bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missing Links in Antibody Assembly Control
Authors: Anelli Tiziana , van Anken Eelco
Published: December 2013

Fidelity of the humoral immune response requires that quiescent B lymphocytes display membrane bound immunoglobulin M (IgM) on B lymphocytes surface as part of the B cell receptor, whose function is to recognize an antigen. At the same time B lymphocytes should not secrete IgM until recognition of the antigen has occurred. The heavy chains of the secretory IgM have a C-terminal tail with a cysteine instead of a membrane anchor, which serves to covalently link the IgM subunits by disulfide bonds to form “pentamers” or “hexamers.” By virtue of the same cysteine, unassembled secretory IgM subunits are recognized and retained (via mixed disulfide bonds) by members of the protein disulfide isomerase family, in particular ERp44. This so-called “thiol-mediated retention” bars assembly intermediates from prematurely leaving the cell and thereby exerts quality control on the humoral immune response. In this essay we discuss recent findings on how ERp44 governs such assembly control in a pH-dependent manner, shuttling between the cisGolgi and endoplasmic reticulum, and finally on how pERp1/MZB1, possibly as a co-chaperone of GRP94, may help to overrule the thiol-mediated retention in the activated B cell to give way to antibody secretion.
Application of Geophysical Techniques for 3D Geohazard Mapping to Delineate Cavities and Potential Sinkholes in the Northern Part of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Bakhshipour Zeinab , Huat Bujang B. K. , Ibrahim Shaharin , Asadi Afshin , Kura Nura Umar
Published: December 2013

This work describes the application of the electrical resistivity (ER) method to delineating subsurface structures and cavities in Kuala Lumpur Limestone within the Batu Cave area of Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. In all, 17 ER profiles were measured by using a Wenner electrode configuration with 2 m spacing. The field survey was accompanied by laboratory work, which involves taking resistivity measurements of rock, soil, and water samples taken from the field to obtain the formation factor. The relationship between resistivity and the formation factor and porosity for all the samples was established. The porosity values were plotted and contoured. A 2‐dimensional and 3‐dimensional representation of the subsurface topography of the area was prepared through use of commercial computer software. The results show the presence of cavities and sinkholes in some parts of the study area. This work could help engineers and environmental managers by providing the information necessary to produce a sustainable management plan in order to prevent catastrophic collapses of structures and other related geohazard problems.
New Features Using Robust MVDR Spectrum of Filtered Autocorrelation Sequence for Robust Speech Recognition
Authors: Seyedin Sanaz , Ahadi Seyed Mohammad , Gazor Saeed
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a novel noise‐robust feature
extraction method for speech recognition using the robust perceptual minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) spectrum of temporally filtered autocorrelation sequence. The perceptual
MVDR spectrum of the filtered short‐time autocorrelation
sequence can reduce the effects of residue of the nonstationary
additive noise which remains after filtering the autocorrelation.
To achieve a more robust front‐end, we also modify the robust
distortionless constraint of the MVDR spectral estimation method
via revised weighting of the subband power spectrum values
based on the sub‐band signal to noise ratios (SNRs), which adjusts
it to the new proposed approach. This new function allows the
components of the input signal at the frequencies least affected by
noise to pass with larger weights and attenuates more effectively
the noisy and undesired components. This modification results
in reduction of the noise residuals of the estimated spectrum
from the filtered autocorrelation sequence, thereby leading to
a more robust algorithm. Our proposed method, when evaluated
on Aurora 2 task for recognition purposes, outperformed all Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) as the baseline, relative autocorrelation sequence MFCC (RAS‐MFCC), and the MVDR‐based features in several different noisy conditions.
Similarity Solution of Marangoni Convection Boundary Layer Flow over a Flat Surface in a Nanofluid
Authors: Arifin Norihan Md. , Nazar Roslinda , Pop Ioan
Published: December 2013

The problem of steady Marangoni boundary layer flow and heat transfer over a flat plate in a nanofluid is studied using different types of nanoparticles. The general governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of two nonlinear ordinary differential equations using unique similarity transformation. Numerical solutions of the similarity equations are obtained using the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF) method. Three different types of nanoparticles are considered, namely, Cu, Al2O3, and TiO2, by using water as a base fluid with Prandtl numberPr=6.2. The effects of the nanoparticle volume fractionϕand the constant exponentmon the flow and heat transfer characteristics are obtained and discussed.
Approximate Controllability for Impulsive Riemann-Liouville Fractional Differential Inclusions
Authors: Liu Zhenhai , Bin Maojun
Published: December 2013

We study the control systems governed by impulsive Riemann-Liouville fractional differential inclusions and their approximate controllability in Banach space. Firstly, we introduce thePC1-α-mild solutions for the impulsive Riemann-Liouville fractional differential inclusions in Banach spaces. Secondly, by using the fractional power of operators and a fixed point theorem for multivalued maps, we establish sufficient conditions for the approximate controllability for a class of Riemann-Liouville fractional impulsive differential inclusions, which is a generalization and continuation of the recent results on this issue. At the end, we give an example to illustrate the application of the abstract results.
Comparative Analysis of Proteomes and Functionomes Provides Insights into Origins of Cellular Diversification
Authors: Nasir Arshan , Caetano-Anollés Gustavo
Published: December 2013

Reconstructing the evolutionary history of modern species is a difficult problem complicated by the conceptual and technical limitations of phylogenetic tree building methods. Here, we propose a comparative proteomic and functionomic inferential framework for genome evolution that allows resolving the tripartite division of cells and sketching their history. Evolutionary inferences were derived from the spread of conserved molecular features, such as molecular structures and functions, in the proteomes and functionomes of contemporary organisms. Patterns of use and reuse of these traits yielded significant insights into the origins of cellular diversification. Results uncovered an unprecedented strong evolutionary association between Bacteria and Eukarya while revealing marked evolutionary reductive tendencies in the archaeal genomic repertoires. The effects of nonvertical evolutionary processes (e.g., HGT, convergent evolution) were found to be limited while reductive evolution and molecular innovation appeared to be prevalent during the evolution of cells. Our study revealed a strong vertical trace in the history of proteins and associated molecular functions, which was reliably recovered using the comparative genomics approach. The trace supported the existence of a stem line of descent and the very early appearance of Archaea as a diversified superkingdom, but failed to uncover a hidden canonical pattern in which Bacteria was the first superkingdom to deploy superkingdom-specific structures and functions.
Field Detection of Microcracks to Define the Nucleation Stage of Earthquake Occurrence
Authors: Fujinawa Y. , Noda Y. , Takahashi K. , Kobayashi M. , Takamatsu K. , Natsumeda J.
Published: December 2013

Main shocks of natural earthquakes are known to be accompanied by preshocks which evolve following the modified Ohmori’s law in average over many samples. Individual preshock activity, however, is far less systematic for predictive purposes. On the other hand, the microcracks in laboratory rock experiments are always preceded to final rupture. And, previous investigations of field acoustic emissions showed that the activity increases prominently before and after the main shock. But there is no detection of any phenomena to identify the nucleation stage. Here we show that a special underground electric field measurement could detect microcracks. Pulse-like variations were classified into three groups (A, B, C) by frequency. The B-type is suggested to define the nucleation period: activity increases sharply following the modified Omori’s law before the main shock and there is no activity afterward. The B-type is subgrouped into three types possibly corresponding to crack-rupture modes. The variations are supposed to be induced by crack occurrence through electrokinetic effects in the elastic-porous medium. The detection distance is suggested to be several orders larger than that of the acoustic emission due to the effective smallness of dissipation rate, and the waveform can be used to infer the rupture mode.
Negative Effects of High Glucose Exposure in Human Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons
Authors: Morelli Annamaria , Comeglio Paolo , Sarchielli Erica , Cellai Ilaria , Vignozzi Linda , Vannelli Gabriella B. , Maggi Mario
Published: December 2013

Metabolic disorders are often associated with male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, suggesting that hypothalamic defects involving GnRH neurons may impair the reproductive function. Among metabolic factors hyperglycemia has been implicated in the control of the reproductive axis at central level, both in humans and in animal models. To date, little is known about the direct effects of pathological high glucose concentrations on human GnRH neurons. In this study, we investigated the high glucose effects in the human GnRH-secreting FNC-B4 cells. Gene expression profiling by qRT-PCR, confirmed that FNC-B4 cells express GnRH and several genes relevant for GnRH neuron function (KISS1R, KISS1, sex steroid and leptin receptors, FGFR1, neuropilin 2, and semaphorins), along with glucose transporters (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4). High glucose exposure (22 mM; 40 mM) significantly reduced gene and protein expression of GnRH, KISS1R, KISS1, and leptin receptor, as compared to normal glucose (5 mM). Consistent with previous studies, leptin treatment significantly induced GnRH mRNA expression at 5 mM glucose, but not in the presence of high glucose concentrations. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a deleterious direct contribution of high glucose on human GnRH neurons, thus providing new insights into pathogenic mechanisms linking metabolic disorders to reproductive dysfunctions.
Vernonia condensataBaker (Asteraceae): A Promising Source of Antioxidants
Authors: da Silva Jucélia Barbosa , Temponi Vanessa dos Santos , Gasparetto Carolina Miranda , Fabri Rodrigo Luiz , Aragão Danielle Maria de Oliveira , Pinto Nícolas de Castro Campos , Ribeiro Antônia , Scio Elita , Del-Vechio-Vieira Glauciemar , de Sousa Orlando Vieira , Alves Maria Silvana
Published: December 2013

The present study evaluated the antioxidant potential ofVernonia condensataBaker (Asteraceae). Dried and powdered leaves were exhaustively extracted with ethanol by static maceration followed by partition to obtain the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions. Total phenols and flavonoids contents were determined through spectrophotometry and flavonoids were identified by HPLC-DAD system. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging activity, TLC-bioautography, reducing power of Fe+3, phosphomolybdenum, and TBA assays. The total phenolic content and total flavonoids ranged from 0.19 to 23.11 g/100 g and from 0.13 to 4.10 g/100 g, respectively. The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin were identified in the ethyl acetate fraction. The IC50of DPPH assay varied from 4.28 to 75.10 µg/mL and TLC-bioautography detected the antioxidant compounds. The reducing power of Fe+3was 19.98 to 336.48 μg/mL, while the reaction with phosphomolybdenum ranged from 13.54% to 32.63% and 56.02% to 135.00% considering ascorbic acid and rutin as reference, respectively. At 30 mg/mL, the ethanolic extract and fractions revealed significant effect against lipid peroxidation. All these data sustain thatV. condensatais an important and promising source of bioactive substances with antioxidant activity.
Mixed-Methods Research in a Complex Multisite VA Health Services Study: Variations in the Implementation and Characteristics of Chiropractic Services in VA
Authors: Khorsan Raheleh , Cohen Angela B. , Lisi Anthony J. , Smith Monica M. , Delevan Deborah , Armstrong Courtney , Mittman Brian S.
Published: December 2013

Maximizing the quality and benefits of newly established chiropractic services represents an important policy and practice goal for the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ healthcare system. Understanding the implementation process and characteristics of new chiropractic clinics and the determinants and consequences of these processes and characteristics is a critical first step in guiding quality improvement. This paper reports insights and lessons learned regarding the successful application of mixed methods research approaches—insights derived from a study of chiropractic clinic implementation and characteristics, Variations in the Implementation and Characteristics of Chiropractic Services in VA (VICCS). Challenges and solutions are presented in areas ranging from selection and recruitment of sites and participants to the collection and analysis of varied data sources. The VICCS study illustrates the importance of several factors in successful mixed-methods approaches, including (1) the importance of a formal, fully developed logic model to identify and link data sources, variables, and outcomes of interest to the study’s analysis plan and its data collection instruments and codebook and (2) ensuring that data collection methods, including mixed-methods, match study aims. Overall, successful application of a mixed-methods approach requires careful planning, frequent trade-offs, and complex coding and analysis.
Study of Polarized Wave with a Hydrodynamic Model and Fourier Spectral Method
Authors: Ching Dennis Ling Chuan , Abdul Aziz Zainal , Salah Faisal
Published: December 2013

The polarization effects in hydrodynamics are studied. Hydrodynamic equation for the nonlinear wave is used along with the polarized nonlinear waves and seismic waves act as initial waves. The model is then solved by Fourier spectral and Runge-Kutta 4 methods, and the surface plot is drawn. The output demonstrates the inundation behaviors. Consequently, the polarized seismic waves along with the polarized nonlinear waves tend to generate dissimilar inundation which is more disastrous.
Secure Beamforming via Amplify-and-Forward Relays in Machine-to-Machine Communications
Authors: Liu Zhongjian , Zhang Xiaoning , Bai Lin , Chen Chen , Xiang Haige
Published: December 2013

We consider the collaborative use of amplify-and-forward relays to form a beamforming system and provide physical layer security for a wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communication network. We investigate two objectives: (i) the achievable secrecy rate maximization subject to the relay power constraint and (ii) the relay transmit power minimization under a secrecy rate constraint. For the first objective, we propose a secrecy rate maximization (SRM) beamforming scheme. The secrecy rate maximization problem can be formed into a two-level optimization problem and we solve it using semidefinite relaxation (SDR) techniques. To reduce the complexity of the SRM beamforming scheme, a virtual eavesdropper-based SRM (VE-SRM) beamforming scheme is proposed, in which we hypothesize a virtual eavesdropper instead of all eavesdroppers and maximize the secrecy rate according to the virtual eavesdropper. In addition, for the second objective, we design a relay power minimization (RPM) beamforming scheme, in which an iterative algorithm combining the SDR technology and the gradient-based method is devised by studying the convexity of the RPM problem. By relaxing the constraints of the RPM beamforming scheme, we propose a virtual eavesdropper-based RPM (VERPM) beamforming scheme, which reduces the multivariate RPM problem to a problem of a single variable, and thus an analytical solution is obtained. Our proposed beamforming designs can work well even if the number of eavesdroppers is larger than that of relays, while the existing schemes, for example, the null-space beamforming schemes, cannot work under this condition. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the significance of performance improvements with the SRM and RPM beamforming schemes. It is also shown that the virtual eavesdropper approaches significantly reduce the complexity with acceptable performance degradation.
Some Types of Generalized Fuzzyn-Fold Filters in Residuated Lattices
Authors: Ma Zhen Ming
Published: December 2013

Fuzzy filters and their generalized types have been extensively studied in the literature. In this paper, a one-to-one correspondence between the set of all generalized fuzzy filters and the set of all generalized fuzzy congruences is established, a quotient residuated lattice with respect to generalized fuzzy filter is induced, and several types of generalized fuzzyn-fold filters such as generalized fuzzyn-fold positive implicative (fantastic and Boolean) filters are introduced; examples and results are provided to demonstrate the relations among these filters.
Diagnosing and Predicting the Earth’s Health via Ecological Network Analysis
Authors: Zhang Zi-Ke , Sun Ye , Zhang Chu-Xu , Fang Kuan , Xu Xiang , Liu Chuang , Wang Xueqi , Zhang Kui
Published: December 2013

Ecological balance is one of the most attractive topics in biological, environmental, earth sciences, and so on. However, due to the complexity of ecosystems, it is not easy to find a perfect way to conclusively explain all the potential impacts. In this paper, by considering several important elements, we seek to build a dynamic network model to predict the Earth’s health, trying to identify and explain how the human behavior and policies affect the model results. We firstly empirically analyze both the topological properties and time-dependent features of nodes and propose an Earth’s health index based on Shannon Entropy. Secondly, we identify the importance of each element by a machine learning approach. Thirdly, we use a spreading model to predict the Earth’s health. Finally, we integrate the topological property and the proposed health index to identify the influential nodes in the observed ecological network. Experimental results show that the oceans are the key nodes in affecting the Earth’s health, and Big countries are also important nodes in influencing the Earth’s health. In addition, the results suggest a possible solution that returning more living lands might be an effective way to solve the dilemma of ecological balance.
Numerical Research of Aerodynamic Characteristic Effects of Base Jet on Supersonic Rocket
Authors: Lei Juanmian , Zheng Zhiwei , Huang Can
Published: December 2013

Based on finite volume method, the interaction between base jet and supersonic flow around the rocket is simulated by Navier-Stokes equations with SST k-ω turbulence model and implicit algorithm. The pressure contours, the streamline patterns, and the variation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the rocket with the flying altitude, Mach number, and the angle of attack are shown and analyzed. Numerical results demonstrate that in supersonic flow, the base jet has a noticeable effect on the surface pressure of the body and the tails, leading to the decreases of the coefficients of the normal force, the pitching moment, and the pressure center. Furthermore, the higher the flying altitude, the more grave decreases of the coefficients of the normal force, the pitching moment and the pressure center. However, with the increase of Mach number, the more grave the decreases of the normal force coefficient and the pitch moment coefficient are found, while the less grave decrease is found with the pressure center coefficient. With the increase of the angle of attack, the more grave decreases are found with the coefficients of the normal force and the pitching moment, while the decrease of the pressure center coefficient remains almost the same.
Maternal Dietary Patterns during Third Trimester in Association with Birthweight Characteristics and Early Infant Growth
Authors: Poon Anna K. , Yeung Edwina , Boghossian Nansi , Albert Paul S. , Zhang Cuilin
Published: December 2013

Our analysis examined the impact of maternal dietary patterns and lifestyle factors on markers of fetal growth, specifically birthweight and size for gestational age (small- (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA)). The Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a prospective cohort study, surveyed pregnant women during their 3rd trimester, of which a subgroup (n=893) completed a food frequency questionnaire. Maternal dietary patterns were evaluated by diet scores (Alternative Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy and alternate Mediterranean diet) and by carbohydrate quality (glycemic index and glycemic load). Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to examine the relative risk of SGA and separately LGA, with dietary patterns and other lifestyle factors. Linear regression was used to determine the association of birthweight and early infant growth with better dietary patterns. Relative risk of SGA and LGA was not associated with dietary patterns. Birthweight and infant growth were not associated with maternal diet. Smoking, however, increased the risk of delivering an SGA infant (RR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.58–5.39), while higher prepregnancy BMI increased the risk of delivering an LGA infant (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09). Future studies are needed to evaluate whether deficiencies in more specific maternal dietary nutrients play a role in fetal growth.
Impact of Colored Light on Cardiorespiratory Coordination
Authors: Edelhäuser Friedrich , Hak Florian , Kleinrath Ullrich , Lühr Birgit , Matthiessen Peter F. , Weinzirl Johannes , Cysarz Dirk
Published: December 2013

Background. Light exposure to the eye can influence different physiological functions, for example, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). By affecting the autonomic nervous system, the SCN may influence the heart rate variability (HRV). Standardized colored light exposure alters HRV but the results are inconsistent. In this study we investigated the effects of nonstandardized red light (approx. 640 nm) and blue (approx. 480 nm) light (approx. 50 lx) on cardiorespiratory coordination and HRV.Methods. 17 healthy subjects (7 males, age: 26.5 ± 6.2 years) were exposed to the following sequence (10 minutes each): daylight-red light-daylight-blue light-daylight. Red and blue lights were created by daylight passing through colored glass panes. Spectral measures of HRV (LF: low frequency, HF: high frequency oscillations, and sympathovagal balance LF/HF) and measures of cardiorespiratory coordination (HRR: heart respiration ratio, PCR: phase coordination ratio) were analyzed.Results. The LF component increased and the HF component decreased after red light. Consequently, LF/HF increased after red light. Furthermore, during red light HRR and PCR confined to 4 : 1, that is, 4 heartbeats during one respiratory cycle.Conclusion. Nonstandardized red and blue lights are able to alter the autonomic control reflected by HRV as well as cardiorespiratory coordination.
Remarks on the Blow-Up Solutions for the Critical Gross-Pitaevskii Equation
Authors: Li Xiaoguang , Lai Chong
Published: December 2013

This paper is concerned with the blow-up solutions of the critical Gross-Pitaevskii equation, which models the Bose-Einstein condensate. The existence and qualitative properties of the minimal blow-up solutions are obtained.
On the Local Well-Posedness of the Cauchy Problem for a Modified Two-Component Camassa-Holm System in Besov Spaces
Authors: Zhou Jiangbo , Yao Lu , Tian Lixin , Zhang Wenbin
Published: December 2013

We consider the Cauchy problem for an integrable modified two-component Camassa-Holm system with cubic nonlinearity. By using the Littlewood-Paley decomposition, nonhomogeneous Besov spaces, and a priori estimates for linear transport equation, we prove that the Cauchy problem is locally well-posed in Besov spaces Bp, rs with 1≤p, r≤+∞ and s>max{2+(1/p),5/2}.
Chlorination of Carbon Nanotubes Obtained on the Different Metal Catalysts
Authors: Pełech Iwona , Pełech Robert , Narkiewicz Urszula , Moszyński Dariusz , Jędrzejewska Anna , Witkowski Bartłomiej
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a chlorination method is proposed for simultaneous purification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes, thus increasing their ability to use. Carbon nanotubes were obtained by CVD method through ethylene decomposition on the nanocrystalline iron or cobalt or bimetallic iron‐cobalt catalysts. The effects of temperature (50, 250, and 450°C) in the case of carbon nanotubes obtained on the Fe‐Co catalyst and type of catalyst (Fe, Co, Fe/Co) on the effectiveness of the treatment and functionalization were tested. The phase composition of the samples was determined using the X‐ray diffraction method. The quantitative analysis of metal impurity content was validated by means of the thermogravimetric analysis. Using X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, and also Mohr titration method, the presence of chlorine species on the surface of chlorinated samples was confirmed.
Contrasting Effects of Systemic Monocyte/Macrophage and CD4+T Cell Depletion in a Reversible Ureteral Obstruction Mouse Model of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chaves Lee D. , Mathew Liby , Shakaib Mohammed , Chang Anthony , Quigg Richard J. , Puri Tipu S.
Published: December 2013

Using a reversible UUO model (rUUO), we have demonstrated that C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to development of CKD after obstruction-mediated kidney injury while BALB/c mice are resistant. We hypothesized that selective systemic depletion of subpopulations of inflammatory cells during injury or repair might alter the development of CKD. To investigate the impact of modification of Th-lymphocytes or macrophage responses on development of CKD after rUUO, we used an anti-CD4 antibody (GK1.5) or liposomal clodronate to systemically deplete CD4+T cells or monocyte/macrophages, respectively, prior to and throughout the rUUO protocol. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed depletion of target cell populations. C57BL/6 mice treated with the GK1.5 antibody to deplete CD4+T cells had higher BUN levels and delayed recovery from rUUO. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with liposomal clodronate to deplete monocyte/macrophages led to a relative protection from CKD as assessed by BUN values. Our results demonstrate that modulation of the inflammatory response during injury and repair altered the susceptibility of C57BL/6 mice to development of CKD in our rUUO model.
Bisphophonates in CKD Patients with Low Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Liu Wen-Chih , Yen Jen-Fen , Lang Cheng-Lin , Yan Ming-Tso , Lu Kuo-Cheng
Published: December 2013

Patients with chronic kidney disease‐mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) have a high risk of bone fracture because of low bone mineral density and poor bone quality. Osteoporosis also features low bone mass, disarranged microarchitecture, and skeletal fragility, and differentiating between osteoporosis and CKD‐MBD in low bone mineral density is a challenge and usually achieved by bone biopsy. Bisphosphonates can be safe and beneficial for patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 30 mL/min or higher, but prescribing bisphosphonates in advanced CKD requires caution because of the increased possibility of low bone turnover disorders such as osteomalacia, mixed uremic osteodystrophy, and adynamic bone, even aggravating hyperparathyroidism. Therefore, bone biopsy in advanced CKD is an important consideration before prescribing bisphosphonates. Treatment also may induce hypocalcemia in CKD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, but vitamin D supplementation may ameliorate this effect. Bisphosphonate treatment can improve both bone mineral density and vascular calcification, but the latter becomes more unlikely in patients with stage 3‐4 CKD with vascular calcification but no decreased bone mineral density. Using bisphosphonates requires considerable caution in advanced CKD, and the lack of adequate clinical investigation necessitates more studies regarding its effects on these patients.
Inadvertent Subdural Injection during Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Authors: Sadacharam Kesavan , Petersohn Jeffrey D. , Green Michael S.
Published: December 2013

Serious complications following cervical epidural steroid injection are rare. Subdural injection of local anesthetic and steroid represents a rare but potentially life threatening complication. A patient presented with left sided cervical pain radiating into the left upper extremity with motor deficit. MRI showed absent lordosis with a broad left paramedian disc-osteophyte complex impinging the spinal cord at C5-6. During C5-6 transforaminal epidural steroid injection contrast in AP fluoroscopic view demonstrated a subdural contrast pattern. The needle was withdrawn slightly and repositioned. Normal lateral epidural and nerve root contrast pattern was subsequently obtained and injection followed with immediate improvement in radicular symptoms. There were no postoperative complications on subsequent clinic follow-up. The subdural space is a potential space between the arachnoid and dura mater. As the subdural space is larger in the cervical region, there may be an elevated potential for inadvertent subdural injection. Needle placement in the cervical subdural space during transforaminal injection is uncommon. Failure to identify aberrant needle entry within the cervical subdural space may result in life threatening complications. We recommend initial injection of a limited volume of contrast agent to detect inadvertent subdural space placement.
On Delay Independent Stabilization Analysis for a Class of Switched Large-Scale Time-Delay Systems
Authors: Wang Chi-Jo , Chiou Juing-Shian
Published: December 2013

In view of the state-driven switching method, the sufficient stability conditions with delay independence will be derived for the switched large-scale time-delay systems. A new stability criterion of switched large-scale time-delay systems is deduced by Lyapunov stability theorem. The method can be applied to cases when all individual switched systems are unstable. Finally, one example is exploited to illustrate the proposed schemes.
Periodontal Proteomics: Wonders Never Cease!
Authors: Grover Harpreet Singh , Kapoor Shalini , Saksena Neha
Published: December 2013

Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are integral components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. Periodontal tissues comprise multicompartmental groups of interacting cells and matrices that provide continuous support, attachment, proprioception, and physical protection for the teeth. The proteome map, that is, complete catalogue of the matrix and cellular proteins expressed in alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament, and gingiva, is to be explored for more in-depth understanding of periodontium. The ongoing research to understand the signalling pathways that allow cells to divide, differentiate, and die in controlled manner has brought us to the era of proteomics. Proteomics is defined as the study of all proteins including their relative abundance, distribution, posttranslational modifications, functions, and interactions with other macromolecules, in a given cell or organism within a given environment and at a specific stage in the cell cycle. Its application to periodontal science can be used to monitor health status, disease onset, treatment response, and outcome. Proteomics can offer answers to critical, unresolved questions such as the biological basis for the heterogeneity in gingival, alveolar bone, and cemental cell populations.
Measure-Dependent Stochastic Nonlinear Beam Equations Driven by Fractional Brownian Motion
Authors: McKibben Mark A.
Published: December 2013

We study a class of nonlinear stochastic partial differential equations arising in the mathematical modeling of the transverse motion of an extensible beam in the plane. Nonlinear forcing terms of functional-type and those dependent upon a family of probability measures are incorporated into the initial-boundary value problem (IBVP), and noise is incorporated into the mathematical description of the phenomenon via a fractional Brownian motion process. The IBVP is subsequently reformulated as an abstract second-order stochastic evolution equation driven by a fractional Brownian motion (fBm) dependent upon a family of probability measures in a real separable Hilbert space and is studied using the tools of cosine function theory, stochastic analysis, and fixed-point theory. Global existence and uniqueness results for mild solutions, continuous dependence estimates, and various approximation results are established and applied in the context of the model.
Optimum Design of Oil Lubricated Thrust Bearing for Hard Disk Drive with High Speed Spindle Motor
Authors: Sunami Yuta , Ibrahim Mohd Danial , Hashimoto Hiromu
Published: December 2013

This paper presents the application of optimization method developed by Hashimoto to design oil lubricated thrust bearings for 2.5 inch form factor hard disk drives (HDD). The designing involves optimization of groove geometry and dimensions. Calculations are carried out to maximize the dynamic stiffness of the thrust bearing spindle motor. Static and dynamic characteristics of the modeled thrust bearing are calculated using the divergence formulation method. Results show that, by using the proposed optimization method, dynamic stiffness values can be well improved with the bearing geometries not being fixed to conventional grooves.
Adaptive Consensus of Distributed Varying Scale Wireless Sensor Networks under Tolerable Jamming Attacks
Authors: Mou Jinping
Published: December 2013

Consensus problem is investigated for a varying scale wireless sensor network (VSWSN) under tolerable jamming attacks, where the scale of the network is increasing or decreasing due to the newly joined nodes or the removed nodes, respectively; the tolerable jamming attack means that the attack strength is limited. It supposes that during the communications, all nodes may encounter with the tolerable jamming attacks; when the attack power is larger than the given value, the attacked nodes fall asleep, or otherwise the nodes are awakened. Under the sleep method, based on the Lyapunov method, it shows that if the communicating graph is the global limited intersectional connection (GLI connection) and the system has the enough dwell time in the intersectional topology, then under the designed consensus protocol, all nodes achieve the global average consensus.
Sensitivity Analysis of Wavelet Neural Network Model for Short-Term Traffic Volume Prediction
Authors: Shen Jinxing , Li Wenquan
Published: December 2013

In order to achieve a more accurate and robust traffic volume prediction model, the sensitivity of wavelet neural network model (WNNM) is analyzed in this study. Based on real loop detector data which is provided by traffic police detachment of Maanshan, WNNM is discussed with different numbers of input neurons, different number of hidden neurons, and traffic volume for different time intervals. The test results show that the performance of WNNM depends heavily on network parameters and time interval of traffic volume. In addition, the WNNM with 4 input neurons and 6 hidden neurons is the optimal predictor with more accuracy, stability, and adaptability. At the same time, a much better prediction record will be achieved with the time interval of traffic volume are 15 minutes. In addition, the optimized WNNM is compared with the widely used back-propagation neural network (BPNN). The comparison results indicated that WNNM produce much lower values of MAE, MAPE, and VAPE than BPNN, which proves that WNNM performs better on short-term traffic volume prediction.
Particle Filter Algorithm for Object Tracking Based on Color Local Entropy
Authors: Wang Huan , Wang Qinglin , Li Yuan , Dai Yaping
Published: December 2013

To achieve accurate visual object tracking and overcome the difficulties brought by the object deformation, occlusion, and illumination variations, a particle filter for object tracking algorithm based on color local entropy (CLE) is proposed. First we improved the traditional histogram weighted function by using a scale factor. Then, for the shortcoming that the color feature is sensitive to illumination and environmental interference, a color local entropy object observation model is constructed by mapping the object from color feature space to local entropy space. In addition, an adaptive updating strategy of the object template is designed and the number of particle is adjusted dynamically according to the tracking performance. The experimental results show that compared with several existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm is more effective and robust for the real-time object tracking under the situation of illumination variation, object occlusion, and nonlinear motion.
In VitroWound Healing Potential and Identification of Bioactive Compounds fromMoringa oleiferaLam
Authors: Muhammad Abubakar Amali , Pauzi Nur Aimi Syarina , Arulselvan Palanisamy , Abas Faridah , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: December 2013

Moringa oleiferaLam. (M. oleifera) from the monogeneric familyMoringaceaeis found in tropical and subtropical countries. The present study was aimed at exploring thein vitrowound healing potential ofM. oleiferaand identification of active compounds that may be responsible for its wound healing action. The study included cell viability, proliferation, and wound scratch test assays. Different solvent crude extracts were screened, and the most active crude extract was further subjected to differential bioguided fractionation. Fractions were also screened and most active aqueous fraction was finally obtained for further investigation. HPLC and LC-MS/MS analysis were used for identification and confirmation of bioactive compounds. The results of our study demonstrated that aqueous fraction ofM. oleiferasignificantly enhanced proliferation and viability as well as migration of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells compared to the untreated control and other fractions. The HPLC and LC-MS/MS studies revealed kaempferol and quercetin compounds in the crude methanolic extract and a major bioactive compound Vicenin-2 was identified in the bioactive aqueous fraction which was confirmed with standard Vicenin-2 using HPLC and UV spectroscopic methods. These findings suggest that bioactive fraction ofM. oleiferacontaining Vicenin-2 compound may enhance faster wound healingin vitro.
Prostate Cancer Genetic-susceptibility Locus on Chromosome 20q13 is Amplified and Coupled to Androgen Receptor-regulation in Metastatic Tumors
Authors: Labbé David P. , Nowak Dawid G. , Deblois Geneviève , Lessard Laurent , Giguère Vincent , Trotman Lloyd C. , Tremblay Michel L.
Published: December 2013

The 20q13 chromosomal region has been previously identified as the hereditary prostate cancer genetic-susceptibility locus on chromosome 20 (HPC20). In this study, the 20q13 region was shown to be frequently co-amplified with the androgen receptor (AR) in metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore, the AR signaling axis, which plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, was demonstrated to be central to the regulation of the 20q13 common amplified region (CAR). High-resolution mapping analyses revealed hot spots of AR recruitment to response elements in the vicinity of most genes located on the 20q13 CAR. Moreover, amplification of AR significantly co-occurred with CAR amplification on 20q13 and it was confirmed that the majority of AR-bound genes on the 20q13 CAR were indeed regulated by androgens. These data reveal that amplification of the AR is tightly linked to amplification of the AR-regulated CAR region on 20q13. These results suggest that the cross-talk between gene amplification and gene transcription is an important step in the development of castration-resistant metastatic disease.

Implications: These novel results are a noteworthy example of the cross-talk between gene amplification and gene transcription in the development of advanced prostate cancer.

Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2014/02/07/1541-7786.MCR-13-0477/F1.large.jpg. Mol Cancer Res; 12(2); 184–9. ©2013 AACR.
Pitiríase liquenóide
Authors: Foss Norma T. , Rocha Luiz S. D’Oliveira , Roselino Ana Maria F. , Donadi Eduardo A.
Published: December 2013

Modelo de estudo:Estudo de prevalência. Objetivos: Embora a pitiríase liquenóide seja uma dermatose incomum, 12 casos foram por nós observados nos últimos três anos. Assim, neste estudo, avaliamos os perfis clínicos e histopatológicos dos pacientes com pitiríase liquenóide, atendidos na Divisão de Dermatologia. Além disso, tipificamos os antígenos HLA de classes I e II nesses pacientes.Metodologia: Foram estudados 21 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e histopatológico de pitiríase liquenóide. As tipificações dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade de classes I e II foram realizadas, utilizando-se métodos sorológicos. Resultados: A maioria dos casos ocorreu entre crianças e ou adultos jovens, no outono e inverno. As lesões típicas de forma disseminada foram as mais freqüentes. Os achados histopatológicos mostraram lesões dos tipos agudo e crônico. O antígeno HLA-B17 estava significantemente aumentado nos pacientes em relação aos controles (P<0,005).Conclusões: Embora a etiologia da pitiríase liquenóide não seja conhecida, os achados aqui relatados mostram que o marcador HLA-B17 é prevalente entre os doentes.
Freqüência dos antígenos HLA-DR e DQ em pacientes brasileiros com diabetes mellitus tipo I
Authors: Nahas Renata , Deghaide Neifi H.S. , Donadi Eduardo A. , Foss Milton C.
Published: December 2013

A associação entre diabetes mellitus do tipo I com os genes HLA de classe II está bem estabelecida. Os genes podem ser diferentes de acordo com a etnia do grupo estudado. Neste estudo, foram tipificados os antígenos HLA de classe II em uma população brasileira de pacientes com diabetes do tipo I. Para tal, foram estudados 58 pacientes diabéticos e 102 indivíduos sadios, procedentes da mesma área geográfica e com etnia semelhante à dos pacientes. Os linfócitos B foram separados, utilizando-se lã de nylon. Os antígenos HLA foram tipificados por intermédio de um método de microlinfocitotoxicidade dependente de complemento. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste exato de Fisher bicaudal. As freqüências dos antígenos HLA-DR3 e HLA-DR4 e as combinações dos antígenos HLA-DR3 e DR4 estavam significantemente elevadas nos pacientes (P < 0,05). As freqüências dos antígenos HLA-DQ2 e HLA-DQ3 não foram significantemente diferentes daquelas observadas em controles, quando analisadas separadamente, no entanto, as freqüências das combinações dos antígenos HLADR3 com HLA-DQ3, HLA-DR4 com HLA-DQ2 ou HLA-DQ3, e, ainda, HLA-DR3, HLA-DR4 com HLA-DQ3 estavam significantemente elevadas nos pacientes diabéticos (P < 0,05). Embora as freqüências dos antígenos HLA-DR2 e HLA-DR7 (associados com proteção contra o desenvolvimento da doença) estivessem menores nos pacientes em relação aos controles, a significância não foi atingida após a correção do valor do P.
Características imunogenéticas da síndrome nefrótica corticossensível e da glomerulosclerose segmentar e focal em pacientes brasileiros da região nordeste do estado de São Paulo
Authors: Domingos Nélio A.M. , Paula-Santos Cássia M. , Franco Paulo B. , Kimachi Tatsuto , Voltarelli Júlio C. , Donadi Eduardo A.
Published: December 2013

A síndrome nefrótica corticossensível (SNCS) e a glomerulonefrite esclerosante segmentar e focal (GESF) compartilham características imunológicas e patogênicas. Foram estudados 93 pacientes brasileiros (46 com SNCS e 47 com GESF) e 104 indivíduos-controle, para caracterizar os perfis imunogenéticos dessas variedades de síndromes nefróticas idiopáticas. Os antígenos HLA-A, -B e –DR foram tipificados, usando-se método sorológico. Embora nenhuma associação com os antígenos HLA-A ou –B fosse observada, as freqüências dos antígenos HLAB7 e –B12 estavam significantemente elevadas nos pacientes com SNCS. Os antígenos HLADR7, HLA-DR1 e a combinação de antígenos HLA-DR1/DR7 estavam significantemente elevados nos pacientes com SNCS, em relação aos indivíduos-controle, ou em relação aos pacientes com GESF. A avaliação somente de pacientes caucasóides revelou que o antígeno HLA-DR7 continuava elevado nos pacientes com SNCS. O haplótipo HLA-B7/DR7 estava significantemente elevado nos pacientes com SNCS e GESF. Embora a população brasileira seja altamente miscigenada, a freqüência do antígeno HLA-DR7, que confere susceptibilidade a SNCS em outras populações, estava também elevada na série de pacientes caucasóides aqui estudada.
Torcicolo
Authors: Bicas Harley E.A.
Published: December 2013

Torcicolo e posição viciosa da cabeça (PVC) são termos empregados para descrever a condição de um desvio cefálico relativamente ao tronco. Isso pode ser devido a uma causa ortopédica (defeitos das vértebras cervicais, contraturas musculares) ou a uma ocular, representando ajustamentos para compensação de desequilíbrios oculomotores (estrabismos ou heteroforias incomitantes, bloqueio de nistagmos, fixação com um olho mal posicionado na órbita, blefaroptoses e outras menos freqüentes). A quantificação da PVC suscita uma análise sobre problemas conceituais (critérios e referenciais) e operacionais a ela relacionados. O diagnóstico diferencial entre causas ortopédicas e oculares é determinado por manobras de movimentação passiva da cabeça relativamente ao tronco e por exame do equilíbrio oculomotor (teste de cobertura, rotações oculares). Comprovando-se um fator causal ocular, sua correção é buscada por uma cirurgia que lhe seja específica, basicamente a de reposicionamento adequado do olho fixador em sua órbita e de anulação do ângulo de um estrabismo, se houver. Vários exemplos práticos são comentados.
Estudo da morbidade na unidade de internação de ortopedia
Authors: Melo Marcia Regina A. Costa , Ferraz Clarice A. , Souza Carla R. , Lavrador Marco A.S.
Published: December 2013

Modelo de estudo: Estudo retrospectivo e descritivo. Objetivo: Descrever a clientela hospitalizada na Unidade de Internação de Ortopedia do HCRP, segundo as variáveis do diagnóstico principal, idade e sexo. Metodologia: Foram analisadas as saídas hospitalares codificadas pela Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 9ª revisão, 1975, ocorridas no período de 1992 a 1996. Os dados foram obtidos através do Serviço de Arquivo Médico (SAME) da instituição, a partir de programa de registro de altas da Companhia de Processamento de Dados do Estado de São Paulo- PRODESP e decodificados a partir da elaboração especial de um programa de computador desenvolvido em linguagem C++. Resultados: Encontram-se 5819 saídas hospitalares, sendo o Capítulo XVII – Lesões e Envenenamentos – responsável pelo maior número,correspondendo a 2.345 saídas (40,30%). Em seguida, o Capítulo XIII – Doenças do Sistema Osteomuscular e do Tecido Conjuntivo - foi o responsável por 1.904 saídas (32,72%). O Capítulo VI – Doenças do Sistema Nervoso e dos Órgãos dos Sentidos - foi responsável por 433 saídas (7,44%). Especificamente, o diagnóstico de Síndrome do Túnel do Carpo representou 310 casos. O Capítulo II – Neoplasma - foi o responsável por 479 saídas (8,23). O Capítulo XIV – Anomalias Congênitas foi o responsável por 333 saídas (5,72%). Os demais capítulos apresentaram freqüência menor de saídas. Em todos os capítulos notou-se distribuição nas diversas faixas etárias, predominando a de 20 a 49 anos de idade (48,44%). Considerações: Acredita-se que o conhecimento da morbidade hospitalar, pelos enfermeiros, possa orientar o uso de recursos dos serviços de saúde, de modo a garantir a qualidade da assistência prestada.