bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precursor neoplastic lesions of the biliary tract
Authors: Serra Stefano
Published: July 2014

Recently, the precursor neoplastic lesions of the bile duct tract have been classified using the same criteria used to classify the preinvasive lesions of the pancreas. Flat dysplasia and dysplastic mass-forming lesions of the bile duct system are considered precursor lesions of the adenocarcinomas and are frequently associated with invasive adenocarcinoma of the bile duct tract. The incidence and the histopathology of these dysplastic lesions are variable in different geographical areas. The prognosis of non-invasive dysplastic mass-forming lesions is very good if compared with lesions associated with adenocarcinoma and with conventional adenocarcinoma of the bile tract. Here, the main features of these lesions will be reviewed.
Cronkhite–Canada syndrome six decades on: the many faces of an enigmatic disease
Authors: Slavik Tomas , Montgomery Elizabeth Anne
Published: July 2014

Cronkhite–Canada syndrome is a rare gastro-entero-colopathy of uncertain aetiology first described almost 60 years ago. It is characterised by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis sparing only the oesophagus, ectodermal abnormalities and an unpredictable but often fatal clinical course. The disease may demonstrate extremely diverse clinical and endoscopic features, which often leads to a delay in diagnosis. A high index of suspicion and recognition of the characteristic histological findings frequently facilitate a correct diagnosis, but the distribution of the gastrointestinal pathology and its microscopic features may be atypical. The pathologist thus requires a thorough knowledge of both the typical and many atypical faces of this disease, for which various documented therapies often still prove ineffective. Close correlation with clinical findings, including any pertinent ectodermal abnormalities, and careful examination of biopsies derived from polypoid and endoscopically spared mucosa will ensure a timely and correct diagnosis in patients with this enigmatic syndrome.
Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistula: imaging features with endovascular management
Authors: Mondel Prabath Kumar , Saraf Rashmi , Limaye Uday S
Published: July 2014

A 43-year-old man presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was investigated and found to have a rare posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). DAVFs of the posterior condylar canal are rare. Venous drainage of the DAVF was through a long, tortuous, and aneurysmal bridging vein. We describe the clinical presentation, cross sectional imaging, angiographic features, and endovascular management of this patient. The patient was treated by transarterial embolization of the fistula through the ascending pharyngeal artery. This is the first report of an acutely bled posterior condylar canal DAVF treated by transarterial Onyx embolization with balloon protection in the vertebral artery. The patient recovered without any neurological deficit and had an excellent outcome. On 6 month follow-up angiogram, there was stable occlusion of the dural fistula.
Additions and refinements to Sycodes glabra (Shumard, 1858), a poorly known Late Cretaceous (Campanian) marine gastropod from the northeast Pacific: taxonomic and biostratigraphic implications
Authors: Squires Richard L. , Graham Raymond
Published: July 2014

The Late Cretaceous marine gastropod Sycodes glabra (Shumard, 1858) from the northeast Pacific has been poorly known because the type, which was never figured, was lost in a fire in 1892, and the type locality was very poorly located. A neotype is selected from specimens collected by the early Canadians, geologist J. Richardson and eminent British Columbian naturalist Dr. C.F. Newcombe. Newly discovered material, as well as museum specimens, provide fundamental geologic and paleontologic information. The number of available specimens is 19, and nearly all are from submarine-fan deposits in the Upper Cretaceous Nanaimo Group exposed along the southeastern-coastal region of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and on Big Sucia Island, northwestern Washington State, with nearly half of the specimens from the latter locale. A single specimen is from northern California. This present study better establishes the type locality for S. glabra and documents this name as the senior subjective synonym of ?Ficus cypraeoides Gabb, 1864. The geologic range of S. glabra is early Campanian (Submortoniceras chicoense ammonite Zone) to early late Campanian (Metaplacenticeras cf. pacificum ammonite Zone). Sycodes seems to be a monotypic genus, but Pyrula (Protopirula) capensis Rennie, 1930, from mid-Santonian to lower Campanian strata in South Africa, might be congeneric. Sycodes is questionably assigned herein to the family Ficidae Meek, 1864, and could be the earliest known ficid.
Proportional basal area method for implementing selection silviculture systems in longleaf pine forests
Authors: Brockway Dale G. , Loewenstein Edward F. , Outcalt Kenneth W.
Published: July 2014

Proportional basal area (Pro-B) was developed as an accurate, easy-to-use method for making uneven-aged silviculture a practical management option. Following less than 3 h of training, forest staff from a range of professional backgrounds used Pro-B in an operational-scale field study to apply single-tree selection and group selection systems in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stands. Field crews achieved precision levels often within 3%–5% of the 11.5 m2·ha−1 target residual basal area. By aggregating many diameter classes into only three diameter-class groups, Pro-B improves efficiency by requiring tree markers to remember only three fractions, while making a single pass through the stand. Trees of large size, specific species and with good form, broad crowns and cavities can be retained, while adjusting spacing to release residuals. Systematic quantification of marking trees for removal enables different individuals to obtain similar results. Early observations revealed encouraging levels of pine regeneration and stand development, along with continuing good volume growth rates of 3% per year. Although less certain until one or more cutting cycles are completed, these early tests indicate that a stable mature forest structure should develop, which is characterized by the presence of large trees and natural regeneration.
Diversifying managed forests to increase resilience
Authors: Dymond Caren C. , Tedder Sinclair , Spittlehouse David L. , Raymer Brian , Hopkins Katherine , McCallion Katharine , Sandland James
Published: July 2014

In British Columbia, Canada, a recent epidemic of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) caused widespread forest mortality. This epidemic was due in part to the changing climate, and damage from pests and diseases is expected to increase in the future. Therefore, we used a historical retrospective approach as a proxy to evaluate management options on reducing the forest health damage that may occur under a future changing climate. We assessed two landscape-scale strategies, intended to increase tree species diversity, for the response in ecosystem resilience and compared the results with the business-as-usual strategy. The assessment was based on simulation modelling of the Merritt Timber Supply Area for 1980–2060. We applied a strategy to increase the harvest of the most dominant tree species, plant more diverse species, and increase natural regeneration. This strategy resulted in greater ecological resilience (higher diversity and growing stocks), higher harvest rates, and higher, more consistent net revenue over time than the business-as-usual strategy or the strategy that only employed a diversity of planting. A sensitivity analysis indicated a high level of robustness in the results. Our study showed that it may not be necessary to compromise economic viability to reduce forest health risks and consequently improve socio-ecological resilience.
Drought and flood stress tolerance of butternut (Juglans cinerea) and naturally occurring hybrids: implications for restoration
Authors: Crystal Philip A. , Jacobs Douglass F.
Published: July 2014

Efforts to restore species threatened by introduced pathogens often include breeding resistance into susceptible native species from resistant exotics, but this is a lengthy and expensive process. Naturally occurring hybrids between susceptible and resistant species may accelerate this process if they fulfill the desired species’ ecological function. To explore this possibility, we exposed the following seedlings to drought and flood treatments in a controlled environment: Juglans cinerea L. (butternut), which has been devastated by an exotic pathogen; Juglans ailantifolia Carr. var. cordiformis (heartnut); Juglans × bixbyi Rehd. [ailanthifolia × cinerea] (buartnut), multigenerational hybrids between butternut and heartnut; and Juglans nigra L. (black walnut). There was a strong taxa × treatment interaction. Butternut had a negative response to flood treatments, expressed by reduced leaf area (LA), photosynthetic assimilation (A), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). Heartnut had a negative response to drought, expressed by lower LA and A. Hybrid A and LA were reduced in response to both treatments. Results indicate that hybrid drought and flood tolerance may limit their overall ability to completely occupy the ecological niche formerly filled by butternut. However, the strong dichotomous response of progenitors to moisture stress suggests that hybrids could be efficiently screened for J. cinerea character in conjunction with disease resistance.
Global existence and explosive solution for stochastic viscoelastic wave equation with nonlinear damping
Authors: Liang Fei , Gao Hongjun
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we discuss an initial boundary value problem for the stochastic viscoelastic wave equation involving the nonlinear damping term |ut|q-2utand a source term of the type |u|p-2u. We firstly establish the local existence and uniqueness of solution by the Galerkin approximation method and an elementary measure-theoretic argument. Moreover, we also show that the solution is global for q ≥ p. Secondly, by the technique of [Existence of a solution of the wave equation with nonlinear damping and source term, J. Differential Equations 109 (1994) 295–308] with a modification in the energy functional, we prove that the local solution of the stochastic equations will blow up with positive probability or explosive in energy sense for p > q. This result extends earlier ones obtained by Liang and Gao [Explosive solutions of stochastic viscoelastic wave equations with damping, Rev. Math. Phys. 23(8) (2011) 883–902] in which only linear damping is considered. Furthermore, upon comparing our stochastic equations with their deterministic counterparts, we find that our results indicates that the presence of noise might affect the occurrence of blow-up.
Coherence and other properties of sheaves in the Kohn algorithm
Authors: Nicoara Andreea C.
Published: July 2014

In the smooth case, we prove quasi-flasqueness for the sheaves of all subelliptic multipliers as well as at each of the steps of the Kohn algorithm on a pseudoconvex domain in ℂn. We use techniques by Jean-Claude Tougeron to show that if the domain has a real-analytic defining function, the modified Kohn algorithm involving generating ideals and taking real radicals only in the ring of real-analytic germs yields quasi-coherent sheaves. This sharpens a result obtained by J. J. Kohn in 1979.
Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence by Ginsenoside Rh2
Authors: Chen Yung-Hsiang , Lin Yu-Ning , Chen Wen-Chi , Hsieh Wen-Tsong , Chen Huey-Yi
Published: July 2014

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common disorder in middle-aged women and the elderly. Although surgical treatment of SUI has progressed, there are no effective pharmacological therapies without a side effect. We studied the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 against SUI. Here, we studied the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on the contractile force of the urethra and blood vessels in an ex vivo organ bath assay. We further investigated the mechanisms and effects of Rh2 in cell culture and animal models. Ginsenoside Rh2 dose-dependently reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. In the vaginal distension (VD)-induced SUI mouse model, ginsenoside Rh2 significantly reversed the VD-induced SUI physical signs and reduced blood pressure. The modulation of several SUI-related proteins, including myosin, survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, α-adrenergic receptor 1a (AdR1a), and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), may play some crucial roles in the therapeutic approaches against SUI. In conclusion, the ginsenoside Rh2 may offer therapeutic potential against SUI.
Ocimum gratissimum is Effective in Prevention against Liver Fibrosis in Vivo and in Vitro
Authors: Chiu Yung-Wei , Chao Pei-Yu , Tsai Chin-Chiu , Chiou Hui-Ling , Liu Yuh-Chyan , Hung Chuan-Chen , Shih Hung-Che , Lai Te-Jen , Liu Jer-Yuh
Published: July 2014

Ocimum gratissimum is a traditional herb commonly found in tropical regions, which prevents free radical damage and protects the liver from oxidative stress. In this study, we tested in vivo and in vitro the effectiveness of O. gratissimum extracts (OGEs) in anti-hepatic fibrosis in rats. Male Wistar rats were administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) by intraperitoneal injection and varying amounts of oral injection of OGE doses (0–40 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks. Our experiments showed that OGE significantly reduced liver damage, including steatosis and fibrosis, in a dose-dependent manner, as well as significantly decreased the elevation in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). It also inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidative products during CCl4 treatment. Moreover, OGE-inhibited CCl4-induced liver collagen accumulation and promoted the expression of catalase, an anti-oxidative enzyme. The inhibition of fibrosis factors α-SMA expression was also observed. In primary cultures, OGE significantly inhibited the serum-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and the expression of α-SMA and collagen α (I). These data suggest that O. gratissimum possesses anti-hepatic fibrosis properties via its anti-oxidative components.
Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Activity of Crude Extract and Fractions of Entada africana in Genotype 1b Replicon Systems
Authors: Galani Tietcheu Borris Rosnay , Sass Gabriele , Njayou Nico Frederic , Mkounga Pierre , Tiegs Gisa , Moundipa Paul Fewou
Published: July 2014

Entada africana (Ea) is a medicinal plant from the family of Fabaceae, used in Western and Central Africa regions to treat liver diseases. Antiviral properties of this plant were reported against Hepatitis B virus, while effects against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remained unknown. This study reports for the first time, the effects of Ea crude extract and fractions on HCV replication. Furthermore, the effect of one Ea fraction on the transcriptional expression of two interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was also investigated. A methylene chloride–methanol (MCM) stem bark crude extract and different MCM fractions (EaF0, EaF5, EaF10, EaF25, and EaF100) were prepared and tested on LucUbiNeo-ET and Huh 5.15 cells lines used as genotype 1b (GT1b) replicon systems. The cells were incubated with crude extract and fractions at various concentrations. Then, the antiviral activity was assessed by luciferase reporter assay and the cell viability by MTT assay. Gene expression was also analyzed using quantitative real time RT-PCR. Results showed that the Ea crude extract dose-dependently inhibited HCV replication after 24 and 72 h of incubation. The MCM fraction (EaF10) exhibited the strongest anti-HCV properties with an IC50 = 0.453 ± 0.00117 mg/ml and no reduction of cell viability at antiviral concentrations. This fraction also significantly induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (5.36-fold), and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase-3 (OAS-3) by 4.46-fold after 6 h and 2.31-fold after 24 h at the mRNA levels. Taken altogether, these results suggest that Ea may contain ingredients that indirectly regulate HCV replication.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Lycii radicis in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Song Mi Young , Jung Hyo Won , Kang Seok Yong , Kim Kyung-Ho , Park Yong-Ki
Published: July 2014

The root bark of Lycium barbarum (Lycii radicis cortex, LRC) is used as a cooling agent for fever and night sweats in East Asian traditional medicine. The inhibitory effect of LRC water extract on inflammation is unknown. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of LRC was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells. LRC extract significantly decreased the LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the cells. In addition, LRC extract inhibited the LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein, and inflammatory cytokines mRNA in the cells. The action mechanism of LRC underlies the blocking of LPS-mediated p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. These results indicate that LRC extract inhibits the inflammatory response in activated macrophages by down-regulating the transcription levels of inflammatory mediators and blocking the MAPKs and NF-κB pathway.
Suppressive Effects of Britanin, a Sesquiterpene Compound Isolated from Inulae Flos, on Mast Cell-Mediated Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Park Hyo-Hyun , Kim Sun-Gun , Park Young Na , Lee Jiean , Lee Youn Ju , Park Na-Young , Jeong Kyu-Tae , Lee Eunkyung
Published: July 2014

Mast cells are central players in immediate-type hypersensitvity and inflammatory responses. In the present study, the effects of britanin on the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice and on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human mast cell line (HMC-1) were evaluated. The oral administration of britanin (10–20 mg/kg) decreased the mast cell-mediated PCA reaction in IgE-sensitized mice. In the activity and mechanism of britanin in vitro assay, britanin suppressed the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner in HMC-1. In addition, britanin attenuated PMACI-induced activation of NF-κB as indicated by the inhibition of the degradation of IκBα, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, NF-κB/DNA binding activity assay, and blocked the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that britanin may have potential as a treatment for allergic-inflammatory diseases.
Dark atoms and puzzles of dark matter searches
Authors: Khlopov Maxim
Published: July 2014

The nonbaryonic dark matter of the universe is assumed to consist of new stable forms of matter. Their stability reflects symmetry of micro world and particle candidates for cosmological dark matter are the lightest particles that bear new conserved quantum numbers. Dark matter candidates can appear in the new families of quarks and leptons and the existence of new stable charged leptons and quarks is possible, if they are hidden in elusive "dark atoms." Such possibility, strongly restricted by the constraints on anomalous isotopes of light elements, is not excluded in scenarios that predict stable double charged particles. The excessive -2 charged particles are bound in these scenarios with primordial helium in O -helium "atoms," maintaining specific nuclear-interacting form of the dark matter, which may provide an interesting solution for the puzzles of the direct dark matter searches.
Searching for dark matter-spin-dependent event rates
Authors: Divari P. C. , Vergados J. D.
Published: July 2014

We study the spin-dependent WIMP scattering off nuclei for a variety of targets of experimental interest. In evaluating the spin structure functions, we have included the recently proposed leading long-range two-body currents in the most important isovector contribution. We show, however, that such effects are essentially independent of the target nucleus and, as a result, they can be treated as a mere renormalization of the effective nucleon cross-section or, equivalently, of the corresponding effective coupling, with reduction factors around 25%. Using these effects in the spin structure functions, we compute the relevant event rates due to the spin for various targets of experimental interest.
Coherent states and geometric phases of a generalized damped harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency
Authors: Pedrosa I. A. , de Lima D. A. P.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we study the generalized harmonic oscillator with arbitrary time-dependent mass and frequency subjected to a linear velocity-dependent frictional force from classical and quantum points of view. We obtain the solution of the classical equation of motion of this system for some particular cases and derive an equation of motion that describes three different systems. Furthermore, with the help of the quantum invariant method and using quadratic invariants we solve analytically and exactly the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for this system. Afterwards, we construct coherent states for the quantized system and employ them to investigate some of the system's quantum properties such as quantum fluctuations of the coordinate and the momentum as well as the corresponding uncertainty product. In addition, we derive the geometric, dynamical and Berry phases for this nonstationary system. Finally, we evaluate the dynamical and Berry phases for three special cases and surprisingly find identical expressions for the dynamical phase and the same formulae for the Berry's phase.
Stability and electronic properties of hexagonal boron nitride monolayer with irregular graphene domains embedded
Authors: Ni Meiyan , Wang Yancong , Yang Qiang , Zhu Weiqi , Tang Qiong , Li Zhongjun
Published: July 2014

Using density functional theory, we investigated the stability, magnetism and band structures of hexagonal boron nitride ( h - BN ) monolayer with graphene domains ( h - BNC heterostructure). The number of the carbon atoms in the graphene domain is fixed with shapes and locations in the h- BN monolayer different. We found that these h - BNC heterostructures exhibit different stability, magnetism and energy band gap. Our results show that the stability of the system is related to the number of C – C / C – N / C – B bonds and unpaired sublattices in the graphene domains. Some h - BNC heterostructures are magnetic with the magnetic moment equal to the difference of the nonequivalent sublattices in graphene domains, which obeys Lieb's theorem. Because of the spin splitting of the mid-gap states, the band gaps of the magnetic heterostructures are smaller than that of the nonmagnetic ones.
THE STABILITY OF DELAUNAY TRIANGULATIONS
Authors: BOISSONNAT JEAN-DANIEL , DYER RAMSAY , GHOSH ARIJIT
Published: July 2014

We introduce a parametrized notion of genericity for Delaunay triangulations which, in particular, implies that the Delaunay simplices of δ-generic point sets are thick. Equipped with this notion, we study the stability of Delaunay triangulations under perturbations of the metric and of the vertex positions. We quantify the magnitude of the perturbations under which the Delaunay triangulation remains unchanged.
Quantum enhancements of involutory birack counting invariants
Authors: Nelson Sam , Rivera Veronica
Published: July 2014

The involutory birack counting invariant is an integer-valued invariant of unoriented tangles defined by counting homomorphisms from the fundamental involutory birack of the tangle to a finite involutory birack over a set of framings modulo the birack rank of the labeling birack. In this first of an anticipated series of several papers, we enhance the involutory birack counting invariant with quantum weights, which may be understood as tangle functors of involutory birack-labeled unoriented tangles.
On the Alexander biquandles of oriented surface-links via marked graph diagrams
Authors: Kim Jieon , Joung Yewon , Lee Sang Youl
Published: July 2014

Carrell defined the fundamental biquandle of an oriented surface-link by a presentation obtained from its broken surface diagram, which is an invariant up to isomorphism of the fundamental biquandle. Ashihara gave a method to calculate the fundamental biquandle of an oriented surface-link from its marked graph diagram (ch-diagram). In this paper, we discuss the fundamental Alexander biquandles of oriented surface-links via marked graph diagrams, derived computable invariants and their applications to detect non-invertible oriented surface-links.
Approximate Hitchin–Kobayashi correspondence for Higgs G-bundles
Authors: Bruzzo Ugo , Graña Otero Beatriz
Published: July 2014

We announce a result about the extension of the Hitchin–Kobayashi correspondence to principal Higgs bundles. A principal Higgs bundle on a compact Kähler manifold, with structure group a connected linear algebraic reductive group, is semistable if and only if it admits an approximate Hermitian–Yang–Mills structure.
LEVERAGING ETHNIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CULTURE AND FAMILY DYNAMICS TO ENHANCE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE IMMIGRANT FAMILY BUSINESS
Authors: ADENDORFF CHRIS , HALKIAS DAPHNE
Published: July 2014

Immigrant family businesses are one of the most unique, complex and dynamic systems in our modern-day society. The blending of two inherently different realms — the performance-based world of business and the emotion-based domain of the immigrant family — creates a system potentially fraught with confusion and conflict. Applying traditional, limited and exclusively Western views of entrepreneurship to immigrant family business creation, growth and sustainability is to ignore or discount the core cultural/ethical values and ethnic contexts in which these firms operate. The objective of this conceptual paper is to identify and explore the three variables of enterprise, ethnicity and family dynamics that influence corporate governance to ensure the survival, growth and sustainability of immigrant family businesses. Conclusions and recommendations for future research are discussed.
MEASURING LUXURY BRAND CONSUMPTION AND FEMALE CONSUMERS' RELIGIOSITY IN THE UAE
Authors: ALSERHAN BAKER AHMAD , BATAINEH MOHAMMAD KHAIR , HALKIAS DAPHNE , KOMODROMOS MARCOS
Published: July 2014

Luxury brand consumption by female consumers in the rich Arab Gulf states has never been systematically studied, and thus most of our knowledge in this area remains shaped by preconceived notions that are not likely to withstand scientific scrutiny. This study fills that gap in research and provides significant evidence on the actual consumption behavior of this enigmatic consumer segment. In our study, focus groups and expert feedback were used to construct a Luxury Consumption Scale (LCS) to measure actual luxury purchases, while Tiliouine's Scale (RS) was used to measure religiosity. Results show that the sample tended to be religious with moderate luxury consumption, but no relationship was observed between these two. Results also demonstrate that brands transcend boundaries; ridges created by politicians and extremists are bridged by Burberry, Hermes and Versace. Religious Arab women did not perceive a problem in being defined by international brands of non-Muslim origin. This study contributes to the literature by examining the underexplored intersection of female luxury brand consumption and religiosity in the lucrative markets of the Arab Gulf.
RETAIL ISLAMIC FINANCIAL SERVICES IN NORTH AMERICA: THE (UPPER) MICHIGAN CONNECTION
Authors: ZINSER BRIAN ARTHUR
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a small remote Midwestern bank reformulated itself into a major marketer of retail Islamic financial services in the United States and influenced Islamic financial services marketing in North America. The paper is based on a review of existing literature and a case study of how University Bank, now based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has become the leading provider of Islamic financial services in the United States. University Bank whose principals are Roman Catholic identified the Muslim market in Southeast Michigan as measurable, differentiable, accessible and substantial. As part of the Bank's reformulation strategy it has successfully executed a strategic plan to capture this growing market in the United States and North America. The paper draws attention to the often ignored attractiveness of the Muslim market in North America as well as highlights how a small, nimble organization has been able to capitalize on using Muslims as a market segmentation variable.
On the edge: a consideration of the adaptive capacity of Indigenous Peoples in coastal zones from the Arctic to the Tropics
Authors: Mulrennan Monica E.
Published: July 2014

Indigenous peoples occupy many of the world's coastal zones, and have used and managed coastal and marine resources for millennia. As a result they have accumulated extensive knowledge about these environments that supported their ability to colonize new territories in the past and informs their on-going adaptive responses to environmental, climatic and socio-cultural changes. This paper examines the adaptive capacity of Indigenous peoples over time and across a range of coastal settings. It begins with a discussion of some reasons for the relative neglect, until recently, of cultural adaptations in coastal settings. The experiences of a selection of Indigenous groups in each of three coastal zones – Arctic, Temperate and Tropical – are then explored in relation to various adaptive mechanisms they have employed traditionally as well as in contemporary contexts. Comparison across these experiences indicates that Indigenous peoples regard the coast as an integral component of a land–sea continuum that provides enhanced food security, important cultural and spiritual attachments, and valuable opportunities for social interaction and learning. Coastal science and policy initiatives stand to benefit from greater consideration of the adaptive strategies of Indigenous coastal peoples.
Thyroid hormone interacts with the sympathetic nervous system to modulate bone mass and structure in young adult mice
Authors: Fonseca Tatiana L. , Teixeira Marilia B. C. G. , Rodrigues-Miranda Manuela , Silva Marcos V. , Martins Gisele M. , Costa Cristiane C. , Arita Danielle Y. , Perez Juliana D. , Casarini Dulce E. , Brum Patricia C. , Gouveia Cecilia H. A.
Published: July 2014

To investigate whether thyroid hormone (TH) interacts with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to modulate bone mass and structure, we studied the effects of daily T3 treatment in a supraphysiological dose for 12 wk on the bone of young adult mice with chronic sympathetic hyperactivity owing to double-gene disruption of adrenoceptors that negatively regulate norepinephrine release, α2A-AR, and α2C-AR (α2A/2C-AR−/− mice). As expected, T3 treatment caused a generalized decrease in the areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of WT mice (determined by DEXA), followed by deleterious effects on the trabecular and cortical bone microstructural parameters (determined by μCT) of the femur and vertebra and on the biomechanical properties (maximum load, ultimate load, and stiffness) of the femur. Surprisingly, α2A/2C-AR−/− mice were resistant to most of these T3-induced negative effects. Interestingly, the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin, a protein that limits osteoclast activity, was upregulated and downregulated by T3 in the bone of α2A/2C-AR−/− and WT mice, respectively. β1-AR mRNA expression and IGF-I serum levels, which exert bone anabolic effects, were increased by T3 treatment only in α2A/2C-AR−/− mice. As expected, T3 inhibited the cell growth of calvaria-derived osteoblasts isolated from WT mice, but this effect was abolished or reverted in cells isolated from KO mice. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis of a TH-SNS interaction to control bone mass and structure of young adult mice and suggests that this interaction may involve α2-AR signaling. Finally, the present findings offer new insights into the mechanisms through which TH regulates bone mass, structure, and physiology.
Scuba diving induces nitric oxide synthesis and the expression of inflammatory and regulatory genes of the immune response in neutrophils
Authors: Sureda Antoni , Batle Juan M. , Capó Xavier , Martorell Miquel , Córdova Alfredo , Tur Josep A. , Pons Antoni
Published: July 2014

Objective: Scuba diving, characterized by hyperoxia and hyperbaria, could increase reactive oxygen species production which acts as signaling molecules to induce adaptation against oxidative stress. The aim was to study the effects of scuba diving immersion on neutrophil inflammatory response, the induction of oxidative damage, and the NO synthesis. Design: Nine male divers performed a dive at 50 m depth for a total time of 35 min. Blood samples were obtained at rest before the dive, after the dive, and 3 h after the diving session. Measurements: Markers of oxidative and nitrosative damage, nitrite, and the gene expression of genes related with the synthesis of nitric oxide and lipid mediators, cytokine synthesis, and inflammation were determined in neutrophils. Results: The mRNA levels of genes related with the inflammatory and immune response of neutrophils, except TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, and toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, significantly increased after the recovery period respect to predive and postdive levels. NF-κB, IL-6, and TLR4 gene expression reported significant differences immediately after diving respect to the predive values. Protein nitrotyrosine levels significantly rose after diving and remained high during recovery, whereas no significant differences were reported in malondialdehyde. Neutrophil nitrite levels as indicative of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity progressively increased after diving and recovery. The iNOS protein levels maintained the basal values in all situations. Conclusion: Scuba diving which combines hyperoxia, hyperbaria, and acute exercise induces nitrosative damage with increased nitrotyrosine levels and an inflammatory response in neutrophils.
Genome-wide analysis of gestational gene-environment interactions in the developing kidney
Authors: Yan Lei , Yao Xiao , Bachvarov Dimcho , Saifudeen Zubaida , El-Dahr Samir S.
Published: July 2014

The G protein-coupled bradykinin B2 receptor (Bdkrb2) plays an important role in regulation of blood pressure under conditions of excess salt intake. Our previous work has shown that Bdkrb2 also plays a developmental role since Bdkrb2−/−embryos, but not their wild-type or heterozygous littermates, are prone to renal dysgenesis in response to gestational high salt intake. Although impaired terminal differentiation and apoptosis are consistent findings in the Bdkrb2−/−mutant kidneys, the developmental pathways downstream of gene-environment interactions leading to the renal phenotype remain unknown. Here, we performed genome-wide transcriptional profiling on embryonic kidneys from salt-stressed Bdkrb2+/+and Bdkrb2−/−embryos. The results reveal significant alterations in key pathways regulating Wnt signaling, apoptosis, embryonic development, and cell-matrix interactions. In silico analysis reveal that nearly 12% of differentially regulated genes harbor one or more Pax2 DNA-binding sites in their promoter region. Further analysis shows that metanephric kidneys of salt-stressed Bdkrb2−/−have a significant downregulation of Pax2 gene expression. This was corroborated in Bdkrb2−/−; Pax2GFP+/tgmice, demonstrating that Pax2 transcriptional activity is significantly repressed by gestational salt-Bdkrb2 interactions. We conclude that gestational gene ( Bdkrb2) and environment (salt) interactions cooperate to impact gene expression programs in the developing kidney. Suppression of Pax2 likely contributes to the defects in epithelial survival, growth, and differentiation in salt-stressed BdkrB2−/−mice.
Glioma-Associated Antigen HEATR1 Induces Functional Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Patients with Glioma
Authors: Wu Zhe Bao , Qiu Chao , Zhang An Li , Cai Lin , Lin Shao Jian , Yao Yu , Tang Qi Sheng , Xu Ming , Hua Wei , Chu Yi Wei , Mao Ying , Zhu Jian Hong , Xu Jianqing , Zhou Liang Fu
Published: July 2014

A2B5+ glioblastoma (GBM) cells have glioma stem-like cell (GSC) properties that are crucial to chemotherapy resistance and GBM relapse. T-cell-based antigens derived from A2B5+ GBM cells provide important information for immunotherapy. Here, we show that HEAT repeat containing 1 (HEATR1) expression in GBM tissues was significantly higher than that in control brain tissues. Furthermore, HEATR1 expression in A2B5+ U87 cells was higher than that in A2B5−U87 cells (P=0.016). Six peptides of HEATR1 presented by HLA-A*02 were selected for testing of their ability to induce T-cell responses in patients with GBM. When peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors (n=6) and patients with glioma (n=33) were stimulated with the peptide mixture, eight patients with malignant gliomas had positive reactivity with a significantly increased number of responding T-cells. The peptides HEATR1682–690, HEATR11126–1134, and HEATR1757–765had high affinity for binding to HLA-A*02:01 and a strong capacity to induce CTL response. CTLs against HEATR1 peptides were capable of recognizing and lysing GBM cells and GSCs. These data are the first to demonstrate that HEATR1 could induce specific CTL responses targeting both GBM cells and GSCs, implicating that HEATR1 peptide-based immunotherapy could be a novel promising strategy for treating patients with GBM.
Stress Induced Acral Lick Dermatitis in a Domestic Rabbit: A Case Report
Authors: Srivastava Mukesh , Ahuja Anil , Kachhawaha S. , Singh N. K , Sharma Ankita , Kachhawa J. P.
Published: July 2014

This case report describes acral lick dermatitis in a six-month-old domestic rabbit, which presented with the complaint of excessive licking of the carpus of left forelimb. Clinical examination showed a single well demarcated, oval, alopecic, ulcerated lesion with peripheral hyperpigmentation and thickening at the carpus of left forelimb. Rabbit was successfully managed with oral fluoxetine and topical application of ointment containing fluocinolone acetonide in 0.025% concentration along with intralesional injection of hydrocortisone of 0.15 mL diluted in normal saline at two sites of a lesion at interval of one week. In addition to medical therapy, hard plastic cat ball, some baby toys, and gnawing sticks were kept with rabbit as a method of environmental enrichment with the purpose of mental stimulation.
Existence of Positive Solutions to Nonlinear Fractional Boundary Value Problem with Changing Sign Nonlinearity and Advanced Arguments
Authors: Hao Zhaocai , Huang Yubo
Published: July 2014

We discuss the existence of positive solutions to a class of fractional boundary value problem with changing sign nonlinearity and advanced argumentsDαx(t)+μh(t)f(x(a(t)))=0,t∈(0,1),2<α≤3,μ>0,x(0)=x′(0)=0,x(1)=βx(η)+λ[x],β>0, and  η∈(0,1),whereDαis the standard Riemann-Liouville derivative,f:[0,∞)→[0,∞)is continuous,f(0)>0, h :[0,1]→(−∞,+∞), anda(t)is the advanced argument. Our analysis relies on a nonlinear alternative of Leray-Schauder type. An example is given to illustrate our results.
Unique Pattern of Component Gene Disruption in the NRF2 Inhibitor KEAP1/CUL3/RBX1 E3-Ubiquitin Ligase Complex in Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Martinez Victor D. , Vucic Emily A. , Thu Kelsie L. , Pikor Larissa A. , Hubaux Roland , Lam Wan L.
Published: July 2014

The NFE2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway is critical to initiate responses to oxidative stress; however, constitutive activation occurs in different cancer types, including serous ovarian carcinomas (OVCA). The KEAP1/CUL3/RBX1 E3-ubiquitin ligase complex is a regulator of NRF2 levels. Hence, we investigated the DNA-level mechanisms affecting these genes in OVCA. DNA copy-number loss (CNL), promoter hypermethylation, mRNA expression, and sequence mutation forKEAP1,CUL3, andRBX1were assessed in a cohort of 568 OVCA from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Almost 90% of cases exhibited loss-of-function alterations in any components of the NRF2 inhibitory complex. CNL is the most prominent mechanism of component disruption, with RBX1 being the most frequently disrupted component. These alterations were associated with reduced mRNA expression of complex components, and NRF2 target gene expression was positively enriched in 90% of samples harboring altered complex components. Disruption occurs through a unique DNA-level alteration pattern in OVCA. We conclude that a remarkably high frequency of DNA and mRNA alterations affects components of the KEAP1/CUL3/RBX1 complex, through a unique pattern of genetic mechanisms. Together, these results suggest a key role for the KEAP1/CUL3/RBX1 complex and NRF2 pathway deregulation in OVCA.
Numerical Prediction of Hydromechanical Behaviour of Controllable Pitch Propeller
Authors: Tarbiat Saman , Ghassemi Hassan , Fadavie Manouchehr
Published: July 2014

The research described in this paper was carried out to predict hydrodynamic and frictional forces of controllable pitch propeller (CPP) that bring about fretting problems in a blade bearing. The governing equations are Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and are solved by OpenFOAM solver for hydrodynamic forces behind the ship’s wake. Frictional forces are calculated by practical mechanical formulae. Different advance velocities with constant rotational speed for blades are used to achieve hydrodynamic coefficients in open water and the wake behind the propeller. Results are compared at four different pitches. Detailed numerical results of 3D modelling of the propeller, hydrodynamic characteristics, and probability of the fretting motion in the propeller are presented. Results show that the probability of the fretting movement is related to the pitch.
Real-Time Safety Risk Assessment Based on a Real-Time Location System for Hydropower Construction Sites
Authors: Jiang Hanchen , Lin Peng , Fan Qixiang , Qiang Maoshan
Published: July 2014

The concern for workers’ safety in construction industry is reflected in many studies focusing on static safety risk identification and assessment. However, studies on real-time safety risk assessment aimed at reducing uncertainty and supporting quick response are rare. A method for real-time safety risk assessment (RTSRA) to implement a dynamic evaluation of worker safety states on construction site has been proposed in this paper. The method provides construction managers who are in charge of safety with more abundant information to reduce the uncertainty of the site. A quantitative calculation formula, integrating the influence of static and dynamic hazards and that of safety supervisors, is established to link the safety risk of workers with the locations of on-site assets. By employing the hidden Markov model (HMM), the RTSRA provides a mechanism for processing location data provided by the real-time location system (RTLS) and analyzing the probability distributions of different states in terms of false positives and negatives. Simulation analysis demonstrated the logic of the proposed method and how it works. Application case shows that the proposed RTSRA is both feasible and effective in managing construction project safety concerns.
A High-Speed and Low-Offset Dynamic Latch Comparator
Authors: Rahman Labonnah Farzana , Reaz Mamun Bin Ibne , Yin Chia Chieu , Marufuzzaman Mohammad , Rahman Mohammad Anisur
Published: July 2014

Circuit intricacy, speed, low-offset voltage, and resolution are essential factors for high-speed applications like analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The comparator circuit with preamplifier increases the power dissipation, as it requires higher amount of currents than the latch circuitry. In this research, a novel topology of dynamic latch comparator is illustrated, which is able to provide high speed, low offset, and high resolution. Moreover, the circuit is able to reduce the power dissipation as the topology is based on latch circuitry. The cross-coupled circuit mechanism with the regenerative latch is employed for enhancing the dynamic latch comparator performance. In addition, input-tracking phase is used to reduce the offset voltage. The Monte-Carlo simulation results for the designed comparator in 0.18 μm CMOS process show that the equivalent input-referred offset voltage is 720 μV with 3.44 mV standard deviation. The simulated result shows that the designed comparator has 8-bit resolution and dissipates 158.5 μW of power under 1.8 V supply while operating with a clock frequency of 50 MHz. In addition, the proposed dynamic latch comparator has a layout size of148.80 μm×59.70 μm.
Vitamin A Supplementation Alleviates Extrahepatic Cholestasis Liver Injury through Nrf2 Activation
Authors: Wang Guiyang , Xiu Peng , Li Fu , Xin Cheng , Li Kewei
Published: July 2014

Aim. To investigate the role of vitamin A in liver damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats.Methods. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: SHAM group, BDL group, and BDL + VitA group . The concentrations of retinol and retinyl palmitate in the liver were analyzed using HPLC, and liver function was evaluated by the level of TBIL, ALT, AST, and ALP in serum. Hepatic oxidative status was estimated by measuring T-SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA, and AOPP. Nrf2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and EMSA was performed to determine Nrf2 DNA-binding activity. The expression of the downstream factors such as Ho1 and Nqo1 was also examined using immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays.Results. Vitamin A treatment restored levels of retinoids in liver, improved liver function, alleviated oxidative stress, and facilitated the translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus in the experimental obstructive jaundice. Vitamin A was also found to increase the expression of Nrf2 downstream proteins such as Ho1 and Nqo1.Conclusion. Vitamin A was here found to ameliorate cholestatic liver injury. This effect may be related to the activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway in bile duct ligation rats.
Luminescent Solar Concentrators Fabricated by Dispersing Rare Earth Particles in PMMA Waveguide
Authors: Liu Cheng , Deng Ruijiang , Gong Yanlin , Zou Cheng , Liu Yong , Zhou Xiang , Li Baojun
Published: July 2014

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) were fabricated by dispersing CaAlSiN3 : Eu2+particles in a PMMA waveguide. A series of LSCs (dimension 5.0 cm × 5.0 cm × 0.5 cm) with different CaAlSiN3 : Eu2+particle concentration were obtained and their performance was evaluated. The maximum optical concentration ratio is 1.23 with a power conversion efficiency of 1.44% for the LSC containing 0.5 wt% CaAlSiN3 : Eu2+particles concentration. This strategy of dispersing rare earth particles in PMMA waveguide represents an alternative approach to producing highly durable LSCs.