bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model of Technological Progress in the Microprocessor Industry
Authors: Pillai Unni
Published: December 2013

This paper develops a model of technological progress in the microprocessor industry that connects the seemingly disparate engineering and economic measures of technological progress. Technological progress in the microprocessor industry is driven by the repeated adoption of higher quality vintages of capital equipment produced by the upstream semiconductor equipment industry. The model characterizes the optimal adoption decision of a microprocessor firm and the resulting rate of technological progress. In conjunction with parameters estimated using a new dataset of the microprocessor industry, the model suggests explanations for the acceleration in technological progress during 1990–2000 and the subsequent slowdown.
Effect of 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash on xerostomia: double‐blind, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kim J. H. , Ahn H.‐J. , Choi J.‐H. , Jung D. W. , Kwon J.‐S.
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash in xerostomic patients. Sixty volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group used 0.1% pilocarpine solution, and the control group used 0.9% saline. The short‐ and long‐term effects of pilocarpine were investigated by measuring the severity of oral dryness, minor salivary flow rates and unstimulated whole salivary flow rate at predetermined times. The severity of oral dryness was decreased in both groups at 0, 30 and 60 min after mouthwashing, with no significant difference between the groups. Buccal and labial secretions were increased in both groups, but only the experimental group exhibited increased palatal secretion. Labial and palatal secretions, but not buccal secretion, differed between the groups. The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate was increased in the experimental group and differed from that in the control group. After 4 weeks, the severity of oral dryness was decreased in both groups and did not differ between them. The oral dryness at night or on awakening significantly decreased in both groups, with no significant difference between them, but the oral dryness at other times of the day and the difficulty in swallowing foods were not significantly changed in both groups. Minor salivary and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates did not increase in both groups. Until 1 h after mouthwashing, 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash increased minor salivary and unstimulated whole salivary secretions, but was not superior compared with 0.9% saline at relieving subjective oral dryness.
The impact of daytime sleepiness on the school performance of college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Langberg Joshua M. , Dvorsky Melissa R. , Becker Stephen P. , Molitor Stephen J.
Published: December 2013

This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the impact of daytime sleepiness on the school performance of 62 college students diagnosed comprehensively with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The primary goal of the study was to determine if self‐reported daytime sleepiness rated at the beginning of the academic year could predict academic and overall functioning at the end of the academic year while also considering potentially important covariates, including symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, medication status and whether or not students lived at home or on‐campus. Self‐reported daytime sleepiness predicted longitudinally school maladjustment, overall functional impairment and the number of D and F grades (i.e. poor and failing) students received in courses above and beyond both self‐ and parent‐report of symptoms, but did not predict overall grade point average. Living at home served as a protective factor and was associated with less school maladjustment and overall impairment. Gender was the only significant predictor in the overall grade point average model, with female gender associated with higher overall grades. The implications of these findings for monitoring and treatment of sleep disturbances in college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are discussed.
Asteroid spin‐axis longitudes from the Lowell Observatory database
Authors: Bowell E. , Oszkiewicz D. A. , Wasserman L. H. , Muinonen K. , Penttilä A. , Trilling D. E.
Published: December 2013

By analyzing brightness variation with ecliptic longitude and using the Lowell Observatory photometric database, we estimate spin‐axis longitudes for more than 350,000 asteroids. Hitherto, spin‐axis longitude estimates have been made for fewer than 200 asteroids. We investigate longitude distributions in different dynamical groups and asteroid families. We show that asteroid spin‐axis longitudes are not isotropically distributed as previously considered. We find that the spin‐axis longitude distribution for Main Belt asteroids is clearly nonrandom, with an excess of longitudes from the interval 30°–110° and a paucity between 120° and 180°. The explanation of the nonisotropic distribution is unknown at this point. Further studies have to be conducted to determine if the shape of the distribution can be explained by observational bias, selection effects, a real physical process, or other mechanism.
Seasonal abundance of livestock‐associatedCulicoidesspecies in northeasternBrazil
Authors: CARVALHO L. P. C. , SILVA F. S.
Published: December 2013

Culicoidesbiting midges (Diptera:Ceratopogonidae) are of great medical and veterinary importance because the haematophagous females of some species can transmit diseases to humans and animals. In order to determine the presence and seasonal abundance of the bluetongue virus (BTV) vectorCulicoides insignisLutz at domestic animal sheds in northeasternBrazil, insects were collected once a month betweenJanuary andDecember 2010. Light traps were set from 18.00 to 06.00 hours at a pigsty, chicken coop and bovine corral.Culicoides insignisaccounted for 81% of the 22 316 specimens collected. Other well‐represented species were:Culicoides paucienfuscatusBarbosa (3246 individuals),Culicoides diabolicusHoffman (308),Culicoides leopoldoiOrtiz (224) andCulicoides duarteiTavares and Luna Dias (221). The remainder accounted for 4% of the total sample.Culicoides insignisoccurred mostly at the cattle corral, 98.2% in the rainy season. This study confirms the presence and close association ofC. insigniswith cattle inMaranhão state, northeasternBrazil and emphasizes the risk of bluetongue infections spreading in the area.
Soybean NDR1‐like proteins bind pathogen effectors and regulate resistance signaling
Authors: Selote Devarshi , Shine M. B. , Robin Guillaume P. , Kachroo Aardra
Published: December 2013

Nonrace specific disease resistance 1 (NDR1) is a conserved downstream regulator of resistance (R) protein‐derived signaling. We identified two NDR1‐like sequences (GmNDR1a, b) from soybean, and investigated their roles in R‐mediated resistance and pathogen effector detection.

Silencing GmNDR1a and b in soybean shows that these genes are required for resistance derived from the Rpg1‐b, Rpg3, and Rpg4 loci, against Pseudomonas syringae (Psg) expressing avrB, avrB2 and avrD1, respectively. Immunoprecipitation assays show that the GmNDR1 proteins interact with the AvrB2 and AvrD1 Psg effectors. This correlates with the enhanced virulence of Psg avrB2 and Psg avrD1 in GmNDR1‐silenced rpg3 rpg4 plants, even though these strains are not normally more virulent on plants lacking cognate R loci.

The GmNDR1 proteins interact with GmRIN4 proteins, but not with AvrB, or its cognate R protein Rpg1‐b. However, the GmNDR1 proteins promote AvrB‐independent activation of Rpg1‐b when coexpressed with a phosphomimic derivative of GmRIN4b.

The role of GmNDR1 proteins in Rpg1‐b activation, their direct interactions with AvrB2/AvrD1, and a putative role in the virulence activities of Avr effectors, provides the first experimental evidence in support of the proposed role for NDR1 in transducing extracellular pathogen‐derived signals.
Trading Partners and Trading Volumes: Implementing the Helpman–Melitz–Rubinstein Model Empirically
Authors: Santos Silva J. M. C. , Tenreyro Silvana
Published: December 2013

Helpman, Melitz and Rubinstein [Quarterly Journal of Economics(2008) Vol. 123, pp. 441–487] (HMR) present a rich theoretical model to study the determinants of bilateral trade flows across countries. The model is then empirically implemented through a two‐stage estimation procedure. We argue that this estimation procedure is only valid under the strong distributional assumptions maintained in the article. Statistical tests using the HMR sample, however, clearly reject such assumptions. Moreover, we perform numerical experiments which show that the HMR two‐stage estimator is very sensitive to departures from the assumption of homoskedasticity. These findings cast doubts on any inference drawn from the empirical implementation of the HMR model.
Sharp Bounds on Causal Effects under Sample Selection
Authors: Huber Martin , Mellace Giovanni
Published: December 2013

In many empirical problems, the evaluation of treatment effects is complicated by sample selection so that the outcome is only observed for a non‐random subpopulation. In the absence of instruments and/or tight parametric assumptions, treatment effects are not point identified, but can be bounded under mild restrictions. Previous work on partial identification has primarily focused on the ‘always observed’ (irrespective of the treatment). This article complements those studies by considering further populations, namely the ‘compliers’ (observed only if treated) and the observed population. We derive sharp bounds under various assumptions and provide an empirical application to a school voucher experiment.
A fusion protein derived from plants holds promising potential as a new oral therapy for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Choi Jeehye , Diao Hong , Feng Zhi‐Chao , Lau Arthur , Wang Rennian , Jevnikar Anthony M. , Ma Shengwu
Published: December 2013

The incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is recognized as a promising candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), with one of its mimetics, exenatide (synthetic exendin‐4) having already been licensed for clinical use. We seek to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of exendin‐4 (Ex‐4) using innovative fusion protein technology. Here, we report the production in plants a fusion protein containing Ex‐4 coupled with human transferrin (Ex‐4‐Tf) and its characterization. We demonstrated that plant‐made Ex‐4‐Tf retained the activity of both proteins. In particular, the fusion protein stimulated insulin release from pancreatic β‐cells, promoted β‐cell proliferation, stimulated differentiation of pancreatic precursor cells into insulin‐producing cells, retained the ability to internalize into human intestinal cells and resisted stomach acid and proteolytic enzymes. Importantly, oral administration of partially purified Ex‐4‐Tf significantly improved glucose tolerance, whereas commercial Ex‐4 administered by the same oral route failed to show any significant improvement in glucose tolerance in mice. Furthermore, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of Ex‐4‐Tf showed a beneficial effect in mice similar to IP‐injected Ex‐4. We also showed that plants provide a robust system for the expression of Ex‐4‐Tf, producing up to 37 μg prEx‐4‐Tf/g fresh leaf weight in transgenic tobacco and 137 μg prEx‐4‐Tf/g freshweight in transiently transformed leaves of N. benthamiana. These results indicate that Ex‐4‐Tf holds substantial promise as a new oral therapy for type 2 diabetes. The production of prEx‐4‐Tf in plants may offer a convenient and cost‐effective method to deliver the antidiabetic medicine in partially processed plant food products.
Copy‐number variation in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Shishido Emiko , Aleksic Branko , Ozaki Norio
Published: December 2013

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder present in 1% of the population, characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction, communication deficits and restricted patterns of behavior. Approximately 10% of the autism spectrum disorder population is thought to have large chromosomal rearrangements. Copy‐number variations (CNV) alter the genome structure either by duplication or deletion of a chromosomal region. The association between CNV and autism susceptibility has become more apparent through the use of methods based on comparative genomic hybridization in screening CNV. The nature of the high CNV rate in the human genome is partly explained by non‐allelic homologous recombination between flanking repeated sequences derived from multiple copies of transposons or mobile genetic elements. There are hotspots for CNV in the human genome, such as 16p11.2 and 22q11.2. Genes involved in CNV are supposed to have copy‐number dose‐dependent effects on the behavior of affected individuals. Animal models give insight into the possible interactions between core genetic loci and additional factors contributing to the phenotypes of each individual. If affected genes code for cellular signaling molecules, reducing the dosage in the intracellular signaling pathway may result in the malfunction of the nervous system. The genetic background of autism spectrum disorder is highly heterogenic and most common or rare CNV do not lead to autism spectrum disorders in the majority of cases, but may occasionally increase the risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder.
Impact of congenital heart disease on outcomes of pediatric heart‐lung transplantation
Authors: Keeshan Britton C. , Goldfarb Samuel B. , Lin Kimberly Y. , Kreindler James L. , Kaufman Beth D. , Gaynor James W. , Shaddy Robert E. , Rossano Joseph W.
Published: December 2013

HLT is reserved for children with cardiopulmonary disease not amendable to alternative therapies. Children with CHD with or without ES may be considered for HLT. Outcomes of HLT in this population are not well described. To test the hypothesis that CHD without ES is associated with worse graft survival and identify factors associated with poor outcome, a retrospective analysis of the UNOS database was performed. One hundred and seventy‐eight pediatric HLTs were performed between 1987 and 2011. CHD was the diagnosis in 65 patients, of which 34 had CHD without ES. Patients with CHD without ES had decreased patient survival (median 1.31 yr) compared with CHD with ES (4.80 yr, p = 0.05). On multivariable analysis, the following were associated with graft failure: CHD without ES (adjusted HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09–2.62), younger age (1.04, 1.01–1.08), pretransplant mechanical ventilation (1.75, 1.01–3.06), pretransplant ECMO (3.07, 1.32–7.12), pretransplant PRAs (1.53, 1.06–2.20), and transplant era (1.85, 1.16–2.94). In children with CHD who require HLT, underlying physiology influences outcomes. Those without ES have a worse prognosis. The diagnosis of CHD without ES and preoperative factors may inform decisions in a complex patient population.
Unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for non‐malignant disorders in children and adolescents
Authors: Park Meerim , Lee Young Ho , Kang Hae‐Ryong , Lee Ji Won , Kang Hyoung Jin , Park Kyung Duk , Shin Hee Young , Ahn Hyo Seop , Baek Hee Jo , Kook Hoon , Hwang Tai Ju , Lee Jae Wook , Chung Nack‐Gyun , Cho Bin , Kim Hack‐Ki , Lee Soo Hyun , Yoo Keon Hee , Sung Ki Woong , Koo Hong Hoe , Koh Kyung Nam , Im Ho Joon , Seo Jong Jin , Park Jun Eun , Lim Yeon Jung , Lyu Chuhl Joo , Lee Jae Min , Hah Jeong Ok ,   on behalf of the Korean Cord Blood Transplantation Working Party
Published: December 2013

This study analyzes the data reported to the Korean Cord Blood Registry between 1994 and 2008, involving children and adolescents with non‐malignant diseases. Sixty‐five patients were evaluated in this study: SAA (n = 24), iBMFS, (n = 16), and primary immune deficiency/inherited metabolic disorder (n = 25). The CI of neutrophil recovery was 73.3% on day 42. By day 100, the CI of acute grade II–IV graft‐versus‐host disease was 32.3%. At a median follow‐up of 71 months, five‐yr OS was 50.7%. The survival rate (37.5%) and CI of neutrophil engraftment (37.5%) were lowest in patients with iBMFS. Deaths were mainly due to infection, pulmonary complications, and hemorrhage. In a multivariate analysis, the presence of >3.91 × 105/kg of infused CD34 +  cells was the only factor consistently identified as significantly associated with neutrophil engraftment (p = 0.04) and OS (p = 0.03). UCBT using optimal cell doses appears to be a feasible therapy for non‐malignant diseases in children and adolescents for whom there is no appropriate HLA‐matched related donor. Strategies to reduce transplant‐related toxicities would improve the outcomes of UCBT in non‐malignant diseases.
Risk factors for neurological complications and their correlation with survival following pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Lee Yun Jeong , Yum Mi‐Sun , Kim Eun‐Hee , Choi Hae‐Won , Oh Seak Hee , Kim Dae Yeon , Kim Kyung Mo , Ko Tae‐Sung
Published: December 2013

Despite the improved outcomes of LT, post‐operative NCs remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to identify the incidence of and risk factors for NCs in children who underwent LT. The medical records of pediatric patients who underwent LT at Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital between January 1994 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The onset and types of NC and pretransplant variables associated with NC were evaluated. We identified 190 children (85 boys [44.7%], 105 girls [55.3%]) of mean age 4.1 ± 4.7 yr, who underwent LT. Forty‐six NCs occurred in 41 (21.6%) patients after LT, the most common being seizures (n = 13, 28.3%) and encephalopathy (n = 10, 21.7%). Of the 46 NCs, 24 (52.2%) occurred within three months after LT. Multivariate analysis showed that primary liver disease, preoperative neurological problems, preoperatively higher serum creatinine concentration, and graft failure were significant risk factors for NCs. The survival rate was significantly lower for patients with NCs than for those without (p < 0.001). NCs after pediatric LTs were common and associated with a higher mortality rate in our study. Close monitoring and appropriate risk management may improve the long‐term outcomes of pediatric patients who undergo LT.
Hepatitis C recurrence: the Achilles heel of liver transplantation
Authors: Howell J. , Angus P. , Gow P.
Published: December 2013

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation worldwide; however, recurrence post transplant is almost universal and follows an accelerated course. Around 30% of patients develop aggressive HCV recurrence, leading to rapid fibrosis progression (RFP) and culminating in liver failure and either death or retransplantation. Despite many advances in our knowledge of clinical risks for HCV RFP, we are still unable to accurately predict those most at risk of adverse outcomes, and no clear consensus exists on the best approach to management. This review presents a critical overview of clinical factors shown to influence the course of HCV recurrence post transplant, with particular focus on recent data identifying the important role of metabolic factors, such as insulin resistance, in HCV recurrence. Emerging data for genetic markers of HCV recurrence and their usefulness for predicting adverse outcomes will also be explored.
Tomato Cutin Deficient 1 (CD1) and putative orthologs comprise an ancient family of cutin synthase‐like (CUS) proteins that are conserved among land plants
Authors: Yeats Trevor H. , Huang Wenlin , Chatterjee Subhasish , Viart Hélène M‐F. , Clausen Mads H. , Stark Ruth E. , Rose Jocelyn K.C.
Published: December 2013

The aerial epidermis of all land plants is covered with a hydrophobic cuticle that provides essential protection from desiccation, and so its evolution is believed to have been prerequisite for terrestrial colonization. A major structural component of apparently all plant cuticles is cutin, a polyester of hydroxy fatty acids; however, despite its ubiquity, the details of cutin polymeric structure and the mechanisms of its formation and remodeling are not well understood. We recently reported that cutin polymerization in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit occurs via transesterification of hydroxyacylglycerol precursors, catalyzed by the GDSL‐motif lipase/hydrolase family protein (GDSL) Cutin Deficient 1 (CD1). Here, we present additional biochemical characterization of CD1 and putative orthologs from Arabidopsis thaliana and the moss Physcomitrella patens, which represent a distinct clade of cutin synthases within the large GDSL superfamily. We demonstrate that members of this ancient and conserved family of cutin synthase‐like (CUS) proteins act as polyester synthases with negligible hydrolytic activity. Moreover, solution‐state NMR analysis indicates that CD1 catalyzes the formation of primarily linear cutin oligomeric products in vitro. These results reveal a conserved mechanism of cutin polyester synthesis in land plants, and suggest that elaborations of the linear polymer, such as branching or cross‐linking, may require additional, as yet unknown, factors.
Toxicological effects and recovery of the corneal epithelium in Cyprinus carpio communis Linn. exposed to monocrotophos: an scanning electron microscope study
Authors: Uppal Ravneet Kaur , Johal Mohinder Singh , Sharma Madan Lal
Published: December 2013

This study was conducted based on the evidence of fish habitats in North India being affected by organophosphate pesticides draining from agricultural fields into bodies of water, especially during the rainy season. Various tissues of fish such as scales, gills ovaries, kidney, and liver have been studied from the toxicological point of view, but the toxicological effects of aquatic pollutants on fish cornea have not been investigated to date. We conducted comparative toxicological studies on the cornea of Cyprinus carpio communis using two sublethal (0.038 and 0.126 ppm) concentrations of monocrotophos pesticide for 30 days. Corneas from all the groups were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope. The fish exposed to the monocrotophos pesticide developed corneal necrosis due to the formation of crystalloid‐like structures, thinning and shrinkage of microridges on the corneal epithelium. After 30 days, fish from the monocrotophos‐treated tank were transferred to normal environmental conditions. After 60 days under natural condition, epithelial cells did not fully recover. In conclusion, exposure to monocrotophos induces irreversible changes in the cornea of C. carpio communis. As fish and mammalian visual systems share many similarities, the reported finding may offer useful insights for further toxicological and ophthalmological studies in humans.
Treatment of bullous keratopathy with corneal collagen cross‐linking in two dogs
Authors: Pot Simon A. , Gallhöfer Nicolin S. , Walser‐Reinhardt Ladina , Hafezi Farhad , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: December 2013

Objective

Corneal collagen cross‐linking with riboflavin and UV‐A (CXL) decreases corneal oedema and increases visual acuity in human patients with bullous keratopathy. Presumed mechanisms are an increase in collagen packing density and a reduction in stromal swelling pressure. We present two cases in which CXL was used to treat bullous keratopathy in dogs.

Procedures

Four eyes of two dogs with painful bullous keratopathy‐induced corneal erosions that were resistant to prior therapy were treated with CXL. Both corneas of the second patient were dehydrated to ± 400 μm corneal thickness using topical 70% glycerol solution immediately prior to CXL. Follow‐up included slit‐lamp examination, fluorescein staining and photographic documentation in both cases and high‐resolution ultrasound examination in the second patient.

Results

All four eyes were comfortable and fluorescein negative at 1‐week post‐CXL and remained so for the rest of the follow‐up period (17.5 months for case 1 and 6 months for case 2). The owner of the first patient reported a less oedematous cornea and improvement in vision that lasted for 6 months. Despite a reported lack of improvement in vision in the second patient, corneal thickness initially decreased, but was back at baseline thickness at the 4‐month recheck.

Conclusions

Similar to humans, CXL might become a useful treatment option for bullous keratopathy‐induced therapy‐resistant corneal erosions in dogs. Patient comfort was greatly improved, but corneal thickness decrease was not as long‐lasting as reported for humans. The presently used protocols might need modification to fit the dog cornea.
Weed seed predation rate in cereals as a function of seed density and patch size, under high predation pressure by rodents
Authors: Daedlow D , Westerman P R , Baraibar B , Rouphael S , Gerowitt B
Published: December 2013

Weed seed predation is an ecosystem service, influencing weed population dynamics. The impact of weed seed predation on weed population dynamics depends on how predators respond to seed patches at the field scale. Seed predation will be most effective if the proportion of seeds predated increases with increasing size and seed density of patches. Density‐dependent rodent seed predation was measured by varying seed density and patch size in four irrigated conventionally managed cereal fields in north eastern Spain. Artificial weed seed patches were created by applying a range of Lolium multiflorum seed densities from 0 to 7500 seeds m−2 in 225 m2 patches (2008) or in patches that varied in size from 1 to 9 m2 (2009). Seed predation was estimated using seed cards and seed frames. The granivorous rodents Mus spretus and Apodemus sylvaticus caused high seed predation rates (92%) in three fields, whereas in a fourth field, it was lower (47%). Rodents responded in an inversely density‐dependent manner, but this had little biological meaning as even in patches seeded with the highest density, the input to the soil seedbank was reduced by 88%. For the period of time this experiment lasted, hardly any new seeds would have entered the seedbank.
The Effect of Auditory Pacing on Period Stability and Temporal Consistency in Children With and Without Dyslexia Co-Existing Motor Dysfunction
Authors: Getchell Nancy , Liang Ling-Yin , Golden Daphne , Logan Samuel W.
Published: December 2013

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of auditory pacing on period stability and temporal consistency of a dual motor task in children with and without dyslexia and with varying amounts of motor deficiency. Fifty-four children were divided into groups based on dyslexia diagnosis and score on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (Movement ABC-2). Participants performed a dual motor task (clapping while walking) at a self-determined pace in a pretest block, practiced 4 blocks of 4 trials with a metronome pacing signal, and finished with a posttest block without auditory pacing. Measures of period stability (interclap/interheel strike intervals across trial blocks) and temporal consistency (coefficient of variation of period with trials) were taken. The results suggest that auditory pacing may improve period stability across groups, but does not appear to impact temporal consistency. Weak support existed for a general impairment of motor function in children diagnosed with dyslexia.
Long-Term Importance of Fundamental Motor Skills: A 20-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Lloyd Meghann , Saunders Travis J. , Bremer Emily , Tremblay Mark S.
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential long-term association of motor skill proficiency at 6 years of age and self-reported physical activity (PA) at age 26. Direct motor performance data were collected in 1991 with a follow-up study occurring in 1996, and then indirect questionnaires (self-report) administered in 2001 and 2011. In 2011, 17 participants who were identified as either having high motor proficiency (HMP) or low motor proficiency (LMP) in 1991 completed a series of 4 questionnaires. Analyses were conducted to determine whether there were differences between groups for motor skill proficiency, PA, or sedentary behavior, and whether these outcomes were related across ages. Motor skill proficiency at age 6 was related to self-reported proficiency at age 16 (r = .77, p = .006), and self-reported proficiency between 16 and 26 years (r = .85, p = .001). Motor skill proficiency at age 6 was positively associated with leisure time PA at age 26 in females and participants in the HMP group. The results may provide preliminary evidence about the importance of how early motor skill proficiency relates to long-term PA. More research with larger sample sizes is needed to investigate the importance of motor skills over time.
In VivoEfficacy of Human Simulated Regimens of Carbapenems and Comparator Agents against NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Wiskirchen Dora E. , Nordmann Patrice , Crandon Jared L. , Nicolau David P.
Published: December 2013

Doripenem and ertapenem have demonstrated efficacy against several NDM-1-producing isolatesin vivo, despite having high MICs. In this study, we sought to further characterize the efficacy profiles of humanized regimens of standard (500 mg given every 8 h) and high-dose, prolonged infusion of doripenem (2 g given every 8 h, 4-h infusion) and 1 g of ertapenem given intravenously every 24 h and the comparator regimens of ceftazidime at 2 g given every 8 h (2-h infusion), levofloxacin at 500 mg every 24 h, and aztreonam at 2 g every 6 h (1-h infusion) against a wider range of isolates in a murine thigh infection model. An isogenic wild-type strain and NDM-1-producingKlebsiella pneumoniaeand eight clinical NDM-1-producing members of the familyEnterobacteriaceaewere tested in immunocompetent- and neutropenic-mouse models. The wild-type strain was susceptible to all of the agents, while the isogenic NDM-1-producing strain was resistant to ceftazidime, doripenem, and ertapenem. Clinical NDM-1-producing strains were resistant to nearly all five of the agents (two were susceptible to levofloxacin). In immunocompetent mice, all of the agents produced ≥1-log10CFU reductions of the isogenic wild-type and NDM-1-producing strains after 24 h. Minimal efficacy of ceftazidime, aztreonam, and levofloxacin against the clinical NDM-1-producing strains was observed. However, despitein vitroresistance, ≥1-log10CFU reductions of six of eight clinical strains were achieved with high-dose, prolonged infusion of doripenem and ertapenem. Slight enhancements of doripenem activity over the standard doses were obtained with high-dose, prolonged infusion for three of the four isolates tested. Similar efficacy observations were noted in neutropenic mice. These data suggest that carbapenems are a viable treatment option for infections caused by NDM-1-producingEnterobacteriaceae.
Cytomegalovirus Mutants Resistant to Ganciclovir and Cidofovir Differ in Susceptibilities to Synguanol and Its 6-Ether and 6-Thioether Derivatives
Authors: Chou Sunwen , Komazin-Meredith Gloria , Williams John D. , Bowlin Terry L.
Published: December 2013

The methylenecyclopropane nucleoside (MCPN) analogs synguanol and its 6-alkoxy (MBX2168) and 6-alkylthio (MBX1616) derivatives retained good
in vitro
activities against several common ganciclovir-resistant UL97 kinase variants of human cytomegalovirus. Foscarnet-MCPN cross-resistance was observed among UL54 polymerase variants. UL54 exonuclease domain ganciclovir-cidofovir dual-resistant variants were remarkably more hypersensitive to these MCPNs than to cyclopropavir, with some 50% effective concentration ratios that were <0.1× the wild type. Different categories of MCPNs may have therapeutically exploitable mechanistic differences in viral DNA polymerase inhibition.
NOS2 Variants Reveal a Dual Genetic Control of Nitric Oxide Levels, Susceptibility to Plasmodium Infection, and Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Trovoada Maria de Jesus , Martins Madalena , Ben Mansour Riadh , Sambo Maria do Rosário , Fernandes Ana B. , Antunes Gonçalves Lígia , Borja Artur , Moya Roni , Almeida Paulo , Costa João , Marques Isabel , Macedo M. Paula , Coutinho António , Narum David L. , Penha-Gonçalves Carlos
Published: December 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is a proposed component of malaria pathogenesis, and the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (
NOS2
) has been associated to malaria susceptibility. We analyzed the role of
NOS2
polymorphisms on NO bioavailability and on susceptibility to infection,
Plasmodium
carrier status and clinical malaria. Two distinct West African sample collections were studied: a population-based collection of 1,168 apparently healthy individuals from the Príncipe Island and a hospital-based cohort of 269 Angolan children. We found that two
NOS2
promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles associated to low NO plasma levels in noninfected individuals were also associated to reduced risk of pre-erythrocytic infection as measured anti-CSP antibody levels (6.25E–04 <
P
< 7.57E–04). In contrast, three SNP alleles within the
NOS2
cistronic region conferring increased NO plasma levels in asymptomatic carriers were strongly associated to risk of parasite carriage (8.00E–05 <
P
< 7.90E–04). Notwithstanding, three SNP alleles in this region protected from cerebral malaria (7.90E–4 <
P
< 4.33E–02). Cohesively, the results revealed a dual regimen in the genetic control of NO bioavailability afforded by
NOS2
depending on the infection status.
NOS2
promoter variants operate in noninfected individuals to decrease both NO bioavailability and susceptibility to pre-erythrocytic infection. Conversely,
NOS2
cistronic variants (namely, rs6505469) operate in infected individuals to increase NO bioavailability and confer increased susceptibility to unapparent infection but protect from cerebral malaria. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that NO anti-inflammatory properties impact on different steps of malaria pathogenesis, explicitly by favoring infection susceptibility and deterring severe malaria syndromes.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Efficiently Escapes Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils during Early Infection
Authors: Westermark Linda , Fahlgren Anna , Fällman Maria
Published: December 2013

The human-pathogenic species of the Gram-negative genus
Yersinia
preferentially target and inactivate cells of the innate immune defense, suggesting that this is a critical step by which these bacteria avoid elimination and cause disease. In this study, bacterial interactions with dendritic cells, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in intestinal lymphoid tissues during early
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
infection were analyzed. Wild-type bacteria were shown to interact mainly with dendritic cells, but not with PMNs, on day 1 postinfection, while avirulent
yopH
and
yopE
mutants interacted with PMNs as well as with dendritic cells. To unravel the role of PMNs during the early phase of infection, we depleted mice of PMNs by using an anti-Ly6G antibody, after which we could see more-efficient initial colonization by the wild-type strain as well as by
yopH
,
yopE
, and
yopK
mutants on day 1 postinfection. Dissemination of
yopH
,
yopE
, and
yopK
mutants from the intestinal compartments to mesenteric lymph nodes was faster in PMN-depleted mice than in undepleted mice, emphasizing the importance of effective targeting of PMNs by these
Yersinia
outer proteins (Yops). In conclusion, escape from interaction with PMNs due to the action of YopH, YopE, and YopK is a key feature of pathogenic
Yersinia
species that allows colonization and effective dissemination.
A NOVEL FAULT-TOLERANT LEACH CLUSTERING PROTOCOL FOR WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS
Authors: CHERAGHLOU MAHDI NAZARI , HAGHPARAST MAJID
Published: December 2013

Energy restrictions are a major challenge for wireless sensor networks, since after the deployment of network nodes in the environment, they can hardly be accessed or even recharged. Since the nodes are placed in harsh and unfriendly areas, they rapidly become prone to defects. Therefore, the management of these networks towards increasing their fault-tolerance capacity in the face of limited resources is extremely important. In this paper, a novel protocol is presented here, where in each node as a cluster member must send its last residing energy level to its upstream head cluster. Also, to prevent rework and energy loss, the node will see to it that only when the current sensed data is different than that of the previous interval, it sends the sensed data to the cluster head (CH). So, on the one hand the proposed protocol distinguishes between live and faulty nodes and therefore increases the network's fault-tolerance capacity, and on the other hand it prevents energy loss by eliminating rework. To implement Leach algorithm plus the proposed FT-Leach protocol, we used MATLAB software to simulate node energy consumption in each interval along with the residing energy of the nodes. The results and comparisons showed that our proposed protocol is visibly better than Leach in terms of fault-tolerance capacity and also energy consumption which ultimately extends network's lifetime.
A Novel Method for Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Xia Meimei , Xu Zeshui
Published: December 2013

To determine the weight vector and to aggregate the individual opinions are necessary steps in the classical methods for multi-criteria group decision-making problems in which the weight vectors of the decision makers and the criteria are incompletely known. In this paper, we propose a simple but efficient approach which can avoid these steps by establishing some optimal models. To get the optimal group decision matrix, we first propose two kinds of models among which the former focuses on minimizing the deviations between individual decision matrix and the ideal group one, while the latter aims at minimizing the deviations between the estimated group opinion and the ideal group one. To get the overall performances of alternatives, another two types of models are further established, one of which is to minimize the distance between the evaluation value under each criterion and the ideal overall value for each alternative, and the other is to minimize the distance between the estimated overall value and the ideal overall one. The proposed models can be used to deal with group decision-making under intuitionistic fuzzy, interval-valued fuzzy or other fuzzy environments, and can also provide the decision makers more choices by containing the parameter which can be assigned different values according to different actual situations. Several examples illustrate the practicability of the proposed methods.
Stimulation of feeding by three different glucose-sensing mechanisms requires hindbrain catecholamine neurons
Authors: Li Ai-Jun , Wang Qing , Dinh Thu T. , Powers Bethany R. , Ritter Sue
Published: December 2013

Previous work has shown that hindbrain catecholamine neurons are required components of the brain's glucoregulatory circuitry. However, the mechanisms and circuitry underlying their glucoregulatory functions are poorly understood. Here we examined three drugs, glucosamine (GcA), phloridzin (Phl) and 5-thio-d-glucose (5TG), that stimulate food intake but interfere in different ways with cellular glucose utilization or transport. We examined feeding and blood glucose responses to each drug in male rats previously injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus with anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase conjugated to saporin (DSAP), a retrogradely transported immunotoxin that selectively lesions noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons, or with unconjugated saporin (SAP) control. Our major findings were 1) that GcA, Phl, and 5TG all stimulated feeding in SAP controls whether injected into the lateral or fourth ventricle (LV or 4V), 2) that each drug's potency was similar for both LV and 4V injections, 3) that neither LV or 4V injection of these drugs evoked feeding in DSAP-lesioned rats, and 4) that only 5TG, which blocks glycolysis, stimulated a blood glucose response. The antagonist of the MEK/ERK signaling cascade, U0126, attenuated GcA-induced feeding, but not Phl- or 5TG-induced feeding. Thus GcA, Phl, and 5TG, although differing in mechanism and possibly activating different neural populations, stimulate feeding in a catecholamine-dependent manner. Although results do not exclude the possibility that catecholamine neurons possess glucose-sensing mechanisms responsive to all of these agents, currently available evidence favors the possibility that the feeding effects result from convergent neural circuits in which catecholamine neurons are a required component.
Structural Damage Identification of Pipe Based on GA and SCE-UA Algorithm
Authors: Bao Yaojin , Xia He , Bao Zhenming , Ke Shuiping , Li Yahui
Published: December 2013

Structure of offshore platform is very huge, which is easy to be with crack caused by a variety of environmental factors including winds, waves, and ice and threatened by some unexpected factors such as earthquake, typhoon, tsunami, and ship collision. Thus, as a main part of the jacket offshore platform, pipe is often with crack. However, it is difficult to detect the crack due to its unknown location. Genetic algorithm (GA) and SCE-UA algorithm are used to detect crack in this paper, respectively. In the experiment, five damages of the pipe in the platform model can be intelligently identified by genetic algorithm (GA) and SCE-UA. The network inputs are the differences between the strain mode shapes. The results of the two algorithms for structural damage diagnosis show that both of the two algorithms have high identification accuracy and good adaptability. Furthermore, the error of SCE-UA algorithm is smaller. The results also suggest that the structural damage of pipe can be identified by intelligent algorithm.
Predicting the Impact of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on the Cement Hydration Products and Durability of Cementitious Matrix Using Artificial Neural Network Modeling Technique
Authors: Fakhim Babak , Hassani Abolfazl , Rashidi Alimorad , Ghodousi Parviz
Published: December 2013

In this study the feasibility of using the artificial neural networks modeling in predicting the effect of MWCNT on amount of cement hydration products and improving the quality of cement hydration products microstructures of cement paste was investigated. To determine the amount of cement hydration products thermogravimetric analysis was used. Two critical parameters of TGA test are PHPloss and CHloss. In order to model the TGA test results, the ANN modeling was performed on these parameters separately. In this study, 60% of data are used for model calibration and the remaining 40% are used for model verification. Based on the highest efficiency coefficient and the lowest root mean square error, the best ANN model was chosen. The results of TGA test implied that the cement hydration is enhanced in the presence of the optimum percentage (0.3 wt%) of MWCNT. Moreover, since the efficiency coefficient of the modeling results of CH and PHP loss in both the calibration and verification stages was more than 0.96, it was concluded that the ANN could be used as an accurate tool for modeling the TGA results. Another finding of this study was that the ANN prediction in higher ages was more precise.
Building an Intelligent Laboratory Environment via a Cyber-Physical System
Authors: Lei Chi-Un , Man Ka Lok , Liang Hai-Ning , Lim Eng Gee , Wan Kaiyu
Published: December 2013

Activities in laboratories, workshops, and offices can be significantly affected by their ambiance and environmental conditions, such as lighting, humidity, and temperature. This research focuses on laboratories and aims to improve people's performance of activities inside them. To this end, we have developed a cyber-physical system (CPS) for a smart/intelligent laboratory environment which is able to dynamically and automatically interpret and regulate environmental conditions. In this paper, we present the CPS development framework. The proposed CPS can measure, analyze, and regulate the thermal comfort. In order to prolong the lifetime of the system, mechanisms for low-volume communication, distributed computation, and habit-based adaptive control are proposed. Evaluations of an on-site deployment verify the functionality of the proposed CPS. Although our focus is on laboratories, this research can be applied to other similar environments, which are intended to support human performance and productivity, and has implications for the creation of smart cities.
An Overview of Distributed Energy-Efficient Topology Control for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Abbasi Mohammadjavad , Bin Abd Latiff Muhammad Shafie , Chizari Hassan
Published: December 2013

A wireless ad hoc network is composed of several tiny and inexpensive device such as wireless sensor networks (WSNs) which have limited energy. In this network energy, efficiency is one of the most crucial requirements. Data transmitting in minimum power level is one way of maximizing energy efficiency. Thus, transmission power level of nodes should be managed in a smart way to improve energy efficiency. Topology control is one of the main algorithms used in a wireless network to decrease transmission power level while preserving network connectivity. Topology control could improve energy efficiency by reasonably tuning the transmission power level while preserving network connectivity in order to increase network capacity and lifetime. In pursuit of energy efficiency and connectivity, nodes can be selfish and are conflicting with each other. Therefore to overcome the conflict, game theory is used to construct energy efficient topology, as well as minimizing energy consumption. In this paper, the main goal and most recent energy efficient topology control algorithms in WSNs and ad hoc network are classified and studied according to their specific goals.
Intensity-Dependent Effect of Treadmill Running on Knee Articular Cartilage in a Rat Model
Authors: Ni Guo-Xin , Liu Sheng-Yao , Lei Lei , Li Zhe , Zhou Yue-Zhu , Zhan Li-Qiong
Published: December 2013

Objective. To understand the changes of femoral cartilage in response to treadmill running with different intensities in the hope of differentiating “moderate” and “strenuous” running in a rat model.Method. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into groups of sedentary (SED), low-intensity running (LIR), medium-intensity running (MIR), and high-intensity running (HIR). Rats in LIR, MIR, and HIR groups underwent 8 weeks’ treadmill running programs. After sacrificed, femoral condyles were collected to take histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry for collagen II.Results. Gross and histological observation showed osteoarthritic changes in group HIR. In comparison to SED group, there was significant increase in cartilage thickness, number of chondrocytes, and GAG content in groups LIR and MIR. Conversely, decrease in cartilage thickness, chondrocyte number, and GAG content was found in rats of HIR group, without significant difference though. In addition, in comparison to SED group, HIR group exhibited disorganization of collagen fibril and significantly lower content of collagen type II.Conclusion. An intensity-dependent effect was suggested on the articular cartilage. Our results also demonstrated that running with low-to-medium intensity applied in the present study should be regarded as “moderate” running, whereas high-intensity running as “strenuous” running.
A New Iterative Method for Equilibrium Problems and Fixed Point Problems
Authors: Latif Abdul , Eslamian Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Introducing a new iterative method, we study the existence of a common element of the set of solutions of equilibrium problems for a family of monotone, Lipschitz-type continuous mappings and the sets of fixed points of two nonexpansive semigroups in a real Hilbert space. We establish strong convergence theorems of the new iterative method for the solution of the variational inequality problem which is the optimality condition for the minimization problem. Our results improve and generalize the corresponding recent results of Anh (2012), Cianciaruso et al. (2010), and many others.