bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active ultrasonic vocal communication channel found in Mongolian gerbils through the cochlear microphonics with noise exposure
Authors: Riquimaroux Hiroshi , Fukushima Keizo , Kobayasi Kohta I.
Published: May 2013

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) use ultrasonic vocal communication in frequency range of 22–45 kHz. However, hearing threshold of this frequency range reported has been very high, which is not suited for vocal communication. We examined possible active amplification created by the outer hair cells for frequency range of 22–45 kHz. In this study, we evaluated the amount of active amplification by the cochlear microphonics (CM) combined with temporary damage created by noise exposure. Adult gerbils received surgical implantation of a silver wire electrode on the round window of their cochlea through the middle ear to record CM. They were exposed to broadband noise (0.5 to 45 kHz) at 90 dB SPL for 5 min. CMs were recorded for tone bursts of 1 to 45 kHz. The following results were obtained. First, we observed the largest CM reduction just after the noise exposure. Second, decrements in CM amplitude depended on frequency. Low sensitivity frequency range above 22 kHz produced large reduction in CM amplitude. Third, decrease in CM amplitude was greater for lower stimulus intensities. Fourth, for testing frequencies, which produced large CM decrements, it took a longer period to recover back to pre-noise exposure amplitude levels. These findings indicate that reduction in CM amplitude appeared to be related to the cochlear nonlinearity generated by the outer hair cells.
Testing of an extended target for use in high frequency sonar calibration
Authors: Heaton John L. , Weber Thomas C. , Rice Glen , Lurton Xavier
Published: May 2013

Acoustic backscatter tests were performed in a tank with a 200-kHz, 7°, SIMRAD EK60 Split-Beam Echo-Sounder, and a 256-beam RESON SeaBat 7125 Multi-Beam Echo-sounder. Tests were done in order to investigate the angular and range dependency of the scattering strength of a new test target in order to validate its use in sonar testing. This target was constructed of small chain links arranged in a “curtain” simulating an extended scattering surface, such as the seafloor. Target strength for individual links was collected as the links were rotated 360°. The links are combined into an extended surface target, spacing between scatterers being approximately 1 cm. The scattering network irregularity is enough to ensure random phase at the wavelength considered. The target scattering strength was measured as a function of grazing angle and range, hence varying the number of scatterers within the beam footprint. These tests suggest that the amplitude envelope of the scattered signals is Rayleigh distributed and that the backscatter strength depends linearly on the number of active scatterers, all desirable features for calibrating sonars used to make measurements of similarly random surfaces such as the seafloor. Results show a promising in-tank calibration technique when extended surface targets are desirable.
Probability distribution variation in high-frequency ultrasound blood echogenicity under in-vitro and in-vivo blood flow
Authors: Bok Tae-Hoon , Nam Kweon-Ho , Paeng Dong-Guk , Kim Juho
Published: May 2013

The dynamic phenomena of erythrocyte aggregation (EA) need to be analyzed statistically since EA varies spatially and temporally. In the present study, the cross-sectional B-mode images were acquired from a mock circulatory system with varying blood flow velocity under steady flow, and the human radial artery using an ultrasound biomicroscopy system at 20 MHz. The kurtosis (K) and skewness (S) coefficients, and the Nakagami parameter (m) were computed for each image. For the in-vitro experiment, both K and S increased about 0.87±0.18 and 0.63±0.09, respectively; while m decreased about 0.90±0.20 with increasing blood velocity from 12 to 44 cm/s. In-vivo experimental results also showed that K, S, and m varied during a cycle. When the blood velocity varied from 5 to 15 cm/s during a cardiac cycle, K and S increased about 1.42±0.64 and 0.44±0.11, respectively; while m decreased about 0.97±0.26. The in-vivo results seemed to be consistent with the in-vitro results in the sense that K and S increased with blood velocity while m decreased with velocity. This study suggests that the statistical analysis of blood echogenicity can be useful for in-vivo hemorheology and blood characterization. [Work supported by NRF-2012-0005005 and NIPA-2012-H0401-12-2006.]
Mitigation of excessive acoustic compliance and trapped volume insertion gain in ear-sealing listening devices: Toward a safe, full-frequency-response hearing aid
Authors: Ambrose Stephen D. , Gido Samuel P.
Published: May 2013

When a sound producing device is sealed in the ear canal, acoustical compliances resulting from pressurization of the trapped volume lead to dramatic boosts in SPL, up to 60 dB, especially at low frequencies. This has been found to result in listener fatigue, and to trigger the acoustic (stapedius) reflex, as well as producing temporary threshold shift. Repeated exposure can cause temporary threshold shift to become permanent. Hearing aids avoid this problem by suppressing frequencies below about 300 Hz, where the effect is most pronounced. Other devices, such as ear buds and professional in-ear monitors, offer wider frequency response and thus expose listeners to potentially dangerous sound pressures. The acoustical compliance and trapped volume insertion gain is measured for ear buds and hearing aids by comparing SPL, measured in the ear canal, for sealed and unsealed conditions. New ear sealing technology is demonstrated that allows release of the excess acoustical compliance and thus mitigates the trapped volume insertion gain: (1) a vent covered with a flexible membrane, and (2) an inflatable bubble seal. This novel technology has allowed the creation of a hybrid device with hearing aid functionality that also has the broad frequency response of professional in-ear monitors.
Acoustics of enclosed spaces: The differences when the dimensions are millimeters vs. tens of meters
Authors: Kuster Martin
Published: May 2013

The dimensions of the ear canal are at least 3 orders of magnitude smaller than those typically encountered in room acoustics but at the same time the range of wavelengths for audio applications is identical. This results in a disparity not only in length scale but also a disparity in time scale. The influence of these disparities on well-known room acoustics parameters or features such as the reflection density, the direct-to-reverberant ratio, the critical distance, or transfer function nulls is reviewed and highlighted. The nature of the two substantially different sound fields is also important for active sound control. Consequently, the respective relevance of total absorption as well as values of source and sink impedance are also compared.
Microbubble histogram reconstruction by nonlinear frequency mixing
Authors: Cavaro Matthieu , Payan Cédric
Published: May 2013

In the 4th generation sodium fast nuclear reactors (SFR), different phenomena can lead to gaseous microbubbles presence in the primary liquid sodium pool. This paper investigates the ability of nonlinear acoustics techniques to characterize these microbubbles presence. The goal is here to determine the void fraction (volume fraction of free gas) and the histogram of bubbles radius. Different acoustic techniques are currently developed at CEA. Among others, the nonlinear mixing of two frequencies [V. L. Newhouse and P. M. Shankar, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 75(5), 1473–1477 (1984)] is under study. Based on the nonlinear behavior of bubble resonance, this technique allows determining the radius histogram of a bubble cloud. Two different mixing techniques are here presented: the mixing of two high frequencies and the mixing of a high and a low frequency. The first step is an air-water experimental set-up. Microbubbles clouds are generated with a like dissolved air flotation process and an optical device gives us reference measures. Generated bubbles have radii in the range of several microns to several tens of microns. The developed experimental procedure allows us to determine the bubble size’s histograms with accuracy never reported yet.
Do trumpeters tune resonances of their vocal tract?
Authors: Chen Jer-Ming , Smith John , Wolfe Joe
Published: May 2013

In most wind instruments, the acoustic output is generated by airflow through a non-linear valve, whose sounding frequency is largely determined by resonances in the bore of the instrument (an acoustic duct downstream of the valve) and mechanical properties of the non-linear valve that converts DC to AC power. The player’s vocal tract (a second duct, upstream) also has acoustic resonances, which—in particular cases—play a significant role in performance technique. For example, when executing advanced techniques (e.g., pitch-bending, altissimo playing) on the clarinet and saxophone, we showed that expert control of vocal tract resonances is essential for performance [Chen et al., Science, 319, 726 (2008)]. To understand how such a tract-valve-bore system might interact during trumpet performance, we measured the acoustic impedance spectrum in seven trumpeters’ mouths as they played normal notes, high-register notes and while pitch-bending below and above the normal note. Unlike the behavior seen in saxophonists and clarinetists, none of the trumpeters studied showed any systematic adjustment of their vocal tract resonances to the notes played. The much greater control that trumpeters have over the natural frequency of the vibrating valve may explain the difference with clarinetists and saxophonists.
Brass instrument power efficiency and the relationship between input impedance and transfer function
Authors: Kausel Wilfred , Beauchamp James W. , Carral Sandra
Published: May 2013

From observation of graphs of brass input impedance magnitude and transfer function vs. frequency, it is obvious that there is a strong relationship between the two. Both exhibit a series of strong resonances extending from a low frequency limit to a cutoff frequency, which is inversely proportional to the instrument's bell radius (fc = c/(πa). However, the maxima of the impedance function correspond to the minima of the transfer function. As previously shown [Elliott et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (1982)], the relationship can be seen through a formula for efficiency given by powerout/powerin. This formula leads to the squared transfer function being proportional to the efficiency times the real part of the reciprocal of the input impedance, divided by the real part of the radiation admittance. Curves for input impedance, transfer function, and efficiency have been measured, simulated, and compared for several brass instruments. For frequencies below cutoff, the efficiency has an approximate monotonically increasing relationship with frequency, where the log-log slope is dependent on internal losses.
Neural Stem Cell–Mediated Enzyme/Prodrug Therapy for Glioma: Preclinical Studies
Authors: Aboody Karen S. , Najbauer Joseph , Metz Marianne Z. , D’Apuzzo Massimo , Gutova Margarita , Annala Alexander J. , Synold Timothy W. , Couture Larry A. , Blanchard Suzette , Moats Rex A. , Garcia Elizabeth , Aramburo Soraya , Valenzuela Valerie V. , Frank Richard T. , Barish Michael E. , Brown Christine E. , Kim Seung U. , Badie Behnam , Portnow Jana
Published: May 2013

Neural stem cells home to gliomas in mice where they convert a prodrug to 5-fluorouracil, leading to tumor regression.
Genomic Diversity and Fitness of
E. coli
Strains Recovered from the Intestinal and Urinary Tracts of Women with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Chen Swaine L. , Wu Meng , Henderson Jeffrey P. , Hooton Thomas M. , Hibbing Michael E. , Hultgren Scott J. , Gordon Jeffrey I.
Published: May 2013

Comparative genomic and functional studies reveal that
E. coli
strains from women with recurrent urinary tract infection can move between gut and urinary tract without a fitness trade-off.
Blocking the Spread of Resistance
Authors: Otto Michael
Published: May 2013

Understanding how
Staphylococcus aureus
is involved in conjugative plasmid transfer may lead to new strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Subcellular Clustering of the Phosphorylated WspR Response Regulator Protein Stimulates Its Diguanylate Cyclase Activity
Authors: Huangyutitham Varisa , Güvener Zehra Tüzün , Harwood Caroline S.
Published: May 2013

WspR is a hybrid response regulator-diguanylate cyclase that is phosphorylated by the Wsp signal transduction complex in response to growth ofPseudomonas aeruginosaon surfaces. Active WspR produces cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), which in turn stimulates biofilm formation. In previous work, we found that when activated by phosphorylation, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged WspR forms clusters that are visible in individual cells by fluorescence microscopy. Unphosphorylated WspR is diffuse in cells and not visible. Thus, cluster formation is an assay for WspR signal transduction. To understand how and why WspR forms subcellular clusters, we analyzed cluster formation and the enzymatic activities of six single amino acid variants of WspR. In general, increased cluster formation correlated with increasedin vivoandin vitrodiguanylate cyclase activities of the variants. In addition, WspR specific activity was strongly concentration dependentin vitro, and the effect of the protein concentration on diguanylate cyclase activity was magnified when WspR was treated with the phosphor analog beryllium fluoride. Cluster formation appears to be an intrinsic property of phosphorylated WspR (WspR-P). These results support a model in which the formation of WspR-P subcellular clustersin vivoin response to a surface stimulus is important for potentiating the diguanylate cyclase activity of WspR. Subcellular cluster formation appears to be an additional means by which the activity of a response regulator protein can be regulated.

IMPORTANCEBacterial sensor proteins often phosphorylate cognate response regulator proteins when stimulated by an environmental signal. Phosphorylated response regulators then mediate an appropriate adaptive cellular response. About 6% of response regulator proteins have an enzymatic domain that is involved in producing or degrading cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), a molecule that stimulates bacterial biofilm formation. In this work, we examined thein vivoandin vitrobehavior of the response regulator-diguanylate cyclase WspR. When phosphorylated in response to a signal associated with surface growth, WspR has a tendency to form oligomers that are visible in cells as subcellular clusters. Our results show that the formation of phosphorylated WspR (WspR-P) subcellular clusters is important for potentiating the diguanylate cyclase activity of WspR-P, making it more active in c-di-GMP production. We conclude that oligomer formation visualized as subcellular clusters is an additional mechanism by which the activities of response regulator-diguanylate cyclases can be regulated.
Oral Immunization with Cholera Toxin Provides Protection against Campylobacter jejuni in an Adult Mouse Intestinal Colonization Model
Authors: Albert M. John , Mustafa Abu Salim , Islam Anjum , Haridas Shilpa
Published: May 2013

Immunity to
Campylobacter jejuni
, a major diarrheal pathogen, is largely Penner serotype specific. For broad protection, a vaccine should be based on a common antigen(s) present in all strains. In our previous study (M. J. Albert, S. Haridas, D. Steer, G. S. Dhaunsi, A. I. Smith, and B. Adler, Infect. Immun. 75:3070–3073, 2007), we demonstrated that antibody to cholera toxin (CT) cross-reacted with the major outer membrane proteins (MOMPs) of all
Campylobacter jejuni
strains tested. In the current study, we investigated whether immunization with CT protects against intestinal colonization by
C. jejuni
in an adult mouse model and whether the nontoxic subunit of CT (CT-B) is the portion mediating cross-reaction. Mice were orally immunized with CT and later challenged with
C. jejuni
strains (48, 75, and 111) of different serotypes. Control animals were immunized with phosphate-buffered saline. Fecal shedding of challenge organisms was studied daily for 9 days. Serum and fecal antibody responses were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. The cross-reactivity of rabbit CT-B antibody to MOMP was studied by immunoblotting. The reactivity of 21 overlapping 30-mer oligopeptides (based on MOMP’s sequence) against rabbit CT antibody was tested by ELISA. Test animals produced antibodies to CT and MMP in serum and feces and showed resistance to colonization, the vaccine efficacies being 49% (for strain 48), 37% (for strain 75), and 34% (for strain 111) (
P
, ≤0.05 to ≤0.001). One peptide corresponding to a variable region of MOMP showed significant reactivity. CT-B antibody cross-reacted with MOMP. Since CT-B is a component of oral cholera vaccines, it might be possible to control
C. jejuni
diarrhea with these vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Campylobacter jejuni
is a major cause of diarrhea worldwide. Patients who recover from
C. jejuni
diarrhea develop immunity to the infecting serotype and remain susceptible to infection with other serotypes. A vaccine based on a common protective antigen(s) present in all
C. jejuni
serotypes is expected to provide broad protection. In our previous study, we showed that antibody to cholera toxin (CT) reacted with the major outer membrane proteins (MOMPs) from different strains of
C. jejuni
. We assumed that the B subunit of the toxin (CT-B), which is nontoxic and a component of licensed oral cholera vaccines, might be the component that cross-reacts with MOMP. In the current study, we showed that orally immunizing mice with CT protected them against colonization upon challenge with different serotypes of
C. jejuni
. We also showed that CT-B is the component mediating cross-reaction. Therefore, it might be possible to use cholera vaccines to prevent
C. jejuni
diarrhea. This could result in significant savings in vaccine development and treatment of the disease.
Molecular Dissection of Bacterial Nanowires
Authors: Boesen Thomas , Nielsen Lars Peter
Published: May 2013

The discovery of bacterial conductive structures, termed nanowires, has intrigued scientists for almost a decade. Nanowires enable bacteria to transfer electrons over micrometer distances to extracellular electron acceptors such as insoluble metal oxides or electrodes. Nanowires are pilus based and in
Geobacter sulfurreducens
are composed of the type IV pilin subunit PilA. Multiheme
c
-type cytochromes have been shown to attach to nanowire pili. Two hypotheses have been proposed for electron conduction in nanowires. The first (termed the metal-like conductivity or MLC hypothesis) claims that the pilus itself has the electron-conductive properties and the attached cytochromes mediate transfer to the final electron acceptor, whereas the second hypothesis (termed the superexchange conductivity or SEC hypothesis) suggests that electrons are “hopping” between heme groups in cytochromes closely aligned with the pilus as a scaffold. In their recent article in
mBio
, Vargas et al. [M. Vargas, N. S. Malvankar, P.-L. Tremblay, C. Leang, J. A. Smith, P. Patel, O. Snoeyenbos-West, K. P. Nevin, and D. R. Lovley, mBio 4(2):e00210-13, 2013] address this ambiguity through an analysis of strain Aro-5, a
G. sulfurreducens
PilA mutant lacking aromatic residues in the nonconserved portion of PilA. These residues were suspected of involvement in electron transport according to the MLC hypothesis. The
G. sulfurreducens
mutant had reduced conductive properties, lending important support to the MLC hypothesis. The data also highlight the need for further and more conclusive evidence for one or the other hypothesis.
Measuring soil pressure within a soil mass
Authors: Talesnick Mark
Published: May 2013

Reliable measurement of pressure within a particulate media has frustrated researchers in the field of soil mechanics and soil structure interaction for many years. The difficulty stems from the fact that most sensing systems involve compliance in the measurement concept. This compliance imparts a parasitic output to the measurement. In the past, researchers have attempted to calibrate this disturbance. Research has demonstrated that calibrations of this sort are dependent upon soil type, particle size, sensor geometry, and soil stiffness. Response of such sensors has been shown to be stress history–dependent: the response upon unloading may be highly nonlinear, resulting in a high degree of hysteresis. Complications in the measurement of soil pressure within a soil mass are significantly more complex from those met in the measurement of soil pressure at a structural boundary and must be considered separately. This paper utilizes a concept called the Null Soil Pressure System. Null pressure sensors were embedded and tested in a series of uniformly graded soils with particle diameters ranging from less than 0.15 to 15 mm. The data indicates that the response of the null pressure sensor consistently exceeds the actual soil pressure by a value of 4% ± 3%. This outcome is seen to be independent of soil type, particle size, stiffness, and stress history. No hysteresis is noted between loading and unloading, and additional loading cycles align with that of the virgin loading segment.
Finite-time singularities in f(R, T) gravity and the effect of conformal anomaly
Authors: Houndjo M.J.S. , Batista C.E.M. , Campos J.P. , Piattella O.F.
Published: May 2013

We investigate f(R, T) gravity models (where R is the curvature scalar and T is the trace of the stress–energy tensor of ordinary matter) that are able to reproduce the four known types of future finite-time singularities. We choose a suitable expression for the Hubble parameter to realise the cosmic acceleration and we introduce two parameters, α and Hs, which characterise each type of singularity. We address the conformal anomaly and we observe that it cannot remove the sudden singularity or the Big Brake, but, for some values of α, the Big Rip and the Big Freeze may be avoided. We also find that, even without taking into account the conformal anomaly, the Big Rip and the Big Freeze may be removed thanks to the presence of the T contribution of the f(R, T) theory.
Metabolic inflammation: role of cytokines in the crosstalk between adipose tissue and liver
Authors: Gerner Romana R. , Wieser Verena , Moschen Alexander R. , Tilg Herbert
Published: May 2013

The innate immune system and its major mediators, i.e., cytokines, are increasingly recognized as being of crucial importance in metabolic inflammation as observed in morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Morbid obesity is commonly associated with adipose tissue inflammation. Adipose tissue inflammation is characterized by an increased expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 and -6, and by a rather heterogenous cellular infiltrate including monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and others. It has been demonstrated that in patients with severe obesity and fatty liver disease, expression of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue is 100–1000 times higher compared with that in the liver. Therefore, the adipose tissue can be considered in the state of severe obesity as the “cytokine factory” of the body. Rapid weight loss almost entirely eliminates pro-inflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue, and therefore provides a very potent anti-inflammatory strategy. In conclusion, there is increasing evidence that peripheral tissues such as the adipose tissue may affect disease processes in target organs such as the liver, pancreas, heart, or blood vessels, and may therefore significantly contribute to chronic inflammation as observed in obesity and T2D.
The potential contribution of circulating and locally produced leptin to cardiac hypertrophy and failure
Authors: Karmazyn Morris , Gan Xiaohong Tracey , Rajapurohitam Venkatesh
Published: May 2013

Leptin is a 16 kDa peptide that was first identified in 1994 through positional cloning of the mouse obesity gene. Although the primary function of leptin is to act a satiety factor through its actions on the hypothalamus, it is now widely recognized that leptin can exert effects on many other organs through activation of its receptors, which are ubiquitously expressed. Leptin is secreted primarily by white adipocytes, but it is also produced by other tissues including the heart where it can exert effects in an autocrine or paracrine manner. One of these effects involves the induction of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which appears to occur via multiple cell signalling mechanisms. As adipocytes are the primary site of leptin production, plasma leptin concentrations are generally positively related with body mass index and the degree of adiposity. However, hyperleptinemia is also associated with cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, in the absence of obesity. Here we review the potential role of leptin in heart disease, particularly pertaining to its potential contribution to myocardial remodelling and heart failure, as well as the underlying mechanisms. We further discuss potential interactions between leptin and another adipokine, adiponectin, and the potential implications of this interaction in terms of fully understanding leptin’s effects.
Mangiferin mitigates diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-diabetic rats
Authors: Hou Jun , Zheng Dezhi , Zhong Guocheng , Hu Yonghe
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of mangiferin on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The DCM model was induced by a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin. We evaluated the characteristics of DCM by serial echocardiography, electron microscopy, histopathologic analysis of cardiomyocyte fibrosis area, and Western blot analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 expression. Rats with DCM showed severe left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis. Mangiferin mitigated DCM and prevented the accumulation of myocardial collagen. These anatomic findings were accompanied by significant improvements in cardiac function. Based on these results, we conclude that mangiferin has a therapeutic effect on DCM and improves cardiac function.
MULTI-PARTICLE PRODUCTION OF HADRONS
Authors: BARTALINI PAOLO
Published: May 2013

The phenomenology of multi-particle production of hadrons is reviewed, with emphasis on the results at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC): the first part of the review focuses on the basic kinematic measurements of charged tracks and identified hadrons in minimum bias interactions; the second part reports the short- and long-range correlation studies; the third part concentrates on the underlying event phenomenology in different final states; the fourth part, which constitutes a bottom line on the phenomenology of multiple parton interactions, considers the consequences of multiple hard-scatterings in a single hadron–hadron collisions. Some relevant highlights from the heavy ion program are also discussed.
COHERENT STATES, SUPERPOSITIONS OF COHERENT STATES AND UNCERTAINTY RELATIONS ON A MÖBIUS STRIP
Authors: PRUDÊNCIO THIAGO , CIRILO-LOMBARDO DIEGO JULIO
Published: May 2013

Since symmetry properties of coherent states (CS) on Möbius strip (MS) and fermions are closely related, CS on MS are naturally associated to the topological properties of fermionic fields. Here, we consider CS and superpositions of coherent states (SCS) on MS. We extend a recent propose of CS on MS (Cirilo-Lombardo, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.45, 244026 (2012)), including the analysis of periodic behaviors of CS and SCS on MS and the uncertainty relations associated to angular momentum and the phase angle. The advantage of CS and SCS on MS with respect to the standard ones and potential applications in continuous variable quantum computation (CVQC) are also addressed.
UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED DETECTOR IN THE κ-DEFORMED DIRAC VACUUM
Authors: HARIKUMAR E. , VERMA RAVIKANT
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we investigate how a uniformly accelerated detector responds to vacuum state of a Dirac field in the κ-Minkowski spacetime. Starting from κ-deformed Dirac theory, which is invariant under κ-Poincaré algebra, we derive κ-deformed Wightman function for Dirac field, which is valid up to first-order in the deformation parameter a. Using this, we calculate the response function of the uniformly accelerated detector, which is coupled to massless Dirac field in κ-spacetime. From this, we obtain the modification to Unruh effect for the κ-deformed Dirac field, valid up to first-order in the deformation parameter.
THE R3 EXTENSION OF NEW MASSIVE GRAVITY IN AdS3 SPACE
Authors: SETARE M. R. , SAHRAEE M.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we investigate the behavior of linearized gravitational excitation in the R3 extension of new massive gravity in AdS 3 space. We show that this higher-order gravity propagate two graviton with different mass on AdS 3 background. This model has two critical points, where the massive gravitons become massless and the graviton energies are zero.
PREDICTING SOFTWARE RELIABILITY IN A FUZZY FIELD ENVIRONMENT
Authors: GARMABAKI AMIR H. S. , AHMADI ALIREZA , KAPUR P. K. , KUMAR UDAY
Published: May 2013

The testing-development phase has been carried out in a given control environment. However, the product will be used in different operating environment by different end-users, which is unknown to the developer. The operating environment may range from a very clean one up to a harsh environment. These uncertain operating environments will impact to the reliability and performance of the software which may differ from the testing phase reliability. We consider that the effect of environment on reliability has a fuzzy nature. The fuzzy effects of the field environments can be captured by a unit-free environmental factor. To overcome this problem, the fuzzy probabilistic theory may be used in the processing of stochastic parameters, taking into account their fuzzy nature. The proposed model is based on Weibull distribution. The aim of this paper is to introduce a fuzzy field environment (FFE) reliability model that covers both the testing and operating phases in the development cycle. Illustration examples of the proposed model have been validated on data collected from two industries.
CRYPTANALYSIS OF THE QUANTUM STATE SHARING PROTOCOL USING FOUR SETS OF W-CLASS STATES
Authors: CHEN XIU-BO , YANG SHUAI , XU GANG , SU YUAN , YANG YI-XIAN
Published: May 2013

Recently, a protocol is proposed for the quantum state sharing (QSTS) of an arbitrary three-photon state using four sets of W-class states. Unfortunately, its security analysis is inadequate. In this paper, we find the security loophole of this QSTS protocol. It is mainly caused by the fake quantum channel, whose security is not guaranteed by the legal participants. We present a simple but feasible strategy, by which an eavesdropper can successfully steal the exact secret. Furthermore, a secure QSTS protocol is put forward. The security of our improved protocol is analyzed in details.
N = 2 INTEGRABLE SYSTEMS AND FIRST INTEGRALS CONSTRAINED BY SCALING SYMMETRIES
Authors: CAMPOAMOR-STURSBERG RUTWIG
Published: May 2013

Integrability of systems in N = 2 dimensions possessing a non-trivial scaling symmetry is reformulated in the context of dynamical symmetries and solvable Lie algebras. A method to construct integrable (Lagrangians) from a dynamical vector field subjected to a scaling symmetry is proposed.
Exercise training improves cutaneous microvascular function in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Pugh Christopher J. A. , Cuthbertson Daniel J. , Sprung Victoria S. , Kemp Graham J. , Richardson Paul , Margot Umpleby A. , Green Daniel J. , Timothy Cable N. , Jones Helen
Published: May 2013

The leading causes of mortality in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) relate to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to endothelial function, a surrogate of CVD risk, is currently unknown in NAFLD. We hypothesize that NO-mediated cutaneous microvessel function would be impaired in NAFLD compared with controls and that exercise would enhance microvessel function compared with conventional care. Thirteen NAFLD patients (aged 50 ± 3 yr, BMI 31 ± 1 kg/m2) and seven controls (48 ± 4 yr, 30 ± 2 kg/m2) were studied. NAFLD patients were randomized to either 16 wk of exercise or conventional care. Cutaneous microvessel function was examined using laser Doppler flowmetry combined with intradermal microdialysis of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine to assay the NO dilator response to local forearm heating. Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy quantified abdominal and liver fat, respectively, and cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed. Differences in NO contribution to cutaneous blood flow between NAFLD and control individuals and between interventions were analyzed using general linear modeling. NO contribution to cutaneous blood flow was similar between NAFLD and controls ( P = 0.47). Cardiorespiratory fitness was greater following exercise training compared with conventional care. NO contribution to cutaneous blood flow in response to heating at 42°C was 20.4% CVCmax (95% CI = 4.4, 36.4) greater following exercise training compared with conventional care ( P = 0.02). Exercise training improves cutaneous microvascular NO function in NAFLD patients. The benefit of exercise training compared with conventional care strongly supports a role for exercise in the prevention of CVD in NAFLD.
Nutrient infusion bypassing duodenum-jejunum improves insulin sensitivity in glucose-tolerant and diabetic obese subjects
Authors: Salinari Serenella , Carr Richard D. , Guidone Caterina , Bertuzzi Alessandro , Cercone Stefania , Riccioni Maria E. , Manto Andrea , Ghirlanda Giovanni , Mingrone Geltrude
Published: May 2013

The mechanisms of type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery is still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we tried to simulate the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a canonical or longer biliary limb by infusing a liquid formula diet into different intestinal sections. Nutrients (Nutrison Energy) were infused into mid- or proximal jejunum and duodenum during three successive days in 10 diabetic and 10 normal glucose-tolerant subjects. Plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, incretins, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured before and up to 360 min following. Glucose rate of appearance (Ra) and insulin sensitivity (SI), secretion rate (ISR), and clearance were assessed by mathematical models. SI increased when nutrients were delivered in mid-jejunum vs. duodenum (SI × 104 min−1·pM−1: 1.11 ± 0.44 vs. 0.62 ± 0.22, P < 0.015, in controls and 0.79 ± 0.34 vs. 0.40 ± 0.20, P < 0.05, in diabetic subjects), whereas glucose Ra was not affected. In controls, Sensitivity of NEFA production was doubled in mid-jejunum vs. duodenum (2.80 ± 1.36 vs. 1.13 ± 0.78 × 106, P < 0.005) and insulin clearance increased in mid-jejunum vs. duodenum (2.05 ± 1.05 vs. 1.09 ± 0.38 l/min, P < 0.03). Bypass of duodenum and proximal jejunum by nutrients enhances insulin sensitivity, inhibits lipolysis, and increases insulin clearance. These results may further our knowledge of the effects of bariatric surgery on both insulin resistance and diabetes.
Genomics of the fetal hypothalamic cellular response to transient hypoxia: endocrine, immune, and metabolic responses
Authors: Wood Charles E. , Rabaglino Maria Belen , Chang Eileen I. , Denslow Nancy , Keller-Wood Maureen , Richards Elaine
Published: May 2013

Fetuses respond to transient hypoxia (a common stressor in utero) with cellular responses that are appropriate for promoting survival of the fetus. The present experiment was performed to identify the acute genomic responses of the fetal hypothalamus to transient hypoxia. Three fetal sheep were exposed to 30 min of hypoxia and hypothalamic mRNA extracted from samples collected 30 min after return to normoxia. These samples were compared with those from four normoxic control fetuses by the Agilent 019921 ovine array. Differentially regulated genes were analyzed by network analysis and by gene ontology analysis, identifying statistically significant overrepresentation of biological processes. Real-time PCR of selected genes supported the validity of the array data. Hypoxia induced increased expression of genes involved in response to oxygen stimulus, RNA splicing, antiapoptosis, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and positive regulation of Notch receptor target. Downregulated genes were involved in metabolism, antigen receptor-mediated immunity, macromolecular complex assembly, S-phase, translation elongation, RNA splicing, protein transport, and posttranscriptional regulation. We conclude that these results emphasize that the cellular response to hypoxia involves reduced metabolism, the involvement of the fetal immune system, and the importance of glucocorticoid signaling.
The Distributional Characteristics of Heavy Metal in Jiangsu Province Shoal Sea
Authors: Wenjin Yu , Xinqing Zou
Published: May 2013

After the analysis of surface samples and core samples collected in Xinyanggang tidal land, the contents of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr were obtained and analyzed in this paper. The heavy metal accumulation rule and pollution status were studied by Index of geo-accumulation, latent ecological risk index method, and elements accumulation index method. The research suggests that (1) the contents of heavy metal Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr in Xinyanggang tidal land have the same change trend, and such trend remains unchanged after the data were normalized, while the fluctuation range becomes smaller. (2) After analyzing the heavy metal content in the surface samples, it was revealed that the contents of heavy metals are getting lower from high tidal zone to low tidal zone, but the ranges of the change were different. Cu, Ni, and Zn emerge obvious decline from supratidal zone to subtidal zone, while the changes of Cr and Pb are not obvious. (3) Pb and Cr contents in Xinyanggang tidal land present accumulative character, as Pb in Xinyanggang is 3 times as much as the local background value, whose EF reaches 3.774. (4) RI value in Xinyanggang is 23.552, which indicates that though Xinyanggang tidal land has some heavy metal pollution and accumulation, there are no ecosystem risks, and the whole Xinyanggang core area environment quality is relatively good.
Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of a Delayed Leslie-Gower Predator-Prey System with Nonmonotonic Functional Response
Authors: Jiang Jiao , Song Yongli
Published: May 2013

A delayed Leslie-Gower predator-prey model with nonmonotonic functional response is studied. The existence and local stability of the positive equilibrium of the system with or without delay are completely determined in the parameter plane. Using the method of upper and lower solutions and monotone iterative scheme, a sufficient condition independent of delay for the global stability of the positive equilibrium is obtained. Hopf bifurcations induced by the ratio of the intrinsic growth rates of the predator and prey and by delay, respectively, are found. Employing the normal form theory, the direction and stability of Hopf bifurcations can be explicitly determined by the parameters of the system. Some numerical simulations are given to support and extend our theoretical results. Two limit cycles enclosing an equilibrium, one limit cycle enclosing three equilibria and different types of heteroclinic orbits such as connecting two equilibria and connecting a limit cycle and an equilibrium are also found by using analytic and numerical methods.
HIV-1TransInfection of CD4+T Cells by Professional Antigen Presenting Cells
Authors: Rinaldo Charles R.
Published: May 2013

Since the 1990s we have known of the fascinating ability of a complex set of professional antigen presenting cells (APCs; dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, and B lymphocytes) to mediate HIV-1transinfection of CD4+T cells. This results in a burst of virus replication in the T cells that is much greater than that resulting from direct,cisinfection of either APC or T cells, ortransinfection between T cells. Such APC-to-T celltransinfection first involves a complex set of virus subtype, attachment, entry, and replication patterns that have many similarities among APC, as well as distinct differences related to virus receptors, intracellular trafficking, and productive and nonproductive replication pathways. The end result is that HIV-1 can sequester within the APC for several days and be transmitted via membrane extensions intracellularly and extracellularly to T cells across the virologic synapse. Virus replication requires activated T cells that can develop concurrently with the events of virus transmission. Further research is essential to fill the many gaps in our understanding of thesetransinfection processes and their role in natural HIV-1 infection.
An Experimental Method of Distribution Behavior of Hydrophobically Associated Polymer AP‐P4 in Three‐Phase Systems
Authors: Li Ruyin , Tan Guorong , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2013

A novel experimental method has been established for the first time to evaluate the distribution behavior of water soluble hydrophobically associated polymer AP‐P4 in the oil‐water‐solid three‐phase systems, based on the static adsorption principle. Suitable analysis method has been selected to measure the concentration of polymer in every phase. The enrichment of polymer has been observed between the oil‐aqueous interlayer. The distribution coefficient of AP‐P4 is obtained along with the variation of concentration and total salinity. The experimental method is helpful to reveal the property of polymer solution and has potential usage in predicting the adsorption and retention in polymer flooding and the wastewater dealing of polymer flooding.
Triptolide-Mediated Apoptosis by Suppression of Focal Adhesion Kinase through Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways in Human Melanoma Cells
Authors: Kwon Haw-Young , Kim Kyoung-Sook , Baik Ji-Sue , Moon Hyung-In , Lee Ji-Won , Kim Cheorl-Ho , Cho Young-Su , Jeong Yong-Kee , Lee Young-Choon
Published: May 2013

Triptolide (TPL) has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various human cancer cells; however, the precise mechanism of apoptosis induced by TPL in human melanoma cells has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the precise mechanism underlying cytocidal effects of TPL on human melanoma cells. Treatment of human melanoma cells with TPL significantly inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by flow cytometry and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate analyses. TPL increased the levels of Fas and Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and induced cleavage of Bid by activation of caspase-8 and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol, which resulted in activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Moreover, TPL-induced apoptosis in SK-MEL-2 cells was mediated through dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its cleavage by caspase-8-mediated caspase-3 activation via upregulation of Fas expression. We also found that TPL mediated the dissociation of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) from FAK and enhanced the formation of RIP/Fas complex formation initiating cell death. In conclusion, our data firstly demonstrated that TPL induces apoptosis by both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in human melanoma cells and identified that RIP shuttles between Fas and FAK to mediate apoptosis.
Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract fromPleurotus sajor-caju(Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Kanagasabapathy G. , Malek S. N. A. , Mahmood A. A. , Chua K. H. , Vikineswary S. , Kuppusamy U. R.
Published: May 2013

Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In this study, the effect ofβ-glucan-rich extract ofP. sajor-caju(GE) on lipid lowering and antioxidant potential was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120, and HFD240 (for high-fat diet), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, and 240 mg GE/kg b.w). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. GE-treated groups showed significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, and liver enzymes levels. GE also attenuated protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide levels by increasing the enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities in the mice. GE-treated groups induced the expression of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) while downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hence, GE prevented weight gain in the mice by inducing lipolysis and may be valuable in the formulation of adjuvant therapy for obesity.
Common Fixed Point Theorems in Modified Intuitionistic Fuzzy Metric Spaces
Authors: Manro Saurabh , Kumar Sanjay , Bhatia S. S. , Tas Kenan
Published: May 2013

This paper consists of main two sections. In the first section, we prove a common fixed point theorem in modified intuitionistic fuzzy metric space by combining the ideas of pointwiseR-weak commutativity and reciprocal continuity of mappings satisfying contractive conditions. In the second section, we prove common fixed point theorems in modified intuitionistic fuzzy metric space from the class of compatible continuous mappings to noncompatible and discontinuous mappings. Lastly, as an application, we prove fixed point theorems using weakly reciprocally continuous noncompatible self-mappings on modified intuitionistic fuzzy metric space satisfying some implicit relations.
Quantitative Nature of Social Vulnerability and Autism: An Important Paradigm Shift in the DSM-5 for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ijichi Shinji , Ijichi Naomi , Ijichi Yukina , Hirotaki Kazumi , Sameshima Hisami , Kawaike Yoichi , Morioka Hirofumi
Published: May 2013

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), autistic characteristics in social interaction and communication are described as qualitative impairments. However, the difference between autistics and nonautistics in the draft of the 5th edition (DSM-5 draft) is quantitative rather than qualitative. The word “qualitative” is deleted in the draft text, and it is specified that the relation between social demands and individual limited capacities is critical for symptom manifestation (criterion C). Because the proposed levels of support requirement in the draft are mere observable outcomes of social vulnerability, the boundary between level 1 and nonautistic condition is determined by the relation between social demands and individual capacities. In addition to the introduction of the single category (autism spectrum disorder (ASD)) to cover the entire case spectrum, the DSM-5 draft is clearly based on a conviction that ASD is indistinguishable from the normal behavioral range. This concise review provides an explanation for this implicit paradigm shift from qualitative to quantitative. Importantly, the conditional role of social demands for symptom manifestation in the draft can be plausibly interpreted using a unique liability-probability model.