bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laminated carbonate deposits in Roman aqueducts: Origin, processes and implications
Authors: Sürmelihindi Gül , Passchier Cees W. , Spötl Christoph , Kessener Paul , Bestmann Michel , Jacob Dorrit E. , Baykan Orhan N.
Published: October 2012

Carbonate deposits in Roman aqueducts of Patara and Aspendos (southern Turkey) were studied to analyse the nature of their regular layering. Optical microscopy and electron‐backscattered diffraction results show an alternation of dense, coarsely crystalline, translucent laminae composed of bundles and fans of elongate calcite crystals with their c‐axes parallel to the long axis, and porous, fine‐grained laminae with crystals at near‐random orientation. The δ18O and δ13C data show a strong cyclicity and anti‐correlation, whereby high and low δ18O values correspond to dense columnar and porous fine‐grained laminae, respectively. Geochemical analyses show similar cyclic changes in carbonate composition. Electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry analyses show that porous fine‐grained laminae are enriched in elements associated with detrital material (Fe, Mg, K, Al and Si), whereas the dense columnar laminae are nearly pure calcite. The gradient in major and trace‐element distribution, regular changes in crystal type and in oxygen and carbon‐isotope composition from porous fine‐grained to dense columnar laminae reflect changes in water chemistry, discharge, temperature and biological activity. Because of the strong bimodal cyclicity of the Mediterranean climate in southern Turkey, the observed laminae can be attributed to calcite deposition during the dry (porous fine‐grained) and wet season (dense columnar), respectively. This observation implies that, with proper geochemical and microstructural control, lamination in carbonate deposits in Roman aqueducts can be used for relative dating of aqueduct construction and maintenance and to obtain data on external factors that influenced the aqueducts, such as palaeoclimate and natural hazards. Carbonate deposits in Roman aqueducts show properties of both flowstone speleothems and riverine fresh water tufa. As many aqueducts of nearly identical channel geometry are present in different climate zones and with different source water characteristics, they can be used as natural experiment setups to test and improve existing models of how laminated fresh water carbonates record climate on time scales ranging from seasonal to millennial.
Investigating Endocytic Pathways to the Endoplasmic Reticulum and to the Cytosol Using SNAP‐Trap
Authors: Geiger Roger , Luisoni Stefania , Johnsson Kai , Greber Urs F. , Helenius Ari
Published: October 2012

Cholera toxin enters cells via an unusual pathway that involves trafficking through endosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Whether the toxin induces its own pathway or travels along a physiological retrograde route is not known. To study its trafficking, we labeled cholera toxin B (CTB) or endogenous plasma membrane proteins with a small chemical compound, benzylguanine, which covalently reacts with the protein SNAP‐tag. Using ER‐targeted SNAP‐tag as reporter, we found that transport of CTB to the ER depends on dynamin‐2 and syntaxin 5. Plasma membrane proteins and a fluid‐phase marker added to the medium were also transported to the ER. This flux was not affected by exposing cells to CTB but was inhibited by depleting syntaxin 5 and increased by depleting dynamin‐2. As a control for confined intracellular localization of ER‐targeted SNAP‐tag we used adenovirus‐5, which traffics to endosomes and then escapes into the cytosol. The virus did not react with ER‐targeted SNAP but with cytosolic SNAP. Together, our results establish a new method (SNAP‐trap) to study trafficking of different cargo to the ER and the cytosol and provide evidence for the existence of a constitutive pathway from the cell surface to the ER.
Beyond muscular effects: depression of spinal recurrent inhibition after botulinum neurotoxin A
Authors: Marchand‐Pauvert Véronique , Aymard Claire , Giboin Louis‐Solal , Dominici Federica , Rossi Alessandro , Mazzocchio Riccardo
Published: October 2012

Key points

Botulinum neurototoxin type A (BoNT‐A) is known to block central synapses after muscular injection due to retrograde transport in animal models.

BoNT‐A‐induced changes in the human CNS activity have been attributed so far to indirect mechanisms involving peripheral afferent inputs modified after muscular injection.

The question of a possible direct central action of BoNT‐A in humans was further addressed by investigating the modification of spinal recurrent inhibition in stroke patients after BoNT‐A muscular injection.

Recurrent inhibition from soleus motor axons to motoneurones supplying quadriceps was depressed after BoNT‐A injection in ankle plantarflexors.

BoNT‐A, through retrograde transport, affects spinal synaptic transmission in humans.

Abstract  The natural target of the botulinum neurototoxin type A (BoNT‐A) is the neuromuscular junction. When injected into a muscle, BoNT‐A is internalized by motoneurone terminals where it functions as an endopeptidase, cleaving protein components of the synaptic machinery responsible for vesicle docking and exocytosis. As a result, BoNT‐A induces a characteristic flaccid paralysis of the affected muscle. In animal models, BoNT‐A applied in the periphery can also influence central activity via retrograde transport and transcytosis. An analogous direct central effect in humans is still debated. The present study was designed to address whether BoNT‐A modifies the activity of the spinal recurrent inhibitory pathways, when injected at muscular level, in humans. To avoid methodological bias, the recurrent inhibition from an injected muscle (soleus) was investigated on an untreated muscle (quadriceps), and stimulation parameters (producing recurrent inhibition) were monitored on a third non‐injected muscle but innervated by the same nerve as the soleus (flexor digitorum brevis). The experiments were performed on 14 post‐stroke patients exhibiting spasticity in ankle plantarflexors, candidates for BoNT‐A. One month after BoNT‐A, the level of recurrent inhibition was depressed. It is suggested that the depression of recurrent inhibition was induced by BoNT‐A, injected peripherally, through axonal transport and blockade of the cholinergic synapse between motoneurone recurrent collaterals and Renshaw cells.
Inhibitory mechanisms that generate centre and surround properties in ON and OFF brisk‐sustained ganglion cells in the rabbit retina
Authors: Buldyrev Ilya , Taylor W. Rowland
Published: October 2012

Key points

ON and OFF cells in the retina are excited by increases and decreases in visual contrast, respectively. ON and OFF brisk‐sustained ganglion cells (BSGCs) have antagonistic ‘centre‐surround’ receptive fields; a visual stimulus that excites the centre is inhibitory in the surround. Such lateral inhibition enhances sensitivity to contrast borders.

This study provides the first detailed comparison of visually evoked, excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs driving the centres and surrounds of ON and OFF BSGCs.

GABAergic lateral inhibition suppresses excitatory inputs to BSGCs presynaptically, via GABAC receptors at ON BSGCS and GABAA and GABAC receptors at OFF BSGCs. Feed‐forward glycinergic inhibition, driven through the ON pathway, contributes to centre but not surround responses in both cell types.

Centre excitation is mediated by AMPA receptors in ON BSGCs, and NMDA and AMPA receptors in OFF BSGCs.

The results reveal mechanistic differences in homologous neural circuits that perform a similar neural computation in the visual system.

Abstract  Lateral inhibition produces the centre‐surround organization of retinal receptive fields, in which inhibition driven by the mean luminance enhances the sensitivity of ganglion cells to spatial and temporal contrast. Surround inhibition is generated in both synaptic layers; however, the synaptic mechanisms within the inner plexiform layer are not well characterized within specific classes of retinal ganglion cell. Here, we compared the synaptic circuits generating concentric centre‐surround receptive fields in ON and OFF brisk‐sustained ganglion cells (BSGCs) in the rabbit retina. We first characterized the synaptic inputs to the centre of ON BSGCs, for comparison with previous results from OFF BSGCs. Similar to wide‐field ganglion cells, the spatial extent of the excitatory centre and inhibitory surround was larger for the ON than the OFF BSGCs. The results indicate that the surrounds of ON and OFF BSGCs are generated in both the outer and the inner plexiform layers. The inner plexiform layer surround inhibition comprised GABAergic suppression of excitatory inputs from bipolar cells. However, ON and OFF BSGCs displayed notable differences. Surround suppression of excitatory inputs was weaker in ON than OFF BSGCs, and was mediated largely by GABAC receptors in ON BSGCs, and by both GABAA and GABAC receptors in OFF BSGCs. Large ON pathway‐mediated glycinergic inputs to ON and OFF BSGCs also showed surround suppression, while much smaller GABAergic inputs showed weak, if any, spatial tuning. Unlike OFF BSGCs, which receive strong glycinergic crossover inhibition from the ON pathway, the ON BSGCs do not receive crossover inhibition from the OFF pathway. We compare and discuss possible roles for glycinergic inhibition in the two cell types.
Characterization of alkali metal dispensers and non-evaporable getter pumps in ultrahigh vacuum systems for cold atomic sensors
Authors: Scherer David R. , Fenner David B. , Hensley Joel M.
Published: October 2012

A glass ultrahigh vacuum chamber with rubidium alkali metal dispensers and nonevaporable getter pumps has been developed and used to create a cold atomic sample in a chamber that operates with only passive vacuum pumps. The ion-mass spectrum of evaporated gases from the alkali metal dispenser has been recorded as a function of dispenser current. The efficacy of the nonevaporable getter pumps in promoting and maintaining vacuum has been characterized by observation of the Rb vapor optical absorption on the D2 transition at 780 nm and vacuum chamber pressure rate of rise tests. The authors have demonstrated a sample of laser-cooled Rb atoms in this chamber when isolated and operating without active vacuum pumps.
Decomposition and phase transformation in TiCrAlN thin coatings
Authors: Forsén Rikard , Johansson Mats , Odén Magnus , Ghafoor Naureen
Published: October 2012

Metastable solid solutions of cubic (c)-(TixCryAlz)N coatings were grown by a reactive arc evaporation technique to investigate the phase transformations and mechanisms that yield enhanced high-temperature mechanical properties. Metal composition ranges of y < 17 at. % and 45 < z < 62 at. % were studied and compared with the parent TiAlN material system. The coatings exhibited age hardening up to 1000 °C, higher than the temperature observed for TiAlN. In addition, the coatings showed a less pronounced decrease in hardness when hexagonal (h)-AlN was formed compared to TiAlN. The improved thermal stability is attributed to lowered coherency stress and lowered enthalpy of mixing due to the addition of Cr, which results in improved functionality in the temperature range of 850–1000 °C. Upon annealing up to 1400 °C, the coatings decompose into c-TiN, bcc-Cr, and h-AlN. The decomposition takes place via several intermediate phases: c-CrAlN, c-TiCrN, and hexagonal (β)-Cr2N. The evolution in microstructure observed across different stages of spinodal decomposition and phase transformation can be correlated to the thermal response and mechanical hardness of the coatings.
Defect tolerant extreme ultraviolet lithography technique
Authors: Urbanski Lukasz , Li Wei , Rocca Jorge J. , Menoni Carmen S. , Marconi Mario C. , Isoyan Artak , Stein Aaron
Published: October 2012

A defect tolerant method of printing periodic structures with submicron resolution is presented. This technique is based on the self-imaging effect produced when a periodic semi-transparent mask is illuminated with coherent light. An analytical description of the effect, numerical simulations, and experimental evidence that is in good agreement with the theoretical analysis is presented. To explore the extent of defect tolerance, masks with different defect layouts were designed and tested.
Inflammation Ages Stem Cells
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2012

Age-related decreases in the proliferative capacity of epidermal stem cells may result from inflammation.
Inflammasomes and Eicosanoids
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: October 2012

In mice, activation of an inflammasome triggers the production of eicosanoids, signaling lipids that stimulate inflammation and vascular permeability.
Contribution of Adenosine A
2B
Receptors in Clostridium difficile Intoxication and Infection
Authors: Warren Cirle A. , Li Yuesheng , Calabrese Gina M. , Freire Rosemayre S. , Zaja-Milatovic Snjezana , van Opstal Edward , Figler Robert A. , Linden Joel , Guerrant Richard L.
Published: October 2012

Clostridium difficile
toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) induce a pronounced systemic and intestinal inflammatory response. A
2B
adenosine receptors (A
2B
ARs) are the predominant adenosine receptors in the intestinal epithelium. We investigated whether A
2B
ARs are upregulated in human intestinal cells by TcdA or TcdB and whether blockade of A
2B
ARs can ameliorate
C. difficile
TcdA-induced enteritis and alter the outcome of
C. difficile
infection (CDI). Adenosine receptor subtype (A
1
, A
2A
, A
2B
, and A
3
) mRNAs were assayed in HCT-8 cells. Ileal loops from wild-type rabbits and mice and A
2B
AR
−/−
mice were treated with TcdA, with or without the selective A
2B
AR antagonist ATL692 or PSB1115. A murine model of CDI was used to determine the effect of A
2B
AR deletion or blockade with the orally available agent ATL801, on clinical outcome, histopathology and intestinal interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression from infection. TcdA and TcdB upregulated A
2B
AR gene expression in HCT-8 cells. ATL692 decreased TcdA-induced secretion and epithelial injury in rabbit ileum. Deletion of A
2B
ARs reduced secretion and histopathology in TcdA-challenged mouse ileum. Deletion or blockade of A
2B
ARs reduced histopathology, IL-6 expression, weight loss, diarrhea, and mortality in
C. difficile
-infected mice. A
2B
ARs mediate
C. difficile
toxin-induced enteritis and disease. Inhibition of A
2B
AR activation may be a potential strategy to limit morbidity and mortality from CDI.
The Vibrio cholerae trh Gene Is Coordinately Regulated
In Vitro
with Type III Secretion System Genes by VttR
A
/VttR
B
but Does Not Contribute to Caco2-BBE Cell Cytotoxicity
Authors: Miller Kelly A. , Hamilton Elaine , Dziejman Michelle
Published: October 2012

Numerous virulence factors have been associated with pathogenic non-O1/non-O139 serogroup strains of
Vibrio cholerae
. Among them are the
t
hermostable
d
irect
h
emolysin (TDH) and the
T
DH-
r
elated
h
emolysin (TRH), which share amino acid similarities to the TDH and TRH proteins of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
, where they have been shown to contribute to pathogenesis. Although TDH and TRH homologs can be encoded on extrachromosomal elements in
V. cholerae
, type III secretion system (T3SS)-positive strains, such as AM-19226, carry a copy of
trh
within the T3SS genomic island. Transcriptional fusion analysis showed that in strain AM-19226,
trh
expression is regulated in a bile-dependent manner by a family of transmembrane transcriptional regulators that includes VttR
A
, VttR
B
, and ToxR. Genes encoding T3SS structural components are expressed under similar conditions, suggesting that within the T3SS genomic island, genes encoding proteins unrelated to the T3SS and loci involved in T3SS synthesis are coregulated. Despite similar
in vitro
expression patterns, however, TRH is not required for AM-19226 to colonize the infant mouse intestine, nor does it contribute to bile-mediated cytotoxicity when strain AM-19226 is cocultured with the mammalian cell line Caco2-BBE. Instead, we found that a functional T3SS is essential for AM-19226 to induce bile-mediated cytotoxicity
in vitro
. Collectively, the results are consistent with a more minor role for the
V. cholerae
TRH in T3SS-positive strains compared to the functions attributed to the
V. parahaemolyticus
TDH and TRH proteins.
Rethinking Biosafety in Research on Potential Pandemic Pathogens
Authors: Lipsitch Marc , Bloom Barry R.
Published: October 2012

If accidentally released, mammalian-transmissible influenza A/H5N1 viruses could pose a greater threat to public health than possibly any other infectious agent currently under study in laboratories, because of such viruses’ likely combination of transmissibility and virulence to humans. We advocate explicit risk-benefit assessments before work on such pathogens is permitted or funded, improvement of biosafety practices and enforcement, and harmonization of criteria for permitting such experiments across government agencies, as well as internationally. Such potential pandemic pathogens, as they have been called, jeopardize not only laboratory workers and their contacts, but also the wider population, who should be involved in assessments of when such risks are acceptable in the service of scientific knowledge that may itself bear major public health benefits.
Unusual cause of shortness of breath after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome
Authors: Schroeder Jonathan Ryan , Kumar Anjan , Savage Edward , Rahaghi Franck F
Published: October 2012

A 31-year-old postal worker was diagnosed with bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome and scheduled for the first of two surgeries. The first procedure involved removal of the right first cervical rib, anterior and middle scalenes. On postoperative day 4, he developed shortness of breath. Chest radiograph showed a new pleural effusion on the right. Thoracentesis revealed a yellowish-red thick effusion. Based on the initial look of the fluid it was thought to be a haemorrhagic effusion with a purulent component, further testing revealed that he had developed a chylothorax. The patient was placed on a medium-chain triglyceride diet followed by chest tube drainage. After one day, the chest tube was removed due to minimal drainage, and he was discharged home the next day. Keeping this patient without food, on total parental nutrition, or pursuing surgical intervention was not necessary, as he had an excellent outcome from a very rare surgical complication.
Colonic obstruction caused by intraluminal haematoma: Figure 1
Authors: Thomas Robert , Banky Balazs , Hobday Catherine , Borowski David W
Published: October 2012

We report a rare case of caecal obstruction in an anticoagulated elderly patient, who presented with abdominal pain and per-rectal bleeding. CT revealed obstruction in the ascending colon. The patient subsequently underwent a right hemicolectomy for a massively distended caecum containing a large intraluminal haematoma causing obstruction.
Unusual complication of vaginal delivery: is misoprostal the cause?: Figure 1
Authors: Dasari Papa , Sagili Haritha , Udupi Gurunandan
Published: October 2012

A 20-year-old primiparous woman who delivered vaginally in a private hospital 5 h ago was referred to our institute as a case of ruptured uterus. She was very pale and tachycardic with well-contracted uterus of 18-week size but had a cervical tear extending up to the left fornix. Examination under anaesthesia showed colporrhexis of posterior vaginal wall with intestines at the site of colporrhexis. Emergency laparotomy confirmed the above findings and also revealed intestinal gangrene involving more than 10 cm. Repair of colporrhexis, cervical tear and resection and anastomosis of small intestines was carried out. She gave a history of administration of five doses of vaginal misoprostal during labour and fundal pressure at the time of delivery. Literature review revealed that vaginal misoprostal can cause overgrowth of clostridial organisms by decreasing the macrophage function and thus can lead to developmental gangrene of reproductive tract and gastrointestinal tract.
Tianeptine in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors for major depressive disorder
Authors: Tobe Edward H
Published: October 2012

Major depressive disorder may respond to monotherapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tianeptine. Literature search showed no reports of MAOIs combined with tianeptine. The method included was clinical case history.  A 59-year-old woman had partial improvement of depression with the MAOI tranylcypromine combined with topiramate, trazodone and ziprasidone. The patient had further improvement of depression symptoms after addition of tianeptine. No adverse events were evident. The combination of MAIOs and tianeptine may be effective for refractory major depressive disorder.
Dental lamina cysts in a newborn infant
Authors: Singh Rajeev Kumar , Kumar Rakesh , Pandey Ramesh Kumar , Singh Kamleshwar
Published: October 2012

Cystic lesions of transient nature viz. Epstein pearls, Bohn's nodules and dental lamina cysts are frequently found in the oral cavities of newborn infants. These cysts arise from the developing dental tissues or from their remnants. These cystic lesions are not commonly seen by the dental surgeons due to their self-limiting nature and ignorance of the parents to seek the professional opinion. However, when contacted by anxious parents seeking treatment, dental surgeons should be able to explain and reassure the parents about the transient nature of these lesions and need for no treatment but regular follow-up. The present case report was written with the purpose to increase the awareness in dental surgeons about the peculiar clinical presentation and self-limiting nature of these cystic lesions, so that unnecessary surgical intervention can be avoided in such young infants.
Chronic daily headaches secondary to greater auricular and lesser occipital neuromas following endolymphatic shunt surgery
Authors: Vorobeichik Leon , Fallucco Michael A , Hagan Robert R
Published: October 2012

In head and neck surgery, peripheral sensory nerves are at risk for traumatic injury. These injuries are known to be peripheral triggers of chronic headaches if left untreated or unrecognised. We report the case of a patient that presented with a severe headache, nausea and emesis of 2 years duration following endolymphatic shunt placement for Meniere's disease. Nerve blockade suggested a peripheral trigger, and surgical exploration of the incision site revealed traumatic neuromas of the greater auricular and lesser occipital nerves. Subsequent nerve resection yielded complete symptomatic relief. This is the first case report of a peripherally triggered migraine headache due to the development of neuromas of the greater auricular and lesser occipital nerves, also representing a previously unreported complication of endolymphatic shunt placement. It is recommended that in patients presenting with intractable migraines and a history of head and neck surgery, diagnostic nerve blockage be used to assess for neuromas.
TRIM59, a novel multiple cancer biomarker for immunohistochemical detection of tumorigenesis
Authors: Khatamianfar Vida , Valiyeva Fatma , Rennie Paul S , Lu Wei-yang , Yang Burton B , Bauman Glenn S , Moussa Madeleine , Xuan Jim W
Published: October 2012

Objectives and design

We identified a novel TRIM59 gene, as an early signal transducer in two (SV40Tag and Ras) oncogene pathways in murine prostate cancer (CaP) models. We explore its clinical applications as a multitumour marker detecting early tumorigenesis by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Setting and participants

88 CaP patients were from a tissue microarray (TMA) of radical prostatectomy specimen, 42 patients from a 35 multiple tumour TMA, 75 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 92 patients from eight different tumour groups (breast, lung, parotid, gastrointestinal, female genital tract, bladder, kidney and prostate cancer).

Results

TRIM59 upregulation specifically in tumour area was determined by IHC in 291 cases of 37 tumour types. To demonstrate that TRIM59 upregulation is ‘tumour-specific’, we characterised a significant correlation of TRIM59 IHC signals with tumorigenesis and progression, while in control and normal area, TRIM59 IHC signal was all negative or significantly low. TRIM59 protein upregulation in prostate and kidney cancers was detectable in both intensity and extent in early tumorigenesis of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (p<0.05) and grade 1 of RCC (p<0.05), and stopped until high grades cancer. The results of the correlation in these two large cohorts of tumour types confirmed and repeated murine CaP model studies. Enhanced TRIM59 expression was identified in most of the 37 different tumours, while the highest intensities were in lung, breast, liver, skin, tongue and mouth (squamous cell cancer) and endometrial cancers. Multiple tumour upregulation was further confirmed by comparing relative scores of TRIM59 IHC signals in eight tumours with a larger patient population; and by a mouse whole-mount embryo (14.5 days post conception) test on the origin of TRIM59 upregulation in epithelial cells.

Conclusions

TRIM59 may be used a novel multiple tumour marker for immunohistochemical detecting early tumorigenesis and could direct a novel strategy for molecular-targeted diagnosis and therapy of cancer.
Impacts of early smoking initiation: long-term trends of lung cancer mortality and smoking initiation from repeated cross-sectional surveys in Great Britain
Authors: Funatogawa Ikuko , Funatogawa Takashi , Yano Eiji
Published: October 2012

Objective

To show long-term trends of smoking initiation in Great Britain including unanalysed data and assess the impact of early smoking initiation on the lung cancer mortality in later ages focusing on birth cohorts.

Design

Reanalysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted 13 times during 1965–1987.

Setting

Great Britain.

Participants

Men and women aged 16 years and over in each survey.

Primary outcome measures

Smoking initiation for 1898–1969 birth cohorts and lung cancer mortality in 1950–2009.

Results

In men, 1900–1925 birth cohorts showed high smoking initiation (>32%, >50% and >80% at 15, 17 and 29 years old, respectively). Correspondingly, the lung cancer mortality in these cohorts exceeded 1 per 1000 at a young age (50–54 years old). In women, smoking initiation increased clearly from the 1898 cohort to the 1925 cohort (2% to 12%, 4% to 24%, and 13% to 54% at 15, 17 and 29 years old, respectively). Correspondingly, the age at which the mortality exceeded 1 per 1000 became younger (75–79 to 60–64 years old). In both men and women, short-term decreases in initiation were seen from the late-1920s cohorts. Correspondingly, lung cancer mortality decreased. In women, initiation increased again after the mid-1930s cohorts, and mortality increased after they became 60–64 years old.

Conclusions

Clear relationships between smoking initiation and lung cancer mortality across birth cohorts were observed. Countries with rapid increases in initiation in teens should not underestimate the risk in the distant future. Because of the long time lags within cohorts compared with rapid changes in smoking habits across cohorts, age-specific measures focusing on birth cohorts should be monitored.
Evaluation of the microclimate in poultry transport module drawers during the marketing process of end‐of‐lay hens from farm to slaughter
Authors: Richards G. J. , Wilkins L. J. , Weeks C. A. , Knowles T. G. , Brown S. N.
Published: October 2012

Changes in module drawer temperature and relative humidity were monitored for 24 commercial loads of hens. Mathematical models revealed significant differences in predicted drawer temperature depending on their location and the outside environmental temperature. Higher predicted temperatures were found in uppermost drawers of the top modules at the front of the lorry, and lower temperatures in drawers on the outer sides of modules and in those drawers in modules next to the back of the lorry in both the upper and lower modules during transport. In the lairage, drawer temperature generally decreased, except in drawers at the top of modules where temperatures increased. Temperature increases were most often recorded in modules which had been located at the rear of the lorry, which were generally cooler during transport. End‐of‐lay hens would appear to be exposed to a greater risk of cold stress rather than heat stress in the UK. Inspection of birds during transport, or upon arrival, should be directed to the bottom and side drawers of a load when looking for cold stress, and the top row of drawers (centre) of the top modules when looking for heat stress. The frequency of inspections should increase at times of high ambient temperature while the birds are being held in lairages. Adjusting the numbers of birds loaded per drawer according to bird condition and weather appears to be an effective mitigation strategy which is already in use commercially.
CORTICAL EXCITABILITY AND REFRACTORY EPILEPSY: A THREE-YEAR LONGITUDINAL TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION STUDY
Authors: BADAWY RADWA A. B. , JACKSON GRAEME D. , BERKOVIC SAMUEL F. , MACDONELL RICHARD A. L.
Published: October 2012

Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to study the effect of recurrent seizures on cortical excitability over time in epilepsy. 77 patients with firm diagnoses of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) or focal epilepsy were repeatedly evaluated over three years. At onset, all groups had increased cortical excitability. At the end of follow-up the refractory group was associated with a broad increase in cortical excitability. Conversely, cortical excitability decreased in all seizure free groups after introduction of an effective medication.
REACTIVE CONTROL OF EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGES IN REALISTIC COMPUTATIONAL NEURONAL MODELS WITH BISTABILITY
Authors: KOPPERT MARC , KALITZIN STILIYAN , VELIS DEMETRIOS , DA SILVA FERNANDO LOPES , VIERGEVER MAX A.
Published: October 2012

We aim to derive fully autonomous seizure suppression paradigms based on reactive control of neuronal dynamics. A previously derived computational model of seizure generation describing collective degrees of freedom and featuring bistable dynamics is used. A novel technique for real-time control of epileptogenicity is introduced. The reactive control reduces practically all seizures in the model. The study indicates which parameters provide the maximal seizure reduction with minimal intervention. An adaptive scheme is proposed that optimizes the stimulation parameters in nonstationary situations.
FLUID-GRAVITY CORRESPONDENCE UNDER THE PRESENCE OF VISCOSITY
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-FERNÁNDEZ B. , CAMACHO A.
Published: October 2012

This work addresses the analogy between the speed of sound of a viscous, barotropic, and irrotational fluid and the equation of motion for a non-massive field in a curved manifold. It will be shown that the presence of viscosity implies the introduction, into the equation of motion of the gravitational analogue, of a source term which entails the flow of energy from the non-massive field to the curvature of the spacetime manifold. The stress–energy tensor is also computed and it is found not to be constant, which is consistent with such energy interchange.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE INSERTION REACTIONS OF THE GERMYLENOIDH2GeLiFWITHRH(R=Cl,SH,PH2)
Authors: YAN BING-FEI , LI WEN-ZUO , PEI YU-WEI , LI QING-ZHONG , CHENG JIAN-BO
Published: October 2012

The insertion reactions of the germylenoid H2GeLiF with RH (R = Cl, SH , PH2) were studied for the first time by using the DFT B3LYP and QCISD methods. The geometries of the stationary points on the potential energy surfaces of the reactions were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311+G (d,p) level of theory. The calculated results indicated that the mechanisms of the insertion reactions of H2GeLiF with HCl , H2S , and PH3are identical to each other. The QCISD/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) calculated potential energy barriers of the three reactions are 81.80, 123.39 and 205.56 kJ/mol, and the reaction energies for the three reactions are -58.74, -33.51 and -13.35 kJ/mol, respectively. Under the same situation, the insertion reactions should occur easily in the following order H–Cl > H–SH > H–PH2. The insertion reaction in THF solution is easier than in gas phase.
MONOTONOUS TASKS AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN BY EEG ANALYSIS USING NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: KARUNGARU STEPHEN , YOSHIDA TOSHIHIRO , SEO TORU , FUKUMI MINORU , TERADA KENJI
Published: October 2012

An analysis of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals while performing a monotonous task and drinking alcohol using principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for feature extraction and Neural Networks (NNs) for classification is proposed. The EEG is captured while performing a monotonous task that can adversely affect the brain and possibly cause stress. Moreover, we investigate the effects of alcohol on the brain by capturing the data continuously after consumption of equal amounts of alcohol. We hope that our work will shed more light on the relationship between such actions and EEG, and investigate if there is any relation between the tasks and mental stress. EEG signals offers a rare look at brain activity, while, monotonous activities are well known to cause irritation which may contribute to mental stress. We apply PCA and LDA to characterize the change in each component, extract it and discriminate using a NN. After experiments, it was found that PCA and LDA are effective analysis methods in EEG signal analysis.
CREDIT SCORING USING MULTI-KERNEL SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE AND CHAOS PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION
Authors: LING YUN , CAO QIUYAN , ZHANG HUA
Published: October 2012

Consumer credit scoring is considered as a crucial issue in the credit industry. SVM has been successfully utilized for classification in many areas including credit scoring. Kernel function is vital when applying SVM to classification problem for enhancing the prediction performance. Currently, most of kernel functions used in SVM are single kernel functions such as the radial basis function (RBF) which has been widely used. On the basis of the existing kernel functions, this paper proposes a multi-kernel function to improve the learning and generalization ability of SVM by integrating several single kernel functions. Chaos particle swarm optimization (CPSO) which is a kind of improved PSO algorithm is utilized to optimize parameters and to select features simultaneously. Two UCI credit data sets are used as the experimental data to evaluate the classification performance of the proposed method.
Risks, Returns, and Optimal Holdings of Private Equity: A Survey of Existing Approaches
Authors: Ang Andrew , Sorensen Morten
Published: October 2012

We survey the academic literature that examines the risks and returns of private equity investments, optimal private equity allocation, and compensation contracts for private equity firms. The irregular nature and limited data of private equity investments complicate the estimation and interpretation of standard risk and return measures. These complications have led to substantial disparity in performance estimates reported across studies. Moreover, studies suggest that the illiquidity and transaction costs inherent in private equity investments have substantial implications for optimal holdings of these assets. While incentive fees in private equity address moral hazard and information agency problems, total fees in private equity investments are very large and incentive fees account for a minority of total compensation.
Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous–Cenozoic central Anatolian basins: an integrated study of diachronous ocean basin closure and continental collision
Authors: Nairn Steven P. , Robertson Alastair H. F. , Ünlügenç Ulvi Can , Tasli Kemal , İnan Nurdan
Published: October 2012

The Upper Cretaceous–Mid-Eocene Kırıkkale, Tuz Gölü, Haymana and Çankırı basins are bounded by the Pontide (Eurasian) continental margin to the north, the Niğde–Kırşehir microcontinent to the east and the Tauride–Anatolide continental unit to the south. The basins developed during northward subduction/collision of the İzmir–Ankara–Erzincan Ocean (‘northern Neotethys’) in the north and the inferred Inner Tauride Ocean in the south. Subduction of the İzmir–Ankara–Erzincan Ocean resulted in latest Cretaceous collision of the Niğde–Kırşehir microcontinent with the Pontide active margin and ophiolite emplacement. Some mid-ocean ridge-type oceanic crust remained to the SW and formed the basement of the Kırıkkale and Tuz Gölü basins. These basins are partially floored by an accretionary wedge to the west and by the Niğde–Kırşehir microcontinent to the east. Locally volcaniclastic, the sediment infill switched to terrigenous after latest Cretaceous. The Haymana Basin, further NW, developed as a forearc basin on the Mesozoic accretionary wedge and Pontide continental fragments. The Çankırı Basin also developed on an accretionary wedge, bounded by the Eurasian active margin to the north. An extensional setting prevailed during the latest Cretaceous related to subduction of remnant oceanic crust, followed by a switch to regional compression during Late Paleocene–Mid Eocene progressive and diachronous collision.
Detecting Consciousness: A Unique Role for Neuroimaging
Authors: Owen Adrian M.
Published: October 2012

How can we ever know, unequivocally, that another person is conscious and aware? Putting aside deeper philosophical considerations about the nature of consciousness itself, historically, the only reliable method for detecting awareness in others has been through a predicted behavioral response to an external prompt or command. The answer may take the form of spoken words or a nonverbal signal such as a hand movement or the blink of an eye, but it is this answer, and only this answer, that allows us to infer awareness. In recent years, rapid technological developments in the field of neuroimaging have provided new methods for revealing thoughts, actions, and intentions based solely on the pattern of activity that is observed in the brain. In specialized centers, these methods are now being employed routinely to detect consciousness in behaviorally nonresponsive patients when all existing clinical techniques have failed to provide that information. In this review, I compare those circumstances in which neuroimaging data can be used to infer consciousness in the absence of a behavioral response with those circumstances in which it cannot. This distinction is fundamental for understanding and interpreting patterns of brain activity following acute brain injury and has profound implications for clinical care, diagnosis, prognosis, and medical-legal decision-making (relating to the prolongation, or otherwise, of life after severe brain injury). It also sheds light on more basic scientific questions about the nature of consciousness and the neural representation of our own thoughts and intentions.
Folate and Colorectal Cancer in Rodents: A Model of DNA Repair Deficiency
Authors: Rosati Rita , Ma Hongzhi , Cabelof Diane C.
Published: October 2012

Fortification of grains has resulted in a positive public health outcome vis-a-vis reduced incidence of neural tube defects. Whether folate has a correspondingly beneficial effect on other disease outcomes is less clear. A role for dietary folate in the prevention of colorectal cancer has been established through epidemiological data. Experimental data aiming to further elucidate this relationship has been somewhat equivocal. Studies report that folate depletion increases DNA damage, mutagenesis, and chromosomal instability, all suggesting inhibited DNA repair. While these data connecting folate depletion and inhibition of DNA repair are convincing, we also present data demonstrating that genetic inhibition of DNA repair is protective in the development of preneoplastic colon lesions, both when folate is depleted and when it is not. The purpose of this paper is to (1) give an overview of the data demonstrating a DNA repair defect in response to folate depletion, and (2) critically compare and contrast the experimental designs utilized in folate/colorectal cancer research and the corresponding impact on tissue folate status and critical colorectal cancer endpoints. Our analysis suggests that there is still an important need for a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of differential dietary prescriptions on blood and tissue folate status.
Regulation of Signal Transduction by Glutathione Transferases
Authors: Pajaud Julie , Kumar Sandeep , Rauch Claudine , Morel Fabrice , Aninat Caroline
Published: October 2012

Glutathione transferases (GST) are essentially known as enzymes that catalyse the conjugation of glutathione to various electrophilic compounds such as chemical carcinogens, environmental pollutants, and antitumor agents. However, this protein family is also involved in the metabolism of endogenous compounds which play critical roles in the regulation of signaling pathways. For example, the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and the prostaglandin 15-deoxy-,14-prostaglandin J2(15d-PGJ2) are metabolized by GSTs and these compounds are known to influence the activity of transcription factors and protein kinases involved in stress response, proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that GSTs are able to interact with different protein partners such as mitogen activated protein kinases (i.e., c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)) which are also involved in cell signaling. New functions of GSTs, including S-glutathionylation of proteins by GSTs and ability to be a nitric oxide (NO) carrier have also been described. Taken together, these observations strongly suggest that GST might play a crucial role during normal or cancer cells proliferation or apoptosis.
Magnetic Properties of Co‐Fe‐B Amorphous Films Thermomagnetically Treated with Different Field Directions
Authors: Liu Zhe , Li Weili , Fei Weidong , Xu Dan
Published: October 2012

Co‐Fe‐B films were prepared by electroless plating. As‐deposited films were thermomagnetically treated in the applied magnetic field of 500 Oe with different field directions at 300°C for 1 hour. The effects of magnetic field direction of thermomagnetic treatment on the structure and magnetic properties of Co‐Fe‐B thin films were investigated. It is found that two phases existed in annealed Co‐Fe‐B films: one is weak crystallized CoFe phase, the other being amorphous phase. The surface morphologies of the treated films are found to be affected by the direction of thermomagnetic treatment field. The results also show that the magnetic properties of thermomagnetically treated films are influenced greatly by the treatment field direction.
MR Continuously Variable Transmission Driven by SMA for Centrifugal Fan in Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Ma Jianzuo , Shu Hongyu , Huang Jin
Published: October 2012

The running efficiency of centrifugal fan affects the economical efficiency of the ventilation system. In this paper, we proposed a continuously variable transmission system based on magnetorheological fluid and shape memory alloy for improving the operating efficiency of the centrifugal fan. The equation of transmission torque developed by magnetorheological fluid is derived to compute the torque transmission ability in the continuously variable transmission system. A shape memory alloy spring actuator is designed to control the electric current in coil assembly. The results indicate that the change of temperatures has a tremendous influence on the electric current in coil assembly, the transmission torque of the continuously variable transmission system changes rapidly according to the temperatures acting on shape memory alloy spring actuator, and the output angular velocity of the centrifugal fan can be adjusted continuously.
Modeling and Algorithms of the Crew Rostering Problem with Given Cycle on High‐Speed Railway Lines
Authors: Tian Zhiqiang , Niu Huimin
Published: October 2012

This paper studies the modeling and algorithms of crew roster problem with given cycle on high‐speed railway lines. Two feasible compilation strategies for work out the crew rostering plan are discussed, and then an integrated compilation method is proposed in this paper to obtain a plan with relatively higher regularity in execution and lower crew members arranged. The process of plan making is divided into two subproblems which are decomposition of crew legs and adjustment of nonmaximum crew roster scheme. The decomposition subproblem is transformed to finding a Hamilton chain with the best objective function in network which was solved by an improved ant colony algorithm, whereas the adjustment of nonmaximum crew rostering scheme is finally presented as a set covering problem and solved by a two‐stage algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed models and algorithms are testified by a numerical example.
Solitary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Ridal M. , Ouattassi N. , Harmouch T. , Amarti A. , Alami M. N.
Published: October 2012

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland is an uncommon condition. Up to date, its clinical pathological features are not fully understood. We present a case of an extramedullary nonmucosal plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland which is the first case with regional metastatic lymph nodes. This condition requires a scrupulous survey to rule out a metastatic multiple myeloma. Although localized forms management is still controversial, authors require combined approach for regional metastatic forms. The prognosis is favorable compared to solitary bone plasmacytomas or multiple myeloma.
Uniformly Strong Persistence for a Delayed Predator‐Prey Model
Authors: Xu Changjin , Shao Yuanfu , Li Peiluan
Published: October 2012

An asymptotically periodic predator‐prey model with time delay is investigated.
Some sufficient conditions for the uniformly strong persistence of the system are obtained. Our result is
an important complementarity to the earlier results.
Oxygen versus Reactive Oxygen in the Regulation of HIF-1α: The Balance Tips
Authors: Hagen Thilo
Published: October 2012

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is known as the master regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia and is of pivotal importance during development as well as in human disease, particularly in cancer. It is composed of a constitutively expressedβsubunit (HIF-1β) and an oxygen-regulatedαsubunit (HIF-1αand HIF-2α), whose stability is tightly controlled by a family of oxygen- and iron-dependent prolyl hydroxylase enzymes. Whether or not mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the regulation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1αhas been a matter of contention for the last 10 years, with equally compelling evidence in favor and against their contribution. A number of recent papers appear to tip the balance against a role for ROS. Thus, it has been demonstrated that HIF prolyl hydroxylases are unlikely to be physiological targets of ROS and that the increase in ROS that is associated with downregulation of Thioredoxin Reductase in hypoxia does not affect HIF-1αstabilization. Finally, the protein CHCHD4, which modulates cellular HIF-1αconcentrations by promoting mitochondrial electron transport chain activity, has been proposed to exert its regulatory effect by affecting cellular oxygen availability. These reports are consistent with the hypothesis that mitochondria play a critical role in the regulation of HIF-1αby controlling intracellular oxygen concentrations.
Quasilinear Stochastic Cauchy Problem in Abstract Colombeau Spaces
Authors: Melnikova Irina V. , Alekseeva Uljana A.
Published: October 2012

Generalized solutions to the abstract Cauchy problem for a quasilinear equation with the generator of an integrated semigroup and with terms reflecting nonlinear perturbations and white noise type perturbations are under consideration. An abstract stochastic Colombeau algebra is constructed, and solutions in the algebra are studied.