bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Advocacy Coalition Framework and Nascent Subsystems: Trade Union Disclosure Policy in Canada
Authors: Stritch Andrew
Published: June 2015

This article examines the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) in the context of a nascent policy subsystem with a longevity of less than 10 years. It evaluates key aspects of the model in a recent area of Canadian national policymaking, namely the attempt to impose greater reporting and disclosure requirements on trade unions through Bill C‐377. Following the ACF's prediction of a correspondence between policy belief systems and coordinated advocacy, the article identifies ideological groupings of advocates in this policy area—defined here as advocacy communities—and examines the level of coordination within and between them. The results show that advocacy coalitions emerged rapidly in this subsystem and corroborate the link between coordination and policy core beliefs. The article provides two qualifications. First, when there are multiple advocacy communities, rather than a simple dichotomy, the relationship between beliefs and coordination is weakened. Second, linkages across different advocacy communities were more prevalent with lower level forms of coordination, such as exchanges of information, than they were with higher level activities. The study is based on a content analysis of briefs and testimonies to two parliamentary committees and a mailed questionnaire to organizational representatives advocating on this issue.
Family Reunification and the Limits of Immigration Reform: Impact and Legacy of the 1965 Immigration Act
Authors: Lee Catherine
Published: June 2015

Immigration scholars and politicians recognize the importance of family reunification, lauding its role in diversifying the United States’ racial and ethnic makeup, modernizing the American immigration system, and uniting families. As the centerpiece of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, family reunification replaced the racially discriminatory national origins quota system. Commentators typically view family reunification policy as a uniquely modern political achievement connected to 1960s civil rights–era laws and emblematic of democratic liberalism. I challenge this characterization by examining immigration policy during the exclusion era and show that family reunification has been a crucial element of American immigration policy since the United States began regulating immigration. In addition, support for family unity sometimes results from exclusionary efforts. I illustrate this further by tracing the legislative history of passage of the 1965 Immigration Act. I conclude that a reassessment of the liberal valuation of family reunification policy is warranted and suggest that there may be limits to immigration reform that targets family.
The Abandoned Promise of Civil Rights
Authors: Valdez Zulema
Published: June 2015

Fifty years after the civil rights movement, ethnic and racial disparities persist and have even widened across a number of socioeconomic indicators. When compared against whites, nonwhites today fare about the same or worse than their counterparts of the past in educational and occupational attainment, income and earnings, wealth, unemployment and underemployment. How can we understand the failure of racial and ethnic minority groups to attain socioeconomic parity with non‐Hispanic whites following one of the most progressive eras of American race relations? Contemporary economic and political approaches are often considered separately and offer different explanations. What they share in common, however, is a tendency to downplay the salience of race as a significant factor that conditions the life chances of nonwhites in the post–civil rights era. This article introduces a critical race perspective to redirect this conversation. This approach starts from the premise that the social structure of the United States is highly stratified by race, which conditions racially unequal outcomes. In the post–civil rights era, color‐blind racism is the hegemonic ideology, discourse, and practice, which justifies persistent racial inequality. The development of a color‐blind ideology reflects this historical moment and the larger political and economic context; thus, its development is consistent with the political shift toward neoconservatism and the economic transition to neoliberalism. Taken together, these social forces foster the reproduction of a racialized social system characterized by persistent racial inequality that is observed in the post–civil rights era.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition in keloid tissues and TGF‐β1–induced hair follicle outer root sheath keratinocytes
Authors: Yan Li , Cao Rui , Wang Lianzhao , Liu Yuanbo , Pan Bo , Yin Yanhua , Lv Xiaoyan , Zhuang Qiang , Sun Xuejian , Xiao Ran
Published: June 2015

Keloid is a skin fibrotic disease with the characteristics of recurrence and invasion, its pathogenesis still remains unrevealed. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for wound healing, fibrosis, recurrence, and invasion of cancer. We sought to investigate the EMT in keloid and the mechanism through which the EMT regulates keloid formation. In keloid tissues, the expressions of EMT‐associated markers and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/Smad3 signaling were examined by immunohistochemistry. In the keloid epidermis and dermal tissue, the expressions of genes related to the regulation of skin homeostasis, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) and p63, were analyzed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that accompanying the loss of the epithelial marker E‐cadherin and the gain of the mesenchymal markers fibroblast‐specific protein 1 (FSP1) and vimentin in epithelial cells from epidermis and skin appendages, and in endothelial cells from dermal microvessels, enhanced TGF‐β1 expression and Smad3 phosphorylation were noted in keloid tissues. Moreover, alternative splicing of the FGFR2 gene switched the predominantly expressed isoform from FGFR2‐IIIb to ‐IIIc, concomitant with the decreased expression of ΔNp63 and TAp63, which changes might partially account for abnormal epidermis and appendages in keloids. In addition, we found that TGF‐β1‐induced hair follicle outer root sheath keratinocytes (ORSKs) and normal skin epithelial cells underwent EMT in vitro with ORSKs exhibiting more obvious EMT changes and more similar expression profiles for EMT‐associated and skin homeostasis‐related genes as in keloid tissues, suggesting that ORSKs might play crucial roles in the EMT in keloids. Our study provided insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating the EMT pathogenesis of keloids.
Numerical Study of Counterflow Diffusion Flame and Water Spray Interaction
Authors: Pramanik Santanu , Mukhopadhyay Achintya
Published: June 2015

This paper reports numerical investigation concerning the interaction of a laminar methane–air counterflow diffusion flame with monodisperse and polydisperse water spray. Commercial code ansys fluent with reduced chemistry has been used for investigation. Effects of strain rate, Sauter mean diameter (SMD), and droplet size distribution on the temperature along stagnation streamline have been studied. Flame extinction using polydisperse water spray has also been explored. Comparison of monodisperse and polydisperse droplet distribution on flame properties reveals suitability of polydisperse spray in flame temperature reduction beyond a particular SMD. This study also provides a numerical framework to study flame–spray interaction and extinction.
Two-Dimensional Unsteady Simulation of All-Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Sathisha H. M. , Dalal Amaresh
Published: June 2015

The all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) has been considered as one of the most promising rechargeable battery for large-scale energy storage system that can be used with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, for electrical energy storage and distribution. Since it is able to withstand average loads, high energy efficiency (EE), and high power output, the battery exhibits good transient behavior and sustains sudden voltage drop. The dynamics of the battery is governed by the equations of fluid mechanics, electrodynamics, and electrochemistry. In this context, earlier efforts reported in the literature were mainly focused on simulation of the variation of the charge/discharge characteristics of the cell. There is a need to optimize the cell parameters so as to improve the cell performance. The performance of the battery is also studied numerically with the two-dimensional (2D) isothermal transient model. This model is used to predict the effects of change in electrolyte flow rate, concentration, electrode porosity, and applied current. The efficiency analysis for the effects of concentration shows that maximum coulombic, voltage, and energy efficiencies have been achieved in case of higher concentration. Numerical model results are validated with the available experimental result, which shows good agreement.
Combining three antibodies nullifies feedback-mediated resistance to erlotinib in lung cancer
Authors: Mancini Maicol , Gaborit Nadège , Lindzen Moshit , Meir Salame Tomer , Dall’Ora Massimiliano , Sevilla-Sharon Michal , Abdul-Hai Ali , Downward Julian , Yarden Yosef
Published: June 2015

Triple antibody targeting of multiple receptors subverts the resistance induced by single-agent therapies in lung cancer.
Drug-induced regeneration in adult mice
Authors: Zhang Yong , Strehin Iossif , Bedelbaeva Khamilia , Gourevitch Dmitri , Clark Lise , Leferovich John , Messersmith Phillip B. , Heber-Katz Ellen
Published: June 2015

The capacity for regeneration can be elicited in adult mice by drug-induced stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein.
A sand fly salivary protein vaccine shows efficacy against vector-transmitted cutaneous leishmaniasis in nonhuman primates
Authors: Oliveira Fabiano , Rowton Edgar , Aslan Hamide , Gomes Regis , Castrovinci Philip A. , Alvarenga Patricia H. , Abdeladhim Maha , Teixeira Clarissa , Meneses Claudio , Kleeman Lindsey T. , Guimarães-Costa Anderson B. , Rowland Tobin E. , Gilmore Dana , Doumbia Seydou , Reed Steven G. , Lawyer Phillip G. , Andersen John F. , Kamhawi Shaden , Valenzuela Jesus G.
Published: June 2015

Immunity to sand fly salivary protein correlates to protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis in rhesus macaques.
Can maintenance trastuzumab be stopped in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer?
Authors: Hsieh Amy , Pittman Ken , Patterson William K , Townsend Amanda
Published: June 2015

Trastuzumab has significantly improved the median survival of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. In metastatic disease, maintenance trastuzumab is usually given after tumour response has been achieved with the combination of chemotherapy and trastuzumab, with the aim of prolonging time to disease progression. We report a case where a durable complete response (CR) was achieved without maintenance trastuzumab. In the absence of consensus guidelines, it is difficult to recommend which HER2-positive patients with metastatic breast cancer after CR will benefit from withdrawing maintenance trastuzumab therapy and when this could be considered.
Higher shoe-surface interaction is associated with doubling of lower extremity injury risk in football codes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Thomson Athol , Whiteley Rod , Bleakley Chris
Published: June 2015

Background

Turning or cutting on a planted foot may be an important inciting event for lower limb injury, particularly when shoe-surface traction is high. We systematically reviewed the relationship between shoe-surface interaction and lower-extremity injury in football sports.

Methods

A systematic literature search of four databases was conducted up to November 2014. Prospective studies investigating the relationship between rotational traction and injury rate were included. Two researchers independently extracted outcome data and assessed the quality of included studies using a modified Downs and Black index. Effect sizes (OR+95% CIs) were calculated using RevMan software. Where possible, data were pooled using the fixed effect model.

Results

Three prospective studies were included (4972 male athletes). The methodological quality was generally good with studies meeting 68–89% of the assessment criteria. All studies categorised athletes into low (lowest mean value 15 nm) or high traction groups (highest mean value 74 nm) based on standardised preseason testing. In all cases, injury reporting was undertaken prospectively over approximately three seasons, with verification from a medical practitioner. Injury data focused on: all lower limb injuries, ankle/knee injuries or ACL injury only. There was a clear relationship between rotational traction and injury and the direction and magnitude of effect sizes were consistent across studies. The pooled data from the three studies (OR=2.73, 95% CI 2.13 to 3.15; χ2=3.19, df=2, p=0.21; I2=36.5%) suggest that the odds of injury are approximately 2.5 times higher when higher levels of rotational traction are present at the shoe-surface interface.

Summary and conclusions

Higher levels of rotational traction influence lower limb injury risk in American Football athletes. We conclude that this warrants considerable attention from clinicians and others interested in injury prevention across all football codes.
What is mental health? Evidence towards a new definition from a mixed methods multidisciplinary international survey
Authors: Manwell Laurie A , Barbic Skye P , Roberts Karen , Durisko Zachary , Lee Cheolsoon , Ware Emma , McKenzie Kwame
Published: June 2015

Objective

Lack of consensus on the definition of mental health has implications for research, policy and practice. This study aims to start an international, interdisciplinary and inclusive dialogue to answer the question:What are the core concepts of mental health?

Design and participants

50 people with expertise in the field of mental health from 8 countries completed an online survey. They identified the extent to which 4 current definitions were adequate and what the core concepts of mental health were. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted of their responses. The results were validated at a consensus meeting of 58 clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience.

Results

46% of respondents rated the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC, 2006) definition as the most preferred, 30% stated that none of the 4 definitions were satisfactory and only 20% said the WHO (2001) definition was their preferred choice. The least preferred definition of mental health was the general definition of health adapted from Huberet al(2011). The core concepts of mental health were highly varied and reflected different processes people used to answer the question. These processes includedthe overarching perspective or point of reference of respondents (positionality), the frameworks used to describe the core concepts (paradigms, theories and models), and the way social and environmental factors were considered to act. Thecore concepts of mental healthidentified were mainly individual and functional, in that they related to the ability or capacity of a person to effectively deal with or change his/her environment. A preliminary model for the processes used to conceptualise mental health is presented.

Conclusions

Answers to the question, ‘What are the core concepts of mental health?’ are highly dependent on the empirical frame used. Understanding these empirical frames is key to developing a useful consensus definition for diverse populations.
Selected maternal morbidities in women with a prior caesarean delivery planning vaginal birth or elective repeat caesarean section: a retrospective cohort analysis using data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System
Authors: Nair Manisha , Soffer Kate , Noor Nudrat , Knight Marian , Griffiths Malcolm
Published: June 2015

Objective

To conduct a secondary analysis of data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) to estimate the rates of specific maternal risks associated with planned vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) and elective repeat caesarean section (ERCS).

Design

A retrospective cohort analysis using UKOSS data from 4 studies conducted between 2005 and 2012.

Setting

All hospitals with consultant-led maternity units in the UK.

Population

Pregnant women who had a previous caesarean section.

Method

Women who had undergone a previous caesarean section were divided into 2 exposure groups: planned VBAC and ERCS. We calculated the incidence of each of the 4 outcomes of interest with 95% CIs for the 2 exposure groups using proxy denominators (total estimated VBAC and ERCS maternities in a given year). Incidences were compared between groups using χ2test or Fisher's exact test and risk ratios with 95% CI.

Main outcome measures

Severe maternal morbidities: peripartum hysterectomy, severe sepsis, peripartum haemorrhage and failed tracheal intubation.

Results

The risks of all complications examined in both groups were low. The rates of peripartum hysterectomy, severe sepsis, peripartum haemorrhage and failed tracheal intubation were not significantly different between the 2 groups in absolute or relative terms.

Conclusions

While the risk of uterine rupture in the VBAC and ERCS groups is well understood, this national study did not demonstrate any other clear differences in the outcomes we examined. The absolute and relative risks of maternal complications were small in both groups. Large epidemiological studies could further help to assess whether the incidence of these rare outcomes would significantly differ between the VBAC and ERCS groups if a larger number of cases were to be examined. In the interim, this study provides important information to help pregnant women in their decision-making process.
Tackling risky alcohol consumption in sport: a cluster randomised controlled trial of an alcohol management intervention with community football clubs
Authors: Kingsland Melanie , Wolfenden Luke , Tindall Jennifer , Rowland Bosco C , Lecathelinais Christophe , Gillham Karen E , Dodds Pennie , Sidey Maree N , Rogerson John C , McElduff Patrick , Crundall Ian , Wiggers John H
Published: June 2015

Background

An increased prevalence of risky alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm has been reported for members of sporting groups and at sporting venues compared with non-sporting populations. While sports clubs and venues represent opportune settings to implement strategies to reduce such risks, no controlled trials have been reported. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of an alcohol management intervention in reducing risky alcohol consumption and the risk of alcohol-related harm among community football club members.

Method

A cluster randomised controlled trial of an alcohol management intervention was undertaken with non-elite, community football clubs and their members in New South Wales, Australia. Risky alcohol consumption (5+ drinks) at the club and risk of alcohol-related harm using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were measured at baseline and postintervention.

Results

Eighty-eight clubs participated in the trial (n=43, Intervention; n=45, Control) and separate cross-sectional samples of club members completed the baseline (N=1411) and postintervention (N=1143) surveys. Postintervention, a significantly lower proportion of intervention club members reported: risky alcohol consumption at the club (Intervention: 19%; Control: 24%; OR: 0.63 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.00); p=0.05); risk of alcohol-related harm (Intervention: 38%; Control: 45%; OR: 0.58 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.87); p<0.01); alcohol consumption risk (Intervention: 47%; Control: 55%; OR: 0.60 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.87); p<0.01) and possible alcohol dependence (Intervention: 1%; Control: 4%; OR: 0.20 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.65); p<0.01).

Conclusions

With large numbers of people worldwide playing, watching and sports officiating, enhancing club-based alcohol management interventions could make a substantial contribution to reducing the burden of alcohol misuse in communities.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12609000224224.
Examination of the estimation of relative permeability for unsaturated soils
Authors: Zhang Feixia , Fredlund D.G.
Published: June 2015

The unsaturated permeability function is an important soil property function used in the numerical modeling of saturated–unsaturated soil systems. The permeability function is generally predicted by integrating along the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) starting at saturated soil conditions. The integration is based on a particular integral formula. The Fredlund–Xing–Huang permeability function is a flexible integration technique used for calculating the unsaturated permeability function. The original permeability theory published by Fredlund, Xing, and Huang in 1994 specified that the air-entry value (AEV), ψaev, be used as the lower limit of the integration when calculating the permeability function. However, as there was no analytical procedure available for the calculation of the AEV on the SWCC, it became common practice to start the integration procedure from a value near zero. The assumption was made that the error associated with starting the integration from an arbitrary low value was minimal. While this might be the case in some situations, the error can be quite substantial in other situations. This paper undertakes a study of the effect of the lower limit of integration on the calculation of the permeability function. Comparisons are made between starting the integration from various values below the AEV and starting the integration from the calculated AEV, ψaev. A mathematical algorithm is also proposed for the calculation of the AEV for integration purposes. The results show that the relative coefficient of permeability can be significantly underestimated when the lower limit of integration is smaller than the AEV. The recommendation is that the AEV always be used as the lower limit of integration in the Fredlund–Xing–Huang permeability equation.
Doppler shift velocimetry using two point probe nested-microring resonators
Authors: Jomtarak Rangsan , Yupapin Preecha P. , Ali Jalil
Published: June 2015

In this paper, a micro Doppler shift velocimeter using two nested-microring resonators incorporating two gratings is designed and simulated. Two wavelength light pulse can be generated by a single input wavelength source after travelling through the two defect grating. Whispering gallery mode of light pulses are localized within the nested-microring resonators, which can be used to form the two point probe Doppler shift velocimeter. The shifted frequency (velocity) can be obtained by the difference of optical path length between two point probes, where the relative velocity of Doppler frequency shift velocimeter can be obtained. The light absorption behaviors can also be investigated by the different light output spectrum. The obtained simulation results shows that the relative velocities of the reflection and transmission light intensities are ranged from 104 m/s to 105 m/s, which can be useful for Doppler frequency shift velocimeter and sensors, where the micro-optical device and multi-functions are the advantages.
Combined control of Akhmediev breather frequency and rogue wave amplitude: An analytical approach
Authors: Loomba Shally , Gupta Rama , Kumar C. N. , Raju Thokala Soloman , Panigrahi Prasanta K.
Published: June 2015

We illustrate the analytical control of the Akhmediev breather frequency in Bose–Einstein condensate in a time varying parabolic trap. This is achieved by varying Feshbach managed scattering length R(t) within the integrability framework. Recognizing the mathematical relation between R(t) and parabolic trap with the linear Schrödinger equation, we use isospectral Hamiltonian approach, which leads to a one parameter family of nonlinearity control functions, directly affecting the characteristic scales of the solution space, for the same trapping potential. The chirp equation and the trap equation being same, the phase of the wave for the obtained class of nonlinearity function remains identical. For explicating the general applications of the present approach, we exhibit breather frequency control in a number of cases, with asymptotically vanishing nonlinearity, for expulsive parabolic trap. Interestingly, the same procedure is found to provide a free parameter, which controls the Rogue wave amplitude.
Self-compression of coupled cnoidal waves
Authors: Parada-Alfonso R. , Gómez-Pavón L. C. , Luis-Ramos A. , Muñoz-Pacheco J. M.
Published: June 2015

In this work, the dynamics of a pulse train propagating through a bimodal optical fiber whose core refractive index varies periodically along its main axis are studied numerically. The mathematical model is based on a coupled system of nonlinear Schrödinger-like equations. First- and second-order dispersions are taken into account, as well as the number of solitons propagating through the fiber. The physical conditions for self-compression of coupled cnoidal waves are obtained and discussed.
Gust Induced Aerodynamic Force Prediction on a Transport Wing Using Quasi-Steady Approximation
Authors: Bruce Ralphin Rose J. , Jinu Gr
Published: June 2015

The atmospheric wind turbulence over a specified time period has a strong influence on the airplane performance characteristics. Forecasting of this unsteady aerodynamic phenomenon is complex one for designing the control systems to ensure the structural safety. A novel approach is developed to assess the influence of a gust structure on the aerodynamic coefficients of an airplane. The load factor enhancement because of the discrete gust is also quantified to ensure the safety margin. The Kussner’s function is used to determine the time varying increment of gust-dependent lift produced on an airplane wing entering a sharp-edged gust. A most general gust shape is assumed for the present study with quasi-steady approximation. The turbulent viscosity across the chord wise positions are quantified to calculate the velocity fluctuations because of eddies. Determining the gust influence on the fundamental lift and drag characteristics of a commercial airplane is focused in the present investigation. It is accomplished with the help of Wagner’s function in the time domain for the gust response-dependent lift. The outcome of the numerical simulation process is fully verified using the theoretical and experimental results. Solution convergence is attained for a range of input conditions and it shows that the proposed methodology is competent to assess the gust response for various airplane systems design.
Mitochondrial respiratory capacity and coupling control decline with age in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Porter Craig , Hurren Nicholas M. , Cotter Matthew V. , Bhattarai Nisha , Reidy Paul T. , Dillon Edgar L. , Durham William J. , Tuvdendorj Demidmaa , Sheffield-Moore Melinda , Volpi Elena , Sidossis Labros S. , Rasmussen Blake B. , Børsheim Elisabet
Published: June 2015

Mitochondrial health is critical to physiological function, particularly in tissues with high ATP turnover, such as striated muscle. It has been postulated that derangements in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function contribute to impaired physical function in older adults. Here, we determined mitochondrial respiratory capacity and coupling control in skeletal muscle biopsies obtained from young and older adults. Twenty-four young (28 ± 7 yr) and thirty-one older (62 ± 8 yr) adults were studied. Mitochondrial respiration was determined in permeabilized myofibers from the vastus lateralis after the addition of substrates oligomycin and CCCP. Thereafter, mitochondrial coupling control was calculated. Maximal coupled respiration (respiration linked to ATP production) was lower in muscle from older vs. young subjects ( P < 0.01), as was maximal uncoupled respiration ( P = 0.06). Coupling control in response to the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin was lower in older adults ( P < 0.05), as was the mitochondria flux control ratio, coupled respiration normalized to maximal uncoupled respiration ( P < 0.05). Calculation of respiratory function revealed lower respiration linked to ATP production ( P < 0.001) and greater reserve respiration ( P < 0.01); i.e., respiratory capacity not used for phosphorylation in muscle from older adults. We conclude that skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity and coupling control decline with age. Lower respiratory capacity and coupling efficiency result in a reduced capacity for ATP production in skeletal muscle of older adults.
AdipoRon, the first orally active adiponectin receptor activator, attenuates postischemic myocardial apoptosis through both AMPK-mediated and AMPK-independent signalings
Authors: Zhang Yanqing , Zhao Jianli , Li Rui , Lau Wayne Bond , Yuan Yue-Xing , Liang Bin , Li Rong , Gao Er-He , Koch Walter J. , Ma Xin-Liang , Wang Ya-Jing
Published: June 2015

Adiponectin (APN) is a cardioprotective molecule. Its reduction in diabetes exacerbates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Although APN administration in animals attenuates MI/R injury, multiple factors limit its clinical application. The current study investigated whether AdipoRon, the first orally active molecule that binds APN receptors, may protect the heart against MI/R injury, and if so, to delineate the involved mechanisms. Wild-type (WT), APN knockout (APN-KO), and cardiomyocyte specific-AMPK dominant negative (AMPK-DN) mice were treated with vehicle or AdipoRon (50 mg/kg, 10 min prior to MI) and subjected to MI/R (30 min/3–24 h). Compared with vehicle, oral administration of AdipoRon to WT mice significantly improved cardiac function and attenuated postischemic cardiomyocyte apoptosis, determined by DNA ladder formation, TUNEL staining, and caspase-3 activation (all P < 0.01). MI/R-induced apoptotic cell death was significantly enhanced in mice deficient in either APN (APN-KO) or AMPK (AMPK-DN). In APN-KO mice, AdipoRon attenuated MI/R injury to the same degree as observed in WT mice. In AMPK-DN mice, AdipoRon's antiapoptotic action was partially inhibited but not lost. Finally, AdipoRon significantly attenuated postischemic oxidative stress, as evidenced by reduced NADPH oxidase expression and superoxide production. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time that AdipoRon, an orally active APN receptor activator, effectively attenuated postischemic cardiac injury, supporting APN receptor agonists as a promising novel therapeutic approach treating cardiovascular complications caused by obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
Electromagnetic Field Interference on Transmission Lines due to On-Board Antenna
Authors: Lee Heekwon , Ryu Soojung , Lee Seungbae , Kim SoYoung , Nah Wansoo
Published: May 2015

As the available space in the board of a mobile device becomes smaller and more compact, circuit elements and transmission lines are arranged in very close proximity, especially from the antennas which are usually installed on the same board. Due to the various on-board antennas which are designed in small space, the transmission lines on the board are electromagnetically interfered, resulting in the performance degradation of the circuit. So the engineers and circuit designers should find the least interfered place for the transmission lines and components to minimize the electromagnetic interferences. This paper discusses and presents a methodology to find the least sensitive position in the induced current distribution as well as in the noise power delivered from the antenna. For this purpose some vertical, horizontal, and bent transmission lines with antenna on the same board are designed and fabricated with and without common ground, and the transferred powers to the transmission lines were measured and were also simulated using a full-wave simulator. The results predicted by the EM simulation model were successfully confirmed through the measurement ofS-parameters in the experimental setup, which shows the validness of the suggested analysis method.
Successful Ultrasound-Guided Femoral Nerve Blockade and Catheterization in a Patient with Von Willebrand Disease
Authors: DiStefano Youmna E. , Lazar Michael D.
Published: May 2015

Peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) is superior to neuraxial anesthesia and/or opioid therapy for perioperative analgesia in total knee replacement (TKR). Evidence on the safety of PNB in patients with coagulopathy is lacking. We describe the first documented account of continuous femoral PNB for perioperative analgesia in a patient with Von Willebrand Disease (vWD). Given her history of opioid tolerance and after an informative discussion, a continuous femoral PNB was planned for in this 34-year-old female undergoing TKR. A Humate-P intravenous infusion was started and the patient was positioned supinely. Using sterile technique with ultrasound guidance, a Contiplex 18 Gauge Tuohy needle was advanced in plane through the fascia iliaca towards the femoral nerve. A nerve catheter was threaded through the needle and secured without complications. Postoperatively, a levobupivacaine femoral catheter infusion was maintained, and twice daily Humate-P intravenous infusions were administered for 48 hours; enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis was initiated thereafter. The patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 4. Given documentation of delayed, unheralded bleeding from PNB in coagulopathic patients, we recommend individualized PNB in vWD patients. Multidisciplinary team involvement is required to guide factor supplementation and thromboprophylaxis, as is close follow-up to elicit signs of bleeding throughout the delayed postoperative period.
Electrospun Sodium Alginate/Polyethylene Oxide Fibers and Nanocoated Yarns
Authors: Hu C. , Gong R. H. , Zhou F. L.
Published: May 2015

Sodium alginate (NaAlg), as a natural biopolymer, was electrospun from aqueous solution via blending with a biofriendly synthetic polymer polyethylene oxide. The morphology and chemical properties of resultant alginate-based nanofibers were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At a wide voltage window (i.e., 12–24 kV), smooth and uniform nanofibers were obtained from the 5.0% concentration with the NaAlg/PEO ratio ranging from 1 : 1 to 1 : 3. The results from FTIR, PXRD, and DSC demonstrate that molecular interaction exists between these two polymers and, therefore, contributes to the alteration of crystallinity of electrospun fibers. In addition, NaAlg/PEO nanofiber-coated polylactic acid (PLA) yarns with different twist levels were also fabricated in this work. The results show that the tensile strength of the nanocoated hybrid yarn and the tensile strength of uncoated yarn increase with the twist per centimeter (TPC) up to 0.5 but decrease when TPC is further increased. The tensile properties of hybrid yarn are superior to those of the uncoated yarn.
Subchronic Arsenic Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Normal Mice and Enhances Depression-Like Behaviors in the Chemically Induced Mouse Model of Depression
Authors: Chang Chia-Yu , Guo How-Ran , Tsai Wan-Chen , Yang Kai-Lin , Lin Li-Chuan , Cheng Tain-Junn , Chuu Jiunn-Jye
Published: May 2015

Accumulating evidence implicates that subchronic arsenic exposure causes cerebral neurodegeneration leading to behavioral disturbances relevant to psychiatric disorders. However, there is still little information regarding the influence of subchronic exposure to arsenic-contaminated drinking water on mood disorders and its underlying mechanisms in the cerebral prefrontal cortex. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of subchronic arsenic exposure (10 mg/LAs2O3 in drinking water) on the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in normal mice and in the chemically induced mouse model of depression by reserpine pretreatment. Our findings demonstrated that 4 weeks of arsenic exposure enhance anxiety-like behaviors on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) in normal mice, and 8 weeks of arsenic exposure augment depression-like behaviors on tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in the reserpine pretreated mice. In summary, in this present study, we demonstrated that subchronic arsenic exposure induces only the anxiety-like behaviors in normal mice and enhances the depression-like behaviors in the reserpine induced mouse model of depression, in which the cerebral prefrontal cortex BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway is involved. We also found that eight weeks of subchronic arsenic exposure are needed to enhance the depression-like behaviors in the mouse model of depression. These findings imply that arsenic could be an enhancer of depressive symptoms for those patients who already had the attribute of depression.
A Numerical Investigation on the Structure of the Zeros of Euler Polynomials
Authors: Ryoo C. S. , Kang J. Y.
Published: May 2015

Using numerical investigation, we observe the behavior of complex roots of the Euler polynomialsEn(x). By means of numerical experiments, we demonstrate a remarkably regular structure of the complex roots of the Euler polynomialsEn(x). Finally, we show the Julia set of Newton iteration functionR(x)=x-En(x)/En′(x).
Predicting Early Bulbar Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Speech Subsystem Approach
Authors: Rong Panying , Yunusova Yana , Wang Jun , Green Jordan R.
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To develop a predictive model of speech loss in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on measures of respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and resonatory functions that were selected using a data-mining approach.Method. Physiologic speech subsystem (respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and resonatory) functions were evaluated longitudinally in 66 individuals with ALS using multiple instrumentation approaches including acoustic, aerodynamic, nasometeric, and kinematic. The instrumental measures of the subsystem functions were subjected to a principal component analysis and linear mixed effects models to derive a set of comprehensive predictors of bulbar dysfunction. These subsystem predictors were subjected to a Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate the time until speech loss.Results. For a majority of participants, speech subsystem decline was detectible prior to declines in speech intelligibility and speaking rate. Among all subsystems, the articulatory and phonatory predictors were most responsive to early bulbar deterioration; and the resonatory and respiratory predictors were as responsive to bulbar decline as was speaking rate.Conclusions. The articulatory and phonatory predictors are sensitive indicators of early bulbar decline due to ALS, which has implications for predicting disease onset and progression and clinical management of ALS.
Visualizing Central Vessels of Hepatic Angiomyolipoma Devoid of Fat Using a 2D Multi-Breath-Hold Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging
Authors: Li Ruo-Kun , Zeng Meng-Su , Qiang Jin-Wei
Published: May 2015

Epithelioid hepatic angiomyolipoma (Epi-HAML) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor with malignant potential. Most of Epi-HAML contains no or only a minimal amount of adipose tissue and poses a diagnostic challenge. Central vessels are characteristic imaging finding of Epi-HAML, which usually were displayed by dynamic contrast imaging. In this paper, we displayed the central vessels of Epi-HAML invisible on conventional MR images using a new developed abdominal susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description for the role of SWI in characterization of Epi-HAML.
Biochemical and Molecular Phylogenetic Study of Agriculturally Useful Association of a Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium and NoduleSinorhizobiumwithMedicago sativaL.
Authors: Karaushu E. V. , Lazebnaya I. V. , Kravzova T. R. , Vorobey N. A. , Lazebny O. E. , Kiriziy D. A. , Olkhovich O. P. , Taran N. Yu. , Kots S. Ya. , Popova A. A. , Omarova E. , Koksharova O. A.
Published: May 2015

Seed inoculation with bacterial consortium was found to increase legume yield, providing a higher growth than the standard nitrogen treatment methods. Alfalfa plants were inoculated by mono- and binary compositions of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. Their physiological and biochemical properties were estimated. Inoculation by microbial consortium ofSinorhizobium melilotiT17 together with a new cyanobacterial isolateNostocPTV was more efficient than the single-rhizobium strain inoculation. This treatment provides an intensification of the processes of biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia bacteria in the root nodules and an intensification of plant photosynthesis. Inoculation by bacterial consortium stimulates growth of plant mass and rhizogenesis and leads to increased productivity of alfalfa and to improving the amino acid composition of plant leaves. The full nucleotide sequence of the rRNA gene cluster and partial sequence of the dinitrogenase reductase (nifH) gene ofNostocPTV were deposited to GenBank (JQ259185.1, JQ259186.1). Comparison of these gene sequences ofNostocPTV with all sequences present at the GenBank shows that this cyanobacterial strain does not have 100% identity with any organisms investigated previously. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this cyanobacterium clustered with high credibility values withNostoc muscorum.
Elastic Properties of Liquid Surfaces Coated with Colloidal Particles
Authors: Bormashenko Edward , Whyman Gene , Gendelman Oleg
Published: May 2015

The physical mechanism of elasticity of liquid surfaces coated with colloidal particles is proposed. It is suggested that particles are separated by water clearings and the capillary interaction between them is negligible. The case is treated when the colloidal layer is deformed normally to its surface. The elasticity arises as an interfacial effect. The effective Young modulus of a surface depends on the interfacial tension, equilibrium contact angle, radius of colloidal particles, and their surface density. For the nanometrically scaled particles the line tension becomes essential and has an influence on the effective Young modulus.
A Spatial Euler-Bernoulli Beam Element for Rigid-Flexible Coupling Dynamic Analysis of Flexible Structures
Authors: Zhang Zhigang , Qi Zhaohui , Wu Zhigang , Fang Huiqing
Published: May 2015

A two-node spatial beam element with the Euler-Bernoulli assumption is developed for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of slender beams undergoing arbitrary rigid motions and large deformations. During the analysis, the global displacement and rotation vectors with six degrees of freedom are selected as the nodal coordinates. In addition, the “shear locking” problem is avoided successfully since the beam cross-sections are always perpendicular to the current neutral axes by employing a special coupled interpolation of the centroid position and the cross-section orientation. Then a scheme is presented where the original transient strains representing the nodal forces are replaced by proposed average strains over a small time interval. Thus all the high frequencies can be filtered out and a corresponding equivalent internal damping will be produced in this new formulation, which can improve the computation performance of the proposed element for solving the stiff problem and evaluate the governing equations even by using the nonstiff ordinary differential equation solver. Finally, several numerical examples are carried out to verify the validation and efficiency of this proposed formulation by comparison with the analytical solutions and other research works.
Phyloproteomic Analysis of 11780 Six-Residue-Long Motifs Occurrences
Authors: Galzitskaya O. V. , Lobanov M. Yu.
Published: May 2015

How is it possible to find good traits for phylogenetic reconstructions? Here, we present a new phyloproteomic criterion that is an occurrence of simple motifs which can be imprints of evolution history. We studied the occurrences of 11780 six-residue-long motifs consisting of two randomly located amino acids in 97 eukaryotic and 25 bacterial proteomes. For all eukaryotic proteomes, with the exception of the Amoebozoa, Stramenopiles, and Diplomonadida kingdoms, the number of proteins containing the motifs from the first group (one of the two amino acids occurs once at the terminal position) made about 20%; in the case of motifs from the second (one of two amino acids occurs one time within the pattern) and third (the two amino acids occur randomly) groups, 30% and 50%, respectively. For bacterial proteomes, this relationship was 10%, 27%, and 63%, respectively. The matrices of correlation coefficients between numbers of proteins where a motif from the set of 11780 motifs appears at least once in 9 kingdoms and 5 phyla of bacteria were calculated. Among the correlation coefficients for eukaryotic proteomes, the correlation between the animal and fungi kingdoms (0.62) is higher than between fungi and plants (0.54). Our study provides support that animals and fungi are sibling kingdoms. Comparison of the frequencies of six-residue-long motifs in different proteomes allows obtaining phylogenetic relationships based on similarities between these frequencies: the Diplomonadida kingdoms are more close to Bacteria than to Eukaryota; Stramenopiles and Amoebozoa are more close to each other than to other kingdoms of Eukaryota.
Consecutive-Type Reliability Systems: An Overview and Some Applications
Authors: Triantafyllou Ioannis S.
Published: May 2015

The family of consecutive-type reliability systems is under investigation. More specifically, an up-to-date presentation of almost all generalizations of the well-known consecutive k-out-of-n: F system that have been proposed in the literature is displayed, while several recent and fundamental results for each member of the aforementioned family are stated.
An Approximate Redistributed Proximal Bundle Method with Inexact Data for Minimizing Nonsmooth Nonconvex Functions
Authors: Shen Jie , Liu Xiao-Qian , Guo Fang-Fang , Wang Shu-Xin
Published: May 2015

We describe an extension of the redistributed technique form classical proximal bundle method to the inexact situation for minimizing nonsmooth nonconvex functions. The cutting-planes model we construct is not the approximation to the whole nonconvex function, but to the local convexification of the approximate objective function, and this kind of local convexification is modified dynamically in order to always yield nonnegative linearization errors. Since we only employ the approximate function values and approximate subgradients, theoretical convergence analysis shows that an approximate stationary point or some double approximate stationary point can be obtained under some mild conditions.
A Combination of the Total Variation Filter and a Fourth-Order Filter for Image Registration
Authors: Yang Xiaomei , Shen Chaomin , Li Fang , Shen Chunli
Published: May 2015

We introduce a novel method for nonrigid image registration which combines the total variation filter and a fourth-order filter. We decompose the deformation field into two components, that is, a piecewise constant component and a smooth component. The total variation filter is used for the first component and the fourth-order filter is used for the second one. Then, we present a new PDE-based image registration model suitable for both smooth and nonsmooth deformation problem. Meanwhile, the local-global similarity measure is used in our method to improve the accuracy and robustness for image matching. By applying the split Bregman algorithm and dual algorithm, we present a fast and stable numerical scheme. The numerical experiments and comparisons on both synthetic images and real images demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in nonrigid image registration.