bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusing‐Wave Spectroscopy Contribution to Strain Analysis
Authors: Erpelding M. , Dollet B. , Faisant A. , Crassous J. , Amon A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract: We present a new full‐field strain measurement method based on diffusing‐wave spectroscopy. Our technique makes it possible to measure strains in the vicinity of the surface of highly light‐scattering materials. Its main feature is an extreme sensitivity: the range of deformations measured is 10−5–10−3. To validate the measurements, experimental results from several plane stress configurations are compared with theoretical and numerical calculations. Furthermore, we propose an extension of the method for non‐scattering materials.
Loss to follow‐up before and after delivery among women testing HIV positive during pregnancy in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Clouse Kate , Pettifor Audrey , Shearer Kate , Maskew Mhairi , Bassett Jean , Larson Bruce , Van Rie Annelies , Sanne Ian , Fox Matthew P.
Published: February 2013

Objective

HIV‐positive pregnant women are at heightened risk of becoming lost to follow‐up (LTFU) from HIV care. We examined LTFU before and after delivery among pregnant women newly diagnosed with HIV.

Methods

Observational cohort study of all pregnant women ≥18 years (N = 300) testing HIV positive for the first time at their first ANC visit between January and June 2010, at a primary healthcare clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. Women (n = 27) whose delivery date could not be determined were excluded.

Results

Median (IQR) gestation at HIV testing was 26 weeks (21–30). Ninety‐eight per cent received AZT prophylaxis, usually started at the first ANC visit. Of 139 (51.3%) patients who were ART eligible, 66.9% (95% CI 58.8–74.3%) initiated ART prior to delivery; median (IQR) ART duration pre‐delivery was 9.5 weeks (5.1–14.2). Among ART‐eligible patients, 40.5% (32.3–49.0%) were cumulatively retained through 6 months on ART. Of those ART‐ineligible patients at HIV testing, only 22.6% (95% CI 15.9–30.6%) completed CD4 staging and returned for a repeat CD4 test after delivery. LTFU (≥1 month late for last scheduled visit) before delivery was 20.5% (95% CI 16.0–25.6%) and, among those still in care, 47.9% (95% CI 41.2–54.6%) within 6 months after delivery. Overall, 57.5% (95% CI 51.6–63.3%) were lost between HIV testing and 6 months post‐delivery.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the challenge of continuity of care among HIV‐positive pregnant women attending antenatal services, particularly those ineligible for ART.
Microtubules in viral replication and transport
Authors: Niehl Annette , Peña Eduardo J. , Amari Khalid , Heinlein Manfred
Published: February 2013

Viruses use and subvert host cell mechanisms to support their replication and spread between cells, tissues and organisms. Microtubules and associated motor proteins play important roles in these processes in animal systems, and may also play a role in plants. Although transport processes in plants are mostly actin based, studies, in particular with Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and its movement protein (MP), indicate direct or indirect roles of microtubules in the cell‐to‐cell spread of infection. Detailed observations suggest that microtubules participate in the cortical anchorage of viral replication complexes, in guiding their trafficking along the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/actin network, and also in developing the complexes into virus factories. Microtubules also play a role in the plant‐to‐plant transmission of Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) by assisting in the development of specific virus‐induced inclusions that facilitate viral uptake by aphids. The involvement of microtubules in the formation of virus factories and of other virus‐induced inclusions suggests the existence of aggresomal pathways by which plant cells recruit membranes and proteins into localized macromolecular assemblies. Although studies related to the involvement of microtubules in the interaction of viruses with plants focus on specific virus models, a number of observations with other virus species suggest that microtubules may have a widespread role in viral pathogenesis.
ABA inhibits entry into stomatal‐lineage development in Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Tanaka Yoko , Nose Tomoe , Jikumaru Yusuke , Kamiya Yuji
Published: February 2013

The number and density of stomata are controlled by endogenous and environmental factors. Despite recent advances in our understanding of stomatal development, mechanisms which prevent stomatal‐lineage entry remain unclear. Here, we propose that abscisic acid (ABA), a phytohormone known to induce stomatal closure, limits initiation of stomatal development and induces enlargement of pavement cells in Arabidopsis cotyledons. An ABA‐deficient aba2‐2 mutant had an increased number/proportion of stomata within a smaller cotyledon, as well as reduced expansion of pavement cells. This tendency was reversed after ABA application or in an ABA over‐accumulating cyp707a1cyp707a3 doublemutant. Our time course analysis revealed that aba2‐2 shows prolonged formation of meristemoids and guard mother cells, both precursors of stoma. This finding is in accordance with prolonged gene expression of SPCH and MUTE, master regulators for stomatal formation, indicating that ABA acts upstream of these genes. Only aba2‐2 mute, but not aba2‐2 spch double mutant showed additive phenotypes and displayed inhibition of pavement cell enlargement with increased meristemoid number, indicating that ABA action on pavement cell expansion requires the presence of stomatal‐lineage cells.
Neither presencing nor absencing: the stagnation of sensing‐towards‐presence in the call centre
Authors: Urry Georgie
Published: February 2013

This paper contributes to debates that consider the affective nature of immaterial labour practices upon the working subject. Drawing on call centre work as an example of immaterial labour – specifically in relation to Hardt and Negri's definitional typology – it explores a different way of theorising the subject in order to reconsider our sensory relation to the world. Going further than Hardt and Negri's attunement to our material engagement with the world, the paper uses Jean‐Luc Nancy's conceptualisation of human subjectivity, apprehended as a motioning between pre‐cognitive sensation and meaningful signification. Sense, for Nancy, is that which is felt non‐consciously, thus creating a vital political space whereby the world itself becomes affectual aside from interpretation. Contrastingly, signification is that which makes meaningful, and hence adjusts the subject's relation in and to the world, transforming what is sensed into a representation. It is the motion between the two, for Nancy, that makes us alive beings‐in‐the‐world but immaterial labour practices hinder this movement for capital gain, reducing possibilities for sensing while simultaneously overloading the being with signification. As such, this paper asks whether the call centre can have a stultifying affect upon the agent's capacity to ‘live’. Furthermore, it asks how this dampening is resisted through subtle and vivacious tangents out of routine by those living the labour of the call centre.
A Domain Decomposition Method for Vibration Analysis of Conical Shells With Uniform and Stepped Thickness
Authors: Qu Yegao , Chen Yong , Chen Yifan , Long Xinhua , Hua Hongxing , Meng Guang
Published: February 2013

An efficient domain decomposition method is proposed to study the free and forced vibrations of stepped conical shells (SCSs) with arbitrary number of step variations. Conical shells with uniform thickness are treated as special cases of the SCSs. Multilevel partition hierarchy, viz., SCS, shell segment and shell domain, is adopted to accommodate the computing requirement of high-order vibration modes and responses. The interface continuity constraints on common boundaries and geometrical boundaries are incorporated into the system potential functional by means of a modified variational principle and least-squares weighted residual method. Double mixed series, i.e., the Fourier series and Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials, are adopted as admissible displacement functions for each shell domain. To test the convergence, efficiency and accuracy of the present method, free and forced vibrations of uniform thickness conical shells and SCSs are examined under various combinations of classical and nonclassical boundary conditions. The numerical results obtained from the proposed method show good agreement with previously published results and those from the finite element program ANSYS. The computational advantage of the approach can be exploited to gather useful and rapid information about the effects of geometry and boundary conditions on the vibrations of the uniform and stepped conical shells.
Analyzing Acoustic Radiation Modes of Baffled Plates With a Fast Multipole Boundary Element Method
Authors: Wu Haijun , Jiang Weikang , Liu Yijun
Published: February 2013

In the analysis of an acoustic radiation mode of a baffled plate, Rayleigh integral with free space Green's function is involved. The boundary element method (BEM) is one of the approaches to compute its modes and radiation efficiencies. In this paper a fast multipole BEM in conjunction with an iterative solver based on the implicit restart Arnold method is proposed to efficiently and accurately evaluate acoustic radiation modes and efficiencies. Even though a 3D free space Green's function is used here, a quad tree is used for the hierarchical tree structure of the boundary mesh instead of an oct tree, which can speed up the fast multipole BEM. Similar to the analytical integration of moment evaluations, the analytical integration is also employed to compute the local expansion coefficients which further improves the efficiency of the fast multipole BEM for the analysis of an acoustic radiation mode of baffled plates. Comparison between numerical and theoretical radiation efficiencies of a baffled circular plate vibrating as a piston shows that the fast multipole BEM proposed here can give results with very good accuracy. The computation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a baffled rectangular plate further reveals the efficiency in CPU time, smaller memory size, and accuracy of the fast multipole BEM in the analysis of an acoustic radiation mode.
Fundamental Frequencies of Rounded Polygonal Membranes—A Class of Homotopy Shapes
Authors: Wang C. Y.
Published: February 2013

Rounding of sharp corners of a membrane (or waveguide) is unavoidable in practice. The natural vibration frequencies of polygonal membranes with rounded vertices are studied by introducing a new family of homotopy shapes and using an efficient improved Ritz method.
Dynamic Effect of Bearing Wear on Rotor-Bearing System Response
Authors: Chasalevris Athanasios C. , Nikolakopoulos Pantelis G. , Papadopoulos Chris A.
Published: February 2013

A rotor-bearing system is simulated in this study to investigate the effect of worn journal bearings on the system response and to specify the eventual development of additional frequency components. The well-known symmetric Dufrane bearing wear model is used here. The main target here is the investigation of the wear influence on the system response. An experimental layout was constructed for the needs of the current research, including an artificially worn bearing. It was observed that sub- and superharmonics are revealed in the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) of the rotor-bearing system response for worn bearings.
The Influence of Tank Orientation Angle on a 2D Structure-Tuned Liquid Damper System
Authors: Love J. S. , Tait M. J.
Published: February 2013

Tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) utilize sloshing fluid to absorb and dissipate structural vibrational energy, thereby reducing wind induced dynamic motion. By selecting the appropriate tank length, width, and fluid depth, a rectangular TLD can control two structural sway modes simultaneously if the TLD tank is aligned with the principal axes of the structure. This study considers the influence of the TLD tank orientation on the behavior of a 2D structure-TLD system. The sloshing fluid is represented using a linearized equivalent mechanical model. The mechanical model is coupled to a 2D structure at an angle with respect to the principal axes of the structure. Equations of motion for the system are developed using Lagrange’s equation. If the TLD and structure are not aligned, the system responds as a coupled four degree of freedom system. The proposed model is validated by conducting structure-TLD system tests. The predicted and experimental structural displacements and fluid response are in agreement. An approximate method is developed to provide an initial estimate of the structural response based on an effective mass ratio. The results of this study show that for small TLD orientation angles, the performance of the TLD is insensitive to TLD orientation.
Free Vibration Analysis of Thin-Walled Cylinders Reinforced With Longitudinal and Transversal Stiffeners
Authors: Carrera E. , Zappino E. , Filippi M.
Published: February 2013

This paper deals with the dynamic analysis of reinforced thin-walled structures by means of refined one-dimensional models. Complex reinforced structures are considered which are built by using different components: skin, ribs, and stringers. Higher-order one-dimensional model based on the Carrera unified formulation (CUF) are used to model panels, stringer, and ribs by referring to a unique model. The finite element method (FEM) is used to provide a solution that deals with any boundary condition configuration. The structure is geometrically linear and the materials are isotropic and elastic. The dynamic behavior of a number of reinforced thin-walled cylindrical structures have been analyzed. The effects of the reinforcements (ribs and stringers) are investigated in terms of natural frequencies and modal-shapes. The results show a good agreement with those from commercial codes by reducing the computational costs in terms of degrees of freedom (DOFs).
Energy Harvesting, Ride Comfort, and Road Handling of Regenerative Vehicle Suspensions
Authors: Zuo Lei , Zhang Pei-Sheng
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the power that is available for harvesting in the vehicle suspension system and the tradeoff among energy harvesting, ride comfort, and road handing with analysis, simulations, and experiments. The excitation from road irregularity is modeled as a stationary random process with road roughness suggested in the ISO standard. The concept of system H2 norm is used to obtain the mean value of power generation and the root mean square values of vehicle body acceleration (ride quality) and dynamic tire-ground contact force (road handling). For a quarter car model, an analytical solution of the mean power is obtained. The influence of road roughness, vehicle speed, suspension stiffness, shock absorber damping, tire stiffness, and the wheel and chasses masses to the vehicle performances and harvestable power are studied. Experiments are carried out to verify the theoretical analysis. The results suggest that road roughness, tire stiffness, and vehicle driving speed have great influence on the harvesting power potential, where the suspension stiffness, absorber damping, and vehicle masses are insensitive. At 60 mph on good and average roads, 100–400 W average power is available in the suspensions of a middle-sized vehicle.
Effects of pile extraction and refilling with cement slurry on ground settlements
Authors: Wu Y.D. , Liu J. , Ng Charles W.W.
Published: February 2013

Secant pile walls reinforced with steel I-beams are widely used worldwide. Although ground surface settlement caused by the installation of secant pile walls has been investigated, there is minimal data available on ground surface settlement due to extraction of steel I-beams from secant pile walls. This note aims to investigate the effectiveness of cement slurry refilling on reducing ground settlements during extraction of steel I-beams. Measured ground surface settlements during the extraction of steel I-beams from secant pile walls with and without cement slurry refilling are reported, discussed, and explained. Two different influence zones due to steel I-beam extraction can be identified. Ground settlement due to steel I-beam extraction can be minimized with the refilling of cement slurry. By using such a refilling technique, measured maximum surface settlement was reduced by 70%. The average measured settlement rate was reduced by 61%.
Thinning ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands reduces mortality while maintaining stand productivity
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Ritchie Martin W. , Maguire Douglas A. , Oliver William W.
Published: February 2013

We analyzed 45 years of data collected from three ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) levels-of-growing-stock installations in Oregon (OR) and northern California (CA), USA, to determine the effect of stand density regimes on stand productivity and mortality. We found that periodic annual increment (PAI) of diameter, basal area (BA), volume, and aboveground dry mass were significantly related to stand density index (SDI) and stand age at start of the period; the quadratic trends varied among sites. Precipitation departure from the normal for each period explained a significant amount of residual variation in all PAI variables except diameter. BA production did not change significantly as SDI exceeded 270 trees·ha−1 at the OR sites and 320 trees·ha−1 at the CA site. Stand productivity was the highest at Elliot Ranch (CA) and the least at Blue Mountains (OR). A similar trend held in growth efficiency under lower stand densities (SDI < 600). Most of the mortality was caused by Dendroctonus bark beetles in stands that exceeded SDI of 500 trees·ha−1. Limiting SDI was about 900 trees·ha−1, although plots at Elliot Ranch reached much higher than that. The results demonstrate that silvicultural control of stand density can be a powerful tool for reducing bark beetle caused mortality without sacrificing stand productivity.
Regional variation in the proportion of red heartwood in sugar maple and yellow birch
Authors: Havreljuk Filip , Achim Alexis , Pothier David
Published: February 2013

Stems of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) trees often contain a column of discoloured wood known as red heartwood, which reduces lumber value. To quantify the regional-scale variation in red heartwood, 192 trees of each species were sampled in 12 locations across the temperate forest zone of southern Québec, Canada. Large regional variation in the radial proportion of red heartwood (RHP) at breast height (1.3 m) was observed in both species. Statistical modeling showed that such variation was mainly attributable to factors related to tree development. Cambial age had a strong positive effect on RHP in both species, suggesting that the occurrence of red heartwood ultimately might be unavoidable. There was also a positive effect of ring area increment at the limit of the discoloured zone. In the case of sugar maple, there was an added effect of the trend in ring area increments observed in the same zone, with a negative trend being generally indicative of a larger RHP. Further variability in this species was also associated with the annual minimum temperature of the sampling locations. The models developed for each species explained around 60% of the variance in RHP and could be used to improve forest management and wood procurement decisions.
Fourier transform and multiplexed intrapulse quantum cascade laser spectrometer measurements of NO2 and its dimer N2O4
Authors: Wilson David , Duxbury Geoffrey , Langford Nigel
Published: February 2013

A quantitative comparison has been made between the spectra recorded using an infrared Fourier transform (FT) spectrometer, and those based upon the use of chirped pulse quantum cascade (QC) lasers. The system chosen for this comparison is the chemical equilibrium between NO2 and its dimer N2O4. It is studied by making spectroscopic measurements of the dimerization of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The intrapulse QC laser spectrometer used long duration pulses of wavelengths near 7.84, 7.46, and 6.14 μm, and a path length of 62 m, and the Université libre de Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium) FTspectrometer used a path length of 21.1 cm. In the direct comparison of pairs of spectral regions allowed by the dual pulse system, it was possible to compare the 7.84 μm region, where both the spectra of the monomer and dimer are observed, with the 7.46 and 6.14 μm regions in which only monomer lines are detected. In the 7.84 μm region the NO2 absorption lines could be detected only when the dimer N2O4 is formed in the monomer NO2 in the QC laser spectra.
DEPLOYMENT AND SIMULATION OF THE ASTROD-GW FORMATION
Authors: WU AN-MING , NI WEI-TOU
Published: February 2013

Constellation or formation flying is a common concept in space Gravitational Wave (GW) mission proposals for the required interferometry implementation. The spacecraft of most of these mission proposals go to deep space and many have Earthlike orbits around the Sun. Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices optimized for Gravitation Wave detection (ASTROD-GW), Big Bang Observer (BBO) and DECIGO have spacecraft distributed in Earthlike orbits in formation. The deployment of orbit formation is an important issue for these missions. ASTROD-GW is to focus on the goal of detection of GWs. The mission orbits of the three spacecraft forming a nearly equilateral triangular array are chosen to be near the Sun–Earth Lagrange points L3, L4 and L5. The three spacecraft range interferometrically with one another with arm length about 260 million kilometers with the scientific goals including detection of GWs from Massive Black Holes (MBH) and Extreme-Mass-Ratio Black Hole Inspirals (EMRI), and using these observations to find the evolution of the equation of state of dark energy and to explore the co-evolution of MBH with galaxies. In this paper, we review the formation flying for fundamental physics missions, design the preliminary transfer orbits of the ASTROD-GW spacecraft from the separations of the launch vehicles to the mission orbits, and simulate the arm lengths of the triangular formation. From our study, the optimal delta-Vs and propellant ratios of the transfer orbits could be within about 2.5 km/s and 0.55, respectively. From the simulation of the formation for 10 years, the arm lengths of the formation vary in the range 1.73210 ± 0.00015 AU with the arm length differences varying in the range ±0.00025 AU for formation with 1° inclination to the ecliptic plane. This meets the measurement requirements. Further studies on the optimizations of deployment and orbit configurations for a period of 20 years and with inclinations between 1° to 3° are currently ongoing.
PULSAR SEARCHING AND TIMING
Authors: MANCHESTER R. N.
Published: February 2013

More than 2000 pulsars are now known. These pulsars may be divided into a number of different classes according to their period, period derivative, binary properties, emission characteristics and so on. Some important classes have relatively few members, e.g. double-neutron-star binary systems, and so continued searches for currently unknown pulsars are important. Such searches are being undertaken at various observatories around the world. Somewhat unexpectedly, the Fermi Gamma-ray Observatory, has proved to be an efficient pulsar detector, especially for millisecond pulsars (MSPs). The great stability of pulsar periods, especially for MSPs, leads to a number of important applications of pulsar timing. The detection and study of relativistic orbit perturbations in double-neutron-star systems has proved to be a powerful tool with measurements of the original binary pulsar, PSR B1913+16, and more recently the double pulsar, PSR J0737-3039A/B, showing that Einstein's general theory of relativity accurately describes these gravitational interactions. Direct detection of gravitational waves using pulsar timing is close to being achieved with the development of pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) in Europe, North America and Australia. Combining data from these PTAs to form the International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) will lead to improved significance of such a detection. Ultimately, detailed study of gravitational-wave sources will be possible using future large radio telescopes such as FAST and the SKA.
Investigation of optical and electrochemical properties as well as metal ion sensitivities of different number of crown ether appended phthalocyanines
Authors: Topal Sevinc Z. , Atilla Devrim , Ertekin Kadriye , Tommasino Jean B. , Luneau Dominique , Gürek Ayşe G.
Published: February 2013

We report herein, the synthesis, and spectral and electrochemical characterization of a series of phthalocyaninato zinc complexes where two biomedically potential structures; crown ether and phthalocyanine moities were gathered on the same molecule. The effect of number of crown ether moieties on metal ion binding properties, as well as proton sensitivity were investigated by using electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. Spectral behaviors of the zinc phthalocyanine complexes fused with one crown ether; Zn [ Pc (15 C 5)( C6H13)6] and four crown ether; Zn [ Pc (15 C 5)4] in presence of Na+and K+ions were investigated into detail because of host-guest interactions of subjective ions with crown ether moieties, and compared with the crown ether free phthalocyanine; Zn [ Pc ( C6H13)8].
Therapeutic Implications of Targeting Energy Metabolism in Breast Cancer
Authors: Sakharkar Meena K. , Shashni Babita , Sharma Karun , Dhillon Sarinder K. , Ranjekar Prabhakar R. , Sakharkar Kishore R.
Published: February 2013

PPARs are ligand activated transcription factors. PPARγagonists have been reported as a new and potentially efficacious treatment of inflammation, diabetes, obesity, cancer, AD, and schizophrenia. Since cancer cells show dysregulation of glycolysis they are potentially manageable through changes in metabolic environment. Interestingly, several of the genes involved in maintaining the metabolic environment and the central energy generation pathway are regulated or predicted to be regulated by PPARγ. The use of synthetic PPARγligands as drugs and their recent withdrawal/restricted usage highlight the lack of understanding of the molecular basis of these drugs, their off-target effects, and their network. These data further underscores the complexity of nuclear receptor signalling mechanisms. This paper will discuss the function and role of PPARγin energy metabolism and cancer biology in general and its emergence as a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer.
A Mollification Regularization Method for a Fractional-Diffusion Inverse Heat Conduction Problem
Authors: Deng Zhi-Liang , Yang Xiao-Mei , Feng Xiao-Li
Published: February 2013

The ill-posed problem of attempting to recover the temperature functions from one measured transient data temperature at some interior point of a one-dimensional semi-infinite conductor when the governing linear diffusion equation is of fractional type is discussed. A simple regularization method based on Dirichlet kernel mollification techniques is introduced. We also proposea priorianda posterioriparameter choice rules and get the corresponding error estimate between the exact solution and its regularized approximation. Moreover, a numerical example is provided to verify our theoretical results.
Adrenocortical Carcinoma Presenting with Signs of Acute Abdomen
Authors: Symeonidis Dimitrios , Chatzinikolaou Ioannis , Koukoulis Georgios , Mamaloudis Ioannis , Tepetes Konstantinos
Published: February 2013

Background. Adrenocortical carcinomas represent rare malignancies. In cases of hormone-secreting tumors, the hormone in excess determines the nearly diagnostic clinical presentation. Biologically inert tumors are diagnosed either due to the mass effect or incidentally. The purpose of the present study was to present an extremely rare presentation pattern of adrenocortical carcinoma.Case Presentation. We present the case of a 35-year-old female patient that underwent emergency laparotomy due to signs of acute abdomen and concomitant cardiovascular collapse caused by a spontaneously ruptured large adrenocortical carcinoma.Conclusion. Spontaneous rupture of an adrenocortical carcinoma presenting with signs of acute abdomen is an extremely rare clinical scenario. Increased level of suspicion is essential in order to diagnose and treat timely this life-threatening complication.
Genetic Structure and Expression of the Surface Glycoprotein GP82, the Main Adhesin of Trypanosoma cruzi Metacyclic Trypomastigotes
Authors: Correa Paulo Roberto Ceridorio , Cordero Esteban Mauricio , Gentil Luciana Girotto , Bayer-Santos Ethel , Silveira José Franco da
Published: February 2013

T. cruzi improves the likelihood of invading or adapting to the host through its capacity to present a large repertoire of surface molecules. The metacyclic stage‐specific surface glycoprotein GP82 has been implicated in host cell invasion. GP82 is encoded by multiple genes from the trans‐sialidase superfamily. GP82 shows a modular organization, with some variation of N‐terminal region flanking a conserved central core where the binding sites to the mammalian cell and gastric mucin are located. The function of GP82 as adhesin in host cell invasion process could expose the protein to an intense conservative and selective pressure. GP82 is a GPI‐anchored surface protein, synthesized as a 70 kDa precursor devoid of N‐linked sugars. GPI‐minus variants accumulate in the ER indicating that GPI anchor acts as a forward transport signal for progressing along the secretory pathway as suggested for T. cruzi mucins. It has been demonstrated that the expression of GP82 is constitutive and may be regulated at post‐transcriptional level, for instance, at translational level and/or mRNA stabilization. GP82 mRNAs are mobilized to polysomes and consequently translated, but only in metacyclic trypomastigotes. Analysis of transgenic parasites indicates that the mechanism regulating GP82 expression involves multiple elements in the 3′UTR.
Bilateral Ovarian Fibrothecoma Associated with Ascites, Bilateral Pleural Effusion, and Marked Elevated Serum CA-125
Authors: Loué Védi André Serges , Gbary Eléonore , Koui Sylvanus , Akpa Bédi , Kouassi Adélaide
Published: February 2013

Background. The risk of ovarian cancer is increased in the association of ovarian tumor, ascites, and hydrothorax with the significant elevated tumor marker CA-125. However, this association can be observed in a rare clinical and benign pathological entity, that is Demons-Meigs’ syndrome.Objective. To describe a rare case of Demons-Meigs' syndrome observed in our department.Methods. A black African woman of 35 years old, seventh gravida and fourth parous, underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy for large bilateral ovarian masses associated with significant ascites, bilateral pleural effusion, and particular highly elevated tumor marker CA-125 (1835 UI/mL) in a pronounced general alteration condition.Results. The postoperative course was uneventful characterized by a complete remission of hydrothorax and ascites with normal level of CA-125 three months after tumor excision. Histology of both masses revealed a bilateral ovarian fibrothecoma, a benign tumor of the ovary, thus confirming the diagnosis of Demons-Meigs’ syndrome.Conclusion. The Demons-Meigs syndrome, although it strongly mimics the clinical picture of malignant metastatic ovarian cancer, remains a disease with benign prognosis after surgical tumor resection. This is a rare condition that must be known and recognized by practitioners to avoid unnecessary practices.
Diagnosis of Familial Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome due to a Paternal Cryptic Chromosomal Rearrangement by Conventional and Molecular Cytogenetic Techniques
Authors: Venegas-Vega Carlos A. , Fernández-Ramírez Fernando , Zepeda Luis M. , Nieto-Martínez Karem , Gómez-Laguna Laura , Garduño-Zarazúa Luz M. , Berumen Jaime , Kofman Susana , Cervantes Alicia
Published: February 2013

The use of conventional cytogenetic techniques in combination with fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarrays is necessary for the identification of cryptic rearrangements in the diagnosis of chromosomal syndromes. We report two siblings, a boy of 9 years and 9 months of age and his 7-years- and 5-month-old sister, with the classic Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) phenotype. Using high-resolution GTG- and NOR-banding karyotypes, as well as FISH analysis, we characterized a pure 4p deletion in both sibs and a balanced rearrangement in their father, consisting in an insertion of 4p material within a nucleolar organizing region of chromosome 15. Copy number variant (CNV) analysis using SNP arrays showed that both siblings have a similar size of 4p deletion (~6.5 Mb). Our results strongly support the need for conventional cytogenetic and FISH analysis, as well as high-density microarray mapping for the optimal characterization of the genetic imbalance in patients with WHS; parents must always be studied for recognizing cryptic balanced chromosomal rearrangements for an adequate genetic counseling.
Differential and Statistical Approach to Partial Model Matching
Authors: Guo Kehua , Liu Yongling , Duan Guihua
Published: February 2013

Partial model matching approaches are important to target recognition. In this paper, aiming at a 3D model, a novel solution utilizing Gaussian curvature and mean curvature to represent the inherent structure of a spatial shape is proposed. Firstly, a Point-Pair Set is constructed by means of filtrating points with a similar inherent characteristic in the partial surface. Secondly, a Triangle-Pair Set is demonstrated after locating the spatial model by asymmetry triangle skeleton. Finally, after searching similar triangles in a Point-Pair Set, optimal transformation is obtained by computing the scoring function in a Triangle-Pair Set, and optimal matching is determined. Experiments show that this algorithm is suitable for partial model matching. Encouraging matching efficiency, speed, and running time complexity to irregular models are indicated in the study.
Reduced Treatment-Emergent Sexual Dysfunction as a Potential Target in the Development of New Antidepressants
Authors: Baldwin David S. , Palazzo M. Carlotta , Masdrakis Vasilios G.
Published: February 2013

Pleasurable sexual activity is an essential component of many human relationships, providing a sense of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Epidemiological and clinical studies show that depressive symptoms and depressive illness are associated with impairments in sexual function and satisfaction, both in untreated and treated patients. The findings of randomized placebo-controlled trials demonstrate that most of the currently available antidepressant drugs are associated with the development or worsening of sexual dysfunction, in a substantial proportion of patients. Sexual difficulties during antidepressant treatment often resolve as depression lifts but can endure over long periods and may reduce self-esteem and affect mood and relationships adversely. Sexual dysfunction during antidepressant treatment is typically associated with many possible causes, but the risk and type of dysfunction vary with differing compounds and should be considered when making decisions about the relative merits and drawbacks of differing antidepressants. A range of interventions can be considered when managing patients with sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants, including the prescription of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, but none of these approaches can be considered “ideal.” As treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction is less frequent with certain drugs, presumably related to differences in their pharmacological properties, and because current management approaches are less than ideal, a reduced burden of treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction represents a tolerability target in the development of novel antidepressants.
Low-Voltage Ride-Through Capability of a Single-Stage Single-Phase Photovoltaic System Connected to the Low-Voltage Grid
Authors: Yang Yongheng , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: February 2013

The progressive growing of single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems makes the Distribution System Operators (DSOs) update or revise the existing grid codes in order to guarantee the availability, quality, and reliability of the electrical system. It is expected that the future PV systems connected to the low-voltage grid will be more active with functionalities of low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) and the grid support capability, which is not the case today. In this paper, the operation principle is demonstrated for a single-phase grid-connected PV system in a low-voltage ride-through operation in order to map future challenges. The system is verified by simulations and experiments. Test results show that the proposed power control method is effective and the single-phase PV inverters connected to low-voltage networks are ready to provide grid support and ride-through voltage fault capability with a satisfactory performance based on the grid requirements for three-phase renewable energy systems.
Eigenvalue for Densely Defined Perturbations of Multivalued Maximal Monotone Operators in Reflexive Banach Spaces
Authors: Ibrahimou Boubakari
Published: February 2013

Let be a real reflexive Banach space and let be its dual. Let be open and bounded such that . Let be maximal monotone with and . Using the topological degree theory developed by Kartsatos and Quarcoo we study the eigenvalue problem where the operator is a single-valued of class . The existence of continuous branches of eigenvectors of infinite length then could be easily extended to the case where the operator is multivalued and is investigated.
Oromandibular Limb Hypogenesis Syndrome Type IIB: Case Report of Hypoglossia-Hypodactyly
Authors: Meundi Manasa Anand , Nair Gopakumar R. , Sreenivasan Prathima , Raj A. C.
Published: February 2013

Hypoglossia-hypodactyly is a rare congenital anomaly affecting the tongue and the limbs. Hall in 1971 classified it under a complex group of disorders called oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndromes. It is an extremely rare condition with around 40 cases reported in the world literature. The cause of the syndrome is unknown. Some type of intrauterine trauma is the most widely accepted etiology. The characteristic features of the syndrome are hypoglossia, limb anomalies of variable degree, and micrognathia of the mandible. This unique case report of hypoglossia-hypodactyly was observed in a patient with normal mandible. In addition, patient also had pulmonary regurgitation. His parents and other siblings were normal. Positive prenatal history of maternal hyperthermia was obtained suspecting it to be the cause of the syndrome.
Nonrigid Medical Image Registration Based on Mesh Deformation Constraints
Authors: Lin XiangBo , Ruan Su , Qiu TianShuang , Guo DongMei
Published: February 2013

Regularizing the deformation field is an important aspect in nonrigid medical image registration. By covering the template image with a triangular mesh, this paper proposes a new regularization constraint in terms of connections between mesh vertices. The connection relationship is preserved by the spring analogy method. The method is evaluated by registering cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image data obtained from different individuals. Experimental results show that the proposed method has good deformation ability and topology-preserving ability, providing a new way to the nonrigid medical image registration.
Hepatic Steatosis and Thyroid Function Tests in Overweight and Obese Children
Authors: Pacifico L. , Bonci E. , Ferraro F. , Andreoli G. , Bascetta S. , Chiesa C.
Published: February 2013

Objectives. Associations between thyroid function and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are unknown in childhood. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate in 402 consecutive overweight/obese children the association between thyroid function tests and hepatic steatosis as well as metabolic variables.Methods. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed by ultrasound after exclusion of infectious and metabolic disorders. Fasting serum samples were taken for determination of thyroid function (TSH, FT4, and FT3), along with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance (IR).Results. Eighty-eight children (21.9%) had TSH above the normal range (>4.0 mIU/L). FT3 and FT4 were within the reference intervals in all subjects. Elevated TSH was associated with increased odds of having hepatic steatosis (OR 2.10 (95% CI, 1.22–3.60)), hepatic steatosis with elevated ALT (2.42 (95% CI, 1.29–4.51)), hypertriglyceridemia, elevated total cholesterol, and IR as well as metabolic syndrome (considered as a single clinical entity), after adjustment for age, gender, pubertal status, and body mass index-SD score (or waist circumference).Conclusions. In overweight/obese children, elevated TSH concentration is a significant predictor of hepatic steatosis and lipid and glucose dysmetabolism, independently of the degree of total and visceral obesity.
Chinese Medicine Formula “Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong Decoction” Attenuates Tourette Syndrome via Downregulating the Expression of Dopamine Transporter in Mice
Authors: Wang Dao-han , Li Wei , Liu Xiao-fang , Zhang Jin-ming , Wang Su-mei
Published: February 2013

Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong Decoction (JPZDD) is dedicated to the treatment for Tourette syndrome (TS) with the guidance of the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This study aims to investigate the expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) in the striatum and stereotyped behavior of TS mice model by intervention of JPZDD. Mice were induced by 3,3′-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN, 350 mg kg−1day−1, i.p.) for 7 days and divided into 4 groups (n=20, each): control and IDPN groups were gavaged with saline and the remaining 2 groups with Tiapride (Tia, 50 mg kg−1day−1) and JPZDD (20 g kg−1day−1), respectively. The results showed that the scores of stereotyped behavior in IDPN+JPZDD group were significantly reduced. A noticeably increased11C-β-CFT binding at bilateral striatum was observed after administration of JPZDD versus that of IDPN or Tia. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization studies manifested higher levels of DAT protein and mRNA in IDPN+JPZDD group. These findings not only demonstrated that JPZDD could effectively inhibit the abnormal behaviors of TS mice model, but also increase the level of DAT in striatum. Therefore, JPZDD could be one of potential treatments of patients with TS.
Protein Sulfhydryl Group Oxidation and Mixed-Disulfide Modifications in Stable and Unstable Human Carotid Plaques
Authors: Lepedda Antonio Junior , Zinellu Angelo , Nieddu Gabriele , Zinellu Elisabetta , Carru Ciriaco , Spirito Rita , Guarino Anna , De Muro Pierina , Formato Marilena
Published: February 2013

Objectives. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the outcome of atherosclerotic plaques. However, at present, no data are available neither on the degree of plaque protein sulfhydryl groups oxidation nor on its relationship with plaque vulnerability. We investigated the entity of protein-SH oxidative modifications, focusing on low molecular weight thiols adduction, in human carotid plaque extracts in relation to plaque stability/instability.Methods. Plaque stability/instability was histologically assessed. The extent of protein-SH oxidative modifications was established by a differential proteomic approach on fluorescein-5-maleimide-labeled plaque extracts and corresponding plasma samples from 48 endarterectomized patients. The analysis on protein thiolation was performed by capillary zone electrophoresis.Results. We observed a higher protein-SH oxidation of both plasma-derived and topically expressed proteins in unstable plaques, partly due to higher levels of S-thiolation. Conversely, in plasma, none of the investigated parameters discriminated among patients with stable and unstable plaques.Conclusions. Our results suggest the presence of a more pronounced oxidative environment in unstable plaques. Identifying specific oxidative modifications and understanding their effects on protein function could provide further insight into the relevance of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis.
Asymptotic Behavior of Ground State Radial Solutions for -Laplacian Problems
Authors: Ben Othman Sonia , Chemmam Rym , Mâagli Habib
Published: February 2013

Let , we take up the existence, the uniqueness and the asymptotic behavior of a positive continuous solution to the following nonlinear problem in , , , , where , is a positive differentiable function in and is a positive continuous function in such that there exists satisfying for each in , , and such that .
Sustaining Cavity-Using Species: Patterns of Cavity Use and Implications to Forest Management
Authors: Bunnell Fred L.
Published: February 2013

Many bird and mammal species rely on cavities in trees to rear their young or roost. Favourable cavity sites are usually created by fungi, so they are more common in older, dying trees that are incompatible with intensive fiber production. Forestry has reduced amounts of such trees to the extent that many cavity-using vertebrates are now designated “at risk.” The simple model of cavity use presented helps unite research findings, explain patterns of use, and clarify trade-offs that can, or cannot, be made in snag management. Predictions generated are tested using data from over 300 studies. Implications to forest management are derived from the tests, including the following: ensure sustained provision of dying and dead trees, retain both conifers and hardwoods and a range of size and age classes, sustain a range of decay classes, ensure that some large trees or snags are retained, promote both aggregated and dispersed retention of dead and dying trees, meet dead wood requirements for larger species where intensive fibre production is not emphasized, do not do the same thing everywhere, and limit salvage logging after tree mortality. The paper focuses on species breeding in the Pacific Northwest, but draws on data from throughout those species’ ranges.
Metabolic Fate of the Increased Yeast Amino Acid Uptake Subsequent to Catabolite Derepression
Authors: Hothersall John S. , Ahmed Aamir
Published: February 2013

Catabolite repression (CCR) regulates amino acid permeases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via a TOR-kinase mediated mechanism. When glucose, the preferred fuel in S. cerevisiae, is substituted by galactose, amino acid uptake is increased. Here we have assessed the contribution and metabolic significance of this surfeit of amino acid in yeast undergoing catabolite derepression (CDR). L-[U-14C]leucine oxidation was increased 15 ± 1 fold in wild type (WT) strain grown in galactose compared to glucose. Under CDR, leucine oxidation was (i) proportional to uptake, as demonstrated by decreased uptake and oxidation of leucine in strains deleted of major leucine permeases and (ii) entirely dependent upon the TCA cycle, as cytochrome c1 (Cyt1) deleted strains could not grow in galactose. A regulator of amino acid carbon entry into the TCA cycle, branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase, was also increased 29 ± 3 fold under CCR in WT strain. Protein expression of key TCA cycle enzymes, citrate synthase (Cs), and Cyt1 was increased during CDR. In summary, CDR upregulation of amino acid uptake is accompanied by increased utilization of amino acids for yeast growth. The mechanism for this is likely to be an increase in protein expression of key regulators of the TCA cycle.