bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOLUTION COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS OF CaZrO3 USING MIXED FUEL
Authors: LIMSAY R. H. , TAYADE R. A. , TALWATKAR C. B. , YAWALE S. P. , YAWALE S. S. , BHAVSAR R. S.
Published: March 2011

With the advent of nanotechnology, methods of synthesis have attained immense importance since it governs particle size of the materials. In this paper, we report synthesis of CaZrO 3 by simple and energy efficient method that produced ultra fine powder having particle size in the nanometers. Synthesis of CaZrO 3 was carried out using corresponding metal nitrates and mixed fuels i.e., glycine and urea at a temperature less than 500°C. The reaction was highly exothermic in nature. The product obtained was voluminous and foamy. The as synthesized CaZrO 3 is crystalline in nature. It required no further heating. The compound was indexed using standard indexing procedure and the lattice constants matches completely with those reported in the literature. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) results shows that the material is highly stable internally during the whole range of temperature studied i.e., up to 1000°C. The powder density of the material was calculated to be 5.6393 g cm -1. BET surface area was found to be 11.505 m 2/ g . The particle size was calculated using density and BET surface area values. The particle size of the as synthesized CaZrO 3 was found to be 92 nm. The product was further characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope and electrical conductivity.
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE OF THE ELASTIC CONSTANTS WITH APPLICATION TO MINERALS
Authors: LIU QUAN
Published: March 2011

In the present paper, a new relationship for the pressure dependences of elastic constants is developed by using a new expression for the pressure dependence of bulk modulus and a method developed by Grover et al. The proposed relationship is applied to study elastic constants of MgO , NaCl , CaF2, and CaO . The results obtained for elastic constants are found in good accordance with the experimental and first-principle results.
AB INITIO APPROACH TO STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF B-, C- AND N-DOPED ANATASE
Authors: ZHUKOV V. P. , ZAINULLINA V. M. , CHULKOV E. V.
Published: March 2011

The effect of doping with boron, carbon and nitrogen on crystal lattice parameters, electronic band structure and optical absorption of anatase has been studied by means of an ab initio density functional theory approach. The investigations included optimization of crystal structure based on the pseudo-potential plane-wave approach. The spin-polarized calculations of the band structure with the account of on-site Coulomb correlations (LSDA+U) employing the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbitals method (TB-LMTO) have also been performed. The evaluations of optical absorption were based on the calculations of dielectric function with local field effects taken into account. We find that the crystal lattice relaxation around the doping atoms produces noticeable changes in the band structure, magnetic state and optical properties of the doped compounds. The most considerable effects are the collapse of magnetic moment on carbon atom and an essential reduction of the optical absorption in the region of the impurity band — impurity band transitions. Comparing optical absorption for different kinds of doping and taking into account the intensity distribution of the solar light we come to the conclusion than the doping with boron is the most promising kind of doping for photocatalytic applications of the doped anatase.
ON THE ELECTRONIC TRANSPORT MECHANISM IN MAGNETRON-SPUTTERED POLYCRYSTALLINE ZnO THIN FILMS
Authors: RUSU I. I. , SMIRNOV M. , RUSU G. G. , RAMBU A. P. , RUSU G. I.
Published: March 2011

Zinc oxide ( ZnO ) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by d.c. magnetron sputtering. The structural analysis, by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, indicate that the studied films are polycrystalline and have a wurtzite (hexagonal) structure. The film crystallites are preferentially oriented with (002) planes parallel to the substrates.

The mechanism of electronic transport is explained in terms of Seto's model elaborated for polycrystalline semiconducting films (crystallite boundary trapping theory). Some parameters of used model (impurity concentration, density and energy of the trapping states, etc.) have been calculated. The optical bandgap (Eg0 = 3.28–3.37 eV ) was determined from absorption spectra.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF THE RAMAN FREQUENCIES IN THE γ AND β PHASES OF SOLID NITROGEN
Authors: YURTSEVEN H. , TUNAY T.
Published: March 2011

We study here the Raman frequencies of the lattice modes (γ and β phases) and of an internal mode (γ phase) as a function of temperature in solid nitrogen. The frequency shift derived from the anharmonic self energy, is fitted to the experimental data for the Raman frequencies of the modes considered here in the γ and β phases of solid nitrogen.

From our fittings, we find that the Raman frequencies of the lattice modes decrease, whereas those of the internal mode increase with increasing temperature in solid nitrogen. The unusual behavior of the internal mode indicates that the interaction mechanism should be different in relation to the anharmonicity in the γ phase of solid nitrogen.
CIPHER BLOCK BASED AUTHENTICATION MODULE: A HARDWARE DESIGN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: MICHAIL HARRIS E. , SCHINIANAKIS DIMITRIOS , GOUTIS COSTAS E. , KAKAROUNTAS ATHANASIOS P. , SELIMIS GEORGIOS
Published: March 2011

Message Authentication Codes (MACs) are widely used in order to authenticate data packets, which are transmitted thought networks. Typically MACs are implemented using modules like hash functions and in conjunction with encryption algorithms (like Block Ciphers), which are used to encrypt the transmitted data. However NIST in May 2005 issued a standard, addressing certain applications and their needs, defining a way to implement MACs through FIPS-approved and secure block cipher algorithms. In this paper the best performing implementation of the CMAC standard is presented, in terms of throughput, along with an efficient AES design and implementation.
A 2.5 GHZ CMOS MIXER WITH IMPROVED LINEARITY
Authors: MANOLESCU ANCA , POPA COSMIN
Published: March 2011

A new linearization technique for a CMOS high frequency mixer will be presented. The reduction of the total harmonic distortion coefficient is achieved by replacing the simple differential amplifier from the basic multiplier circuit with a cross-connection differential amplifier, with the advantage of canceling the third-order harmonic from the output signal expression. The circuit was implemented in 0.35 μm CMOS technology and it was supplied at a total voltage of 6 V. The transient and Fourier analysis for high frequency input signals (ω1 = ω2 = 2.5 GHz and ω1 = 2.5 GHz; ω2 = 2.25 GHz) confirm the theoretical estimated results (an improvement in linearity of about 8 dB).
DESIGN OF 3-INPUT REVERSIBLE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC ARRAY
Authors: TAYARI MAHSHID , ESHGHI MOHAMMAD
Published: March 2011

In this paper, for the first time a design for a Reversible Programmable Logic Array (RPLA) is introduced. This is the first RPLA design because the reversible PLA design, presented in previous research, is not a programmable circuit. In our presented RPLAs, four reversible AND array designs with different specifications are proposed. A reversible OR array, which can be programmed to generate any Boolean function, is also designed. This reversible and programmable OR array is also cascadable. That is, it produces a copy of inputted midterms at its outputs to be fed to another OR array in order to design another Boolean function, with no need for another AND array. The proposed 3-input RPLA is programmed to design three reversible circuits, a 1-bit full adder, a 1-bit full subtractor, and a 2-to-1 line multiplexer. Five figures of merit, including number of gates, number of constant inputs, number of garbage outputs, depth and quantum cost of the circuit are considered to evaluate and compare the designs. A comparison between the proposed reversible AND arrays and the same circuit presented in previous research, against these figures of merit, shows a better performance of our proposed designs. The proposed RPLAs are also evaluated, using these five figures of merit.
ANALYSIS OF A GENERALIZED SYMMETRICAL MULTILEVEL INVERTER
Authors: BANAEI M. R. , SALARY E.
Published: March 2011

The cascade multilevel converter requires the least number of main components among traditional multilevel converter. In this paper, comparison of main components between proposed and traditional converter is shown. In addition, a generalized symmetrical multilevel inverter is proposed. The proposed multilevel inverter can generate DC voltage levels similar to other topologies with less number of components. The proposed topology results in reduction of installation area and cost and has simplicity of control system. This converter has been used in an AC drive system. The operation and performance of the proposed generalized multilevel converter has been verified by the simulation results using SIMULINK/MATLAB. The simulation results show its capability in voltage generation and speed control.
HOMOCLINIC MANIFOLDS, CENTER MANIFOLDS AND EXACT SOLUTIONS OF FOUR-DIMENSIONAL TRAVELING WAVE SYSTEMS FOR TWO CLASSES OF NONLINEAR WAVE EQUATIONS
Authors: LI JIBIN , ZHANG YI
Published: March 2011

For the Lax KdV5 equation and the KdV–Sawada–Kotera–Ramani equation, their corresponding four-dimensional traveling wave systems are studied by using Congrove's method. Exact explicit gap soliton, embedded soliton, periodic and quasi-periodic wave solutions are obtained. The existence of homoclinic manifolds to three kinds of equilibria including a hyperbolic equilibrium, a center-saddle and an equilibrium with zero pair of eigenvalues is revealed. The bifurcation conditions of equilibria are given.
RUNNING PERIODIC SOLUTION OF EQUATION OF PENDULUM TYPE WITH SEGMENT LINEAR PERIODIC FUNCTION
Authors: ZHAO YANJU , ZHOU SHENGFAN
Published: March 2011

In this paper, we prove the existence of a running periodic solution of a second order equation of pendulum type with a segment linear periodic function including symmetric and symmetrical function in one period.
ON COMPUTING ENCLOSING ISOSCELES TRIANGLES AND RELATED PROBLEMS
Authors: BOSE PROSENJIT , MORA MERCÈ , SEARA CARLOS , SETHIA SAURABH
Published: March 2011

Given a set of n points in the plane, we show how to compute various enclosing isosceles triangles where different parameters such as area or perimeter are optimized. We then study a 3-dimensional version of the problem where we enclose a point set with a cone of fixed apex angle α.
COMPUTING SIGNED PERMUTATIONS OF POLYGONS
Authors: ALOUPIS GREG , BOSE PROSENJIT , DEMAINE ERIK D. , LANGERMAN STEFAN , MEIJER HENK , OVERMARS MARK , TOUSSAINT GODFRIED T.
Published: March 2011

Given a planar polygon (or chain) with a list of edges {e1, e2, e3, …, en-1, en}, we examine the effect of several operations that permute this edge list, resulting in the formation of a new polygon. The main operations that we consider are: reversals which involve inverting the order of a sublist, transpositions which involve interchanging subchains (sublists), and edge-swaps which are a special case and involve interchanging two consecutive edges. When each edge of the given polygon has also been assigned a direction we say that the polygon is signed. In this case any edge involved in a reversal changes direction.

We show that a star-shaped polygon can be convexified using O(n2) edge-swaps, while maintaining simplicity, and that this is tight in the worst case. We show that determining whether a signed polygon P can be transformed to one that has rotational or mirror symmetry with P, using transpositions, takes Θ(n log n) time. We prove that the problem of deciding whether transpositions can modify a polygon to fit inside a rectangle is weakly NP-complete. Finally we give an O(n log n) time algorithm to compute the maximum endpoint distance for an oriented chain.
CUMULATIVE SPECTRAL REPEAT FINDER (CSRF): A SPECTRAL APPROACH FOR IDENTIFYING THE LENGTH OF REPEATS IN DNA SEQUENCES
Authors: CHEN R. M. , HOU M. T. , CHANG N. W. , CHEN Y. T. , TSAI JEFFREY J. P.
Published: March 2011

Repetitive sequences of DNA are meaningful and of great importance to human functions. Previous researchers have proposed various methods to discover repetitive sequences in DNA sequence. However, the unknown lengths for repetitive sequences are usually predicted randomly or determined by rules of thumb rather than using a systematical criterion. We propose a new algorithm based on the cumulative Fourier spectral contents of DNA sequence to identify the candidate lengths of repetitive sequences or repeats in DNA sequences. After the candidate lengths of repeats are known, one can identify the repeats and their copy numbers using an exact method. Both of the simulated and real datasets are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results are also compared to two well-known methods such as Spectral Repeat Finder (SRF) and Gibbs sampler. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of CSRF in some well-known repeats-finding methods such as SRF, Gibbs sampler, MEME.
INCREMENTAL MINING OF PROCESSES WITH LOOPS
Authors: MA HUI , TANG YONG , WU LINGKUN
Published: March 2011

Currently most researches in process mining focus on discovering a workflow model from an entire log. In fact, the process designers may have a partially built model and their prior knowledge is also valuable information to process mining. Besides, the large volume of log data makes the process mining a time-consuming job. It is better that the process mining be done in an incremental way. There are only a few methods that can incrementally mine a model, but they have their limitations such as incapability in handling loops or being intolerant to noise. On the other hand, loop mining is a challenging problem in process mining because the repeatedly executed tasks add complexity to the search for task precedence. This paper studies the problem of handling loops in process mining and proposes an improved incremental process mining method which supports loops. Experiments in the end show the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.
THE ROBUST FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF TIME SERIES: CONCERNING SIGNAL CLASS AND DATA LENGTH
Authors: FATTAHI M. H. , TALEBBEYDOKHTI N. , RAKHSHANDEHROO G. R. , SHAMSAI A. , NIKOOEE E.
Published: March 2011

In the present paper, the influence of the signal class (fBm/fGn) and the data length of time series on choosing the robust fractal analysis method have been studied. More than 1000 fBm/fGn generated time series in short, intermediate and long ranges have been analyzed using common fractal analysis methods. The chosen techniques were power spectral density, detrended fluctuation analysis, rescaled range analysis, box counting, average wavelet coefficients, and the variation method. Numerous graphs indicating the suitability of each method in terms of biases in calculating the fundamental fractal feature of time series, Hurst coefficient, were employed. The results strongly emphasized the crucial influence of the signal class as well as the data length when choosing the appropriate fractal analysis method. Furthermore, as a step forward, a study on the number of data points present in a classified class/length was performed. The effect of the number of data points could not be neglected either. Based on the results, a strategy flowchart for fractal analysis of time series has been proposed. Finally, as an empirical example, the monthly, weekly and daily scaled flow time series of Ghar-e-Aghaj River have been analyzed within the framework of the strategy flowchart.
EXPLICIT CONSTRUCTION OF OPERATOR SCALING GAUSSIAN RANDOM FIELDS
Authors: CLAUSEL M. , VEDEL B.
Published: March 2011

We propose an explicit way to generate a large class of Operator scaling Gaussian random fields (OSGRF). Such fields are anisotropic generalizations of self-similar fields. More specifically, we are able to construct any Gaussian field belonging to this class with given Hurst index and exponent. Our construction provides — for simulations of texture as well as for detection of anisotropies in an image — a large class of models with controlled anisotropic geometries and structures.
OPTIMAL INVESTMENT ON FINITE HORIZON WITH RANDOM DISCRETE ORDER FLOW IN ILLIQUID MARKETS
Authors: GASSIAT PAUL , PHAM HUYÊN , SÎRBU MIHAI
Published: March 2011

We study the problem of optimal portfolio selection in an illiquid market with discrete order flow. In this market, bids and offers are not available at any time but trading occurs more frequently near a terminal horizon. The investor can observe and trade the risky asset only at exogenous random times corresponding to the order flow given by an inhomogenous Poisson process. By using a direct dynamic programming approach, we first derive and solve the fixed point dynamic programming equation satisfied by the value function, and then perform a verification argument which provides the existence and characterization of optimal trading strategies. We prove the convergence of the optimal performance, when the deterministic intensity of the order flow approaches infinity at any time, to the optimal expected utility for an investor trading continuously in a perfectly liquid market model with no-short sale constraints.
INSTANTANEOUS, NON-SQUEEZED, NOISE-BASED LOGIC
Authors: PEPER FERDINAND , KISH LASZLO B.
Published: March 2011

Noise-based logic, by utilizing its multidimensional logic hyperspace, has significant potential for parallel operations in beyond-Moore-chips. However universal gates for Boolean logic thus far had to rely on either time averaging to distinguish signals from each other or, alternatively, on squeezed logic signals, where the logic-high was represented by a random process and the logic-low was a zero signal. A major setback is that squeezed logic variables are unable to work in the hyperspace, because the logic-low zero value sets the hyperspace product vector to zero. This paper proposes Boolean universal logic gates that alleviate such shortcomings. They are able to work with non-squeezed logic values where both the high and low values are encoded into nonzero, bipolar, independent random telegraph waves. Non-squeezed universal Boolean logic gates for spike-based brain logic are also shown. The advantages versus disadvantages of the two logic types are compared.
FORECASTING GDP WITH AGGREGATED AND SECTORAL DATA
Authors: HASSANI HOSSEIN , SOOFI ABDOL , AVAZALIPOUR MOHAMMAD SADEGH
Published: March 2011

We use the Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), a forecasting method which is based on the noise reduction procedure, in prediction of the Iranian gross domestic product (GDP). Two different approaches are considered in forecasting the series. In the first approach, we apply SSA to the aggregate GDP series. In the second approach, we predict the GDP by first forecasting the GDP of the sectors of the economy, and then sum the predicted values as the forecast of the aggregate GDP. We measured the prediction accuracy of both approaches using various criteria, and found that predictions based on the disaggregated, sectoral GDP tend to outperform the predictions based on the aggregated data.
NEAR-INFRARED MONITORING OF THE LUMBAR ERECTOR SPINAE MUSCLE IN HEALTHY MEN AND WOMEN DURING STATIC AND DYNAMIC ENDURANCE WORK
Authors: MAIKALA RAMMOHAN V. , BHAMBHANI YAGESH N.
Published: March 2011

Understanding muscle hemodynamics using near-infrared spectroscopy is increasingly evident in the recent spinal disorders-related literature. However, none of these human studies addressed the issue of physiological limits for the lumbar muscle within the same participants during various exercise modes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate physiological limits for the lumbar muscle during dynamic and static endurance tests. On three separate days, 22 healthy men and women performed three endurance protocols (static prone trunk extension, arm cranking, and pushing–pulling) until volitional exhaustion. For each protocol, minimum and maximum oxygenation and blood volume responses from the right lumbar erector spinae were obtained using a continuous dual wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (Micro-Runman, NIM Inc., PA, USA). Statistical analysis showed that greatest reduction in oxygenation (minimum) were obtained during dynamic exercises: pushing–pulling (2.1 times) and arm cranking (2.03 times) versus static test (P < 0.05). Physiological change (calculated as the difference between maximum during recovery and minimum at the point of volitional exhaustion) during static test was lower [(66–75% for oxygenation) and (34–46% for blood volume)] than dynamic exercises (P < 0.05). Contrary to the theory that sufficient occlusion of blood flow to the lumbar muscle is possible with static trunk extension, it was concluded that a dynamic protocol until volitional exhaustion might be a good alternative in establishing near-infrared spectroscopy-derived physiological limits to the lumbar muscle. Further research is essential to identify an optimal calibration procedure for establishing true hypoxic values for the human lumbar muscle.
Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonothermal evolution of the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau (Songpan-Garzê, Longmen Shan area): insights from thermochronological data and simple thermal modelling
Authors: Roger Françoise , Jolivet Marc , Cattin Rodolphe , Malavieille Jacques
Published: March 2011

We present a synthesis of the tectonic and thermochronological evolution of the Eastern Tibet since the Triassic. The long-term cooling histories obtained on magmatic and metamorphic rocks of the South Songpan-Garzê, Kunlun and Yidun blocks are similar showing a very slow and regular cooling during Late Jurassic and Cretaceous, confirming the suspected lack of major tectonic events between
c
. 150 and 30 Ma. The exhumation linked to the Tertiary growth of the Tibetan Plateau initiated around 30 Ma and concentrates at the vicinity of the major tectonic structures. Exhumation rates increased again from about 7 Ma in the Longmen Shan.

To interpret this very slow cooling rate between Late Jurassic and Early Cenozoic from granites of this area, we use a simple 1D thermal model that takes into account the thermal properties of both sediments and crust. The results suggest that: (1) high temperature (500 °C) can be kept over a long period of time; (2) during Cretaceous, cooling is mostly controlled by the thermal properties of sediments of continental origin; and (3) the initial Late Triassic rapid cooling rate was caused by the large thermal contrast between the granite body and the sedimentary rocks rather than by a high exhumation rate.
Early Cretaceous Gangdese retroarc foreland basin evolution in the Selin Co basin, central Tibet: evidence from sedimentology and detrital zircon geochronology
Authors: Zhang Qing-Hai , Ding Lin , Cai Fu-Long , Xu Xiao-Xia , Zhang Li-Yun , Xu Qiang , Willems Helmut
Published: March 2011

The Selin Co basin in the northern Lhasa terrane includes more than 3000 m of upward coarsening Lower Cretaceous strata, and the sedimentary sequence from the flysch to the molasse indicates the evolution of a foreland basin. Petrographic analysis shows that sandstones are rich in volcanic and sedimentary lithics and most of them fall into recycled orogen and magmatic arc.

Uranium–lead (U–Pb) ages were determined for 435 detrital zircons from the Lower Cretaceous strata in the Selin Co basin. Relative probability of detrital zircon ages shows the Eshaerbu Formation was rich in zircon grains with the age of 125–140 and 160–180 Ma, and the Duoni Formation was dominated by one main age cluster of 125–150 Ma. Analysis of the potential provenances suggests the Early Cretaceous zircon grains were primarily derived from the Gangdese magmatic arc to the south. The youngest zircon ages in the lowermost exposure of the Eshaerbru Formation are
c
. 130 Ma, providing a maximum depositional age of sediments in the Selin Co basin.

Collectively, our studies, together with previously documented Cretaceous thrusting in the Lhasa terrane, suggest the Lower Cretaceous Selin Co basin was deposited in a retroarc foreland basin. From 145–90 Ma, a retroarc foreland basin was presumed to develop in the Lhasa terrane, migrating from the south to the north. Crustal thickening, likely associated with the evolution of the retroarc foreland basin, was speculated to start in the Early Cretaceous in the Lhasa terrane.
Indication for clockwise rotation in the Siang window south of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and new geochronological constraints for the area
Authors: Liebke Ursina , Antolin B. , Appel E. , Basavaiah N. , Mikes T. , Dunkl I. , Wemmer K.
Published: March 2011

Palaeomagnetic, rock magnetic and geochronological investigations were carried out on the Abor volcanics of Arunachal Pradesh, NE India. A Late Palaeozoic formation age for part of the Abor volcanics cannot be excluded based on K–Ar whole rock dating. Low-temperature thermochronometers – zircon (U–Th)/He and fission track analyses – yield a maximum burial temperature of
c
. 150–170 °C during Late Miocene. ZFT thermochronology of the Yinkiong and Miri Fms. indicates a post-Paleocene and post-Jurassic deposition age, respectively. This infers that the volcanic rocks intercalating or intruding them are not part of the Late Palaeozoic sequence but represent one or more, latest Cretaceous to Tertiary event(s). Therefore the Abor volcanics are connected to at least two separate events of volcanism. From palaeomagnetic sites, two characteristic magnetic remanence components were separated: a low-coercivity-component demagnetized below 20 mT and a high-coercivity-component demagnetized between 15 and 100 mT. Fold tests support a secondary origin of both components. Thermochronological and rock magnetic analyses indicate a low-grade overprint event between India–Asia collision and Miocene, which probably represents the time of remanence acquisition. The high-coercivity-component shows a trend of clockwise declinations, which is likely related to vertical-axis rotations of the eastern Himalayas due to eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau.
Tectonic geomorphology along the eastern margin of Tibet: insights into the pattern and processes of active deformation adjacent to the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Kirby Eric , Ouimet William
Published: March 2011

We present a review and synthesis of the tectonic geomorphology along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau adjacent to and north of the Sichuan Basin. Re-evaluation of spatial variations in the form of fluvial longitudinal profiles provides a refined image of the distribution of anomalously steep channels. Three new analyses demonstrate that these variations in channel steepness reflect variations in the locus and rate of differential rock uplift. First, measurements of channel width along trunk streams reveal systematic co-variations in channel hydraulic geometry and slope that suggests channels are dynamically adjusted to spatial variations in erosion rate. Second, recent determinations of the functional relationship between channel steepness indices and erosion rate allow a quantitative estimation of erosion rate from channel profile form. Third, comparison of rock uplift patterns to variations in the distribution of slip associated with the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake confirms that channel gradients reflect differential rock uplift. Our analysis suggests that reactivated fault systems adjacent to the Sichuan Basin are primarily responsible for accommodating differential rock uplift, but that rock uplift northward along the margin is not associated with active faults and is likely sustained by flow and thickening in the deep crust.
A novel role for AMP-kinase in the regulation of the Na+/I−-symporter and iodide uptake in the rat thyroid gland
Authors: Andrade Bruno M. , Araujo Renata L. , Perry Robert L. S. , Souza Elaine C. L. , Cazarin Juliana M. , Carvalho Denise P. , Ceddia Rolando B.
Published: March 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AMP-kinase (AMPK) in the regulation of iodide uptake by the thyroid gland. Iodide uptake was assessed in PCCL3 follicular thyroid cells exposed to the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleoside (AICAR), and also in rat thyroid glands 24 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of AICAR. In PCCL3 cells, AICAR-induced AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation decreased iodide uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, while the AMPK inhibitor compound C prevented this effect. In the thyroid gland of rats injected with AICAR, AMPK and ACC phosphorylation was increased and iodide uptake was reduced by ∼35%. Under conditions of increased AMPK phosphorylation/activation such as TSH deprivation or AICAR treatment, significant reductions in cellular Na+/I−-symporter (NIS) protein (∼41%) and mRNA content (∼65%) were observed. The transcriptional (actinomycin D) and translational (cycloheximide) inhibitors, as well as the AMPK inhibitor compound C prevented AICAR-induced reduction of NIS protein content in PCCL3 cells. The presence of TSH in the culture medium reduced AMPK phosphorylation in PCCL3 cells, while inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) with H89 prevented this effect. Conversely, the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin abolished the AMPK phosphorylation response induced by TSH withdrawal in PCCL3 cells. These findings demonstrate that TSH suppresses AMPK phosphorylation/activation in a cAMP-PKA-dependent manner. In summary, we provide novel evidence that AMPK is involved in the physiological regulation of iodide uptake, which is an essential step for the formation of thyroid hormones as well as for the regulation of thyroid function.
Ectopic expression of cadherin 8 is sufficient to cause cyst formation in a novel 3D collagen matrix renal tubule culture
Authors: Kher Rajesh , Sha Edward C. , Escobar Miguel R. , Andreoli Eric M. , Wang Pu , Xu Wei Min , Wandinger-Ness Angela , Bacallao Robert L.
Published: March 2011

While a variety of genetic mutations have been shown to be associated with renal cyst formation, mechanisms of renal cyst formation are largely unknown. In prior communications we described alterations in E-cadherin assembly in cultured cystic epithelial cells (Charron AJ, Nakamura S, Bacallao R, Wandinger-Ness A. J Cell Biol 149: 111–124, 2000). Using the same cell line we assayed cadherin expression by RT-PCR using primer pairs that anneal to highly conserved sequences of cadherin genes but flank informative regions of cadherins. Using this approach we found that autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) cells express cadherin 8, a neuronal cadherin with limited expression in the kidney. Immunohistochemistry confirmed cadherin 8 expression in cystic epithelia. To test the functional significance of cadherin 8 expression in renal epithelial cells, we adapted a three-dimensional collagen culture method in which HK-2 cells form tubule structures and microinjected adenovirus into the matrix space surrounding tubule structures. Adenovirus expressing cadherin 8 under the control of a tet promoter caused cyst structures to grow out of the tubules when coinjected with adenovirus expressing a tet transactivator. Microinjection of single adenovirus expressing either tet transactivator or cadherin 8 failed to cause cyst formation. When doxycycline was added to the culture, following coinjection of adenovirus, there was a dose-response reduction in cadherin 8 expression and cyst formation. Similarly, HK-2 cells transfected with Flag-tagged cadherin 8 form cysts in addition to tubular structures. HK-2 cells transfected with Flag-tagged N-cadherin do not form cysts. These data suggest that ectopic expression of cadherin 8 in renal epithelial cells is sufficient to cause the morphogenic pattern of cyst formation.
Effects of small intestinal glucose load on blood pressure, splanchnic blood flow, glycemia, and GLP-1 release in healthy older subjects
Authors: Vanis Lora , Gentilcore Diana , Rayner Christopher K. , Wishart Judith M. , Horowitz Michael , Feinle-Bisset Christine , Jones Karen L.
Published: March 2011

Postprandial hypotension is an important problem, particularly in the elderly. The fall in blood pressure is dependent on small intestinal glucose delivery and, possibly, changes in splanchnic blood flow, the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and sympathetic nerve activity. We aimed to determine in healthy older subjects, the effects of variations in small intestinal glucose load on blood pressure, superior mesenteric artery flow, GLP-1, and noradrenaline. Twelve subjects (6 male, 6 female; ages 65–76 yr) were studied on four separate occasions, in double-blind, randomized order. On each day, subjects were intubated via an anesthetized nostril, with a nasoduodenal catheter, and received an intraduodenal infusion of either saline (0.9%) or glucose at a rate of 1, 2, or 3 kcal/min (G1, G2, G3, respectively), for 60 min ( t = 0–60 min). Between t = 0 and 60 min, there were falls in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following G2 and G3 ( P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively), but no change during saline or G1. Superior mesenteric artery flow increased slightly during G1 ( P = 0.01) and substantially during G2 ( P < 0.001) and G3 ( P < 0.001), but not during saline. The GLP-1 response to G3 was much greater ( P < 0.001) than to G2 and G1. Noradrenaline increased ( P < 0.05) only during G3. In conclusion, in healthy older subjects the duodenal glucose load needs to be > 1 kcal/min to elicit a significant fall in blood pressure, while the response may be maximal when the rate is 2 kcal/min. These observations have implications for the therapeutic strategies to manage postprandial hypotension by modulating gastric emptying.
Effects of potassium on expression of renal sodium transporters in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats induced by uninephrectomy
Authors: Jung Ji Yong , Kim Sejoong , Lee Jay Wook , Jung Eun Sook , Heo Nam Ju , Son Min-Jeong , Oh Yun Kyu , Na Ki Young , Han Jin Suk , Joo Kwon Wook
Published: March 2011

Dietary potassium is an important modulator of systemic blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary potassium is associated with an altered abundance of major renal sodium transporters that may contribute to the modulation of systemic BP. A unilateral nephrectomy (uNx) was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and the rats were fed a normal-salt diet (0.3% NaCl) for 4 wk. Thereafter, the rats were fed a high-salt (HS) diet (3% NaCl) for the entire experimental period. The potassium-repleted (HS+KCl) group was given a mixed solution of 1% KCl as a substitute for drinking water. We examined the changes in the abundance of major renal sodium transporters and the expression of mRNA of With-No-Lysine (WNK) kinases sequentially at 1 and 3 wk. The systolic BP of the HS+KCl group was decreased compared with the HS group (140.3 ± 2.97 vs. 150.9 ± 4.04 mmHg at 1 wk; 180.3 ± 1.76 vs. 207.7 ± 6.21 mmHg at 3 wk). The protein abundances of type 3 Na+/H+exchanger (NHE3) and Na+-Cl−cotransporter (NCC) in the HS+KCl group were significantly decreased (53 and 45% of the HS group at 1 wk, respectively; 19 and 8% of HS group at 3 wk). WNK4 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the HS+KCl group (1.4-fold of control at 1 wk and 1.9-fold of control at 3 wk). The downregulation of NHE3 and NCC may contribute to the BP-attenuating effect of dietary potassium associated with increased urinary sodium excretion.
Electrical stimulation of the sural cutaneous afferent nerve controls the amplitude and onset of the swing phase of locomotion in the spinal cat
Authors: Ollivier-Lanvin Karen , Krupka Alexander J. , AuYong Nicholas , Miller Kassi , Prilutsky Boris I. , Lemay Michel A.
Published: March 2011

Sensory feedback plays a crucial role in the control of locomotion and in the recovery of function after spinal cord injury. Investigations in reduced preparations have shown that the locomotor cycle can be modified through the activation of afferent feedback at various phases of the gait cycle. We investigated the effect of phase-dependent electrical stimulation of a cutaneous afferent nerve on the locomotor pattern of trained spinal cord-injured cats. Animals were first implanted with chronic nerve cuffs on the sural and sciatic nerves and electromyographic electrodes in different hindlimb muscles. Cats were then transected at T12 and trained daily to locomote on a treadmill. We found that electrical stimulation of the sural nerve can enhance the ongoing flexion phase, producing higher (+129%) and longer (+17.4%) swing phases of gait even at very low threshold of stimulation. Sural nerve stimulation can also terminate an ongoing extension and initiate a flexion phase. A higher prevalence of early switching to the flexion phase was observed at higher stimulation levels and if stimulation was applied in the late stance phase. All flexor muscles were activated by the stimulation. These results suggest that electrical stimulation of the sural nerve may be used to increase the magnitude of the swing phase and control the timing of its onset after spinal cord injury and locomotor training.
Cerebellar inactivation impairs memory of learned prism gaze-reach calibrations
Authors: Norris Scott A. , Hathaway Emily N. , Taylor Jordan A. , Thach W. Thomas
Published: March 2011

Three monkeys performed a visually guided reach-touch task with and without laterally displacing prisms. The prisms offset the normally aligned gaze/reach and subsequent touch. Naive monkeys showed adaptation, such that on repeated prism trials the gaze-reach angle widened and touches hit nearer the target. On the first subsequent no-prism trial the monkeys exhibited an aftereffect, such that the widened gaze-reach angle persisted and touches missed the target in the direction opposite that of initial prism-induced error. After 20–30 days of training, monkeys showed long-term learning and storage of the prism gaze-reach calibration: they switched between prism and no-prism and touched the target on the first trials without adaptation or aftereffect. Injections of lidocaine into posterolateral cerebellar cortex or muscimol or lidocaine into dentate nucleus temporarily inactivated these structures. Immediately after injections into cortex or dentate, reaches were displaced in the direction of prism-displaced gaze, but no-prism reaches were relatively unimpaired. There was little or no adaptation on the day of injection. On days after injection, there was no adaptation and both prism and no-prism reaches were horizontally, and often vertically, displaced. A single permanent lesion (kainic acid) in the lateral dentate nucleus of one monkey immediately impaired only the learned prism gaze-reach calibration and in subsequent days disrupted both learning and performance. This effect persisted for the 18 days of observation, with little or no adaptation.
Changes in physiological properties of rat ganglion cells during retinal degeneration
Authors: Sekirnjak Chris , Jepson Lauren H. , Hottowy Pawel , Sher Alexander , Dabrowski Wladyslaw , Litke A. M. , Chichilnisky E. J.
Published: March 2011

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a leading cause of degenerative vision loss, yet its progressive effects on visual signals transmitted from the retina to the brain are not well understood. The transgenic P23H rat is a valuable model of human autosomal dominant RP, exhibiting extensive similarities to the human disease pathology, time course, and electrophysiology. In this study, we examined the physiological effects of degeneration in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of P23H rats aged between P37 and P752, and compared them with data from wild-type control animals. The strength and the size of visual receptive fields of RGCs decreased rapidly with age in P23H retinas. Light responses mediated by rod photoreceptors declined earlier (∼P300) than cone-mediated light responses (∼P600). Responses of ON and OFF RGCs diminished at a similar rate. However, OFF cells exhibited hyperactivity during degeneration, whereas ON cells showed a decrease in firing rate. The application of synaptic blockers abolished about half of the elevated firing in OFF RGCs, indicating that the remodeled circuitry was not the only source of degeneration-induced hyperactivity. These results advance our understanding of the functional changes associated with retinal degeneration.
Efficient Fault-Tolerant Event Query Algorithm in Distributed Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Rongbo
Published: March 2011

To overcome the faulty data query problem to improve the accuracy of data query, an efficient fault-tolerant event query algorithm (FTEQ) is proposed, which takes the short-term and long-term spatial and temporal similarities between sensors and environment into considerations. An imprecise and missing data correction algorithm based on Kalman filter is proposed to correct fault sensing data, and a score rank algorithm also is proposed to assign each sensor an appropriate value to reflect the importance of sensors. FTEQ performs self-evaluation and cooperative evaluation schemes with its trustful r neighbor nodes to filter fault data query with the importance of sensor. Simulation results prove that FTEQ performs extremely well in terms of faulty detection rate and data query cost.
An Alternate Method for Computation of Transfer Function Matrix
Authors: K. Appukuttan K. , Bhat Suma
Published: March 2011

A direct and simple numerical method is presented for calculating the transfer function matrix of a linear time invariant multivariable system (A,B,C). The method is based on the matrix-determinant identity, and it involves operations with an auxiliary vector on the matrices. The method is computationally faster compared to Liverrier and Danilevsky methods.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Aerobic Training in Obesity
Authors: Nickel Thomas , Hanssen Henner , Emslander Ingrid , Drexel Verena , Hertel Gernot , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Summo Claudia , Sisic Zeljka , Lambert Marius , Hoster Eva , Halle Martin , Weis Michael
Published: March 2011

Introduction. Physical inactivity and obesity are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. We analyzed the immunomodulatory capacity of 10-week intensified exercise training (ET) in obese and lean athletes. Markers of the innate immune response were investigated in obese (ONE: ET≤40 km/week) and lean athletes (LNE: ET≤40 km/week and LE: ET≥55 km/week).Methods. Circulating dendritic cells (DC) were analyzed by flow-cytometry for BDCA-1/-2-expression. TLR-2/-4/-7 and MyD88 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Circulating oxLDL levels were analyzed by ELISA.Results. BDCA-1 expression at baseline was lower in ONE compared to both other groups (ONE 0.15%; LNE 0.27%; LE 0.33%; ), but significantly increased in ONE after training (+50%; ). In contrast, BDCA-2 expression at baseline was higher in ONE (ONE 0.25%; LNE 0.11%; LE 0.09%; ) and decreased in ONE after the 10-week training period (−27%; ). Gene activations of TLR-4 and TLR-7 with corresponding protein increase were found for all three groups (/) compared to pre training. A reduction of oxLDL levels was seen in ONE (−61%; ).Conclusions. Intensified exercise induces an increase of BDCA-1+ DCs and TLR-4/-7 in obese athletes. We hereby describe new immune modulatory effects, which—through regular aerobic exercise—modulate innate immunity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in obesity.
Identification of the Botanical Origin of Commercial Pine Nuts Responsible for Dysgeusia by Gas-Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Fatty Acid Profile
Authors: Destaillats Frédéric , Cruz-Hernandez Cristina , Giuffrida Francesca , Dionisi Fabiola , Mostin Martine , Verstegen Geert
Published: March 2011

Over the last 10 years, complaints were increasingly reported from consumers that experienced dysgeusia following the consumption of pine nuts. In the present study, pine nuts samples (N= 16) from consumers that reported dysgeusia have been analyzed to identify the botanical origin of critical pine nuts samples. The fatty acid composition of the samples was performed, and diagnostic index values were used to identify the botanical origin of the samples.Pinus armandiinuts were identified in all the samples pure or in mixture withP. koraiensisnuts.P. armandiiis not reported as edible pine nuts by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This study confirmed that consumption ofP. armandiinuts may lead to dysgeusia. Based on the present study and previous work, we advise import companies to trade pine nuts from traditionally recognized species such asP. pinea, P. sibirica, P. koraiensis,orP. gerardiana.
Effects of Neonatal Systemic Inflammation on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Behaviour in Juvenile and Adult Rats
Authors: Stolp H. B. , Johansson P. A. , Habgood M. D. , Dziegielewska K. M. , Saunders N. R. , Ek C. J.
Published: March 2011

Several neurological disorders have been linked to inflammatory insults suffered during development. We investigated the effects of neonatal systemic inflammation, induced by LPS injections, on blood-brain barrier permeability, endothelial tight junctions and behaviour of juvenile (P20) and adult rats. LPS-treatment resulted in altered cellular localisation of claudin-5 and changes in ultrastructural morphology of a few cerebral blood vessels. Barrier permeability to sucrose was significantly increased in LPS treated animals when adult but not at P20 or earlier. Behavioural tests showed that LPS treated animals at P20 exhibited altered behaviour using prepulse inhibition (PPI) analysis, whereas adults demonstrated altered behaviour in the dark/light test. These data indicate that an inflammatory insult during brain development can change blood-brain barrier permeability and behaviour in later life. It also suggests that the impact of inflammation can occur in several phases (short- and long-term) and that each phase might lead to different behavioural modifications.
Visceral Leishmaniasis with Endobronchial Involvement in an Immunocompetent Adult
Authors: Kotsifas Konstantinos , Metaxas Eugenios , Koutsouvelis Ioannis , Skoutelis Athanassios , Kara Panayiota , Tatsis George
Published: March 2011

Visceral leishmaniasis is characterized by fever, cachexia, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Cough may be a presenting symptom as well. However, pulmonary involvement is considered rare and mainly described in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of an immunocompetent adult whose clinical presentation was dominated by cough and hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy revealed a discreet polypoid mucosal endobronchial lesion whose biopsy yielded Leishmania amastigotes within histiocytes. Transbronchial needle biopsy of a right paratracheal lymph node was also positive. Leishmania amastigotes were also found on bone marrow and liver biopsies. Treatment with IV Amphotericin B was successful. In conclusion, cough should not be overlooked as a presenting symptom of visceral leishmaniasis and may be a sign of pulmonary involvement.
Effects of Yoga on Psychological Health, Quality of Life, and Physical Health of Patients with Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lin Kuan-Yin , Hu Yu-Ting , Chang King-Jen , Lin Heui-Fen , Tsauo Jau-Yih
Published: March 2011

Yoga is one of the most widely used complementary and alternative medicine therapies to manage illness. This meta‐analysis aimed to determine the effects of yoga on psychological health, quality of life, and physical health of patients with cancer. Studies were identified through a systematic search of seven electronic databases and were selected if they used a randomized controlled trial design to examine the effects of yoga in patients with cancer. The quality of each article was rated by two of the authors using the PEDro Scale. Ten articles were selected; their PEDro scores ranged from 4 to 7. The yoga groups compared to waitlist control groups or supportive therapy groups showed significantly greater improvements in psychological health: anxiety (P = .009), depression (P = .002), distress (P = .003), and stress (P = .006). However, due to the mixed and low to fair quality and small number of studies conducted, the findings are preliminary and limited and should be confirmed through higher‐quality, randomized controlled trials.