bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The free and cued selective reminding test for predicting progression to Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Lemos Raquel , Marôco João , Simões Mário R. , Santiago Beatriz , Tomás José , Santana Isabel
Published: June 2015

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients carry a greater risk of conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the International Working Group (IWG) on AD aims to consider some cases of aMCI as symptomatic prodromal AD. The core diagnostic marker of AD is a significant and progressive memory deficit, and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) was recommended by the IWG to test memory in cases of possible prodromal AD. This study aims to investigate whether the performance on the FCSRT would enhance the ability to predict conversion to AD in an aMCI group. A longitudinal study was conducted on 88 aMCI patients, and neuropsychological tests were analysed on the relative risk of conversion to AD. During follow‐up (23.82 months), 33% of the aMCI population converted to AD. An impaired FCSRT TR was significantly associated with the risk of conversion to dementia, with a mean time to conversion of 25 months. The FCSRT demonstrates utility for detecting AD at its prodromal stage, thus supporting its use as a valid clinical marker.
Health‐care costs of underweight, overweight and obesity: Australian population‐based study
Authors: Clifford Susan A , Gold Lisa , Mensah Fiona K , Jansen Pauline W , Lucas Nina , Nicholson Jan M , Wake Melissa
Published: June 2015

Aim

Child health varies with body mass index (BMI), but it is unknown by what age or how much this attracts additional population health‐care costs. We aimed to determine the (1) cross‐sectional relationships between BMI and costs across the first decade of life and (2) in longitudinal analyses, whether costs increase with duration of underweight or obesity.

Methods

Participants: Baby (n = 4230) and Kindergarten (n = 4543) cohorts in the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Outcome: Medicare Benefits Scheme (including all general practitioner plus a large proportion of paediatrician visits) plus prescription medication costs to federal government from birth to sixth (Baby cohort) and fourth to tenth (Kindergarten cohort) birthdays. Predictor: biennial BMI measurements over the same period.

Results

Among Australian children under 10 years of age, 5–6% were underweight, 11–18% overweight and 5–6% obese. Excess costs with low and high BMI became evident from age 4–5 years, with normal weight accruing the least, obesity the most, and underweight and overweight intermediate costs. Relative to overall between‐child variation, these excess costs per child were very modest, with a maximum of $94 per year at age 4–5 years. Nonetheless, this projects to a substantial cost to government of approximately $13 million per annum for all Australian children aged less than 10 years.

Conclusions

Substantial excess population costs provide further economic justification for promoting healthy body weight. However, obese children's low individual excess health‐care costs mean that effective treatments are likely to increase short‐term costs to the public health purse during childhood.
A Test Method for Damage Diagnosis of Suspension Bridge Suspender Cables
Authors: An Yonghui , Spencer B.F. , Ou Jinping
Published: June 2015

Suspender cables are one of the most vulnerable components of a suspension bridge; therefore, development of effective methods for damage detection is imperative. Many previous damage detection methods require an accurate finite element model, which is often difficult to obtain. This article proposes a model‐free test method for damage diagnosis of suspender cables that avoids this problem. The method includes two procedures: the mean normalized curvature difference procedure and the curvature difference probability procedure. Numerical results for single and multiple damage cases indicate that: (1) both procedures can be effective for damage diagnosis of suspender cables; (2) small damage can be more easily diagnosed in long suspender cables than short ones, for example, 5% stiffness reduction in long suspender cables can be diagnosed; and (3) noise is generally not a problem, because the signal‐to‐noise ratio can be improved by increasing the pulse excitation magnitude for a suspender cable. The proposed test method does not eliminate the need for manual inspection, but changes it from observation to a more quantified method. All of these points increase the potential of the proposed method for practical applications.
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis: An apparent familial form?
Authors: Ying Tracey , Hill Prue , Desmond Michael , Agar John , Mallett Andrew
Published: June 2015

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis is a rare cause of glomerulonephritis characterized by non‐amyloid fibrillary deposits of unknown aetiology. It is generally considered idiopathic but may be associated with secondary causes such as monoclonal gammopathy, hepatitis B and C infections, autoimmune diseases and malignancies. We report two Australian families with apparent familial fibrillary glomerulonephritis inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, and postulate the existence of a primary familial entity. Family 1 consists of an affected father and daughter; the daughter progressed to end‐stage renal failure within 18 months of diagnosis, despite immunosuppressive therapy. The father, however, remains stable at 10 months follow up. Family 2 comprises an affected mother and son; the mother commenced haemodialysis 5 years after diagnosis and subsequently underwent successful renal transplantation. The son is presently stable at last follow‐up after 5 years. A further review of the second family history reveals a third family member (maternal father) dying of ‘Bright's disease’. We describe their histopathology, clinical progression and treatment outcomes, and provide a review of the current understanding of this heterogeneous condition that is associated with poor renal outcomes.
Tree mortality from drought, insects, and their interactions in a changing climate
Authors: Anderegg William R. L. , Hicke Jeffrey A. , Fisher Rosie A. , Allen Craig D. , Aukema Juliann , Bentz Barbara , Hood Sharon , Lichstein Jeremy W. , Macalady Alison K. , McDowell Nate , Pan Yude , Raffa Kenneth , Sala Anna , Shaw John D. , Stephenson Nathan L. , Tague Christina , Zeppel Melanie
Published: June 2015

Climate change is expected to drive increased tree mortality through drought, heat stress, and insect attacks, with manifold impacts on forest ecosystems. Yet, climate‐induced tree mortality and biotic disturbance agents are largely absent from process‐based ecosystem models. Using data sets from the westernUSAand associated studies, we present a framework for determining the relative contribution of drought stress, insect attack, and their interactions, which is critical for modeling mortality in future climates. We outline a simple approach that identifies the mechanisms associated with two guilds of insects – bark beetles and defoliators – which are responsible for substantial tree mortality. We then discuss cross‐biome patterns of insect‐driven tree mortality and draw upon available evidence contrasting the prevalence of insect outbreaks in temperate and tropical regions. We conclude with an overview of tools and promising avenues to address major challenges. Ultimately, a multitrophic approach that captures tree physiology, insect populations, and tree–insect interactions will better inform projections of forest ecosystem responses to climate change.
Genetics of resistance to Sesamia inferens infestation and its correlation with yield in maize
Authors: Sekhar Javaji C. , Karjagi Chikkappa G. , Kumar Bhupender , Rakshit Sujay , Soujanya Lakshmi , Kumar Pradyumn , Singh Krishan P. , Dhandapani Appavoo , Dass Sain , Kumar Ramanujam S.
Published: June 2015

Sesamia inferens (Walker) causes 25.7–78.9% losses in maize production in South and South‐East Asia. The genetic basis of host plant resistance is the prerequisite for resistance breeding. Twenty‐four populations derived from S. inferens resistant × susceptible inbreds were used to study the genetic regulation of resistance to S. inferens in maize, to determine the importance of genetic effects through generation mean analysis (GMA) and to understand correlation between resistance and yield. Resistant and susceptible inbreds differed significantly in leaf and stem injury ratings (LSIR), a measure of host plant resistance. Mean LSIR range among resistant and susceptible parents was 2.15–2.55 and 7.83–8.22, respectively. The broad‐sense heritability ranged from 0.40 to 0.71, and the mean number of effective factors ranged from 1.9 to 2.6. The resistance against S. inferens was largely governed by additive × additive (i), followed by dominance (d) and additive (a) gene effects. Significant negative correlation (−0.27 to −0.96) was observed between LSIR and yield. The findings suggest reciprocal recurrent selection for development of new inbreds with resistance followed by their involvement in hybrid development to exploit additive and non‐additive gene effects/variance.
Towards breeding of triploid chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) – Ploidy variation within German chamomile of various origins
Authors: Otto Lars‐Gernot , Junghanns Wolfram R. , Plescher Andreas , Sonnenschein Marlis , Sharbel Timothy F.
Published: June 2015

German chamomile is an important medical plant with a long history of usage and a wide range of medical applications. Wild forms are diploid, whereas cultivated ones are diploid and tetraploid. Ploidy level variation within 15 origins (varieties, accessions, populations) of chamomile was investigated. Both naturally occurring triploids and those induced through directed crosses between diploid and tetraploid parents were identified and analysed, and these data could facilitate the exploitation of triploidy in chamomile as in other crop plants (fruit and ornamental plants).
A Prospective, Nonrandomized, Open‐Label Study of the Efficacy and Safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA in Adolescents with Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis
Authors: Glaser Dee Anna , Pariser David M. , Hebert Adelaide A. , Landells Ian , Somogyi Chris , Weng Emily , Brin Mitchell F. , Beddingfield Frederick
Published: June 2015

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA in adolescents with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Methods

This 52‐week, multicenter, nonrandomized, open‐label study was conducted in 141 adolescents ages 12 to 17 years with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Patients could receive up to six treatments with onabotulinumtoxinA (50 U per axilla), with re‐treatment occurring no sooner than 8 weeks after the prior treatment cycle and no later than 44 weeks after the initial treatment cycle. The primary efficacy measure was treatment response, based on self‐assessed hyperhidrosis severity following the first two treatments using the 4‐point Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). Other efficacy measures included spontaneous resting sweat production and health outcomes.

Results

Fifty‐six (38.9%) participants underwent one treatment, 59 (41.0%) underwent two, 20 (13.9%) underwent three, 6 (4.2%) underwent four, and 3 (2.1%) underwent five. OnabotulinumtoxinA significantly improved HDSS scores and decreased sweat production compared with treatment cycle baselines. Seventy‐nine patients (54.9%) responded to treatment based on HDSS criteria. From 56.6% to 72.3% of patients experienced a two‐grade or more improvement at 4 and 8 weeks after each of the first two treatments. The majority (79.4%–93.2%) had a 75% or greater reduction in sweat production at week 4 (treatments 1–3). The median duration of effect for responders ranged from 134 to 152 days. Using quality of life measures, health outcomes improved markedly. Eight patients (5.6%) had mild or moderate treatment‐related adverse events. No unexpected safety signals were observed in this study. Neutralizing antibodies to onabotulinumtoxinA did not develop.

Conclusion

OnabotulinumtoxinA injections provided beneficial effects in adolescents with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.
Recurrent subependymoma of fourth ventricle with unusual atypical histological features: A case report
Authors: Tiwari Nishant , Powell Suzanne Z. , Takei Hidehiro
Published: June 2015

Subependymoma is a rare subtype of benign ependymal neoplasm with distinct histological features. Anaplastic transformation has not yet been reported in this tumor to date. We present here a very unusual case of a 62‐year‐old woman with recurrent subependymoma of the fourth ventricle with multiple atypical histological features. Histologically, the resected recurrent tumor showed characteristic small cell clusters and nests of ependymal cells with an interspersed gliofibrillary matrix as seen in a classic subependymoma. In addition, there were very unusual histological features, including multiple areas of necrosis, microvascular proliferation, thrombosed blood vessels, and scattered mitotic figures. No coexisting ependymoma component of higher World Health Organization (WHO) grade was present. Immunohistochemically, MIB‐1 labeling index was high, with up to 15% in the highest areas. Review of this patient's initial tumor, which was resected 6 years prior to recurrence, demonstrated features of a typical classic subependymoma without atypical features or a secondary tumor component. Subependymomas are known to be low‐grade tumors and are usually cured if completely excised. The tumor presented here is unique in that several atypical pathological features were found in an otherwise typical subependymoma. Our case may represent anaplastic transformation of subependymoma, although no such examples have been reported to date.
Evolving schemes of interpretation: investigating the dual role of architectures in new product development
Authors: Magnusson Thomas , Lakemond Nicolette
Published: June 2015

Should product architectures be considered inputs to – or outputs from – new product development (NPD)? Whereas the mirroring hypothesis suggests the former, NPD stage models suggests the latter. Elaborating on these conflicting propositions, this paper analyses the relationships between product architectures and development processes in NPD projects. The analysis demonstrates how project managers use product architectures to interpret their tasks and devise appropriate responses to perceived challenges. Thus, architectures provide useful linkages between knowledge development and organisational change in R&D organisations.
Scale‐dependent effects of forest restoration on Neotropical fruit bats
Authors: Reid J. Leighton , Mendenhall Chase D. , Zahawi Rakan A. , Holl Karen D.
Published: June 2015

Neotropical fruit bats (family Phyllostomidae) facilitate forest regeneration on degraded lands by dispersing shrub and tree seeds. Accordingly, if fruit bats can be attracted to restoration sites, seed dispersal could be enhanced. We surveyed bat communities at 10 sites in southern Costa Rica to evaluate whether restoration treatments attracted more fruit bats if trees were planted on degraded farmlands in plantations or island configurations versus natural regeneration. We also compared the relative influence of tree cover at local and landscape spatial scales on bat abundances. We captured 68% more fruit bat individuals in tree plantations as in controls, whereas tree island plots were intermediate. Bat activity also responded to landscape tree cover within a 200‐m radius of restoration plots, with greater abundance but lower species richness in deforested landscapes. Fruit bat captures in controls and tree island plots declined with increasing landscape tree cover, but captures in plantations were relatively constant. Individual species responded differentially to tree cover measured at different spatial scales. We attribute restoration effects primarily to habitat structure rather than food resources because no planted trees produced fruits regularly eaten by bats. The magnitude of tree planting effects on fruit bats was less than previous studies have found for frugivorous birds, suggesting that bats may play a particularly important role in dispersing seeds in heavily deforested and naturally regenerating areas. Nonetheless, our results show that larger tree plantations in more intact landscapes are more likely to attract diverse fruit bats, potentially enhancing seed dispersal.
Pathological tendons maintain sufficient aligned fibrillar structure on ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC)
Authors: Docking S. I. , Cook J.
Published: June 2015

Structural disorganization in the tendon is associated with tendinopathy, with little research investigating whether disorganization overwhelms the overall structural integrity of the tendon. This study investigated the mean cross‐sectional area (CSA) of aligned fibrillar structure as detected by ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) in the pathological and normal Achilles and patellar tendons. Ninety‐one participants had their Achilles and/or patellar tendons scanned using UTC to capture a three‐dimensional image of the tendon and allow a semi‐quantification of the echopattern. The mean CSA of aligned fibrillar structure (echo type I + II) and disorganized structure (echo type III + IV) was calculated based on UTC algorithms. Each tendon was classified as either pathological or normal based solely on gray‐scale ultrasound. The mean CSA of aligned fibrillar structure was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.001) in the pathological tendon compared with the normal tendon, despite the pathological tendon containing greater amounts of disorganized structure (P ≤ 0.001). A significant relationship was observed between the mean CSA of disorganized structure and anteroposterior diameter of the Achilles (R2 = 0.587) and patellar (R2 = 0.559) tendons. This study is the first to show that pathological tendons have sufficient levels of aligned fibrillar structure. Pathological tendons may compensate for areas of disorganization by increasing in tendon thickness.
Aquatic animal telemetry: A panoramic window into the underwater world
Authors: Hussey Nigel E. , Kessel Steven T. , Aarestrup Kim , Cooke Steven J. , Cowley Paul D. , Fisk Aaron T. , Harcourt Robert G. , Holland Kim N. , Iverson Sara J. , Kocik John F. , Mills Flemming Joanna E. , Whoriskey Fred G.
Published: June 2015

A brave new world with a wider view

Researchers have long attempted to follow animals as they move through their environment. Until relatively recently, however, such efforts were limited to short distances and times in species large enough to carry large batteries and transmitters. New technologies have opened up new frontiers in animal tracking remote data collection. Hussey
et al.
review the unique directions such efforts have taken for marine systems, while Kays
et al.
review recent advances for terrestrial species. We have entered a new era of animal ecology, where animals act as both subjects and samplers of their environments.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1255642
,
10.1126/science.aaa2478
Seismicity triggered by fluid injection–induced aseismic slip
Authors: Guglielmi Yves , Cappa Frédéric , Avouac Jean-Philippe , Henry Pierre , Elsworth Derek
Published: June 2015

How to observe fault injections in real time

Faults in the ground are known to deform in response to procedures such as wastewater injection that change the pore pressure. Guglielmi
et al.
took a crack at monitoring this process in real time with a controlled fluid injection into an inactive fault (see the Perspective by Cornet). Reactivating the dead fault induced aseismic slip, which triggered small earthquakes. These observations can inform models of how friction is related to slip rate. The technique can also be applied to field-scale monitoring of seismicity-inducing wastewater injections.

Science
, this issue p.
1224
; see also p.
1204
SYNCHRONOUS IMPROVEMENT OF DISPERSIBILITY AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTY OF ANTIMONY DOPED TIN OXIDE NANOPARTICLES PROCESSED BY POLYVINYL ALCOHOL
Authors: LIU SHIMIN , WEN BIN , JIANG WEIWEI , LIU CHAOQIAN , DING WANYU , WANG NAN , CHAI WEIPING
Published: June 2015

Antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical coprecipitation method with different contents of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dispersant. The prepared ATO nanoparticles have been characterized by means of XRD, SEM, HRTEM, SAED, EDS, bulk density and electrical resistivity measurement. Results indicated that the approach functionalized by PVA dispersant enables a synchronous improvement of two important properties namely the dispersibility and electrical conductivity due to the mechanism of avoiding the formation of agglomeration of nanoparticles, which could be regarded as primary factors for the enhanced electron transfer of powders: The surface area over which are crucial for the interfacial arrangement and electron charge scattering/transfer processes. The bulk density and electrical resistivity decreased to a minimum of 0.90 g/cm3 and 1.44 Ω⋅cm at PVA dispersant content of 5%, and increased rapidly at higher PVA contents. The prepared ATO nanoparticles can serve as a kind of effective conductive filler in insulating species such as plastics, textile and rubber.
Local Feature Integration Method Using Phase Congruency for Palm Print Authentication
Authors: Latha Y. L. Malathi , Prasad Munaga V. N. K. , Sammulal Banoth
Published: June 2015

Palm print authentication is a biometric technology to identify a person's identity. In this paper, phase congruency method is used to extract features from palm print ROI images. The phase congruency is an efficient method to extract features at varying illumination condition and the image is invariant to contrast. By applying this method, local phase congruency (LPC), local orientation (LO) and local phase (LP) are extracted individually and fused using score level fusion. To reduce false acceptance rate (FAR), Min-Max threshold range is employed and the proposed method is tested on PolyU database of 7480 images from 374 individuals, with 20 image samples per individual. The proposed system achieves genuine acceptance rate (GAR) of 100% and FAR of 0.65%.
Conodont biofacies of the Taghanic transgressive interval (middle Givetian): Polish record and global comparisons
Authors: Narkiewicz K. , Narkiewicz M. , Bultynck P.
Published: June 2015

Conodont biofacies of the Lublin and Łysogóry–Radom basins in SE Poland have been analysed in five cored borehole sections in a narrow interval of the middle Givetian
Polygnathus ansatus
Zone, corresponding to the global Taghanic transgression. Assemblages exhibiting various proportions of dominant genera,
Icriodus
(I) and
Polygnathus
(P), as well as particular P species and a few accessory taxa, reflect both temporal transgression dynamics and lateral facies changes. The latter comprise transition from a brackish lagoon with intermittent open-marine influence, to a carbonate shoal and offshore marly shelf, generally characterized by P–I biofacies, but with a varying proportion of constituent genera and polygnathid species. Comparison of the Polish record with stratigraphically well-constrained, quantitative biofacies evidence worldwide allowed the construction of a 2D nearshore–offshore model for the Euramerican epicontinental faunas connected with Taghanic transgressive facies. The I/P ratio has a diagnostic value for specific sub-environments (very nearshore/shallow-water and drowned platform) but for other settings the
Polygnathus ansatus
to
Polygnathus linguiformis
ratio appears more useful. The Moroccan faunas display specific biofacies patterns tentatively explained by different climatic conditions. The conodont biofacies concept has a limited application for palaeogeographically isolated settings, including pelagic-oceanic areas of microcontinents or submarine rises. In other cases (Eastern Australia), palaeobiogeographical bias precludes direct comparisons with the Euramerican model.
Orexin-A enhances feeding in male rats by activating hindbrain catecholamine neurons
Authors: Li Ai-Jun , Wang Qing , Davis Hana , Wang Rong , Ritter Sue
Published: June 2015

Both lateral hypothalamic orexinergic neurons and hindbrain catecholaminergic neurons contribute to control of feeding behavior. Orexin fibers and terminals are present in close proximity to hindbrain catecholaminergic neurons, and fourth ventricular (4V) orexin injections that increase food intake also increase c-Fos expression in hindbrain catecholamine neurons, suggesting that orexin neurons may stimulate feeding by activating catecholamine neurons. Here we examine that hypothesis in more detail. We found that 4V injection of orexin-A (0.5 nmol/rat) produced widespread activation of c-Fos in hindbrain catecholamine cell groups. In the A1 and C1 cell groups in the ventrolateral medulla, where most c-Fos-positive neurons were also dopamine β hydroxylase (DBH) positive, direct injections of a lower dose (67 pmol/200 nl) of orexin-A also increased food intake in intact rats. Then, with the use of the retrogradely transported immunotoxin, anti-DBH conjugated to saporin (DSAP), which targets and destroys DBH-expressing catecholamine neurons, we examined the hypothesis that catecholamine neurons are required for orexin-induced feeding. Rats given paraventricular hypothalamic injections of DSAP, or unconjugated saporin (SAP) as control, were implanted with 4V or lateral ventricular (LV) cannulas and tested for feeding in response to ventricular injection of orexin-A (0.5 nmol/rat). Both LV and 4V orexin-A stimulated feeding in SAP controls, but DSAP abolished these responses. These results reveal for the first time that catecholamine neurons are required for feeding induced by injection of orexin-A into either LV or 4V.
Linking express saccade occurance to stimulus properties and sensorimotor integration in the superior colliculus
Authors: Marino Robert A. , Levy Ron , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: June 2015

Express saccades represent the fastest possible eye movements to visual targets with reaction times that approach minimum sensory-motor conduction delays. Previous work in monkeys has identified two specific neural signals in the superior colliculus (SC: a midbrain sensorimotor integration structure involved in gaze control) that are required to execute express saccades: 1) previsual activity consisting of a low-frequency increase in action potentials in sensory-motor neurons immediately before the arrival of a visual response; and 2) a transient visual-sensory response consisting of a high-frequency burst of action potentials in visually responsive neurons resulting from the appearance of a visual target stimulus. To better understand how these two neural signals interact to produce express saccades, we manipulated the arrival time and magnitude of visual responses in the SC by altering target luminance and we examined the corresponding influences on SC activity and express saccade generation. We recorded from saccade neurons with visual-, motor-, and previsual-related activity in the SC of monkeys performing the gap saccade task while target luminance was systematically varied between 0.001 and 42.5 cd/m2 against a black background (∼0.0001 cd/m2). Our results demonstrated that 1) express saccade latencies were linked directly to the arrival time in the SC of visual responses produced by abruptly appearing visual stimuli; 2) express saccades were generated toward both dim and bright targets whenever sufficient previsual activity was present; and 3) target luminance altered the likelihood of producing an express saccade. When an express saccade was generated, visuomotor neurons increased their activity immediately before the arrival of the visual response in the SC and saccade initiation. Furthermore, the visual and motor responses of visuomotor neurons merged into a single burst of action potentials, while the visual response of visual-only neurons was unaffected. A linear combination model was used to test which SC signals best predicted the likelihood of producing an express saccade. In addition to visual response magnitude and previsual activity of saccade neurons, the model identified presaccadic activity (activity occurring during the 30-ms epoch immediately before saccade initiation) as a third important signal for predicting express saccades. We conclude that express saccades can be predicted by visual, previsual, and presaccadic signals recorded from visuomotor neurons in the intermediate layers of the SC.
Spatial specificity and inheritance of adaptation in human visual cortex
Authors: Larsson Jonas , Harrison Sarah J.
Published: June 2015

Adaptation at early stages of sensory processing can be propagated to downstream areas. Such inherited adaptation is a potential confound for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques that use selectivity of adaptation to infer neuronal selectivity. However, the relative contributions of inherited and intrinsic adaptation at higher cortical stages, and the impact of inherited adaptation on downstream processing, remain unclear. Using fMRI, we investigated how adaptation to visual motion direction and orientation influences visually evoked responses in human V1 and extrastriate visual areas. To dissociate inherited from intrinsic adaptation, we quantified the spatial specificity of adaptation for each visual area as a measure of the receptive field sizes of the area where adaptation originated, predicting that adaptation originating in V1 should be more spatially specific than adaptation intrinsic to extrastriate visual cortex. In most extrastriate visual areas, the spatial specificity of adaptation did not differ from that in V1, suggesting that adaptation originated in V1. Only in one extrastriate area—MT—was the spatial specificity of direction-selective adaptation significantly broader than in V1, consistent with a combination of inherited V1 adaptation and intrinsic MT adaptation. Moreover, inherited adaptation effects could be both facilitatory and suppressive. These results suggest that adaptation at early visual processing stages can have widespread and profound effects on responses in extrastriate visual areas, placing important constraints on the use of fMRI adaptation techniques, while also demonstrating a general experimental strategy for systematically dissociating inherited from intrinsic adaptation by fMRI.
Abnormal tuning of saccade-related cells in pontine reticular formation of strabismic monkeys
Authors: Walton Mark M. G. , Mustari Michael J.
Published: June 2015

Strabismus is a common disorder, characterized by a chronic misalignment of the eyes and numerous visual and oculomotor abnormalities. For example, saccades are often highly disconjugate. For humans with pattern strabismus, the horizontal and vertical disconjugacies vary with eye position. In monkeys, manipulations that disturb binocular vision during the first several weeks of life result in a chronic strabismus with characteristics that closely match those in human patients. Early onset strabismus is associated with altered binocular sensitivity of neurons in visual cortex. Here we test the hypothesis that brain stem circuits specific to saccadic eye movements are abnormal. We targeted the pontine paramedian reticular formation, a structure that directly projects to the ipsilateral abducens nucleus. In normal animals, neurons in this structure are characterized by a high-frequency burst of spikes associated with ipsiversive saccades. We recorded single-unit activity from 84 neurons from four monkeys (two normal, one exotrope, and one esotrope), while they made saccades to a visual target on a tangent screen. All 24 neurons recorded from the normal animals had preferred directions within 30° of pure horizontal. For the strabismic animals, the distribution of preferred directions was normal on one side of the brain, but highly variable on the other. In fact, 12/60 neurons recorded from the strabismic animals preferred vertical saccades. Many also had unusually weak or strong bursts. These data suggest that the loss of corresponding binocular vision during infancy impairs the development of normal tuning characteristics for saccade-related neurons in brain stem.
Cell dialysis by sharp electrodes can cause nonphysiological changes in neuron properties
Authors: Hooper Scott L. , Thuma Jeffrey B. , Guschlbauer Christoph , Schmidt Joachim , Büschges Ansgar
Published: June 2015

We recorded from lobster and leech neurons with two sharp electrodes filled with solutions often used with these preparations (lobster: 0.6 M K2SO4or 2.5 M KAc; leech: 4 M KAc), with solutions approximately matching neuron cytoplasm ion concentrations, and with 6.5 M KAc (lobster, leech) and 0.6 M KAc (lobster). We measured membrane potential, input resistance, and transient and sustained depolarization-activated outward current amplitudes in leech and these neuron properties and hyperpolarization-activated current time constant in lobster, every 10 min for 60 min after electrode penetration. Neuron properties varied with electrode fill. For fills with molarities ≥2.5 M, neuron properties also varied strongly with time after electrode penetration. Depending on the property being examined, these variations could be large. In leech, cell size also increased with noncytoplasmic fills. The changes in neuron properties could be due to the ions being injected from the electrodes during current injection. We tested this possibility in lobster with the 2.5 M KAc electrode fill by making measurements only 10 and 60 min after penetration. Neuron properties still changed, although the changes were less extreme. Making measurements every 2 min showed that the time-dependent variations in neuron properties occurred in concert with each other. Neuron property changes with high molarity electrode-fill solutions were great enough to decrease neuron firing strongly. An experiment with14C-glucose electrode fill confirmed earlier work showing substantial leak from sharp electrodes. Sharp electrode work should thus be performed with cytoplasm-matched electrode fills.
LUBAC Formation Is Impaired in the Livers of Mice with MCD‐Dependent Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Matsunaga Yasuka , Nakatsu Yusuke , Fukushima Toshiaki , Okubo Hirofumi , Iwashita Misaki , Sakoda Hideyuki , Fujishiro Midori , Yamamotoya Takeshi , Kushiyama Akifumi , Takahashi Shin-ichiro , Tsuchiya Yoshihiro , Kamata Hideaki , Tokunaga Fuminori , Iwai Kazuhiro , Asano Tomoichiro
Published: June 2015

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a disorder characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation followed by the inflammation‐induced death of hepatocytes and fibrosis. In this process, oxidative stress contributes to the induction of several inflammatory cytokines including TNF‐α and　IL‐1β in macrophages, while, in hepatocytes, NF‐κB reportedly induces the expressions of cell survival genes for protection from apoptosis. Recently, it was reported that the new ubiquitin ligase complex termed linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), composed of SHARPIN (SHANK‐associated RH domain‐interacting protein), HOIL‐1L (longer isoform of heme‐oxidized iron‐regulatory protein 2 ubiquitin ligase‐1), and HOIP (HOIL‐1L interacting protein), forms linear ubiquitin on NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO) and thereby induces NF‐κB pathway activation. In this study, we demonstrated the formation of LUBAC to be impaired in the livers of NASH rodent models produced by methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet feeding, first by either gel filtration or Blue Native‐PAGE, with subsequent confirmation by western blotting. The reduction of LUBAC is likely to be attributable to markedly reduced expression of SHARPIN, one of its components. Thus, impaired LUBAC formation, which would result in insufficient NF‐κB activation, may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced apoptotic response of hepatocytes in MCD diet‐induced NASH livers.
Sidelobe Suppression with Null Steering by Independent Weight Control
Authors: Khan Zafar-Ullah , Malik Aqdas Naveed , Zaman Fawad , Hussain Syed Azmat , Khan Abdul-Rehman
Published: June 2015

A uniform linear array ofnantenna elements can steer up ton-1nulls. In situations where less thann-1nulls are required to be steered, the existing algorithms have no criterion to utilize the remaining weights for sidelobe suppression. This work combines sidelobe suppression capability with null steering by independent weight control. For this purpose, the array factor is transformed as the product of two polynomials. One of the polynomials is used for null steering by independent weight control, while the second one is for sidelobe suppression whose coefficients or weights are determined by using convex optimization. Finally, a new structure is proposed to incorporate the product of two polynomials such that sidelobe suppression weights are decoupled from those of null steering weights. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Influence of Nanocomposites of LDPE Doped with Nano‐MgO by Different Preparing Methods on Its Dielectric Properties
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Dai Yajie , Zhao Hong , Zhong Lidong
Published: June 2015

LDPE doped with nano‐MgO can effectively suppress the space charge accumulation in the nanocomposite under DC applied field, and this suppression was affected greatly by the prepared nano‐MgO particles. In this paper, the influence of nanocomposite of LDPE doped with nano‐MgO by using different preparation methods on their space charge, and volume resistivity as well as DC breakdown strength was researched. The results showed that size of nano‐MgO prepared by the traditional heating method was about 22.74 nm, while being only about 12.76 nm by the microwave‐assisted method. When the nano‐MgO content in the composite was 2 wt% by weight, the space charge accumulation in this composite was obviously reduced; meanwhile both the volume resistivity and DC breakdown strength were enhanced. When nano‐MgO was prepared by the microwave‐assisted method, the electric properties of its LDPE nanocomposite were obviously better than those of nano‐MgO prepared by traditional heating method.
Mussel‐Inspired Polydopamine Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Application
Authors: Gu Xiangling , Zhang Yancong , Sun Hanwen , Song Xinfeng , Fu Chunhua , Dong Pingxuan
Published: June 2015

Mussel‐inspired polydopamine (PDA) coated iron oxide nanoparticles have served as a feasible, robust, and functional platform for various biomedical applications. However, there is scarcely a systemic paper reviewed about such functionalising nanomaterials to date. In this review, the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, the mechanism of dopamine self‐oxidation, the interaction between iron oxide and dopamine, and the functionality and the safety assessment of dopamine modified iron oxide nanoparticles as well as the biomedical application of such nanoparticles are discussed. To enlighten the future research, the opportunities and the limitations of functionalising iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PDA are also analyzed.
A Review onϕMeson Production in Heavy-Ion Collision
Authors: Nasim Md. , Bairathi Vipul , Sharma Mukesh Kumar , Mohanty Bedangadas , Bhasin Anju
Published: June 2015

The main aim of the relativistic heavy-ion experiment is to create extremely hot and dense matter and study the QCD phase structure. With this motivation, experimental program started in the early 1990s at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) and the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) followed by Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven and recently at Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. These experiments allowed us to study the QCD matter from center-of-mass energies (sNN) 4.75 GeV to 2.76 TeV. Theϕmeson, due to its unique properties, is considered as a good probe to study the QCD matter created in relativistic collisions. In this paper we present a review on the measurements ofϕmeson production in heavy-ion experiments. Mainly, we discuss the energy dependence ofϕmeson invariant yield and the production mechanism, strangeness enhancement, parton energy loss, and partonic collectivity in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Effect of later stage hadronic rescattering on elliptic flow (v2) of proton is also discussed relative to corresponding effect onϕmesonv2.
Transverse Momentum Spectra ofKS0andK*0at Midrapidity ind+ Au, Cu + Cu, andp+pCollisions atsNN=200 GeV
Authors: Li Bao-Chun , Zhang Guo-Xing , Guo Yuan-Yuan
Published: June 2015

We analyze transverse momentum spectra ofKS0andK*0at midrapidity ind+ Au, Cu + Cu, andp+pcollisions atsNN=200 GeV in the formworks of Tsallis statistics and Boltzmann statistics, respectively. Both of them can describe the transverse momentum spectra and extract the thermodynamics parameters of matter evolution in the collisions. The parameters are helpful for us to understand the thermodynamics factors of the particle production.
A Novel Stability Analysis of Uncertain Switched Systems with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Huang Ganji , Luo Shixian , Wei Linna , Chen Wuhua
Published: June 2015

This paper deals with the stability of switched systems with time-varying delay. The time-varying system parameters are assumed to be norm-bounded. Based on a novel switched time-varying Lyapunov functional method, some new LMI-based sufficient conditions have been obtained to ensure the exponential stability for the uncertain switched delays systems. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a numerical example and the simulative results are also given.
Forecasting Beijing Transportation Hub Areas’s Pedestrian Flow Using Modular Neural Network
Authors: Wang Shuwei , Zhou Ronggui , Zhao Lin
Published: June 2015

Along with the increasing proportion of urban public transportation trip, pedestrian flow in transportation hub areas increased. For effectively improving the emergency handling ability of related management apartments and preventing the incident of pedestrian congestion, this paper studied the method of pedestrian flow forecast in Beijing transportation hub areas. Firstly, 34 typical sidewalks in Beijing transportation hub areas were surveyed to obtain 2200 valid data. Secondly, correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between pedestrian flow and its influential factors. 11 significant influential factors were extracted. Thirdly, forecasting model was established with modular neural network. The surveyed pedestrian flow sample was fuzzy clustered according to the regional land use where the transportation hub existed. Then, membership function based on the distance measure was constructed. Through fuzzy discrimination, online selection for the subnetwork of the information can be achieved. Consequently, the self-adaptation of the neural network on information processing was improved. Finally, this paper tested the pedestrian flow sample of a transportation hub in Beijing. It was concluded that the accuracy of pedestrian flow forecasting model using modular neural network was higher than other neural network models. There was also improvement in the adaptability to environment.
Experimental Evaluation of Indoor Formaldehyde Decomposition Performance of Atmospheric Plasma Reactor Utilizing Sensor Network
Authors: Lo Tsan-Hung , Tsay Yaw-Shyan , Chiang Chi-Lung , Lee Chia-Yen
Published: June 2015

An experimental investigation is conducted into the indoor formaldehyde decomposition performance of an atmospheric plasma reactor with an airflow rate of 200 L/s, discharge power of 50 W, and operating voltage of 8.5 kV, utilizing a sensor network. It is shown that, given an initial formaldehyde concentration of ∼0.2 ppm, the reactor removes 15∼80% of the formaldehyde at a height of 107 cm and 20∼73% at a height of 180 cm after 5.5 hours. Moreover, it is shown that, in decomposing the formaldehyde, the reaction process does not generate O3. Finally, it is shown that the reduction in the formaldehyde concentration is particularly significant near the outlet of the plasma reactor and between the reactor and the door.
Function Synthesis Algorithm of RTD-Based Universal Threshold Logic Gate
Authors: Yao Maoqun , Yang Kai , Xu Congyuan , Shen Jizhong
Published: June 2015

The resonant tunneling device (RTD) has attracted much attention because of its unique negative differential resistance characteristic and its functional versatility and is more suitable for implementing the threshold logic gate. The universal logic gate has become an important unit circuit of digital circuit design because of its powerful logic function, while the threshold logic gate is a suitable unit to design the universal logic gate, but the function synthesis algorithm for then-variable logical function implemented by the RTD-based universal logic gate (UTLG) is relatively deficient. In this paper, three-variable threshold functions are divided into four categories; based on the Reed-Muller expansion, two categories of these are analyzed, and a new decomposition algorithm of the three-variable nonthreshold functions is proposed. The proposed algorithm is simple and the decomposition results can be obtained by looking up the decomposition table. Then, based on the Reed-Muller algebraic system, the arbitraryn-variable function can be decomposed into three-variable functions, and a function synthesis algorithm for then-variable logical function implemented by UTLG and XOR2 is proposed, which is a simple programmable implementation.
Intestinal Stenosis of Garré: An Old Problem Revisited
Authors: Marrelli Daniele , Voglino Costantino , Di Mare Giulio , Ferrara Francesco , Guazzi Gianni , Croce Federica , Costantini Maurizio , Piagnerelli Riccardo , Roviello Franco
Published: June 2015

Background: Intestinal stenosis of Garré, first described in 1892, is a rare condition as a consequence of a complicated strangulated hernia. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging because of unspecific symptoms. Proper anamnesis, especially in terms of clinical and surgical history, as well as careful examination of both inguinal spaces is essential. Case Report: We herein present a case of intestinal stenosis of Garré in a 70-year-old female. Conclusion: Intestinal stenosis of Garré should be considered in cases of occlusive symptoms occurring after a non-operative or surgical reduction of a strangulated hernia. A correct diagnosis and an adequate surgical treatment are necessary to solve this rare complication favorably.
МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ПРОЦЕСУ НАДАННЯ ПЕРВИННОЇ МЕДИЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ В АМБУЛАТОРІЇ ЗАГАЛЬНОЇ ПРАКТИКИ-СІМЕЙНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ
Authors: Kupkina A. V. , Kupkina S. V. , Dubyna V. I.
Published: June 2015

It was considered a formalized scheme and a simulation model of the process of service mixed heterogeneous patient flow (pre-recorded, those who are in need of emergency care, without appointment), the features of the statistical simulation algorithm.

It was adduced fragment of the simulation results, dependence of the probability and duration of patients stay in the queue and service interruptions to load a doctor.

It is shown that the organization of service for patients with pre- recorded minimum total loss of time for breaks and stay in the queue take place at load factor doctor 0,75 - 0,80.
Liminal Contradictions
Authors: Warne Randi R.
Published: June 2015

Excising the supernatural from the category “religion” generates intriguing new possibilities in its study and application. However, placing the category fully within the realm of the human does not protect it from the interpretive biases that mar other analytical approaches. Consideration is raised around this point regarding gender and “the lineage of the fathers.”