bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOLUTIONS FOR THE LANDAU PROBLEM USING SYMPLECTIC REPRESENTATIONS OF THE GALILEI GROUP
Authors: AMORIM R. G. G. , FERNANDES M. C. B. , KHANNA F. C. , SANTANA A. E. , VIANNA J. D. M.
Published: March 2013

Symplectic unitary representations for the Galilei group are studied. The formalism is based on the noncommutative structure of the star-product, and using group theory approach as a guide, a consistent physical theory in phase space is constructed. The state of a quantum mechanics system is described by a quasi-probability amplitude that is in association with the Wigner function. As a result, the Schrödinger and Pauli–Schrödinger equations are derived in phase space. As an application, the Landau problem in phase space is studied. This shows how this method of quantum mechanics in phase space is to be brought to the realm of spatial noncommutative theories.
SOME ASPECTS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS AND FIELD THEORY IN A LORENTZ INVARIANT NONCOMMUTATIVE SPACE
Authors: ABREU EVERTON M. C. , NEVES M. J.
Published: March 2013

We obtained the Feynman propagators for a noncommutative (NC) quantum mechanics defined in the recently developed Doplicher–Fredenhagen–Roberts–Amorim (DFRA) NC background that can be considered as an alternative framework for the NC space–time of the early universe. The operators' formalism was revisited and we applied its properties to obtain an NC transition amplitude representation. Two examples of DFRA's systems were discussed, namely, the NC free particle and NC harmonic oscillator. The spectral representation of the propagator gave us the NC wave function and energy spectrum. We calculated the partition function of the NC harmonic oscillator and the distribution function. Besides, the extension to NC DFRA quantum field theory is straightforward and we used it in a massive scalar field. We had written the scalar action with self-interaction ϕ4 using the Weyl–Moyal product to obtain the propagator and vertex of this model needed to perturbation theory. It is important to emphasize from the outset, that the formalism demonstrated here will not be constructed by introducing an NC parameter in the system, as usual. It will be generated naturally from an already existing NC space. In this extra dimensional NC space, we presented also the idea of dimensional reduction to recover commutativity.
HAMILTONIAN ANALYSIS FOR ABELIAN AND NON-ABELIAN MASSIVE THEORIES IN THREE DIMENSIONS
Authors: ESCALANTE ALBERTO , OSIO JOSÉ L.
Published: March 2013

A pure Dirac's method for Abelian and non-Abelian massive theories in three dimensions is performed. Our analysis is developed on the extended phase space, reporting the relevant structure of the theories, namely, the extended action, the extended Hamiltonian, the full structure of the constraints and the counting of degrees of freedom. In addition, we compare our results with those found in the literature.
DISCUSSION OF A KNOWN SPHERICAL BASIS FOR DIRAC WAVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: SCHEID WERNER
Published: March 2013

The paper considers the free spherical Dirac equation with a boundary condition at r = R which is a slight extension of the original boundary condition of the MIT bag model. We discuss the basis states and apply them for a diagonalization of Coulomb potentials. The obtained results agree quite well with the lowest bound states with κ = -1, +1 and -2 and their expectation values [Formula: see text]. There appear basis states with energies -mc2 < E < mc2 under certain circumstances of the boundary condition. These states are concentrated at the boundary.
DETECTION OF HUMAN STRESS USING SHORT-TERM ECG AND HRV SIGNALS
Authors: KARTHIKEYAN P. , MURUGAPPAN M. , YAACOB S.
Published: March 2013

This paper introduces a method for resolving the problem of human stress detection through short-term (less than 5 min) electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability (HRV) signals. The explored methodology helps to improve the stress detection rate and reliability through multiple evidences originated in same sensor. In this work, stress-inducing protocol, data acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction and classification are the major steps involved to detect the stress. In total, 60 subjects (30 males and 30 females) participated in the Stroop color word-based stress-inducing task and ECG signal was acquired simultaneously. The wavelet denoising algorithm was applied to remove high frequency, baseline wander and power line noises. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based heart rate (HR) detection algorithm is used for deriving HRV signal from the preprocessed ECG signal. The ectopic beat removal method is employed to eliminate the ectopic beat and noise peaks in the HRV signal. In order to detect the stress, the issue of uneven sampling with the HRV signal has been successfully rectified using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram (LSP). The application of LSP in short-term HRV signals (32 s), uneven sampling issue, and power spectral information issue has been rectified and the trustworthiness of the short-term HRV signal has been proved by hypothesis as well as experimental results. Theoretical analysis suggested that a minimum 25 s of online or offline ECG data is required to analyze the autonomous nervous system (ANS) activity related to stress. In addition to the HRV signal, ECG-based stress assessment has been proposed to detect the stress through optimum features using fast Fourier transform (FFT). Various features extracted from the ECG and HRV signal have been classified into normal and stress using PNN and kNN classifiers with different smoothing factor and k values. The experimental results indicate that the proposed methodology for short-term ECG and HRV signal can achieve the overall average classification accuracy of 91.66% and 94.66% in the subject-independent mode.
A THREE-STEP COMBINED GENETIC PROGRAMMING AND NEURAL NETWORKS METHOD OF FORECASTING THE S&P/CASE-SHILLER HOME PRICE INDEX
Authors: KABOUDAN MAK , CONOVER MARK
Published: March 2013

Forecasts of the San Diego and San Francisco S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices through December 2012 are obtained using a multi-agent system that utilizes January, 2002–June, 2011 data. Agents employ genetic programming (GP) and neural networks (NN) in a three-stage process to produce fits and forecasts. First, GP and NN compete to provide independent predictions. In the second stage, they cooperate by fitting the first-stage competitor's residuals. Outputs from the first two stages then become inputs to produce two final GP and NN outputs. The NN output from the third stage using the combined method produces improved forecasts over the 3-stage GP method as well as those produced by either method alone. The proposed methodology serves as an example of how combining more than one estimation/forecasting technique may lead to more accurate forecasts.
TEST DATA GENERATION FOR SOFTWARE TESTING BASED ON QUANTUM-INSPIRED GENETIC ALGORITHM
Authors: MAO CHENGYING , YU XINXIN
Published: March 2013

The quality of test data has an important impact on the effect of software testing, so test data generation has always been a key task for finding the potential faults in program code. In structural testing, the primary goal is to cover some kinds of structure elements with some specific inputs. Search-based test data generation provides a rational way to handle this difficult problem. In the past, some well-known meta-heuristic search algorithms have been successfully utilized to solve this issue. In this paper, we introduce a variant of genetic algorithm (GA), called quantum-inspired genetic algorithm (QIGA), to generate the test data with stronger coverage ability. In this new algorithm, the traditional binary bit is replaced by a quantum bit (Q-bit) to enlarge the search space so as to avoid falling into local optimal solution. On the other hand, some other strategies such as quantum rotation gate and catastrophe operation are also used to improve algorithm efficiency and quality of test data. In addition, experimental analysis on eight real-world programs is performed to validate the effectiveness of our method. The results show that QIGA-based method can generate test data with higher coverage in much smaller convergence generations than GA-based method. More importantly, our proposed method is more robust for algorithm parameter change.
The other isotopes: research avenues based on
36
Ar,
37
Ar and
38
Ar
Authors: Turner Grenville , Burgess Ray
Published: March 2013

The earliest publications on
40
Ar/
39
Ar dating recognized the usefulness of
39
Ar/
37
Ar in providing chemical clues to the species releasing argon during stepped heating, while
37
Ar measurements are required for interference corrections. Aside from these essential roles,
36
Ar,
37
Ar and
38
Ar have other useful applications. The dominance of Ca as the target nucleus for the production of
38
Ar and
36
Ar from spallation by cosmic rays has led to the determination of cosmic ray exposure ages from
38
Ar/
37
Ar.
38
Ar production from Cl has an important role in the study of ore minerals containing saline fluid inclusions, both in dating and in understanding their genesis. Combining
38
Ar/
36
Ar ratios with micro-thermometric determinations of salinity provides a way to determine absolute concentrations of noble gases in ore fluids. Absorption of cosmic-ray-produced secondary neutrons by
35
Cl and
37
Cl provides another means to study cosmic ray exposure of meteorites.
36
S excesses in meteoritic sodalite provide evidence of now-extinct
36
Cl in the early Solar System. Surprisingly, there is little or no evidence of excess
36
Ar beyond what can be accounted for by secondary neutron exposure. We have recently devised a method to identify monoisotopic
36
Ar from
36
Cl decay.
Volume-sensitive release of organic osmolytes in the human lung epithelial cell line A549: role of the 5-lipoxygenase
Authors: Holm Jacob Bak , Grygorczyk Ryszard , Lambert Ian Henry
Published: March 2013

Pathophysiological conditions challenge cell volume homeostasis and perturb cell volume regulatory mechanisms leading to alterations of cell metabolism, active transepithelial transport, cell migration, and death. We report that inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) with AA861 or ETH 615-139, the cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor (CysLT1) with the antiasthmatic drug Zafirlukast, or the volume-sensitive organic anion channel (VSOAC) with DIDS blocks the release of organic osmolytes (taurine, meAIB) and the concomitant cell volume restoration following hypoosmotic swelling of human type II-like lung epithelial cells (A549). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in A549 cells upon hypotonic cell swelling by a diphenylene iodonium-sensitive NADPH oxidase. The swelling-induced taurine release is suppressed by ROS scavenging (butylated hydroxytoluene, N-acetyl cysteine) and potentiated by H2O2. Ca2+ mobilization with ionomycin or ATP stimulates the swelling-induced taurine release whereas calmodulin inhibition (W7) inhibits the release. Chelation of the extracellular Ca2+ (EGTA) had no effect on swelling-induced taurine release but prevented ATP-induced stimulation. H2O2, ATP, and ionomycin were unable to stimulate the taurine release in the presence of AA861 or Zafirlukast, placing 5-LO and CysLT1 as essential elements in the swelling-induced activation of VSOAC with ROS and Ca2+ as potent modulators. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases (genistein, cucurbitacin) reduces volume-sensitive taurine release, adding tyrosine kinases (Janus kinase) as regulators of VSOAC activity. Caspase-3 activity during hypoxia is unaffected by inhibition of 5-LO/CysLT1 but reduced when swelling-induced taurine loss via VSOAC is prevented by DIDS excess extracellular taurine, indicating a beneficial role of taurine under hypoxia.
Population pharmacodynamic analysis of erythropoiesis in preterm infants for determining the anemia treatment potential of erythropoietin
Authors: Saleh Mohammad I. , Nalbant Demet , Widness John A. , Veng-Pedersen Peter
Published: March 2013

A population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model was developed to describe changes in erythropoiesis as a function of plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration over the first 30 days of life in preterm infants who developed severe anemia requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Several covariates were tested as possible factors influencing the responsiveness to EPO. Discarded blood samples in 27 ventilated preterm infants born at 24–29 wk of gestation were used to construct plasma EPO, hemoglobin (Hb), and RBC concentration-time profiles. The amount of Hb removed for laboratory testing and that transfused throughout the study period were recorded. A population PK/PD model accounting for the dynamic Hb changes experienced by these infants was simultaneously fitted to plasma EPO, Hb, and RBC concentrations. A covariate analysis suggested that the erythropoietic efficacy of EPO is increased for preterm infants at later gestational ages. The PD analysis showed a sevenfold difference in maximum Hb production rate dependent on gestational age and indicated that preterm infants, when stimulated by EPO, have the capacity to produce additional Hb that may result in a decrease in RBC transfusions. The present model has utility in clinical trial simulations investigating the treatment potential of erythropoietic stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia of prematurity.
Entrainment of the circadian clock by daily ambient temperature cycles in the camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Allali Khalid El , Achaâban Mohamed R. , Bothorel Béatrice , Piro Mohamed , Bouâouda Hanan , Allouchi Morad El , Ouassat Mohammed , Malan André , Pévet Paul
Published: March 2013

In mammals the light-dark (LD) cycle is known to be the major cue to synchronize the circadian clock. In arid and desert areas, the camel ( Camelus dromedarius) is exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Since wide oscillations of ambient temperature (Ta) are a major factor in this environment, we wondered whether cyclic Ta fluctuations might contribute to synchronization of circadian rhythms. The rhythm of body temperature (Tb) was selected as output of the circadian clock. After having verified that Tb is synchronized by the LD and free runs in continuous darkness (DD), we submitted the animals to daily cycles of Ta in LL and in DD. In both cases, the Tb rhythm was entrained to the cycle of Ta. On a 12-h phase shift of the Ta cycle, the mean phase shift of the Tb cycle ranged from a few hours in LD (1 h by cosinor, 4 h from curve peaks) to 7–8 h in LL and 12 h in DD. These results may reflect either true synchronization of the central clock by Ta daily cycles or possibly a passive effect of Ta on Tb. To resolve the ambiguity, melatonin rhythmicity was used as another output of the clock. In DD melatonin rhythms were also entrained by the Ta cycle, proving that the daily Ta cycle is able to entrain the circadian clock of the camel similar to photoperiod. By contrast, in the presence of a LD cycle the rhythm of melatonin was modified by the Ta cycle in only 2 (or 3) of 7 camels: in these specific conditions a systematic effect of Ta on the clock could not be evidenced. In conclusion, depending on the experimental conditions (DD vs. LD), the daily Ta cycle can either act as a zeitgeber or not.
Aquaporin 11 insufficiency modulates kidney susceptibility to oxidative stress
Authors: Atochina-Vasserman Elena N. , Biktasova Asel , Abramova Elena , Cheng Dong-Sheng , Polosukhin Vasiliy V. , Tanjore Harikrishna , Takahashi Saki , Sonoda Hiroko , Foye Liberty , Venkov Christo , Ryzhov Sergey V. , Novitskiy Sergey , Shlonimskaya Natalia , Ikeda Masahiro , Blackwell Timothy S. , Lawson William E. , Gow Andrew J. , Harris Raymond C. , Dikov Mikhail M. , Tchekneva Elena E.
Published: March 2013

Aquaporin 11 (AQP11) is a newly described member of the protein family of transport channels. AQP11 associates with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is highly expressed in proximal tubular epithelial cells in the kidney. Previously, we identified and characterized a recessive mutation of the highly conserved Cys227 to Ser227 in mouse AQP11 that caused proximal tubule (PT) injury and kidney failure in mutant mice. The current study revealed induction of ER stress, unfolded protein response, and apoptosis as molecular mechanisms of this PT injury. Cys227Ser mutation interfered with maintenance of AQP11 oligomeric structure. AQP11 is abundantly expressed in the S1 PT segment, a site of major renal glucose flux, and Aqp11 mutant mice developed PT-specific mitochondrial injury. Glucose increased AQP11 protein expression in wild-type kidney and upregulation of AQP11 expression by glucose in vitro was prevented by phlorizin, an inhibitor of sodium-dependent glucose transport across PT. Total AQP11 levels in heterozygotes were higher than in wild-type mice but were not further increased in response to glucose. In Aqp11 insufficient PT cells, glucose potentiated increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS production was also elevated in Aqp11 mutation carriers. Phenotypically normal mice heterozygous for the Aqp11 mutation repeatedly treated with glucose showed increased blood urea nitrogen levels that were prevented by the antioxidant sulforaphane or by phlorizin. Our results indicate an important role for AQP11 to prevent glucose-induced oxidative stress in proximal tubules.
Threshold mechanism for saccade initiation in frontal eye field and superior colliculus
Authors: Jantz Jay J. , Watanabe Masayuki , Everling Stefan , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: March 2013

In an influential model of frontal eye field (FEF) and superior colliculus (SC) activity, saccade initiation occurs when the discharge rate of either single neurons or a population of neurons encoding a saccade motor plan reaches a threshold level of activity. Conflicting evidence exists for whether this threshold is fixed or can change under different conditions. We tested the fixed-threshold hypothesis at the single-neuron and population levels to help resolve the inconsistency between previous studies. Two rhesus monkeys performed a randomly interleaved pro- and antisaccade task in which they had to look either toward (pro) or 180° away (anti) from a peripheral visual stimulus. We isolated visuomotor (VM) and motor (M) neurons in the FEF and SC and tested three specific predictions of a fixed-threshold hypothesis. We found little support for fixed thresholds. First, correlations were never totally absent between presaccadic discharge rate and saccadic reaction time when examining a larger (plausible) temporal period. Second, presaccadic discharge rates varied markedly between saccade tasks. Third, visual responses exceeded presaccadic motor discharges for FEF and SC VM neurons. We calculated that only a remarkably strong bias for M neurons in downstream projections could render the fixed-threshold hypothesis plausible at the population level. Also, comparisons of gap vs. overlap conditions indicate that increased inhibitory tone may be associated with stability of thresholds. We propose that fixed thresholds are the exception rather than the rule in FEF and SC, and that stabilization of an otherwise variable threshold depends on task-related, inhibitory modulation.
Movement paths in operating hand-held tools: tests of distal-shift hypotheses
Authors: Sülzenbrück Sandra , Heuer Herbert
Published: March 2013

Extending the body with a tool could imply that characteristics of hand movements become characteristics of the movement of the effective part of the tool. Recent research suggests that such distal shifts are subject to boundary conditions. Here we propose the existence of three constraints: a strategy constraint, a constraint of movement characteristics, and a constraint of mode of control. We investigate their validity for the curvature of transverse movements aimed at a target while using a sliding first-order lever. Participants moved the tip of the effort arm of a real or virtual lever to control a cursor representing movements of the tip of the load arm of the lever on a monitor. With this tool, straight transverse hand movements are associated with concave curvature of the path of the tip of the tool. With terminal visual feedback and when targets were presented for the hand, hand paths were slightly concave in the absence of the dynamic transformation of the tool and slightly convex in its presence. When targets were presented for the tip of the lever, both the concave and convex curvatures of the hand paths became stronger. Finally, with continuous visual feedback of the tip of the lever, curvature of hand paths became convex and concave curvature of the paths of the tip of the lever was reduced. In addition, the effect of the dynamic transformation on curvature was attenuated. These findings support the notion that distal shifts are subject to at least the three proposed constraints.
Interfacial Reaction of Sn-Ag-Cu Lead-Free Solder Alloy on Cu: A Review
Authors: Lee Liu Mei , Mohamad Ahmad Azmin
Published: March 2013

This paper reviews the function and importance of Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys in electronics industry and the interfacial reaction of Sn-Ag-Cu/Cu solder joint at various solder forms and solder reflow conditions. The Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys are examined in bulk and in thin film. It then examines the effect of soldering conditions to the formation of intermetallic compounds such as Cu substrate selection, structural phases, morphology evolution, the growth kinetics, temperature and time is also discussed. Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder alloys are the most promising candidate for the replacement of Sn-Pb solders in modern microelectronic technology. Sn-Ag-Cu solders could possibly be considered and adapted in miniaturization technologies. Therefore, this paper should be of great interest to a large selection of electronics interconnect materials, reliability, processes, and assembly community.
Finite-Time Synchronizing Fractional-Order Chaotic Volta System with Nonidentical Orders
Authors: Hu Jian-Bing , Zhao Ling-Dong
Published: March 2013

We investigate synchronizing fractional-order Volta chaotic systems with nonidentical orders in finite time. Firstly, the fractional chaotic system with the same structure and different orders is changed to the chaotic systems with identical orders and different structure according to the property of fractional differentiation. Secondly, based on the lemmas of fractional calculus, a controller is designed according to the changed fractional chaotic system to synchronize fractional chaotic with nonidentical order in finite time. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Optimal Investment Strategies for DC Pension with Stochastic Salary under the Affine Interest Rate Model
Authors: Zhang Chubing , Rong Ximing
Published: March 2013

We study the optimal investment strategies of DC pension, with the stochastic interest rate (including the CIR model and the Vasicek model) and stochastic salary. In our model, the plan member is allowed to invest in a risk-free asset, a zero-coupon bond, and a single risky asset. By applying the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, Legendre transform, and dual theory, we find the explicit solutions for the CRRA and CARA utility functions, respectively.
The Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Apparel Recommend Expert System
Authors: Dong A. H. , Shan D. , Ruan Z. , Zhou L. Y. , Zuo F.
Published: March 2013

Now with the rapid development of information science and technology, intelligent apparel recommend has drawn wide attention in apparel retail industry. Intelligent management and effective recommend are two issues of crucial importance for the retail store to enhance its corporate influence and increase its economic benefits. This paper proposes an intelligent recommend system design scheme for apparel retail which is based on expert system. By comprehensive utilization of database management and expert system technology, the proposed system provides a solid solution in improving the customer shopping experience. This paper presents a kind of object-oriented blackboard structure, which is applied in the apparel recommend expert system and establishes expert rule on the basis of apparel characteristic elements. Through the establishment of the rule base, the system generates personal recommend list by positive rule reasoning mechanism engine. The proposed method thus gives dress collocation scheme for the customer through the human-machine interaction from the point of view of the apparel experts. This design scheme avails the customers to experience targeted service with intellectualization, and personalization and it has certain reference significance for promoting apparel retail intelligence development.
Large Eddy Simulation for Dispersed Bubbly Flows: A Review
Authors: Dhotre M. T. , Deen N. G. , Niceno B. , Khan Z. , Joshi J. B.
Published: March 2013

Large eddy simulations (LES) of dispersed gas-liquid flows for the prediction of flow patterns and its applications have been reviewed. The published literature in the last ten years has been analysed on a coherent basis, and the present status has been brought out for the LES Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange approaches. Finally, recommendations for the use of LES in dispersed gas liquid flows have been made.
Cardioprotective Effects of Quercetin in Cardiomyocyte under Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Chen Yi-Wen , Chou Hsiu-Chuan , Lin Szu-Ting , Chen You-Hsuan , Chang Yu-Jung , Chen Linyi , Chan Hong-Lin
Published: March 2013

Quercetin, a polyphenolic compound existing in many vegetables, fruits, has antiinflammatory, antiproliferation, and antioxidant effect on mammalian cells. Quercetin was evaluated for protecting cardiomyocytes from ischemia/reperfusion injury, but its protective mechanism remains unclear in the current study. The cardioprotective effects of quercetin are achieved by reducing the activity of Src kinase, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), caspase 9, Bax, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and inflammatory factor and inducible MnSOD expression. Fluorescence two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can reveal the differentially expressed proteins of H9C2 cells treated with H2O2or quercetin. Although 17 identified proteins were altered in H2O2-induced cells, these proteins such as alpha-soluble NSF attachment protein (α-SNAP), Ena/VASP-like protein (Evl), and isopentenyl-diphosphate delta-isomerase 1 (Idi-1) were reverted by pretreatment with quercetin, which correlates with kinase activation, DNA repair, lipid, and protein metabolism. Quercetin dephosphorylates Src kinase in H2O2-induced H9C2 cells and likely blocks the H2O2-induced inflammatory response through STAT3 kinase modulation. This probably contributes to prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury in cardiomyocytes.
Dynamical Behaviors of the Stochastic Hopfield Neural Networks with Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Wan Li , Zhou Qinghua , Zhou Zhigang , Wang Pei
Published: March 2013

This paper investigates dynamical behaviors of the stochastic Hopfield neural networks with mixed time delays. The mixed time delays under consideration comprise both the discrete time-varying delays and the distributed time-delays. By employing the theory of stochastic functional differential equations and linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, some novel criteria on asymptotic stability, ultimate boundedness, and weak attractor are derived. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the correctness and effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Alleles (DQB1 and DRB1) as Predictors for Response to Interferon Therapy in HCV Genotype 4
Authors: Shaker Olfat , Bassiony Heba , El Raziky Maissa , El-Kamary Samer S. , Esmat Gamal , El-Ghor Akmal M. , Mohamed Mona M.
Published: March 2013

Human leukocyte antigens class II play an important role in immune response against HCV. We investigated whether HLA class II alleles influence susceptibility to HCV infection and response to interferon therapy. HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 loci were genotyped using PCR-SSO Luminex technology. According to our regimen, 41 (66%) of patients achieved sustained virological response to combined treatment of IFN and ribavirin. Frequencies of DQB1*0313 allele and DRB1*04-DRB1*11, DQB1*0204-DQB1*0313, DQB1*0309-DQB1*0313, and DQB1*0313-DQB1*0319 haplotypes were significantly more frequent in nonresponders than in responders. In contrast, DQB1*02, DQB1*06, DRB1*13, and DRB1*15 alleles were significantly more frequent in responders than in nonresponders. Similarly, DRB1*1301, DRB1*1361, and DRB1*1369 alleles and DRB1*1301-DRB1*1328, DRB1*1301-DRB1*1361, DRB1*1301-DRB1*1369, DRB1*1328-DRB1*1361, and DRB1*1328-DRB1*1369 haplotypes were significantly found only in responders. Some alleles and linkages showed significantly different distributions between patient and healthy groups. These alleles may be used as predictors for response to treatment or to susceptibility to HCV infection in the Egyptian population.
Nonintegrated Host Association ofMyrmecophilus tetramorii, a Specialist Myrmecophilous Ant Cricket (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae)
Authors: Komatsu Takashi , Maruyama Munetoshi , Itino Takao
Published: March 2013

Myrmecophilusant crickets (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) are typical ant guests. In Japan, about 10 species are recognized on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic frameworks. Some of these species have restricted host ranges and behave intimately toward their host ant species (i.e., they are host specialist). We focused on one species,M. tetramorii, which uses the myrmicine antTetramorium tsushimaeas its main host. All but oneM. tetramoriiindividuals were collected specifically from nests ofT. tsushimaein the field. However, behavioral observation showed that all individuals used in the experiment received hostile reactions from the host ants. There were no signs of intimate behaviors such as grooming of hosts or receipt of mouth-to-mouth feeding from hosts, which are seen in some host-specialistMyrmecophilusspecies among obligate host-ant species. Therefore, it may be thatM. tetramoriiis the species that is specialized to exploit the host by means other than chemical integration.
On Homogeneous Production Functions with Proportional Marginal Rate of Substitution
Authors: Vîlcu Alina Daniela , Vîlcu Gabriel Eduard
Published: March 2013

We completely classify homogeneous production functions with proportional marginal rate of substitution and with constant elasticity of labor and capital, respectively. These classifications generalize some recent results of C. A. Ioan and G. Ioan (2011) concerning the sum production function.
Approximate Solution of LR Fuzzy Sylvester Matrix Equations
Authors: Guo Xiaobin , Shang Dequan
Published: March 2013

The fuzzy Sylvester matrix equationAX~+X~B=C~in whichA,Barem×mandn×ncrisp matrices, respectively, andC~is anm×nLR fuzzy numbers matrix is investigated. Based on the Kronecker product of matrices, we convert the fuzzy Sylvester matrix equation into an LR fuzzy linear system. Then we extend the fuzzy linear system into two systems of linear equations according to the arithmetic operations of LR fuzzy numbers. The fuzzy approximate solution of the original fuzzy matrix equation is obtained by solving the crisp linear systems. The existence condition of the LR fuzzy solution is also discussed. Some examples are given to illustrate the proposed method.
Towards Polypharmacokinetics: Pharmacokinetics of Multicomponent Drugs and Herbal Medicines Using a Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Lan Ke , Xie Guoxiang , Jia Wei
Published: March 2013

Determination of pharmacokinetics (PKs) of multicomponent pharmaceuticals and/or nutraceuticals (polypharmacokinetics, poly-PKs) is difficult due to the vast number of compounds present in natural products, their various concentrations across a wide range, complexity of their interactions, as well as their complex degradation dynamicsin vivo. Metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical tools that focus on the comprehensive analysis of small molecules in biofluids is a viable approach to address the challenges of poly-PK. This paper discusses recent advances in the characterization of poly-PK and the metabolism of multicomponent xenobiotic agents, such as compound drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal medicines, using metabolomics strategy. We propose a research framework that integrates the dynamic concentration profile of bioavailable xenobiotic molecules that result fromin vivoabsorption and hepatic and gut bacterial metabolism, as well as the human metabolic response profile. This framework will address the bottleneck problem in the pharmacological evaluation of multicomponent pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, leading to the direct elucidation of the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of these compounds.
A Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Multimodal Functions and Its Application in Multicircle Detection
Authors: Cuevas Erik , Zaldívar Daniel , Pérez-Cisneros Marco
Published: March 2013

In engineering problems due to physical and cost constraints, the best results, obtained by a global optimization algorithm, cannot be realized always. Under such conditions, if multiple solutions (local and global) are known, the implementation can be quickly switched to another solution without much interrupting the design process. This paper presents a new swarm multimodal optimization algorithm named as the collective animal behavior (CAB). Animal groups, such as schools of fish, flocks of birds, swarms of locusts, and herds of wildebeest, exhibit a variety of behaviors including swarming about a food source, milling around a central location, or migrating over large distances in aligned groups. These collective behaviors are often advantageous to groups, allowing them to increase their harvesting efficiency to follow better migration routes, to improve their aerodynamic, and to avoid predation. In the proposed algorithm, searcher agents emulate a group of animals which interact with each other based on simple biological laws that are modeled as evolutionary operators. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare the proposed method with the state-of-the-art methods on benchmark functions. The proposed algorithm has been also applied to the engineering problem of multi-circle detection, achieving satisfactory results.
The Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula Sheng-Fei-Yu-Chuan-Tang Suppresses Th2 Responses and Increases IFNγinDermatophagoides pteronyssinusInduced Chronic Asthmatic Mice
Authors: Lin Chia-Hung , Yeh Ching-Hua , Lin Li-Jen , Wang Jen-Shu , Wang Shulhn-Der , Kao Shung-Te
Published: March 2013

Sheng-Fei-Yu-Chuan-Tang (SFYCT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of 13 medicinal plants, has been used in the treatment of asthma. This study demonstrated the immunoregulatory effect of SFYCT on chronic allergic asthma using theDermatophagoides-pteronyssinus-(Der p-) challenged chronic asthmatic murine model. SFYCT decreased the airway hyperresponseness (AHR), pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration, and airway remodeling in Der p mice. SFYCT treatment decreased Der p-induced total IgE and Der-p-specific IgG1 but not IgG2a/2b Ab titer in serum of Der p mice. SFYCT also decreased Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, but increased IFN-γand IL-12 in the BALF of Der p mice. TGF-β1 and collagen production in the lung of mice were decreased by SFYCT. The mRNA expression of chemokine including Eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-1 in the lung of Der p mice was decreased by SFYCT. In conclusion, the suppressed Der-p-induced airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperresponseness in chronic asthma murine model are related to SFYCT inhibits Th2 responses, decreases chemokine expression and promotes IFN-γand IL-12 production. SFYCT could show Der-p-induced Th2 responses to Th1 responses by increasing IFN-γwhich is merit for clinical application on asthma patients.
PI3K/AKT Signaling Is Essential for Communication between Tissue-Infiltrating Mast Cells, Macrophages, and Epithelial Cells in Colitis-Induced Cancer
Authors: Khan Mohammad W. , Keshavarzian Ali , Gounaris Elias , Melson Joshua E. , Cheon Eric C. , Blatner Nichole R. , Chen Zongmin E. , Tsai Fu-Nien , Lee Goo , Ryu Hyunji , Barrett Terrence A. , Bentrem David J. , Beckhove Philipp , Khazaie Khashayarsha
Published: March 2013

Purpose: To understand signaling pathways that shape inflamed tissue and predispose to cancer is critical for effective prevention and therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases. We have explored phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity in human inflammatory bowel diseases and mouse colitis models.

Experimental Design: We conducted immunostaining of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) and unbiased high-throughput image acquisition and quantitative analysis of samples of noninflamed normal colon, colitis, dysplasia, and colorectal cancer. Mechanistic insights were gained from ex vivo studies of cell interactions, the piroxicam/IL-10−/− mouse model of progressive colitis, and use of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

Results: Progressive increase in densities of pAKT-positive tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and increase in densities of mast cells in the colonic submucosa were noted with colitis and progression to dysplasia and cancer. Mast cells recruited macrophages in ex vivo migration assays, and both mast cells and TAMs promoted invasion of cancer cells. Pretreatment of mast cells with LY294002 blocked recruitment of TAMs. LY294002 inhibited mast cell and TAM-mediated tumor invasion, and in mice, blocked stromal PI3K, colitis, and cancer.

Conclusion: The PI3K/AKT pathway is active in cells infiltrating inflamed human colon tissue. This pathway sustains the recruitment of inflammatory cells through a positive feedback loop. The PI3K/AKT pathway is essential for tumor invasion and the malignant features of the piroxicam/IL-10−/− mouse model. LY294002 targets the PI3K pathway and hinders progressive colitis. These findings indicate that colitis and progression to cancer are dependent on stromal PI3K and sensitive to treatment with LY294002. Clin Cancer Res; 19(9); 2342–54. ©2013 AACR.
The NeuroAiD II (MLC901) in Vascular Cognitive Impairment Study (NEURITES)
Authors: Chen Christopher L.H. , Ikram Kamran , Anqi Qiu , Yin Wong Tien , Chen Annabel , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy ,   for the NEURITE Investigators
Published: March 2013

Background: A substantial proportion of patients after nondisabling stroke are cognitively impaired compared to age- and education-matched community-dwelling controls. Moreover, poststroke patients who have ‘vascular cognitive impairment no dementia' (VCIND) of moderate severity have a high risk of incident dementia, dependency and death. Further studies are urgently needed to demonstrate effective cognition-enhancing therapies in VCIND given the scarcity of evidence-based treatment options. NeuroAiD is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to induce neuroplasticity, promote cell proliferation and stimulate the development of dense axonal and dendritic networks in animal stroke models. NeuroAiD may improve cerebral blood flow and functional recovery after stroke in patients. Objective: To investigate the effects and tolerability of NeuroAiD II in patients with VCIND. Methods: The NeuroAiD II (MLC901) in Vascular Cognitive Impairment Study (NEURITES) is a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study of NeuroAiD II in patients with VCIND. The primary outcome is executive function as measured by the Verbal Fluency test. Secondary outcomes include cognitive assessments such as the ADAS-Cog, MoCA, MMSE and Cognitive Battery: activities of daily living as measured by the Alzhei-mer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale for mild cognitive impairment, behavior as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and depression as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Scale. In addition, there will be novel exploratory outcomes: (a) magnetic resonance imaging of lesion location (structural imaging), structural integrity of white matter pathways (diffusion tensor imaging), neuronal function (resting studies) and perfusion (arterial spin labeling and MR angiography), and (b) retinal and optic nerve imaging. Safety and tolerability will be assessed using adverse events, laboratory tests and vital signs. Conclusions: NEURITES has the potential to set new standards for the systematic evaluation of Asian traditional medicine for integration into standard medicine practice and establishing a novel therapeutic approach for improving cognition after stroke.
Influence of Body Mass Index, Surgical Approach and Lymphadenectomy on the Development of Symptomatic Lymphoceles after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Mundhenk J. , Hennenlotter J. , Alloussi S. , Selbherr D. , Martzog J.C. , Todenhöfer T. , Kruck S. , Schwentner C. , Stenzl A. , Schilling D.
Published: March 2013

Purpose: Identification of factors influencing lymphocele formation requiring intervention after radical prostatectomy. Methods: 302 patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP, n = 174) or transperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP, n = 128) by the same surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles (SLC) was compared with clinical and pathological data (contingency analyses, Wilcoxon-Kruskal-Wallis test). Results: Sixteen patients (5.3%) developed SLC. SLC occurred significantly more frequently after RRP compared to RALP (8.0 vs. 0.8%, p = 0.0008). Patients with SLC had more lymph nodes (LN) removed median (17 vs. 13, p = 0.009) and a significantly lower BMI (median 24.4 vs. 26.4, p = 0.0008). Presence of LN metastases (n = 18 patients, 6.0%) showed no statistical impact on SLC. In a multivariate analysis surgical method, the number of resected LN and the BMI remained independent predictors of SLC formation. Conclusions: The lower incidence of SLC after RALP compared to RRP probably results from peritoneal drainage of lymphatic fluid. The correlation of removed LN and SLC might be explained by increased injury of lymphatic vessels during more extended LN dissection. Why patients with lower BMI are more prone to develop SLC still remains unclear. However, early postoperative mobilization in nonobese patients might be a contributing factor.
Reticulated platelets predict cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome patients
Authors: Cesari Francesca , Gori Anna , Caporale Roberto , Fanelli Alessandra , Casola Giulia , Balzi Daniela , Barchielli Alessandro , Valente Serafina , Giglioli Cristina , Gensini Gian , Abbate Rosanna , Marcucci Rossella
Published: March 2013

Reticulated platelets (RP) are newly-formed platelets with a greater mass, a residual amount of RNA and an increased prothrombotic potential. No studies investigating the association between RP and the risk of cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are available. In the frame of the AMI-Florence 2 study, we investigated RP in 229 (154 M/ 75 F) ACS patients (125 ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]; 104 Non-STEMI/Unstable Angina). RP were measured by using the Sysmex XE-2100 haematology analyzer and were expressed as the percentage of RP out of the total optical platelet count (immature platelet fraction; IPF) and as the percentage of RP highly fluorescent (H-IPF). At one-year follow-up, 22 out of 229 patients (9.6%) died from cardiovascular causes. Higher values of IPF (p=0.05) and H-IPF (p=0.006) were detected in dead compared to alive patients. A receiver operating characteristics curve analysis identified IPF ≥3.3% and H-IPF ≥0.9% as optimal cut-off values to predict cardiovascular death. At the multivariate model adjusted for the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score, the association between RP and cardiovascular death remained significant for both IPF [OR (95%CI) : 4.15 (1.24–13.91) p=0.02] and H-IPF [OR (95%CI): H-IPF 5.03 (1.38–18.38) p=0.01]. In conclusion, RP are independent predictors of cardiovascular death and may be useful in improving risk stratification for ACS patients. Future prospective studies to evaluate the role of RP in determining cardiovascular events are warranted.
Autocrine amplification of integrin αIIbβ3 activation and platelet adhesive responses by deoxyribose-1-phosphate
Authors: Vara Dina S. , Campanella Michelangelo , Canobbio Ilaria , Dunn Warwick B. , Pizzorno Giuseppe , Hirano Michio , Pula Giordano
Published: March 2013

Using direct injection mass spectrometry (DIMS) we discovered that deoxyribose-1-phosphate (dRP) is released by platelets upon activation. Interestingly, the addition of exogenous dRP to human platelets significantly increased platelet aggregation and integrin αIIbβ3 activation in response to thrombin. In parallel, genetically modified platelets with double genetic deletion of thymidine phosphorylase and uridine phosphorylase were characterised by reduced release of dRP, impaired aggregation and decreased integrin αIIbβ3 activation in response to thrombin. In vitro platelet adhesion onto fibrinogen and collagen under physiological flow conditions was potentiated by treatment of human platelets with exogenous dRP and impaired in transgenic platelets with reduced dRP release. Human and mouse platelets responded to dRP treatment with a sizeable increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the pre-treament with the antioxidant apocynin abolished the effect of dRP on aggregation and integrin activation. Experiments directly assessing the activation of the small G protein Rap1b and protein kinase C suggested that dRP increases the basal levels of activity of these two pivotal platelet-activating pathways in a redox-dependent manner. Taken together, we present evidence that dRP is a novel autocrine amplifier of platelet activity, which acts on platelet redox levels and modulates integrin αIIbβ3.
Genetic Architecture of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Mexican Americans
Authors: Melton Phillip E. , Carless Melanie A. , Curran Joanne E. , Dyer Thomas D. , Göring Harald H.H. , Kent Jack W. , Drigalenko Eugene , Johnson Matthew P. , MacCluer Jean W. , Moses Eric K. , Comuzzie Anthony G. , Mahaney Michael C. , O’Leary Daniel H. , Blangero John , Almasy Laura
Published: March 2013

Background—

Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common and internal carotid arteries is an established surrogate for atherosclerosis and predicts risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Often IMT is measured as the average of these 2 arteries; yet, they are believed to result from separate biological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to conduct a family-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) for IMT to identify polymorphisms influencing IMT and to determine if distinct carotid artery segments are influenced by different genetic components.

Methods and Results—

IMT for the common and internal carotid arteries was determined through B-mode ultrasound in 772 Mexican Americans from the San Antonio Family Heart Study. A GWAS using 931219 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was undertaken with 6 internal and common carotid artery IMT phenotypes using an additive measured genotype model. The most robust association detected was for 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs16983261, rs6113474;
P
=1.60e
−7
) in complete linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 20p11 for the internal carotid artery near wall, next to the gene
PAX1
. We also replicated previously reported GWAS regions on chromosomes 19q13 and 7q22. We found no overlapping associations between internal and common carotid artery phenotypes at
P
<5.0e
−6
. The genetic correlation between the 2 carotid IMT arterial segments was 0.51.

Conclusions—

This study represents the first large-scale GWAS of carotid IMT in a non–European population and identified several novel loci. We do not detect any shared GWAS signals between common and internal carotid arterial segments, but the moderate genetic correlation implies both common and unique genetic components.