bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Feasibility of Exercise‐Based A‐V Interval Optimization for Cardiac Resynchronization: A Pilot Study
Authors: CHOUDHURI INDRAJIT , MACCARTER DEAN , SHAW RACHAEL , ANDERSON STEVE , ST. CYR JOHN , NIAZI IMRAN
Published: July 2014

Background

One‐third of eligible patients fail to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Current methods to “optimize” the atrio‐ventricular (A‐V) interval are performed at rest, which may limit its efficacy during daily activities. We hypothesized that low‐intensity cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) could identify the most favorable physiologic combination of specific gas exchange parameters reflecting pulmonary blood flow or cardiac output, stroke volume, and left atrial pressure to guide determination of the optimal A‐V interval.

Methods

We assessed relative feasibility of determining the optimal A‐V interval by three methods in 17 patients who underwent optimization of CRT: (1) resting echocardiographic optimization (the Ritter method), (2) resting electrical optimization (intrinsic A‐V interval and QRS duration), and (3) during low‐intensity, steady‐state CPX. Five sequential, incremental A‐V intervals were programmed in each method. Assessment of cardiopulmonary stability and potential influence on the CPX‐based method were assessed.

Results

CPX and determination of a physiological optimal A‐V interval was successfully completed in 94.1% of patients, slightly higher than the resting echo‐based approach (88.2%). There was a wide variation in the optimal A‐V delay determined by each method. There was no observed cardiopulmonary instability or impact of the implant procedure that affected determination of the CPX‐based optimized A‐V interval.

Conclusions

Determining optimized A‐V intervals by CPX is feasible. Proposed mechanisms explaining this finding and long‐term impact require further study.
The oldest mammals from Antarctica, early Eocene of the La Meseta Formation, Seymour Island
Authors: Gelfo Javier N. , Mörs Thomas , Lorente Malena , López Guillermo M. , Reguero Marcelo
Published: July 2014

New fossil mammals found at the base of Acantilados II Allomember of the La Meseta Formation, from the early Eocene (Ypresian) of Seymour Island, represent the oldest evidence of this group in Antarctica. Two specimens are here described; the first belongs to a talonid portion of a lower right molar assigned to the sparnotheriodontid litoptern Notiolofos sp. cf. N. arquinotiensis. Sparnotheriodontid were medium‐ to large‐sized ungulates, with a wide distribution in the Eocene of South America and Antarctica. The second specimen is an intermediate phalanx referred to an indeterminate Eutheria, probably a South American native ungulate. These Antarctic findings in sediments of 55.3 Ma query the minimum age needed for terrestrial mammals to spread from South America to Antarctica, which should have occurred before the final break‐up of Gondwana. This event involves the disappearance of the land bridge formed by the Weddellian Isthmus, which connected West Antarctica and southern South America from the Late Cretaceous until sometime in the earliest Palaeogene.
Threats to xylem hydraulic function of trees under ‘new climate normal’ conditions
Authors: ZWIENIECKI MACIEJ A. , SECCHI FRANCESCA
Published: July 2014

Climate models predict increases in frequency and intensity of extreme environmental conditions, such as changes to minimum and maximum temperatures, duration of drought periods, intensity of rainfall/snowfall events and wind strength. These local extremes, rather than average climatic conditions, are closely linked to woody plant survival, as trees cope with such events over long lifespans. While the xylem provides trees with structural strength and is considered the most robust part of a tree's structure, it is also the most physiologically vulnerable as tree survival depends on its ability to sustain water supply to the tree crown under variable environmental conditions. Many structural, functional and biological tree properties evolved to protect xylem from loss of transport function because of embolism or to restore xylem transport capacity following embolism formation. How ‘the new climate normal’ conditions will affect these evolved strategies is yet to be seen. Our understanding of xylem physiology and current conceptual models describing embolism formation and plant recovery from water stress, however, can provide insight into near‐future challenges that woody plants will face. In addition, knowledge of species‐specific properties of xylem function may help guide mitigation of climate change impacts on woody plants in natural and agricultural tree communities.
Civic Hackathons: Innovation, Procurement, or Civic Engagement?
Authors: Johnson Peter , Robinson Pamela
Published: July 2014

At all levels, governments around the world are moving toward the provision of open data, that is, the direct provision to citizens, the private sector, and other third parties, of raw government datasets, controlled by a relatively permissible license. In tandem with this distribution of open data is the promotion of civic hackathons, or “app contests” by government. The civic hackathon is designed to offer prize money to developers as a way to spur innovative use of open data, more specifically the creation of commercial software applications that deliver services to citizens. Within this context, we propose that the civic hackathon has the potential to act in multiple ways, possibly as a backdoor to the traditional government procurement process, and as a form of civic engagement. We move beyond much of the hype of civic hackathons, critically framing an approach to understanding civic hackathons through these two lenses. Key questions for future research emphasize the emerging, and important, nature of this research path.
Big Data and U.S. Public Policy
Authors: Stough Roger , McBride Dennis
Published: July 2014

This paper examines the growing recognition of the phenomenon called “Big Data” and the policy implications it poses. It is argued that a core policy issue is personal and organizational privacy. At the same time there is a belief that analysis of “Big Data” offers potentially to provide public sector policy makers with extensive new information that would inform policy at unprecedentedly detailed levels. Despite this potential to improve the policy‐making process data often contain individual identifiable information that would negatively impact American core values such as privacy. This makes the use of these data almost impossible. The paper recognizes that there may be a way to strip individual data from Big Data sets thereby making their analysis more policy useful. This approach is not at this time technically feasible but research is ongoing.
Eng2 Is a Component of a Dynamic Protein Complex Required for Endocytic Uptake in Fission Yeast
Authors: Encinar del Dedo Javier , Idrissi Fatima‐Zahra , Arnáiz‐Pita Yolanda , James Michael , Dueñas‐Santero Encarnación , Orellana‐Muñoz Sara , del Rey Francisco , Sirotkin Vladimir , Geli M. Isabel , Vázquez de Aldana Carlos R.
Published: July 2014

Eng2 is a glucanase required for spore release, although it is also expressed during vegetative growth, suggesting that it might play other cellular functions. Its homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Acf2 protein, previously shown to promote actin polymerization at endocytic sites in vitro, prompted us to investigate its role in endocytosis. Interestingly, depletion of Eng2 caused profound defects in endocytic uptake, which were not due to the absence of its glucanase activity. Analysis of the dynamics of endocytic proteins by fluorescence microscopy in the eng2Δ strain unveiled a previously undescribed phenotype, in which assembly of the Arp2/3 complex appeared uncoupled from the internalization of the endocytic coat and resulted in a fission defect. Strikingly also, we found that Eng2‐GFP dynamics did not match the pattern of other endocytic proteins. Eng2‐GFP localized to bright cytosolic spots that moved around the cellular poles and occasionally contacted assembling endocytic patches just before recruitment of Wsp1, the Schizosaccharomyces pombe WASP. Interestingly, Csh3‐YFP, a WASP‐interacting protein, interacted with Eng2 by co‐immunoprecipitation and was recruited to Eng2 in bright cytosolic spots. Altogether, our work defines a novel endocytic functional module, which probably couples the endocytic coat to the actin module.
Climate change and the geographies of objectivity: the case of the IPCC's burning embers diagram
Authors: Mahony Martin
Published: July 2014

The challenge of meaningfully communicating an issue like climate change has vexed those trying to convey the risks, probabilities and uncertainties of the impacts of climate‐warming greenhouse gases. This paper investigates the history of one such effort – the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) so‐called ‘burning embers’ diagram. This colourful visual rendering of global ‘reasons for concern’ has had a chequered institutional and publication history – embraced by some, rejected by others, and used by yet others to argue both for and against the reality of a global threshold where climate change becomes ‘dangerous’. Through interviews and documentary analysis I reconstruct the production and circulation of this diagram in the cultural circuits of climate science, policy and advocacy. I suggest that the notion of ‘objectivity’ is spatial in origin, concerned with distance and visual perspective. As a practice and performance, objectivity is also found to be situated within particular cultural and political formations. In applying these arguments to the history of the burning embers, I narrate a geography of objectivity concerning the visual composition of particular subject–object relations, and of contestation over the practice and objectivity of ‘expert judgement’ as the diagram circulates and encounters actors with diverse interpretive commitments and political objectives. Although excluded from the IPCC's 2007 report after governmental objections, the diagram has continued to haunt climate change debates. I suggest in closing that geographers of science pay greater attention to the visual image and to how norms of scientific conduct are performed and contested through the production, circulation and reception of visual knowledge. This would in turn enable geographers of science to supplement the interest in circulating knowledges with insights into situated interpretations of the meaning of science itself.
Role of molybdenum oxide for organic electronics: Surface analytical studies
Authors: Wang Chenggong , Irfan Irfan , Liu Xiaoliang , Gao Yongli
Published: July 2014

Extensive studies have been conducted on molybdenum oxide since it has outstanding properties as an insertion layer for efficient charge injection and extraction in organic semiconductor devices. Efficient charge transfer at semiconductor and electrode interface is one of the most crucial issues for the performance of organic electronic device. A lot of efforts have been spent to address this issue, but there are still many unclarified issues to understand the physical mechanisms. In this review, the authors summarize surface analytical investigations on the mechanisms that govern the effectiveness of the insertion layer. Measurement results on the electronic structure, composition, and morphology are presented. It is found that the high work function of MoOx is the dominant factor for the device performance improvement. Compromising environmental effects and methods to recover or prevent such effects are described. Finally, the criteria for MoOx insertion layer to be effective are provided by comparing the work function of MoOx and the ionization potential of organic semiconductors.
Audiovisual training is better than auditory-only training for auditory-only speech-in-noise identification
Authors: Lidestam Björn , Moradi Shahram , Pettersson Rasmus , Ricklefs Theodor
Published: July 2014

The effects of audiovisual versus auditory training for speech-in-noise identification were examined in 60 young participants. The training conditions were audiovisual training, auditory-only training, and no training (n = 20 each). In the training groups, gated consonants and words were presented at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio; stimuli were either audiovisual or auditory-only. The no-training group watched a movie clip without performing a speech identification task. Speech-in-noise identification was measured before and after the training (or control activity). Results showed that only audiovisual training improved speech-in-noise identification, demonstrating superiority over auditory-only training.
RBCs: Repurposed and Refurbished
Authors: Kolandaivelu Kumaran
Published: July 2014

A new method of stably modifying red blood cells enhances their potential for diagnostic and therapeutic drug delivery applications.
Using Mutant IDH1 to Arm the Immune System in Cancer
Authors: Lathia Justin D.
Published: July 2014

A new antitumor vaccine targets mutant IDH1.
Environmentally extended comparison table of large- versus small- and medium-scale fisheries: the case of the Peruvian anchoveta fleet
Authors: Fréon Pierre , Avadí Angel , Soto Wilbert Marin , Negrón Richard
Published: July 2014

Literature on small-scale fisheries usually depicts them as preferable over large-scale–industrial fisheries regarding societal benefits (jobs, jobs per investment) and relative fuel efficiency (e.g., Thomson 1980 ). We propose an environmentally extended Thomson table for comparing the Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) fleets of purse seiners, backed up by methodological information and augmented with life cycle assessment (LCA)-based environmental performance information, as a more comprehensive device for comparing fleets competing for the same resource pool. Findings from LCA and a previous study on the anchoveta steel fleet together allowed characterizing the whole Peruvian anchoveta fishery. These results, along with socio-economic indicators, are used to build an environmentally extended Thomson table of the fleet’s main segments: the steel industrial, the wooden industrial, and the wooden small- and medium-scale (SMS) fleets. In contrast with the world figure, the Peruvian SMS fleets show a fuel performance nearly two times worse than the industrial fleets, due to economies of scale of the latter (although the small-scale segment itself (<10 m3) performs similarly to the industrial steel fleet). Furthermore, the absolute number of jobs provided by the industrial fisheries is much larger in Peru than those provided by the SMS fisheries. This is due to the relatively larger development of the industrial fishery, but as in previous studies, the SMS fleets generate more employment per tonne landed than the industrial fleet, as well as more food fish and less discards at sea.
Delamination Assessment in Structures Made of Composites Based on General Signal Correlation
Authors: Trendafilova Irina , Palazzetti Roberto , Zucchelli Andrea
Published: July 2014

This paper considers a vibration-based damage assessment approach which is based on the general idea for signal cross-correlation. Here the method is demonstrated and validated on a composite laminate beam and it is applied for the purposes of delamination assessment in composite structures. The method uses two measures of cross-correlation between two vibration signals measured in different points on the structure in order to diagnose the delamination. The linear cross-correlation as well as a new measure for nonlinear cross-correlation, the mutual information, are introduced and applied for the purposes of delamination assessment. The delamination assessment is based on the comparison of the measures for the healthy and the damaged state of the structure. In this study, the method is applied using the free decay responses of the beam. Two delamination indices are introduced and they are used for the purposes of delamination detection and localization.
An improved preprocessing algorithm for haplotype inference by pure parsimony
Authors: Choi Mun-Ho , Kang Seung-Ho , Lim Hyeong-Seok
Published: July 2014

The identification of haplotypes, which encode SNPs in a single chromosome, makes it possible to perform a haplotype-based association test with disease. Given a set of genotypes from a population, the process of recovering the haplotypes, which explain the genotypes, is called haplotype inference (HI). We propose an improved preprocessing method for solving the haplotype inference by pure parsimony (HIPP), which excludes a large amount of redundant haplotypes by detecting some groups of haplotypes that are dispensable for optimal solutions. The method uses only inclusion relations between groups of haplotypes but dramatically reduces the number of candidate haplotypes; therefore, it causes the computational time and memory reduction of real HIPP solvers. The proposed method can be easily coupled with a wide range of optimization methods which consider a set of candidate haplotypes explicitly. For the simulated and well-known benchmark datasets, the experimental results show that our method coupled with a classical exact HIPP solver run much faster than the state-of-the-art solver and can solve a large number of instances that were so far unaffordable in a reasonable time.
A Facile Strategy for In Situ Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin with a pH-Sensitive Injectable Hydrogel
Authors: Chen Jun , Li Xiaojian , Gao Liqian , Hu Yi , Zhong Wen , Xing Malcolm MQ
Published: July 2014

In light of the challenges along with the traditional intravenous administration of chemotherapeutics, injectable hydrogel-drug system emerges as a powerful tool for noninvasive and in situ controlled-release of drugs. Herein, we report a novel strategy of drug delivery system with pH responsive injectable hydrogels by taking advantages of two biomaterials. The first one is a pH sensitive polymer-drug (prodrug) conjugate, poly (ethylene glycol)–doxorubicin (MPEG–DOX) with hydrazone linkage. This prodrug interacted with a second biomaterial, α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) under mild conditions and subsequently formed the hydrogels in minutes with tunable stiffness. The gels showed a sustained release behavior dependent on the surrounding pH and released drugs effectively killed tumor cells (MCF-7). The quick cell uptake and efficient intracellular delivery of DOX were observed under a confocal microscope. This study thus provides a novel and simple drug encapsulation strategy to deliver poorly soluble drugs in situ for a potential targeted chemotherapy.
Inhaled Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: A Review of Their Pulmonary Responses with Particular Focus on the Agglomeration State
Authors: Noël Alexandra , Truchon Ginette
Published: July 2014

Nanotechnology represents major scientific and economic issues for the future. TiO 2 is used as a reference nanoparticle (NP) for research and workplace exposure assessments due to its important industrial production. However, to date little consistent information exists about its human health effects. Approximately 50% of all TiO 2in vivo studies targeting the respiratory tract have been by inhalation and these exposures are often in the form of agglomerates rather than as individual NPs. Therefore, the size of the NP agglomerates represents the effective size interacting with the biological material and could thereby influence the NP mechanisms of action. Thus, interpretation of nanotoxicological data without considering the agglomeration state could partly explain the heterogeneous results found in the scientific literature for TiO 2 NPs. The objective of this review is to examine the literature concerning the importance of TiO 2 aerosol characterization in the assessment of pulmonary toxicity in rodents. In this way, this review reveals that the pulmonary responses following inhalation of TiO 2 NPs might not depend solely on the primary NP size, but also on the crystal phase, the NP agglomerate size, its structure and the mass concentration. It also shows that TiO 2 NPs may exert their toxicity mechanisms specifically because of the size of their agglomerates in aerosols, thus supporting the concept that aerosols composed essentially of small (< 100 nm) or large (> 100 nm) NP agglomerates do not seem to follow the same pulmonary toxicity mechanisms.
Circuit Models and Experimental Noise Measurements of Micropipette Amplifiers for Extracellular Neural Recordings from Live Animals
Authors: Chen Chang Hao , Pun Sio Hang , Mak Peng Un , Vai Mang I , Klug Achim , Lei Tim C.
Published: July 2014

Glass micropipettes are widely used to record neural activity from single neurons or clusters of neurons extracellularly in live animals. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive study of noise in extracellular recordings with glass micropipettes. The purpose of this work was to assess various noise sources that affect extracellular recordings and to create model systems in which novel micropipette neural amplifier designs can be tested. An equivalent circuit of the glass micropipette and the noise model of this circuit, which accurately describe the various noise sources involved in extracellular recordings, have been developed. Measurement schemes using dead brain tissue as well as extracellular recordings from neurons in the inferior colliculus, an auditory brain nucleus of an anesthetized gerbil, were used to characterize noise performance and amplification efficacy of the proposed micropipette neural amplifier. According to our model, the major noise sources which influence the signal to noise ratio are the intrinsic noise of the neural amplifier and the thermal noise from distributed pipette resistance. These two types of noise were calculated and measured and were shown to be the dominating sources of background noise forin vivoexperiments.
Bicondylar Hoffa Fracture Successfully Treated with Headless Compression Screws
Authors: Lee Sang Yang , Niikura Takahiro , Iwakura Takashi , Sakai Yoshitada , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kurosaka Masahiro
Published: July 2014

Bicondylar coronal plane fracture, eponymically named Hoffa fractures, is an extremely rare injury. We present a case of isolated unilateral bicondylar Hoffa fracture that was successfully treated with open reduction and internal fixation using headless compression screws with satisfactory results. We inserted posteroanteriorly oriented Acutrak screws perpendicular to the fracture plane via lateral parapatellar arthrotomy, which provided excellent compression across the fracture.
Forest Sustainability in North Lebanon: A Challenging Complexity in a Changing Environment
Authors: El-Hajj Rita , Al-Jawhary Dalia , Moukaddem Tala , Khater Carla
Published: July 2014

Forests sustainability is a challenging task in a complex socioeconomic context. North Lebanon is a critical zone harboring forests of key ecological value and is one of the most deprived regions in Lebanon with high poverty rates, where forests are heavily impacted by unsustainable anthropogenic practices. In the global frame of climate change scenarios, this paper tests a multistakeholder, multidisciplinary approach for forest management, combining a joint participatory methodology with stakeholders along with field ecological surveys in the upper Akkar watershed (north Lebanon). A set of participatory tools including stakeholder’s analysis, problem tree, objective tree, and scenario building are tailored to reach this goal. Results exhibit that forest management is not only related to forestsper sebut also very much linked to the surrounding socioeconomic situation. Involving not only strict silviculture interventions but also a definite consideration of community needs and local economy, the adoption of a multitool, multidisciplinary, multistakeholder approach combines all possible aspects of a challenging context and unfolds complementary processes which all feed back into one target. Yet, it is a time-consuming process, which can easily drown financial and temporal resources and which can sometimes raise unrealistic expectations that are difficult to meet.
How Aortic Stiffness in Postmenopausal Women Is Related to Common Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Maiello Maria , Zito Annapaola , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Palmiero Pasquale
Published: July 2014

Objective.Our study investigates major common cardiovascular risk factors relation with aortic stiffness on 269 postmenopausal women by global pulse wave velocity (PWVg), useful to relate PWVg to risk of major cardiovascular events.Patients and Methods.Women were categorized as hypertensive (H), hypercholesterolemic (C), or diabetic (D). Aortic stiffness was assessed by PWVg measured with pulsed Doppler, at the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and at the right common femoral artery.Results.All population mean PWVg was 8.2 m/s. 85 (26.5%) women were H; mean PWVg was 7.9 m/s. HC women were 118 (36.7%), with mean PWVg 8.3 m/s. HD women were 30 (9.5%), with mean PWVg 7.8 m/s. HDC women were 36 (11.2%), with mean PWVg 9.3 m/s. 52 (16.1%) menstruate women without risk factor were control group (CG), with mean PWVg 6.5 m/s. Highly significant was the statistical difference in PWVg between HDC women and each other group:P<0.0005versus CG;P<0.01versus H;P<0.03versus HC, andP<0.05versus HD. No difference in PWG was observed comparing the other groups. There was difference for age among all groups, except for CG, made by younger women.Conclusion.PWVg was highly increased in postmenopausal women affected by hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia all at once. Hypertension is the major determinant for PWVg. The only addition of diabetes or hypercholesterolemia did not increase significantly PWVg. Our study supports the usefulness of the assessment of aortic stiffness as a marker of cardiovascular disease.
Tribbles 3 Regulates the Fibrosis Cytokine TGF-β1 through ERK1/2-MAPK Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Luwei , Zhang Jinhang , Liu Xinnong , Liu Shengli , Tian Jun
Published: July 2014

To reveal the expression and possible role of tribbles homolog 3 (TRB3) in the incidence of type 2 diabetic nephropathy, we used immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to study the expression of TRB3, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2 MAPK), transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1), and collagen type IV in kidneys of db/db diabetic mice and in murine renal mesangial cells stimulated with high glucose. The expression of TRB3, TGF-β1, and collagen type IV was increased in kidneys of db/db diabetic mice. TGF-β1 and collagen type IV regulated by high glucose through ERK1/2 MAPK were downregulated by silencing TRB3 in renal mesangial cells. TRB3 may be involved in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the fibrosis cytokine TGF-β1 and collagen type IV through the ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Protein Adsorption on Energetically Heterogeneous Surfaces
Authors: Danwanichakul Panu
Published: July 2014

The modified triangular-well potential model was applied to incorporate the effect of surface energy on the adsorption of particles or proteins on energetically heterogeneous surfaces. The method is convenient in simulating the adsorption on heterogeneous surface of which different region possesses different free energy. Spherical particles with attractive forces were added on the surface and underwent surface diffusion before they were quenched in place. It was seen that the ratio of surface energies of two regions had to be greater than 10 in order to simulate the adsorption in which the particles were selectively adsorbed on a favorable area. At a fixed ratio of surface energies, the obtained structures were similar. If the ratio was less than 10, the probability of adsorption on any site on the surface was not much different so the adsorption would be homogeneous adsorption. The method, thus, could be applied widely to simulate the adsorption of various conditions.
Concomitant Factors Leading to an Atypical Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Miranda-Rius Jaume , Brunet-Llobet Lluís , Lahor-Soler Eduard , Giménez-Rubio Josep Anton
Published: July 2014

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a site specific osseous pathology, characterized by chronic exposed bone in the mouth, which needs to be reinforced periodically within the medical literature. ONJ is a clinical entity with many possible aetiologies and its pathogenesis is not well understood. The risk factors for ONJ include bisphosphonates treatments, head and neck radiotherapy, dental procedures involving bone surgery, and trauma. Management of ONJ has centred on efforts to eliminate or reduce severity of symptoms, to slow or prevent the progression of disease, and to eradicate diseased bone. This case describes a rare case of ONJ in a 64-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with multiple myeloma stage III. The lesion was related to a traumatic injury during mastication. Eighteen months ago in the same area the molar 37 was extracted, achieving a complete satisfactory healing, when only 2 doses of zoledronic acid had been administered.Actinomycesbacterial aggregates were also identified in the microscopic analysis. The management of this osteonecrotic lesion included antibiotic treatment and chlorhexidine topical gel administration. The evolution was monitored every two weeks until patient’s death. The authors provide a discussion of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. This case report may shed light on the controversies about concomitant factors and mechanisms inducing ONJ.
LeopardPanthera pardus fuscaDensity in the Seasonally Dry, Subtropical Forest in the Bhabhar of Terai Arc, Nepal
Authors: Thapa Kanchan , Shrestha Rinjan , Karki Jhamak , Thapa Gokarna Jung , Subedi Naresh , Pradhan Narendra Man Babu , Dhakal Maheshwar , Khanal Pradeep , Kelly Marcella J.
Published: July 2014

We estimated leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) abundance and density in the Bhabhar physiographic region in Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. The camera trap grid, covering sampling area of 289 km2with 88 locations, accumulated 1,342 trap nights in 64 days in the winter season of 2008-2009 and photographed 19 individual leopards. Using models incorporating heterogeneity, we estimated 28 (±SE 6.07) and 29.58 (±SE 10.44) leopards in Programs CAPTURE and MARK. Density estimates via 1/2 MMDM methods were 5.61 (±SE 1.30) and 5.93 (±SE 2.15) leopards per 100 km2using abundance estimates from CAPTURE and MARK, respectively. Spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) models resulted in lower density estimates, 3.78 (±SE 0.85) and 3.48 (±SE 0.83) leopards per 100 km2, in likelihood based program DENSITY and Bayesian based program SPACECAP, respectively. The 1/2 MMDM methods have been known to provide much higher density estimates than SECR modelling techniques. However, our SECR models resulted in high leopard density comparable to areas considered better habitat in Nepal indicating a potentially dense population compared to other sites. We provide the first density estimates for leopards in the Bhabhar and a baseline for long term population monitoring of leopards in Parsa Wildlife Reserve and across the Terai Arc.
Algebraic Numbers Satisfying Polynomials with Positive Rational Coefficients
Authors: Laohakosol Vichian , Tadee Suton
Published: July 2014

A theorem of Dubickas, affirming a conjecture of Kuba, states that a nonzero algebraic number is a root of a polynomial f with positive rational coefficients if and only if none of its conjugates is a positive real number. A certain quantitative version of this result, yielding a growth factor for the coefficients of f similar to the condition of the classical Eneström-Kakeya theorem of such polynomial, is derived. The bound for the growth factor so obtained is shown to be sharp for some particular classes of algebraic numbers.
Oral Administration of Herbal Mixture Extract Inhibits 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Kim Soon Re , Choi Han-Seok , Seo Hye Sook , Ku Jin Mo , Hong Se Hyang , Yoo Hye Hyun , Shin Yong Cheol , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: July 2014

CP001 is four traditional herbal medicine mixtures with anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of oral administration of CP001 ethanol extract on the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene- (DNCB-) induced AD mouse models. For that purpose, we observed the effects of oral administration of CP001 on skin inflammatory cell infiltration, skin mast cells, production of serum IgE, and expression of Th2 cytokine mRNA in the AD skin lesions of DNCB treated BALB/c mice. Histological analyses demonstrated that CP001 decreased dermis and epidermis thickening as well as dermal infiltration induced by inflammatory cells. In addition, CP001 decreased mast cell infiltration in count as well as dermal infiltration induced by inflammatory cells. In the skin lesions, mRNA expression of interleukin- (IL-) 4 and IL-13 was inhibited by CP001. CP001 also reduced the production of IgE level in mouse plasma. In addition, we investigated the effect of CP001 on the inflammatory allergic reaction using human mast cells (HMC-1). In HMC-1, cytokine production and mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-13, IL-6, and IL-8 were suppressed by CP001. Taken together, our results showed that oral administration of CP001 exerts beneficial effects in AD symptoms, suggesting that CP001 might be a useful candidate for the treatment of AD.
Existence and Asymptotic Stability of Solutions of a Functional Integral Equation via a Consequence of Sadovskii’s Theorem
Authors: Chlebowicz Agnieszka , Darwish Mohamed Abdalla , Sadarangani Kishin
Published: July 2014

Using the technique of measures of noncompactness and, in particular, a consequence of Sadovskii’s fixed point theorem, we prove a theorem about the existence and asymptotic stability of solutions of a functional integral equation. Moreover, in order to illustrate our results, we include one example and compare our results with those obtained in other papers appearing in the literature.
Joint Optimal Production Planning for Complex Supply Chains Constrained by Carbon Emission Abatement Policies
Authors: He Longfei , Xu Zhaoguang , Niu Zhanwen
Published: July 2014

We focus on the joint production planning of complex supply chains facing stochastic demands and being constrained by carbon emission reduction policies. We pick two typical carbon emission reduction policies to research how emission regulation influences the profit and carbon footprint of a typical supply chain. We use the input-output model to capture the interrelated demand link between an arbitrary pair of two nodes in scenarios without or with carbon emission constraints. We design optimization algorithm to obtain joint optimal production quantities combination for maximizing overall profit under regulatory policies, respectively. Furthermore, numerical studies by featuring exponentially distributed demand compare systemwide performances in various scenarios. We build the “carbon emission elasticity of profit (CEEP)” index as a metric to evaluate the impact of regulatory policies on both chainwide emissions and profit. Our results manifest that by facilitating the mandatory emission cap in proper installation within the network one can balance well effective emission reduction and associated acceptable profit loss. The outcome that CEEP index when implementing Carbon emission tax is elastic implies that the scale of profit loss is greater than that of emission reduction, which shows that this policy is less effective than mandatory cap from industry standpoint at least.
Performance Assessment of Sintered Metal Fiber Filters in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit
Authors: Yang Liang , Ji Zhongli , Xu Qiaoqi , Li Hao
Published: July 2014

A long-term test was performed in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) hot gas filtration facility using sintered metal candle filters. The operating temperature and pressure were maximum 55°C and 0.28 MPa, respectively. Specific particle sampling systems were used to measure the particle size and concentration directly at high temperature. The range of inlet particle concentration is from 150 to 165 mg/Nm3. The outlet particle concentration is in the range of 0.71–2.77 mg/Nm3in stable operation. The filtration efficiency is from 98.23% to 99.55%. The inlet volume median diameter and the outlet volume median diameter of the particle are about 1 μm and 2.2 μm, respectively. The cake thickness is calculated based on the equation of Carman-Kozeny. The effects of operating parameters including face velocity, gas cleaning pressure, pulse duration, and maximum pressure drop were investigated. The optimal operating conditions and cleaning strategies were determined. The results show that sintered metal fiber filters are suitable for industrial application due to the good performance and high efficiency observed.
Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
Authors: Minocha Vinay , Shuja Sania , Ali Robert , Eid Emely
Published: July 2014

Introduction. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a poorly differentiated neoplasm that is very rare and belongs within the poorest prognostic subgroup among primary colorectal neoplasms. Here, we describe a case of LCNEC of the rectum, which highlights the aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis associated with this disease.Case Presentation. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who presented to our hospital with a one-month history of lower abdominal pain, constipation, and weight loss. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a rectal mass as well as metastatic disease of the liver and lung. Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a fungating, ulcerated and partially obstructing rectal mass located 6 cm from the anal verge. This mass was biopsied and pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed features consistent with a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.Conclusion. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and have a significantly worse prognosis than adenocarcinomas. At diagnosis, a higher stage and metastatic disease are likely to be found. It is important to differentiate large cell, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas from adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum pathologically because patients may benefit from alternative cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens.
New Drugs on the Internet: The Case of Camfetamine
Authors: Cinosi Eduardo , Corazza Ornella , Santacroce Rita , Lupi Matteo , Acciavatti Tiziano , Martinotti Giovanni , di Giannantonio Massimo
Published: July 2014

Introduction.The number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) advertised for sale online is constantly increasing and it has become a phenomenon of global concern. Among NPS, Camfetamine has been rediscovered as recreational drug in 2011. Very little information is still available in the scientific literature on its nature and potential health risks.Methods.Data in scientific literature were integrated with a multilingual qualitative assessment of a range of online resources over the period of 32 months (May 2011–January 2014).Results.N-Methyl-3-phenyl-norbornan-2-amine (Camfetamine) may act as an indirect dopaminergic agonist in the central nervous system and may have mild-moderate opioid activity too. There are no current epidemiological data about recreational use of Camfetamine; our research shows that it is indeed used especially by individuals with a history of recreational polydrug misuse. It facilitates mental alertness, induces relaxation, and, unlike many other stimulants, seems not to be associated with severe physical effects. Valid causes for concern issued in our research may be Camfetamine intravenous or intramuscular administration as well as its use in conjunction with other psychoactive substances.Conclusions.It is here highlighted that more large-scale studies need to be carried out to confirm and better describe both the extent of Camfetamine misuse and possible psychotropic/adverse effects.
Hypoxia-Pretreated Human MSCs Attenuate Acute Kidney Injury through Enhanced Angiogenic and Antioxidative Capacities
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Liu Lirui , Huo Yanhong , Yang Yonghong , Wang Yaping
Published: July 2014

Hypoxia preconditioning has been confirmed as an effective strategy to enhance the therapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), such as for myocardial ischemia. However, whether hypoxia preconditioning would produce beneficial effects on MSC-based renal repair has not been demonstrated. In the study, we aimed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of hypoxia preconditioning to enhance MSC-based therapy of acute kidney injury (AKI). MSCs were isolated from human adipose tissues. The paracrine effects of MSCs under normoxia and hypoxia were determinedin vitro. Rats of AKI were induced by kidney I/R surgery and randomly divided into three groups: I/R control receiving PBS injection; MSC group receiving normal MSC injection; hypoMSC group receiving hypoxia-preconditioned MSC injection. It was demonstratedin vitrothat paracrine effects of MSCs were significantly enhanced, especially angiogenic factors. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining showed that antioxidative activities of MSCs were significantly enhanced by hypoxia stimulation. Vascularization, apoptosis, and histological injury were all significantly improved in hypoMSC injected group compared with that in control and MSC injected groups. Finally, the renal function was also significantly improved in hypoMSC injected group compared with that in the other two groups as assessed by the serum creatinine and BUN levels.
Robust Model Predictive Control of Networked Control Systems under Input Constraints and Packet Dropouts
Authors: Yao Deyin , Karimi Hamid Reza , Sun Yiyong , Lu Qing
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with the problem of robust model predictive control (RMPC) for a class of linear time-varying systems with constraints and data losses. We take the polytopic uncertainties into account to describe the uncertain systems. First, we design a robust state observer by using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints so that the original system state can be tracked. Second, the MPC gain is calculated by minimizing the upper bound of infinite horizon robust performance objective in terms of linear matrix inequality conditions. The method of robust MPC and state observer design is illustrated by a numerical example.
Methylamine-Sensitive Amperometric Biosensor Based on (His)6-TaggedHansenula polymorphaMethylamine Oxidase Immobilized on the Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Stasyuk Nataliya Ye. , Smutok Oleh V. , Zakalskiy Andriy E. , Zakalska Oksana M. , Gonchar Mykhailo V.
Published: July 2014

A novel methylamine-selective amperometric bienzyme biosensor based on recombinant primary amine oxidase isolated from the recombinant yeast strainSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand commercial horseradish peroxidase is described. Two amine oxidase preparations were used: free enzyme (AMO) and covalently immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AMO-nAu). Some bioanalytical parameters (sensitivity, selectivity, and storage stability) of the developed biosensors were investigated. The sensitivity for both sensors is high:1450 ± 113and700 ± 30 A−1·M−1·m−2for AMO-nAu biosensor, respectively. The biosensors exhibit the linear range from 15 μM to 150 μM (AMO-nAu) and from 15 μM to 60 μM (AMO). The developed biosensor demonstrated a good selectivity toward methylamine (MA) (signal for dimethylamine and trimethylamine is less than 5% and for ethylamine 15% compared to MA output) and reveals a satisfactory storage stability. The constructed amperometric biosensor was used for MA assay in real samples of fish products in comparison with chemical method. The values obtained with both approaches different methods demonstrated a high correlation.
Consumption of Green Coffee Reduces Blood Pressure and Body Composition by Influencing 11β-HSD1 Enzyme Activity in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Crossover Study Using Green and Black Coffee
Authors: Revuelta-Iniesta R. , Al-Dujaili E. A. S.
Published: July 2014

Dietary polyphenols may have a protective role against the development of CVD. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of green coffee (GC), rich in chlorogenic acid, and black coffee (BC) on cardiovascular markers. A randomised pilot crossover study was performed on healthy subjects who consumed both coffees for 2 weeks. We measured anthropometry, blood pressure, and arterial elasticity after each intervention and collected urine samples to monitor antioxidant capacity. Free cortisol and cortisone levels were obtained from urine and analysed by specific ELISA methods. Systolic blood pressure (P=0.018) and arterial elasticity (P=0.001) were significantly reduced after GC. BMI (P=0.04for BC;P=0.01for GC) and abdominal fat (P=0.01for BC;P=0.009for GC) were also significantly reduced with no changes in energy intake. Urinary free cortisol was significantly reduced from125.6±85.9 nmol/day to76.0±54.9 nmol/day following GC and increased to132.1±89.1 nmol/day after BC. Urinary free cortisone increased by 18% following BC and 9% following GC (nonsignificant). Cortisol/cortisone ratio (indicating 11β-HSD1 activity) was reduced after GC (from3.5±1.9to1.7±1.04,P=0.002). This suggests that GC can play a role in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. Further research including hypertensive and overweight individuals will now be justified to clarify whether GC could have a therapeutic role in CVD.
Intracochlear Fluid Pressure Changes Related to the Insertional Speed of a CI Electrode
Authors: Todt I. , Mittmann P. , Ernst A.
Published: July 2014

Introduction. To preserve residual hearing the atraumaticity of the cochlea electrode insertion has become a focus of cochlear implant research. In addition to other factors, the speed of insertion is thought to be a contributing factor in the concept of atraumatic implantation. The aim of our study was to observe intracochlear fluid pressure changes due to different insertional speeds of an implant electrode in a cochlear model.Materials and Methods. The experiments were performed using an artificial cochlear model. A linear actuator was mounted on an Advanced Bionics IJ insertional tool. The intracochlear fluid pressure was recorded through a pressure sensor which was placed in the helicotrema area. Defined insertions were randomly performed with speeds of 0.1 mm/sec, 0.25 mm/sec, 0.5 mm/sec, 1 mm/sec, and 2 mm/sec.Results. A direct correlation between speed and pressure was observed. Mean maximum values of intracochlear fluid pressure varied between 0.41 mm Hg and 1.27 mm Hg.Conclusion. We provide the first results of fluid pressure changes due to insertional speeds of CI electrodes in a cochlear model. A relationship between the insertional speed and intracochlear fluid pressure was observed. Further experiments are needed to apply these results to the in vivo situation.