bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated versus Manual Sample Inoculations in Routine Clinical Microbiology: a Performance Evaluation of the Fully Automated InoqulA Instrument
Authors: Froment P. , Marchandin H. , Vande Perre P. , Lamy B.
Published: December 2013

The process of plate streaking has been automated to improve the culture readings, isolation quality, and workflow of microbiology laboratories. However, instruments have not been well evaluated under routine conditions. We aimed to evaluate the performance of the fully automated InoqulA instrument (BD Kiestra B.V., The Netherlands) in the automated seeding of liquid specimens and samples collected using swabs with transport medium. We compared manual and automated methods according to the (i) within-run reproducibility using
Escherichia coli
-calibrated suspensions, (ii) intersample contamination using a series of alternating sterile broths and broths with >10
5
CFU/ml of either
E. coli
or
Proteus mirabilis
, (iii) isolation quality with standardized mixed bacterial suspensions of diverse complexity and a 4-category standardized scale (very poor, poor, fair to good, or excellent), and (iv) agreement of the results obtained from 244 clinical specimens. By involving 15 technicians in the latter part of the comparative study, we estimated the variability in the culture quality at the level of the laboratory team. The instrument produced satisfactory reproducibility with no sample cross-contamination, and it performed better than the manual method, with more colony types recovered and isolated (up to 11% and 17%, respectively). Finally, we showed that the instrument did not shorten the seeding time over short periods of work compared to that for the manual method. Altogether, the instrument improved the quality and standardization of the isolation, thereby contributing to a better overall workflow, shortened the time to results, and provided more accurate results for polymicrobial specimens.
Comparison of Illumigene, Simplexa, and AmpliVue Clostridium difficile Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of C. difficile Infection
Authors: Deak E. , Miller S. A. , Humphries R. M.
Published: December 2013

We compared the performance of the Simplexa Universal Direct (Focus Diagnostics) and AmpliVue (Quidel Corporation) assays to that of the Illumigene assay (Meridian Bioscience, Inc.) for the diagnosis of
Clostridium difficile
infection. Two hundred deidentified remnant diarrheal stool specimens were tested by the Simplexa, AmpliVue, and Illumigene methods. Specimens with discrepant results among the three assays and a representative number of concordant specimens were further evaluated by toxigenic culture. The sensitivity and specificity were 98 and 100% and 96 and 100% for the Simplexa Universal Direct and AmpliVue assays, respectively. Both assays are easy to perform, with rapid turn-around-times, supporting their utility in the clinical laboratory as routine diagnostic platforms.
PhyloFlu, a DNA Microarray for Determining the Phylogenetic Origin of Influenza A Virus Gene Segments and the Genomic Fingerprint of Viral Strains
Authors: Paulin Luis F. , Soto-Del Río María de los D. , Sánchez Iván , Hernández Jesús , Gutiérrez-Ríos Rosa M. , López-Martínez Irma , Wong-Chew Rosa M. , Parissi-Crivelli Aurora , Isa P. , López Susana , Arias Carlos F.
Published: December 2013

Recent evidence suggests that most influenza A virus gene segments can contribute to the pathogenicity of the virus. In this regard, the hemagglutinin (HA) subtype of the circulating strains has been closely surveyed, but the reassortment of internal gene segments is usually not monitored as a potential source of an increased pathogenicity. In this work, an oligonucleotide DNA microarray (PhyloFlu) designed to determine the phylogenetic origins of the eight segments of the influenza virus genome was constructed and validated. Clades were defined for each segment and also for the 16 HA and 9 neuraminidase (NA) subtypes. Viral genetic material was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) with primers specific to the conserved 5′ and 3′ ends of the influenza A virus genes, followed by PCR amplification with random primers and Cy3 labeling. The microarray unambiguously determined the clades for all eight influenza virus genes in 74% (28/38) of the samples. The microarray was validated with reference strains from different animal origins, as well as from human, swine, and avian viruses from field or clinical samples. In most cases, the phylogenetic clade of each segment defined its animal host of origin. The genomic fingerprint deduced by the combined information of the individual clades allowed for the determination of the time and place that strains with the same genomic pattern were previously reported. PhyloFlu is useful for characterizing and surveying the genetic diversity and variation of animal viruses circulating in different environmental niches and for obtaining a more detailed surveillance and follow up of reassortant events that can potentially modify virus pathogenicity.
Hepatitis C Virus Stimulates Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Expression To Facilitate Viral Propagation
Authors: Syed Gulam Hussain , Tang Huihui , Khan Mohsin , Hassanein Tarek , Liu Jingwen , Siddiqui Aleem
Published: December 2013

Lipids play a crucial role in multiple aspects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. HCV modulates host lipid metabolism to enrich the intracellular milieu with lipids to facilitate its proliferation. However, very little is known about the influence of HCV on lipid uptake from bloodstream. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is involved in uptake of cholesterol rich low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles from the bloodstream. The association of HCV particles with lipoproteins implicates their role in HCV entry; however, the precise role of LDLR in HCV entry still remains controversial. Here, we investigate the effect of HCV infection on LDLR expression and the underlying mechanism(s) involved. We demonstrate that HCV stimulates LDLR expression in both HCV-infected Huh7 cells and in liver tissue from chronic hepatitis C patients. Fluorescence activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence analysis revealed enhanced cell surface and total expression of LDLR in HCV-infected cells. Increased LDLR expression resulted in the enhanced uptake of lipoprotein particles by HCV-infected cells. Analysis of
LDLR
gene promoter identified a pivotal role of sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs), in the HCV-mediated stimulation of LDLR transcription. In addition, HCV negatively modulated the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a protein that facilitates LDLR degradation. Ectopic expression of wild-type PCSK9 or gain-of-function PCSK9 mutant negatively affected HCV replication. Overall, our results demonstrate that HCV regulates LDLR expression at transcriptional and posttranslational level via SREBPs and PCSK9 to promote lipid uptake and facilitate viral proliferation.

IMPORTANCE
HCV modulates host lipid metabolism to promote enrichment of lipids in intracellular environment, which are essential in multiple aspects of HCV life cycle. However, very little is known about the influence of HCV on lipid uptake from the bloodstream. LDLR is involved in uptake of cholesterol rich lipid particles from bloodstream. In this study, we investigated the effect of HCV on LDLR expression and the underlying mechanism triggered by the virus to modulate LDLR expression. Our observations suggest that HCV upregulates LDLR expression at both the protein and the transcript levels and that this upregulation likely contributes toward the uptake of serum lipids by infected hepatocytes. Abrogation of HCV-mediated upregulation of LDLR inhibits serum lipid uptake and thereby perturbs HCV replication. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of serum lipid uptake by infected hepatocytes in HCV life cycle.
Hepatitis C Virus Impairs Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Augmentation of Complement Synthesis
Authors: Kim Hangeun , Bose Sandip K. , Meyer Keith , Ray Ranjit
Published: December 2013

Natural killer (NK) cells and the complement system play critical roles in the first line of defense against pathogens. The synthesis of complement components C4 and C3 is transcriptionally downregulated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) core and NS5A proteins, and this negative regulation is apparent in chronically HCV-infected patients. In this study, we have examined the potential contribution of an NK cell line as a model in regulating complement synthesis. Coculture of NK cells (NK3.3) with human hepatoma cells (Huh7.5) expressing HCV core or NS5A protein led to a significant increase in C4 and C3 complement synthesis via enhanced specific transcription factors. Reestablishment of complement protein expression was found to be mediated by direct interaction between NKG2D on NK cells and the hepatocyte protein major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A and B (MICA/B) and not to be associated with specific cytokine signaling events. On the other hand, C4 and C3 synthesis remained impaired in a coculture of NK cells and Huh7.5 cells infected with cell culture-grown HCV. The association between these two cell types through NKG2D and MICA/B was examined further, with MICA/B expression in HCV-infected hepatocytes found to remain inhibited during coculture. Further experiments revealed that the HCV NS2 and NS5B proteins are responsible for the HCV-associated decrease in MICA/B. These results suggest that HCV disables a key receptor ligand in infected hepatoma cells, thereby inhibiting the ability of infected cells to respond to stimuli from NK cells to positively regulate complement synthesis.

IMPORTANCEThe complement system contributes to the protection of the host from virus infection. However, the involvement of complement in viral hepatitis has not been well documented. Whether NK cells affect complement component expression in HCV-infected hepatocytes remains unknown. Here, we have shown how HCV subverts the ability of NK cells to positively mediate complement protein expression.
Recruitment of PI4KIIIβ to Coxsackievirus B3 Replication Organelles Is Independent of ACBD3, GBF1, and Arf1
Authors: Dorobantu Cristina M. , van der Schaar Hilde M. , Ford Lauren A. , Strating Jeroen R. P. M. , Ulferts Rachel , Fang Ying , Belov George , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M.
Published: December 2013

Members of the
Enterovirus
(poliovirus [PV], coxsackieviruses, and human rhinoviruses) and
Kobuvirus
(Aichi virus) genera in the
Picornaviridae
family rely on PI4KIIIβ (phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase IIIβ) for efficient replication. The small membrane-anchored enteroviral protein 3A recruits PI4KIIIβ to replication organelles, yet the underlying mechanism has remained elusive. Recently, it was shown that kobuviruses recruit PI4KIIIβ through interaction with ACBD3 (acyl coenzyme A [acyl-CoA]-binding protein domain 3), a novel interaction partner of PI4KIIIβ. Therefore, we investigated a possible role for ACBD3 in recruiting PI4KIIIβ to enterovirus replication organelles. Although ACBD3 interacted directly with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) 3A, its depletion from cells by RNA interference did not affect PI4KIIIβ recruitment to replication organelles and did not impair CVB3 RNA replication. Enterovirus 3A was previously also proposed to recruit PI4KIIIβ via GBF1/Arf1, based on the known interaction of 3A with GBF1, an important regulator of secretory pathway transport and a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of Arf1. However, our results demonstrate that inhibition of GBF1 or Arf1 either by pharmacological inhibition or depletion with small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment did not affect the ability of 3A to recruit PI4KIIIβ. Furthermore, we show that a 3A mutant that no longer binds GBF1 was capable of recruiting PI4KIIIβ, even in ACBD3-depleted cells. Together, our findings indicate that unlike originally envisaged, coxsackievirus recruits PI4KIIIβ to replication organelles independently of ACBD3 and GBF1/Arf1.

IMPORTANCE
A hallmark of enteroviral infection is the generation of new membranous structures to support viral RNA replication. The functionality of these “replication organelles” depends on the concerted actions of both viral nonstructural proteins and co-opted host factors. It is thus essential to understand how these structures are formed and which cellular components are key players in this process. GBF1/Arf1 and ACBD3 have been proposed to contribute to the recruitment of the essential lipid-modifying enzyme PI4KIIIβ to enterovirus replication organelles. Here we show that the enterovirus CVB3 recruits PI4KIIIβ by a mechanism independent of both GBF1/Arf1 and ACBD3. This study shows that the strategy employed by coxsackievirus to recruit PI4KIIIβ to replication organelles is far more complex than initially anticipated.
Can we reduce costs and prevent more unintended pregnancies? A cost of illness and cost-effectiveness study comparing two methods of EHC
Authors: Thomas Christine M , Cameron Sharon
Published: December 2013

Objectives

To calculate the cost of an unintended pregnancy in 2011 and use this cost in a cost-effectiveness model comparing ulipristal acetate (UPA) with levonorgestrel (LNG) for emergency hormonal contraception (EHC).

Design

Retrospective analysis of published data sources and published cost-effectiveness model.

Setting

Women presenting in primary care in England for EHC within 24 or 72 h of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI).

Interventions

EHC of either LNG (1.5 mg) or UPA (30 mg).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measure is the number and direct and indirect costs of an unintended pregnancy. The secondary outcome measure is the consequence of unintended pregnancy: miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or live birth.

Results

From the comparative clinical studies of EHC we observe that if 125 women receive either LNG or UPA within 72 h of UPSI, there will be one less pregnancy due to method failure in the UPA group than in the LNG group. We calculate the cost of an unintended pregnancy to be £1663 in direct healthcare costs rising to £2922 with the inclusion of social costs. Using these costs in the comparative cost-effectiveness model shows that it costs £194 less in direct health costs alone to prevent one more pregnancy with UPA than with LNG. The inclusion of social costs of pregnancy increases this cost-saving potential to £1453 for each extra pregnancy avoided with UPA compared with LNG.

Conclusions

Clinical trials have demonstrated the superior efficacy of UPA compared with LNG as a method of EHC. Given that it costs less overall in health and social costs of pregnancy while preventing more pregnancies, UPA is said to be the dominant treatment, and primary care services should shift to offering UPA as the preferred oral option to women presenting within 24 and 72 h of UPSI.
Pipeline endovascular reconstruction of traumatic dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial internal carotid artery
Authors: Prasad Vikram , Gandhi Dheeraj , Jindal Gaurav
Published: December 2013

A 22-year-old woman was involved in a motor vehicle collision resulting in multiple facial fractures and extensive internal carotid artery (ICA) injury including a right carotid-cavernous fistula, complex dissection flap and dissecting aneurysms. Endovascular coil embolization was initially performed to treat the cavernous carotid fistula and then again on two separate occasions to treat expanding dissecting aneurysms. Parent vessel reconstruction of the right ICA was subsequently performed with the Pipeline embolization device, resulting in complete anatomical restoration of this vessel.
Variability in initial response to standard clopidogrel therapy, delayed conversion to clopidogrel hyper-response, and associated thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Delgado Almandoz Josser E , Kadkhodayan Yasha , Crandall Benjamin M , Scholz Jill M , Fease Jennifer L , Tubman David E
Published: December 2013

Background and purpose

Variability in response to clopidogrel therapy is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications encountered after neurointerventional procedures. This study aims to determine the variability in response to clopidogrel therapy and associated complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

Methods

We recorded baseline patient characteristics, co-administered medications, P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) values with VerifyNow, clopidogrel dosing, and thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms at our institution during a 19 month period.

Results

100 patients were included in the study, 76 women and 24 men, mean age 57.3 years. 15 patients exhibited an initial clopidogrel hypo-response (PRU >240) and 21 patients an initial clopidogrel hyper-response (PRU <60). 36 patients had a follow-up VerifyNow test performed without changes to the standard 75 mg daily clopidogrel dose, which demonstrated that 59% of patients who had initially been within the target 60–240 PRU range exhibited a delayed conversion to clopidogrel hyper-response. In our cohort, a clopidogrel hypo-response was associated with a significantly increased risk of thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm treatment with stent assistance or the pipeline embolization device (60%, p=0.003), while a clopidogrel hyper-response was associated with a significantly increased risk of major hemorrhagic complications in all patients undergoing endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms (11%, p=0.016).

Conclusions

We found wide and dynamic variability in response to clopidogrel therapy in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms, which was significantly associated with thromboembolic and major hemorrhagic complications in our cohort.
Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia is unaffected by intense physical training: a case report
Authors: Dominelli Paolo B. , Foster Glen E. , Dominelli Giulio S. , Henderson William R. , Koehle Michael S. , McKenzie Donald C. , Sheel A. William
Published: December 2013

Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) occurs in some healthy humans at sea-level, whereby the most aerobically trained individuals develop the most severe hypoxemia. A female competitive runner completed 2 maximal exercise tests. Maximal oxygen consumption increased by 15% between testing days, but the degree of hypoxemia remained similar (PaO2, SaO2; 82 and 80 mm Hg; 93.8% and 92.8%; first and second test, respectively). Our case indicates that EIAH does not necessarily worsen with aerobic training.
Experimental and theoretical studies of laterally loaded finned piles in sand
Authors: Nasr Ahmed M.A.
Published: December 2013

Large lateral loads may act on pile foundation supporting structures, such as bridge abutments, retaining walls, and structures subjected to wind–earthquake loads. A pile with fins is a newly developed type of pile foundation that is capable of supporting large lateral loads. In the present study an attempt is made to evaluate the improvement in lateral capacity of a pile with fins mounted close to the pile head. Small-scale model tests and a numerical study using finite element analysis were performed on regular piles without (fins) and piles with fins. These piles were installed in sand of different relative densities (Dr= 35% and 78%). The investigations were carried out by varying the length, width, and shape of the fins, and type of pile. Results reveal that there is a significant increase in lateral resistance of the piles after mounting the fins close to the pile head. The increase in lateral resistance gained by placing fins on a pile varies with geometries of the pile and fins. The lateral resistance increases with the increase in length of the fins until the fin’s length is equal to 0.4 of the pile length. Based on the results of the laboratory model and numerical analysis, critical values of fin parameters for maximum improvement are suggested. The agreement between observed and computed results is found to be reasonably good in terms of ultimate lateral load and fin efficiency. A comparison between the model results and the prototype-scale results is also studied.
APPLICATIONS OF LAPLACIAN SPECTRA ON A 3-PRISM GRAPH
Authors: DING QINGYAN , SUN WEIGANG , CHEN FANGYUE
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we calculate the Laplacian spectra of a 3-prism graph and apply them. This graph is both planar and polyhedral, and belongs to the generalized Petersen graph. Using the regular structures of this graph, we obtain the recurrent relationships for Laplacian matrix between this graph and its initial state — a triangle — and further derive the corresponding relationships for Laplacian eigenvalues between them. By these relationships, we obtain the analytical expressions for the product and the sum of the reciprocals of all nonzero Laplacian eigenvalues. Finally we apply these expressions to calculate the number of spanning trees and mean first-passage time (MFPT) and see that the scaling of MFPT with the network size N is N2, which is larger than those performed on some uniformly recursive trees.
INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC DECOHERENCE FOR CHARGE QUBIT DYNAMICS IN A DOUBLE QUANTUM DOT
Authors: WANG LI , TU TAO , GUO GUO-PING , GUO GUANG-CAN
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we investigate different decoherence sources with a charge qubit in a semiconductor quantum dot device. We distinguish between the intrinsic qubit population leakage and extrinsic environment noise, through a crucial difference in their signatures on the dynamics of the qubit. The results demonstrated here could help to develop unified understanding of decoherence mechanism in quantum dots and allow us to design suitable protocols for control and measurement.
A CONFIGURABLE BOSE–CHAUDHURI–HOCQUENGHEM CODEC ARCHITECTURE FOR FLASH CONTROLLER APPLICATIONS
Authors: FREUDENBERGER JÜRGEN , SPINNER JENS
Published: December 2013

Error correction coding (ECC) has become one of the most important tasks of flash memory controllers. The gate count of the ECC unit is taking up a significant share of the overall logic. Scaling the ECC strength to the growing error correction requirements has become increasingly difficult when considering cost and area limitations.

This work presents a configurable encoding and decoding architecture for binary Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) codes. The proposed concept supports a wide range of code rates and facilitates a trade-off between throughput and space complexity. Commonly, hardware implementations for BCH decoding perform many Galois field multiplications in parallel. We propose a new decoding technique that uses different parallelization degrees depending on the actual number of errors. This approach significantly reduces the number of required multipliers, where the average number of decoding cycles is even smaller than with a fully parallel implementation.
A VERY LOW-TC SECOND-ORDER TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED CMOS CURRENT REFERENCE
Authors: LIANG LIANG , ZHU ZHANGMING , YANG YINTANG
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes a novel second-order temperature-compensated CMOS current reference which exploits a new self-biased current source for first-order temperature compensation and a resistor-free widlar current mirror for second-order temperature compensation. Moreover, by deriving the temperature coefficient (TC) of the reference current, the temperature compensation condition equations together with a design method of minimizing the thermal drift in a required temperature range are presented. Based on these, the circuit is designed in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process and achieves a very low TC of only 16.9 ppm/°C in a temperature range between -40°C and 120°C, with 1 μA reference current at 27°C. Besides, the current reference can operate at supply voltage down to 1.3 V, with a good supply regulation of 0.5%/V. At 27°C, its power consumption is 8.93 μW.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF VOLUME CALIBRATION OF MASS WEIGHT WITH HYDROSTATIC WEIGHING
Authors: HU HONG MAN , WANG JIAN , ZHANG YUE , CAI CHANG QING , ZHONG RUI LIN , YAO HONG , DING JING AN
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the volumes of mass weights ranging from 500 g to 1 g are calibrated with a fused quartz solid density standard using a hydrostatic weighing device developed by Lab of Volume and Density in NIM, China. The stability of liquid temperature is discussed. And also the measurement uncertainty of the densities is evaluated based on the calibration models.
RESEARCH ON VOLUME MEASUREMENT SYSTEM OF WEIGHTS WITH HYDROSTATIC TECHNIQUE
Authors: WANG JIAN , REN XIAOPING , YAO HONG , CAI CHANGQING , ZHANG YUE , ZHONG RUILIN , DING JING'AN
Published: December 2013

According to Annex B.7.4 of OIML R111-1, equipment for measuring volume of weights mass ranging from 1 kg to 20 kg including three methods of hydrostatic comparison is described. The equipment consists of a robot arm for transferring weights, a liquid bath, a mass comparator with 26.1 kg of maximum capacity and 1 mg of readability, glass housing, two weight exchangers including in air and in liquid, two weight holders including in air and in liquid, and a controller. The equipment will enable to perform automatically volume measurements.
INVESTIGATION OF UNCERTAINTY FROM CREEP AND CREEP RECOVERY OF FORCE CALIBRATION RESULT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 376:2011
Authors: CHAEMTHET KITTIPONG , AMORNSAKUN CHANCHAI , SUMYONG NOPPADON , CHANGPAN TAWAT , HEAMAWATANACHAI SUMET
Published: December 2013

This paper presents an investigation of the uncertainties from creep and creep recovery of force proving instruments calibrated at NIMT in year 2012 and 2013. In this study, the NIMT's 100kN deadweight force standard machine was used as a standard to calibrate force proving instruments (from various manufacturers and models) in accordance with ISO 376:2011. The comparison of creep uncertainties calculated from creep measured at maximum load (Cmax), creep recovery measured at zero load (Czero) and reversibility errors were also investigated.

The results of this study show that, for most of the calibration results (>60%), the maximum value between WCmax/WCzero and WCzero/WCmax were larger than 2. Indicating that, WCmax and WCzero could not assume to be equal. For the comparison between creep uncertainties calculated from creep error and reversibility error, more than 80% of the calibration results, the creep uncertainties calculated from reversibility were larger than 3 time of the calculated values form creep measurement. These gave conclusion that, for the unknown history of creep and reversibility characteristic of instruments, it is more appropriate to estimate the uncertainty of creep from reversibility error.
DEVELOPMENT OF A MACHINE-VISION-BASED SYSTEM FOR RECORDING OF FORCE CALIBRATION DATA
Authors: HEAMAWATANACHAI SUMET , CHAEMTHET KITTIPONG , CHANGPAN TAWAT
Published: December 2013

This paper presents the development of a new system for recording of force calibration data using machine vision technology. Real time camera and computer system were used to capture images of the reading from the instruments during calibration. Then, the measurement images were transformed and translated to numerical data using optical character recognition (OCR) technique. These numerical data along with raw images were automatically saved to memories as the calibration database files.

With this new system, the human error of recording would be eliminated. The verification experiments were done by using this system for recording the measurement results from an amplifier (DMP 40) with load cell (HBM-Z30-10kN). The NIMT's 100-kN deadweight force standard machine (DWM-100kN) was used to generate test forces. The experiments setup were done in 3 categories; 1) dynamics condition (record during load changing), 2) statics condition (record during fix load), and 3) full calibration experiments in accordance with ISO 376:2011.

The captured images from dynamics condition experiment gave >94% without overlapping of number. The results from statics condition experiment were >98% images without overlapping. All measurement images without overlapping were translated to number by the developed program with 100% accuracy. The full calibration experiments also gave 100% accurate results. Moreover, in case of incorrect translation of any result, it is also possible to trace back to the raw calibration image to check and correct it. Therefore, this machine-vision-based system and program should be appropriate for recording of force calibration data.
ABOUT “SI” TRACEABILITY OF MICROMASSES AND/OR MICROFORCES
Authors: VÂLCU ADRIANA , ŞTEFĂNESCU DAN MIHAI
Published: December 2013

Over the last period, increasing attention has been paid to measurement of small forces which play a more important role in nanotechnology and other significant areas such as MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and NEMS (nano-electro-mechanical systems) which can be found into everyday products (mobile phones, MP3 players, PCs, cars). In this respect, the development of mass standards and measurement techniques below the current limit of 1 milligram is vital to provide traceability to the SI for such measurements. In Romania, the Mass laboratory of INM considered it necessary to extend the dissemination of the mass unit below 1 mg, in order to meet current needs. Using the subdivision method and starting from the national prototype kilogram No. 2, all necessary experiments were performed for the first time in Romania to extend mass unit traceability till 100 μg. This extension also supports the provision of mass calibrations for low force measurements. The associated measurement procedure and measurement uncertainty results obtained in the calibration are described. In the article are also presented some of the worldwide methods currently used for measuring small forces.
FORECASTING INFLATION WITH A FINANCIAL CONDITIONS INDEX: THE CASE OF SINGAPORE
Authors: CHOW HWEE KWAN
Published: December 2013

This paper explores whether a financial conditions index (FCI) can serve as a good predictor of inflation and hence, a useful guide to monetary policy in the context of Singapore by constructing an index that comprises interest rates, exchange rates, credit expansions, stock prices and house prices. The choice of these variables is motivated by the role they play in the monetary transmission mechanism and how they contribute to inflationary pressures in an economy. A weighted-sum approach is adopted for index construction whereby the weight assigned to each component is derived from the generalized impulse responses of a monetary VAR model estimated using quarterly data. Cross-correlations and Granger causality tests confirm the proposed index possesses good in-sample leading qualities over consumer price inflation. Using this index to generate predictions recursively from a direct multistep forecasting methodology yields substantial gains in out-of-sample prediction performance when compared with forecasts of a benchmark autoregressive model for inflation within the one-year forecast horizon.
Cellular Mechanisms of Tissue Fibrosis. 6. Purinergic signaling and response in fibroblasts and tissue fibrosis
Authors: Lu David , Insel Paul A.
Published: December 2013

Tissue fibrosis occurs as a result of the dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Tissue fibroblasts, resident cells responsible for the synthesis and turnover of ECM, are regulated via numerous hormonal and mechanical signals. The release of intracellular nucleotides and their resultant autocrine/paracrine signaling have been shown to play key roles in the homeostatic maintenance of tissue remodeling and in fibrotic response post-injury. Extracellular nucleotides signal through P2 nucleotide and P1 adenosine receptors to activate signaling networks that regulate the proliferation and activity of fibroblasts, which, in turn, influence tissue structure and pathologic remodeling. An important component in the signaling and functional responses of fibroblasts to extracellular ATP and adenosine is the expression and activity of ectonucleotideases that attenuate nucleotide-mediated signaling, and thereby integrate P2 receptor- and subsequent adenosine receptor-initiated responses. Results of studies of the mechanisms of cellular nucleotide release and the effects of this autocrine/paracrine signaling axis on fibroblast-to-myofibroblast conversion and the fibrotic phenotype have advanced understanding of tissue remodeling and fibrosis. This review summarizes recent findings related to purinergic signaling in the regulation of fibroblasts and the development of tissue fibrosis in the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney.
Differential regulation of TRPC4 in the vasopressin magnocellular system by water deprivation and hepatic cirrhosis in the rat
Authors: Nedungadi T. Prashant , Cunningham J. Thomas
Published: December 2013

Transient receptor potential canonical subtype 4 (TRPC4) is expressed in the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. In this study, the regulation of TRPC4 expression was investigated in water deprivation and hepatic cirrhosis. We used laser capture microdissection technique for precise dissection of pure AVP cell population in the PVN and SON followed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and immunodetection techniques by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Bile duct ligation elevated TRPC4 transcripts in the SON but not PVN with correlated changes in the protein expression in these regions, as well as increased colocalization with AVP in the SON, with no changes in the PVN. Water deprivation resulted in increased TRPC4 mRNA expression in the PVN, while it decreased channel expression levels in the SON. In both of these regions, protein expression measured from tissue punches were unaltered following water deprivation, with no changes in the number of TRPC4-positive cells. Thus, TRPC4 expression is differentially regulated in physiological and pathophysiological models of vasopressin release.
TRPC3 mediates hyperexcitability and epileptiform activity in immature cortex and experimental cortical dysplasia
Authors: Zhou Fu-Wen , Roper Steven N.
Published: December 2013

Neuronal hyperexcitability plays an important role in epileptogenesis. Conditions of low extracellular calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) can induce hyperexcitability and epileptiform activity with unclear mechanisms. Transient receptor potential canonical type 3 (TRPC3) channels play a pivotal role in neuronal excitability and are activated in low-Ca and/or low-Mg conditions to depolarize neurons. TRPC3 staining was highly enriched in immature, but very weak in mature, control cortex, whereas it was strong in dysplastic cortex at all ages. Depolarization and susceptibility to epileptiform activity increased with decreasing Ca and Mg. Combinations of low Ca and low Mg induced larger depolarization in pyramidal neurons and greater susceptibility to epileptiform activity in immature and dysplastic cortex than in mature and control cortex, respectively. Intracellular application of anti-TRPC3 antibody to block TRPC3 channels and bath application of the selective TRPC3 inhibitor Pyr3 greatly diminished depolarization in immature control and both immature and mature dysplastic cortex with strong TRPC3 expression. Epileptiform activity was initiated in low Ca and low Mg when synaptic activity was blocked, and Pyr3 completely suppressed this activity. In conclusion, TRPC3 primarily mediates low Ca- and low Mg-induced depolarization and epileptiform activity, and the enhanced expression of TRPC3 could make dysplastic and immature cortex more hyperexcitable and more susceptible to epileptiform activity.
Terahertz Time Domain, Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Acrylamide, and the Application of Density Functional Theory
Authors: Ullah Ramzan , Khan Salah Ud-Din , Aamir Muhammad , Ullah Rasheed
Published: December 2013

We present terahertz time domain spectra of acrylamide in the frequency range from 0.2 to 2 THz with nearly constant refractive index having an average value of 1.33 and an absorption coefficient. Raman (95–3000 cm−1) and FTIR (450–4000 cm−1) spectra also show good agreement with density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP 6-311G++ (3df 3pd) calculations except C-H and N-H stretching frequencies even after scaling with scale factor of 0.9679. We use MOLVIB to rescale such frequencies to match experimental values.
The Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Aflatoxin Driven Impaired Child Growth
Authors: Turner Paul Craig
Published: December 2013

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate dietary staples in tropical regions; chronic high levels of exposure are common for many of the poorest populations. Observations in animals indicate that growth and/or food utilization are adversely affected by aflatoxins. This review highlights the development of validated exposure biomarkers and their use here to assess the role of aflatoxins in early life growth retardation. Aflatoxin exposure occurs in utero and continues in early infancy as weaning foods are introduced. Using aflatoxin-albumin exposure biomarkers, five major studies clearly demonstrate strong dose response relationships between exposure in utero and/or early infancy and growth retardation, identified by reduced birth weight and/or low HAZ and WAZ scores. The epidemiological studies include cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys, though aflatoxin reduction intervention studies are now required to further support these data and guide sustainable options to reduce the burden of exposure. The use of aflatoxin exposure biomarkers was essential in understanding the observational data reviewed and will likely be a critical monitor of the effectiveness of interventions to restrict aflatoxin exposure. Given that an estimated 4.5 billion individuals live in regions at risk of dietary contamination the public health concern cannot be over stated.
Temperature Effects on the Crystallization and Coarsening of Nano-CeO2 Powders
Authors: Lopez H. F. , Mendoza H.
Published: December 2013

The effect of temperature on nano-CeO2 particle coarsening is investigated. The nanoceria powders were synthesized using the microemulsion method and then exposed to temperatures in the range of 373–1273 K. It was found that the nanoparticles exhibited a strong tendency to form agglomerates and through the application of ultrasound these agglomerates could be broken into smaller sizes. In addition average nanoparticle sizes were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The outcome of this work indicates that the initial nano-CeO2 powders are amorphous in nature. Annealing promotes CeO2 crystallization and a slight shift in the (111) XRD intensity peaks corresponding to CeO2. Moreover, at temperatures below 773 K, grain growth in nano-CeO2 particles is rather slow. Apparently, mass transport through diffusional processes is not likely to occur as indicated by an estimated activation energy of 20 kJ/mol. At temperatures above 873 K, the measured activation energy shifted to 105 kJ/mol suggesting a possible transition to Ostwald-Ripening type mass transport mechanisms.
Fuzzy Sliding Mode Lateral Control of Intelligent Vehicle Based on Vision
Authors: Li Linhui , Lian Jing , Wang Mengmeng , Li Ming
Published: December 2013

The lateral control of intelligent vehicle is studied in this paper, with the intelligent vehicle DLUIV-1 based on visual navigation as the object of research. Firstly, the lateral control model based on visual preview is established. The kinematics model based on visual preview, including speed and other factors, is used to calculate the lateral error and direction error. Secondly, according to the characteristics of lateral control, an efficient strategy of intelligent vehicle lateral mode is proposed. The integration of the vehicle current lateral error and direction error is chosen as the parameter of the sliding mode switching function to design the sliding surface. The control variables are adjusted according to the fuzzy control rules to ensure that they meet the existence and reaching condition. The sliding mode switching function is regarded as the control objective, to ensure the stability of the steering wheel rotation. Simulation results show that the lateral controller can guarantee high path-tracking accuracy and strong robustness for the change of model parameters.
Adnexal Torsion with Dystrophic Calcifications in an Adolescent: A Chronic Entity?
Authors: Hasdemir Pinar Solmaz , Eskicioglu Fatma , Pekindil Gokhan , Kandiloglu Ali Riza , Guvenal Tevfik
Published: December 2013

Intermittent pelvic pain caused by ovarian cysts in adolescence may be due to torsion or partial torsion of the ovary. We present a case of 18-year old adolescent with symptomatic left ovarian torsion with calcifications demonstrated by pelvic MRI and ultrasonography prior to surgery. The pathologic investigation demonstrated dystrophic calcifications. We speculated that the pattern of the intermittent pain in the story of the patient and the dystrophic calcifications in pathologic investigation which is thought that it might have been potentially developed as a result of chronic hypoxia due to intermittent partial torsions over a period of two years.
Fixed Point and Subfixed Point for Fuzzy Mappings in Generalized Metric Fuzzy Spaces
Authors: Stojaković Mila , Gajić Ljiljana , Carić Biljana
Published: December 2013

A generalized metric in space of set of fuzzy sets is introduced. We prove some common fixed point for contractive iterate at the point and orbitally contractive at the point fuzzy mappings and subfixed point results for family of mappings satisfying generalized contractive conditions in generalized metric fuzzy spaces.
A Novel Web Classification Algorithm Using Fuzzy Weighted Association Rules
Authors: Thomas Binu , Raju G.
Published: December 2013

In associative classification method, the rules generated from association rule mining are converted into classification rules. The concept of association rule mining can be extended in web mining environment to find associations between web pages visited together by the internet users in their browsing sessions. The weighted fuzzy association rule mining techniques are capable of finding natural associations between items by considering the significance of their presence in a transaction. The significance of an item in a transaction is usually referred as the weight of an item in the transaction and finding associations between such weighted items is called fuzzy weighted association rule mining. In this paper, we are presenting a novel web classification algorithm using the principles of fuzzy association rule mining to classify the web pages into different web categories, depending on the manner in which they appear in user sessions. The results are finally represented in the form of classification rules and these rules are compared with the result generated using famous Boolean Apriori association rule mining algorithm.
Multiple Weighted Estimates for Vector-Valued Multilinear Singular Integrals with Non-Smooth Kernels and Its Commutators
Authors: Chen Dongxiang , Zou Dan , Mao Suzhen
Published: December 2013

This note concerns multiple weighted inequalities for vector-valued multilinear singular integral operator with nonsmooth kernel and its corresponding commutators containing multilinear commutator and iterated commutator generated by the vector-valued multilinear operator and BMO functions. By the weighted estimates for a class of new variant maximal and sharp maximal functions, the multiple weighted norm inequalities for such operators are obtained.
The Role of Bridging Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Galuppo Roberto , McCall Angie , Gedaly Roberto
Published: December 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver accounting for 7% of all cancers worldwide. Most cases of HCC develop within an established background of chronic liver disease. For that reason, liver resection is only possible in selected patients. Liver transplantation has become the treatment of choice in patients with HCC, end-stage liver disease, and significant portal hypertension. Shortage of organ donors has resulted in overall increase of waiting list time with increased risk of dropout due to tumor progression. Neoadjuvant therapies have emerged as an alternative to control tumor growth in patients while waiting. The aim of this study is to review the literature on the role of bridging therapy and downstaging prior to liver transplantation in patients with HCC. We are also presenting our single-center experience of 96 patients undergoing transplantation for HCC with and without bridging therapy.
Nonneuronal Cholinergic System in Breast Tumors and Dendritic Cells: Does It Improve or Worsen the Response to Tumor?
Authors: Vulcano Marisa , Lombardi María Gabriela , Sales María Elena
Published: December 2013

Besides being the main neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system, acetylcholine (ACh) can act as a signaling molecule in nonneuronal tissues. For this reason, ACh and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade it (choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase) as well as muscarinic (mAChRs) and nicotinic receptors conform the non-neuronal cholinergic system (nNCS). It has been reported that nNCS regulates basal cellular functions including survival, proliferation, adhesion, and migration. Moreover, nNCS is broadly expressed in tumors and in different components of the immune system. In this review, we summarize the role of nNCS in tumors and in different immune cell types focusing on the expression and function of mAChRs in breast tumors and dendritic cells (DCs) and discussing the role of DCs in breast cancer.
Design and Characterization of Double Layered Mucoadhesive System Containing Bisphosphonate Derivative
Authors: Mukherjee Dhrubojyoti , Bharath Srinivasan
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of formulation variables on different evaluation properties such as cumulative percentage release and swelling index in development of two layered buccal mucoadhesive system consisting of a highly water soluble drug risedronate sodium. The mucoadhesive systems were developed with varied concentrations of the polymers (1-2%) using plasticizer/permeation enhancer (25–50% w/w of polymer). Two layered films comprised of risedronate sodium with chitosan (85% deacetylated) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC 4KM) interpolymer complex of different ratios were prepared by solvent casting method. An impermeable backing membrane of ethyl cellulose was incorporated into the films. The study shows the effect of multipolymeric films on the release of a bisphosphonates derivative. The optimized formulations showed films with uniform drug content (90.91±0.17–105.53%±2.15), thickness (0.22±0.01 mm to 0.31±0.06 mm), mucoadhesivity (26±3.61–42.33±2.82 g), and controlled drug release profile up to a period of 10 hours. The films were also studied for swelling index, moisture uptake, viscosity, folding endurance, water vapor transmission rate, and mucoadhesive time.