bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Something special at the event horizon
Authors: Eune Myungseok , Gim Yongwan , Kim Wontae
Published: December 2014

We revisit the free-fall energy density of scalar fields semiclassically by employing the trace anomaly on a two-dimensional Schwarzschild black hole with respect to various black hole states in order to clarify whether something special at the horizon happens or not. For the Boulware state, the energy density at the horizon is always negative divergent, which is independent of initial free-fall positions. However, in the Unruh state the initial free-fall position is responsible for the energy density at the horizon and there is a critical point to determine the sign of the energy density at the horizon. In particular, a huge negative energy density appears when the freely falling observer is dropped just near the horizon. For the Hartle–Hawking state, it may also be positive or negative depending on the initial free-fall position, but it is always finite. Finally, we discuss physical consequences of these calculations.
Aerosol synthesis and application of folded graphene-based materials
Authors: Chen Yantao , Wang Zhongying , Qiu Yang
Published: December 2014

Graphene oxide colloid has been widely used in the synthesis of various graphene-based materials. Graphene oxide sheets, with a low bending rigidity, can be folded when assembled in aqueous phase. A simple but industrial scalable way, aerosol processing, can be used to fabricate folded graphene-based materials. These folded materials can carry various cargo materials and be used in different applications such as time-controlled drug release, medical imaging enhancement, catalyst support and energy related areas. The aerosol synthesis of folded graphene-based materials can also be easily extended to fabricate hybrid nanomaterials without any complicated chemistries.
Efficient Mining of Partial Periodic Patterns with Individual Event Support Thresholds Using Minimum Constraints
Authors: Yang Kung-Jiuan , Hong Tzung-Pei , Lan Guo-Cheng , Chen Yuh-Min
Published: December 2014

Partial periodic patterns are commonly seen in real-life applications and provide useful prediction with uncertainty. Most previous approaches have set a single minimum support threshold for all events to assume they have similar frequencies which is not practical for real-world applications. Instead of setting a single minimum support threshold for all events, Chen et al. proposed an FP-tree-like algorithm to allow multiple minimum supports for reflecting the natures of the events. However, such a tree-based algorithm encountered an efficiency problem while period length is long or event sequential orders in period segments are varied. Under the circumstance, many tree branches are created and much execution time is spent to find partial periodic patterns. In this paper, we thus propose a projection-based algorithm which examines only prefix subsequences and projects only corresponding postfix subsequences with multiple minimum supports to quickly find the partial periodic patterns in a recursive process. Experiments on both synthetic and real-life datasets show that the proposed algorithm is more efficient than the previous one.
A Revisit to Traces in Characterizing Properties of Fuzzy Relations
Authors: Wang Xuzhu , Zhang Caixia , Cheng Yongqiang
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we focus on the characterizations of some properties of fuzzy relations by using the notions of traces. The investigation is two-fold. On one hand, we attempt to reformulate the results obtained by Fodor under weakened conditions. On the other hand, we present some new characterizations of properties, mainly T-asymmetry, T-S-semitransitivity and T-S-Ferrers property, in terms of traces.
Monoisomeric phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads with e- and cis-3 addition pattern; synthesis, modeling, photovoltage and solar cell experiments
Authors: Ranta Jenni , Niskanen Mika , Kaunisto Kimmo , Manninen Venla , Mundy M. Elizabeth , Virkki Kirsi , Hakola Hanna , Hukka Terttu I. , Lemmetyinen Helge
Published: December 2014

Synthesis and characterization of two A 2 B 2-type monoisomeric phthalocyanines and phthalocyanine-fullerene (Pc- C 60) dyads, in which fullerene is regioselectively attached to phthalocyanine with two linkers, are described. 1 H NMR spectroscopy results clearly indicate an e addition pattern of the fullerene moiety in trans-dyad 9, and apparently a cis-3 addition pattern in cis-dyad 10. The possible spatial arrangements of 9 and 10 were further examined by molecular modeling. The dyads have polar (– OH ) side chains on the fullerene side of the dyad providing a possibility to produce oriented donor–acceptor (D–A) Langmuir monolayers on aqueous subphase, which can be shifted onto a solid surface. When deposited on a solid electrode material, parallel vertical alignment of the phthalocyanine and fullerene moieties in 100% dyad monolayer was obtained and vertical electron transfer from Pc to C 60 upon photoexcitation was demonstrated. Introduction of the dyads as an oriented interfacial monolayer between the photoactive layer and metal anode improved the power conversion efficiency in inverted organic solar cells.
COMBINATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION TO STORM SURGES IN COASTAL REGIONS OF BANGLADESH
Authors: YOUNUS MD ABOUL FAZAL , SHARNA SABRINA SHAHRIN
Published: December 2014

Bangladesh has been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea-level. This is because it is located at the northern end of the funnel-shaped Bay of Bengal, and as a consequence it has experienced a number of severe storm surges in the last three decades. The inhabitants of the coastal region are very poor, and the surges have pushed them to a "tipping-point"; that is, the point of desperation which is exacerbating the socio-economic threats to their existence. The study reported here aimed to explore the perceptions of coastal communities with regard to vulnerability and adaptation (V & A) strategies in four different areas of Bangladesh in order to reduce their vulnerability to future storm surges. After reviewing the impact assessment guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United States Country Studies Program (USCSP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the researchers applied the Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) method (a behavioural environmental decision-making tool) to survey 160 participants in four case-study areas, with 20 participants in two sessions in each case. The evaluation of V & A was implemented and prioritised in this study by a measuring scale, called the "weighted matrix index". This study not only considered the integrated assessment of V & A but it also classified the levels of vulnerability and adaptation in different categories. Additionally, it provides a comparative picture of the vulnerabilities for similar risks in different types of communities. These key aspects demonstrate and emphasise that adaptation policy needs to be implemented immediately in Bangladesh in order to reduce and manage future vulnerability in the coastal region under the potential climate change regimes.
HADRONIC CROSS SECTION MEASUREMENTS AT SND
Authors: ACHASOV M. N. , AULCHENKO V. M. , BARNYAKOV A. YU. , BELOBORODOV K. I. , BERDYUGIN A. V. , BERKAEV D. E. , BOGDANCHIKOV A. G. , BOTOV A. A. , DIMOVA T. V. , DRUZHININ V. P. , GOLUBEV V. B. , KARDAPOLTSEV L. V. , KASAEV A. S. , KHARLAMOV A. G. , KIRPOTIN A. N. , KOOP I. A. , KOROL A. A. , KOSHUBA S. V. , KOVRIZHIN D. P. , KRAVCHENKO E. A. , KUPICH A. S. , MARTIN K. A. , OBRAZOVSKY A. E. , PAKHTUSOVA E. V. , ROGOVSKY YU. A. , SENCHENKO A. I. , SEREDNYAKOV S. I. , SHATUNOV YU. M. , SHTOL D. A. , SHWARTZ D. B. , SILAGADZE Z. K. , SKRINSKY A. N. , SURIN I. K. , TIKHONOV YU. A. , USOV YU. V. , ZEMLYANSKY I. M.
Published: December 2014

The preliminary results on multihadron processes obtained with the SND detector at the e+e− collider VEPP-2000 in the energy range from 1 to 2 GeV are presented. The results are interesting in connection with their contribution to the total hadronic cross section, the muon g-2 and a possibility to study excited vector mesons properties. The nucleon anti-nucleon production was also studied.
STATUS OF MONTE CARLO GENERATORS FOR ENERGY SCAN AND RADIATIVE RETURN
Authors: CZYŻ HENRYK
Published: December 2014

A short description of generators used in low energy experiments measuring the hadronic cross section with scan and radiative return methods is presented.
CHARM MIXING AND CP VIOLATION AT B-FACTORIES
Authors: CIBINETTO GIANLUIGI ,   on behalf of the BABAR Collaboration
Published: December 2014

CP violation in charm decays is expected to be very small in the Standard Model, at the level of 0.1% or less. A sizable excess of CP violation with respect to the Standard Model predictions could be a signature of new physics. We report on recent searches for CP violation in charm meson decays at BABAR and Belle experiments. In particular we report a lifetime ratio analysis of D0 → K+K−, π+π− with respect to D0 → K−π+ decays, which is sensitive to [Formula: see text] mixing and CP violation. We report also on searches for CPV in the 3-body D+ → K+K−π+ decay and for decay modes with a [Formula: see text] in the final state, such as [Formula: see text].
IMPACT OF THE RECENT KLOE DATA SAMPLES ON THE ESTIMATE FOR THE MUON g - 2
Authors: BENAYOUN M.
Published: December 2014

Relying on a global fit based on the HLS model suitably broken, we show that the recent π+π− data samples collected by KLOE behave in full consistency with the corresponding scan data and also with the physics associated with the e+e− annihilations to the π+π−π0, π0 γ, ηγ, [Formula: see text] and K+K− final states. Their impact on the estimate of the muon g - 2 is shown to increase sensitively the difference with the measurement performed at BNL.
THE MUON ANOMALOUS MAGNETIC MOMENT, A VIEW FROM THE LATTICE
Authors: AUBIN CHRISTOPHER , BLUM THOMAS , GOLTERMAN MAARTEN , MALTMAN KIM , PERIS SANTIAGO
Published: December 2014

We review some of the issues that arise in attempts to compute the hadronic corrections to the muon anomalous magnetic moment using Lattice QCD. We concentrate on the dominant contribution, which requires an accurate evaluation of the hadronic vacuum polarization.
THE FULL ELECTROWEAK STANDARD MODEL PREDICTION FOR (g - 2) OF THE MUON AND IMPROVEMENTS ON THE MSSM PREDICTION
Authors: FARGNOLI H. G. , GNENDIGER C. , PASSEHR S. , STÖCKINGER D. , STÖCKINGER-KIM H.
Published: December 2014

Recent progress on the (g - 2)μ prediction is presented. In the SM, the Higgs-boson mass dependent contributions have been evaluated exactly up to the two-loop level and consistently combined with leading three-loop effects. Thus, the currently most accurate value including a detailed error analysis for the SM electroweak contributions has been obtained. The SUSY two-loop corrections from fermion/sfermion-loop insertions have been computed; they are generally large and logarithmically enhanced for heavy squarks.
STUDY OF THE RARE DECAY K± → π±γγ AND HIGH PRECISION MEASUREMENT OF THE FORM FACTORS OF THE SEMILEPTONIC DECAYS K± → π0ℓ±ν
Authors: RAGGI MAURO
Published: December 2014

The NA48/2 experiment presents preliminary measurements of the form factors of the charged kaon semileptonic decays. The Ke3 and Kμ3 results are in good agreement allowing for a combined result which matches the precision of the current world average on the vector and scalar form factors. Recent study of the rare decay K± → π±γγ from the NA48/2 and NA62 data samples is also reported.
MEASUREMENT OF THE PROTON ELECTROMAGNETIC FORM FACTORS AT BABAR
Authors: DRUZHININ V. P. ,   on behalf of the BABAR Collaboration
Published: December 2014

The process [Formula: see text] has been studied in the [Formula: see text] mass range from threshold to 6.5 GeV/c2 using the initial-state-radiation technique with both detected and undetected photon. The analysis is based on 469 fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II collider at e+e- center-of-mass energies near 10.6 GeV.
CHARMONIUM(-LIKE) SPECTROSCOPY AND DECAYS FROM BESIII
Authors: YAN LIANG ,   for the BESIII collaboration
Published: December 2014

The recent results about charmonium and charmonium-like spectroscopy and decays from BESIII are presented in this talk. We report the observation of X(3872) from Y(4260) radiative transition, π+π-hc line shape measurement and Zc states. In addition, the accurate measurement of ηc parameters, the analysis on hc exclusive decays into γηc, and the first observation of the M1 transition ψ′ → γηc(2S) are included in this talk.
PARAMETERS OF CHARMONIUM STATES FROM KEDR
Authors: AULCHENKO V. M. , BALDIN E. M. , BARLADYAN A. K. , BARNYAKOV A. YU. , BARNYAKOV M. YU. , BARU S. E. , BASOK I. YU. , BATRAKOV A. M. , BLINOV A. E. , BLINOV V. E. , BOBROV A. V. , BOBROVNIKOV V. S. , BOGOMYAGKOV A. V. , BONDAR A. E. , BUZYKAEV A. R. , EIDELMAN S. I. , GRIGORIEV D. N. , GROSHEV V. R. , GLUKHOVCHENKO YU. M. , GULEVICH V. V. , GUSEV D. V. , KARNAEV S. E. , KARPOV G. V. , KARPOV S. V. , KHARLAMOVA T. A. , KISELEV V. A. , KOLMOGOROV V. V. , KONONOV S. A. , KOTOV K. YU. , KRAVCHENKO E. A. , KUDRYAVTSEV V. N. , KULIKOV V. F. , KURKIN G. YA. , KUPER E. A. , KUYANOV I. A. , LEVICHEV E. B. , MAKSIMOV D. A. , MALYSHEV V. M. , MASLENNIKOV A. L. , MESHKOV O. I. , MISHNEV S. I. , MOROZOV I. I. , MUCHNOI N. YU. , NEUFELD V. V. , NIKITIN S. A. , NIKOLAEV I. B. , OKUNEV I. N. , ONUCHIN A. P. , ORESHKIN S. B. , ORLOV I. O. , OSIPOV A. A. , OVTIN I. V. , PELEGANCHUK S. V. , PIVOVAROV S. G. , PIMINOV P. A. , PETROV V. V. , POLUEKTOV A. O. , PRISEKIN V. G. , REZANOVA O. L. , RUBAN A. A. , SANDYREV V. K. , SAVINOV G. A. , SHAMOV A. G. , SHATILOV D. N. , SHWARTZ B. A. , SIMONOV E. A. , SINYATKIN S. V. , SKRINSKY A. N. , SOKOLOV A. V. , SUKHAREV A. M. , STAROSTINA E. V. , TALYSHEV A. A. , TAYURSKY V. A. , TELNOV V. I. , TIKHONOV YU. A. , TODYSHEV K. YU. , TUMAIKIN G. M. , USOV YU. V. , VOROBIOV A. I. , ZHILICH V. N. , ZHULANOV V. V. , ZHURAVLEV A. N.
Published: December 2014

We report results of experiments performed with the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M e+e- collider. They include final results for the mass and other parameters of the J/ψ, ψ(2S) and ψ(3770) and J/ψ → γηc branching fraction determination.
NEW RESULTS IN RARE ALLOWED MUON AND PION DECAYS
Authors: POČANIĆ D. , MUNYANGABE E. , BYCHKOV M. , ALONZI L. P. , BARANOV V. A. , BERTL W. , BYSTRITSKY Yu. M. , FRLEŽ E. , KALINNIKOV V. A. , KHOMUTOV N. V. , KORENCHENKO A. S. , KORENCHENKO S. M. , KOROLIJA M. , KOZLOWSKI T. , KRAVCHUK N. P. , KUCHINSKY N. A. , LEHMAN M. C. , MEKTEROVIĆ D. , MZHAVIA D. , PALLADINO A. , ROBMANN P. , ROZHDESTVENSKY A. M. , SUPEK I. , TRUÖL P. , TSAMALAIDZE Z. , VAN DER SCHAAF A. , VANDEVENDER B. , VELICHEVA E. P. , VOLNYKH V. P.
Published: December 2014

Simple dynamics, few available decay channels, and highly controlled radiative and loop corrections, make pion and muon decays a sensitive means of exploring details of the underlying symmetries. We review the current status of the rare decays: π+ → e+ν (πe2), π+ → e+νγ (πe2γ), π+ → π0e+ν (πe3), and [Formula: see text]. For the latter we report new preliminary values for the branching ratio B(Eγ > 10 MeV , θeγ > 30°) = 4.365 (9) stat (42) syst × 10-3, and the decay parameter [Formula: see text], both in excellent agreement with standard model predictions. We review recent measurements, particularly by the PIBETA and PEN experiments, and near-term prospects for improvement. These and other similar precise low energy studies complement modern collider results materially.
LATTICE INPUT ON THE INCLUSIVE τ DECAY Vus PUZZLE
Authors: BOYLE P. A. , DEL DEBBIO L. , HUDSPITH R. J. , GARRON N. , KERRANE E. , MALTMAN K. , ZANOTTI J. M.
Published: December 2014

Recent analyses of flavor-breaking hadronic-τ-decay-based sum rules produce values of |Vus| ~ 3σ low compared to 3-family unitarity expectations. An unresolved systematic issue is the significant variation in |Vus| produced by different prescriptions for treating the slowly converging D = 2 OPE series. We investigate the reliability of these prescriptions using lattice data for various flavor-breaking correlators and show the fixed-scale prescription is clearly preferred. Preliminary updates of the conventional τ-based, and related mixed τ-electroproduction-data-based, sum rule analyses incorporating B-factory results for low-multiplicity strange τ decay mode distributions are then performed. Use of the preferred FOPT D = 2 OPE prescription is shown to significantly reduce the discrepancy between 3-family unitarity expectations and the sum rule results.
RADIATIVE π-γ TRANSITIONS OF EXCITED LIGHT-QUARK MESONS IN THE COVARIANT OSCILLATOR QUARK MODEL
Authors: MAEDA TOMOHITO , YAMADA KENJI , ODA MASUHO , ISHIDA SHIN
Published: December 2014

A study of the light-meson couplings to the single photon in the framework of the covariant oscillator quark model (COQM) is reported. The transition rates of {ρ(770), b1(1235), a1(1260), a2(1320), π2(1670), ρ3(1690), ρ(1700)}± into π±γ, being expected to be measured by the COMPASS collaboration in their Primakoff-reaction experiments, are calculated. It could be useful not only for understanding the internal structures of observed light-quark mesons and their quark-model classification but also for the ongoing experimental studies by COMPASS.
IMPACT OF γV-VERTEX CORRECTIONS ON THE ωπ0γ AND ϕπ0γ TRANSITION FORM FACTORS
Authors: RASPOPOV SERGII
Published: December 2014

The aim of this paper is to present an effective field theory description of the conversion transition of the vector meson V into the pseudoscalar P and the lepton-pair l+l-. The normalized form factor for ω → π0γ* transition is presented and compared to the available data and to the predictions of other models.
Modification to the flow properties of repository cement as a result of carbonation
Authors: Purser G. , Milodowski A. E. , Noy D. J. , Rochelle C. A. , Harrington J. F. , Butcher A. , Wagner D.
Published: December 2014

A UK repository concept currently under consideration for the disposal of intermediate-level radioactive waste and some low-level waste not suitable for surface disposal involves using large quantities of cementitious materials for construction, grouting, waste containers, waste isolation matrix and buffer/backfill. CO
2
generated from the degradation of organic material in the waste will result in cement carbonation and associated mineralogical changes. Hydraulic and gas permeability tests were performed on Nirex Reference Vault Backfill (NRVB) cement at 40 °C and either 4 or 8 MPa. Carbonation reactions using CO
2
gas halved the permeability of the NRVB under simulated repository conditions. A greater decrease in permeability (by three orders of magnitude) was found during carbonation using dissolved CO
2
. Mineralogical changes were found to occur throughout the cement as a result of the reaction with CO
2
. However, a narrow zone along the leading edge of a migrating reaction front was associated with the greatest decrease in porosity. Fluid pressures increased slightly due to permeability reductions but fluid flow still continued (albeit at a lower rate) preventing the build-up of overly high pressures. Overall, the observed reductions in permeability could be beneficial in that they may help reduce the potential for fluid flow and radionuclide migration. However, continued carbonation could lead to potential issues with regards to gas pressure build-up.
Physiology, Biomechanics, and Biomimetics of Hagfish Slime
Authors: Fudge Douglas S. , Schorno Sarah , Ferraro Shannon
Published: December 2014

Hagfishes thwart attacks by fish predators by producing liters of defensive slime. The slime is produced when slime gland exudate is released into the predator's mouth, where it deploys in a fraction of a second and clogs the gills. Slime exudate is composed mainly of secretory products from two cell types, gland mucous cells and gland thread cells, which produce the mucous and fibrous components of the slime, respectively. Here, we review what is known about the composition of the slime, morphology of the slime gland, and physiology of the cells that produce the slime. We also discuss several of the mechanisms involved in the deployment of both mucous and thread cells during the transition from thick glandular exudate to ultradilute material. We review biomechanical aspects of the slime, along with recent efforts to produce biomimetic slime thread analogs, and end with a discussion of how hagfish slime may have evolved.
The New Look in Political Ideology Research
Authors: Carmines Edward G. , D'Amico Nicholas J.
Published: December 2014

Over 50 years of research into American political ideology have left scholars with a contested paradigm. One side argues that the mass public is distinctly nonideological. The other side argues that ideological thinking is not beyond the public. The way forward for research in political ideology does not lie in rehashing this debate but in advancing two new areas of work. The first considers the role that values and principles play in determining the political and ideological thinking of individuals. The second questions the current conception and measurement standards of political ideology. This research argues that ideology among the American mass public is formed by positions along two related but separate dimensions. In this article, we summarize the major arguments of and criticisms of current ideology research. Then we discuss recent research on principles and values and the measurement of ideology.
Fetal iron deficiency induces chromatin remodeling at theBdnflocus in adult rat hippocampus
Authors: Tran Phu V. , Kennedy Bruce C. , Lien Yu-Chin , Simmons Rebecca A. , Georgieff Michael K.
Published: December 2014

Fetal and subsequent early postnatal iron deficiency causes persistent impairments in cognitive and affective behaviors despite prompt postnatal iron repletion. The long-term cognitive impacts are accompanied by persistent downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a factor critical for hippocampal plasticity across the life span. This study determined whether early-life iron deficiency epigenetically modifies the Bdnf locus and whether dietary choline supplementation during late gestation reverses these modifications. DNA methylation and histone modifications were assessed at the Bdnf-IV promoter in the hippocampus of rats [at postnatal day (PND) 65] that were iron-deficient (ID) during the fetal-neonatal period. Iron deficiency was induced in rat pups by providing pregnant and nursing dams an ID diet (4 mg/kg Fe) from gestational day (G) 2 through PND7, after which iron deficiency was treated with an iron-sufficient (IS) diet (200 mg/kg Fe). This paradigm resulted in about 60% hippocampal iron loss on PND15 with complete recovery by PND65. For choline supplementation, pregnant rat dams were given dietary choline (5 g/kg) from G11 through G18. DNA methylation was determined by quantitative sequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA, revealing a small alteration at the Bdnf-IV promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed increased HDAC1 binding accompanied by reduced binding of RNA polymerase II and USF1 at the Bdnf-IV promoter in formerly ID rats. These changes were correlated with altered histone methylations. Prenatal choline supplementation reverses these epigenetic modifications. Collectively, the findings identify epigenetic modifications as a potential mechanism to explicate the long-term repression of Bdnf following fetal and early postnatal iron deficiency.
Sex differences in renal and metabolic responses to a high-fructose diet in mice
Authors: Sharma Nikhil , Li Lijun , Ecelbarger C. M.
Published: December 2014

High fructose intake has been associated with increased incidences of renal disease and hypertension, among other pathologies. Most fructose is cleared by the portal system and metabolized in the liver; however, systemic levels of fructose can rise with increased consumption. We tested whether there were sex differences in the renal responses to a high-fructose diet in mice. Two-month-old male and female C57BL6/129/SV mice ( n = 6 mice per sex per treatment) were randomized to receive control or high-fructose (65% by weight) diets as pelleted chow ad libitum for 3 mo. Fructose feeding did not significantly affect body weight but led to a 19% and 10% increase in kidney weight in male and female mice, respectively. In male mice, fructose increased the expression (∼50%) of renal cortical proteins involved in metabolism, including glucose transporter 5 (facilitative fructose transporter), ketohexokinase, and the insulin receptor (β-subunit). Female mice had lower basal levels of glucose transporter 5, which were unresponsive to fructose. However, female mice had increased urine volume and plasma K+ and decreased plasma Na+ with fructose, whereas male mice were less affected. Likewise, female mice showed a two- to threefold reduction in the expression Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter 2 in the thick ascending limb and aquaporin-2 in the collecting duct with fructose relative to female control mice, whereas male mice had no change. Overall, our results support greater proximal metabolism of fructose in male animals and greater distal tubule/collecting duct (electrolyte homeostasis) alterations in female animals. These sex differences may be important determinants of the specific nature of pathologies that develop in association with high fructose consumption.
Downregulation of transient receptor potential M6 channels as a cause of hypermagnesiuric hypomagnesemia in obese type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Takayanagi Kaori , Shimizu Taisuke , Tayama Yosuke , Ikari Akira , Anzai Naohiko , Iwashita Takatsugu , Asakura Juko , Hayashi Keitaro , Mitarai Tetsuya , Hasegawa Hajime
Published: December 2014

We assessed the expression profile of Mg2+-transporting molecules in obese diabetic rats as a cause of hypermagnesiuric hypomagnesemia, which is involved in the development of insulin resistance, hypertension, and coronary diseases. Kidneys were obtained from male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) obese diabetic rats at the ages of 16, 24, and 34 wk. Expression profiles were studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry together with measurements of urine Mg2+excretion. Urine Mg2+excretion was increased in 24-wk-old OLETF rats and hypomagnesemia was apparent in 34-wk-old OLETF rats but not in LETO rats (urine Mg2+excretion: 0.16 ± 0.01 μg·min−1·g body wt−1in 24-wk-old LETO rats and 0.28 ± 0.01 μg·min−1·g body wt−1in 24-wk-old OLETF rats). Gene expression of transient receptor potential (TRP)M6 was downregulated (85.5 ± 5.6% in 34-wk-old LETO rats and 63.0 ± 3.5% in 34-wk-old OLETF rats) concomitant with Na+-Cl−cotransporter downregulation, whereas the expression of claudin-16 in tight junctions of the thick ascending limb of Henle was not different. The results of the semiquantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry were consistent with these findings (TRPM6: 0.49 ± 0.04% in 16-wk-old LETO rats, 0.10 ± 0.01% in 16-wk-old OLETF rats, 0.52 ± 0.03% in 24-wk-old LETO rats, 0.10 ± 0.01% in 24-wk-old OLETF rats, 0.48 ± 0.02% in 34-wk-old LETO rats, and 0.12 ± 0.02% in 34-wk-old OLETF rats). Gene expression of fibrosis-related proinflammatory cytokines as well as histological changes showed that the hypermagnesiuria-related molecular changes and tubulointerstitial nephropathy developed independently. TRPM6, located principally in distal convoluted tubules, appears to be a susceptible molecule that causes hypermagnesiuric hypomagnesemia as a tubulointerstitial nephropathy-independent altered tubular function in diabetic nephropathy.
Methods, Diagnostic Criteria, Cutoff Points, and Prevalence of Sarcopenia among Older People
Authors: Pagotto Valéria , Silveira Erika Aparecida
Published: December 2014

Aim. To identify methods, index, diagnostic criteria, and corresponding cutoff points used to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia in older people in different countries.Methods. A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA Statement. The search encompassed the MEDLINE and LILACS databases and was executed during March 2012 using the keyword sarcopenia.Results. A total of 671 studies were identified by the search strategy, and 30 meet all inclusion criteria. Specifically for dual-X-ray absorptiometry, prevalence ranged from 2.2% to 95% in men and from 0.1% to 33.9% in women. For bioelectrical impedance analysis, the range was from 6.2% to 85.4% in men and 2.8% to 23.6% in women. Regarding anthropometric and computed tomography, prevalence rates were, respectively, 14.1% and 55.9%.Conclusions. Heterogeneity in prevalence of sarcopenia was identified, due to diagnostic method choice, cutoff points, and, characteristics of the population as well as reference population. These factors should be considered in research designs to enable comparison and validation of results. Despite the limitations of most studies that indicated high prevalence rates, the results indicate the need for early detection of this syndrome.
Effect of Irrigation and Preplant Nitrogen Fertilizer Source on Maize in the Southern Great Plains
Authors: Bushong Jacob T. , Miller Eric C. , Mullock Jeremiah L. , Arnall D. Brian , Raun William R.
Published: December 2014

With the demand for maize increasing, production has spread into more water limited, semiarid regions. Couple this with the increasing nitrogen (N) fertilizer costs and environmental concerns and the need for proper management practices has increased. A trial was established to evaluate the effects of different preplant N fertilizer sources on maize cultivated under deficit irrigation or rain-fed conditions on grain yield, N use efficiency (NUE), and water use efficiency (WUE). Two fertilizer sources, ammonium sulfate (AS) and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), applied at two rates, 90 and 180 kg N ha−1, were evaluated across four site-years. Deficit irrigation improved grain yield, WUE, and NUE compared to rain-fed conditions. The preplant application of a pure ammoniacal source of N fertilizer, such as AS, had a tendency to increase grain yields and NUE for rain-fed treatments. Under irrigated conditions, the use of UAN as a preplant N fertilizer source performed just as well or better at improving grain yield compared to AS, as long as the potential N loss mechanisms were minimized. Producers applying N preplant as a single application should adjust rates based on a reasonable yield goal and production practice.
Feature Extraction with Ordered Mean Values for Content Based Image Classification
Authors: Thepade Sudeep , Das Rik , Ghosh Saurav
Published: December 2014

Categorization of images into meaningful classes by efficient extraction of feature vectors from image datasets has been dependent on feature selection techniques. Traditionally, feature vector extraction has been carried out using different methods of image binarization done with selection of global, local, or mean threshold. This paper has proposed a novel technique for feature extraction based on ordered mean values. The proposed technique was combined with feature extraction using discrete sine transform (DST) for better classification results using multitechnique fusion. The novel methodology was compared to the traditional techniques used for feature extraction for content based image classification. Three benchmark datasets, namely, Wang dataset, Oliva and Torralba (OT-Scene) dataset, and Caltech dataset, were used for evaluation purpose. Performance measure after evaluation has evidently revealed the superiority of the proposed fusion technique with ordered mean values and discrete sine transform over the popular approaches of single view feature extraction methodologies for classification.
Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children with Mitochondrial Disease
Authors: Mosquera Ricardo A. , Koenig Mary Kay , Adejumo Rahmat B. , Chevallier Justyna , Hashmi S. Shahrukh , Mitchell Sarah E. , Pacheco Susan E. , Jon Cindy
Published: December 2014

A retrospective chart review study was performed to determine the presence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children with primary mitochondrial disease (MD). The symptoms, sleep-related breathing, and movement abnormalities are described for 18 subjects (ages 1.5 to 18 years, 61% male) with MD who underwent polysomnography in our pediatric sleep center from 2007 to 2012. Of the 18 subjects with MD, the common indications for polysomnography were excessive somnolence or fatigue (61%,N= 11), snoring (44%,N= 8), and sleep movement complaints (17%,N= 3). Polysomnographic measurements showed SDB in 56% (N= 10) (obstructive sleep apnea in 60% (N= 6), hypoxemia in 40% (N= 4), and sleep hypoventilation in 20% (N= 2)). There was a significant association between decreased muscle tone and SDB (P: 0.043) as well as obese and overweight status with SDB (P=0.036). SDB is common in subjects with MD. Early detection of SDB, utilizing polysomnography, should be considered to assist in identification of MD patients who may benefit from sleep-related interventions.
Assessing the Effect of Composting Cassava Peel Based Substrates on the Yield, Nutritional Quality, and Physical Characteristics of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer
Authors: Kortei N. K. , Dzogbefia V. P. , Obodai M.
Published: December 2014

Cassava peel based substrate formulations as an alternative substrate were used to grow mushrooms. The effect of two compost heights, three composting periods on the mycelia growth, physical characteristics, yield, and nutritional qualities of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer was studied. Mean mycelia growth of 16.2 cm after a period of seven (7) weeks was the best for 1.5 m compost height. Cap diameter and stipe length differed significantly (P<0.05) with the compost heights (0.8 m and 1.5 m). The yield on compost height of 1.5 m, composted for 5 days, differed significantly (P<0.05) from that of 0.8 m and gave increasing yields as follows: cassava peels and manure, cassava peels only, cassava peels and corn cobs (1 : 1 ratio), and cassava peels and corn cobs (1 : 1 ratio) with chicken manure. Composting periods (3 and 7 days) gave varying yields depending on the compost height. Based on the findings an interaction of 1.5 m compost height and 5 days composting period on cassava peels and corncobs (1 : 1 ratio) with chicken manure produced the best results. The nutritional quality of the mushrooms also differed significantly (P<0.05), indicating that cassava peels could be used as a possible substrate in cultivation of mushroom.
Validation of theα-μModel of the Power Spectral Density of GPS Ionospheric Amplitude Scintillation
Authors: Oliveira Kelias , Moraes Alison de Oliveira , Costa Emanoel , Honorato Muella Marcio Tadeu de Assis , de Paula Eurico Rodrigues , Perrella Waldecir
Published: December 2014

Theα-μmodel has become widely used in statistical analyses of radio channels, due to the flexibility provided by its two degrees of freedom. Among several applications, it has been used in the characterization of low-latitude amplitude scintillation, which frequently occurs during the nighttime of particular seasons of high solar flux years, affecting radio signals that propagate through the ionosphere. Depending on temporal and spatial distributions, ionospheric scintillation may cause availability and precision problems to users of global navigation satellite systems. The present work initially stresses the importance of the flexibility provided byα-μmodel in comparison with the limitations of a single-parameter distribution for the representation of first-order statistics of amplitude scintillation. Next, it focuses on the statistical evaluation of the power spectral density of ionospheric amplitude scintillation. The formulation based on theα-μmodel is developed and validated using experimental data obtained in São José dos Campos (23.1°S; 45.8°W; dip latitude 17.3°S), Brazil, located near the southern crest of the ionospheric equatorial ionization anomaly. These data were collected between December 2001 and January 2002, a period of high solar flux conditions. The results show that the proposed model fits power spectral densities estimated from field data quite well.
New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus as an Unusual Presentation of a Suspected Organophosphate Poisoning
Authors: Waheed Shahan , Sabeen Amber , Ullah Khan Nadeem
Published: December 2014

New onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a new entity in medical literature. It has different infectious and noninfectious etiologies showing a devastating impact onto the clinical outcome of patients. Therapy with anaesthetic and antiepileptic agents often fails to improve the condition, unless the primary cause is rectified. Here is presented the case of a young female with a history of depression who after a recent bereavement came to the Emergency Department of Aga Khan University Hospital with complaints of drowsiness that lasted for few hours. Though she had no history of organophosphate poisoning, her physical examination and further investigations were suggestive of the diagnosis. During her hospital stay, she developed refractory status epilepticus. Her seizures did not respond to standard antiepileptic and intravenous anesthetic agents and subsided only after intravenous infusion of atropine for a few days. Organophosphate poisoning is a very common presentation in the developing world and the associated status epilepticus poses a devastating problem for emergency physicians. In patients with suspected organophosphate poisoning with favoring clinical exam findings, the continuation of atropine intravenous infusion can be a safe option to abate seizures.
The Potential Utility of Pharmacogenetic Testing in Psychiatry
Authors: Gardner Kathryn R. , Brennan Francis X. , Scott Rachel , Lombard Jay
Published: December 2014

Over the last decade, pharmacogenetics has become increasingly significant to clinical practice. Psychiatric patients, in particular, may benefit from pharmacogenetic testing as many of the psychotropic medications prescribed in practice lead to varied response rates and a wide range of side effects. The use of pharmacogenetic testing can help tailor psychotropic treatment and inform personalized treatment plans with the highest likelihood of success. Recently, many studies have been published demonstrating improved patient outcomes and decreased healthcare costs for psychiatric patients who utilize genetic testing. This review will describe evidence supporting the clinical utility of genetic testing in psychiatry, present several case studies to demonstrate use in everyday practice, and explore current patient and clinician opinions of genetic testing.
SPOT: A DSL for Extending Fortran Programs with Metaprogramming
Authors: Yue Songqing , Gray Jeff
Published: December 2014

Metaprogramming has shown much promise for improving the quality of software by offering programming language techniques to address issues of modularity, reusability, maintainability, and extensibility. Thus far, the power of metaprogramming has not been explored deeply in the area of high performance computing (HPC). There is a vast body of legacy code written in Fortran running throughout the HPC community. In order to facilitate software maintenance and evolution in HPC systems, we introduce a DSL that can be used to perform source-to-source translation of Fortran programs by providing a higher level of abstraction for specifying program transformations. The underlying transformations are actually carried out through a metaobject protocol (MOP) and a code generator is responsible for translating a SPOT program to the corresponding MOP code. The design focus of the framework is to automate program transformations through techniques of code generation, so that developers only need to specify desired transformations while being oblivious to the details about how the transformations are performed. The paper provides a general motivation for the approach and explains its design and implementation. In addition, this paper presents case studies that illustrate the potential of our approach to improve code modularity, maintainability, and productivity.
Systematic Review of Surgical Approaches for Adrenal Tumors: Lateral Transperitoneal versus Posterior Retroperitoneal and Laparoscopic versus Robotic Adrenalectomy
Authors: Chai Young Jun , Kwon Hyungju , Yu Hyeong Won , Kim Su-jin , Choi June Young , Lee Kyu Eun , Youn Yeo-Kyu
Published: December 2014

Background. Laparoscopic lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTA) has been the standard method for resecting benign adrenal gland tumors. Recently, however, laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (PRA) has been more popular as an alternative method. This systematic review evaluates current evidence on adrenalectomy techniques, comparing laparoscopic LTA with PRA and laparoscopic adrenalectomy with robotic adrenalectomy.Methods. PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched systematically for studies comparing surgical outcomes of laparoscopic LTA versus PRA and laparoscopic versus robotic adrenalectomy. The studies were evaluated according to the PRISMA statement.Results. Eight studies comparing laparoscopic PRA and LTA showed that laparoscopic PRA was superior or at least comparable to laparoscopic LTA in operation time, blood loss, pain score, hospital stay, and return to normal activity. Conversion rates and complication rates were similar. Six studies comparing robotic and laparoscopic adrenalectomy found that outcomes and complications were similar.Conclusion. Laparoscopic PRA was more effective than LTA, especially in reducing operation time and hospital stay, but there was no evidence showing that robotic adrenalectomy was superior to laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Cost reductions and further technical advances are needed for wider application of robotic adrenalectomy.
Safe and Successful Yttrium-90 Resin Microsphere Radioembolization in a Heavily Pretreated Patient with Chemorefractory Colorectal Liver Metastases after Biliary Stent Placement above the Papilla
Authors: Sotirchos Vlasios S. , Petre Elena N. , Brown Karen T. , Brody Lynn A. , D’Angelica Michael I. , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Kemeny Nancy E. , Sofocleous Constantinos T.
Published: December 2014

We report a case of safe and successful yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization in a patient with a long history of multiple recurrent colon cancer hepatic metastases progressing after hepatic resections, hepatic arterial chemotherapy, and multiple regimens of systemic chemotherapy. One month prior to radioembolization, a biliary stent was placed above the level of the ampulla to relieve tumor-related biliary obstruction and normalize bilirubin levels.
Aspirin, NSAIDs, and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Results from the REDUCE Study
Authors: Vidal Adriana C. , Howard Lauren E. , Moreira Daniel M. , Castro-Santamaria Ramiro , Andriole Gerald L. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: December 2014

Purpose: A recent meta-analysis showed that aspirin was associated with reduced prostate cancer risk. As anti-inflammatory medications lower PSA levels, whether these findings reflect reduced prostate cancer detection or lower prostate cancer risk is unknown. We tested the association between aspirin and nonaspirin NSAID use on prostate cancer diagnosis in REDUCE, where all men received biopsies at 2 and 4 years largely independent of PSA. REDUCE tested dutasteride for prostate cancer risk reduction in men with a PSA of 2.5 to 10.0 ng/mL and a negative prestudy biopsy.

Experimental Design: We examined the association between aspirin, NSAIDs, or both and total, low-grade (Gleason < 7), or high-grade (Gleason ≥ 7) prostate cancer versus no prostate cancer using multinomial logistic regression among 6,390 men who underwent ≥1 on-study biopsy. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age, race, geographic region, PSA, prostate volume, digital rectal examination, body mass index, treatment arm, smoking, alcohol, statins, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Results: Overall, 3,169 men (50%) were nonusers, 1,368 (21%) used aspirin, 1,176 (18%) used NSAIDs, and 677 (11%) used both. In unadjusted models, aspirin was associated with reduced prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.85, P = 0.036). In multivariable analyses, aspirin was associated with reduced total prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.81, P = 0.015). Use of NSAIDs or NSAIDs and aspirin was not associated with total, low-grade, or high-grade prostate cancer, though all ORs were <1 (all P ≥ 0.08). Therefore, we created a dichotomous variable of aspirin and/or NSAID users versus nonusers. On multivariable analysis, the use of aspirin and/or NSAIDs was significantly associated with decreased total (OR = 0.87, P = 0.030) and high-grade (OR = 0.80, P = 0.040), but not with low-grade, prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.90, P = 0.15). Results were similar in placebo and dutasteride arms.

Conclusions: Among men with a negative biopsy, aspirin and/or NSAID use was associated with decreased prostate cancer risk. Additional studies are warranted. Clin Cancer Res; 21(4); 756–62. ©2014 AACR.
A Preclinical Evaluation of SKLB261, a Multikinase Inhibitor of EGFR/Src/VEGFR2, as a Therapeutic Agent against Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Pan Youli , Zheng Mingwu , Zhong Lei , Yang Jiao , Zhou Shu , Qin Ya , Xiang Rong , Chen Yuzong , Yang Sheng-Yong
Published: December 2014

The clinical prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains rather disappointing despite tremendous efforts in exploring medical treatments in the past two decades. Development of more effective treatment strategies is still desperately needed to improve outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer. SKLB261 is a multikinase inhibitor obtained recently through a lead optimization. In this investigation, we shall evaluate its anti–pancreatic cancer effects both in vitro and in vivo. SKLB261 is a multikinase inhibitor potently inhibiting EGFR, Src, and VEGFR2 kinases. It could significantly inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induce apoptosis in cellular assays of human pancreatic cancer cells that are sensitive or resistant to dasatinib and/or gemcitabine. Western blot analysis showed that SKLB261 inhibited the activation of EGFR and Src kinases as well as their downstream signaling proteins, including FAK, ERK, and STAT3. SKLB261 also showed potent antiangiogenic effects in transgenic zebrafish models. In vivo, SKLB261 displayed more potent antitumor activities than dasatinib, gemcitabine, or erlotinib in pancreatic cancer xenografts, including BxPC-3, PANC-1, AsPC-1, and HPAC. Furthermore, mice receiving SKLB261 therapy showed significant survival advantage compared with vehicle-treated and gemcitabine-treated groups in an experimental metastasis model of pancreatic cancer. These data, together with the good pharmacokinetic properties and low toxicity of this compound, provide a rationale for the ongoing clinical evaluation of SKLB261 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 407–18. ©2014 AACR.