bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus and Influenza Virus Proteolytic Priming Takes Place in Tetraspanin-Enriched Membrane Microdomains
Authors: Earnest James T. , Hantak Michael P. , Park Jung-Eun , Gallagher Tom
Published: April 2015

Coronaviruses (CoVs) and low-pathogenicity influenza A viruses (LP IAVs) depend on target cell proteases to cleave their viral glycoproteins and prime them for virus-cell membrane fusion. Several proteases cluster into tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs), suggesting that TEMs are preferred virus entry portals. Here we found that several CoV receptors and virus-priming proteases were indeed present in TEMs. Isolated TEMs, when mixed with CoV and LP IAV pseudoparticles, cleaved viral fusion proteins to fusion-primed fragments and potentiated viral transductions. That entering viruses utilize TEMs as a protease source was further confirmed using tetraspanin antibodies and tetraspanin short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). Tetraspanin antibodies inhibited CoV and LP IAV infections, but their virus-blocking activities were overcome by expressing excess TEM-associated proteases. Similarly, cells with reduced levels of the tetraspanin CD9 resisted CoV pseudoparticle transductions but were made susceptible by overproducing TEM-associated proteases. These findings indicated that antibodies and CD9 depletions interfere with viral proteolytic priming in ways that are overcome by surplus proteases. TEMs appear to be exploited by some CoVs and LP IAVs for appropriate coengagement with cell receptors and proteases.

IMPORTANCE
Enveloped viruses use their surface glycoproteins to catalyze membrane fusion, an essential cell entry step. Host cell components prime these viral surface glycoproteins to catalyze membrane fusion at specific times and places during virus cell entry. Among these priming components are proteases, which cleave viral surface glycoproteins, unleashing them to refold in ways that catalyze virus-cell membrane fusions. For some enveloped viruses, these proteases are known to reside on target cell surfaces. This research focuses on coronavirus and influenza A virus cell entry and identifies TEMs as sites of viral proteolysis, thereby defining subcellular locations of virus priming with greater precision. Implications of these findings extend to the use of virus entry antagonists, such as protease inhibitors, which might be most effective when localized to these microdomains.
Detection of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Semen, Urethra, and Male Reproductive Organs during Efficient Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Matusali G. , Dereuddre-Bosquet N. , Le Tortorec A. , Moreau M. , Satie A.-P. , Mahé D. , Roumaud P. , Bourry O. , Sylla N. , Bernard-Stoecklin S. , Pruvost A. , Le Grand R. , Dejucq-Rainsford N.
Published: April 2015

A number of men receiving prolonged suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) still shed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen. To investigate whether this seminal shedding may be due to poor drug penetration and/or viral production by long-lived cells within male genital tissues, we analyzed semen and reproductive tissues from macaques chronically infected with simian immunodeficiency virus mac251 (SIVmac251) who were treated for 4 months with HAART, which was intensified over the last 7 weeks with an integrase inhibitor. We showed that a subset of treated animals continued shedding SIV in semen despite efficient HAART. This shedding was not associated with low antiretroviral drug concentrations in semen or in testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. HAART had no significant impact on SIV RNA in the urethra, whereas it drastically reduced SIV RNA levels in the prostate and vas deferens and to a lesser extent in the epididymis and seminal vesicle. The only detectable SIV RNA-positive cells within the male genital tract after HAART were urethral macrophages. SIV DNA levels in genital tissues were not decreased by HAART, suggesting the presence throughout the male genital tract of nonproductively infected cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that 4 months of HAART induced variable and limited control of viral infection in the male reproductive organs, particularly in the urethra, and suggest that infected long-lived cells in the male genital tract may be involved in persistent seminal shedding during HAART. These results pave the way for further investigations of male genital organ infection in long-term-treated infected individuals.

IMPORTANCEA substantial subset of men receiving prolonged HAART suppressing viral loads in the blood still harbor HIV in semen, and cases of sexual transmission have been reported. To understand the origin of this persistence, we analyzed the semen and male reproductive tissues from SIV-infected macaques treated with HAART. We demonstrated that persistent seminal shedding was not linked to poor drug penetration in semen or semen-producing prostate, seminal vesicle, epididymis, and testis. We revealed that HAART decreased SIV RNA to various extents in all male genital organs, with the exception of the urethra, in which SIV RNA+macrophages were observed despite HAART. Importantly, HAART did not impact SIV DNA levels in the male genital organs. These results suggest that infection of male genital organs, and particularly the urethra, could be involved in the release of virus in semen during HAART.
Psychosis post corona radiata and lentiform nucleus infarction
Authors: Abang Abdullah Khadijah Hasanah , Mohamed Saini Suriati , Sharip Shalisah , Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid
Published: April 2015

Complications of stroke can include neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, post-stroke psychosis is rare. We report a case where an acute presentation of psychosis, depression and fluctuating cognitive impairment in a middle-aged man turned out to be related to a silent brain infarction. The patient had a background of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus with glycated haemoglobin level of 9.0–11.0%, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. His CT brain results showed multifocal infarct with hypodensities at bilateral lentiform nucleus and bilateral corona radiata. His strong genetic predisposition of psychosis and a history of brief psychotic disorder with complete remission 3 years prior to the current presentation might possibly contribute to his post-stroke atypical neuropsychiatric presentation, and posed diagnostic challenges. He showed marked improvement with risperidone 6 mg nocte, chlorpromazine 50 mg nocte and fluvoxamine of 200 mg nocte. The need of comprehensive treatments to modify his stroke risk factors was addressed.
Endometrial osseous metaplasia: an unusual cause of infertility
Authors: Garg Deepika , Bekker Genia , Akselrod Faina , Narasimhulu Deepa Maheswari
Published: April 2015

Osseous metaplasia of the endometrium is a rare disorder associated with the presence of bone in the uterine endometrium. Most patients with this condition presenting with infertility do so owing to the presence of a foreign body in the endometrium. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with secondary infertility due to osseous metaplasia in the endometrial cavity. She conceived spontaneously after hysteroscopic removal of the bony fragments from the uterus. Uterine osseous metaplasia is a rare cause of infertility that can be easily managed by hysteroscopic removal of the bony fragments, which results in return of fertility.
Prevention of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy by a polyamine-reduced diet—NEUROXAPOL: protocol of a prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind and monocentric trial
Authors: Balayssac David , Ferrier Jérémy , Pereira Bruno , Gillet Brigitte , Pétorin Caroline , Vein Julie , Libert Frédéric , Eschalier Alain , Pezet Denis
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Oxaliplatin remains the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent for treating advanced colorectal cancer but its efficacy is hampered by dose-limiting neurotoxicity manifested by a painful polyneuropathy. Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is characterised by acute and transient cold hyperaesthesia in the hours and days following oxaliplatin infusion (>90% of patients), but also by retarded chronic neuropathy due to the repetition of chemotherapy cycles (30–50% of patients). OIPN impairs the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients and no preventive or curative strategies have as yet proven effective. A polyamine-reduced diet (PRD) has recently demonstrated its efficacy to prevent OIPN in animals without adverse effects.

Methods and analysis

The NEUROXAPOL trial is a prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind, monocentric and interventional study. This trial is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of a PRD compared to a normal polyamine containing diet to prevent OIPN in patients treated by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients (n=40 per group) will be randomly assigned to receive either a PRD or a normal diet before and during the chemotherapy regimen. The main objectives are to improve the cold pain thresholds, neuropathic pain symptoms, comorbidities (anxiety and depression) and HRQOL of patients. The primary end point is the assessment of cold pain thresholds 2 weeks after the third cycle of chemotherapy. The secondary end points are the evaluation of thermal pain thresholds, the grade of neuropathy, neuropathic pain, symptoms of anxiety and depression and HRQOL, until the 12th cycle of chemotherapy.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by an independent medical ethics committee 1 (CPP Sud Est 1, Saint Etienne, France) and registered by the competent French authority (ANSM, Saint Denis, France). The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses.

Trial registration number

NCT01775449.
Investigating the fall-injury reducing effect of impact absorbing flooring among female nursing home residents: initial results
Authors: Gustavsson Johanna , Bonander Carl , Andersson Ragnar , Nilson Finn
Published: April 2015

Background

Fall-related injuries affect the lives of elderly to a substantial degree. This quasi-experimental study investigates the fall-injury reducing effect of impact absorbing flooring among female nursing home residents.

Methods

The intervention site is a nursing home in Sweden where impact absorbing flooring was installed in parts of one of six wards (six out of 10 apartments (excluding bathrooms), the communal dining-room and parts of the corridor). The impact absorbing flooring is a 12 mm thick closed cell flexible polyurethane/polyurea composite tile (500×500 mm) with an exterior surface of polyurethane/polyurea. A generalised linear model (log-binomial) was used to calculate the RR of injury from falls on impact absorbing flooring compared to falls on regular flooring, adjusted for age, body mass index, visual and cognitive impairments.

Results

During the study period (1 October 2011 to 31 March 2014), 254 falls occurred on regular flooring and 77 falls on impact absorbing flooring. The injury/fall rate was 30.3% for falls on regular flooring and 16.9% for falls on impact absorbing flooring. Adjusted for covariates, the impact absorbing flooring significantly reduced the RR of injury in the event of a fall by 59% (RR 0.41 (95% Cl 0.20 to 0.80)).

Conclusions

This is, to our knowledge, the first study evaluating the injury-reducing effect of impact absorbing flooring in a nursing home showing statistically significant effect. The results from this study are promising, indicating the considerable potential of impact absorbing flooring as a fall-related injury intervention among frail elderly.
Endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats
Authors: Hall Ed
Published: April 2015

Flexible endoscopy systems are now affordable and available for small animal practice. Endoscopy forms part of the investigation of gastrointestinal (GI) disease, allowing visualisation and biopsy of the GI tract. This article is intended as a guide to the type of endoscope required and how to perform upper and lower GI endoscopy successfully.
Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics of the large NutriNet-Santé e-cohort with French Census data: the issue of volunteer bias revisited
Authors: Andreeva Valentina A , Salanave Benoît , Castetbon Katia , Deschamps Valérie , Vernay Michel , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Hercberg Serge
Published: April 2015

Background

A recurring concern in traditional and in Web-based studies pertains to non-representativeness due to volunteer bias. We investigated this issue in an ongoing, large population-based e-cohort.

Methods

The sample included 122 912 individuals enrolled in the Internet-based, nutrition-focused NutriNet-Santé study between May 2009 and March 2014, with complete baseline data. Participants were recruited via recurrent multimedia campaigns and other traditional and online strategies. Individuals aged 18+ years, residing in France and having Internet access, were eligible for enrolment. Their sociodemographic characteristics were compared with the corresponding 2009 Census data via χ2goodness-of-fit tests. The effectiveness of statistical weighting of the e-cohort data was also explored.

Results

The sample exhibited marked geographical and sociodemographic diversity, including volunteers belonging to typically under-represented subgroups in traditional surveys (unemployed, immigrants, the elderly). Nonetheless, the proportions of women, relatively well-educated individuals and those who are married or cohabiting, were notably larger compared with the corresponding national figures (women: 78.0% vs 52.4%; postsecondary education: 61.5% vs 24.9%; married or cohabiting: 70.8% vs 62.0%, respectively; all p<0.0001).

Conclusions

There were notable sociodemographic differences between the general French population and this general population-based e-cohort, some of which were corrected by statistical weighting. The findings bear on the potential generalisability of future investigations in the context of e-epidemiology.
Hypernatraemia in a young German shepherd dog with a middle fossa mass
Authors: Mapletoft Emma K , Bazelle Julien , Parry Andrew T
Published: April 2015

A 10‐month‐old female entire German shepherd dog presented with inappetence, pyrexia and weight loss. It had marked hypernatraemia, which did not fully resolve despite receiving hypotonic intravenous fluid therapy. Physical examination showed signs of dehydration but no neurological deficits. MRI of the brain identified a well‐demarcated mass in the middle fossa, involving the thalamus, the optic chiasm and the pituitary gland. It is likely that thalamic involvement led to hypodipsia and subsequent hypernatraemia.
Modified Bühner suture technique in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) with penile prolapse
Authors: Kleinschmidt Laura Marie , Heatley J Jill
Published: April 2015

Penile prolapse in guinea pigs may occur due to prolonged trauma, fur/debris accumulation, irritation and/or infection of the penis. Other species affected by penile prolapse include reptiles, horses, cats, dogs, degus and chinchillas. Treatment for penile prolapse usually involves treatment of the underlying cause, anti‐inflammatories, analgesics and manual reduction. However, if initial manual reduction is unsuccessful and the penis continues to prolapse, surgical intervention may be considered to facilitate prolapse reduction. In horses, traumatic penile prolapse was successfully treated using a modified Bühner suture technique, historically used in reproductive prolapse in cattle. This case report describes the successful use of a modified Bühner suture technique to treat a four‐year‐old intact guinea pig boar with balanoposthitis‐induced penile prolapse. Based on this experience, a modified Bühner suture technique in conjunction with appropriate medical management is a useful, minimally invasive technique for treatment of balanoposthitis‐induced penile prolapse in guinea pigs.
Integration of production and financial models to analyse the financial impact of livestock diseases: a case study of Schmallenberg virus disease on British and French dairy farms
Authors: Häsler Barbara , Alarcon Pablo , Raboisson Didier , Waret‐Szkuta Agnes , Rushton Jonathan
Published: April 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the financial impact of Schmallenberg disease for different dairy production types in the United Kingdom and France.

Materials and methods

Integrated production and financial models for dairy cattle were developed and applied to Schmallenberg virus (SBV) disease in a British and French context. The five main production systems that prevail in these two countries were considered. Their respective gross margins measuring the holding's profitability were calculated based on public benchmarking, literature and expert opinion data. A partial budget analysis was performed within each production model to estimate the impact of SBV in the systems modelled. Two disease scenarios were simulated: low impact and high impact.

Results

The model gross margin obtained per cow space and year ranged from £1014 to £1484 for the UK and from £1037 to £1890 for France depending on the production system considered. In the UK, the net SBV disease costs in £/cow space/year for an average dairy farm with 100 milking spaces were estimated between £16.3 and £51.4 in the high‐impact scenario and between £8.2 and £25.9 in the low‐impact scenario. For France, the net SBV disease costs in £/cow space/year ranged from £19.6 to £48.6 in the high‐impact scenario and £9.7 to £22.8 in the low‐impact scenario, respectively.

Conclusion

The study illustrates how the combination of production and financial models allows assessing disease impact taking into account differing management and husbandry practices and associated price structures in the dairy sector. It supports decision‐making of farmers and veterinarians who are considering disease control measures as it provides an approach to estimate baseline disease impact in common dairy production systems in the UK and France.
Novel real‐time PCR detection assay forBrucella suis
Authors: Hänsel C. , Mertens K. , Elschner M. C. , Melzer F.
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Brucella suisis the causative agent of brucellosis in suidae and is differentiated into five biovars (bv). Biovars 1 and 3 possess zoonotic potential and can infect humans, whereas biovar 2 represents the main source of brucellosis in feral and domestic pigs in Europe. Both aspects, the zoonotic threat and the economic loss, emphasize the necessity to monitor feral and domestic pig populations. Available serological or PCR based methods lack sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Here a bioinformatics approach was used to identify aB. suisspecific 17 bp repeat on chromosome II (BS1330_II0657 locus). This repeat is common forB. suisbv 1 to 4 and was used to develop a TaqMan probe assay. The average PCR efficiency was determined as 95% and the limit of detection as 12,5 fg/µl of DNA, equally to 3.7 bacterial genomes. This assay has the highest sensitivity of all previously describedB. suisspecific PCR assays, making it possible to detect 3‐4 bacterial genomes per 1 µl of sample. The assay was tested 100% specific forB. suisand negative for otherBrucellaspp. and closely related non‐Brucellaspecies.

Conclusions

This novel qPCR assay could become a rapid, inexpensive and reliable screening method for large sample pools of B. suis 1 to 4. This method will be applicable for field samples after validation.
Leaf area allometrics and morphometrics in baldcypress
Authors: Allen Scott T. , Whitsell Margaret L. , Keim Richard F.
Published: April 2015

Leaf area relationships are important physiologically and ecologically but are not well studied in baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. var. distichum). Tree leaf area (LA) and leaf area index (LAI) were measured in a wetland in southern Louisiana by dissecting crowns of felled trees and by scaling stand-level measurements with allometry. Branchlet morphology ranged from flat and open with high specific leaf area (87.2 ± 30.7 cm2·g−1; mean ± SD) to scaled with appressed leaves and low specific leaf area (22.1 ± 11.6 cm2·g−1). Leaves were more appressed higher in the canopy. Tree LA was strongly related to sapwood basal area (SBA), and SBA was related to diameter; these allometric relationships enabled estimating LA from diameters. At the plot level, LAI estimated by allometric relationship (ranging from 1.8 to 10.2) was not linearly related to output from an optical canopy analyzer measuring light extinction; ratios of allometric to optical methods were 0.8 for the sparsest plot and 2.4 for the densest plot. LAI was less in deeper flooded plots (3.6 ± 0.6) than in transiently flooded plots (8.4 ± 0.6), but it is unclear whether this represents a difference in maximum LAI or delayed attainment of maximum LAI in lower areas.
Microstructural analysis of W-SiCf/SiC composite
Authors: Yoon Hanki , Oh Jeongseok , Kim Gonho , Kim Hyunsu , Takahashi Heishichiro , Kohyama Akira
Published: April 2015

Continuous silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide ( SiC f / SiC ) composites are promising structure candidates for future fusion power systems such as gas coolant fast channels, extreme high temperature reactor and fusion reactors, because of their intrinsic properties such as excellent mechanical properties, high thermal conductivity, good thermal-shock resistance as well as excellent physical and chemical stability in various environments under elevated temperature conditions. In this study, bonding of tungsten and SiC f / SiC was produced by hot-press method. Microstructure analyses were performed using SEM and TEM.
Polarization characteristics of four types of coating films by thermal spray in seawater solution
Authors: Moon Kyung-Man , Kim Yun-Hae , Lee Myeong-Hoon , Baek Tae-Sil
Published: April 2015

Thermal spray coating method has been known to be an attractive technique due to its relatively high coating speed. However, a high corrosion resistance of the coating film deposited by thermal spray method should be improved to prolong its lifetime. In this study, four types of coated films (DFT: 400 μm), that is, pure zinc, pure aluminum and two Al – Zn alloy ( Al : Zn = 85:15 and Al : Zn = 95:5) films were coated onto a carbon steel (SS401) with arc spraying, and the corrosion behaviors of these samples were investigated using the electrochemical method. The pure aluminum sample had the best corrosion resistance in seawater solution and alloy ( Al : Zn = 85:15) film, so called galvalume followed the pure aluminum sample, moreover, the alloy ( Al : Zn = 95:5) sample exhibited the worst corrosion resistance.
Fatigue-induced damage and crack growth of Cu processed by ECAP
Authors: Goto Masahiro , Morita Kakeru , Kitamura Jyunichi , Baba Masataka , Han Seung-Zeon , Ahn Jee-Hyuk , Kim Sangshik
Published: April 2015

The fatigue-induced damage and crack growth behavior were studied on the ultrafine grained copper processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). At high stresses, fatigue cracks were initiated at the shear bands (SBs) formed along the shear plane of the final ECAP. At low stresses, the grain coarsening occurred due to dynamic recrystallization. The slip bands were then formed inside these grains and subsequently served as an initiation sites for cracks. The direction of crack growth, either 45° or perpendicular to the loading axis, varied depending on the stress. The formation and growth mechanisms of fatigue crack are discussed based on the micrographic observation of surface damage.
X-ray Rietveld refinement of structure of Ba-deficient Ba3Si6O12N2:Eu phosphor
Authors: Moriga Toshihiro , Fujigaki Hiroshi , Ogita Yuma , Muguruma Issei , Bando Fumika , Murai Kei-Ichiro , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N.
Published: April 2015

Green oxynitride phosphors Ba 3 Si 6 O 12 N 2 were prepared with metallic ratio of Si / Ba = 3. It was found that the nonstoichiometric mixture at Si / Ba = 3 formed the Ba 3 Si 6 O 12 N 2-type phase easier than the stoichiometric one at Si / Ba = 2 after it was fired at 1200°C for 5 h under a diluted hydrogen flow (5% H 2–95% N 2). The excess Si source led to a formation of SiO 2 glass, which can act as a flux in case of formation of Ba 3 Si 6 O 12 N 2.
Evaluation of shrinkage and cracking in concrete of ring test by acoustic emission method
Authors: Watanabe Takeshi , Hashimoto Chikanori
Published: April 2015

Drying shrinkage of concrete is one of the typical problems related to reduce durability and defilation of concrete structures. Lime stone, expansive additive and low-heat Portland cement are used to reduce drying shrinkage in Japan. Drying shrinkage is commonly evaluated by methods of measurement for length change of mortar and concrete. In these methods, there is detected strain due to drying shrinkage of free body, although visible cracking does not occur. In this study, the ring test was employed to detect strain and age cracking of concrete. The acoustic emission (AE) method was adopted to detect micro cracking due to shrinkage. It was recognized that in concrete using lime stone, expansive additive and low-heat Portland cement are effective to decrease drying shrinkage and visible cracking. Micro cracking due to shrinkage of this concrete was detected and evaluated by the AE method.
Cellulose nanofiber extraction from grass by a modified kitchen blender
Authors: Nakagaito Antonio Norio , Ikenaga Koh , Takagi Hitoshi
Published: April 2015

Cellulose nanofibers have been used to reinforce polymers, delivering composites with strength that in some cases can be superior to that of engineering plastics. The extraction of nanofibers from plant fibers can be achieved through specialized equipment that demands high energy input, despite delivering extremely low yields. The high extraction cost confines the use of cellulose nanofibers to the laboratory and not for industrial applications. This study aims to extract nanofibers from grass by using a kitchen blender. Earlier studies have demonstrated that paper sheets made of blender-extracted nanofibers (after 5 min to 10 min of blending) have strengths on par with paper sheets made from commercially available cellulose nanofibers. By optimizing the design of the blender bottle, nanofibrillation can be achieved in shorter treatment times, reducing the energy consumption (in the present case, to half) and the overall extraction cost. The raw materials used can be extended to the residue straw of agricultural crops, as an alternative to the usual pulp fibers obtained from wood.
Bifurcation Structures in a Bimodal Piecewise Linear Map: Chaotic Dynamics
Authors: Panchuk Anastasiia , Sushko Iryna , Avrutin Viktor
Published: April 2015

In this work, we investigate the bifurcation structure of the parameter space of a generic 1D continuous piecewise linear bimodal map focusing on the regions associated with chaotic attractors (cyclic chaotic intervals). The boundaries of these regions corresponding to chaotic attractors with different number of intervals are identified. The results are obtained analytically using the skew tent map and the map replacement technique.
Rich Global Dynamics in a Prey–Predator Model with Allee Effect and Density Dependent Death Rate of Predator
Authors: Sen Moitri , Banerjee Malay
Published: April 2015

In this work we have considered a prey–predator model with strong Allee effect in the prey growth function, Holling type-II functional response and density dependent death rate for predators. It presents a comprehensive study of the complete global dynamics for the considered system. Especially to see the effect of the density dependent death rate of predator on the system behavior, we have presented the two parametric bifurcation diagrams taking it as one of the bifurcation parameters. In course of that we have explored all possible local and global bifurcations that the system could undergo, namely the existence of transcritical bifurcation, saddle node bifurcation, cusp bifurcation, Hopf-bifurcation, Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation and Bautin bifurcation respectively.
Limit Cycle and Boundary Equilibrium Bifurcations in Continuous Planar Piecewise Linear Systems
Authors: Ponce Enrique , Ros Javier , Vela Elísabet
Published: April 2015

Boundary equilibrium bifurcations in continuous planar piecewise linear systems with two and three zones are considered, with emphasis on the possible simultaneous appearance of limit cycles. Situations with two limit cycles surrounding the only equilibrium point are detected and rigorously shown for the first time in the family of systems under study.

The theoretical results are applied to the analysis of an electronic Wien bridge oscillator with biased polarization, characterizing the different parameter regions of oscillation.
The Geometry of Quadratic Polynomial Differential Systems with a Finite and an Infinite Saddle-Node (C)
Authors: Artés Joan C. , Rezende Alex C. , Oliveira Regilene D. S.
Published: April 2015

Planar quadratic differential systems occur in many areas of applied mathematics. Although more than one thousand papers have been written on these systems, a complete understanding of this family is still missing. Classical problems, and in particular, Hilbert's 16th problem [Hilbert, 1900, 1902], are still open for this family. Our goal is to make a global study of the family QsnSN of all real quadratic polynomial differential systems which have a finite semi-elemental saddle-node and an infinite saddle-node formed by the collision of two infinite singular points. This family can be divided into three different subfamilies, all of them with the finite saddle-node in the origin of the plane with the eigenvectors on the axes and with the eigenvector associated with the zero eigenvalue on the horizontal axis and (A) with the infinite saddle-node in the horizontal axis, (B) with the infinite saddle-node in the vertical axis and (C) with the infinite saddle-node in the bisector of the first and third quadrants. These three subfamilies modulo the action of the affine group and time homotheties are three-dimensional and we give the bifurcation diagram of their closure with respect to specific normal forms, in the three-dimensional real projective space. The subfamilies (A) and (B) have already been studied [Artés et al., 2013b] and in this paper we provide the complete study of the geometry of the last family (C). The bifurcation diagram for the subfamily (C) yields 371 topologically distinct phase portraits with and without limit cycles for systems in the closure [Formula: see text] within the representatives of QsnSN(C) given by a chosen normal form. Algebraic invariants are used to construct the bifurcation set. The phase portraits are represented on the Poincaré disk. The bifurcation set of [Formula: see text] is not only algebraic due to the presence of some surfaces found numerically. All points in these surfaces correspond to either connections of separatrices, or the presence of a double limit cycle.
Double Bifurcation of Nilpotent Focus
Authors: Liu Yirong , Li Feng
Published: April 2015

In this paper, an interesting bifurcation phenomenon is investigated — a 3-multiple nilpotent focus of the planar dynamical systems could be broken into two element focuses and an element saddle, and the limit cycles could bifurcate out from two element focuses. As an example, a class of cubic systems with 3-multiple nilpotent focus O(0, 0) is investigated, we prove that nine limit cycles with the scheme 7 ⊃ (1 ∪ 1) could bifurcate out from the origin when the origin is a weak focus of order 8. At the end of this paper, the double bifurcations of a class of Z2 equivalent cubic system with 3-multiple nilpotent focus or center O(0, 0) are investigated.
Bifurcations and Exact Solutions of a Modulated Equation in a Discrete Nonlinear Electrical Transmission Line (II)
Authors: Li Jibin , Chen Fengjuan
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we consider a model which is the modulated equation in a discrete nonlinear electrical transmission line. This model is an integrable planar dynamical system having three singular straight lines. By using the theory of singular systems and investigating the dynamical behavior, we obtain bifurcations of the phase portraits of the system under different parameter conditions. Corresponding to some special level curves, we derive possible exact explicit parametric representations of solutions (including smooth solitary wave and periodic wave solutions, periodic cusp wave solutions) under different parameter conditions.
Boson-sampling with non-interacting fermions
Authors: Shchesnovich V. S.
Published: April 2015

We explore the conditions under which identical particles in unitary linear networks behave as the other species, i.e. bosons as fermions and fermions as bosons. It is found that the Boson-sampling (BS) computer of Aaronson and Arkhipov can be implemented in an interference experiment with non-interacting fermions in an appropriately entangled state. Moreover, a scheme is proposed which simulates the scattershot version of the BS computer by preparing, on the fly, the required entangled state of fermions from an unentangled one.
Smoothed Point Interpolation Method for Elastoplastic Analysis
Authors: Zhang G. Y. , Li Y. , Gao X. X. , Hui D. , Wang S. Q. , Zong Z.
Published: April 2015

This work formulates the node-based smoothed radial point interpolation method (NS-RPIM), a typical model of smoothed point interpolation method, for the elastoplastic analysis of two-dimensional solids with gradient-dependent plasticity. The NS-RPIM uses radial point interpolation shape functions for field approximation and node-based gradient smoothing for strain field construction. The formulation is based on the parametric variational principle (PVP) in the form of complementarity with the gradient-dependent plasticity being represented by means of the linearization of the yield criterion and the flow rule. Numerical study results have demonstrated the accuracy and stability of the proposed approach for elastoplastic analysis.
A Modified S-Transform for EEG Signals Analysis
Authors: Al-Manie M. A. , Wang W. J.
Published: April 2015

Due to the advantages offered by the S-transform (ST) distribution, it has been recently successfully implemented for various applications such as seismic and image processing. The desirable properties of the ST include a globally referenced phase as the case with the short time Fourier transform (STFT) while offering a higher spectral resolution as the wavelet transform (WT). However, this estimator suffers from some inherent disadvantages seen as poor energy concentration with higher frequencies. In order to improve the performance of the distribution, a modification to the existing technique is proposed. Additional parameters are proposed to control the window's width which can greatly enhance the signal representation in the time–frequency plane. The new estimator's performance is evaluated using synthetic signals as well as biomedical data. The required features of the ST which include invertability and phase information are still preserved.
TURKEY CORONAVIRUS: AN UPDATED REVIEW
Authors: Chen Yi-Ning , Wu Ching Ching , Lin Tsang Long
Published: April 2015

Turkey coronavirus (TCoV) causes acute atrophic enteritis and uneven flock growth in turkey farms leading to economic loss. Since 1990's, turkey flocks have kept experiencing coronaviral enteritis sporadically in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Brazil. Poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) caused by the co-infection of TCoV, astrovirus, and other viruses or bacteria resulted in significantly high mortality. Diagnosis of TCoV depends on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescent antibody assay and virus isolation (VI). Genomic organization of TCoV is as follows: 5′ UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-5a-5b-N-UTR 3′. Genomic analysis suggests the emergence of TCoV from infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) through the recombination of spike (S) gene. Both TCoV and IBV belong to species Avian coronavirus in genus Gammacoronavirus and have a single stranded RNA genome with a size about 27 kb. High similarity of S genes has been found between TCoV isolates in contrast to low similarity between IBV strains. TCoV infection induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses, characterized by high levels of antibody and interferon gamma. The fragment containing neutralizing epitopes in the S protein has been identified. Vaccines conferring protection against TCoV have not been developed and used in the fields but live attenuated, killed, DNA, and fowlpox virus vectored vaccines have been generated and their efficacies were evaluated. Molecular epidemiology of TCoV in recent outbreaks sheds more information on the evolution and transmission of TCoV, which will aid in developing effective vaccines or treatment to prevent, control, or eliminate TCoV infection.
CAUSES OF CANINE ANEMIA IN TAIWAN: A FIVE-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY
Authors: Liu Pin-Chen , Su Bi-Ling
Published: April 2015

Anemia is a common hematologic disorder in dogs, however, few data are available regarding epidemiology and causes in Taiwan. To investigate the causes of anemia, 3174 anemic cases (hematocrit < 37%) collected between January 2008 and December 2012 at National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital (NTUVH) were analyzed. Most dogs (48.5%, n = 1540) presented with a mild form (30% ≤ hematocrit < 37%), which was followed by a moderate form (20% ≤ hematocrit < 30%; 36.4%, n = 1155), a severe form (13% ≤ hematocrit < 20%; 10.5%, n = 332) and a very severe form (hematocrit < 13%; 4.6%, n = 147). Among the 2037 dogs with identifiable causes, 70.4% (1435 dogs) were induced by single cause, whereas 29.6% (602 dogs) by multiple causes. Cancer-related anemia (CRA, n = 460), infectious pathogens-related anemia (n = 287), renal disease-related anemia (n = 251) and post-surgery/trauma-related anemia (n = 182) account for 32.1%, 20.0%, 17.6% and 12.7% of single-cause cases, respectively. Furthermore, 255 of the total (17.8.0%) presented with severe and very severe anemia. 72 dogs with very severe anemia primarily resulted from infectious disease-related anemia (59.7%), followed by immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (13.9%), and other disease-related anemia (9.7%). Of the 43 infectious disease-related very severe anemic dogs, the most commonly diagnosed pathogen was Babesia gibsoni (83.7%, n = 36), followed by Ehrlichia canis (11.6%, n = 5), Babesia canis (2.3%, n = 1) and Leptospira spp. (2.3%, n = 1). Taken together, cancer, infectious diseases, and renal failure are the most frequent causes of canine anemia in Taiwan, and B. gibsoni appeared to be the most important infectious pathogen causing very severe anemia.
Investigations on the Interactions of 5-Fluorouracil with Herring Sperm DNA: Steady State/Time Resolved and Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Chinnathambi Shanmugavel , Karthikeyan Subramani , Velmurugan Devadasan , Hanagata Nobutaka , Aruna Prakasarao , Ganesan Singaravelu
Published: April 2015

In the present study, the interaction of 5-Fluorouracil with herring sperm DNA is reported using spectroscopic and molecular modeling techniques. This binding study of 5-FU with hs-DNA is of paramount importance in understanding chemico–biological interactions for drug design, pharmacy and biochemistry without altering the original structure. The challenge of the study was to find the exact binding mode of the drug 5-Fluorouracil with hs-DNA. From the absorption studies, a hyperchromic effect was observed for the herring sperm DNA in the presence of 5-Fluorouracil and a binding constant of 6.153 × 103M-1for 5-Fluorouracil reveals the existence of weak interaction between the 5-Fluorouracil and herring sperm DNA. Ethidium bromide loaded herring sperm DNA showed a quenching in the fluorescence intensity after the addition of 5-Fluorouracil. The binding constants for 5-Fluorouracil stranded DNA and competitive bindings of 5-FU interacting with DNA–EB systems were examined by fluorescence spectra. The Stern–Volmer plots and fluorescence lifetime results confirm the static quenching nature of the drug-DNA complex. The binding constant Kbwas 2.5 × 104L mol-1and the number of binding sites are 1.17. The 5-FU on DNA system was calculated using double logarithmic plot. From the Forster nonradiative energy transfer study it has been found that the distance of 5-FU from DNA was 4.24 nm. In addition to the spectroscopic results, the molecular modeling studies also revealed the major groove binding as well as the partial intercalation mode of binding between the 5-Fluorouracil and herring sperm DNA. The binding energy and major groove binding as -6.04 kcal mol-1and -6.31 kcal mol-1were calculated from the modeling studies. All the testimonies manifested that binding modes between 5-Fluorouracil and DNA were evidenced to be groove binding and in partial intercalative mode.
Electron Transfer Mechanisms of DNA Repair by Photolyase
Authors: Zhong Dongping
Published: April 2015

Photolyase is a flavin photoenzyme that repairs two DNA base damage products induced by ultraviolet (UV) light: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts. With femtosecond spectroscopy and site-directed mutagenesis, investigators have recently made significant advances in our understanding of UV-damaged DNA repair, and the entire enzymatic dynamics can now be mapped out in real time. For dimer repair, six elementary steps have been characterized, including three electron transfer reactions and two bond-breaking processes, and their reaction times have been determined. A unique electron-tunneling pathway was identified, and the critical residues in modulating the repair function at the active site were determined. The dynamic synergy between the elementary reactions for maintaining high repair efficiency was elucidated, and the biological nature of the flavin active state was uncovered. For 6-4 photoproduct repair, a proton-coupled electron transfer repair mechanism has been revealed. The elucidation of electron transfer mechanisms and two repair photocycles is significant and provides a molecular basis for future practical applications, such as in rational drug design for curing skin cancer.
Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment alters Na+uptake in renal proximal tubule cells from adult offspring in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Su Yixin , Bi Jianli , Pulgar Victor M. , Figueroa Jorge , Chappell Mark , Rose James C.
Published: April 2015

We have shown a sex-specific effect of fetal programming on Na+excretion in adult sheep. The site of this effect in the kidney is unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) from adult male sheep exposed to betamethasone (Beta) before birth have greater Na+uptake than do RPTCs from vehicle-exposed male sheep and that RPTCs from female sheep similarly exposed are not influenced by antenatal Beta. In isolated RPTCs from 1- to 1.5-yr-old male and female sheep, we measured Na+uptake under basal conditions and after stimulation with ANG II. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved, we also measured nitric oxide (NO) levels, ANG II receptor mRNA levels, and expression of Na+/H+exchanger 3. Basal Na+uptake increased more in cells from Beta-exposed male sheep than in cells from vehicle-exposed male sheep (400% vs. 300%, P < 0.00001). ANG II-stimulated Na+uptake was also greater in cells from Beta-exposed males. Beta exposure did not increase Na+uptake by RPTCs from female sheep. NO production was suppressed more by ANG II in RPTCs from Beta-exposed males than in RPTCs from either vehicle-exposed male or female sheep. Our data suggest that one site of the sex-specific effect of Beta-induced fetal programming in the kidney is the RPTC and that the enhanced Na+uptake induced by antenatal Beta in male RPTCs may be related to the suppression of NO in these cells.
Platelets are relevant mediators of renal injury induced by primary endothelial lesions
Authors: Schwarzenberger Claudia , Sradnick Jan , Lerea Kenneth M. , Goligorsky Michael S. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Hugo Christian P. M. , Hohenstein Bernd
Published: April 2015

Several studies have suggested a prominent (pro)inflammatory and harmful role of platelets in renal disease, and newer work has also demonstrated platelet release of proangiogenic factors. In the present study, we investigated the role of platelets in a mouse model of selective endothelial cell injury using either platelet depletion or the pharmacological P2Y12 receptor blocker clopidogrel as an interventional strategy. The concanavalin A/anti-concanavalin A model was induced in left kidneys of C57bl/6J wild-type mice after initial platelet depletion or platelet-inhibiting therapy using clopidogrel. FACS analysis of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa/P-selectin double-positive platelets and platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated relevant platelet activation after the induction of selective endothelial injury in mice. Enhanced platelet activation persisted for 5 days after disease induction and was accompanied by increased amounts of circulating platelet-derived microparticles as potential mediators of a prolonged procoagulant state. By immunohistochemistry, we detected significantly reduced glomerular injury in platelet-depleted mice compared with control mice. In parallel, we also saw reduced endothelial loss and a consequently reduced repair response as indicated by diminished proliferative activity. The P2Y12 receptor blocker clopidogrel demonstrated efficacy in limiting platelet activation and subsequent endothelial injury in this mouse model of renal microvascular injury. In conclusion, platelets are relevant mediators of renal injury induced by primary endothelial lesions early on, as demonstrated by platelet depletion as well as platelet inhibition via the P2Y12 receptor. While strategies to prevent platelet-endothelial interactions have shown protective effects, the contribution of platelets during renal regeneration remains unknown.
Tactile signals transmitted by the vibrissa during active whisking behavior
Authors: Huet Lucie A. , Schroeder Christopher L. , Hartmann Mitra J. Z.
Published: April 2015

The rodent vibrissal-trigeminal system is one of the most widely used models for the study of somatosensation and tactile perception, but to date the field has been unable to quantify the complete set of mechanical input signals generated during natural whisking behavior. In this report we show that during whisking behavior of awake rats ( Rattus norvegicus), the whisker will often bend out of its plane of rotation, generating sizeable mechanical (tactile) signals out of the plane. We then develop a model of whisker bending that allows us to compute the three-dimensional tactile signals at the vibrissal base during active whisking behavior. Considerable information can be lost if whisking motions are considered only in two dimensions, and we offer some suggestions for experimentalists concerned with monitoring the direction of bending. These data represent the first quantification of the physical signals transmitted to the mechanoreceptors in the follicle during active whisking behavior.