bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Arylimidamides DB1955 and DB1960 as Candidates against Visceral Leishmaniasis and Chagas' Disease:
In Vivo
Efficacy, Acute Toxicity, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicology Studies
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Liu Qiang , Yang Sihyung , Parman Toufan , Green Carol E. , Mirsalis Jon C. , de Nazaré Correia Soeiro Maria , Mello de Souza Elen , da Silva Cristiane França , da Gama Jaen Batista Denise , Stephens Chad E. , Banerjee Moloy , Farahat Abdelbasset A. , Munde Manoj , Wilson W. David , Boykin David W. , Wang Michael Zhuo , Werbovetz Karl A.
Published: April 2012

Arylimidamides (AIAs) have shown outstanding
in vitro
potency against intracellular kinetoplastid parasites, and the AIA 2,5-bis[2-(2-propoxy)-4-(2-pyridylimino)aminophenyl]furan dihydrochloride (DB766) displayed good
in vivo
efficacy in rodent models of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and Chagas' disease. In an attempt to further increase the solubility and
in vivo
antikinetoplastid potential of DB766, the mesylate salt of this compound and that of the closely related AIA 2,5-bis[2-(2-cyclopentyloxy)-4-(2-pyridylimino)aminophenyl]furan hydrochloride (DB1852) were prepared. These two mesylate salts, designated DB1960 and DB1955, respectively, exhibited dose-dependent activity in the murine model of VL, with DB1960 inhibiting liver parasitemia by 51% at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg/day × 5 and DB1955 reducing liver parasitemia by 57% when given by the same dosing regimen. In a murine
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection model, DB1960 decreased the peak parasitemia levels that occurred at 8 days postinfection by 46% when given orally at 100 mg/kg/day × 5, while DB1955 had no effect on peak parasitemia levels when administered by the same dosing regimen. Distribution studies revealed that these compounds accumulated to micromolar levels in the liver, spleen, and kidneys but to a lesser extent in the heart, brain, and plasma. A 5-day repeat-dose toxicology study with DB1960 and DB1955 was also conducted with female BALB/c mice, with the compounds administered orally at 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day. In the high-dose groups, DB1960 caused changes in serum chemistry, with statistically significant increases in serum blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels, and a 21% decrease in body weight was observed in this group. These changes were consistent with microscopic findings in the livers and kidneys of the treated animals. The incidences of observed clinical signs (hunched posture, tachypnea, tremors, and ruffled fur) were more frequent in DB1960-treated groups than in those treated with DB1955. However, histopathological examination of tissue samples indicated that both compounds had adverse effects at all dose levels.
Borrelia burgdorferi Needs Chemotaxis To Establish Infection in Mammals and To Accomplish Its Enzootic Cycle
Authors: Sze Ching Wooen , Zhang Kai , Kariu Toru , Pal Utpal , Li Chunhao
Published: April 2012

Borrelia burgdorferi
, the causative agent of Lyme disease, can be recovered from different organs of infected animals and patients, indicating that the spirochete is very invasive. Motility and chemotaxis contribute to the invasiveness of
B. burgdorferi
and play important roles in the process of the disease. Recent reports have shown that motility is required for establishing infection in mammals. However, the role of chemotaxis in virulence remains elusive. Our previous studies showed that
cheA
2
, a gene encoding a histidine kinase, is essential for the chemotaxis of
B. burgdorferi
. In this report, the
cheA
2
gene was inactivated in a low-passage-number virulent strain of
B. burgdorferi. In vitro
analyses (microscopic observations, computer-based bacterial tracking analysis, swarm plate assays, and capillary tube assays) showed that the
cheA
2
mutant failed to reverse and constantly ran in one direction; the mutant was nonchemotactic to attractants. Mouse needle infection studies showed that the
cheA
2
mutant failed to infect either immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice and was quickly eliminated from the initial inoculation sites. Tick-mouse infection studies revealed that although the mutant was able to survive in ticks, it failed to establish a new infection in mice via tick bites. The altered phenotypes were completely restored when the mutant was complemented. Collectively, these data demonstrate that
B. burgdorferi
needs chemotaxis to establish mammalian infection and to accomplish its natural enzootic cycle.
Invasive Potential of Nonencapsulated Disease Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Johswich Kay O. , Zhou Jianwei , Law Dennis K. S. , St. Michael Frank , McCaw Shannon E. , Jamieson Frances B. , Cox Andrew D. , Tsang Raymond S. W. , Gray-Owen Scott D.
Published: April 2012

The capsule of
Neisseria meningitidis
is the major virulence factor that enables this bacterium to overcome host immunity elicited by complement and phagocytes, rendering it capable of surviving in blood. As such, nonencapsulated
N. meningitidis
isolates are generally considered nonpathogenic. Here, we consider the inherent virulence of two nonencapsulated
N. meningitidis
isolates obtained from our national surveillance of infected blood cultures in Canada. Capsule deficiency of both strains was confirmed by serology and PCR for the
ctrA
to
ctrD
genes and
siaA
to
siaC
genes, as well as
siaD
genes specific to serogroups B, C, Y, and W135. In both strains, the capsule synthesis genes were replaced by the capsule null locus,
cnl-2
. In accordance with a lack of capsule, both strains were fully susceptible to killing by both human and baby rabbit complement. However, in the presence of cytidine-5′ monophospho-
N
-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NANA), allowing for lipooligosaccharide (LOS) sialylation, a significant increase of resistance to complement killing was observed. Mass spectrometry of purified LOS did not reveal any uncommon modifications that would explain their invasive phenotype. Finally, in a mouse intraperitoneal challenge model, these nonencapsulated isolates displayed enhanced virulence relative to an isogenic mutant of serogroup B strain MC58 lacking capsule (MC58Δ
siaD
). Virulence of all nonencapsulated isolates tested was below that of encapsulated serogroup B strains MC58 and B16B6. However, whereas no mortality was observed with MC58Δ
siaD
, 5/10 mice succumbed to infection with strain 2275 and 2/11 mice succumbed to strain 2274. Our results suggest the acquisition of a new virulence phenotype by these nonencapsulated strains.
Toll-Like Receptor- and Filarial Antigen-Mediated, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase- and NF-κB-Dependent Regulation of Angiogenic Growth Factors in Filarial Lymphatic Pathology
Authors: Babu Subash , Anuradha R. , Kumar N. Pavan , George P. Jovvian , Kumaraswami V. , Nutman Thomas B.
Published: April 2012

Filarial lymphatic pathology is of multifactorial origin, with inflammation, lymphangiogenesis, and innate immune responses all playing important roles. The role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the development of filarial pathology is well characterized. Similarly, the association of pathology with elevated levels of plasma angiogenic factors has also been documented. To examine the association between TLR function and the development of lymphangiogenesis in filarial infections, we examined TLR- and filarial antigen-induced expression and production of various angiogenic growth factors. We demonstrate that TLR ligands (specifically TLR2, -3, and -5 ligands) induce significantly increased expression/production of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals with lymphatic pathology (CP individuals) compared to that in cells of asymptomatic infected (INF) individuals. Similarly, filarial antigens induce significantly enhanced production of VEGF-C in CP compared with INF individuals. TLR2-mediated enhancement of angiogenic growth factor production in CP individuals was shown to be dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB signaling, as pharmacologic inhibition of either extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, or NF-κB signaling resulted in significantly diminished production of VEGF-A and Ang-1. Our data therefore strongly suggest an important association between TLR signaling and lymphangiogenesis in the development of pathology in human lymphatic filariasis.
NONCOMMUTATIVITY AND NON-ANTICOMMUTATIVITY PERTURBATIVE QUANTUM GRAVITY
Authors: FAIZAL MIR
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we will study perturbative quantum gravity on supermanifolds with both noncommutativity and non-anticommutativity of spacetime coordinates. We shall first analyze the BRST and the anti-BRST symmetries of this theory. Then we will also analyze the effect of shifting all the fields of this theory in background field method. We will construct a Lagrangian density which apart from being invariant under the extended BRST transformations is also invariant under on-shell extended anti-BRST transformations. This will be done by using the Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) formalism. Finally, we will show that the sum of the gauge-fixing term and the ghost term for this theory can be elegantly written down in superspace with a two Grassmann parameter.
QCD AND QED DYNAMICS IN THE EMC EFFECT
Authors: FRANKFURT LEONID , STRIKMAN MARK
Published: April 2012

Applying exact QCD sum rules for the baryon charge and energy–momentum conservation we demonstrate that if the only degrees of freedom in nuclei were nucleons, the structure function of a nucleus would be the additive sum of the nucleon distributions at the same Bjorken x = AQ2/2(pA⋅q)≤0.5 up to very small Fermi motion corrections if 1/2mN x is significantly less than the nucleus radius. Hence QCD implies that the proper quantity to reveal violation of the additivity due to presence of nonnucleonic degrees of freedom in nuclei is the ratio RA(x, Q2) = (2/A)F2A(x, Q2)/F2D(x, Q2). Use of variable xp = Q2/2q0mp in the experimental studies instead of x leads to the deviation of RA(xp, Q2) from one even if the nucleus would consist only of nucleons with small momenta. Implementation of QCD dynamics accounts in the case of the light nuclei for at least a half of the deviation of RA(xp, Q2) from one for x≤0.55. In the case of heavy nuclei account of the QCD dynamics and of light-cone momentum fraction carried by Fermi, Weizsacker, Williams equivalent photons are responsible for ≈ one half the deviation of RA(x, Q2) from one at x≤0.55. We argue that direct observation of large and predominantly nucleonic short-range correlations (SRCs) in nuclei impacts strongly on the understanding of the EMC effect for x≥0.6 posing a serious challenge for most of the proposed models of the EMC effect. The data are consistent with a scenario in which the hadronic EMC effect reflects suppression of rare quark–gluon configurations in nucleons belonging to SRC appears to be the only viable. The dynamic realization of this scenario is presented in which quantum fluctuations of the nucleon wave function with x≥0.5 parton have a weaker interaction with nearby nucleons, leading to suppression of such configurations in bound nucleons and to the significant suppression of nucleon Fermi motion effects at x≥0.55 giving a right magnitude of the EMC effect. Implications of discussed effects for the analyses of the neutron structure function and nuclear parton distributions are presented. The directions for the future studies and challenging questions are outlined.
CURVED-IN-PLANE CABLE-STAYED BRIDGES: A MATHEMATICAL MODEL
Authors: RAFTOYIANNIS IOANNIS G. , MICHALTSOS GEORGE T.
Published: April 2012

A mathematical model suitable for static and dynamic analyses of curved-in-plane cable-stayed bridges is proposed. By expressing the tensile forces of the cables in relation to the deck and pylon deformations, the problem is reduced to the solution of a beam curved-in-plane that is subjected to the usual permanent and external loads and to the tensile forces of the cables, the latter being functions of the deformation of the beam. The theoretical formulation presented is based on a continuum approach, which is suitable for the three-dimensional (3D) analysis of long span cable-supported bridges. Numerical examples will be analyzed to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
AN ADAPTIVE TIME-STEPPING PROCEDURE BASED ON THE SCALED BOUNDARY FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR ELASTODYNAMICS
Authors: ZHANG Z. H. , YANG Z. J. , LIU GUOHUA
Published: April 2012

This study develops an adaptive time-stepping procedure of Newmark integration scheme for transient elastodynamic problems, based on the semi-analytical scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM). In each time step, a posteriori local error estimator based on the linear distributed acceleration is employed to estimate the error caused by the time discretization. The total energy of the domain, consisting of the kinetic energy and the strain energy, is calculated semi-analytically. The time increment is automatically adjusted according to a simple criterion. Three examples with stress wave propagation were modeled. The numerical results show that the developed method is capable of limiting the local error estimator within specified targets by using an optimal time increment in each time step.
A light-weight wireless handshake
Authors: Lin Kate , Chuang Yung-Jen , Katabi Dina
Published: April 2012

In many wireless systems, it is desirable to precede a data transmission with a handshake between the sender and the receiver. For example, RTS-CTS is a handshake that prevents collisions due to hidden terminals. Past work, however, has shown that the overhead of such handshake is too high for practical deployments. We present a new approach to wireless handshake that is almost overhead free. The key idea underlying the design is to separate a packet's PLCP header and MAC header from its body and have the sender and receiver first exchange the data and ACK headers, then exchange the bodies of the data and ACK packets without additional headers. The header exchange provides a natural handshake at almost no extra cost. We empirically evaluate the feasibility of such lightweight handshake and some of its applications. Our testbed evaluation shows that header-payload separation does not hamper packet decodabilty. It also shows that a light handshake enables hidden terminals, i.e., nodes that interfere with each other without RTS/CTS, to experience less than 4% of collisions. Furthermore, it improves the accuracy of bit rate selection in bursty and mobile environments producing a throughput gain of about 2x.
Libtrace
Authors: Alcock Shane , Lorier Perry , Nelson Richard
Published: April 2012

This paper introduces libtrace, an open-source software library for reading and writing network packet traces. Libtrace offers performance and usability enhancements compared to other libraries that are currently used. We describe the main features of libtrace and demonstrate how the libtrace programming API enables users to easily develop portable trace analysis tools without needing to consider the details of the capture format, file compression or intermediate protocol headers. We compare the performance of libtrace against other trace processing libraries to show that libtrace offers the best compromise between development effort and program run time. As a result, we conclude that libtrace is a valuable contribution to the passive measurement community that will aid the development of better and more reliable trace analysis and network monitoring tools.
Using lightweight modeling to understand chord
Authors: Zave Pamela
Published: April 2012

Correctness of the Chord ring-maintenance protocol would mean that the protocol can eventually repair all disruptions in the ring structure, given ample time and no further disruptions while it is working. In other words, it is "eventual reachability." Under the same assumptions about failure behavior as made in the Chord papers, no published version of Chord is correct. This result is based on modeling the protocol in Alloy and analyzing it with the Alloy Analyzer. By combining the right selection of pseudocode and textual hints from several papers, and fixing flaws revealed by analysis, it is possible to get a version that may be correct. The paper also discusses the significance of these results, describes briefly how Alloy is used to model and reason about Chord, and compares Alloy analysis to model-checking.
On building inexpensive network capabilities
Authors: Shue Craig A. , Kalafut Andrew J. , Allman Mark , Taylor Curtis R.
Published: April 2012

There are many deployed approaches for blocking unwanted traffic, either once it reaches the recipient's network, or closer to its point of origin. One of these schemes is based on the notion of traffic carrying capabilities that grant access to a network and/or end host. However, leveraging capabilities results in added complexity and additional steps in the communication process: Before communication starts a remote host must be vetted and given a capability to use in the subsequent communication. In this paper, we propose a lightweight mechanism that turns the answers provided by DNS name resolution - which Internet communication broadly depends on anyway - into capabilities. While not achieving an ideal capability system, we show the mechanism can be built from commodity technology and is therefore a pragmatic way to gain some of the key benefits of capabilities without requiring new infrastructure.
Authority server selection in DNS caching resolvers
Authors: Yu Yingdi , Wessels Duane , Larson Matt , Zhang Lixia
Published: April 2012

Operators of high-profile DNS zones utilize multiple authority servers for performance and robustness. We conducted a series of trace-driven measurements to understand how current caching resolver implementations distribute queries among a set of authority servers. Our results reveal areas for improvement in the ``apparently sound'' server selection schemes used by some popular implementations. In some cases, the selection schemes lead to sub-optimal behavior of caching resolvers, e.g. sending a significant amount of queries to unresponsive servers. We believe that most of these issues are caused by careless implementations, such as keeping decreasing a server's SRTT after the server has been selected, treating unresponsive servers as responsive ones, and using constant SRTT decaying factor. For the problems identified in this work, we recommended corresponding solutions.
Revealing MPLS tunnels obscured from traceroute
Authors: Donnet Benoit , Luckie Matthew , Mérindol Pascal , Pansiot Jean-Jacques
Published: April 2012

Operators have deployed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the Internet for over a decade. However, its impact on Internet topology measurements is not well known, and it is possible for some MPLS configurations to lead to false router-level links in maps derived from traceroute data. In this paper, we introduce a measurement-based classification of MPLS tunnels, identifying tunnels where IP hops are revealed but not explicitly tagged as label switching routers, as well as tunnels that obscure the underlying path. Using a large-scale dataset we collected, we show that paths frequently cross MPLS tunnels in today's Internet: in our data, at least 30% of the paths we tested traverse an MPLS tunnel. We also propose and evaluate several methods to reveal MPLS tunnels that are not explicitly flagged as such: we discover that their fraction is significant (up to half the explicit tunnel quantity) but most of them do not obscure IP-level topology discovery.
Workshop on internet economics (WIE2011) report
Authors: claffy kc
Published: April 2012

The second Workshop on Internet Economics [2], hosted by CAIDA and Georgia Institute of Technology on December 1-2, 2011, brought together network technology and policy researchers with providers of commercial Internet facilities and services (network operators) to further explore the common objective of framing an agenda for the emerging but empirically stunted field of Internet infrastructure economics. This report describes the workshop discussions and presents relevant open research questions identified by its participants.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT): Current Perspectives and Future Directions
Authors: Reiss Aimee P. , Wolf Steven L. , Hammel Elizabeth A. , McLeod Erin L. , Williams Erin A.
Published: April 2012

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has gained considerable popularity as a treatment technique for upper extremity rehabilitation among patients with mild-to-moderate stroke. While substantial evidence has emerged to support its applicability, issues remain unanswered regarding the best and most practical approach. Following the establishment of what can be called the “signature” CIMT approach characterized by intense clinic/laboratory-based practice, several distributed forms of training, collectively known as modified constraint therapy (mCIMT), have emerged. There is a need to examine the strengths and limitations of such approaches, and based upon such information, develop the components of a study that would compare the signature approach to the best elements of mCIMT, referred to here as “alternative” CIMT. Based upon a PEDro review of literature, limitations in mCIMT studies for meeting criteria were identified and discussed. A suggestion for a “first effort” at a comparative study that would both address such limitations while taking practical considerations into account is provided.
Novel Associations of Nonstructural Loci with Paraoxonase Activity
Authors: Quillen Ellen E. , Rainwater David L. , Dyer Thomas D. , Carless Melanie A. , Curran Joanne E. , Johnson Matthew P. , Göring Harald H. H. , Cole Shelley A. , Rutherford Sue , MacCluer Jean W. , Moses Eric K. , Blangero John , Almasy Laura , Mahaney Michael C.
Published: April 2012

The high-density-lipoprotein-(HDL-) associated esterase paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a likely contributor to the antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic capabilities of HDL. Two nonsynonymous mutations in the structural gene,PON1, have been associated with variation in activity levels, but substantial interindividual differences remain unexplained and are greatest for substrates other than the eponymous paraoxon. PON1 activity levels were measured for three substrates—organophosphate paraoxon, arylester phenyl acetate, and lactone dihydrocoumarin—in 767 Mexican American individuals from San Antonio, Texas. Genetic influences on activity levels for each substrate were evaluated by association with approximately one million single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) while conditioning onPON1genotypes. Significant associations were detected at five loci including regions on chromosomes 4 and 17 known to be associated with atherosclerosis and lipoprotein regulation and loci on chromosome 3 that regulate ubiquitous transcription factors. These loci explain 7.8% of variation in PON1 activity with lactone as a substrate, 5.6% with the arylester, and 3.0% with paraoxon. In light of the potential importance ofPON1in preventing cardiovascular disease/events, these novel loci merit further investigation.
Characterization of the Solvability of Generalized Constrained Variational Equations
Authors: Ruiz Galán Manuel
Published: April 2012

In a general context, that of the locally convex spaces, we characterize the existence of a solution for certain variational equations with constraints. For the normed case and in the presence of some kind of compactness of the closed unit ball, more specifically, when we deal with reflexive spaces or, in a more general way, with dual spaces, we deduce results implying the existence of a unique weak solution for a wide class of linear elliptic boundary value problems that do not admit a classical treatment. Finally, we apply our statements to the study of linear impulsive differential equations, extending previously stated results.
Synthesis, Structure, and Thermal Stability of Supramolecular Polymers with 1D Chain: [M(BPP)2(TBTA)(H2O)2]n[M=Mn(1),Co(2)]
Authors: Liu Yan , Gao Ling-Ling , Lv Xu-Yan , Liu Jian-Feng , Hu Tuo-Ping
Published: April 2012

Two supramolecular polymers [M(BPP)2(TBTA)(H2O)2]n[M=Mn(1),Co(2)] have been constructed from 2,3,5,6-tetrabromoterephthalic acid (H2TBTA) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (BPP) ligands in water-methanol dissolvant. Single-crystal X-ray and powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis were employed to characterize all samples. Both of the complex compounds 1 and 2 belong to triclinic crystal system with P-1 space group. The crystal structures analysis indicates that the metal atom coordinated by two carboxylate groups from different TBTA ligands, two BPP, molecules and two H2O molecules formed a slightly distorted octahedral configuration. The compounds of 1 and 2 are 1D chains made with TBTA spacers, BPP molecules, and H2O molecules.
Accidental Ingestion of Endodontic File: A Case Report
Authors: Saraf Hrushikesh P. , Nikhade Pradnya P. , Chandak Manoj G.
Published: April 2012

Ingestion of the endodontic instrument during root canal treatment is rare but can result in serious complications. The present paper reports a case in which endodontic file was accidentally swallowed by the patient undergoing root canal therapy, which entered digestive tract and passed uneventfully.
SU-8 as Hydrophobic and Dielectric Thin Film in Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Based Microfluidics Device
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Sharma N. N.
Published: April 2012

Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) based droplet actuation in microfluidic chip is designed and fabricated. EWOD is used as on-chip micro-pumping scheme for moving fluid digitally in Lab-on-a-chip devices. For enabling this scheme, stacked deposition of thin dielectric and hydrophobic layer in that order between microchannel and electrodes is done. The present paper investigates the potential use of SU-8 as hydrophobic layer in conjunction of acting as dielectric in the device. The objective for the investigation is to lower the cost and a thin simplification in fabrication process of EWOD-based devices. We have done design and optimization of dimensions of electrode array including gap between arrays for EWOD micropump. Design and optimization are carried out in CoventorWare. The designing is followed by fabrication of device and analysis for droplet motion. The fabrication of the device includes array of electrodes over the silicon surface and embedding them in hydrophobic SU-8 layer. Water droplet movement in the order of microliter of spherical shape is demonstrated. It has been shown that an SU-8 microchannel in the current design allows microfluidic flow at tens of voltages comparable with costlier and more complicated to fabricate designs reported in the literature.
A Survey of Bee Species Found Pollinating Watermelons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Authors: Henne C. S. , Rodriguez E. , Adamczyk J. J.
Published: April 2012

Using a combination of flower traps and visual observations, we surveyed three watermelon (Citrullus lanatus(Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) fields in the Lower Rio Grande Valley to determine what bees inhabit this crop in this region. No managed honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) hives were in any of the fields; however, two contained managed hives of the common eastern bumble bee,Bombus impatiens(Cresson). A total of 15 species were collected or observed from all three fields combined. Of these species, only four were found to be very abundant:Agapostemon angelicusCockerell/texanusCresson,A. mellifera,Lasioglossum coactum(Cresson), andMelissodes thelypodiiCockerell.Apis melliferacomprised 46% of all bees collected from all three fields combined and was highly abundant in two of the three fields. In the third field, however,A. melliferaandAgapostemon angelicus/texanuswere equally abundant. Surprisingly,B. impatienscomprised only 1% of the total bees surveyed in all three fields combined, despite two of the fields having several managed hives each. AsB. impatiensis not native to this region, it was not surprising that none were collected or observed in the field with no managed hives.
Role of Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein in Cancer Progression
Authors: Chan Tim Hon Man , Chen Leilei , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: April 2012

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed protein in all eukaryotes—highlighting its important functions in the cell. Previous studies revealed that TCTP is implicated in many biological processes, including cell growth, tumor reversion, and induction of pluripotent stem cell. A recent study on the solution structure from fission yeast orthologue classifies TCTP under a family of small chaperone proteins. There is growing evidence in the literature that TCTP is a multifunctional protein and exerts its biological activity at the extracellular and intracellular levels. Although TCTP is not a tumor-specific protein, our research group, among several others, focused on the role(s) of TCTP in cancer progression. In this paper, we will summarize the current scientific knowledge of TCTP in different aspects, and the precise oncogenic mechanisms of TCTP will be discussed in detail.
Photocatalytic Properties of Columnar NanostructuredTiO2Films Fabricated by Sputtering Ti and Subsequent Annealing
Authors: Li Zhengcao , Xing Liping , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: April 2012

Columnar nanostructured TiO2films were prepared by sputtering Ti target in pure argon with glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and subsequent annealing at 400°C for different hours in air. Compared with sputtering TiO2target directly, sputtering Ti target can be carried out under much lower base pressure, which contributes to obtaining discrete columnar nanostructures. In the present study, TiO2films obtained by annealing Ti films for different hours all kept discrete columnar structures as the Ti films deposited in GLAD regime. The longer the annealing time was, the better the phase transition accomplished from Ti to TiO2(a mixture of rutile and anatase), and the better it crystallized. In addition, those TiO2films performed photocatalytic decolorization effectively and showed a law changing over annealing time under UV light irradiation towards methyl orange, which demonstrated the potential applications for treatment of effluent.
A Rapidly Enlarging Squamous Inclusion Cyst in an Axillary Lymph Node following Core Needle Biopsy
Authors: Zhang Cunxian , Xiong Jinjun , Quddus M. Ruhul , Ou Joyce J. , Hansen Katrine , Sung C. James
Published: April 2012

A 73-year-old woman was found to have a 1.7 cm axillary mass, for which a core needle biopsy was performed. The specimen revealed fragmented squamous epithelium surrounded by lymphoid tissue consistent with a squamous inclusion cyst in a lymph node, but a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma could not be excluded. Within one month, the lesion enlarged to 5 cm and was excised. Touch preparation cytology during intraoperative consultation displayed numerous single and sheets of atypical epithelioid cells with enlarged nuclei and occasional mitoses, suggesting a carcinoma. However, multinucleated giant cells and neutrophils in the background indicated reactive changes. We interpreted the touch preparation as atypical and recommended conservative surgical management. Permanent sections revealed a ruptured squamous inclusion cyst in a lymph node with extensive reactive changes. Retrospectively, the atypical epithelioid cells on touch preparation corresponded to reactive histiocytes. This is the first case report of a rapidly enlarging ruptured squamous inclusion cyst in an axillary lymph node following core needle biopsy. Our case demonstrates the diagnostic challenges related to a ruptured squamous inclusion cyst and serves to inform the readers to consider this lesion in the differential diagnosis for similar situations.
Polyvinylchloride‐Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites: Thermal and Spectroscopic Properties
Authors: Chipara Mircea , Cruz Jessica , Vega Edgar R. , Alarcon Jorge , Mion Thomas , Chipara Dorina Magdalena , Ibrahim Elamin , Tidrow Steven C. , Hui David
Published: April 2012

Nanocomposites of single‐walled carbon nanotubes dispersed within polyvinylchloride have been obtained by using the solution path. High‐power sonication was utilized to achieve a good dispersion of carbon nanotubes. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that during the synthesis, processing, or thermal analysis of these nanocomposites the released chlorine is functionalizing the single‐walled carbon nanotubes. The loading of polyvinylchloride by single‐walled carbon nanotubes increases the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, demonstrating the interactions between macromolecular chains and filler. Wide Angle X‐Ray Scattering data suggested a drop of the crystallite size and of the degree of crystallinity as the concentration of single‐walled carbon nanotubes is increased. The in situ chlorination and amorphization of nanotube during the synthesis (sonication step) is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.
Cubic‐to‐Tetragonal Phase Transitions in Ag–Cu Nanorods
Authors: Delogu Francesco , Mascia Michele
Published: April 2012

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the structural behavior of nanorods with square cross section. The nanorods consist of pure Ag and Cu phases or of three Ag and Cu domains in the sequence Ag–Cu–Ag or Cu–Ag–Cu. Ag and Cu domains are separated by coherent interfaces. Depending on the side length and the size of individual domains, Ag and Cu can undergo a transition from the usual face‐centered cubic structure to a body‐centered tetragonal one. Such transition can involve the whole nanorod, or only the Ag domains. In the latter case, the transition is accompanied by a loss of coherency at the Ag–Cu interfaces, with a consequent release of elastic energy. The observed behaviors are connected with the stresses developed at the nanorod surfaces.
Induction of Oxidative Stress in Kidney
Authors: Ozbek Emin
Published: April 2012

Oxidative stress has a critical role in the pathophysiology of several kidney diseases, and many complications of these diseases are mediated by oxidative stress, oxidative stress-related mediators, and inflammation. Several systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia; infection; antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and radiocontrast agents; and environmental toxins, occupational chemicals, radiation, smoking, as well as alcohol consumption induce oxidative stress in kidney. We searched the literature using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google scholar with “oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, oxygen free radicals, kidney, renal injury, nephropathy, nephrotoxicity, and induction”. The literature search included only articles written in English language. Letters or case reports were excluded. Scientific relevance, for clinical studies target populations, and study design, for basic science studies full coverage of main topics, are eligibility criteria for articles used in this paper.
Tuning PID Controller Using Multiobjective Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Chiha Ibtissem , Liouane Noureddine , Borne Pierre
Published: April 2012

This paper treats a tuning of PID controllers method using multiobjective ant colony optimization. The design objective was to apply the ant colony algorithm in the aim of tuning the optimum solution of the PID controllers (Kp,Ki, andKd) by minimizing the multiobjective function. The potential of using multiobjective ant algorithms is to identify the Pareto optimal solution. The other methods are applied to make comparisons between a classic approach based on the “Ziegler-Nichols” method and a metaheuristic approach based on the genetic algorithms. Simulation results demonstrate that the new tuning method using multiobjective ant colony optimization has a better control system performance compared with the classic approach and the genetic algorithms.
Laparoscopic Resection of a Gastric Plasma Cell Granuloma: A Case Report
Authors: Horn Christopher , Jones Huw G. , Leopold Gareth , Mainwaring Anna , Rasheed Ashraf
Published: April 2012

Plasma cell granuloma, also known as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour or inflammatory pseudotumour, is a nonneoplastic process characterized by an unregulated growth of inflammatory cells. It most commonly occurs in the lung and upper respiratory tract, and only six other cases of gastric plasma cell granuloma exist. There are no other cases of intragastric laparoscopic resection of this type of lesion. Here, we present a case of a 60-year-old gentleman who had gradual onset epigastric discomfort and was thought to have a gastrointestinal stromal tumour on gastroscopy. Subsequent imaging and laparoscopic transgastric resection of the lesion confirmed the presence of a plasma cell granuloma. We discuss the aetiologies, presentation, investigation, and treatment of this rare disorder and make recommendations on the management.
Cardiovascular Benefits of GLP-1-BasedTherapies in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: Effects on Endothelial and Vascular Dysfunction beyond Glycemic Control
Authors: Forst Thomas , Weber Matthias M. , Pfützner Andreas
Published: April 2012

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive multisystemic disease accompanied by vascular dysfunction and a tremendous increase in cardiovascular mortality. Numerous adipose-tissue-derived factors and beta cell dysfunction contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with T2DM. Nowadays, numerous pharmacological interventions are available to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Beside more or less comparable glucose lowering efficacy, some of them have shown limited or probably even unfavorable effects on the cardiovascular system and overall mortality. Recently, incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-IV inhibitors) have been introduced in the treatment of T2DM. Beside the effects of GLP-1 on insulin secretion, glucagon secretion, and gastrointestinal motility, recent studies suggested a couple of direct cardiovascular effects of GLP-1-based therapies. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview about the current knowledge of direct GLP-1 effects on endothelial and vascular function and potential consequences on the cardiovascular outcome in patients with T2DM treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists or DPP-IV inhibitors.
Generation of Atomic Optical Lattices by Dammann Gratings
Authors: Ji Xianming , Xu Shuwu , Gu Songbo
Published: April 2012

We first calculated the diffraction intensity distributions of the Dammann gratings illuminated by Gaussian light wave. The empirical equations were deduced by numerical calculations to calculate the parameters, such as the spatial period, the maximum intensity, and the maximum intensity gradient, of the optical trap array composed by a set of Dammann gratings and a focus lens. Thus, a novel type of optical trap array for trapping cold atoms (or molecules) was proposed and its features were discussed. The results showed the optical trap array with very short period could be generated. High optical dipole potential could be presented so as to have strong attractive force to the atoms to form atomic optical lattices of high lattice density. Compared with the optical lattices formed by standing wave interferences of CO2 laser, there are many unique advantages of which are formed by Dammann gratings.
A Review: Carbon Nanotube-Based Piezoresistive Strain Sensors
Authors: Obitayo Waris , Liu Tao
Published: April 2012

The use of carbon nanotubes for piezoresistive strain sensors has acquired significant attention due to its unique electromechanical properties. In this comprehensive review paper, we discussed some important aspects of carbon nanotubes for strain sensing at both the nanoscale and macroscale. Carbon nanotubes undergo changes in their band structures when subjected to mechanical deformations. This phenomenon makes them applicable for strain sensing applications. This paper signifies the type of carbon nanotubes best suitable for piezoresistive strain sensors. The electrical resistivities of carbon nanotube thin film increase linearly with strain, making it an ideal material for a piezoresistive strain sensor. Carbon nanotube composite films, which are usually fabricated by mixing small amounts of single-walled or multiwalled carbon nanotubes with selected polymers, have shown promising characteristics of piezoresistive strain sensors. Studies also show that carbon nanotubes display a stable and predictable voltage response as a function of temperature.
Pile Group Protection with Riprap Mattress
Authors: Chreties Christian , Teixeira Luis , Simarro Gonzalo
Published: April 2012

New experimental data on plan dimensions for riprap mattresses used in pile group protection against edge failure are analyzed. The influence of flow conditions and the distance between piles in plan dimensions of riprap mattresses are addressed. An alternative methodology for the experimental study of edge failure in pile groups is proposed and verified, significantly reducing the duration of tests (from several days to a few hours) and yielding similar results. For the pile group configuration tested, a design expression for minimum riprap width is obtained. The influence of the distance between the piles on the width of riprap dimensions is shown to be small, and the proposed expression compares well with some of the expressions for single piers found in the literature.
Asymptomatic Intracorneal Graphite Deposits following Graphite Pencil Injury
Authors: Philip Swetha Sara , John Deepa , John Sheeja Susan
Published: April 2012

Reports of graphite pencil lead injuries to the eye are rare. Although graphite is considered to remain inert in the eye, it has been known to cause severe inflammation and damage to ocular structures. We report a case of a 12-year-old girl with intracorneal graphite foreign bodies following a graphite pencil injury.
Wood-Burning Device Changeout: Modeling the Impact on PM2.5Concentrations in a Remote Subarctic Urban Nonattainment Area
Authors: Tran Huy N. Q. , Mölders Nicole
Published: April 2012

The effects of exchanging noncertified with certified wood-burning devices on the 24h-average PM2.5concentrations in the nonattainment area of Fairbanks, Alaska, in a cold season (October to March) were investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model inline coupled with a chemistry package. Even changing out only 2930 uncertified woodstoves and 90 outdoor wood boilers reduced the 24 h-average PM2.5concentrations on average by 0.6 μg.m−3(6%) and avoided seven out of 55 simulated exceedance days during this half-a-year. The highest reductions on any exceedance day ranged between 1.7 and 2.8 μg.m−3. The relative response factors obtained were consistently relatively low (~0.95) for all PM2.5species and all months. Sensitivity studies suggest that the assessment of the benefits of a wood-burning device changeout program in avoiding exceedances heavily relies on the accuracy of the estimates on how many wood-burning devices exist that can be exchanged.
On the Solutions of a General System of Difference Equations
Authors: Elsayed E. M. , El-Dessoky M. M. , Alotaibi Abdullah
Published: April 2012

We deal with the solutions of the systems of the difference equations xn+1 = 1/xn−pyn−p, yn+1 = xn−pyn−p/xn−qyn−q, and xn+1 = 1/xn−pyn−pzn−p, yn+1 = xn−pyn−pzn−p/xn−qyn−qzn−q, zn+1 = xn−qyn−qzn−q/xn−ryn−rzn−r, with a nonzero real numbers initial conditions. Also, the periodicity of the general system of k variables will be considered.
Nearly Radical Quadratic Functional Equations in p‐2‐Normed Spaces
Authors: Gordji M. Eshaghi , Khodaei H. , Ebadian A. , Kim G. H.
Published: April 2012

We establish some stability results in 2‐normed spaces for the radical quadratic functional equation and then use subadditive functions to prove its stability in p‐2‐normed spaces.
Manual and Electroacupuncture for Labour Pain: Study Design of a Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vixner Linda , Mårtensson Lena B. , Stener-Victorin Elisabet , Schytt Erica
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Results from previous studies on acupuncture for labour pain are contradictory and lack important information on methodology. However, studies indicate that acupuncture has a positive effect on women’s experiences of labour pain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different acupuncture stimulations, manual or electrical stimulation, compared with standard care in the relief of labour pain as the primary outcome. This paper will present in-depth information on the design of the study, following the CONSORT and STRICTA recommendations.Methods. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial based on western medical theories. Nulliparous women with normal pregnancies admitted to the delivery ward after a spontaneous onset of labour were randomly allocated into one of three groups: manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or standard care. Sample size calculation gave 101 women in each group, including a total of 303 women. A Visual Analogue Scale was used for assessing pain every 30 minutes for five hours and thereafter every hour until birth. Questionnaires were distributed before treatment, directly after the birth, and at one day and two months postpartum. Blood samples were collected before and after the first treatment. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01197950.
CdSe Quantum Dots for Solar Cell Devices
Authors: Kashyout A. B. , Soliman Hesham M. A. , Fathy Marwa , Gomaa E. A. , Zidan Ali A.
Published: April 2012

CdSe quantum dots have been prepared with different sizes and exploited as inorganic dye to sensitize a wide bandgap TiO2thin films for QDs solar cells. The synthesis is based on the pyrolysis of organometallic reagents by injection into a hot coordinating solvent. This provides temporally discrete nucleation and permits controlled growth of macroscopic quantities of nanocrystallites. XRD, HRTEM, UV-visible, and PL were used to characterize the synthesized quantum dots. The results showed CdSe quantum dots with sizes ranging from 3 nm to 6 nm which enabled the control of the optical properties and consequently the solar cell performance. Solar cell of 0.08% performance under solar irradiation with a light intensity of 100 mW/cm2has been obtained. CdSe/TiO2solar cells without and with using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as a linker between CdSe and TiO2particles despite aVocof 428 mV,Jscof 0.184 mAcm-2, FF of 0.57, andηof 0.05% but with linker despite aVocof 543 mV,Jscof 0.318 mAcm-2, FF of 0.48, andηof 0.08%, respectively.
Bronchoalveolar Activation of Coagulation and Inhibition of Fibrinolysis during Ventilator-Associated Lung Injury
Authors: Schultz M. J. , Determann R. M. , Royakkers A. A. N. M. , Wolthuis E. K. , Korevaar J. C. , Levi M. M.
Published: April 2012

Background and Objective. Bronchoalveolar coagulopathy is a characteristic feature of pulmonary inflammation. We compared bronchoalveolar and systemic levels of coagulation in patients who did and patients who did not develop ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI).Methods. Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of lower tidal volumes versus conventional tidal volumes in patients without acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome at the onset of mechanical ventilation.Results. Ten patients with VALI and 10 random control patients without lung injury during the course of mechanical ventilation, but all ventilated with conventional tidal volumes, were compared. Patients who developed VALI showed both bronchoalveolar activation of coagulation (increase in thrombin–antithrombin complex levelsP<0.001versus baseline) and inhibition of fibrinolysis (decline in plasminogen activator activityP<0.001versus baseline). The later seemed to be dependent on higher levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (P=0.001versus baseline). Patients who developed VALI also showed elevated systemic thrombin-antithrombin complex levels and decreased systemic plasminogen activator activity levels.Conclusions. VALI is characterized by bronchoalveolar coagulopathy. Systemic and bronchoalveolar coagulopathy at the onset of mechanical ventilation may be a risk factor for developing VALI in patients ventilated with conventional tidal volumes.