bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADAPTIVE FUZZY TRACKING CONTROL FOR A CLASS OF PERTURBED NONLINEAR TIME-VARYING DELAYS SYSTEMS WITH UNKNOWN CONTROL DIRECTION
Authors: YUE HONGYUN , LI JUNMIN
Published: August 2013

An adaptive fuzzy control scheme with only one adjusted parameter is developed for a class of nonlinear time-varying delays systems. Three kinds of uncertainties: time-varying delays, control directions, and nonlinear functions are all assumed to be completely unknown, which is different from the previous work. During the controller design procedure, appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals are used to compensate the unknown time-varying delays terms and the Nussbaum-type function is used to detect the unknown control direction. It is proved that the proposed controller guarantees that all the signals in the closed-loop system are bounded and the tracking errors converge to a small neighborhood around zero. The two main advantages of the developed scheme are that (i) by combining the appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals with the Nussbaum-gain technique, the control scheme is proposed for a class of nonlinear time-varying delays systems with unknown control directions, (ii) only one parameter needs to be adjusted online in controller design procedure, which reduces the computational burden greatly. Finally, two examples are used to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
VOLTAMMETRIC DETERMINATION OF ACETOPHOS IN WATER SAMPLES AT CNTPE
Authors: REDDY SARVAREDDY RAJASEKHAR , BABU T. RAVEENDRANATH
Published: August 2013

In this paper, a sensitive differential pulse voltammetric method to determine the residues of acetophos in water samples at CNTPE were reported. The significance of CNTPE is to result in low detection limits, high sensitivities, reduction of over-potentials, high mechanical strength and high conductivity and resistance to surface fouling. The universal buffer with pH range 2.0–6.0 is used as supporting electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry employed to evaluate electrode mechanism and number of electrons involved in reduction process were found out by using Millicoulometry and the product collected by applying Controlled potential electrolysis. Experimental conditions such as accumulation potential, accumulation time and scan rate were optimized. Calculations were made by standard addition method.
Octonionic ternary gauge field theories revisited
Authors: Castro Carlos
Published: August 2013

An octonionic ternary gauge field theory is explicitly constructed based on a ternary-bracket defined earlier by Yamazaki. The ternary infinitesimal gauge transformations do obey the key closure relations [δ1, δ2] = δ3. An invariant action for the octonionic-valued gauge fields is displayed after solving the previous problems in formulating a nonassociative octonionic ternary gauge field theory. These octonionic ternary gauge field theories constructed here deserve further investigation. In particular, to study their relation to Yang–Mills theories based on the G2 group which is the automorphism group of the octonions and their relevance to noncommutative and nonassociative geometry.
INVESTIGATING ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATIVENESS: DEVELOPING A MULTIDIMENSIONAL FORMATIVE MEASURE
Authors: PALLAS FLORIAN , BÖCKERMANN FLORIAN , GOETZ OLIVER , TECKLENBURG KIRSTIN
Published: August 2013

To survive competition, it is vital for firms to be innovative. As a firm's cultural predisposition, organisational innovativeness provides an environment that fosters innovations and thus actively supports new product or service development. The purpose of this study is to measure organisational innovativeness and its multiple dimensions from a cultural-strategic perspective on a multifaceted formative scale which we develop theoretically and by means of qualitative interviews. Furthermore, we empirically validate the newly developed construct by investigating how innovativeness and its dimensions translate into innovation success by examining the relationship between innovativeness and innovation performance in depth. Our findings suggest that a strategic focus on innovations, an extrinsic motivation system, openness in communication, as well as management encouragement are all dimensions of organisational innovativeness. Further, our results support the need for a proficient innovation process as a mechanism to systematically and continuously translate innovativeness into successful innovations. Innovation process proficiency fully mediates the relationship between innovativeness and innovation performance, while the contingency factor competitive intensity enhances this performance impact.
THE LINGUISTIC FORECASTING OF TIME SERIES USING IMPROVED FUZZY COGNITIVE MAP
Authors: LU WEI , ZHANG LIYONG , YANG JIANHUA , LIU XIAODONG
Published: August 2013

Most researchers of time series forecasting devote to design and develop quantitative models for pursuing high accuracy of forecasting on the numerical level. However, in real world, the numerical accuracy is sometimes not necessary for human cognition and decision-making and the numerical results of forecasting based on quantitative model are deficient in interpretability, thus the development of qualitative forecasting model of time series becomes an evident challenge. In this paper, the improved fuzzy cognitive map (IFCM) are proposed first, and then it is applied to develop qualitative model for linguistic forecasting of time series together with fuzzy c-means clustering technology and real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA). Two real life time series are used to test the developed forecasting model and compare with another method based on FCM, whose results show the developed FCM forecasting model is more simpler and high quality on the linguistic level.
QUATERNIONIC MODULAR FORMS OF ANY WEIGHT
Authors: BRASCA RICCARDO
Published: August 2013

In this work we give a geometric definition, as sections of line bundles, of p-adic analytic families of overconvergent modular forms attached to an indefinite quaternion algebra over ℚ. As a consequence of this, we obtain the existence of an eigencurve in this context. Our theory includes the interpretation of a modular form as a rule on test objects. We introduce the Hecke operators U and T l, both in families and for a single weight. We show that the U -operator acts compactly on the space of overconvergent modular forms. We finally construct the eigencurve, a rigid analytic variety whose points correspond to systems of eigenvalues associated to overconvergent eigenforms of finite slope with respect to the U -operator.
A NEW SERIES FOR THE DENSITY OF ABUNDANT NUMBERS
Authors: KOBAYASHI MITSUO
Published: August 2013

A natural number n is called abundant if the sum of proper divisors of n exceeds n. In 1933 Behrend determined bounds for the natural density d𝒜 of abundant numbers, with subsequent improvements leading to the 1998 bounds of Deléglise, 0.2474 < d𝒜 < 0.2480. We present a new infinite series expression for the density of abundant numbers which can be used to calculate an improved lower bound.
Lead-free piezoelectrics: Current status and perspectives
Authors: Coondoo Indrani , Panwar Neeraj , Kholkin Andrei
Published: August 2013

In the last few years, there has been tremendous effort to develop lead-free ferroelectric ceramics with high piezoelectric properties by various doping and alloying routes. Several material systems have been explored, however, no prominent alternative to the versatile lead zirconate titanate (PZT) system has been found yet. Despite the achieved improvement in piezoelectric properties, there are problems in the synthesis, processing and poling of the sintered ceramics. Various processing techniques including microwave, hydrothermal, sol–gel, Pechini and spark plasma sintering have been used to overcome the drawbacks related to synthesis issues. In this paper, an attempt is made to review recent developments on lead-free piezo materials emphasizing their preparation, structure–property relations, and consequent physical properties. In this context, both compositional and structural engineering approaches to achieve acceptable piezoelectric properties in lead-free materials are discussed. Piezoelectric properties of the most promising lead-free compositions/families including titanates, alkaline niobates and bismuth perovskites and their solid solutions, along with non-perovskites such as bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics are reviewed in detail. A brief coverage of the recent developments in the area of piezoelectric energy harvesting is also encompassed.
Effects of glass additions on energy storage performance of (Pb0.97La0.02)(Zr0.92Sn0.05Ti0.03)O3 antiferroelectric thick films
Authors: Chen Shengchen , Yang Tongqing , Wang Jinfei , Yao Xi
Published: August 2013

50 μm-thick ( Pb 0.97 La 0.02)( Zr 0.92 Sn 0.05 Ti 0.03) O 3 antiferroelectric (AFE) thick films with different amount of 0.8 PbO –0.2 B 2 O 3 glass additions were fabricated by the screen-printing method on alumina substrate, which was pre-coated with Pt as electrode. The effects of glass additions on dielectric properties and energy storage performance were investigated in details. Due to the enhancement of breakdown strength (BDS) of the specimens by the addition of glass, the energy storage performances of the thick films could be greatly improved. As a result, with 3% glass addition, the BDS of the specimens were as high as 475 kV/cm, the maximum polarization of 34.8 μC/cm2 and the maximum recoverable energy storage density of 7.4 J/cm3 were obtained. The results indicated the ( Pb 0.97 La 0.02)( Zr 0.92 Sn 0.05 Ti 0.03) O 3 (PLZST) thick films have a promising potential application in capacitors for pulsed power systems.
Carboniferous and Lower Permian sedimentological cycles and biotic events of South China
Authors: Wang Xiangdong , Qie Wenkun , Sheng Qingyi , Qi Yuping , Wang Yue , Liao Zhuoting , Shen Shuzhong , Ueno Katsumi
Published: August 2013

The sedimentary successions and four fossil groups, including rugose corals, brachiopods, fusulinaceans and conodonts, from the Carboniferous and Lower Permian of South China have been studied in order to reveal the sedimentary characteristics and evolutionary pattern of main biological groups in the East Tethyan region during the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age. The Lower Carboniferous lithology of South China is diverse, ranging from basinal and shelf carbonate rocks to coal measures and continental clastics, while the Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian are composed mostly of shallow-marine carbonates. From uppermost Devonian to Lower Carboniferous, five major regression events are recognized at the topmost Devonian, middle and upper Tournaisian boundary, Tournasian–Viséan boundary, uppermost Viséan and the Mid-Carboniferous boundary in South China, separately. The Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian shallow-water carbonate rocks consist of remarkable, high-frequency cyclothems. Moreover, another major sea-level fall is recognized and characterized by an extensive sedimentary hiatus at the Sakmarian–Artinskian boundary throughout South China. All of the sedimentary basins of South China were formed in extensional tectonic settings during this time; thus, multiple regressive events that occurred throughout South China should be primarily induced by glacio-eustatic drawdown. In addition, two biotic events characterized by a remarkable decline in the diversity of benthic biota and a turnover in the composition of fossil assemblages occurred, respectively, at the Mid-Carboniferous and Sakmarian–Artinskian boundaries, consistent with two major regressions, and were probably caused by the glaciations in Gondwana.
The Taylor Group (Beacon Supergroup): the Devonian sediments of Antarctica
Authors: Bradshaw Margaret A.
Published: August 2013

The Taylor Group, the lower division of the Beacon Supergroup, comprises mainly quartzose sandstones of Devonian age deposited after the development of the Kukri Erosion Surface across the Cambrian Ross orogen. Devonian sediments accumulated in a McMurdo Basin that now incorporates most of the Transantarctic Mountains, and a larger Ellsworth Basin that extends from West Antarctica into southern Africa. In southern Victoria Land (McMurdo Basin) the seven formations total around 1200 m in thickness. Sequence stratigraphy suggests five sedimentary cycles, the lower four of which may show shallow marine influence. Provenance studies indicate derivation solely from Ross Orogen sources. The Taylor Group in the central Transantarctic Mountains consists of two thin formations, only one of which is extensive. In the Ellsworth Basin, Taylor Group equivalents rest concordantly on thick piles of post-Ross Palaeozoic sediment. Shallow-water Devonian sediments in the Ohio Range contain a marine fauna linked with those of the Ellsworth Mountains, southern Africa, South America, New Zealand and Australia. A seaway probably existed along the Pacific edge of the East Antarctic craton, allowing these faunal links, and may also have communicated with the McMurdo Basin to drive the five sedimentary sequences.
The Strawberry Volcanics: generation of ‘orogenic’ andesites from tholeiite within an intra-continental volcanic suite centred on the Columbia River flood basalt province, USA
Authors: Steiner Arron , Streck Martin J.
Published: August 2013

The widely distributed, mid-Miocene lavas of the Strawberry Volcanics of NE Oregon are compositionally diverse, ranging from basalt to rhyolite. They are composed mainly of calc-alkaline and mildly tholeiitic basaltic andesite and andesite. Ar–Ar dating and stratigraphic relationships indicate that the volcanic field was active from >16 Ma to
c.
12 Ma ago and thus is coeval for the first 1–2 Ma with strongly tholeiitic flood basalts of the Columbia River Province that encircle the Strawberry Volcanics. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline compositions develop subtle but noticeable differences towards higher silica contents. At silica contents of <55 wt% SiO
2
, calc-alkaline and tholeiitic lavas are essentially indistinguishable. Trace element constraints among Strawberry Volcanics and crustal rocks indicate that open-system processes, such as assimilation or magma mixing, are responsible for evolution along a calc-alkaline trend leading to ‘orogenic’ andesites from tholeiite. Exclusively tholeiitic basalts carrying evidence for a metasomatized mantle source erupted during the mid-Miocene of eastern Oregon. Consequently, tholeiite imparted the ‘subduction signals’ and crustal processing generated the calc-alkaline character to end up with compositions of typical ‘orogenic’ andesites at the Strawberry Volcanics. No primitive calc-alkaline basalt from the mantle is needed as parental magma here and possibly at other similar intra-continental calc-alkaline suites.
APPL1 transgenic mice are protected from high-fat diet-induced cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Park Min , Wu Donghai , Park Taesik , Choi Cheol-soo , Li Ren-Ke , Cheng Kenneth K. Y. , Xu Aimin , Sweeney Gary
Published: August 2013

APPL1 (adaptor protein containing PH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif 1) has been established as an important mediator of insulin and adiponectin signaling. Here, we investigated the influence of transgenic (Tg) APPL1 overexpression in mice on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cardiomyopathy in mice. Wild-type (WT) mice fed an HFD for 16 wk showed cardiac dysfunction, determined by echocardiography, with decreased ejection fraction, decreased fractional shortening, and increased end diastolic volume. HFD-fed APPL1 Tg mice were significantly protected from this dysfunction. Speckle tracking echocardiography to accurately assess cardiac tissue deformation strain and wall motion also indicated dysfunction in WT mice and a similar improvement in Tg vs. WT mice on HFD. APPL1 Tg mice had less HFD-induced increase in circulating nonesteridied fatty acid levels and myocardial lipid accumulation. Lipidomic analysis using LC-MS-MS showed HFD significantly increased myocardial contents of distinct ceramide, sphingomyelin, and diacylglycerol (DAG) species, of which increases in C16:0 and C18:0 ceramides plus C16:0 and C18:1 DAGs were attenuated in Tg mice. A glucose tolerance test indicated less peripheral insulin resistance in response to HFD in Tg mice, which was also apparent by measuring cardiac Akt phosphorylation and cardiomyocyte glucose uptake. In summary, APPL1 Tg mice exhibit improved peripheral metabolism, reduced cardiac lipotoxicity, and improved insulin sensitivity. These cellular effects contribute to protection from HFD-induced cardiomyopathy.
Long-term exposure to a high-fat diet results in the development of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in interleukin-1 receptor I-deficient mice
Authors: McGillicuddy Fiona C. , Reynolds Clare M. , Finucane Orla , Coleman Eilish , Harford Karen A. , Grant Christine , Sergi Domenico , Williams Lynda M. , Mills Kingston H. G. , Roche Helen M.
Published: August 2013

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that saturated fatty acids prime pro-IL-1β production and inflammasome-mediated IL-1β activation is critical in obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Nonetheless, IL-1 receptor I-deficient (IL-1RI−/−) mice develop mature-onset obesity despite consuming a low-fat diet (LFD). With this apparent contradiction, the present study evaluated whether IL-1RI−/− mice were protected against long-term (6 mo) high-fat diet (HFD)-induced IR. Male wild-type and IL-1RI−/− mice were fed LFD or HFD for 3 or 6 mo, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. Adipose insulin sensitivity, cytokine profiles, and adipocyte morphology were assessed. The adipogenic potential of stromal vascular fraction was determined. Hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin sensitivity were characterized. IL-1RI−/− mice developed glucose intolerance and IR after 6 mo HFD compared with 3 mo HFD, coincident with enhanced weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia. The aggravated IR phenotype was associated with loss of adipose functionality, switch from adipocyte hyperplasia to hypertrophy and hepatosteatosis. Induction of adipogenic genes was reduced in IL-1RI−/− preadipocytes after 6 mo HFD compared with 3 mo HFD. Obese LFD-IL-1RI−/− mice exhibited preserved metabolic health. IL-1RI−/− mice develop glucose intolerance and IR after 6 mo HFD intervention. While mature-onset obesity is evident in LFD-IL-1RI−/− mice, the additional metabolic insult of HFD was required to drive adipose inflammation and systemic IR. These findings indicate an important interaction between dietary fat and IL-1, relevant to optimal metabolic health.
Inhibition of the Aplysia sensory neuron calcium current with dopamine and serotonin
Authors: Dunn Tyler W. , Sossin Wayne S.
Published: August 2013

The inhibition of Aplysia pleural mechanosensory neuron synapses by dopamine and serotonin through activation of endogenous dopaminergic and expressed 5-HT1Apl(a)/b receptors, respectively, involves a reduction in action potential-associated calcium influx. We show that the inhibition of synaptic efficacy is downstream of the readily releasable pool, suggesting that inhibition is at the level of calcium secretion coupling, likely a result of the changes in the calcium current. Indeed, the inhibitory responses directly reduce a CaV2-like calcium current in isolated sensory neurons. The inhibition of the calcium current is voltage independent as it is not affected by a strong depolarizing prepulse, consistent with other invertebrate CaV2 calcium currents. Similar to voltage-independent inhibition of vertebrate nociceptors, inhibition was blocked with Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The data suggest a conserved mechanism by which G protein-coupled receptor activation can inhibit the CaV2 calcium current in nociceptive neurons.
Neural mechanisms of speed perception: transparent motion
Authors: Krekelberg Bart , van Wezel Richard J. A.
Published: August 2013

Visual motion on the macaque retina is processed by direction- and speed-selective neurons in extrastriate middle temporal cortex (MT). There is strong evidence for a link between the activity of these neurons and direction perception. However, there is conflicting evidence for a link between speed selectivity of MT neurons and speed perception. Here we study this relationship by using a strong perceptual illusion in speed perception: when two transparently superimposed dot patterns move in opposite directions, their apparent speed is much larger than the perceived speed of a single pattern moving at that physical speed. Moreover, the sensitivity for speed discrimination is reduced for such bidirectional patterns. We first confirmed these behavioral findings in human subjects and extended them to a monkey subject. Second, we determined speed tuning curves of MT neurons to bidirectional motion and compared these to speed tuning curves for unidirectional motion. Consistent with previous reports, the response to bidirectional motion was often reduced compared with unidirectional motion at the preferred speed. In addition, we found that tuning curves for bidirectional motion were shifted to lower preferred speeds. As a consequence, bidirectional motion of some speeds typically evoked larger responses than unidirectional motion. Third, we showed that these changes in neural responses could explain changes in speed perception with a simple labeled line decoder. These data provide new insight into the encoding of transparent motion patterns and provide support for the hypothesis that MT activity can be decoded for speed perception with a labeled line model.
Light adaptation alters the source of inhibition to the mouse retinal OFF pathway
Authors: Mazade Reece E. , Eggers Erika D.
Published: August 2013

Sensory systems must avoid saturation to encode a wide range of stimulus intensities. One way the retina accomplishes this is by using both dim-light-sensing rod and bright-light-sensing cone photoreceptor circuits. OFF cone bipolar cells are a key point in this process, as they receive both excitatory input from cones and inhibitory input from AII amacrine cells via the rod pathway. However, in addition to AII amacrine cell input, other inhibitory inputs from cone pathways also modulate OFF cone bipolar cell light signals. It is unknown how these inhibitory inputs to OFF cone bipolar cells change when switching between rod and cone pathways or whether all OFF cone bipolar cells receive rod pathway input. We found that one group of OFF cone bipolar cells (types 1, 2, and 4) receive rod-mediated inhibitory inputs that likely come from the rod-AII amacrine cell pathway, while another group of OFF cone bipolar cells (type 3) do not. In both cases, dark-adapted rod-dominant light responses showed a significant contribution of glycinergic inhibition, which decreased with light adaptation and was, surprisingly, compensated by an increase in GABAergic inhibition. As GABAergic input has distinct timing and spatial spread from glycinergic input, a shift from glycinergic to GABAergic inhibition could significantly alter OFF cone bipolar cell signaling to downstream OFF ganglion cells. Larger GABAergic input could reflect an adjustment of OFF bipolar cell spatial inhibition, which may be one mechanism that contributes to retinal spatial sensitivity in the light.
Cardiovascular and Renal Effects of Bromocriptine in Diabetic Patients with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Mejía-Rodríguez Oliva , Herrera-Abarca Jorge E. , Ceballos-Reyes Guillermo , Avila-Diaz Marcela , Prado-Uribe Carmen , Belio-Caro Francisco , Salinas-González Antonio , Vega-Gomez Helios , Alvarez-Aguilar Cleto , Lindholm Bengt , García-López Elvia , Paniagua Ramón
Published: August 2013

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of bromocriptine (BEC) on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and residual renal function (RRF) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Research Design and Methods. A 6-month double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 28 patients with T2D and stage 4 CKD with increased LVMI. Fourteen patients received BEC (2.5 mg, initially 1 tablet with subsequent increase to three times a day) and 14 received a placebo (PBO; initially 1 tablet with subsequent increase to three times a day). Cardiovascular changes were assessed by monitoring 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, two-dimensional-guided M-mode echocardiography, and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels. RRF was evaluated by creatinine clearance and cystatin-C plasma levels.Results. Both BEC and PBO groups decreased blood pressure—but the effect was more pronounced in the BEC group. Average 24 h, diurnal and nocturnal blood pressures, and circadian profile showed improved values compared to the PBO group; LVMI decreased by 14% in BEC and increased by 8% in PBO group. NT-proBNP decreased in BEC (0.54±0.15to0.32±0.17 pg/mL) and increased in PBO (0.37±0.15to0.64±0.17 pg/mL). Creatinine clearance did not change in the BEC group and decreased in the PBO group.Conclusions. BEC resulted in a decrease on blood pressure and LVMI. BEC also prevented the progression of CKD while maintaining the creatinine clearance unchanged.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration during Sepsis: Preliminary Data
Authors: Servillo Giuseppe , Vargas Maria , Pastore Antonio , Procino Alfredo , Iannuzzi Michele , Capuano Alfredo , Memoli Andrea , Riccio Eleonora , Memoli Bruno
Published: August 2013

Introduction. Severe sepsis and septic shock are the primary causes of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), which is the most frequent cause of death in intensive care unit patients. Many pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), play a strategic role in septic syndrome. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) removes in a nonselective way pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators.Objective. To investigate the effects of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) as an immunomodulatory treatment of sepsis in a prospective clinical study.Methods. High flux hemofiltration (Qf = 60 ml/Kg/hr) was performed for 72 hr in thirteen critically ill patients suffering from severe sepsis or septic shock with acute renal failure (ARF). IL-6 gene expression was measured by real-time PCR analysis on RNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell before beginning of treatment (T0) and after 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours (T1–4).Results. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated in twelve patients IL-6 mRNA reduction after 12 hours of treatment and a progressive increase after 24, 48, and 72 hours.Conclusions. We suggest that an immunomodulatory effect might exist during CVVH performed in critically ill patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Our data show that the transcriptional activity of IL-6 increases during CVVH.
Survival and Growth of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Spp. in Well Water Used for Drinking Purposes in Garoua (North Cameroon)
Authors: Djaouda Moussa , Gaké Bouba , Ebang Menye Daniel , Zébazé Togouet Serge Hubert , Nola Moïse , Njiné Thomas
Published: August 2013

The ability of strains of faecal bacteria (Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and four strains of Salmonella isolated, resp., from well water, pig, poultry, and human urine in Garoua) to survive or grow in well water microcosms was compared. Water samples were obtained from two wells in Garoua (north Cameroun). Autoclaving at 121°C for 15 min and filtration through 0.2 µm filter were used to make microcosms. Microcosms were constituted of unfiltered-autoclaved, filtered-nonautoclaved, and filtered-autoclaved well waters. Bacterial strains were inoculated at initial cell concentration of 3 Log10CFU/mL. All strains were able to survive/grow in used microcosms, and a maximal concentration of 5.61 Log10CFU/mL was observed. Survival abilities were strain and microcosm dependent. The declines were more pronounced in filtered-nonautoclaved water than in the other microcosms. E. coli and Salmonella sp. (poultry strain) lowered to undetectable levels (<1 Log10CFU/mL) after two days of water storage. V. cholera decreased over time, but surviving cells persisted for longer period in filtered-nonautoclaved water from well W1 (1.91 Log10CFU/mL) and well W2 (2.09 Log10CFU/mL). Competition for nutrients and/or thermolabile antimicrobial substances synthesized by “ultramicrocells” or by the autochthonous bacteria retained by the filter might affect the bacterial survival.
On the Gauss Map of Surfaces of Revolution with Lightlike Axis in Minkowski 3-Space
Authors: Jin Minghao , Pei Donghe , Xu Shu
Published: August 2013

By studying the Gauss mapGand Laplace operatorΔhof the second fundamental formh, we will classify surfaces of revolution with a lightlike axis in 3-dimensional Minkowski space and also obtain the surface of Enneper of the 2nd kind, the surface of Enneper of the 3rd kind, the de Sitter pseudosphere, and the hyperbolic pseudosphere that satisfy conditionΔhG=ΛG, Λbeing a3×3real matrix.
An Active C-Terminally Truncated Form of Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Phosphatase-N (CaMKP-N/PPM1E)
Authors: Ishida Atsuhiko , Tsumura Kumiko , Oue Megu , Takenaka Yasuhiro , Shigeri Yasushi , Goshima Naoki , Ishihara Yasuhiro , Hirano Tetsuo , Baba Hiromi , Sueyoshi Noriyuki , Kameshita Isamu , Yamazaki Takeshi
Published: August 2013

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase (CaMKP/PPM1F) and its nuclear homolog CaMKP-N (PPM1E) are Ser/Thr protein phosphatases that belong to the PPM family. CaMKP-N is expressed in the brain and undergoes proteolytic processing to yield a C-terminally truncated form. The physiological significance of this processing, however, is not fully understood. Using a wheat-embryo cell-free protein expression system, we prepared human CaMKP-N (hCaMKP-N(WT)) and the truncated form, hCaMKP-N(1–559), to compare their enzymatic properties using a phosphopeptide substrate. The hCaMKP-N(1–559) exhibited a much higherVmaxvalue than the hCaMKP-N(WT) did, suggesting that the processing may be a regulatory mechanism to generate a more active species. The active form, hCaMKP-N(1–559), showed Mn2+or Mg2+-dependent phosphatase activity with a strong preference for phospho-Thr residues and was severely inhibited by NaF, but not by okadaic acid, calyculin A, or 1-amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, a specific inhibitor of CaMKP. It could bind to postsynaptic density and dephosphorylate the autophosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Furthermore, it was inactivated by H2O2treatment, and the inactivation was completely reversed by treatment with DTT, implying that this process is reversibly regulated by oxidation/reduction. The truncated CaMKP-N may play an important physiological role in neuronal cells.
Stress Evaluation in Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis Using Salivary Cortisol
Authors: Mizawa Megumi , Yamaguchi Masaki , Ueda Chieko , Makino Teruhiko , Shimizu Tadamichi
Published: August 2013

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) are often aggravated by stress, and AD can also lead to psychological stress due to social isolation and discrimination. The salivary cortisol level reflects psychological stress, and it is a good index to assess chronic stress. In this study, we measured the salivary cortisol levels in patients with AD (). AD patients were also evaluated for general disease severity using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. The serum levels of TARC, total IgE, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were measured by laboratory tests. The Skindex-16 was used as a skin disease-specific, quality of life measure, instrument. The results showed that the saliva cortisol level was significantly higher in AD patients compared to healthy subjects () while the serum TARC and LDH levels were positively correlated with the SCORAD index. However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between the salivary cortisol level and Skindex-16. These results suggest that the saliva cortisol level is therefore a useful biomarker to evaluate the stress in AD patients.
A Case of Primary Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of the External Auditory Canal
Authors: Bruschini Luca , De Vito Andrea , Fortunato Susanna , Pelosini Marco , Cervetti Giulia , Petrini Mario , Berrettini Stefano
Published: August 2013

Lymphomas represent the second most frequent malignant tumor (incidence 2.5%) in the head and neck region. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) present with cervical lymph node involvement, but in 40% extranodal site could be primary involved: nasopharynx, the lacrimal sac, the temporal bone, or the others areas. NHLs of the ear are rarely reported. In this report, we described a patient with primary NHL of the external ear canal who was successfully treated with surgical excision and chemotherapy.
The Effect ofMsh2Knockdown on Toxicity Induced bytert-Butyl-hydroperoxide, Potassium Bromate, and Hydrogen Peroxide in Base Excision Repair Proficient and Deficient Cells
Authors: Cooley N. , Elder R. H. , Povey A. C.
Published: August 2013

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and base excision repair (BER) systems are important determinants of cellular toxicity following exposure to agents that cause oxidative DNA damage. To examine the interactions between these different repair systems, we examined whether toxicity, induced byt-BOOH and KBrO3, differs in BER proficient (Mpg+/+,Nth1+/+) and deficient (Mpg−/−,Nth1−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) followingMsh2knockdown of between 79 and 88% using an shRNA expression vector.Msh2knockdown inNth1+/+cells had no effect ont-BOOH and KBrO3induced toxicity as assessed by an MTT assay; knockdown inNth1−/−cells resulted in increased resistance tot-BOOH and KBrO3, a result consistent with Nth1 removing oxidised pyrimidines.Msh2knockdown inMpg+/+cells had no effect ont-BOOH toxicity but increased resistance to KBrO3; inMpg−/−cells,Msh2knockdown increased cellular sensitivity to KBrO3but increased resistance to t-BOOH, suggesting a role forMpgin removing DNA damage induced by these agents. MSH2 dependent and independent pathways then determine cellular toxicity induced by oxidising agents. A complex interaction between MMR and BER repair systems, that is, exposure dependent, also exists to determine cellular toxicity.
New Photoplethysmographic Signal Analysis Algorithm for Arterial Stiffness Estimation
Authors: Pilt Kristjan , Ferenets Rain , Meigas Kalju , Lindberg Lars-Göran , Temitski Kristina , Viigimaa Margus
Published: August 2013

The ability to identify premature arterial stiffening is of considerable value in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The “ageing index” (AGI), which is calculated from the second derivative photoplethysmographic (SDPPG) waveform, has been used as one method for arterial stiffness estimation and the evaluation of cardiovascular ageing. In this study, the new SDPPG analysis algorithm is proposed with optimal filtering and signal normalization in time. The filter parameters were optimized in order to achieve the minimal standard deviation of AGI, which gives more effective differentiation between the levels of arterial stiffness. As a result, the optimal low‐pass filter edge frequency of 6 Hz and transitionband of 1 Hz were found, which facilitates AGI calculation with a standard deviation of 0.06. The study was carried out on 21 healthy subjects and 20 diabetes patients. The linear relationship (r = 0.91)
between each subject’s age and AGI was found, and a linear model with regression line was constructed. For diabetes patients, the mean AGI value difference from the proposed model yAGI was found to be 0.359. The difference was found between healthy and diabetes patients groups with significance level of P < 0.0005.
Early Complication in Sickle Cell Anemia Children due toA(TA)nTAAPolymorphism at the Promoter ofUGT1A1Gene
Authors: Chaouch Leila , Talbi Emna , Moumni Imen , Ben Chaabene Arij , Kalai Miniar , Chaouachi Dorra , Mallouli Fethi , Ghanem Abderraouf , Abbes Salem
Published: August 2013

Aim. To determine the implication of the polymorphism, namely,A(TA)nTAAofUGT1A1in lithogenesis for the first time in Tunisia among sickle cell anemia (SCA) children patients.Material and Methods. Our study was performed in 2010 and it involved 76 subjects chosen as control group characterized with normal hemoglobin status and presence of cholelithiasis and 102 SCA pediatric patients among whom 52 have cholelithiasis. We analyzed the polymorphismA(TA)nTAAat theUGT1A1promoter and the relationships between the variousA(TA)nTAAgenotypes and alleles and bilirubin levels and occurrence of cholelithiasis.Results and Discussion. The repartition of genotypes found according to serum bilirubin level shows a significant association between genotypes carrying variant (TA)7and hyperbilirubinemia (). We demonstrated the association of two genotypes with gallstones formation among SCA children patients: (TA)7/(TA)7and (TA)7/(TA)8with and , respectively. (TA)7and (TA)8allele variants act as a risk factor for early gallstones formation in SCA patients with and , respectively. As for the control group only the genotype (TA)7/(TA)7presented a risk factor for gallstones formation.Conclusion. The novelty of this report is that it is the first time that a similar study was made on the Tunisian children sickle cell population and that the results show a clear association of (TA)7variant in early gallstones formation in Tunisian SCA children. Interestingly our findings highlighted the association of (TA)8variant as well, which was not found in previous studies.
A Fast Adaptive Receive Antenna Selection Method in MIMO System
Authors: Wang Chaowei , Wang Weidong , Wang Cheng , Wang Shuai , Yu Yang
Published: August 2013

Antenna selection has been regarded as an effective method to acquire the diversity benefits of multiple antennas while potentially reduce hardware costs. This paper focuses on receive antenna selection. According to the proportion between the numbers of total receive antennas and selected antennas and the influence of each antenna on system capacity, we propose a fast adaptive antenna selection algorithm for wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Mathematical analysis and numerical results show that our algorithm significantly reduces the computational complexity and memory requirement and achieves considerable system capacity gain compared with the optimal selection technique in the same time.
Sphingolipid Metabolic Pathway: An Overview of Major Roles Played in Human Diseases
Authors: Pralhada Rao Raghavendra , Vaidyanathan Nanditha , Rengasamy Mathiyazhagan , Mammen Oommen Anup , Somaiya Neeti , Jagannath M. R.
Published: August 2013

Sphingolipids, a family of membrane lipids, are bioactive molecules that participate in diverse functions controlling fundamental cellular processes such as cell division, differentiation, and cell death. Given that most of these cellular processes form the basis for several pathologies, it is not surprising that sphingolipids are key players in several pathological processes. This review discusses the role of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway in diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma, with a special emphasis on the changes in gene expression pattern in these disease conditions. For convenience, the sphingolipid metabolic pathway is divided into hypothetical compartments (modules) with each compartment representing a physiological process and changes in gene expression pattern are mapped to each of these modules. It appears that alterations in the gene expression pattern in these disease conditions are biased to manipulate the system in order to result in a particular disease.
A Fast, Highly Efficient, and Green Protocol for Synthesis of Biscoumarins Catalyzed by Silica Sulfuric Acid Nanoparticles as a Reusable Catalyst
Authors: Sadeghi Bahareh , Ziya Tayebe
Published: August 2013

Silica sulfuric acid nanoparticles have been prepared and shown to efficiently catalyse the reaction between an aromatic aldehyde or phenylglyoxal and a 4‐hydroxycoumarin at reflux in EtOH to afford the biscoumarin derivatives in high yield.
Enhancement of Phosphate Absorption by Garden Plants by Genetic Engineering: A New Tool for Phytoremediation
Authors: Matsui Keisuke , Togami Junichi , Mason John G. , Chandler Stephen F. , Tanaka Yoshikazu
Published: August 2013

Although phosphorus is an essential factor for proper plant growth in natural environments, an excess of phosphate in water sources causes serious pollution. In this paper we describe transgenic plants which hyperaccumulate inorganic phosphate (Pi) and which may be used to reduce environmental water pollution by phytoremediation. AtPHR1, a transcription factor for a key regulator of the Pi starvation response inArabidopsis thaliana, was overexpressed in the ornamental garden plantsTorenia, Petunia, and Verbena.The transgenic plants showed hyperaccumulation of Pi in leaves and accelerated Pi absorption rates from hydroponic solutions. Large-scale hydroponic experiments indicated that the enhanced ability to absorb Pi in transgenic torenia (AtPHR1) was comparable to water hyacinth a plant that though is used for phytoremediation causes overgrowth problems.
The Quasi-Linear Operator Outer Generalized Inverse with Prescribed Range and Kernel in Banach Spaces
Authors: Cao Jianbing , Xue Yifeng
Published: August 2013

Let and be Banach spaces, and let be a bounded linear operator. In this paper, we first define and characterize the quasi-linear operator (resp., out) generalized inverse (resp., ) for the operator , where and are homogeneous subsets. Then, we further investigate the perturbation problems of the generalized inverses and . The results obtained in this paper extend some well-known results for linear operator generalized inverses with prescribed range and kernel.
Hepatic Artery Embolization prior to En Bloc Resection of an Encased Common Hepatic Artery in Adenocarcinoma of the Head of the Pancreas
Authors: Sergeant Gregory , Schadde Erik , Maleux Geert , Aerts Raymond
Published: August 2013

A 64-year-old female patient with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas with encasement of the common hepatic artery and portal vein stenosis was reexplored after six cycles of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2). Prior to surgery, the patient underwent balloon dilation and stenting of the portal vein in addition to successful coil embolisation of the common hepatic artery, proper hepatic artery, and proximal gastroduodenal artery. After embolisation, a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed with resection of the common hepatic artery and portal vein confluens. Pathological examination showed a moderately differentiated pT3N0 (Stage IIa, TNM 7th edition) tumor with negative section margins. We show with this case that in selected cases of periampullary cancer with encasement of the common hepatic artery, it is technically feasible to perform pancreaticoduodenectomy with hepatic artery resection and negative surgical margins. Nevertheless, the oncological benefit of extended arterial resections remains controversial.
Algorithmic Approach to the Split Problems
Authors: Ma Ming
Published: August 2013

This paper deals with design algorithms for the split variational inequality and equilibrium problems. Strong convergence theorems are demonstrated.
Synthesis and Characterization of Pyrochlore Bi2Sn2O7Doping with Praseodymium by Hydrothermal Method and Its Photocatalytic Activity Study
Authors: Xu Weicheng , Zhou Guangyin , Fang Jianzhang , Liu Zhang , Chen YunFang , Cen Chaoping
Published: August 2013

Praseodymium doped Bi2Sn2O7(BSO), as a visible-light responsive photocatalyst, was prepared by a hydrothermal method with different dopant contents. The as-prepared photocatalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), N2adsorption-desorption isotherm, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of prepared catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine Bextra (RhB) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. It was found that Pr doping inhibited the growth of crystalline size and the as-prepared materials were small in size (10–20 nm). In our experiments, Pr-doped BSO samples exhibited enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity compared to the undoped BSO, and the optimal dopant amount of Pr was 1.0 mol% for the best photocatalytic activity. On the basis of the calculated PL spectra, the mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity has been discussed.
Experimental Analysis of a Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System for Harmonic, Random, and Sine on Random Vibration
Authors: Cryns Jackson W. , Hatchell Brian K. , Santiago-Rojas Emiliano , Silvers Kurt L.
Published: August 2013

Harvesting power with a piezoelectric vibration powered generator using a full-wave rectifier conditioning circuit is experimentally compared for varying sinusoidal, random, and sine on random (SOR) input vibration scenarios; the implications of source vibration characteristics on harvester design are discussed. The rise in popularity of harvesting energy from ambient vibrations has made compact, energy dense piezoelectric generators commercially available. Much of the available literature focuses on maximizing harvested power through nonlinear processing circuits that require accurate knowledge of generator internal mechanical and electrical characteristics and idealization of the input vibration source, which cannot be assumed in general application. Variations in source vibration and load resistance are explored for a commercially available piezoelectric generator. The results agree with numerical and theoretical predictions in the previous literature for optimal power harvesting in sinusoidal and flat broadband vibration scenarios. Going beyond idealized steady-state sinusoidal and flat random vibration input, experimental SOR testing allows for more accurate representation of real world ambient vibration. It is shown that characteristic interactions from more complex vibration sources significantly alter power generation and processing requirements by varying harvested power, shifting optimal conditioning impedance, inducing voltage fluctuations, and ultimately rendering idealized sinusoidal and random analyses incorrect.
Non-obvious Problems in Clark Electrode Application at Elevated Temperature and Ways of Their Elimination
Authors: Miniaev M. V. , Belyakova M. B. , Kostiuk N. V. , Leshchenko D. V. , Fedotova T. A.
Published: August 2013

Well-known cause of frequent failures of closed oxygen sensors is the appearance of gas bubbles in the electrolyte. The problem is traditionally associated with insufficient sealing of the sensor that is not always true. Study of a typical temperature regime of measurement system based on Clark sensor showed that spontaneous release of the gas phase is a natural effect caused by periodic warming of the sensor to a temperature of the test liquid. The warming of the sensor together with the incubation medium causes oversaturation of electrolyte by dissolved gases and the allocation of gas bubbles. The lower rate of sensor heating in comparison with the medium reduces but does not eliminate the manifestation of this effect. It is experimentally established, that with each cycle of heating of measuring system up to 37°C followed by cooling the volume of gas phase in the electrolyte (KCl; 60 g/L; 400 μL) increased by 0.6 μL approximately. Thus, during just several cycles it can dramatically degrade the characteristics of the sensor. A method was developed in which the oxygen sensor is heated in contact with the liquid, (depleted of dissolved gases), allowing complete exclusion of the above-mentioned effect.