bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Periodic Motions in a Parametric Hardening Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Luo Albert C. J. , O'Connor Dennis M.
Published: February 2014

In this paper, analytical solutions for periodic motions in a parametric hardening Duffing oscillator are presented using the finite Fourier series expression, and the corresponding stability and bifurcation analysis for such periodic motions are carried out. The frequency-amplitude characteristics of asymmetric period-1 and symmetric period-2 motions are discussed. The hardening Mathieu–Duffing oscillator is also numerically simulated to verify the approximate analytical solutions of periodic motions. Period-1 asymmetric and period-2 symmetric motions are illustrated for a better understanding of periodic motions in the hardening Mathieu–Duffing oscillator.
Simplest Chaotic Flows with Involutional Symmetries
Authors: Sprott J. C.
Published: February 2014

A chaotic flow has an involutional symmetry if the form of the dynamical equations remains unchanged when one or more of the variables changes sign. Such systems are of theoretical and practical importance because they can exhibit symmetry breaking in which a symmetric pair of attractors coexist and merge into one symmetric attractor through an attractor-merging bifurcation. This paper describes the simplest chaotic examples of such systems in three dimensions, including several cases not previously known, and illustrates the attractor-merging process.
A mesh-dependent norm analysis of low-order mixed finite element for elasticity with weakly symmetric stress
Authors: Juntunen Mika , Lee Jeonghun
Published: February 2014

We consider mixed finite elements for linear elasticity with weakly symmetric stress. We propose a low-order three-dimensional rectangular element with optimal O(h) rate of convergence for all the unknowns. The element is a rectangular analogue of the simplified Arnold–Falk–Winther element. Instead of the elasticity complex approach, our stability analysis is based on new mesh-dependent norms.
A linearized approach to worst-case design in parametric and geometric shape optimization
Authors: Allaire Grégoire , Dapogny Charles
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this paper is to propose a deterministic method for optimizing a structure with respect to its worst possible behavior when a "small" uncertainty exists over some of its features. The main idea of the method is to linearize the considered cost function with respect to the uncertain parameters, then to consider the supremum function of the obtained linear approximation, which can be rewritten as a more "classical" function of the design, owing to standard adjoint techniques from optimal control theory. The resulting "linearized worst-case" objective function turns out to be the sum of the initial cost function and of a norm of an adjoint state function, which is dual with respect to the considered norm over perturbations. This formal approach is very general, and can be justified in some special cases. In particular, it allows to address several problems of considerable importance in both parametric and shape optimization of elastic structures, in a unified framework.
Two 0+ excited states in 40Ca with diabatic and adiabatic constrained approaches
Authors: Sang H. Y. , Wang X. S. , Wang J. H. , Liu Y. Y. , Lü H. F.
Published: February 2014

Two 0+ excited states of 40 Ca have been investigated by the potential energy surface (PES) obtained from both adiabatic and diabatic constrained approaches, combined with the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. A well-defined second minimum appears on the diabatic PES that does not exists on the adiabatic PES. The configurations of these two 0+ excited states are determined as 4p–4h and 8p–8h excitation from their counterparts at the spherical configuration. The excited energies were reduced by microscopic correction for the center-of-mass motion, and a gap at 18 appears in their single particle diagrams.
Energy distribution of μd1s muonic atom and its spin states effecting on muonic X-Ray transfer yield in solid thin film method
Authors: Gheisari R. , Afshari M. , Khorshidian K.
Published: February 2014

We have investigated the energy distribution of [Formula: see text] and its spin states (F) effecting on muonic X-ray transfer yield in the solid thin film method. Argon ( Ar ) ion has been considered as the implanted ion in solid deuterium (s D 2) layer at a temperature of T = 3 K. A kinetics model has been used, the corresponding rate equations have been constructed and our results of X-ray yield have been compared with recent measured data. The μd1s muonic atoms, which can take part in resonant molecular formation, have been separated from atoms participating in nonresonant reactions. On this basis, the integrated number of X-rays has been calculated. The results show that the effect of μd1s energy distribution on the number of X-photons is not serious, while its spin states strongly affect the muonic X-ray yield.
Symmetric graph-theoretic roles of two-pairs and chords of cycles
Authors: McKee Terry A.
Published: February 2014

Although the notion of a two-pair (a pair of vertices between which all induced paths have length 2) was invented for the class of weakly chordal graphs, two-pairs can also play a fundamental role for smaller graph classes. Indeed, two-pairs and chords of cycles can collaborate symmetrically to give parallel characterizations of weakly chordal, chordal, and strongly chordal graphs (and of distance-hereditary graphs).
Expanding and Reprogramming the Genetic Code of Cells and Animals
Authors: Chin Jason W.
Published: February 2014

Genetic code expansion and reprogramming enable the site-specific incorporation of diverse designer amino acids into proteins produced in cells and animals. Recent advances are enhancing the efficiency of unnatural amino acid incorporation by creating and evolving orthogonal ribosomes and manipulating the genome. Increasing the number of distinct amino acids that can be site-specifically encoded has been facilitated by the evolution of orthogonal quadruplet decoding ribosomes and the discovery of mutually orthogonal synthetase/tRNA pairs. Rapid progress in moving genetic code expansion from bacteria to eukaryotic cells and animals (C. elegans and D. melanogaster) and the incorporation of useful unnatural amino acids has been aided by the development and application of the pyrrolysyl–transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase/tRNA pair for unnatural amino acid incorporation. Combining chemoselective reactions with encoded amino acids has facilitated the installation of posttranslational modifications, as well as rapid derivatization with diverse fluorophores for imaging.
Copulas in Econometrics
Authors: Fan Yanqin , Patton Andrew J.
Published: February 2014

Copulas are functions that describe the dependence between two or more random variables. This article provides a brief review of copula theory and two areas of economics in which copulas have played important roles: multivariate modeling and partial identification of parameters that depend on the joint distribution of two random variables with fixed or known marginal distributions. We focus on bivariate copulas but provide references on recent advances in constructing higher-dimensional copulas.
Reputation and Status as Motives for War
Authors: Dafoe Allan , Renshon Jonathan , Huth Paul
Published: February 2014

Justifications for war often invoke reputational or social aspirations: the need to protect national honor, status, reputation for resolve, credibility, and respect. Studies of these motives struggle with a variety of challenges: their primary empirical manifestation consists of beliefs, agents have incentives to misrepresent these beliefs, their logic is context specific, and they meld intrinsic and instrumental motives. To help overcome these challenges, this review offers a general conceptual framework that integrates their strategic, cultural, and psychological logics. We summarize important findings and open questions, including (a) whether leaders care about their reputations and status, (b) how to address the tension between instrumental and intrinsic motives, (c) how observers draw inferences, (d) to whom and across what contextual breadth these inferences apply, and (e) how these relate to domestic audience costs. Many important, tractable questions remain for future studies to answer.
Context, Electoral Rules, and Party Systems
Authors: Ferree Karen E. , Powell G. Bingham , Scheiner Ethan
Published: February 2014

To address concerns over the applicability of the electoral system literature to new and developing democracies, we present a framework for understanding the interplay between electoral rules and social, economic, and political context. This framework emphasizes that context typically shapes what we call the “behavioral” linkage between electoral rules and outcomes; moreover, the longer the causal chain connecting electoral rules to outcomes, the greater the number of opportunities for context to exert an effect. We then situate recent literature within this framework. Scholarship from a wide range of authors indicates many different ways in which contextual factors ultimately shape the number of parties. However, perhaps the most important contribution of this literature is to indicate how context conditions the behavioral incentives initially generated by electoral rules, thus promoting or undermining political actors' propensity to behave strategically.
Modulation of nicotinic receptor channels by adrenergic stimulation in rat pinealocytes
Authors: Yoon Jin-Young , Jung Seung-Ryoung , Hille Bertil , Koh Duk-Su
Published: February 2014

Melatonin secretion from the pineal gland is triggered by norepinephrine released from sympathetic terminals at night. In contrast, cholinergic and parasympathetic inputs, by activating nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChR), have been suggested to counterbalance the noradrenergic input. Here we investigated whether adrenergic signaling regulates nAChR channels in rat pinealocytes. Acetylcholine or the selective nicotinic receptor agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) activated large nAChR currents in whole cell patch-clamp experiments. Norepinephrine (NE) reduced the nAChR currents, an effect partially mimicked by a β-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol, and blocked by a β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol. Increasing intracellular cAMP levels using membrane-permeable 8-bromoadenosine (8-Br)-cAMP or 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate (cBIMPS) also reduced nAChR activity, mimicking the effects of NE and isoproterenol. Further, removal of ATP from the intracellular pipette solution blocked the reduction of nAChR currents, suggesting involvement of protein kinases. Indeed protein kinase A inhibitors, H-89 and Rp-cAMPS, blocked the modulation of nAChR by adrenergic stimulation. After the downmodulation by NE, nAChR channels mediated a smaller Ca2+ influx and less membrane depolarization from the resting potential. Together these results suggest that NE released from sympathetic terminals at night attenuates nicotinic cholinergic signaling.
Adenosine triphosphate regulates the activity of guinea pig Cav1.2 channel by direct binding to the channel in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: Feng Rui , Xu Jianjun , Minobe Etsuko , Kameyama Asako , Yang Lei , Yu Lifeng , Hao Liying , Kameyama Masaki
Published: February 2014

The present study is to investigate the mechanism by which ATP regulates Cav1.2 channel activity. Ventricular tissue was obtained from adult guinea pig hearts using collagenase. Ca2+ channel activity was monitored using the patch-clamp technique. Proteins were purified using wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose, and the concentration was determined using the Coomassie brilliant blue technique. ATP binding to the Cav1.2 channel was examined using the photoaffinity method. EDA-ATP-biotin maintains Ca2+ channel activity in inside-out membrane patches. ATP directly bound to the Cav1.2 channel in a dose-dependent manner, and at least two molecules of ATP bound to one molecule of the Cav1.2 channel. Low levels of calmodulin (CaM) increased ATP binding to the Cav1.2 channel, but higher levels of CaM decreased ATP binding to the Cav1.2 channel. In addition, Ca2+ was another regulator for ATP binding to the Cav1.2 channel. Furthermore, ATP bound to GST-fusion peptides of NH2-terminal region (amino acids 6–140) and proximal COOH-terminal region (amino acids 1,509–1,789) of the main subunit (α1C) of the Cav1.2 channel. Our data suggest that ATP might regulate Cav1.2 channel activity by directly binding to the Cav1.2 channel in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the ATP-binding effect to the Cav1.2 channel was both CaM- and Ca2+ dependent.
Gastric inhibitory peptide, serotonin, and glucagon are unexpected chloride secretagogues in the rectal gland of the skate (Leucoraja erinacea)
Authors: Kelley Catherine A. , Decker Sarah E. , Silva Patricio , Forrest John N.
Published: February 2014

Since the discovery of the rectal gland of the dogfish shark 50 years ago, experiments with this tissue have greatly aided our understanding of secondary active chloride secretion and the secretagogues responsible for this function. In contrast, very little is known about the rectal gland of skates. In the present experiments, we performed the first studies in the perfused rectal gland of the little skate ( Leucoraja erinacea), an organ weighing less than one-tenth of the shark rectal gland. Our results indicate that the skate gland can be studied by modified perfusion techniques and in primary culture monolayers, and that secretion is blocked by the inhibitors of membrane proteins required for secondary active chloride secretion. Our major finding is that three G protein-coupled receptor agonists, the incretin gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, as well as glucagon and serotonin, are unexpected potent chloride secretagogues in the skate but not the shark. Glucagon stimulated chloride secretion to a mean value of 1,661 ± 587 μeq·h−1·g−1 and serotonin stimulated to 2,893 ± 699 μeq·h−1·g−1. GIP stimulated chloride secretion to 3,733 ± 679 μeq·h−1·g−1 and significantly increased tissue cAMP content compared with basal conditions. This is the first report of GIP functioning as a chloride secretagogue in any species or tissue.
Heme oxygenase-1 promotes migration and β-epithelial Na+ channel expression in cytotrophoblasts and ischemic placentas
Authors: Warrington Junie P. , Coleman Kayla , Skaggs Courtney , Hosick Peter A. , George Eric M. , Stec David E. , Ryan Michael J. , Granger Joey P. , Drummond Heather A.
Published: February 2014

Preeclampsia is thought to arise from inadequate cytotrophoblast migration and invasion of the maternal spiral arteries, resulting in placental ischemia and hypertension. Evidence suggests that altered expression of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) proteins may be a contributing mechanism for impaired cytotrophoblast migration. ENaC activity is required for normal cytotrophoblast migration. Moreover, β-ENaC, the most robustly expressed placental ENaC message, is reduced in placentas from preeclamptic women. We recently demonstrated that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects against hypertension in a rat model of placental ischemia; however, whether HO-1 regulation of β-ENaC contributes to the beneficial effects of HO-1 is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether β-ENaC mediates cytotrophoblast migration and whether HO-1 enhances ENaC-mediated migration. We showed that placental ischemia, induced by reducing uterine perfusion suppressed, and HO-1 induction restored, β-ENaC expression in ischemic placentas. Using an in vitro model, we found that HO-1 induction, using cobalt protoporphyrin, stimulates cytotrophoblast β-ENaC expression by 1.5- and 1.8-fold (10 and 50 μM). We then showed that silencing of β-ENaC in cultured cytotrophoblasts (BeWo cells), by expression of dominant-negative constructs, reduced migration to 56 ± 13% ( P < 0.05) of control. Importantly, HO-1 induction enhanced migration (43 ± 5% of control, P < 0.05), but the enhanced migratory response was entirely blocked by ENaC inhibition with amiloride (10 μM). Taken together, our results suggest that β-ENaC mediates cytotrophoblast migration and increasing β-ENaC expression by HO-1 induction enhances migration. HO-1 regulation of cytotrophoblast β-ENaC expression and migration may be a potential therapeutic target in preeclamptic patients.
ATP acting through P2Y receptors causes activation of podocyte TRPC6 channels: role of podocin and reactive oxygen species
Authors: Roshanravan Hila , Dryer Stuart E.
Published: February 2014

Extracellular ATP may contribute to Ca2+signaling in podocytes during tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and possibly as a result of local tissue damage. TRPC6 channels are Ca2+-permeable cationic channels that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of podocyte diseases. Here we show using whole cell recordings that ATP evokes robust activation of TRPC6 channels in mouse podocyte cell lines and in rat podocytes attached to glomerular capillaries in ex vivo glomerular explants. The EC50 for ATP is ∼10 μM and is maximal at 100 μM, and currents were blocked by the P2 antagonist suramin. In terms of maximal currents that can be evoked, ATP is the strongest activator of podocyte TRPC6 that we have characterized to date. Smaller currents were observed in response to ADP, UTP, and UDP. ATP-evoked currents in podocytes were abolished by TRPC6 knockdown and by pretreatment with 10 μM SKF-96365 or 50 μM La3+. ATP effects were also abolished by inhibiting G protein signaling and by the PLC/PLA2inhibitor D-609. ATP effects on TRPC6 were also suppressed by knockdown of the slit diaphragm scaffolding protein podocin, and also by tempol, a membrane-permeable quencher of reactive oxygen species. Modulation of podocyte TRPC6 channels, especially in foot processes, could provide a mechanism for regulation of glomerular function by extracellular nucleotides, possibly leading to changes in permeation through slit diaphragms. These results raise the possibility that sustained ATP signaling could contribute to foot process effacement, Ca2+-dependent changes in gene expression, and/or detachment of podocytes.
Short interspike intervals and double discharges of anconeus motor unit action potentials for the production of dynamic elbow extensions
Authors: Harwood B. , Rice C. L.
Published: February 2014

Incidence of double discharges (DDs; >100 Hz) and short interspike intervals (ISIs; >50 to <100 Hz) is reported to vary widely among different muscles and tasks, with a higher incidence in motor unit (MU) trains of fast muscles and for the production of fast contractions in humans. However, it is unclear whether human muscles with a large composition of slower motor units exhibit DDs or short ISIs when activated with maximal synaptic drive, such as those required for maximal velocity dynamic contractions. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increasing peak contraction velocity on the incidence of DDs and short ISIs in the anconeus muscle. Seventeen anconeus MUs in 10 young males were recorded across dynamic elbow extensions ranging from low submaximal velocities (16% of maximal velocity) up to maximal velocities. A low incidence of DDs (4%) and short ISIs (29%) was observed among the 583 MU trains recorded. Despite the low incidence in individual MU trains, a majority (71% and 94%, respectively) of MUs exhibited at least one DD or short ISI. The number of short ISIs shared no variance with MU recruitment threshold ( R2= 0.02), but their distribution was skewed toward higher peak velocities ( G = −1.26) and a main effect of peak elbow extension velocity was observed ( P < 0.05). Although a greater number of short ISIs was observed with increasing velocity, the low incidence of DDs and short ISIs in the anconeus muscle is likely related to the function of the anconeus as a stabilizer rather than voluntary elbow extensor torque and velocity production.
Palaeopopulations of Late Pleistocene Top Predators in Europe: Ice Age Spotted Hyenas and Steppe Lions in Battle and Competition about Prey
Authors: Diedrich Cajus G.
Published: February 2014

Late Pleistocene spotted hyenaCrocuta crocuta spelaea(Goldfuss, 1823) and steppe lionPanthera leo spelaea(Goldfuss, 1810) were top predators in Central Europe. The fossil record (2.303 hyena/1.373 lion bones = ratio 3/1) from 106 cave and open air sites demonstrates comparable associations to modern African hyenas/lions resulting in competition about prey and territory. Cannibalism within extinct spotted hyenas is well documented, including two individual skeletons. Those hyenas produced bone accumulations at dens. Feeding specializations on different megamammal groups are demonstrated for Late Pleistocene hyenas whose prey partly overlaps (e.g., cave bears) with those of lions and wolves. At most fossil sites, 1–3% of the lion remains indicate scavenging of lions by hyenas. The larger Late Pleistocene felids focussed on cervids (reindeers specialization during the high glacial = LGM), on bovids (steppe bison/aurochs), and possibly on saiga antelope and on the cave bear, hunting deep in caves during their hibernations and targeting cubs. The cave bear feeding was the target of all three top predators (lions, hyenas, and wolves) in the Late Pleistocene boreal forests which caused deathly conflicts in caves between them, especially with lions/hyenas and herbivorous cave bears that have no modern analogue.
Generation of IL-8 and IL-9 Producing CD4+T Cells Is Affected by Th17 Polarizing Conditions and AHR Ligands
Authors: Gasch Michaela , Goroll Tina , Bauer Mario , Hinz Denise , Schütze Nicole , Polte Tobias , Kesper Dörthe , Simon Jan C. , Hackermüller Jörg , Lehmann Irina , Herberth Gunda
Published: February 2014

The T helper cell subsets Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg play an important role in immune cell homeostasis, in host defense, and in immunological disorders. Recently, much attention has been paid to Th17 cells which seem to play an important role in the early phase of the adoptive immune response and autoimmune disease. When generating Th17 cells underin vitroconditions the amount of IL-17A producing cells hardly exceeds 20% while the nature of the remaining T cells is poorly characterized. As engagement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has also been postulated to modulate the differentiation of T helper cells into Th17 cells with regard to the IL-17A expression we ask how far do Th17 polarizing conditions in combination with ligand induced AHR activation have an effect on the production of other T helper cell cytokines. We found that a high proportion of T helper cells cultured under Th17 polarizing conditions are IL-8 and IL-9 single producing cells and that AHR activation results in an upregulation of IL-8 and a downregulation of IL-9 production. Thus, we have identified IL-8 and IL-9 producing T helper cells which are subject to regulation by the engagement of the AHR.
Service-Oriented Node Scheduling Schemes with Energy Efficiency in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Cheng Hongju , Guo Ronglie , Su Zhihuang , Xiong Naixue , Guo Wenzhong
Published: February 2014

The wireless sensor network is expected to provide various data sensing services by employing the advantage of dense deployment. Energy efficiency is an important criterion for many applications since the sensor nodes are generally budgeted by limited battery. In this paper, we are concerned with the node scheduling problem to provide the required services for the service-oriented wireless sensor network. We firstly propose an Energy-aware Centralized Heuristic Scheme (ECHS) for the problem in which an energy-aware benefit function is used to determine active sensor nodes and rotate sensor nodes by periodically reconstructing the scheduling scheme. We also present an Energy-aware Distributed Heuristic Scheme (EDHS) as the distributed version. Extensive simulation is performed to evaluate the proposed schemes, and the results show that the two schemes have better performance compared with related works.
Thyroid Hormone Status Interferes with Estrogen Target Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Samples in Menopausal Women
Authors: Conde Sandro José , Luvizotto Renata de Azevedo Melo , de Síbio Maria Teresa , Nogueira Célia Regina
Published: February 2014

We investigated thyroid hormone levels in menopausal BrC patients and verified the action of triiodothyronine on genes regulated by estrogen and by triiodothyronine itself in BrC tissues. We selected 15 postmenopausal BrC patients and a control group of 18 postmenopausal women without BrC. We measured serum TPO-AB, TSH, FT4, and estradiol, before and after surgery, and used immunohistochemistry to examine estrogen and progesterone receptors. BrC primary tissue cultures received the following treatments: ethanol, triiodothyronine, triiodothyronine plus 4-hydroxytamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, estrogen, or estrogen plus 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Genes regulated by estrogen (TGFA, TGFB1, and PGR) and by triiodothyronine (TNFRSF9, BMP-6, and THRA) in vitro were evaluated. TSH levels in BrC patients did not differ from those of the control group (1.34 ± 0.60 versus 2.41 ± 1.10 μU/mL), but FT4 levels of BrC patients were statistically higher than controls (1.78 ± 0.20 versus 0.95 ± 0.16 ng/dL). TGFA was upregulated and downregulated after estrogen and triiodothyronine treatment, respectively. Triiodothyronine increased PGR expression; however 4-hydroxytamoxifen did not block triiodothyronine action on PGR expression. 4-Hydroxytamoxifen, alone or associated with triiodothyronine, modulated gene expression of TNFRSF9, BMP-6, and THRA, similar to triiodothyronine treatment. Thus, our work highlights the importance of thyroid hormone status evaluation and its ability to interfere with estrogen target gene expression in BrC samples in menopausal women.
Negative Influence of a Long-Term High-Fat Diet on Murine Bone Architecture
Authors: Fehrendt Hinrich , Linn Thomas , Hartmann Sonja , Szalay Gabor , Heiss Christian , Schnettler Reinhard , Lips Katrin Susanne
Published: February 2014

A correlation between obesity and bone metabolism is strongly assumed because adipocytes and osteoblasts originate from the same precursor cells and their differentiation is conversely regulated by the same factors. It is controversially discussed if obesity protects bone or leads to loss of bone mass. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of diet-induced mild obesity (11% increased body weight compared to control) on bone microstructure in mice. Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice received a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal from fat) and were analyzed by means of dual X-ray absorptiometry, histological methods, real-time RT-PCR, and transmission electron microscopy in comparison to control animals (10% kcal from fat). The cancellous bone mass, collagen 1α1 expression, amount of osteoid, and cohesion of cells via cell-to-cell contacts decreased in HFD mice whereas the bone mineral density and the amount of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were not modified. The amount of apoptotic osteocytes was increased in HFD mice in comparison to controls. We conclude that moderately increased body weight does not protect bone architecture from age-dependent degeneration. By contrast, bone microstructure is negatively affected and reduced maintenance of cell-cell contacts may be one of the underlying mechanisms.
Robust ε‐Support Vector Regression
Authors: Lv Yuan , Gan Zhong
Published: February 2014

Spheroid disturbance of input data brings great challenges to support vector regression; thus it is essential to study the robust regression model. This paper is dedicated to establish a robust regression model which makes the regression function robust against disturbance of data and system parameter. Firstly, two theorems have been given to show that the robust linear ε‐support vector regression problem could be settled by solving the dual problems. Secondly, it has been focused on the development of robust support vector regression algorithm which is extended from linear domain to nonlinear domain. Finally, the numerical experiments result demonstrates the effectiveness of the models and algorithms proposed in this paper.
Additional Therapy with a Mistletoe Product during Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer Patients Improves Quality of Life: An Open Randomized Clinical Pilot Trial
Authors: Tröger Wilfried , Ždrale Zdravko , Tišma Nevena , Matijašević Miodrag
Published: February 2014

Background. Breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy often experience a loss of quality of life. Moreover chemotherapy may induce neutropenia. Patients report a better quality of life when additionally treated with mistletoe products during chemotherapy. Methods. In this prospective randomized open‐label pilot study 95 patients were randomized into three groups. All patients were treated with an adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary objective of the study was quality of life, the secondary objective was neutropenia. Here we report the comparison of HxA (n = 34) versus untreated control (n = 31). Results. In the explorative analysis ten of 15 scores of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 showed a better quality of life in the HxA group compared to the control group (P < 0.001 to P = 0.038 in Dunnett‐T3 test). The difference was clinically relevant (difference of at least 5 points, range 5.4–12.2) in eight of the ten scores. Neutropenia occurred in 7/34 HxA patients and in 8/31 control patients (P = 0.628). Conclusions. This pilot study showed an improvement of quality of life by treating breast cancer patients with HxA additionally to CAF. Although the open design may be a limitation, the findings show the feasibility of a confirmatory study using the methods described here.
Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Doxorubicin and Tacrolimus (FK506) on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Capone Francesca , Guerriero Eliana , Sorice Angela , Colonna Giovanni , Storti Gabriella , Pagliuca Jessica , Castello Giuseppe , Costantini Susan
Published: February 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and shows a complex clinical course, poor response to pharmacological treatment, and a severe prognosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether tacrolimus (FK506) has synergistic antitumor effects with doxorubicin on two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, Huh7 and HepG2. Cell viability was analyzed by Sulforhodamine B assay and synergic effect was evaluated by the software CalcuSyn. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V and Dead Cell assay. Apoptosis-related protein PARP-1 cleaved and autophagy-related protein expressions (Beclin-1 and LC3B) were measured by western blotting analysis. Cytokines concentration in cellular supernatants after treatments was studied by Bio-Plex assay. Interestingly the formulation with doxorubicin and tacrolimus induced higher cytotoxicity level on tumor cells than single treatment. Moreover, our results showed that the mechanisms involved were (i) a strong cell apoptosis induction, (ii) contemporaneous decrease of autophagy activation, understood as prosurvival process, and (iii) downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, future studies could relate to the doxorubicin/tacrolimus combination effects in mice models bearing HCC in order to see if this formulation could be useful in HCC treatment.
Fabrication and Characterization of Thermoresponsive Polystyrene Nanofibrous Mats for Cultured Cell Recovery
Authors: Oh Hwan Hee , Ko Young-Gwang , Uyama Hiroshi , Park Won Ho , Cho Donghwan , Kwon Oh Hyeong
Published: February 2014

Rapid cell growth and rapid recovery of intact cultured cells are an invaluable technique to maintain the biological functions and viability of cells. To achieve this goal, thermoresponsive polystyrene (PS) nanofibrous mat was fabricated by electrospinning of PS solution, followed by the graft polymerization of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(PIPAAm) on PS nanofibrous mats. Image analysis of the PS nanofiber revealed a unimodal distribution pattern with 400 nm average fiber diameter. Graft polymerization of PIPAAm on PS nanofibrous mats was confirmed by spectroscopic methods such as ATR-FTIR, ESCA, and AFM. Human fibroblasts were cultured on four different surfaces, PIPAAm-grafted and ungrafted PS dishes and PIPAAm-grafted and ungrafted PS nanofibrous mats, respectively. Cells on PIPAAm-grafted PS nanofibrous mats were well attached, spread, and proliferated significantly much more than those on other surfaces. Cultured cells were easily detached from the PIPAAm-grafted surfaces by decreasing culture temperature to 20°C, while negligible cells were detached from ungrafted surfaces. Moreover, cells on PIPAAm-grafted PS nanofibrous mats were detached more rapidly than those on PIPAAm-grafted PS dishes. These results suggest that thermoresponsive nanofibrous mats are attractive cell culture substrates which enable rapid cell growth and recovery from the culture surface for application to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Incident Signal Power Comparison for Localization of Concurrent Multiple Acoustic Sources
Authors: Salvati Daniele , Canazza Sergio
Published: February 2014

In this paper, a method to solve the localization of concurrent multiple acoustic sources in large open spaces is presented. The problem of the multisource localization in far-field conditions is to correctly associate the direction of arrival (DOA) estimated by a network array system to the same source. The use of systems implementing a Bayesian filter is a traditional approach to address the problem of localization in multisource acoustic scenario. However, in a real noisy open space the acoustic sources are often discontinuous with numerous short-duration events and thus the filtering methods may have difficulty to track the multiple sources. Incident signal power comparison (ISPC) is proposed to compute DOAs association. ISPC is based on identifying the incident signal power (ISP) of the sources on a microphone array using beamforming methods and comparing the ISP between different arrays using spectral distance (SD) measurement techniques. This method solves the ambiguities, due to the presence of simultaneous sources, by identifying sounds through a minimization of an error criterion on SD measures of DOA combinations. The experimental results were conducted in an outdoor real noisy environment and the ISPC performance is reported using different beamforming techniques and SD functions.
Heterogeneous Catalysis of C–O Bond Cleavage for Cellulose Deconstruction: A Potential Pathway for Ethanol Production
Authors: Crews Kristy , Reeves Crystal , Thomas Porsha , Abugri Daniel , Russell Albert , Curry Michael L.
Published: February 2014

Due to difficulty deconstructing the linkages between lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose during the conversion of cellulose to sugar, the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol is limited. This can be overcome by using a high surface-area metal catalyst. In this study, high surface-area metal NPs were synthesized using 20 mM of chloroplatinic acid and cobalt chloride prepared in THF with 0.1 mM of generation four poly(amido)amine (PAMAM) terminated dendrimer (G4-NH2) prepared in methanol and stirred for 2 hours under nitrogen. Subsequently, Pt+2 and Co+2 ions were reduced to metal zero via introduction of sodium borohydride and centrifuged for complete separation. The resulting product was heated for 2.5 hours at ~200°C. After cooling, 2.0 grams of crushed peanut shells was added to 40 mL of distilled tert-butyl methyl ether along with the separated metal nanocatalyst and refluxed on condenser at 20% for 24 hours. UV-Vis and XRD analyses show the formation of Pt and Co nanoparticles using dendrimer templating methodology. Both TLC and HPLC show that, upon introduction of the metal catalyst into the suspension of “cellulose” in TBME, separation of the cellulose into small molecules is evident. That is, release of sugar molecules via C–O bond cleavage is facilitated by the formed nanocatalysts.
Granuloma Caused by Carbon Deposition in the Dermis
Authors: Shibuya Rintaro , Endo Yuichiro , Fujisawa Akihiro , Tanioka Miki , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: February 2014

Pencil core granuloma is characterized by a delayed foreign-body reaction against retained fragments of pencil lead. Previous case reports presented pencil core granuloma resembling malignant melanoma, haemangioma, or soft tissue sarcoma. We present a case of pencil core granuloma arising from the palm 25 years after the initial injury. The patient presented a bluish nodule that had been present over 25 years before. The nodule initially measured 5 mm in diameter. However, five years before presentation, it suddenly enlarged to the size of 30 mm during six months. Computed tomography (CT) of the lesion revealed a linear radiopaque structure of 8 mm long with a mass on its distal end. Surgical resection revealed a bluish muddy mass and pencil lead. Histological examination revealed degenerative tissue with calcification surrounded by massive amounts of black granular material in the middle and lower dermis.
General Output Feedback Stabilization for Fractional Order Systems: An LMI Approach
Authors: Wei Yiheng , Karimi Hamid Reza , Liang Shu , Gao Qing , Wang Yong
Published: February 2014

This paper is concerned with the problem of general output feedback stabilization for fractional order linear time-invariant (FO-LTI) systems with the fractional commensurate order0<α<2. The objective is to design suitable output feedback controllers that guarantee the stability of the resulting closed-loop systems. Based on the slack variable method and our previous stability criteria, some new results in the form of linear matrix inequality (LMI) are developed to the static and dynamic output feedback controllers synthesis for the FO-LTI system with0<α<1. Furthermore, the results are extended to stabilize the FO-LTI systems with1≤α<2. Finally, robust output feedback control is discussed. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods.
Impulsive Consensus Tracking of Multiagent Systems with Quantization and Input Delays Using Position‐Only Information
Authors: Zhou Hong , Qin Yu-Zhen , Feng Kuo , Hu Wen-Shan , Liu Zhi-Wei
Published: February 2014

This paper investigates the consensus tracking problem for second‐order multi‐agent systems without/with input delays. Randomized quantization scheme is considered in the communication channels, and impulsive consensus tracking algorithms using position‐only information are proposed for the consensus tracking of multi‐agent systems. Based on the algebraic graph theory and stability theory of impulsive systems, sufficient and necessary conditions for consensus tracking are studied. It is found that consensus tracking for second‐order multi‐agent systems without/with input delays can be achieved by appropriately choosing the sampling period and control gains which are determined by second/third degree polynomials. Simulations are performed to validate the theoretical results.
Energy- and Spectral-Efficiency Trade-Off in OFDMA-Based Cooperative Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Chen Xiaomao , Ouyang Shan
Published: February 2014

We study the trade-off between energy efficiency (EE) and spectral efficiency (SE) in cooperative cognitive radio networks (CCRN); joint power and subcarrier allocation scheme is proposed. Resource is assigned to each user in a way which ensures maximizing energy efficiency, maintaining primary and second user quality of service (QoS) requirements. Optimum transmit power of user is got by analysis; validity of theory is verified by simulation, and the proposed algorithm can adaptively allocate resource for CCRN.
Growth Rate and Yield of Two Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicon esculentumMill) under Green Manure and NPK Fertilizer Rate Samaru Northern Guinea Savanna
Authors: Isah A. S. , Amans E. B. , Odion E. C. , Yusuf A. A.
Published: February 2014

Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at the Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru northern guinea savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria to study growth rate and yield of tomato under green manure and NPK fertilizer rates. Treatment consisted of two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UC82B), four rates of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha−1), and three rates of green manure (0, 5, and 10 t ha−1), laid in a split-plot design with three replications. The variety and fertilizer constituted the main plot while green manure was allocated in subplot. Both varieties responded linearly in growth stages of 5 and 7 weeks after transplanting (WAT) on plant height, relative growth rate, and crop growth rate (CGR). However, UC82B proves superior over Roma VF on growth indices CGR at 5–7 WAT, net assimilation rate (NAR) at 7–9 WAT, and total fruit yield with 10.6% higher. Application of NPK fertilizer significantly increased growth such as plant height, crop dry weight, crop growth rate, and yield. Application between 250 and 280 kg ha−1NPK fertilizers was found efficient for total fruit yield.
A Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm for Wheat Blending Problem
Authors: Li Xiang , Bonyadi Mohammad Reza , Michalewicz Zbigniew , Barone Luigi
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a hybrid evolutionary algorithm to deal with the wheat blending problem. The unique constraints of this problem make many existing algorithms fail: either they do not generate acceptable results or they are not able to complete optimization within the required time. The proposed algorithm starts with a filtering process that follows predefined rules to reduce the search space. Then the linear-relaxed version of the problem is solved using a standard linear programming algorithm. The result is used in conjunction with a solution generated by a heuristic method to generate an initial solution. After that, a hybrid of an evolutionary algorithm, a heuristic method, and a linear programming solver is used to improve the quality of the solution. A local search based posttuning method is also incorporated into the algorithm. The proposed algorithm has been tested on artificial test cases and also real data from past years. Results show that the algorithm is able to find quality results in all cases and outperforms the existing method in terms of both quality and speed.
On Retarded Integral Inequalities for Dynamic Systems on Time Scales
Authors: Li Qiao-Luan , Fu Xu-Yang , Gao Zhi-Juan , Cheung Wing-Sum
Published: February 2014

The object of this paper is to establish some nonlinear retarded inequalities on time scales which can be used as handy tools in the theory of integral equations with time delays.
Effect of Niclosamide on Basal-like Breast Cancers
Authors: Londoño-Joshi Angelina I. , Arend Rebecca C. , Aristizabal Laura , Lu Wenyan , Samant Rajeev S. , Metge Brandon J. , Hidalgo Bertha , Grizzle William E. , Conner Michael , Forero-Torres Andres , LoBuglio Albert F. , Li Yonghe , Buchsbaum Donald J.
Published: February 2014

Basal-like breast cancers (BLBC) are poorly differentiated and display aggressive clinical behavior. These tumors become resistant to cytotoxic agents, and tumor relapse has been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC). One of the pathways involved in CSC regulation is the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. LRP6, a Wnt ligand receptor, is one of the critical elements of this pathway and could potentially be an excellent therapeutic target. Niclosamide has been shown to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by causing degradation of LRP6. TRA-8, a monoclonal antibody specific to TRAIL death receptor 5, is cytotoxic to BLBC cell lines and their CSC-enriched populations. The goal of this study was to examine whether niclosamide is cytotoxic to BLBCs, specifically the CSC population, and if in combination with TRA-8 could produce increased cytotoxicity. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is a known marker of CSCs. By testing BLBC cells for ALDH expression by flow cytometry, we were able to isolate a nonadherent population of cells that have high ALDH expression. Niclosamide showed cytotoxicity against these nonadherent ALDH-expressing cells in addition to adherent cells from four BLBC cell lines: 2LMP, SUM159, HCC1187, and HCC1143. Niclosamide treatment produced reduced levels of LRP6 and β-catenin, which is a downstream Wnt/β-catenin signaling protein. The combination of TRA-8 and niclosamide produced additive cytotoxicity and a reduction in Wnt/β-catenin activity. Niclosamide in combination with TRA-8 suppressed growth of 2LMP orthotopic tumor xenografts. These results suggest that niclosamide or congeners of this agent may be useful for the treatment of BLBC. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(4); 800–11. ©2014 AACR.
Effect of Small-Molecule Modification on Single-Cell Pharmacokinetics of PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Thurber Greg M. , Reiner Thomas , Yang Katherine S. , Kohler Rainer H. , Weissleder Ralph
Published: February 2014

The heterogeneous delivery of drugs in tumors is an established process contributing to variability in treatment outcome. Despite the general acceptance of variable delivery, the study of the underlying causes is challenging, given the complex tumor microenvironment including intra- and intertumor heterogeneity. The difficulty in studying this distribution is even more significant for small-molecule drugs where radiolabeled compounds or mass spectrometry detection lack the spatial and temporal resolution required to quantify the kinetics of drug distribution in vivo. In this work, we take advantage of the synthesis of fluorescent drug conjugates that retain their target binding but are designed with different physiochemical and thus pharmacokinetic properties. Using these probes, we followed the drug distribution in cell culture and tumor xenografts with temporal resolution of seconds and subcellular spatial resolution. These measurements, including in vivo permeability of small-molecule drugs, can be used directly in predictive pharmacokinetic models for the design of therapeutics and companion imaging agents as demonstrated by a finite element model. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(4); 986–95. ©2014 AACR.
mTOR Inhibition Potentiates HSP90 Inhibitor Activity via Cessation of HSP Synthesis
Authors: Acquaviva Jaime , He Suqin , Sang Jim , Smith Donald L. , Sequeira Manuel , Zhang Chaohua , Bates Richard C. , Proia David A.
Published: February 2014

Because of their pleiotropic effects on critical oncoproteins, inhibitors of HSP90 represent a promising new class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of human cancer. However, pharmacologic inactivation of HSP90 subsequently triggers a heat shock response that may mitigate the full therapeutic benefit of these compounds. To overcome this limitation, a clinically feasible method was sought to block HSP synthesis induced by the potent HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib. An immunoassay screen of 322 late-stage or clinically approved drugs was performed to uncover compounds that could block upregulation of the stress-inducible HSP70 that results as a consequence of HSP90 blockade. Interestingly, inhibitors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR class counteracted ganetespib-induced HSP70 upregulation at both the gene and protein level by suppressing nuclear translocation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), the dominant transcription factor controlling cellular stress responses. This effect was conserved across multiple tumor types and was found to be regulated, in part, by mTOR-dependent translational activity. Pretreatment with cycloheximide, PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, or an inhibitor of eIF4E (a translation initiation factor and downstream effector of mTOR) all reduced ganetespib-mediated nuclear HSF1 accumulation, indicating that mTOR blockade confers a negative regulatory effect on HSF1 activity. Moreover, combined therapy regimens with mTOR or dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors potentiated the antitumor efficacy of ganetespib in multiple in vivo models.

Implications: Collectively these data identify a novel strategy to optimize the therapeutic potential of HSP90 inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res; 12(5); 703–13. ©2014 AACR.