bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunnel behaviour associated with the weak Alpine rock masses of the Driskos Twin Tunnel system, Egnatia Odos Highway
Authors: Vlachopoulos N. , Diederichs M.S. , Marinos V. , Marinos P.
Published: February 2013

Based on the excessive deformations and support failure encountered during tunnel construction at the Driskos Twin Tunnel site in Northern Greece, this paper provides insight on how tunnels designed in such weak rock environments can be realistically analyzed with a view of determining better analytical tools to predict deformations and improving current design methods. Specific factors that were assessed include rock strength based on the geological strength index (GSI), tunnel deformation, numerical analysis techniques employed, three-dimensional model type, support considerations, dilation, sequencing of tunnel excavation, influence of single bore construction on twin bore, and homogenization of tunnel faces. This work involves the use of nominally identical two- and three-dimensional numerical models of tunnel sequencing for analytical simulation of weak material behaviour and sequential tunnel deformation response with the goal of investigating the strength and deformation of such weak rock masses. These have been used in combination with monitoring data that were obtained in the field during the Driskos Twin Tunnel construction. A discussion of the geological conditions, material property determination, monitoring data, and model calibration strategy is given. This paper provides insight into these issues and poses many more fundamental questions regarding the analysis of tunnel excavation within weak rock masses requiring further investigation.
A tree-community-level analysis of successional status and gap-phase and postfire regeneration of range-marginThuja plicata(western redcedar)
Authors: McKenzie David A. , Tinker Daniel B.
Published: February 2013

Range-margin populations may have different life history characteristics than other populations, and the montane forests of Glacier National Park represent the easternmost limit of several western conifer species including Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don (western redcedar) and Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. (western hemlock). Understanding regeneration strategies of range-margin populations is important for predicting species distribution shifts. We identify successional status, seedling substrate preferences, and the degree to which different species establish within canopy gaps and the forest matrix. Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla were each found to comprise at least 35% of all tree size classes, with six other species each contributing less than 6%. Similarly, other species each comprised less than 5% of canopy gap and understory seedlings. Thuja plicata is typically thought of as a late-successional species but it, along with Tsuga heterophylla, dominated stands during all stages of successional development. Similarly, they dominated both closed forest and gap establishment sites on all rooting substrates but preferred wood for establishment. Even with the likelihood of increased fire frequency, these range-margin populations likely have the capacity to maintain their current distributions. As disturbance regimes are modified across landscapes, it may be possible to observe the potential to adapt to local conditions in other range-margin populations.
Salmon consumption by Kodiak brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi) with ecosystem management implications
Authors: Van Daele M.B. , Robbins C.T. , Semmens B.X. , Ward E.J. , Van Daele L.J. , Leacock W.B.
Published: February 2013

The ecological role of large predators in North America continues to spark heated public debate. Although brown bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) and the salmon (genus Oncorhynchus Suckley, 1861) they feed on have declined in many areas, the Kodiak archipelago is famous for large brown bears and abundant salmon. Salmon have generally been managed for maximum sustained yield in a fisheries sense, but those levels may be well below what is necessary for maximum ecosystem productivity. Consequently, we used stable isotopes and mercury accumulated in hair to estimate intake of salmon by Kodiak brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi Merriam, 1896). Salmon intake increased from subadult males (592 ± 325 kg·bear−1·year−1) to adult males (2788 ± 1929 kg·bear−1·year−1) and from subadult females (566 ± 360 kg·bear−1·year−1) to adult females (1364 ± 1261 kg·bear−1·year−1). Intake within each group increased 62% ± 23% as salmon escapement increased from ∼1 500 to ∼14 000 kg·bear−1·year−1. The estimated population of 2300 subadult and adult bears consumed 3.77 ± 0.16 million kg of salmon annually, a mass equal to ∼6% of the combined escapement and commercial harvest (57.6 million kg). Although bears consume a small portion of the total mass of adult salmon, perpetuation of dense populations of large bears requires ecosystem-based management of the meat resources and environments that produce such bears.
NILPOTENT ORBITS AND CODIMENSION-2 DEFECTS OF 6d${\mathcal N} = (2, 0)$ THEORIES
Authors: CHACALTANA OSCAR , DISTLER JACQUES , TACHIKAWA YUJI
Published: February 2013

We study the local properties of a class of codimension-2 defects of the 6d [Formula: see text] theories of type J = A, D, E labeled by nilpotent orbits of a Lie algebra [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is determined by J and the outer-automorphism twist around the defect. This class is a natural generalization of the defects of the six-dimensional (6d) theory of type SU (N) labeled by a Young diagram with N boxes. For any of these defects, we determine its contribution to the dimension of the Higgs branch, to the Coulomb branch operators and their scaling dimensions, to the four-dimensional (4d) central charges a and c and to the flavor central charge k.
ON LIE GROUPS, CLUSTER VARIABLES AND INTEGRABLE SYSTEMS
Authors: MARSHAKOV A.
Published: February 2013

We propose an explicit construction for the integrable models on Poisson submanifolds of the Lie groups. The integrals of motion are computed in cluster variables via the Lax map. This generalized construction for the co-extended loop groups allows to formulate, in general terms, some new classes of integrable models.
Cu IONS IRRADIATION IMPACT ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF GaN THIN FILM
Authors: SHAH A. , HUSNAIN G. , AHMAD ISHAQ , MAHMOOD ARSHAD
Published: February 2013

Epitaxial grown Gallium nitride ( GaN ) thin film on sapphire was irradiated with Cu ions at various fluences (5×1014, 1 ×1015 and 5×1015 cm -2). The level of lattice disorder, as measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and channeling (RBS/C), gradually increases with the increasing of ions fluence. Lattice amorphization is observed for the sample irradiated with fluence of 5×1015 cm -2 which is also confirmed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. It was found that both Raman modes of GaN layer clearly shifted with Cu + fluences. Both Raman and X-ray analyses explore that Cu atom substituted into Ga sites. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images show the irradiated GaN surface roughness increases with the increasing ions fluence. The UV-visible transmittance spectrum and ellipsometric measurements show a decrease in the band gap value after irradiation of Cu ions in the GaN film. Moreover, the optical constants (n and k) of the films vary with the increasing of Cu ion fluences.
EFFECT OF INTERACTION IN ONE-DIMENSIONAL TOPOLOGICAL INSULATOR
Authors: GUO HUAIMING , SHEN SHUN-QING
Published: February 2013

The one-dimensional interacting topological insulator is studied by means of exact diagonalization method. The topological properties are examined with the existence of the edge states and the quantized berry phase at half-filling. It is found that the topological phases are not only robust to small repulsive interactions but also are stabilized by small attractive interactions and also finite repulsive interaction can drive a topological nontrivial phase into a trivial one while the attractive interaction can drive a trivial phase into a nontrivial one. These results could be realized experimentally using cold atoms trapped in the 1D optical lattice.
BOUNDARY CONDITION ANALYSIS FOR CUK, SEPIC AND ZETA CONVERTERS USING ENERGY FACTOR CONCEPT
Authors: SHI ZHANGHAI , CHENG K. W. ERIC , Ho S. L.
Published: February 2013

This paper aims to use the concept of energy factor and its associated concepts to analyze high-order converters, such as Cuk, Sepic and Zeta converters. The maximum variation of energy factor (MVEF) of high-order converters exhibits particular characteristic which is different from that of second order converters. To carry out the analysis based on MVEF, boundary conditions for the high-order converters should be restudied. There are new boundary conditions that are derived by analyzing the energy factor. Through the research in this paper, it can be concluded that the MVEF can reveal the amount of energy storage and impact the efficiency of high-order converters. Experimental results have confirmed that the MVEF and efficiency are correlated. MVEF can be a preferred index for DC-DC converters including high-order converters.
DESIGN OF LOW POWER TWO-PHASE CMOS BUFFER FOR LARGE CAPACITIVE LOADING APPLICATIONS
Authors: LIN HUNG-YI , LAI YEN-TAI
Published: February 2013

In this paper, a low power two-phase CMOS buffer with short-circuit power elimination and charge reuse for non-speed-critical large capacitive loading applications is proposed. The short-circuit power eliminating circuit is designed to remove the short-circuit current at the buffer's output, which accounts for the largest portion of the short-circuit power dissipation of the CMOS buffer. The charge reuse circuit is used to reduce the output dynamic power dissipation of the two-phase buffer. Moreover, the overall power dissipation of the proposed buffer is further decreased by optimizing the number of tapered stages and the values of tapered factors in the tapered chains of the short-circuit power eliminating circuit. In order to validate the efficiency of the proposed design, theoretical analysis and simulations with various capacitive loads are conducted using TSMC 0.18-μm 1P6M and UMC advanced 90-nm 1P9M CMOS technologies. The results show that the power dissipation of the proposed two-phase CMOS buffer is 8.6% lower than that of the conventional two-phase CMOS tapered buffer. The power-delay product of the proposed buffer is 2.7% smaller than that of the conventional tapered buffer.
PULSAR TIMING ARRAYS
Authors: JOSHI BHAL CHANDRA
Published: February 2013

In the last decade, the use of an ensemble of radio pulsars to constrain the characteristic strain caused by a stochastic gravitational wave background has advanced the cause of detection of very low frequency gravitational waves (GWs) significantly. This electromagnetic means of GW detection, called Pulsar Timing Array (PTA), is reviewed in this paper. The principle of operation of PTA, the current operating PTAs and their status are presented along with a discussion of the main challenges in the detection of GWs using PTA.
FLAVOR SYMMETRY AND TOPOLOGY CHANGE IN NUCLEAR SYMMETRY ENERGY FOR COMPACT STARS
Authors: LEE HYUN KYU , RHO MANNQUE
Published: February 2013

The nuclear symmetry energy figures crucially in the structure of asymmetric nuclei and, more importantly, in the equation of state (EoS) of compact stars. At present it is almost totally unknown, both experimentally and theoretically, in the density regime appropriate for the interior of neutron stars. Basing on a strong-coupled structure of dense baryonic matter encoded in the skyrmion crystal approach with a topology change and resorting to the notion of generalized hidden local symmetry in hadronic interactions, we address a variety of hitherto unexplored issues of nuclear interactions associated with the symmetry energy, i.e., kaon condensation and hyperons, possible topology change in dense matter, nuclear tensor forces, conformal symmetry, chiral symmetry, etc., in the EoS of dense compact-star matter. One of the surprising results coming from HLS structure that is distinct from what is given by standard phenomenological approaches is that at high density, baryonic matter is driven by renormalization group flow to the "dilaton-limit fixed point" constrained by "mended symmetries". We further propose how to formulate kaon condensation and hyperons in compact-star matter in a framework anchored on a single effective Lagrangian by treating hyperons as the Callan–Klebanov kaon-skyrmion bound states simulated on crystal lattice. This formulation suggests that hyperons can figure in the stellar matter — if at all — when or after kaons condense, in contrast to the standard phenomenological approaches where the hyperons appear as the first strangeness degree of freedom in matter, thereby suppressing or delaying kaon condensation. In our simplified description of the stellar structure in terms of symmetry energies, which is compatible with that of the 1.97 solar mass star, kaon condensation plays a role of "doorway state" to strange quark matter.
ALPHA DECAY HALF-LIVES FOR Pt ISOTOPES
Authors: HASSANABADI H. , JAVADIMANESH E. , ZARRINKAMAR S.
Published: February 2013

We study the half-lives of some Pt isotopes via the alpha-decay process and a modified barrier penetration formula different from the traditional barrier potentials. Comparison with the existing data is quite motivating.
STABILITY PENINSULAS ON THE NEUTRON DRIP LINE
Authors: TARASOV V. N. , GRIDNEV K. A. , GRIDNEV D. K. , TARASOV D. V. , SCHRAMM S. , VIÑAS X. , GREINER W.
Published: February 2013

Using HF+BCS method with Skyrme forces we analyze the neutron drip line. It is shown that the drip line may form stability peninsulas. These peninsulas locate along fixed neutron numbers on the nuclear chart, which correspond to magic and new magic numbers, and are the same for all Skyrme forces. It is found that the size of the peninsulas is sensitive to the choice of Skyrme forces and the most extended peninsulas appear with the SkI2 set.
DYNAMICAL CHANGE OF SURFACE DIFFUSENESS OF ION–ION POTENTIAL AND ITS EFFECT ON FUSION CROSS-SECTION
Authors: ISMAIL M. , SEIF W. M.
Published: February 2013

We assume a simple model to describe the ion–ion potential with dynamical change in its surface diffuseness. In particular, this model is used to calculate the heavy-ion fusion cross-section using different values of the surface diffuseness. Both the static and dynamic nuclear Woods–Saxon potentials with diffuseness values ranging between 0.65 fm and 1.3 fm are used to reproduce the fusion cross-sections data of the 19 F +208 Pb and 16 O +154 Sm reactions. The results estimate that there are different physical processes which could contribute to the fusion cross-section with different weights at each energy value. Each of these processes has its own nuclear potential.
COMPLEX NOISE-BITS AND LARGE-SCALE INSTANTANEOUS PARALLEL OPERATIONS WITH LOW COMPLEXITY
Authors: WEN HE , KISH LASZLO B. , KLAPPENECKER ANDREAS
Published: February 2013

We introduce the complex noise-bit as information carrier, which requires noise signals in two parallel wires instead of the single-wire representations of noise-based logic discussed so far. The immediate advantage of this new scheme is that, when we use random telegraph waves as noise carrier, the superposition of the first 2N integer numbers (obtained by the Achilles heel operation) yields nonzero values. We introduce basic instantaneous operations, with O(20) time and hardware complexity, including bit-value measurements in product states, single-bit and two-bit noise-gates (universality exists) that can instantaneously operate over large superpositions with full parallelism. We envision the possibility of implementing instantaneously running quantum algorithms on classical computers while using similar number of classical bits as the number of quantum bits emulated without the necessity of error corrections. Mathematical analysis and proofs are given.
THEORETICAL PROPOSAL FOR THE DYNAMICAL CONTROL OF THE NONLINEAR OPTICAL RESPONSE FREQUENCY
Authors: CHOTORLISHVILI L. , SUKHOV A. , WIMBERGER S. , BERAKDAR J.
Published: February 2013

We propose theoretically a method for the control of the frequency of the nonlinear optical response of a model nonlinear medium driven by an electric field and suggest an experimental realization on the basis of isotropic LiF , or NaCl crystals and pulsed Nd glass laser. The theoretical background of the proposed optical control is the nonlinear resonance and the resonance overlapping which is typical for nonlinear systems. It is shown that by a proper choice of the parameters of the applied pulses a diffusive growth of the oscillation amplitude can be achieved resulting in a controlled switching of the system's frequency. The maximum frequency of the nonlinear response is identified to be proportional to the intensity of the applied noise. An experimental suggestion for particular materials is proposed.
ON THE PREDICTION OF MACROSCOPIC YIELD SURFACES FOR A PEARLITIC STEEL USING COMPUTATIONAL HOMOGENIZATION
Authors: LINDFELDT ERIK , EKH MAGNUS
Published: February 2013

In the present work a multiscale modeling framework is used to predict yield surfaces for a pearlitic steel. On the mesoscale a model taking into account the features of the pearlite colonies, i.e., the crystallographic orientations of the ferrite and the cementite lamella orientation, is used. The microscale model includes both the ferrite matrix and the cementite lamellae and the interactions between these phases. The model is used to predict yield surfaces for both isotropic and deformed mesomodels.
Marine, freshwater and aerially acclimated mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) use different strategies for cutaneous ammonia excretion
Authors: Cooper Christopher A. , Wilson Jonathan M. , Wright Patricia A.
Published: February 2013

Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins are ammonia gas (NH3) channels known to be involved in ammonia transport in animals. Because of the different osmoregulatory and ionoregulatory challenges faced by teleost fishes in marine and freshwater (FW) environments, we hypothesized that ammonia excretion strategies would differ between environments. Also, we hypothesized that cutaneous NH3volatilization in air-acclimated fish is facilitated by base secretion. To test these hypotheses, we used the skin of the euryhaline amphibious mangrove rivulus ( Kryptolebias marmoratus). The skin excretes ammonia and expresses Rh glycoproteins. Serosal-to-mucosal cutaneous ammonia flux was saturable (0–16 mmol/l ammonia, Kmof 6.42 mmol/l). In FW, ammonia excretion increased in response to low mucosal pH but decreased with pharmacological inhibition of Na+/H+exchangers (NHE) and H+ATPase. Conversely, in brackish water (BW), lowering the mucosal pH significantly decreased ammonia excretion. Inhibitors of NHE also decreased ammonia excretion in BW fish. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that both the Rh isoform, Rhcg1, and NHE3 proteins colocalized in Na+/K+ATPase expressing mitochondrion-rich cells in the gills, kidney, and skin. We propose that the mechanisms of cutaneous ammonia excretion in FW K. marmoratus are consistent with the model for branchial ammonia excretion in FW teleost fish. NH4+excretion appeared to play a stronger role in BW. NH4+excretion in BW may be facilitated by apical NHE and/or diffuse through paracellular pathways. In aerially acclimated fish, inhibition of NHE and H+ATPase, but not the Cl−/HCO3−exchanger, significantly affected cutaneous surface pH, suggesting that direct base excretion is not critical for NH3volatilization. Overall, K. marmoratus use different strategies for excreting ammonia in three different environments, FW, BW, and air, and Rh glycoproteins and NHE are integral to all.
Neuropeptide RFRP inhibits the pacemaker activity of terminal nerve GnRH neurons
Authors: Umatani Chie , Abe Hideki , Oka Yoshitaka
Published: February 2013

The terminal nerve gonadotropin-releasing hormone (TN-GnRH) neurons show spontaneous pacemaker activity whose firing frequency is suggested to regulate the release of GnRH peptides and control motivation for reproductive behaviors. Previous studies of the electrophysiological properties of TN-GnRH neurons reported excitatory modulation of pacemaker activity by auto/paracrine and synaptic modulations, but inhibition of pacemaker activity has not been reported to date. Our recent study suggests that neuropeptide FF, a type of Arg-Phe-amide (RFamide) peptide expressed in TN-GnRH neurons themselves, inhibits the pacemaker activity of TN-GnRH neurons in an auto- and paracrine manner. In the present study, we examined whether RFamide-related peptides (RFRPs), which are produced in the hypothalamus, modulate the pacemaker activity of TN-GnRH neurons as candidate inhibitory synaptic modulators. Bath application of RFRP2, among the three teleost RFRPs, decreased the frequency of firing of TN-GnRH neurons. This inhibition was diminished by RF9, a potent antagonist of GPR147/74, which are candidate RFRP receptors. RFRP2 changed the conductances for Na+ and K+. The reversal potential for RFRP2-induced current was altered by inhibitors of the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel (La3+ and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate) and by a less selective blocker of voltage-independent K+ channels (Ba2+). By comparing the current-voltage relationship in artificial cerebrospinal fluid with that under each drug, the RFRP2-induced current was suggested to consist of TRPC channel-like current and voltage-independent K+ current. Therefore, synaptic release of RFRP2 from hypothalamic neurons is suggested to inhibit the pacemaker activity of TN-GnRH neurons by closing TRPC channels and opening voltage-independent K+ channels. This novel pathway may negatively regulate reproductive behaviors.
A role for TREK1 in generating the slow afterhyperpolarization in developing starburst amacrine cells
Authors: Ford Kevin J. , Arroyo David A. , Kay Jeremy N. , Lloyd Eric E. , Bryan Robert M. , Sanes Joshua R. , Feller Marla B.
Published: February 2013

Slow afterhyperpolarizations (sAHPs) play an important role in establishing the firing pattern of neurons that in turn influence network activity. sAHPs are mediated by calcium-activated potassium channels. However, the molecular identity of these channels and the mechanism linking calcium entry to their activation are still unknown. Here we present several lines of evidence suggesting that the sAHPs in developing starburst amacrine cells (SACs) are mediated by two-pore potassium channels. First, we use whole cell and perforated patch voltage clamp recordings to characterize the sAHP conductance under different pharmacological conditions. We find that this conductance was calcium dependent, reversed at EK, blocked by barium, insensitive to apamin and TEA, and activated by arachidonic acid. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of calcium-activated phosphodiesterase reduced the sAHP. Second, we performed gene profiling on isolated SACs and found that they showed strong preferential expression of the two-pore channel gene kcnk2 that encodes TREK1. Third, we demonstrated that TREK1 knockout animals exhibited an altered frequency of retinal waves, a frequency that is set by the sAHPs in SACs. With these results, we propose a model in which depolarization-induced decreases in cAMP lead to disinhibition of the two-pore potassium channels and in which the kinetics of this biochemical pathway dictate the slow activation and deactivation of the sAHP conductance. Our model offers a novel pathway for the activation of a conductance that is physiologically important.
Effect of PdS on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution of Nanostructured CdS under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Chen Qingyun , Suo Cheng , Zhang Shu , Wang Yunhai
Published: February 2013

To investigate the effect of PdS as a cocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, nanostructured PdS/CdS were prepared by an in situ coprecipitation and hydrothermal method, respectively. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra (PL). With PdS highly dispersed in the CdS nanostructures, the photoactivity was evaluated by hydrogen evolution from aqueous solution containing Na2S/Na2SO3as sacrificial reagents under visible light irradiation. When the concentration of PdS was 1% by weight, PdS/CdS, prepared by the in situ coprecipitation, showed the highest photocatalytic activity, while that prepared by hydrothermal method showed the most stability for hydrogen evolution. The effect of highly dispersed PdS on the photoactivity was discussed.
Identification of PDZ Domain Containing Proteins Interacting with 1.2 and PMCA4b
Authors: Korb Doreen , Tng Priscilla Y. , Milenkovic Vladimir M. , Reichhart Nadine , Strauss Olaf , Ritter Oliver , Fischer Tobias , Benz Peter M. , Schuh Kai
Published: February 2013

PDZ (PSD-95/Disc large/Zonula occludens-1) protein interaction domains bind to cytoplasmic protein C-termini of transmembrane proteins. In order to identify new interaction partners of the voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel 1.2 and the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase 4b (PMCA4b), we used PDZ domain arrays probing for 124 PDZ domains. We confirmed this by GST pull-downs and immunoprecipitations. In PDZ arrays, strongest interactions with 1.2 and PMCA4b were found for the PDZ domains of SAP-102, MAST-205, MAGI-1, MAGI-2, MAGI-3, and ZO-1. We observed binding of the 1.2 C-terminus to PDZ domains of NHERF1/2, Mint-2, and CASK. PMCA4b was observed to interact with Mint-2 and its known interactions with Chapsyn-110 and CASK were confirmed. Furthermore, we validated interaction of 1.2 and PMCA4b with NHERF1/2, CASK, MAST-205 and MAGI-3 via immunoprecipitation. We also verified the interaction of 1.2 and nNOS and hypothesized that nNOS overexpression might reduce Ca2+ influx through 1.2. To address this, we measured Ca2+ currents in HEK 293 cells co-expressing 1.2 and nNOS and observed reduced voltage-dependent 1.2 activation. Taken together, we conclude that 1.2 and PMCA4b bind promiscuously to various PDZ domains, and that our data provides the basis for further investigation of the physiological consequences of these interactions.
Methamphetamine and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Granado Noelia , Ares-Santos Sara , Moratalla Rosario
Published: February 2013

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly. The aetiology of the disease is not known, but age and environmental factors play an important role. Although more than a dozen gene mutations associated with familial forms of Parkinson's disease have been described, fewer than 10% of all cases can be explained by genetic abnormalities. The molecular basis of Parkinson's disease is the loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia (caudate/putamen) due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which leads to the motor impairment characteristic of the disease. Methamphetamine is the second most widely used illicit drug in the world. In rodents, methamphetamine exposure damages dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in a significant loss of dopamine in the striatum. Biochemical and neuroimaging studies in human methamphetamine users have shown decreased levels of dopamine and dopamine transporter as well as prominent microglial activation in the striatum and other areas of the brain, changes similar to those observed in PD patients. Consistent with these similarities, recent epidemiological studies have shown that methamphetamine users are almost twice as likely as non-users to develop PD, despite the fact that methamphetamine abuse and PD have distinct symptomatic profiles.
High-Urgency Renal Transplantation: Indications and Long-Term Outcomes
Authors: Kousoulas Lampros , Emmanouilidis Nikos , Gwinner Wilfried , Klempnauer Jürgen , Lehner Frank
Published: February 2013

The concept of high-urgency (HU) renal transplantation was introduced in order to offer to patients, who are not able to undergo long-term dialysis treatment, a suitable renal graft in a short period of time, overcoming by this way the obstacle of the prolonged time spent on the waiting list. The goal of this study was to evaluate the patient and graft survivals after HU renal transplantation and compare them to the long-term outcomes of the non-high-urgency renal transplant recipients. The clinical course of 33 HU renal transplant recipients operated on at our center between 1995 and 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. The major indication for the HU renal transplantation was the imminent lack of access for either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (67%). The patient survival of the study population was 67%, 56%, and 56%, whereas the graft survival was 47%, 35% and 35%, at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. In the comparison between our study population and the non-HU renal transplant recipients, our study population presented statistically significant(P<0.05)lower patient survival rates. The HU renal transplant recipients also presented lower graft survival rates, but statistical significance(P<0.05)was reached only in the 5-year graft survival rate.
Acquired Melanonychia in Chilean Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia Treated with Hydroxyurea: A Report of 7 Clinical Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Murray Nigel P. , Tapia Pablo , Porcell Jose , Echavarria Maximiliano , Suazo Hernán
Published: February 2013

Longitudinal melanonychia has been associated with a range of drugs, especially chemotherapeutic agents. We report 7 cases of melanonychia associated with the use of hydroxycarbamide for essential thrombocythemia. Of a patient population of 27, 7 (26%) developed melanonychia over a period of 2–7 years, and was not dose dependent. The high incidence of melanonychia in Chilean patients may be in part due to their Hispanic descent or to the high levels of UV radiation found in Santiago.
Acupressure at the Meridian Acupoint Xiyangguan (GB33) Influences Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Parameters (Regional Oxygen Saturation) in Deeper Tissue of the Knee in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Litscher Gerhard , Ofner Michael , He Wei , Wang Lu , Gaischek Ingrid
Published: February 2013

Up to now, it is still unknown whether microcirculation of deeper peripheral tissue (knee) can be modulated by acupuncture or acupressure on a meridian acupoint. The goal of this pilot study was to investigate possible effects of acupressure at the Xiyangguan acupoint (GB33) on the regional oxygen saturation of the deeper knee tissues by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Twelve healthy volunteers with a mean age of23.8±1.6years were investigated. Acupressure stimulation was performed for 5 minutes at the Xiyangguan acupoint. The results of the controlled study showed a significant increase of the values of regional oxygen saturation on the stimulated side of the knee (P=0.033), whereas the opposite side on the same knee showed insignificant changes. These results may serve as a valuable basis for monitoring a possible therapeutic effect (e.g., after Khalifa therapy) in patients with knee problems.
Cuminum cyminumExtracts as Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Seawater
Authors: Sribharathy V. , Rajendran Susai
Published: February 2013

The inhibitive effect of Jeera(Cuminum cyminum)plant extracts on the corrosion of mild steel in an aqueous solution of seawater was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The stability of the inhibition efficiency of Jeera extracts was examined by weight-loss method. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that the Jeera extract behaves as an anodic type inhibitor. EIS measurements showed that the dissolution process occurs under activation control. The corrosion rates of steel and the inhibition efficiencies of the extract obtained from impedance and polarization measurements were in good agreement. Inhibition was found to increase with an increasing concentration of the plant extract. The results obtained show that the Jeera extract could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in seawater.
Penetrating Neck Injury to the Superior Thoracic Artery Managed by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Wong Victor W. , Gordy Stephanie D. , Schreiber Martin , Tieu Brandon H.
Published: February 2013

Penetrating trauma to the axillary artery and its branches is uncommon and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Open exploration is mandated in hemodynamically unstable patients, but surgical exposure can be difficult due to the concentration of vital structures and complex anatomy in this region. Computed tomographic angiography is a potential diagnostic modality in hemodynamically stable patients. In these patients, endovascular therapies may provide a feasible means of controlling hemorrhage while minimizing surgical complications. A high incidence of concomitant intrathoracic injury has resulted in an expanding role for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In this paper, we present a case of penetrating injury to the superior thoracic artery that was not amenable to endovascular therapy and was ultimately managed with thoracoscopic surgery.
Growth and Specialized Growth Charts of Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism Detected by Neonatal Screening in Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Feizi Awat , Hashemipour Mahin , Hovsepian Silva , Amirkhani Zeynab , Kelishadi Roya , Yazdi Maryam , Heydari Kamal , Sajadi Ali , Amini Masoud
Published: February 2013

Objectives. The aim of the current study was to investigate the growth status of CH, generate specialized growth charts of CH infants, and compare them with their counterparts of regional normal infants. Methods. In this prospective cohort study, 760 (345 girls and 415 boys) neonates born in 2002–2009 diagnosed by neonatal CH screening program in Isfahan were followed up from the time of diagnosis. 552 healthy children were recruited as a control group. The empirical 3rd, 15th, 50th, 85th, and 97th percentiles for height, weight, and head circumference of both sexes were determined and compared with their counterpart values of the control group. The relative frequency of patients with impaired growth for each studied variable was determined. Also, specialized growth charts of CH patients were generated. Results. The percentiles of weight, height, and head circumference of studied patients are significantly different from regional healthy children (P<0.001). The relative frequency of impaired head circumference was decreased to less than 3% at the 3rd year of age and for height it reached gradually 3% and 9% at the 5th year of age for boys and girls, respectively (P<0.05); however for weight still it was statistically more than 3% in both sexes. Conclusion. CH patients had impaired growth development which was improved during follow up, but the catch-up time was earlier for head circumference and later for weight.
Prevalence and Determinants of Falls among Older Adults in Ecuador: An Analysis of the SABE I Survey
Authors: Orces Carlos H.
Published: February 2013

The present study based on a nationally representative sample of older adults living in the Andes mountains and coastal region of the country indicates that 34.7% of older adults had fallen in the previous year in Ecuador. Among fallers, 30.6% reported a fall-related injury. The prevalence of falls was higher in women and among older adults residing in the rural Andes mountains. In the multivariate model, women, subjects with cognitive impairment, those reporting urinary incontinence, and those being physically active during the previous year were variables found independently associated with increased risk of falling among older adults in Ecuador. Moreover, a gradual and linear increase in the prevalence of falls was seen as the number of risk factors increased. Falls represent a major public health problem among older adults in Ecuador. The present findings may assist public health authorities to implement programs of awareness and fall prevention among older adults at higher risk of falls.
On the Inertia Term of Projectile's Penetration Resistance
Authors: Shan Yu , Wu Haijun , Huang Fenglei , Li Jinzhu
Published: February 2013

The effect of the target inertia term of rigid kinetic energy projectiles (KEP’s) penetration resistance is investigated using nonlinear dynamic code LS-DYNA and four constitutive models. It is found that the damage number of target can be used to measure the influence of the inertia term. The smaller the damage number is, the less influence the inertia term has. The less dependent the resistance has on projectile velocity, the more accurate it is to treat the resistance as a constant. For the ogive-nose projectile with CRH of 3, when the target is aluminum, steel, or other metals, the threshold velocity for the constant resistance is at least 1258 m/s; when the target is concrete, rock, or other brittle materials, if the velocity of the projectile is greater than 400 m/s or so, the damage number would be very large, and the penetration resistance would clearly depend on the projectile’s velocity. The higher the elastic wave velocity is, the more penetration process is affected by the impact face.
A Rare Cause of Urachal Adenocarcinoma: Urachal Diverticle
Authors: Çiçek Tufan , Gönülalan Umut , Çoban Gökçen , Erinanç Hilal , Koşan Murat
Published: February 2013

Urachus is the remnant of the embryologic allantois and the fetal bladder, extending form the bladder roof to the umbilicus. It degenerates in the prenatal period into a tissue band known as the median umbilical ligament. Incomplete degeneration may lead to urachal diverticle development. It is difficult to diagnose unless it is considered in differential diagnosis and imaging modalities are employed. This paper describes a patient treated with partial cystectomy for urachal diverticle, and the pathologic examination revealed urachal adenocarcinoma.
Diabetes and Risk of Cancer
Authors: Habib Samy L. , Rojna Maciej
Published: February 2013

Diabetes and cancer represent two complex, diverse, chronic, and potentially fatal diseases. Cancer is the second leading cause of death, while diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death with the latter still likely underreported. There is a growing body of evidence published in recent years that suggest substantial increase in cancer incidence in diabetic patients. The worldwide prevalence of diabetes was estimated to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030. About 26.9% of all people over 65 have diabetes and 60% have cancer. Overall, 8–18% of cancer patients have diabetes. In the context of epidemiology, the burden of both diseases, small association between diabetes and cancer will be clinically relevant and should translate into significant consequences for future health care solutions. This paper summarizes most of the epidemiological association studies between diabetes and cancer including studies relating to the general all-site increase of malignancies in diabetes and elevated organ-specific cancer rate in diabetes as comorbidity. Additionally, we have discussed the possible pathophysiological mechanisms that likely may be involved in promoting carcinogenesis in diabetes and the potential of different antidiabetic therapies to influence cancer incidence.
Interferon-Gamma Release Assays versus Tuberculin Skin Testing for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: An Overview of the Evidence
Authors: Trajman A. , Steffen R. E. , Menzies D.
Published: February 2013

A profusion of articles have been published on the accuracy and uses of interferon-gamma releasing assays. Here we review the clinical applications, advantages, and limitations of the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays and provide an overview of the most recent systematic reviews conducted for different indications for the use of these tests. We conclude that both tests are accurate to detect latent tuberculosis, although interferon-gamma release assays have higher specificity than tuberculin skin testing in BCG-vaccinated populations, particularly if BCG is received after infancy. However, both tests perform poorly to predict risk for progression to active tuberculosis. Interferon-gamma release assays have significant limitations in serial testing because of spontaneous variability and lack of a validated definition of conversion and reversion, making it difficult for clinicians to interpret changes in category (conversions and reversions). So far, the most important clinical evidence, that is, that isoniazid preventive therapy reduces the risk for progression to disease, has been produced only in tuberculin skin test-positive individuals.
A Novel Sparse Least Squares Support Vector Machines
Authors: Xia Xiao-Lei , Jiao Weidong , Li Kang , Irwin George
Published: February 2013

The solution of a Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) suffers from the problem of nonsparseness. The Forward Least Squares Approximation (FLSA) is a greedy approximation algorithm with a least-squares loss function. This paper proposes a new Support Vector Machine for which the FLSA is the training algorithm—the Forward Least Squares Approximation SVM (FLSA-SVM). A major novelty of this new FLSA-SVM is that the number of support vectors is the regularization parameter for tuning the tradeoff between the generalization ability and the training cost. The FLSA-SVMs can also detect the linear dependencies in vectors of the input Gramian matrix. These attributes together contribute to its extreme sparseness. Experiments on benchmark datasets are presented which show that, compared to various SVM algorithms, the FLSA-SVM is extremely compact, while maintaining a competitive generalization ability.
Preparation of Improved p-n Junction NiO/TiO2Nanotubes for Solar-Energy-Driven Light Photocatalysis
Authors: Sim Lan Ching , Ng Kai Wern , Ibrahim Shaliza , Saravanan Pichiah
Published: February 2013

Self-organized TiO2nanotubes (TNTs) with average inner diameter of 109 nm, wall thickness of 15 nm, and tube length of 7–10 μm were loaded with nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles via incipient wet impregnation method. The molar concentration of Ni(NO3)2·6H2O aqueous solution varied in a range of 0.5 M–2.5 M. The samples were characterized for crystalline phase, morphology, topography, chemical composition, Raman shift, and UV-Vis diffusion reflection properties. The finding shows that the loading of NiO did not influence the morphology, structure, and crystalline phase of TNTs but it exhibited significant effect on crystallite size and optical absorption properties. Further, the solar-energy-driven the photocatalytic activity of NiO/TNTs and pure TNTs was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB). The results confirm that photocatalytic efficiency of NiO/TNTs is higher than that of TNTs.
Convolution Properties of p-Valent Functions Associated with a Generalization of the Srivastava-Attiya Operator
Authors: Gochhayat Priyabrat
Published: February 2013

Let 𝒜p denote the class of functions analytic in the open unit disc 𝕌 and given by the series f(z)=zp+∑n=p+1∞anzn. For f∈𝒜p, the transformation ℐp,δλ:𝒜p→𝒜p defined by ℐp,δλf(z)=zp+∑n=p+1∞((p+δ)/(n+δ))λanzn,  (δ+p∈ℂ∖ℤ0-,  λ∈ℂ;  z∈𝕌), has been recently studied as fractional differintegral operator by Mishra and Gochhayat (2010). In the present paper, we observed that ℐp,δλ can also be viewed as a generalization of the Srivastava-Attiya operator. Convolution preserving properties for a class of multivalent analytic functions involving an adaptation of the popular Srivastava-Attiya transform are investigated.
Computationally Efficient Iterative Pose Estimation for Space Robot Based on Vision
Authors: Wu Xiang , Wu Ning
Published: February 2013

In postestimation problem for space robot, photogrammetry has been used to determine the relative pose between an object and a camera. The calculation of the projection from two-dimensional measured data to three-dimensional models is of utmost importance in this vision-based estimation however, this process is usually time consuming, especially in the outer space environment with limited performance of hardware. This paper proposes a computationally efficient iterative algorithm for pose estimation based on vision technology. In this method, an error function is designed to estimate the object-space collinearity error, and the error is minimized iteratively for rotation matrix based on the absolute orientation information. Experimental result shows that this approach achieves comparable accuracy with the SVD-based methods; however, the computational time has been greatly reduced due to the use of the absolute orientation method.
Clinical Phenotypes of Patients with Anti-DFS70/LEDGF Antibodies in a Routine ANA Referral Cohort
Authors: Miyara Makoto , Albesa Roger , Charuel Jean-Luc , El Amri Mohamed , Fritzler Marvin J. , Ghillani-Dalbin Pascale , Amoura Zahir , Musset Lucile , Mahler Michael
Published: February 2013

Objective. To analyze the clinical value of anti-DFS70 antibodies in a cohort of patients undergoing routine antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) testing.Methods. Sera with a dense fine speckled (DFS) indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) pattern from 100 consecutive patients and 100 patients with other IIF patterns were tested for anti-DFS70 antibodies by a novel chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) and for ANA by ANA Screen ELISA (both INOVA).Results. Among the 100 patients with a DFS IIF pattern, 91% were anti-DFS70 positive by CIA compared to 3% in the comparator group(P<0.0001). The CIA and IIF titers of anti-DFS antibodies were highly correlated (rho = 0.89). ANA by ELISA was positive in 35% of patients with the DFS IIF pattern as compared to 67% of patients with other patterns(P<0.0001). Only 12.0% of patients with DFS pattern and 13.4% with DFS pattern and anti-DFS70 antibodies detected by CIA had systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). Only 5/91 (5.5%) patients with anti-DFS70 antibodies had SARD and their sera were negative on the ANA Screen ELISA.Conclusion. Although anti-DFS70 antibodies cannot exclude the presence of SARD, the likelihood is significantly lower than in patients with other IIF patterns and should be included in test algorithms for ANA testing.
Shengmai Injection, a Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine, for Intradialytic Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Chao-yang , Lu Ling-yan , Chen Peng , Ji Kang-ting , Lin Jia-feng , Yang Peng-lin , Tang Ji-fei , Wang Yan
Published: February 2013

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a global public health problem. A rising number of IDH sufferers resort to Chinese patent medicine, Shengmai Injection (SMI) in China. The objectives of present study are to assess the effectiveness and safety of SMI as an adjunct therapy for IDH. A systematic search of 6 medical databases was performed up to December 2011. Randomized trials involving SMI adjuvant therapy versus conventional therapy were identified. RevMan 5.0 was used for data analysis. Ten randomized clinical trials with 437 participants were identified. Methodological quality was considered inadequate in all trials. Compared with conventional therapy, SMI adjunct therapy showed significant effects in improving the clinic effective rate (P<0.01), decreasing the incidence of IDH episode (P<0.01), decreasing the frequency of nursing interventions (P<0.01), and increasing diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the improvement of mean arterial pressure (P=0.22) and systolic blood pressure (P=0.08) between two groups. Four studies had mentioned adverse events, but no serious adverse effects were reported in any of the included trials. In conclusion, SMI adjunct therapy appears to be potentially effective in treatment of IDH and is generally safe. However, further rigorous designed trials are needed.
A Note on Solitary Wave Solutions of the Nonlinear Generalized Camassa-Holm Equation
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Xing Tao
Published: February 2013

We give a simple method for applying ordinary differential equation to solve the nonlinear generalized Camassa-Holm equation ut+2kux−uxxt+aumux−2uxuxx+uuxxx=0. Furthermore we give a new ansätz. In the cases where m=1,2,3, the numerical simulations demonstrate the results.