA facilitates interactions between FlgS and other structures required to stimulate autophosphorylation.

IMPORTANCE
The high-affinity binding of FlgS to FlhA characterized in this study points to an additional role for FlhA in flagellar assembly. Beyond its necessity for type III secretion, the N-terminal cytoplasmic sequence of FlhA is required for RpoN-dependent gene expression via interaction with the C-terminal kinase domain of FlgS.
Republished: Simultaneous stent expansion/balloon deflation technique to salvage failed balloon remodeling
Authors: Ladner Travis R , He Lucy , Davis Brandon J , Froehler Michael T , Mocco J
Published: March 2015

Herniation, with possible embolization, of coils into the parent vessel following aneurysm coiling remains a frequent challenge. For this reason, balloon or stent assisted embolization remains an important technique. Despite the use of balloon remodeling, there are occasions where, on deflation of the balloon, some coils, or even the entire coil mass, may migrate. We report the successful use of a simultaneous adjacent stent deployment bailout technique in order to salvage coil prolapse during balloon remodeling in three patients. Case No 1 was a wide neck left internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm, measuring 9 mm×7.9 mm×6 mm with a 5 mm neck. Case No 2 was a complex left superior hypophyseal artery aneurysm, measuring 5.3 mm×4 mm×5 mm with a 2.9 mm neck. Case No 3 was a ruptured right posterior communicating artery aneurysm, measuring 4 mm×4 mm×4.5 mm with a 4 mm neck. This technique successfully returned the prolapsed coil mass into the aneurysm sac in all cases without procedural complications. The closed cell design of the Enterprise VRD (Codman and Shurtleff Inc, Raynham, Massachusetts, USA) makes it ideal for this bailout technique, by allowing the use of an 0.021 inch delivery catheter (necessary for simultaneous access) and by avoiding the possibility of an open cell strut getting caught on the deflated balloon. We hope this technique will prove useful to readers who may find themselves in a similar predicament.
β-Blockers in hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction: a review of the literature
Authors: DiNicolantonio James J , Fares Hassan , Niazi Asfandyar K , Chatterjee Saurav , D'Ascenzo Fabrizio , Cerrato Enrico , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Lavie Carl J , Bell David S , O'Keefe James H
Published: March 2015

β-Blockers (BBs) are an essential class of cardiovascular medications for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, a large body of data indicates that BBs should not be used as first-line therapy for hypertension (HTN). Additionally, new data have questioned the role of BBs in the treatment of stable coronary heart disease (CHD). However, these trials mainly tested the non-vasodilating β1selective BBs (atenolol and metoprolol) which are still the most commonly prescribed BBs in the USA. Newer generation BBs, such as the vasodilating BBs carvedilol and nebivolol, have been shown not only to be better tolerated than non-vasodilating BBs, but also these agents do not increase the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM), atherogenic dyslipidaemia or weight gain. Moreover, carvedilol has the most evidence for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with HF and those who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This review discusses the cornerstone clinical trials that have tested BBs in the settings of HTN, HF and AMI. Large randomised trials in the settings of HTN, DM and stable CHD are still needed to establish the role of BBs in these diseases, as well as to determine whether vasodilating BBs are exempt from the disadvantages of non-vasodilating BBs.
Monitoring and numerical investigation of a rigid inclusions–reinforced industrial building
Authors: Briançon L. , Dias D. , Simon C.
Published: March 2015

This paper describes a case history of a pile-supported industrial structure with an area improvement ratio of 2.2%. Field-monitored data from the contact pressures acting on the pile, the mattress, and underneath the concrete slab; pore-water pressures; settlements; and vertical strains in the inclusions are reported and discussed. The case history is back-analyzed by performing a three-dimensional (3D) finite difference analysis. The measured and computed results are compared and discussed. Based on the field observations of the contact stresses and pore-water pressures and the numerical simulations of the industrial structure construction, it is clear that there was a load transfer from the soil to the piles due to soil arching. The measured contact pressure acting on the pile was approximately six times higher than that acting on the soil located between the piles. Numerical predictions of the stress reduction, differential settlement, and pile strain are consistent with the measured values during construction of the industrial structure. This concurrence of the numerical and experimental data permits evaluation of these behaviors at the end of the industrial building construction.
Light availability and soil compaction influence the growth of underplanted Nothofagus following partial shelterwood harvest and soil scarification
Authors: Soto Daniel P. , Donoso Pablo J. , Salas Christian , Puettmann Klaus J.
Published: March 2015

We evaluated effects of topsoil scarification by heavy machinery on growth of two valuable, shade-intolerant tree species — Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. (evergreen and considered to be very plastic to different soil fertility levels) and Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst. (deciduous and considered to be sensitive to soil fertility) — seedlings that were underplanted in Nothofagus old-growth forests, which were subjected to shelterwood cuttings without the final cut in the Chilean Andes. We compared tree basal diameter growth as it responds to light availability and soil compaction (as measured by resistance to penetration) by fitting a growth model based on the Michaelis–Menten equation. Predicted growth of N. dombeyi was greater than N. alpina in high and low light levels; however, there were no significant differences between the species. Both species showed significant differences at high levels of penetration resistance (>2000 kPa). Differences for N. dombeyi occurred above ∼40% in total light, and differences occurred for N. alpina above ∼20% in total light. However, they were not different when compared at low and intermediate levels of penetration resistance. The results suggest that partial shelterwood cuts may provide adequate light levels to achieve appropriate growth of underplanted Nothofagus seedlings. However, if regeneration of N. alpina is desired, scarification of topsoil needs to be implemented with more caution in canopy openings, as traffic and soil removal by heavy machinery can have detrimental effects on growth of this species and other species that are more sensitive to soil compaction.
The impact of root exclusion on duff moisture and fire danger
Authors: Thompson Dan K. , Studens John , Krezek-Hanes Chelene , Wotton B. Mike
Published: March 2015

The impact of root water uptake on duff (both fibric and humic horizons) moisture was investigated at deciduous, mixedwood, and conifer stands in Ontario, Canada. Roots were actively excluded from the duff layer using geotextiles inserted at the duff–mineral soil interface and along the plot edges; liquid and vapour water flow was otherwise not affected by the geotextiles. Root exclusion caused little difference in duff moisture content prior to early June, after which the root exclusion plots remained at 15%–20% volumetric water content, whereas root-intact plots declined to as low as 5% volumetric water content during rain-free periods. Only in the root-intact plots did the duff water content reach sufficiently low levels that duff evaporation was limited by low water content. The net effect of root exclusion was to reduce the cumulative growing season water loss in the duff by 19%–31%, depending on the stand type. Root exclusion also decreased the number of days with a high probability of duff smouldering from as many as 72 days·year−1 to as few as 0 days·year−1. This root exclusion experiment provides a model for short-term duff moisture transitions under thinned forests such as those forests under community wildfire protection.
Lactobacillus reuteri glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase functions in adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang Wen-Ming , Wang Hai-Feng , Gao Kan , Wang Cong , Liu Li , Liu Jian-Xin
Published: March 2015

This study was aimed to identify key surface proteins mediating the adhesion of lactobacilli to intestinal epithelial cells. By using Caco-2 and IPEC-J2 cells labeled with sulfo-NHS-biotin in the western blotting, a protein band of an approximately 37 kDa was detected on the surface layer of Lactobacillus reuteri strains ZJ616, ZJ617, ZJ621, and ZJ623 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Mass spectrometry analysis using the adhesion-related protein from L. reuteri ZJ617 showed that it was 100% homologous to the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) of L. reuteri JCM 1112 (GenBank: YP_001841377). The ability of L. reuteri ZJ617 to adhere to epithelial cells decreased significantly by treatment with LiCl or by blocking with an anti-GAPDH antibody, in comparison with the untreated strain (p < 0.05). Immunoelectron microscopic and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed that GAPDH is located on the surface layer of L. reuteri ZJ617. The results indicated that the GAPDH protein of L. reuteri ZJ617 acts as an adhesion component that plays an important role in binding to the intestinal epithelial cells.
Country Banking Crisis Prediction Using Transvariation Analysis
Authors: Chen Xuejie , Abebe Asheber , Zhang Kehao , Jahera John S.
Published: March 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate macroeconomic variables that are predictive of banking crisis. We focus on selecting variables that have high predictive power to discriminate between two groups of countries: the sound and the distressed. We consider a sample of 50 emerging market and developing countries during 1990–2005 time period, and apply generalized estimating equations as well as univariate, bivariate and trivariate transvariation analysis to choose the variables that have high predictive and discriminative powers to separate the distressed countries from the sound countries. In order to compare the predictive performance of these selected variables, we calculate the leave one out predictive error rate for the top ranking variables with low transvariation probability using discrimination procedures. Not surprisingly the results show that countries with better macroeconomic and monetary environments and healthier banking institutions are less likely to suffer systemic banking crisis.
On the Rationality of Some Crisp Choice Functions Based on Strongly Complete Fuzzy Pre-Orders
Authors: Fotso Siméon , Fono Louis Aimé
Published: March 2015

Barrett, Pattanaik and Salles [Fuzzy Sets and Systems 34 (1990) 197–212] introduced nine alternative rules for generating exact choice sets from fuzzy weak preference relations (FWPR) and four rationality properties. They showed that, when preferences are fuzzy pre-orders, most of these alternative rules (preference-based choice functions or PCFs) violate at least two rationality properties. Following in the same direction, Fotso and Fono [New Mathematics and Natural Computation 8 (2012) 257–272] characterized these PCFs and analyzed their consistency in the cases of strongly complete fuzzy pre-orders and crisp complete pre-orders. In this paper, based on results of the two previous papers, we determine to what extend the PCFs are rational with respect to the structure of the underlying relation. More specifically, for each of the nine alternative rules violating a given rationality property, we determine respectively crisp pre-orders and strongly complete fuzzy pre-orders for which the PCF satisfies the property.
Groundwater reinjection and heat dissipation: lessons from the operation of a large groundwater cooling system in Central London
Authors: Birks D. , Younger P. L. , Tavendale L. , Coutts C. , Parkin G. , Button P. , Whittall S.
Published: March 2015

The performance of a large open-loop groundwater cooling scheme in a shallow alluvial aquifer at a prominent public building in Central London has been monitored closely over its first 2 years of operation. The installed system provided cooling to the site continuously for a period of 9 months between June 2012 and April 2013. During this period,
c
. 131300 m
3
of groundwater was abstracted from a single pumping well and recharged into a single injection borehole. The amount of heat rejected in this period amounts to
c
. 1.37 GWh. A programme of hydraulic testing was subsequently undertaken over a 3 month period between July and October 2013 to evaluate the performance of the injection borehole. The data indicate no significant change in injection performance between commissioning trials undertaken in 2010 and the most recent period of testing, as evidenced by comparison of injection pressures for given flow rates in 2010 and 2013. Continuous temperature monitoring of the abstracted water, the discharge and a number of observation wells demonstrates the evolution of a heat plume in the aquifer in response to heat rejection and subsequent dissipation of this heat during the 18 month planned cessation.
The development of solar salt ponds along the Pilbara Coast, Western Australia – a coastline of global geoheritage significance used for industrial purposes
Authors: Brocx M. , Semeniuk V.
Published: March 2015

The Pilbara Coast, in NW Australia, stands unique as the most geologically/geomorphologically diverse arid coast globally and, as such, it is a coastline of Global Significance. Ideally, it should have been listed as a site of World Heritage. While there are a variety of coastal forms along the Pilbara Coast, a ubiquitous feature of the region is the development of extensive salt flats landward of mangrove-fringed coastlines, and leeward of barrier limestone ridges and barrier dunes. The aridity of the Pilbara Coast and the occurrence of extensive salt flats lend themselves to exploitation for development of solar salt production ponds but this has resulted in the destruction of unique coastal geomorphology, salt flat habitats, ‘sand island ecology’ and the natural diagenesis of arid-zone coastal geology. This contribution explores the significance of solar salt pond development along a globally unique coastline, and highlights that there needs to be a component of geoethics in government decision-making that considers all the values of a site.
SmartCon
Authors: Gim Jongmin , Hwang Taeho , Won Youjip , Kant Krishna
Published: March 2015

Handling of storage IO in modern operating systems assumes that such devices are slow and CPU cycles are valuable. Consequently, to effectively exploit the underlying hardware resources, for example, CPU cycles, storage bandwidth and the like, whenever an IO request is issued to such device, the requesting thread is switched out in favor of another thread that may be ready to execute. Recent advances in nonvolatile storage technologies and multicore CPUs make both of these assumptions increasingly questionable, and an unconditional context switch is no longer desirable. In this article, we propose a novel mechanism called SmartCon, which intelligently decides whether to service a given IO request in interrupt-driven manner or busy-wait--based manner based on not only the device characteristics but also dynamic parameters such as IO latency, CPU utilization, and IO size. We develop an analytic performance model to project the performance of SmartCon for forthcoming devices. We implement SmartCon mechanism on Linux 2.6 and perform detailed evaluation using three different IO devices: Ramdisk, low-end SSD, and high-end SSD. We find that SmartCon yields up to a 39% performance gain over the mainstream block device approach for Ramdisk, and up to a 45% gain for PCIe-based SSD and SATA-based SSDs. We examine the detailed behavior of TLB, L1, L2 cache and show that SmartCon achieves significant improvement in all cache misbehaviors.
Go static or go home
Authors: Vixie Paul
Published: March 2015

In the end, dynamic systems are simply less secure.
What's the price now?
Authors: Broderick Mark
Published: March 2015

Dynamic pricing finds its way into a growing number of industries.
Secure-system designers strive to stem data leaks
Authors: Edwards Chris
Published: March 2015

Attackers using side-channel analysis require little knowledge of how an implementation operates.
Identifying with the Information Technology Profession
Authors: Brooks Nita G. , Hardgrave Bill C. , O'Leary-Kelly Anne M. , McKinney Vicki , Wilson Darryl D.
Published: March 2015

As a profession, IT provides tremendous and irreplaceable resources to organizations. In an effort to understand individual attitudes related specifically to the profession, outside the bounds of any one organization, this paper extends research on the IT professional by examining the relationship between professional identification and profession-level outcomes. Results from more than 300 IT professionals across several organizations indicate professional identification is directly related to key outcome variables including affective commitment to, and satisfaction with, the IT profession. Identification with the IT profession was also found to have a significant indirect effect on intention to leave the profession (also known as turnaway intention). The analysis provides insight into the importance of affect to identification and lends support to previous discussions on the dual nature of identification. Findings maintain that there is more than cognitive belief driving the influence of identification on outcomes for IT professionals. Implications derived from the results of this study and directions for future research on professional identification and the IT professional are discussed.
Artificial Means for Improving Human Motion
Authors: Hodgins Diana
Published: March 2015

This paper gives a brief description of some of the key ongoing product developments in Europe for medical implants. A range of medical systems that are currently being developed under European-funded programmes are briefly described. The first is an implant that helps people with ‘dropped foot’ improve their walking. Further research on body-worn inertial measuring systems (IMUs) and microsystems will extend the capabilities to other lower-limb and upper-limb applications in the future. Other medical systems being developed with the use of microsystems and nanotechnology include a system to aid deaf and blind people.
A Convertible Spinal Orthosis for Controlled Torso Rigidity
Authors: Kern Nicole I. , Triolo Ronald J. , Kobetic Rudi , Audu Musa , Quinn Roger D.
Published: March 2015

A traditional spinal orthosis in conjunction with a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (HKAFO) improves posture in persons with paraplegia during standing and walking. It also limits the wearer's range of motion when worn during other activities, such as vehicle transfer or sitting and reaching for objects. In order to regain full torso flexibility the user would need to remove the spinal orthosis which can be arduous and time consuming. A Convertible Spinal Orthosis (CSO) that allows the user to switch between Locked rigid torso support and Unlocked free motion has been designed, fabricated and tested. It shows promise for increasing functionality, wear time and subject comfort. Analysis of movement has been performed with an able-bodied and a paraplegic subject wearing a rigid spinal orthosis, the CSO in both states, and without any bracing. Configuration state had the most impact on lateral bending. Mean values for the paraplegic subject of 27°, 38°, 48°, and 48° and for the able-bodied subject of 22°, 26°, 48°, and 45° were found for lateral bending of the upper torso relative to the thighs in theRigid,Locked,Unlocked, andNo-Bracestates, respectively.
A Compressive Damage Constitutive Model for Rock Mass with a Set of Nonpersistently Closed Joints under Biaxial Conditions
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: March 2015

One of the most problems faced by the practical rock engineering is to evaluate the rock mass strength. Now the existing theoretical evaluation of the mechanical property of jointed rock mass has no satisfactory answer yet because of the great number of variables involved. One of them is the nonpersistent joints which inherently affect the rock mass mechanical behavior. The previous models for rock mass can only reflect the effect of joint geometrical property on its mechanical behavior. Accordingly, this paper presents a new theoretical model to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the rock mass with a set of nonpersistently closed joints under biaxial conditions, which can reflect the effect of both the joint geometrical and mechanical property on the mechanical behavior of the rock mass under biaxial conditions at the same time. A series of calculation examples validate that the proposed model is capable of presenting the effect of joint geometrical and mechanical properties and the confining pressure on rock mass strength at the same time.
Ectopic Pancreas in the Stomach Successfully Resected by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Authors: Iwamuro Masaya , Tsuzuki Takao , Ohya Shogen , Okada Hiroyuki , Tanaka Takehiro , Hori Keisuke , Kita Masahide , Kawano Seiji , Kawahara Yoshiro , Yamamoto Kazuhide
Published: March 2015

A 32-year-old Japanese man presented with a gastric submucosal tumor. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a sessile submucosal tumor measuring approximately 10 mm in diameter on the greater curvature of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography examination revealed a solid tumor with a diameter of 11.8 mm, which was located in the deep mucosal and submucosal layers. The internal echogenicity was homogenous and hypoechoic. Biopsy examinations were performed twice but were not diagnostic since only the intact mucosal layer was obtained. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with ectopic pancreas in the stomach by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This case underscores the usefulness of the ESD technique for the pathological diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors.
Simulation-Based Rule Generation Considering Readability
Authors: Yahagi H. , Shimizu S. , Ogata T. , Hara T. , Ota J.
Published: March 2015

Rule generation method is proposed for an aircraft control problem in an airport. Designing appropriate rules for motion coordination of taxiing aircraft in the airport is important, which is conducted by ground control. However, previous studies did not consider readability of rules, which is important because it should be operated and maintained by humans. Therefore, in this study, using the indicator of readability, we propose a method of rule generation based on parallel algorithm discovery and orchestration (PADO). By applying our proposed method to the aircraft control problem, the proposed algorithm can generate more readable and more robust rules and is found to be superior to previous methods.
Short Term Virologic Efficacies of Telbivudine versus Entecavir against Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Young Woon , Kwon Jung Hyun , Chung Eun , Lee Sung Won , Lee Jong-yul , Jang Jeong Won , Chung Kyu Won , Nam Soon Woo
Published: March 2015

Telbivudine has been reported to be more effective than lamivudine. However, because of the resistance rate to telbivudine (TLV), the current guidelines recommend entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TNV) as the first-line therapy for chronic hepatitis B. We investigated the short term virologic efficacy of TLV in comparison with ETV as the first-line agent of HBV suppression in HBV-related advanced HCC patients. A total of 86 consecutive patients with HBV-related HCC for whom antiviral treatment was initiated in Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital between 2010 and 2013 were analyzed. Virologic responses were investigated on the 4th, 12th, and 24th weeks of the antiviral therapies. In patients with advanced TNM stage cancer (stage 3 or 4) and poor liver function (Child-Pugh class B or C), the virologic response rates at weeks 12 and 24 were 25% (1/4) and 42.8% (3/7) in the TLV group and 33.3% (1/3) and 33.3% (1/3) in the ETV group, respectively (P=0.424,P=0.800). The short term efficacy of TLV was similar to that of ETV. Since TLV is highly cost-effective, it should be considered as a first-line antiviral agent in patients with advanced HCC, poor liver function, and short life expectancies.
Role of Polymorphisms of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Idiopathic Environmental Intolerances
Authors: De Luca Chiara , Gugliandolo Agnese , Calabrò Carlo , Currò Monica , Ientile Riccardo , Raskovic Desanka , Korkina Ludmila , Caccamo Daniela
Published: March 2015

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pathogenetic role in idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), namely, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), fibromyalgia (FM), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Given the reported association of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene polymorphisms with inflammatory disorders, we aimed to investigate the distribution of NOS2A −2.5 kb (CCTTT)n as well as Ser608Leu and NOS3 −786T>C variants and their correlation with nitrite/nitrate levels, in a study cohort including 170 MCS, 108 suspected MCS (SMCS), 89 FM/CFS, and 196 healthy subjects. Patients and controls had similar distributions of NOS2A Ser608Leu and NOS3 −786T>C polymorphisms. Interestingly, the NOS3 −786TT genotype was associated with increased nitrite/nitrate levels only in IEI patients. We also found that the NOS2A −2.5 kb (CCTTT)11 allele represents a genetic determinant for FM/CFS, and the (CCTTT)16 allele discriminates MCS from SMCS patients. Instead, the (CCTTT)8 allele reduces by three‐, six‐, and tenfold, respectively, the risk for MCS, SMCS, and FM/CFS. Moreover, a short number of (CCTTT) repeats is associated with higher concentrations of nitrites/nitrates. Here, we first demonstrate that NOS3 −786T>C variant affects nitrite/nitrate levels in IEI patients and that screening for NOS2A −2.5 kb (CCTTT)n polymorphism may be useful for differential diagnosis of various IEI.
Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin’s Disease in Children: A Case Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Stier James R. , Vasquez Robert J.
Published: March 2015

A three-year-old boy presented with an enlarging neck mass. Biopsy demonstrated IgD-positive nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), which was staged as IIa. The patient received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) with rituximab and had excellent results. NLPHL is a relatively rare disease that is biologically distinct from classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). NLPHL is a B-cell malignancy likely of germinal center origin that has an overall good prognosis and favorable response to treatment. Unlike cHL, NLPHL is ubiquitously CD20-positive. Recent evidence supports the efficacy of targeted anti-CD20 therapy in NLPHL, though prospective data is limited. This case demonstrates several unique features of NLPHL and further supports the use of rituximab in front-line therapy. The clinical characteristics among patients at various ages are discussed with a special focus on the IgD-positive subtype. A thorough literature search demonstrates this to be the youngest patient with NLPHL yet described.
Shrinkage of Prostate and Improved Quality of Life: Management of BPH Patients with Croton membranaceus Ethanolic Root Extract
Authors: Asare George Awuku , Afriyie Daniel , Ngala Robert A. , Appiah Alfred A. , Anang Yvonne , Musah Iddi , Adjei Samuel , Bamfo-Quaicoe Kwabena , Sule Derick , Gyan Ben A. , Arhin Peter , Edoh Dominic A.
Published: March 2015

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate. The study aimed at validating the use of freeze-dried Croton membranaceus ethanolic root extract for BPH management. Thirty-three patients were observed before and after 3-month administration of 20 mg t.i.d orally. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires were used. Total/free PSA (tPSA, fPSA), renal, liver function, lipid tests, and ultrasonographic imaging were performed. Thirty (30) patients (66 ± 11 years) completed the study. IPSS results showed 37% had severe, 40% moderate, and 23% mild symptoms before; 57% and 43% had moderate and mild symptoms, respectively, after treatment. IIED of patients’ results showed 30% with severe, 40% moderate, 24% mild-moderate, 3% mild, and 3% no erectile dysfunction before treatment and 20% severe, 43% moderate, and 37% mild-moderate dysfunction, after treatment. Quality of life (QoL) improved (P=0.001). Significant but non-pathological increases in total and indirect bilirubin as well as apolipoprotein A occurred. Mean tPSA reduced from 27.9 ± 19.0 to 16.2 ± 11.8 ng/mL (P=0.002); fPSA from 6.1 ± 4.8 to 3.9 ± 2.9 ng/mL (P=0.045); and prostate volume from 101.8 ± 41.3 to 54.5 ± 24.8 cm3  (P=0.023). C. membranaceus shrinks the prostate and improves QoL.
JAK2V617F: Is It Sufficient as a Single Player in Splanchnic Venous Thrombosis?
Authors: Dhiman Pratibha , Saxena Priyanka
Published: March 2015

Splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT) includes thrombosis of the hepatic, portal, and mesenteric venous system. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are important factors of SVT in adults. Addition of JAK2V617F mutation in WHO criteria for diagnosis of MPNs has made this test a useful tool for diagnosis. JAK2 is an intracytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that plays a critical role in signal transduction from multiple hematopoietic factor receptors. The mutation is found frequently in patients with SVT; many such patients have no other manifestations of an MPN. Although the correlation of JAK2V617F mutation with thrombotic risk in MPNs has been shown in many studies, the impact of presence of additional thrombophilic factors in these cases is yet not known. As the management of MPNs remains highly dependent on the patient’s thrombotic risk, it is important to assess the thrombotic risk factors in detail. Here, we report two cases of JAK2V617F positive MPN who also had other thrombophilic conditions and presented with recurrent thrombosis.
High Nitrogen Fertilization of Tobacco Crop in Headwater Watershed Contaminates Subsurface and Well Waters with Nitrate
Authors: Kaiser D. R. , Sequinatto L. , Reinert D. J. , Reichert J. M. , Rheinheimer D. S. , Dalbianco L.
Published: March 2015

Our hypothesis was that subsurface and well waters in watershed with shallow, stony soils, steep landscapes, and cropped to tobacco are contaminated by nitrate. Nitrate in soil solution was monitored in (0.20 m) and below (0.5 m) root zone with tension lysimeters, in five transects. Water from two wells (beneath tobacco field and in native forest) used for human consumption was also analyzed for nitrate. Soil bulk density, porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were evaluated. Soil physical and hydrological properties showed great variation at different landscape positions and soil depths. Soil coarse grain size, high porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity favored leaching nitrate. Nitrate in soil solution from tobacco fields was greater than in natural environment. Nitrate reached depths bellow rooting zone with values as high as 80 mg L−1in tobacco plantation. Water well located below tobacco plantation had high nitrate concentration, sometimes above the critical limit of 10 mg L−1. Tobacco cropping causes significant water pollution by nitrate, posing risk to human health. A large amount of nitrogen fertilizers applied to tobacco and nitrate in subsurface waters demonstrate the unsustainability of tobacco production in small farming units on steeps slopes, with stony and shallow soils.
Synergetic Enhancement of Device Efficiency in Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)/[6,6]-phenyl C61Butyric Acid Methyl Ester Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells by Glycerol Addition in the Active Layer
Authors: Augustine Bobins , Fabritius Tapio
Published: March 2015

Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC60BM) is the widely used active layer for the bulk heterojunction solar cells. Annealing is essential for P3HT:PC60BM active layer, since it facilitates the creation of better network for the transfer of the charge carriers. However, the PC60BM in the active layer can crystallize excessively during annealing treatments and disrupt the favorable morphology by forming crystallites in micrometer ranges, thus reducing device efficiency. In this paper we used glycerol as an additive in the active layer. Due to high boiling point of glycerol, it makes slow drying of the active layer possible during the annealing. It thus gives enough time to both electron donor (P3HT) and electron acceptor (PC60BM) components of the active layer to self-organize and also restrict the crystal overgrowth of PC60BM. Further, the glycerol additive makes the active layer smoother, which may also improve adhesion between the electrode and the active layer. The devices with the pristine active layer showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of about 2.1% and, with the addition of 30 vol% of glycerol in the active layer, the PCE value increased to 3%.
A Transfer Hamiltonian Model for Devices Based on Quantum Dot Arrays
Authors: Illera S. , Prades J. D. , Cirera A. , Cornet A.
Published: March 2015

We present a model of electron transport through a random distribution of interacting quantum dots embedded in a dielectric matrix to simulate realistic devices. The method underlying the model depends only on fundamental parameters of the system and it is based on the Transfer Hamiltonian approach. A set of noncoherent rate equations can be written and the interaction between the quantum dots and between the quantum dots and the electrodes is introduced by transition rates and capacitive couplings. A realistic modelization of the capacitive couplings, the transmission coefficients, the electron/hole tunneling currents, and the density of states of each quantum dot have been taken into account. The effects of the local potential are computed within the self‐consistent field regime. While the description of the theoretical framework is kept as general as possible, two specific prototypical devices, an arbitrary array of quantum dots embedded in a matrix insulator and a transistor device based on quantum dots, are used to illustrate the kind of unique insight that numerical simulations based on the theory are able to provide.
The Inflammatory Actions of Coagulant and Fibrinolytic Proteases in Disease
Authors: Schuliga Michael
Published: March 2015

Aside from their role in hemostasis, coagulant and fibrinolytic proteases are important mediators of inflammation in diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. The blood circulating zymogens of these proteases enter damaged tissue as a consequence of vascular leak or rupture to become activated and contribute to extravascular coagulation or fibrinolysis. The coagulants, factor Xa (FXa), factor VIIa (FVIIa), tissue factor, and thrombin, also evoke cell‐mediated actions on structural cells (e.g., fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells) or inflammatory cells (e.g., macrophages) via the proteolytic activation of protease‐activated receptors (PARs). Plasmin, the principle enzymatic mediator of fibrinolysis, also forms toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) activating fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and can release latent‐matrix bound growth factors such as transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). Furthermore, the proteases that convert plasminogen into plasmin (e.g., urokinase plasminogen activator) evoke plasmin‐independent proinflammatory actions involving coreceptor activation. Selectively targeting the receptor‐mediated actions of hemostatic proteases is a strategy that may be used to treat inflammatory disease without the bleeding complications of conventional anticoagulant therapies. The mechanisms by which proteases of the coagulant and fibrinolytic systems contribute to extravascular inflammation in disease will be considered in this review.
Experimental Study on the Feasibility of Using Water Glass and Aluminum Sulfate to Treat Complications in High Liquid Limit Soil Subgrade
Authors: Zhang Wen-hui , Zheng Hua-wen , Qi Jia-wei , Wang Bao-tian
Published: March 2015

The feasibility of using water glass and aluminum sulfate to treat high liquid limit soil subgrade diseases is studied through laboratory experiments, and the following results were observed. After improving the high liquid limit clay with water glass and aluminum sulfate, the liquid limit decreases, the plastic limit increases, and the plasticity index decreases. Compared with untreated soil, the clay content of the improved soil decreases, while the silt and coarse contents increase. The absolute and relative expansion rates of the improved soil are both lower than those of the untreated soil. With the same number of dry and wet cycles, the decreased degrees of cohesion and internal friction angle of the improved soil are, respectively, one-half and one-third of those of the untreated soil. After three dry and wet cycles, the California bearing ratio (CBR) of the untreated soil does not meet the requirements of specifications. However, after being cured for seven days and being subjected to three dry and wet cycles, the CBR of the improved soil, with 4% water glass solution and 0.4% aluminum sulfate, meets the requirements of specifications.
Unbiased Feature Selection in Learning Random Forests for High‐Dimensional Data
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Tung , Huang Joshua Zhexue , Nguyen Thuy Thi
Published: March 2015

Random forests (RFs) have been widely used as a powerful classification method. However, with the randomization in both bagging samples and feature selection, the trees in the forest tend to select uninformative features for node splitting. This makes RFs have poor accuracy when working with high‐dimensional data. Besides that, RFs have bias in the feature selection process where multivalued features are favored. Aiming at debiasing feature selection in RFs, we propose a new RF algorithm, called xRF, to select good features in learning RFs for high‐dimensional data. We first remove the uninformative features using p‐value assessment, and the subset of unbiased features is then selected based on some statistical measures. This feature subset is then partitioned into two subsets. A feature weighting sampling technique is used to sample features from these two subsets for building trees. This approach enables one to generate more accurate trees, while allowing one to reduce dimensionality and the amount of data needed for learning RFs. An extensive set of experiments has been conducted on 47 high‐dimensional real‐world datasets including image datasets. The experimental results have shown that RFs with the proposed approach outperformed the existing random forests in increasing the accuracy and the AUC measures.