bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Blade Wrap Angle Influencing a Pump as Turbine
Authors: Yang Sun-Sheng , Kong Fan-Yu , Chen Hao , Su Xiang-Hui
Published: May 2012

A pump is not ideally designed to operate as a turbine. To improve the efficiency of a pump as turbine (PAT), the redesign of the PAT, according to the flow of the turbine, is required. The blade wrap angle is one of the main geometric parameters in impeller design. Therefore, an investigation into the blade wrap angle to the PAT’s influence can be useful. In order to understand blade wrap angle to the influence of the PAT, this paper numerically investigated three different specific speeds of PATs with different blade wrap angles. The validity of numerical simulation was first confirmed through a comparison between numerical and experimental results. The performance change of the PATs with the blade wrap angle was acquired. A detailed hydraulic loss distribution and a theoretical analysis were performed to investigate the reasons for performance changes caused by the blade wrap angle. The results show that there is an optimal blade wrap angle for a PAT to achieve the highest efficiency and the optimal blade wrap angle decreases with an increasing specific speed. A performance analysis shows the PAT’s flow versus pressure head (Q-H) and flow versus generated shaft power (Q-P) curves are lowered with the decrease of the blade wrap angle. The hydraulic loss distribution and theoretical analysis illustrate that it is the decrease of hydraulic loss within the impeller, together with the decrease of the theoretical head, that results in the performance decrease. The decrease of hydraulic loss within the impeller is attributed to the shortened impeller blade passage and the reduced velocity gradient within the impeller flow channel. With the decrease of the blade wrap angle, the slip factor of the PAT’s impeller is decreased; therefore, its theoretical head is also decreased.
Image‐Guided Radiation Therapy.
Authors: Gossman Michael S.
Published: May 2012

Image‐Guided Radiation Therapy. J. Daniel Bourland, Editor. Imaging in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy, William R. Hendee, Series Editor. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, 2012. Hardcover, 256 pp. Price: $129.95. ISBN: 978‐1‐4398‐0273‐1.
Measurements of neutron dose equivalent for a proton therapy center using uniform scanning proton beams
Authors: Zheng Yuanshui , Liu Yaxi , Zeidan Omar , Schreuder Andries Niek , Keole Sameer
Published: May 2012

Purpose: Neutron exposure is of concern in proton therapy, and varies with beam delivery technique, nozzle design, and treatment conditions. Uniform scanning is an emerging treatment technique in proton therapy, but neutron exposure for this technique has not been fully studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate the neutron dose equivalent per therapeutic dose, H/D, under various treatment conditions for uniform scanning beams employed at our proton therapy center.

Methods: Using a wide energy neutron dose equivalent detector (SWENDI‐II, ThermoScientific, MA), the authors measured H/D at 50 cm lateral to the isocenter as a function of proton range, modulation width, beam scanning area, collimated field size, and snout position. They also studied the influence of other factors on neutron dose equivalent, such as aperture material, the presence of a compensator, and measurement locations. They measured H/D for various treatment sites using patient‐specific treatment parameters. Finally, they compared H/D values for various beam delivery techniques at various facilities under similar conditions.

Results: H/D increased rapidly with proton range and modulation width, varying from about 0.2 mSv/Gy for a 5 cm range and 2 cm modulation width beam to 2.7 mSv/Gy for a 30 cm range and 30 cm modulation width beam when 18 × 18 cm2 uniform scanning beams were used. H/D increased linearly with the beam scanning area, and decreased slowly with aperture size and snout retraction. The presence of a compensator reduced the H/D slightly compared with that without a compensator present. Aperture material and compensator material also have an influence on neutron dose equivalent, but the influence is relatively small. H/D varied from about 0.5 mSv/Gy for a brain tumor treatment to about 3.5 mSv/Gy for a pelvic case.

Conclusions: This study presents H/D as a function of various treatment parameters for uniform scanning proton beams. For similar treatment conditions, the H/D value per uncollimated beam size for uniform scanning beams was slightly lower than that from a passive scattering beam and higher than that from a pencil beam scanning beam, within a factor of 2. Minimizing beam scanning area could effectively reduce neutron dose equivalent for uniform scanning beams, down to the level close to pencil beam scanning.
Resonance frequencies of a spherical aluminum shell subject to static internal pressure
Authors: Piacsek Andrew A. , Abdul-Wahid Sami , Taylor Robert
Published: May 2012

Measurements of the vibrational response of a spherical aluminum shell subject to changes in the interior pressure clearly demonstrate that resonance frequencies shift higher as the pressure is increased. The frequency shift appears to be smaller for longitudinal modes than for bending wave modes. The magnitude of frequency shift is comparable to analytical predictions made for thin cylindrical shells. Changes in the amplitudes of resonance peaks are also observed. A possible application of this result is a method for noninvasively monitoring pressure changes inside sealed containers, including intracranial pressure in humans.
Sequence-Specific Recognition of a PxLPxI/L Motif by an Ankyrin Repeat Tumbler Lock
Authors: Xu Chao , Jin Jing , Bian Chuanbing , Lam Robert , Tian Ruijun , Weist Ryan , You Linya , Nie Jianyun , Bochkarev Alexey , Tempel Wolfram , Tan Chris S. , Wasney Gregory A. , Vedadi Masoud , Gish Gerald D. , Arrowsmith Cheryl H. , Pawson Tony , Yang Xiang-Jiao , Min Jinrong
Published: May 2012

Phosphorylation of a motif that binds to ankyrin repeat domains switches its binding preference to 14-3-3 proteins.
Structural Insights into the Assembly of Large Oligomeric Signalosomes in the Toll-Like Receptor–Interleukin-1 Receptor Superfamily
Authors: Ferrao Ryan , Li Jixi , Bergamin Elisa , Wu Hao
Published: May 2012

Structural studies show that Toll-like receptors assemble into large oligomeric intracellular signaling complexes upon ligand binding.
Focus Issue: Signaling Architecture from Domains to Complexes
Authors: Wong Wei , Gough Nancy R.
Published: May 2012

Structural analyses of domains, proteins, and complexes provides insight into signaling mechanisms and uncovers therapeutic potential.
Magnetic Sense
Authors: Vignieri Sacha
Published: May 2012

Neurons in a pigeon’s brain encode the direction and intensity of the geomagnetic field.
PERKing Up the ER Stress Response
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2012

PERK exhibits lipid kinase activity during the ER stress response and adipocyte differentiation.
Action at a Distance in Gene Expression
Authors: Andrianantoandro Ernesto
Published: May 2012

Tumor suppressor Nkx3.1 acts as an intercellular transcription factor.
Genome Sequence of an Unclassified Pleosporales Species Isolated from Human Nasopharyngeal Aspirate
Authors: Ng Kee Peng , Yew Su Mei , Chan Chai Ling , Soo-Hoo Tuck Soon , Na Shiang Ling , Hassan Hamimah , Ngeow Yun Fong , Hoh Chee Choong , Lee Kok Wei , Yee Wai Yan
Published: May 2012

Pleosporales
is the largest order in the fungal class
Dothideomycetes
. We report the 36,814,818-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of UM1110, a
Pleosporales
isolate associated with unclassified genera that is potentially a new fungal species. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with fungal adhesive proteins, secreted proteases, allergens, and pseudohyphal development.
Persistent vestige of dorsal ophthalmic artery: a case report
Authors: Agarwal Nitin , Singh Priyanka L , Karimi Reza J , Gandhi Chirag D , Prestigiacomo Charles Joseph
Published: May 2012

A rare case of a persistent dorsal ophthalmic artery is reported. An elderly woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. A CT angiogram revealed findings consistent with a small aneurysm and the presence of a dorsal ophthalmic artery. This was confirmed with catheter diagnostic angiography. The radiological findings, embryology and anatomy of these dual ophthalmic arteries are discussed.
Surveillance imaging after intracranial stent implantation: non-invasive imaging compared with digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Golshani Behrad , Lazzaro Marc A , Raslau Flavius , Darkhabani Ziad , Baruah Dhiraj , Eastwood Daniel , Fitzsimmons Brian-Fred , Zaidat Osama O
Published: May 2012

Background

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard imaging for detection of in-stent restenosis (ISR) but there is limited literature on optimal non-invasive surveillance imaging. In this study, the ability of CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) compared with DSA in recognizing ISR was assessed.

Methods

A single center database of patients treated with stent implantation for ICAD was accessed. All patients who underwent follow-up imaging with DSA paired with either MRA or CTA within 30 days were included. Two angiography readers and two non-invasive imaging readers measured restenosis with a submillimeter digital caliper. ISR was categorized as: none/minimal, mild (<50%), moderate (≥50–70%) or severe (≥70%). Analysis was performed with weighted κ statistics.

Results

17 cases of individual stents that underwent surveillance imaging with paired DSA and CTA and five stents with paired DSA and MRA were identified. Of those undergoing DSA and CTA, inter-reader agreement produced κ=0.68 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.95) for DSA and κ=0.75 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.95) for CTA. Agreement across CTA and DSA was κ=0.36 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.52). Of those undergoing DSA and MRA, inter-reader agreement produced κ=0.71 (95% CI 0.27 to 1.00) for DSA and κ=1.00 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.00) for MRA. Agreement across MRA and DSA was κ=0.34 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.51).

Conclusions

Good inter-reader agreement exists within DSA, CTA and MRA. However, when comparing non-invasive imaging (CTA and MRA) with DSA, only fair agreement exists. These data suggest that CTA and MRA are not comparable to DSA for evaluation of ISR.
CONFORMAL INVARIANCE OF TENSOR BOSON TREE AMPLITUDES
Authors: ANTONIADIS IGNATIOS , SAVVIDY GEORGE
Published: May 2012

The BCFW recursion relation allows to find out the tree-level scattering amplitudes for gluons and tensor gauge bosons in generalized Yang–Mills theory. We demonstrate that the corresponding MHV amplitudes for the tensor gauge bosons of spin-s and n gluons are invariant under conformal group of transformations. This is highly unexpected result for the higher-spin particles, in particular this is not true for the scattering amplitudes of gravitons. We discuss and compare the tree-level scattering amplitudes for the charged tensor bosons with the corresponding scattering amplitudes for gravitons, stressing their differences and similarities.
社區工作: 意義重塑與展望
Authors: 甘 炳光
Published: May 2012

社區工作是社會工作的三大介入方法之一，但是，近代社會工作的發展愈來愈走向治療化的趨勢，逐漸遺忘了或忽略了社區工作在社會工作實踐的重要性。西方學者己提出社會工作專業不可以只著重個人、家庭及小組工作的發展，更不應只熱衷於輔導及治療模式的運用，而要重拾社區工作的意義。本文嘗試討論爲何社會工作需要包含社區工作方法，重塑社區工作在社會工作實務的意義； 包括：(一) 彰顯社會工作的 「社會」 本質和涵義； (二) 社區被視爲服務對象； (三) 加上宏觀角度及介入手法； (四) 善用和發動社區資源； (五) 展現社會工作的倡導角色； (六) 發揮社會工作去促進社會改變的功能； 及(七) 抗衡專業化帶來的負面影響。本文亦會檢視社會轉變所帶來的挑戰，展望社區工作需要發展的方向。

Community work is one of the three basic social work intervention methods. However, recent developments in social work emphasize clinical practices and increasingly neglect the importance of community work practice. Western scholars have already pointed out that the focus of the social work profession on developing interventions and practices for individuals, families, and social groups as well as counseling and therapeutic models needs to be complemented by reclaiming an emphasis on community work. This article examines why social work should include community work and discusses the following meanings of community work in social work: (1) making clear the social of social work; (2) community regarded as a target group; (3) inclusion of macro perspective and practice; (4) the effective use of community resources; (5) unfolding the advocacy role of community work; (6) fulfilling the function of promoting social change; and (7) counteracting the negative effects of professionalization. This article also discusses the challenges brought about by social changes to social work and suggests the future directions for community work.
Latitudinal and Local Time Variation of Ionospheric Turbulence Parameters during the Conjugate Point Equatorial Experiment in Brazil
Authors: Carrano Charles S. , Valladares Cesar E. , Groves Keith M.
Published: May 2012

Previous authors have reported on the morphology of GPS scintillations and irregularity zonal drift during the 2002 Conjugate Point Equatorial Experiment (COPEX) in Brazil. In this paper, we characterize the turbulent ionospheric medium that produced these scintillations. Using 10 Hz GPS carrier-to-noise measurements at Boa Vista (2.9°N, 60.7°W), Alta Floresta (9.9°S, 56.1°W), and Campo Grande (20.5°S, 54.7°W), we report on the variation of turbulent intensity, phase spectral index, and irregularity zonal drift as a function of latitude and local time for the evening of 1-2 November 2002. The method of analysis is new and, unlike analytical theories of scintillation based on the Born or Rytov approximations, it is valid when the scintillation index saturates due to multiple-scatter effects. Our principal findings are that (1) the strength of turbulence tended to be largest near the crests of the equatorial anomaly and at early postsunset local times, (2) the turbulent intensity was generally stronger and lasted two hours longer at Campo Grande than at Boa Vista, (3) the phase spectral index was similar at the three stations but increased from 2.5 to 4.5 with local time, and (4) our estimates of zonal irregularity drift are consistent with those provided by the spaced-receiver technique.
Identifying Large- and Small-Scale Habitat Characteristics of Monarch Butterfly Migratory Roost Sites with Citizen Science Observations
Authors: Davis Andrew K. , Nibbelink Nathan P. , Howard Elizabeth
Published: May 2012

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in eastern North America must make frequent stops to rest and refuel during their annual migration. During these stopovers, monarchs form communal roosts, which are often observed by laypersons. Journey North is a citizen science program that compiles roost observations, and we examined these data in an attempt to identify habitat characteristics of roosts. From each observation we extracted information on the type of vegetation used, and we used GIS and a national landcover data set to determine land cover characteristics within a 10 km radius of the roost. Ninety-seven percent of roosts were reported on trees; most were in pines and conifers, maples, oaks, pecans and willows. Conifers and maples were used most often in northern flyway regions, while pecans and oaks were more-frequently used in southern regions. No one landcover type was directly associated with roost sites, although there was more open water near roost sites than around random sites. Roosts in southern Texas were associated primarily with grasslands, but this was not the case elsewhere. Considering the large variety of tree types used and the diversity of landcover types around roost sites, monarchs appear highly-adaptable in terms of roost site selection.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of HIV Fusion Inhibitor T-1249: Insights on Peptide-Lipid Interaction
Authors: Martins do Canto A. M. T. , Palace Carvalho A. J. , Prates Ramalho J. P. , Loura Luís M. S.
Published: May 2012

T-1249 is a peptide that inhibits the fusion of HIV envelope with the target cell membrane. Recent results indicate that T-1249, as in the case of related inhibitor peptide T-20 (enfuvirtide), interacts with membranes, more extensively in the bilayer liquid disordered phase than in the liquid ordered state, which could be linked to its effectiveness. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) were carried out to investigate the interaction between T-1249 and bilayers of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and POPC/cholesterol (1 : 1). It was observed that T-1249 interacts to different extents with both membrane systems and that peptide interaction with the bilayer surface has a local effect on membrane structure. Formation of hydrogen bonding between certain peptide residues and several acceptor and donor groups in the bilayer molecules was observed. T-1249 showed higher extent of interaction with bilayers when compared to T-20. This is most notable in POPC/Chol membranes, owing to more peptide residues acting as H bond donors and acceptors between the peptide and the bilayer lipids, including H-bonds formed with cholesterol. This behavior is at variance with that of T-20, which forms no H bonds with cholesterol. This higher ability to interact with membranes is probably correlated with its higher inhibitory efficiency.
Elevated Circulating Angiogenic Progenitors and White Blood Cells Are Associated with Hypoxia-Inducible Angiogenic Growth Factors in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Ofori-Acquah Solomon F. , Buchanan Iris D. , Osunkwo Ifeyinwa , Manlove-Simmons Jerry , Lawal Feyisayo , Quarshie Alexander , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Gibbons Gary H. , Gee Beatrice E.
Published: May 2012

We studied the number and function of angiogenic progenitor cells and growth factors in children aged 5–18 years without acute illness, 43 with Hemoglobin SS and 68 with normal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin SS subjects had at least twice as many mononuclear cell colonies and more circulating progenitor cell than Control subjects. Plasma concentrations of erythropoietin, angiopoietin-2, and stromal-derived growth factor (SDF)-1αwere significantly higher in children with Hemoglobin SS compared to Control subjects. In a multivariate analysis model, SDF-1αconcentration was found to be associated with both CPC number and total white blood cell count in the Hemoglobin SS group, suggesting that SDF-1αproduced by ischemic tissues plays a role in mobilizing these cells in children with Hemoglobin SS. Despite having a higher number of angiogenic progenitor cells, children with Hemoglobin SS had slower migration of cultured mononuclear cells.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Changes in Soil and Soil Water after Cultivation
Authors: Watkins Mark , Castlehouse Hayley , Hannah Murray , Nash David M.
Published: May 2012

Untilled dairy pasture has the potential to release more phosphorus to the environment than a regularly ploughed pasture. In this paper we report the initial results of a study comparing the effects of cultivation, phosphorus (P) fertiliser (10, 35, and 100 kg P/ha), and two types of vegetation (ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or ryegrass mixed with clover (Trifolium repens)) in a randomised complete block design. Phosphorus was measured in soil samples taken from depths of 0–20 mm and 0–100 mm. Waters extracted from the 0–20 mm samples were also analysed. In all cases, the P concentrations (Olsen P, Colwell P, Total P, CaCl2extractable P, Dissolved Reactive P, and Total Dissolved P) in the top 20 mm declined with ploughing. Dissolved Reactive P measured in the soil water was 70% less overall in the ploughed plots compared with the unploughed plots, and by 35 weeks after P treatments the decrease in Dissolved Reactive P was 66%. The effects of the fertiliser and pasture treatments were inconclusive. The data suggest that ploughing can lower the risk of P exports from intensive dairy farms in the trial area.
Diagnosis of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas with Small-/Intermediate-Sized Cells in Cytopathology
Authors: Schwock Joerg , Geddie William R.
Published: May 2012

Fine needle sampling is a fast, safe, and potentially cost-effective method of obtaining tissue for cytomorphologic assessment aimed at both initial triage and, in some cases, complete diagnosis of patients that present clinically with lymphadenopathy. The cytologic diagnosis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas composed of small-/intermediate-sized cells, however, has been seen as an area of great difficulty even for experienced observers due to the morphologic overlap between lymphoma and reactive lymphadenopathies as well as between the lymphoma entities themselves. Although ancillary testing has improved diagnostic accuracy, the results from these tests must be interpreted within the morphological and clinical context to avoid misinterpretation. Importantly, the recognition of specific cytologic features is crucial in guiding the appropriate selection of ancillary tests which will either confirm or refute a tentative diagnosis. For these reasons, we here review the cytologic characteristics particular to five common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas which typically cause the most diagnostic confusion based on cytological assessment alone: marginal zone lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. We summarize the most pertinent cytomorphologic features for each entity as well as for reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, contrast them with each other to facilitate their recognition, and highlight common diagnostic pitfalls.
The Research of the Fractal Nature between Costs and Efficacy inthe Brain Vascular Disease
Authors: Sun Shuo , Xing Xiaocui
Published: May 2012

Three hundred patients were randomly selected as the research object, of which 150 were on Chinese medical treatment; rehabilitation of 150 people was recorded for each patient before and after treatment by the three outcome measures (Fugle‐Meyer baseline, NHISS baseline, and baseline BI), coupled with the treatment process spent in a variety of costs (mainly medicine costs, medicine,laboratory test, treatment, bed, care, diagnosis and examination fees, inspection fees). By combining the meaning of data with its practicality we get the definition of the efficacy. Via using the softwares of Excel, Matlab, and Eviews for data processing and fitting, it can be found that there exsists the fractal nature between efficacy and cost of treatment during the cerebral diseases. Then combined with the fractal theory, the application of chaotic time series, and two Fractal Indexes, the largest Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension were extracted under two conditions of Chinese medical treatment and rehabilitation, and in the comparison of significance the brain vascular disease in traditional Chinese medicine treatment and rehabilitation was found. There were significant difference in fractal indicators of the time series of effective unit cost. At the same time, there were similar significant differences in the three outcome measures. This paper studied the fractal nature of cerebrovascular disease between the efficacy and cost and draw some fractal relationships and conclusions, so as to find better medical treatment to provide a theoretical basis for the hope of the treatment of cerebral vascular disease to provide some valuable reference.
Amino-Terminal Microdeletion within theCNTNAP2Gene Associated with Variable Expressivity of Speech Delay
Authors: Al-Murrani Amel , Ashton Fern , Aftimos Salim , George Alice M. , Love Donald R.
Published: May 2012

Thecontactin-associated protein-like 2(CNTNAP2) gene is highly expressed in the frontal lobe circuits in the developing human brain. Mutations in this gene have been associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and specific language impairment. Here we describe a 450 kb deletion within theCNTNAP2gene that is maternally inherited in two male siblings, but with a variable clinical phenotype. This variability is described in the context of a limited number of other cases reported in the literature. The in-frame intragenic deletion removes a critical domain of the CNTNAP2 protein, and this case also highlights the challenges of correlating genotype and phenotype.
Overweight Adolescents’ Self-Perceived Weight and Weight Control Behaviour: HBSC Study in Finland 1994–2010
Authors: Ojala Kristiina , Tynjälä Jorma , Välimaa Raili , Villberg Jari , Kannas Lasse
Published: May 2012

Introduction. Overweight and perception of being overweight, may lead adolescent to lose weight. The aim of the present study was to investigate overweight adolescents’ self-perceived weight, body dissatisfaction, and weight control behaviour during 1994–2010 in Finland.Methods. The country-representative, cross-sectional data of 15-year olds were obtained from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, conducted in 1994 (; males: 48%), 1998 (; 49%), 2002 (; 50%), 2006 (; 47%), and 2010 (; 48%).Results. The majority of overweight boys (62–69%) and girls (89–100%) assessed themselves as too fat, and their body image was lower than in nonoverweight adolescents. The highest prevalence of current weight controlling was found in 2006 in males (18%) and in 2010 in females (39%).Conclusion. The phenomena were current and gender differences notable, but there was no statistically significant difference in overweight adolescents’ self-perceived weight, body dissatisfaction, or weight control behaviour between survey years.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dye by Sol‐Gel‐Derived Gallium‐Doped Anatase Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles for Environmental Remediation
Authors: Banerjee Arghya Narayan , Joo Sang Woo , Min Bong-Ki
Published: May 2012

Photocatalytic degradation of toxic organic chemicals is considered to be the most efficient green method for surface water treatment. We have reported the sol‐gel synthesis of Gadoped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and the photocatalytic oxidation of organic dye into nontoxic inorganic products under UV irradiation. Photodegradation experiments show very good photocatalytic activity of Ga‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles with almost 90% degradation efficiency within 3 hrs of UV irradiation, which is faster than the undoped samples. Doping levels created within the bandgap of TiO2 act as trapping centers to suppress the photogenerated electron‐hole recombination for proper and timely utilization of charge carriers for the generation of strong oxidizing radicals to degrade the organic dye. Photocatalytic degradation is found to follow the pseudo‐first‐order kinetics with the apparent 1st‐order rate constant around 1.3 × 10−2 min−1. The
cost‐effective, sol‐gel‐derived TiO2 : Ga nanoparticles can be used efficiently for light‐assisted
oxidation of toxic organic molecules in the surface water for environmental remediation.
Biological Effects of Mammalian Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) on Cell Death, Proliferation, and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Nagano-Ito Michiyo , Ichikawa Shinichi
Published: May 2012

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved protein found in eukaryotes, across animal and plant kingdoms and even in yeast. Mammalian TCTP is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and cell types. TCTP is a multifunctional protein which plays important roles in a number of cell physiological events, such as immune responses, cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, and cell death, including apoptosis. Recent identification of TCTP as an antiapoptotic protein has attracted interest of many researchers in the field. The mechanism of antiapoptotic activity, however, has not been solved completely, and TCTP might inhibit other types of cell death. Cell death (including apoptosis) is closely linked to proliferation and tumorigenesis. In this context, we review recent findings regarding the role of TCTP in cell death, proliferation, and tumorigenesis and discuss the mechanisms.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of TiOXPowders with Different Oxygen Defects
Authors: Wang Leini , Lu Fei , Meng Fanming
Published: May 2012

The novel carbon- or chromium-doped TiOXphotocatalysts with different oxygen defects were synthesized by mechanochemical technique and heating process. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectrophotometer, and fluorescence spectrometer. Carbon and chromium species were incorporated into TiOXcrystal matrix. The mass fraction of Ti7O13in TiOXphotocatalysts could be tunable through carbon or chromium doping. The mass fraction of Ti7O13could be an indication of the degree of oxygen defects (the concentration of Ti3+) in the TiOX. The degree of oxygen defects increased for carbon doping, while the degree of oxygen defects decreased for chromium doping. The photocatalytic activity measurement results showed that photodegradation rate of methyl orange reached the maximum value with mass fraction of Ti7O13of about 66.93%, but the photodegradation rate decreased when mass fraction of Ti7O13is raised further. In addition, the origin of absorption in the visible spectral range for carbon-doped TiOXas well as the effect of band gap on photocatalytic activity has also been discussed in this paper.
Inhibition of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition for Cytoprotection: DirectversusIndirect Mechanisms
Authors: Martel Cécile , Huynh Le Ha , Garnier Anne , Ventura-Clapier Renée , Brenner Catherine
Published: May 2012

Mitochondria are fascinating organelles, which fulfill multiple cellular functions, as diverse as energy production, fatty acidβoxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and detoxification, and cell death regulation. The coordination of these functions relies on autonomous mitochondrial processes as well as on sustained cross-talk with other organelles and/or the cytosol. Therefore, this implies a tight regulation of mitochondrial functions to ensure cell homeostasis. In many diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiopathies, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases), mitochondria can receive harmful signals, dysfunction and then, participate to pathogenesis. They can undergo either a decrease of their bioenergetic function or a process called mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) that can coordinate cell death execution. Many studies present evidence that protection of mitochondria limits disease progression and severity. Here, we will review recent strategies to preserve mitochondrial functions via direct or indirect mechanisms of MPT inhibition. Thus, several mitochondrial proteins may be considered for cytoprotective-targeted therapies.
Diagnosis of Fanconi Anemia: Chromosomal Breakage Analysis
Authors: Oostra Anneke B. , Nieuwint Aggie W. M. , Joenje Hans , de Winter Johan P.
Published: May 2012

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare inherited syndrome with diverse clinical symptoms including developmental defects, short stature, bone marrow failure, and a high risk of malignancies. Fifteen genetic subtypes have been distinguished so far. The mode of inheritance for all subtypes is autosomal recessive, except for FA-B, which is X-linked. Cells derived from FA patients are—by definition—hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking agents, such as mitomycin C, diepoxybutane, or cisplatinum, which becomes manifest as excessive growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and chromosomal breakage upon cellular exposure to these drugs. Here we provide a detailed laboratory protocol for the accurate assessment of the FA diagnosis as based on mitomycin C-induced chromosomal breakage analysis in whole-blood cultures. The method also enables a quantitative estimate of the degree of mosaicism in the lymphocyte compartment of the patient.
A Multiplicative Noise Removal Approach Based on Partial Differential Equation Model
Authors: Chen Bo , Cai Jin-Lin , Chen Wen-Sheng , Li Yan
Published: May 2012

Multiplicative noise, also known as speckle noise, is signal dependent and difficult to remove. Based on a fourth‐order PDE model, this paper proposes a novel approach to remove the multiplicative noise on images. In practice, Fourier transform and logarithm strategy are utilized on the noisy image to convert the convolutional noise into additive noise, so that the noise can be removed by using the traditional additive noise removal algorithm in frequency domain. For noise removal, a new fourth‐order PDE model is developed, which avoids the blocky effects produced by second‐order PDE model and attains better edge‐preserve ability. The performance of the proposed method has been evaluated on the images with both additive and multiplicative noise. Compared with some traditional methods, experimental results show that the proposed method obtains superior performance on different PSNR values and visual quality.
Small-for-Size Liver Transplantation Increases Pulmonary Injury in Rats: Prevention by NIM811
Authors: Liu Qinlong , Rehman Hasibur , Harley Russell A. , Lemasters John J. , Zhong Zhi
Published: May 2012

Pulmonary complications after liver transplantation (LT) often cause mortality. This study investigated whether small-for-size LT increases acute pulmonary injury and whether NIM811 which improves small-for-size liver graft survival attenuates LT-associated lung injury. Rat livers were reduced to 50% of original size, stored in UW-solution with and without NIM811 (5 μM) for 6 h, and implanted into recipients of the same or about twice the donor weight, resulting in half-size (HSG) and quarter-size grafts (QSG), respectively. Liver injury increased and regeneration was suppressed after QSG transplantation as expected. NIM811 blunted these alterations >75%. Pulmonary histological alterations were minimal at 5–18 h after LT. At 38 h, neutrophils and monocytes/macrophage infiltration, alveolar space exudation, alveolar septal thickening, oxidative/nitrosative protein adduct formation, and alveolar epithelial cell/capillary endothelial apoptosis became overt in the lungs of QSG recipients, but these alterations were mild in full-size and HSG recipients. Liver pretreatment with NIM811 markedly decreased pulmonary injury in QSG recipients. Hepatic TNFαand IL-1β mRNAs and pulmonary ICAM-1 expression were markedly higher after QSG transplantation, which were all decreased by NIM811. Together, dysfunctional small-for-size grafts produce toxic cytokines, leading to lung inflammation and injury. NIM811 decreased toxic cytokine formation, thus attenuating pulmonary injury after small-for-size LT.
Quantitative Property-Property Relationship for Screening-Level Prediction of Intrinsic Clearance of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Rats and Its Integration within PBPK Models to Predict Inhalation Pharmacokinetics in Humans
Authors: Peyret Thomas , Krishnan Kannan
Published: May 2012

The objectives of this study were (i) to develop a screening-level Quantitative property-property relationship (QPPR) for intrinsic clearance (CLint) obtained fromin vivoanimal studies and (ii) to incorporate it with human physiology in a PBPK model for predicting the inhalation pharmacokinetics of VOCs.CLint, calculated as the ratio of thein vivoVmax(μmol/h/kg bw rat) to theKm(μM), was obtained for 26 VOCs from the literature. The QPPR model resulting from stepwise linear regression analysis passed the validation step (R2=0.8; leave-one-out cross-validationQ2=0.75) forCLintnormalized to the phospholipid (PL) affinity of the VOCs. The QPPR facilitated the calculation ofCLint(L PL/h/kg bw rat) from the input data on logPow, log blood: water PC and ionization potential. The predictions of the QPPR as lower and upper bounds of the 95% mean confidence intervals (LMCI and UMCI, resp.) were then integrated within a human PBPK model. The ratio of the maximum (using LMCI forCLint) to minimum (using UMCI forCLint) AUC predicted by the QPPR-PBPK model was1.36±0.4and ranged from 1.06 (1,1-dichloroethylene) to 2.8 (isoprene). Overall, the integrated QPPR-PBPK modeling method developed in this study is a pragmatic way of characterizing the impact of the lack of knowledge ofCLintin predicting human pharmacokinetics of VOCs, as well as the impact of prediction uncertainty ofCLinton human pharmacokinetics of VOCs.
Modeling the Encephalopathy of Prematurity in Animals: The Important Role of Translational Research
Authors: Kinney Hannah C. , Volpe Joseph J.
Published: May 2012

Translational research in preterm brain injury depends upon the delineation of the human neuropathology in order that animal models faithfully reiterate it, thereby ensuring direct relevance to the human condition. The major substrate of human preterm brain injury is the encephalopathy of prematurity that is characterized by gray and white matter lesions reflecting combined acquired insults, altered developmental trajectories, and reparative phenomena. Here we highlight the key features of human preterm brain development and the encephalopathy of prematurity that are critical for modeling in animals. The complete mimicry of the complex human neuropathology is difficult in animal models. Many models focus upon mechanisms related to a specific feature, for example, loss of premyelinating oligodendrocytes in the cerebral white matter. Nevertheless, animal models that simultaneously address oligodendrocyte, neuronal, and axonal injury carry the potential to decipher shared mechanisms and synergistic treatments to ameliorate the global consequences of the encephalopathy of prematurity.
Hyperuricemic Renal Failure in Nonhematologic Solid Tumors: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Saini Neeraj , Pyo Lee Kyeong , Jha Smita , Patel Sanket , Bonthu Neelima , Kansagra Ankit , Bhatia Ashmeet , Martinez Sandra E. , Patel Jaymin , Altamimi Sarah , Ghotb Sara
Published: May 2012

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency that is caused by massive tumor cell lysis. It is commonly associated with hematological cancers like leukemia and lymphoma and uncommonly with solid nonhematologic tumors as well. However, spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (STLS) without any cytotoxic chemotherapy rarely occurs in solid tumors. We describe a case of STLS in a metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary and review the literature of STLS in solid non-hematologic tumors to identify various risk factors for pathogenesis of this entity.
Performance Improvements of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine via Functional Model Predictive Control
Authors: Kassem Ahmed M. , Hassan A. A.
Published: May 2012

This paper investigates the application of the model predictive control (MPC) approach to control the speed of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system. The MPC is used to calculate the optimal control actions including system constraints. To alleviate computational effort and to reduce numerical problems, particularly in large prediction horizon, an exponentially weighted functional model predictive control (FMPC) is employed. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed FMPC scheme, the performance of the proposed controller is compared with a classical PI controller through simulation studies. Obtained results show that accurate tracking performance of the PMSM has been achieved.
A Hole-Tolerant Redundancy Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Pu Juhua , Gu Yu , Zhang Yi , Chen Jia , Xiong Zhang
Published: May 2012

Maximizing network lifetime while not sacrificing coverage and connectivity in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has attracted many researches during the past few years. One common approach is node scheduling which dynamically schedules some redundant nodes to shut down and keeps alive some necessary nodes to preserve network performance. Previous researches focus either on guaranteeing coverage and connectivity or sacrificing coverage and connectivity to conserve energy. In this paper, we introduce a new hole-tolerant redundancy scheme (HRS) which can prolong network lifetime while maintaining coverage and connectivity performance. This HRS scheme can tolerate some coverage holes when determining redundancy eligibility, so it shuts down more nodes when hole tolerance is higher. Our work takes into account both homoradius WSNs and heteroradius WSNs. The simulation results show that (1) the average coverage percentage varies mildly but network lifetime is prolonged as hole tolerance increases; (2) HRS outperforms several existing lifetime maximization schemes.
Mathematical Models of Dissipative Systems in Quantum Engineering
Authors: Sterian Andreea , Sterian Paul
Published: May 2012

The paper shows the results of theoretical research concerning the modeling and characterization of the dissipative structures generally, the dissipation being an essential property of the system with self‐organization which include the laser‐type systems also. The most important results presented are new formulae which relate the coupling parameters ain from Lindblad equation with environment operators Γi; microscopic quantitative expressions for the dissipative coefficients of the master equations; explicit expressions which describe the changes of the environment density operator during the system evolution for fermion systems coupled with free electromagnetic field; the generalized Bloch‐Feynman equations for N‐level systems with microscopic coefficients in agreement with generally accepted physical interpretations. Based on Maxwell‐Bloch equations with consideration of the interactions between nearing atomic dipoles, for the dense optical media we have shown that in the presence of the short optical pulses, the population inversion oscillates between two extreme values, depending on the strength of the interaction and the optical pulse energy.
Studies of Olfactory System Neural Plasticity: The Contribution of the Unilateral Naris Occlusion Technique
Authors: Coppola David M.
Published: May 2012

Unilateral naris occlusion has long been the method of choice for effecting stimulus deprivation in studies of olfactory plasticity. A significant body of literature speaks to the myriad consequences of this manipulation on the ipsilateral olfactory pathway. Early experiments emphasized naris occlusion’s deleterious and age-critical effects. More recent studies have focused on life-long vulnerability, particularly on neurogenesis, and compensatory responses to deprivation. Despite the abundance of empirical data, a theoretical framework in which to understand the many sequelae of naris occlusion on olfaction has been elusive. This paper focuses on recent data, new theories, and underappreciated caveats related to the use of this technique in studies of olfactory plasticity.
Effect of Keishibukuryogan on Endothelial Function in Patients with at Least One Component of the Diagnostic Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome: A Controlled Clinical Trial with Crossover Design
Authors: Nagata Yutaka , Goto Hirozo , Hikiami Hiroaki , Nogami Tatsuya , Fujimoto Makoto , Shibahara Naotoshi , Shimada Yutaka
Published: May 2012

We evaluated the effect of keishibukuryogan (KBG; Guizhi-Fuling-Wan), a traditional Japanese (Kampo) formula, on endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (Endo-PAT2000) in patients with metabolic syndrome-related factors by controlled clinical trial with crossover design. Ninety-two patients were assigned to group A (first KBG-treatment period, then control period; each lasting 4 weeks, with about one-year interval) or group B (first control, then KBG-treatment). In forty-nine (27, group A; 22, group B) patients completing all tests, the mean value of the natural logarithmic-scaled reactive hyperemia index (L_RHI) increased and those of serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), malondialdehyde, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 decreased significantly during the KBG-treatment period, but not during the control period, and 4-week changes of L_RHI, NEFA, and malondialdehyde between the 2 periods showed significance. These results suggest that KBG has beneficial effect on endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome-related factors.
Multiple Reflections and Fresnel Absorption of Gaussian Laser Beam in an Actual 3D Keyhole during Deep-Penetration Laser Welding
Authors: Jin Xiangzhong , Cheng Yuanyong , Zeng Licheng , Zou Yufeng , Zhang Honggui
Published: May 2012

In deep penetration laser welding, a keyhole is formed in the material. Based on an experimentally obtained bending keyhole from low- and medium-speed laser penetration welding of glass, the keyhole profiles in both the symmetric plane are determined by polynomial fitting. Then, a 3D bending keyhole is reconstructed under the assumption of circular cross-section of the keyhole at each keyhole depth. In this paper, the behavior of focused Gaussian laser beam in the keyhole is analyzed by tracing a ray of light using Gaussian optics theory, the Fresnel absorption and multiple reflections in the keyhole are systematically studied, and the laser intensities absorbed on the keyhole walls are calculated. Finally, the formation mechanism of the keyhole is deduced.
New Inequalities of Opial′s Type on Time Scales and Some of Their Applications
Authors: Saker Samir H.
Published: May 2012

We will prove some new dynamic inequalities of Opial′s type on time scales. The results not only extend some results in the literature but also improve some of them. Some continuous and discrete inequalities are derived from the main results as special cases. The results will be applied on second‐order half‐linear dynamic equations on time scales to prove several results related to the spacing between consecutive zeros of solutions and the spacing between zeros of a solution and/or its derivative. The results also yield conditions for disfocality of these equations.
Cell Reprogramming, IPS Limitations, and Overcoming Strategies in Dental Bioengineering
Authors: Ibarretxe Gaskon , Alvarez Antonia , Cañavate Maria-Luz , Hilario Enrique , Aurrekoetxea Maitane , Unda Fernando
Published: May 2012

The procurement of induced pluripotent stem cells, or IPS cells, from adult differentiated animal cells has the potential to revolutionize future medicine, where reprogrammed IPS cells may be used to repair disease-affected tissues on demand. The potential of IPS cell technology is tremendous, but it will be essential to improve the methodologies for IPS cell generation and to precisely evaluate each clone and subclone of IPS cells for their safety and efficacy. Additionally, the current state of knowledge on IPS cells advises that research on their regenerative properties is carried out in appropriate tissue and organ systems that permit a safe assessment of the long-term behavior of these reprogrammed cells. In the present paper, we discuss the mechanisms of cell reprogramming, current technical limitations of IPS cells for their use in human tissue engineering, and possibilities to overcome them in the particular case of dental regeneration.
The Safety of Systemic Treatments That Can Be Used for Geriatric Psoriasis Patients: A Review
Authors: Wong Jillian W. , Koo John Y. M.
Published: May 2012

Background. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are often treated with systemic immunosuppressant agents that decrease immune system function. For the elderly, these medications are often problematic due to their already immunosuppressed state and comorbidities. However, there are few studies examining the effects of these medications on the elderly age group. Therefore, there is often discomfort among dermatologists treating elderly patients with psoriasis in utilizing systemic agents, frequently resulting in inadequate treatment.Objective. We review the safety profiles of systemic treatments often used to treat psoriasis and their possible adverse risks to the geriatric population.Methods. We conducted a search of PubMed’s Medline database of articles published from 2000 to 2011, which resulted in 14 articles.Conclusion. Treating geriatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis remains a challenge due to immunosenescence and comorbidities. More studies focusing on psoriasis treatment safety in the geriatric population are needed.