bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonality and interspecific and intraspecific asynchrony in emergence from the nest by hatchling freshwater turtles
Authors: Baker P.J. , Costanzo J.P. , Iverson J.B. , Lee R.E.
Published: April 2013

Timing of emergence from the natal nest is a variable trait in the life history of turtles. In theory, hatchling turtles that emerge synchronously, within and among nests, should gain a survival advantage over hatchlings that emerge independently. We examined emergence patterns for seven species of freshwater turtles that use a common nesting area in northern Indiana, USA. Hatchlings of four species emerged from the nest exclusively in late summer or early fall. However, hatchlings of three species usually overwintered in the nest chamber and emerged the following spring. Interspecific and intraspecific emergence from the nest was more synchronous in fall than in spring. Mean date of fall emergence from the nest did not vary among species; however, a species-specific pattern of emergence was observed in spring. Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata Agassiz, 1857) emerged in late March and early April and, on average, these hatchlings left their nests 2 weeks earlier than Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica (Le Sueur, 1817)) and 4 weeks earlier than Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)). Although hatchlings of C. p. marginata are smaller than those of G. geographica and T. s. elegans, presumably they gain a survival or growth advantage by emerging earlier.
First mammals from the Paleocene Porcupine Hills Formation of southwestern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Scott Craig S. , Spivak Daniel N. , Sweet Arthur R.
Published: April 2013

Although mammals of Paleocene age are well known from Alberta, their record is largely restricted to one lithological unit, the Paskapoo Formation (a record that includes mammals from the Cochrane area erroneously attributed to the Porcupine Hills Formation). We report here the first occurrence of Paleocene mammals from the Porcupine Hills Formation at exposures near the western edge of the city of Calgary. The assemblage, termed the Bearspaw local fauna, documents a diversity of multituberculate and eutherian mammals, including new species of the pentacodontid Aphronorus bearspawensis sp. nov., the mixodectid Eudaemonema bohachae sp. nov., the hyopsodontid Promioclaenus thnetus sp. nov., and a new genus and species of multituberculate (Alopocosmodon hadrus gen. et sp. nov.) tentatively referred to the Microcosmodontidae. The Bearspaw local fauna also details the first Canadian occurrences of several taxa, including Ptilodus wyomingensis, Aphronorus fraudator, Bryanictis microlestes, Elpidophorus minor, and possibly Goniacodon. Preliminary biostratigraphic analyses suggest that the Bearspaw local fauna is middle Torrejonian (To2) in age, correlating most closely with near-coeval Gidley Quarry of Montana and Rock Bench Quarry of Wyoming. In addition to improving the depauperate record of Torrejonian mammals in western Canada, the new fauna is important in documenting a mammal assemblage from a lithological unit that is thought to have been deposited in semi-arid conditions, rather than the wetter and more humid conditions of the Paskapoo Formation. Further, the Bearspaw localities, along with several other recently discovered localities in the Calgary and Cochrane areas, closely bracket the 27n–26r chron boundary and as such will be important in detailing the Torrejonian–Tiffanian transition in western Canada.
SINTERING BEHAVIOR AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF Ba0.985Bi0.01TiO3-Ba0.9955La0.003TiO3 FINE-POWDERS
Authors: WANG JING , JIANG SHENGLIN , WANG CHUNZHENG , YAO HAO , WANG TINGWEI
Published: April 2013

Ba 0.985 Bi 0.01 TiO 3- Ba 0.9955 La 0.003 TiO 3 fine-powders were synthesized by two-step soft chemistry method. Phase analysis and microstructure evaluation conducted by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the provskite structure of the ceramic grain. Different sintering temperatures were considered to optimize the density and dielectric properties. The maximum dielectric constant decreased first, and then increased before dropping again, reflecting the change of relative density. Samples sintered at 1270°C exhibited the best temperature stability due to composition inhomogeneity and compact properties. The dielectric properties of the sample sintered at 1270°C were: ε = ~8,960, tan δ < 0.28, ΔC/C20° C at -55°C, 110°C and 150°C were -5.2%, 13.8% and -12.8%, respectively.
THE STUDY OF Al0.29Ga0.71N-BASED SCHOTTKY PHOTODIODES GROWN ON SILICON BY PLASMA-ASSISTED MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY
Authors: MOHD YUSOFF M. Z. , HASSAN Z. , CHIN C. W. , HASSAN H. ABU , ABDULLAH M. J. , MOHAMMAD N. N. , AHMAD M. A. , YUSOF Y.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the growth and characterization of epitaxial Al 0.29 Ga 0.71 N grown on Si (111) by RF-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are described. The Al mole fraction was derived from the HR-XRD symmetric rocking curve (RC) ω/2θ scans of (0002) plane as x = 0.29. PL spectrum of sample has shown sharp and intense band edge emission of GaN without the existence of yellow emission band, showing that it is comparable in crystal quality of the sample when compared with previous reports. From the Raman measurement of as-grown Al 0.29 Ga 0.71 N layer on GaN / AlN / Si sample. We found that the dominant E 2 (high) phonon mode of GaN appears at 572.7 cm-1. The E 2 (high) mode of AlN appears at 656.7 cm-1 and deviates from the standard value of 655 cm-1 for unstrained AlN . Finally, AlGaN Schottky photodiode have been fabricated and analyzed by mean of electrical characterization, using current–voltage (I–V) measurement to evaluate the performance of this device.
BERRY PHASE IN COUPLED TWO-LEVEL SYSTEMS
Authors: ZHANG X. Y. , TENG J. H. , YI X. X.
Published: April 2013

The application of geometric phases into robust control of quantal systems has triggered exploration of the geometric phase for coupled subsystems. Earlier studies have mainly focused on the situation where the external control parameters are in the free Hamiltonian of the subsystems, i.e. the controls exert only on the individual subsystems. Here we consider another circumstance that we can control the coupling geiϕ between the subsystems. By changing only the phase ϕ in the coupling constant, we derive the Berry phase acquired by the system and compare it to the geometric phase acquired by changing the coupling strength g. We find that the asymptotic behavior of the Berry phase depends on the relative Rabi frequency of the two subsystems, and it approaches π when the amplitude of the coupling tends to infinity.
SINGULARITY, SWITCHABILITY AND BIFURCATIONS IN A 2-DOF, PERIODICALLY FORCED, FRICTIONAL OSCILLATOR
Authors: LUO ALBERT C. J. , FARAJI MOSADMAN MOZHDEH S.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the analytical dynamics for singularity, switchability, and bifurcations of a 2-DOF friction-induced oscillator is investigated. The analytical conditions of the domain flow switchability at the boundaries and edges are developed from the theory of discontinuous dynamical systems, and the switchability conditions of boundary flows from domain and edge flows are presented. From the singularity and switchability of flow to the boundary, grazing, sliding and edge bifurcations are obtained. For a better understanding of the motion complexity of such a frictional oscillator, switching sets and mappings are introduced, and mapping structures for periodic motions are adopted. Using an eigenvalue analysis, the stability and bifurcation analysis of periodic motions in the friction-induced system is carried out. Analytical predictions and parameter maps of periodic motions are performed. Illustrations of periodic motions and the analytical conditions are completed. The analytical conditions and methodology can be applied to the multi-degrees-of-freedom frictional oscillators in the same fashion.
MEMRISTOR MODELS IN A CHAOTIC NEURAL CIRCUIT
Authors: ASCOLI ALON , CORINTO FERNANDO
Published: April 2013

The peculiar features of the memristor, a fundamental passive two-terminal element characterized by a nonlinear relationship between charge and flux, promise to revolutionize integrated circuit design in the next few decades. Besides its most popular potential application, ultra-dense nonvolatile memories, much research has been lately devoted to their use in chaotic neural networks for the emulation of brain activity. In the studies on neuromorphic circuits, it is common to characterize each memristor with a theoretical model based upon a single-valued odd-symmetric charge-flux nonlinearity.

Memristive nano-films exhibit different dynamics depending on the way they behave at boundaries. We recently developed a mathematical model, applicable to memristive nano-structures of various nature, offering the opportunity to tune the boundary conditions so as to capture a wide gamut of distinct nonlinear behaviors. However, in general the proposed model exhibits a multivalued charge-flux nonlinearity dependent on input and initial state condition. In this paper, we first derive the necessary and sufficient set of boundary conditions under which single-valuedness is observed in this nonlinearity for any input/state initial condition combination. Then, after proving that, under such boundary conditions, the asymmetrical nonlinearities of memristors with opposite orientation are the odd-symmetric function of the other, we devise a pair of suitable memristor arrangements with odd-symmetric charge-flux characteristics. This analysis is confirmed by showing how a chaotic neural circuit employing one of such arrangements behaves similarly to its counterpart with the theoretically-modeled memristor.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POWER CONTROL OF CELL BREATHING IN EPON-WIMAX HYBRID ACCESS NETWORK
Authors: TENG HUNG-YI , LAI HUNG-CHI , HWANG REN-HUNG
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a load balancing mechanism based on cell breathing was proposed for the hybrid EPON-WiMAX network. The hybrid EPON-WiMAX network integrates the emerging Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technologies to support high bandwidth, broadband access, mobility, and Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee. Load balancing is required due to uneven distribution of traffic among different WiMAX base stations (BS) as well as mobility of WiMAX Subscriber Station (SS). Cell breathing is a well-known load balancing technique adopted in wireless networks. By changing the transmission powers of the base stations, the cell breathing technique is able to adjust the traffic, both uplink and downlink, load of base stations. In the integrated EPON-WiMAX network, transmission powers of WiMAX base stations can be optimally allocated at the EPON optical networking unit (ONU). In this paper, we formulate the cell breathing-based load balancing problem into a linear programming problem. Our goal is to find the best power adjustment that maximizes system throughput. To alleviate the time complexity of solving the linear programming problem, we propose a Heaviest Load First Algorithm (HLFA) to obtain the near optimal solution. The solution obtained by the HLFA algorithm will not waste any transmission power to make the entire system energy-efficiency. We demonstrate the performance of HLFA via extensive simulations. The simulation results show that the HLFA can provide the best solution to achieve load balancing and enhance the system throughput as compared to existing solutions. Furthermore, HLFA maintains good performance even when the system has multiple overloaded ONU-BSs.
GRAPH BISECTION MODELED AS CARDINALITY CONSTRAINED BINARY QUADRATIC TASK ALLOCATION
Authors: LEWIS MARK , KOCHENBERGER GARY
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the cardinality constrained quadratic model for binary quadratic programming is used to model and solve the graph bisection problem as well as its generalization in the form of the task allocation problem with two processors (2-TAP). Balanced graph bisection is an NP-complete problem which partitions a set of nodes in the graph G = (N, E) into two sets with equal cardinality such that a minimal sum of edge weights exists between the nodes in the two separate sets. 2-TAP is graph bisection with the addition of node preference costs in the objective function. We transform the general linear k-TAP model to the cardinality constrained quadratic binary model so that it may be efficiently solved using tabu search with strategic oscillation. On a set of benchmark graph bisections, we improve the best known solution for several problems. Comparison results with the state-of-the-art graph partitioning program METIS, as well as Cplex and Gurobi are presented on a set of randomly generated graphs. This approach is shown to also work well with 2-TAP, comparing favorably to Cplex and Gurobi, providing better solutions in a much shorter time.
QUANTUM DISCORD DERIVED FROM TSALLIS ENTROPY
Authors: JURKOWSKI JACEK
Published: April 2013

Due to some ambiguity in the definition of mutual Tsallis entropy in classical probability theory, its generalization to quantum theory is discussed and, as a consequence, two types of generalized quantum discords, called q-discords, are defined in terms of quantum Tsallis entropy. Both q-discords for two-qubit Werner and isotropic states are determined and compared and it is shown that one of them is non-negative, at least for states under investigation, for all q > 0. Finally, an analytical expression for q-discord of certain family of two-qubit X-states is presented. Using this example, we show that both types of q-discords can take negative values for some q > 1, hence their use as correlations measures is rather limited.
A GENERALIZED AND EFFICIENT METHOD FOR FINITE COVER GENERATION IN THE NUMERICAL MANIFOLD METHOD
Authors: CAI YONGCHANG , ZHUANG XIAOYING , ZHU HEHUA
Published: April 2013

The numerical manifold method (NMM) based on the concept of finite covers and the partition of unity (PU) provides a unified framework to analyze continuum and discontinuum without changing predefined mesh in a discretized way. The NMM has been applied in the modeling of fluid structure interaction as well as in rock mechanics including the analysis of block system, jointed rock and fractured body, showing particular advantages over other PU based methods. Unlike other PU methods, the degrees of freedoms in the NMM are associated with the physical covers, rather than the nodes, which allow it to be naturally adapted to the changing geometries in analyzing complex discontinuum such as multiple intersecting cracks and branched cracks. Despite these recent advances, there is no publication available to date describing the physical cover generation of the NMM in a systematic way or giving a general principle of cover numbering, which has practically limited a wider application of the NMM. To address this issue, a generalized cover generation method is developed in the paper based on the concept of "detached physical cover" where manifold elements belonging to the same mathematical cover and having common mathematical edges are collected to form a new detached physical cover. The present method has a concise formulation for implementation, and is effective and generally applicable for dealing with interfaces, inclusions or discontinuities of complex geometry. A test example is performed showing the correctness, robustness and efficiency of the proposed method.
HOMOTOPY PERTURBATION METHOD AND PARAMETERIZED PERTURBATION METHOD FOR RADIUS OF CURVATURE BEAM EQUATION
Authors: SAMAEE S. S. , YAZDANPANAH O. , GANJI D. D.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and parameterized perturbation method (PPM) are used to solve the radius of curvature beam equation. This paper compares the HPM and PPM in order to solve the equations of curvature beam. A comparative study between the HPM, PPM and numerical method (NM) is presented in this work. The validity of our solutions is verified by the numerical results. The achieved results reveal that the HPM and PPM are very effective, convenient and quite accurate to nonlinear partial differential equations. These methods can be easily extended to other strongly nonlinear oscillations and can be found widely applicable in engineering and science.
Role of pituitary in K+ homeostasis: impaired renal responses to altered K+ intake in hypophysectomized rats
Authors: Oh Young Taek , Kim Jinyub , Youn Jang H.
Published: April 2013

The kidneys maintain extracellular K+ homeostasis by altering K+ excretion to match K+ intake. Because this can occur without changes in plasma K+ concentrations ([K+]), how the kidneys sense K+ intake is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that the pituitary plays a critical role in signaling K+ intake to the kidneys. If this hypothesis is true, hypophysectomy would impair kidney responses to altered K+ intake. Hypophysectomized (Hypox) and sham-operated control rats ( n = 8 each) were compared for their abilities to adjust K+ excretion during a transition from normal to reduced (to one-third of normal) K+ intake, followed by a reversal to normal K+ intake. Food was provided only at night, and renal K+ excretion was determined both for absorptive (night or feeding) and postabsorptive (day or nonfeeding) periods. In normal rats, both absorptive and postabsorptive renal K+ excretion were changed in parallel to the changes in K+ intake, indicating a rapid adaptation of normal kidneys to altered K+ intake. In Hypox rats, whereas absorptive renal K+ excretion was changed in response to changes in K+ intake, postabsorptive K+ excretion was not responsive ( P < 0.001), indicating impaired renal responses to altered K+ intake. In addition, Hypox rats, compared with control rats, showed K+ intolerance (increases in plasma [K+]) upon feeding (i.e., K+ intake) at night or following an intravenous K+ infusion ( P < 0.01), indicating an impairment of acute renal responses to K+ intake. These data support that the pituitary plays a key role in the signaling of K+ intake to the kidneys (and kidney responses to altered K+ intake).
Spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity in mouse olfactory sensory neurons with defined odorant receptors
Authors: Connelly Timothy , Savigner Agnes , Ma Minghong
Published: April 2013

Sensory systems need to tease out stimulation-evoked activity against a noisy background. In the olfactory system, the odor response profile of an olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) is dependent on the type of odorant receptor it expresses. OSNs also exhibit spontaneous activity, which plays a role in establishing proper synaptic connections and may also increase the sensitivity of the cells. However, where the spontaneous activity originates and whether it informs sensory-evoked activity remain unclear. We addressed these questions by examining patch-clamp recordings of genetically labeled mouse OSNs with defined odorant receptors in intact olfactory epithelia. We show that OSNs expressing different odorant receptors had significantly different rates of basal activity. Additionally, OSNs expressing an inactive mutant I7 receptor completely lacked spontaneous activity, despite being able to fire action potentials in response to current injection. This finding strongly suggests that the spontaneous firing of an OSN originates from the spontaneous activation of its G protein-coupled odorant receptor. Moreover, OSNs expressing the same receptor displayed considerable variation in their spontaneous activity, and the variation was broadened upon odor stimulation. Interestingly, there is no significant correlation between the spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity in these neurons. This study reveals that the odorant receptor type determines the spontaneous firing rate of OSNs, but the basal activity does not correlate with the activity induced by near-saturated odor stimulation. The implications of these findings on olfactory information processing are discussed.
Altered White Matter Integrity in the Congenital and Late Blind People
Authors: Wang Dawei , Qin Wen , Liu Yong , Zhang Yunting , Jiang Tianzi , Yu Chunshui
Published: April 2013

The blind subjects have experienced a series of brain structural and functional alterations due to the visual deprivation. It remains unclear as to whether white matter changes differ between blind subjects with visual deprivation before and after a critical developmental period. The present study offered a direct comparison in changes of white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) between congenital blind (CB) and late blind (LB) individuals. Twenty CB, 21 LB (blindness onset after 18 years old), and 40 sight control (SC) subjects were recruited. Both the tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and voxel-based analysis (VBA) showed lower FA in the bilateral optic radiations in both blind groups, suggesting that the loss of white matter integrity was the prominent hallmark in the blind people. The LB group showed more extensive white matter impairment than the CB group, indicating the mechanisms of white matter FA changes are different between the CB and LB groups. Using a loose threshold, a trend of an increased FA was found in the bilateral corticospinal tracts in the LB but with a smaller spatial extent relative to the CB. These results suggest that white matter FA changes in the blind subjects are the reflection of multiple mechanisms, including the axonal degeneration, deafferentation, and plasticity.
Porosity Distribution in Composite Structures with Infrared Thermography
Authors: Toscano Cinzia , Meola Carosena , Carlomagno Giovanni Maria
Published: April 2013

Composite structures are increasingly used in the transport industry especially in the aeronautical sector thanks to their favorable strength-to-weight ratio with respect to metals. However, this is true if the final part is defects free and complies with quality requirements. A main weakness in composites is porosity, which is likely to be introduced during manufacturing processes and which may knock down the material characteristics affecting its performance in service. Porosity plays a key role in sandwich structures, which involve novel metal foams as core, since the foam performance strongly depends on size and distribution of pores. The determination of porosity is mostly attained by destructive methods, which supply only a general indication linked to the production part number. Conversely, composites may entail local significant variation of porosity, which may be discovered only with effective nondestructive techniques. The attention of the present work is focused on the possibility to use infrared thermography to get information about the amount and distribution of porosity. In particular, two techniques: flash thermography and lock-in thermography are used to comply with requirements of both monolithic composites and metal foams.
An Observational Study on the Association between Migraines and Tension Type Headaches in Patients Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Gozke Eren , Unal Muge , Engin Hayriye , Gurbuzer Nurbanu
Published: April 2013

Background. Our aim was to investigate the association between migraine, tension type headache, and metabolic syndrome. Methods. Presence of tension type headache and migraine was investigated in 120 patients diagnosed as metabolic syndrome. The severity of the headache was recorded according to the visual analog scale. Results. Mean age of the patients was 54.41±11.60 years (range, 29–84 yrs). Diagnoses of tension type headache and migraine without aura were made for 39 (32.5%) and 18 (15%) patients, respectively. Mean age of migraine patients was significantly lower relative to the patients with tension type headache and no headache. Incidence of hypertriglyceridemia was significantly higher in migraine patients when compared with cases tension type headache and without headache. In the tension type headache group, requirement for analgesics decreased as HDL cholesterol levels increased, while need for analgesic drugs increased in line with higher diastolic blood pressures. In the migraine group duration of headache was found to be prolonged with decreasing HDL cholesterol levels. Conclusion. In patients presenting with headache, its association with metabolic syndrome should be considered, and the patients should be especially observed with respect to response to analgesic and the presence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
The Treatment of Depressed Chinese Americans Using Qigong in a Health Care Setting: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yeung Albert , Slipp Lauren E. , Jacquart Jolene , Fava Maurizio , Denninger John W. , Benson Herbert , Fricchione Gregory L.
Published: April 2013

Background. This pilot study examined the feasibility and efficacy of providing Qigong treatment in a health center to Chinese Americans with major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods. Fourteen Chinese Americans with MDD were enrolled, and they received a 12-week Qigong intervention. The key outcome measurement was the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17); the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and -Improvement (CGI-I), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were also administered. Positive response was defined as a decrease of 50% or more on the HAM-D17, and remission was defined as HAM-D17≤ 7. Patients' outcome measurements were compared before and after the Qigong intervention.Results. Participants (N=14) were 64% female, with a mean age of 53 (±14). A 71% of participants completed the intervention. The Qigong intervention resulted in a positive treatment-response rate of 60% and a remission rate of 40% and statistically significant improvement, as measured by the HAM-D17, CGI-S, CGI-I, Q-LES-Q-SF, and the family support subscale of the MSPSS.Conclusions. The Qigong intervention provided at a health care setting for the treatment of primary care patients with MDD is feasible. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.
Exploring Epistemological Trends in Students’ Understanding of Science from the Perspective of Large-Scale Studies
Authors: Jakobsson Anders , Davidsson Eva , Karlsson Karl-Göran , Oskarsson Magnus
Published: April 2013

This paper highlights how results from large-scale studies can be used to understand students’ knowledge of science. Several scholars express critique of today’s PISA framework, especially with regard to the presentation of the results as national rankings, and suggest alternative and complementary methods. The present study has used PISA data to reveal hidden patterns in the results. The results show a general descending trend in items focusing on the nature of science and how new scientific knowledge is generated. On the other hand, there is an obvious upward trend regarding tasks that measure fact-based elementary or root knowledge. These trends are slightly differentiated at a national level, as the time and magnitude of the decline or increase may vary.
Pleural Mesothelioma Presenting as Periumbilical Metastasis: The First Clinical Documentation
Authors: Falkenstern-Ge R. F. , Kimmich M. , Bode-Erdmann S. , Friedel G. , Ott G. , Kohlhäufl M.
Published: April 2013

Introduction. Pleural mesothelioma with metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall at first diagnosis and without penetration into the peritoneum is an extremely rare clinical presentation.Methods. Patients with pleural mesothelioma have low survival rate. Usually, the disease at presentation is confined to its site of origin (most often the pleural cavity). A 55-year-old man was referred to our center due to increasing dyspnea and a painful periumbilical mass in the anterior abdominal wall. CT scan revealed both advanced mesothelioma of the pleura and a tumor mass confined to the subcutaneous fatty tissue without penetration through the peritoneum.Results. Video-assisted thoracoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid pleural mesothelioma, which was also confirmed by a biopsy of the periumbilical mass. Systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed was initiated. Under the ongoing systemic chemotherapy, the evaluation revealed partial remission of pleura mesothelioma and its subcutaneous manifestation of the abdominal wall.Conclusion. Mesothelioma of the pleura with a simultaneous metastasis to the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the abdominal wall at presentation without penetration of peritoneum is a rare clinical presentation of mesothelioma disease. The knowledge of its natural history is very limited. This is the first ever clinical documentation of a patient with pleura mesothelioma and simultaneous subcutaneous manifestation of abdominal wall.
Anatomical Asplenia in Cat Eye Syndrome:An Expansion of the Disease Spectrum
Authors: Chellapandian DeepakBabu , Schneider Adele
Published: April 2013

We report a patient with Cat eye syndrome (CES) associated with anatomical asplenia. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no prior reports of this association. Screening for asplenia in CES is potentially important, as asplenia places patients at increased risk for life-threatening bacterial infections. Hence patients with CES without a spleen may require the same routine precautions as any other asplenic patients, with penicillin prophylaxis and immunizations to protect against encapsulated organisms such asStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzaetype b, andNeisseria meningitidis.
Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—A Review
Authors: Sears Margaret E.
Published: April 2013

Toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are ubiquitous, have no beneficial role in human homeostasis, and contribute to noncommunicable chronic diseases. While novel drug targets for chronic disease are eagerly sought, potentially helpful agents that aid in detoxification of toxic elements, chelators, have largely been restricted to overt acute poisoning. Chelation, that is multiple coordination bonds between organic molecules and metals, is very common in the body and at the heart of enzymes with a metal cofactor such as copper or zinc. Peptides glutathione and metallothionein chelate both essential and toxic elements as they are sequestered, transported, and excreted. Enhancing natural chelation detoxification pathways, as well as use of pharmaceutical chelators against heavy metals are reviewed. Historical adverse outcomes with chelators, lessons learned in the art of using them, and successes using chelation to ameliorate renal, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions highlight the need for renewed attention to simple, safe, inexpensive interventions that offer potential to stem the tide of debilitating, expensive chronic disease.
Pathological Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Cellular Adenoma according to the Clinical Context
Authors: Bioulac-Sage Paulette , Sempoux Christine , Possenti Laurent , Frulio Nora , Laumonier Hervé , Laurent Christophe , Chiche Laurence , Frédéric Blanc Jean , Saric Jean , Trillaud Hervé , Le Bail Brigitte , Balabaud Charles
Published: April 2013

In Europe and North America, hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) occur, classically, in middle-aged woman taking oral contraceptives. Twenty percent of women, however, are not exposed to oral contraceptives; HCA can more rarely occur in men, children, and women over 65 years. HCA have been observed in many pathological conditions such as glycogenosis, familial adenomatous polyposis, MODY3, after male hormone administration, and in vascular diseases. Obesity is frequent particularly in inflammatory HCA. The background liver is often normal, but steatosis is a frequent finding particularly in inflammatory HCA. The diagnosis of HCA is more difficult when the background liver is fibrotic, notably in vascular diseases. HCA can be solitary, or multiple or in great number (adenomatosis). When nodules are multiple, they are usually of the same subtype. HNF1α-inactivated HCA occur almost exclusively in woman. The most important point of the classification is the identification ofβ-catenin mutated HCA, a strong argument to identify patients at risk of malignant transformation. Some HCA already present criteria indicating malignant transformation. When the whole nodule is a hepatocellular carcinoma, it is extremely difficult to prove that it is the consequence of a former HCA. It is occasionally difficult to identify HCA remodeled by necrosis or hemorrhage.
Attitudes toward Female Circumcision among Men and Women in Two Districts in Somalia: Is It Time to Rethink Our Eradication Strategy in Somalia?
Authors: Gele Abdi A. , Bø Bente P. , Sundby Johanne
Published: April 2013

Somalia has the highest global prevalence (98%) of female circumcision (FC), and, despite a long history of abandonment efforts, it is not clear as to whether or not these programmes have changed people’s positive attitudes toward the practice. Against this background, this paper explores the attitudes of Somalis living in Hargeisa and Galkayo districts to the practice of FC.Methods. A purposive sampling of 24 Somalis, including activists and practitioners, men and women, was conducted in Somalia. Unstructured interviews were employed to explore the participants' knowledge of FC, their attitudes toward the continuation/discontinuation of the practice, and the type they want to continue or not to continue.Result. The findings of this qualitative study indicate that there is a strong resistance towards the abandonment of the practice in Somalia. The support for the continuation of Sunna circumcision is widespread, while there is a quite large rejection of Pharaonic circumcision.Conclusion. Therefore, since the “zero tolerance policy” has failed to change people’s support for the continuation of the practice in Somalia, programmes that promote the pinch of the clitoral skin and verbal alteration of status, with the goal of leading to total abandonment of FC, should be considered for the Somali context.
Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstruction Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) in HIV-Infected Patients: Report of Two Cases and the Literature Overview
Authors: Viskovic Klaudija , Begovac Josip
Published: April 2013

We describe two HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis-associated immune reconstruction inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS): one with “paradoxical” IRIS and the other with “unmasking” IRIS. TB-IRIS in HIV-infected subjects is an exacerbation of the symptoms, signs, or radiological manifestations of a pathogenic antigen, related to recovery of the immune system after immunosuppression. We focused on the radiological characteristics of TB-IRIS and the briefly literature review on this syndrome.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition of Pure and Dysprosium Doped Yttrium Phosphate System
Authors: Bamzai K. K. , Kachroo Nidhi , Singh Vishal , Verma Seema
Published: April 2013

Yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate were synthesized from aqueous solutions using rare earth chloride, phosphoric acid, and traces of ammonium hydroxide. The synthesized material was then characterized for their structural investigations using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supplemented with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The spectroscopic investigations were carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermal stability was studied using differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate belong to tetragonal system with lattice parameter
 Å,  Å and  Å,
 Å, respectively. The stoichiometry of the grown composition was established by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The EDAX analysis suggests the presence of water molecules. The presence of water molecules along with orthophosphate group and metallic ion group was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that decomposition in case of yttrium phosphate takes place in three different stages and the final product stabilizes after 706°C, whereas in case of dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate the decomposition occurs in two different stages, and the final product stabilizes after 519°C.
Lomustine Analogous Drug Structures for Intervention of Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors: The Benefit of In Silico Substructure Search and Analysis
Authors: Bartzatt Ronald
Published: April 2013

Lomustine is a nitrosourea anticancer agent shown to be effective for treatment of childhood medulloblastoma. In silico substructure searches produced 17 novel nitrosourea agents analogous to lumustine and retaining activity for DNA alkylation and cytotoxic activity. The mean values for Log P, polar surface area, formula weight, number of oxygens & nitrogens, and rotatable bonds were 2.524, 62.89 Anstroms2, 232.8, 5, and 2, respectively. All 17 agents have formula weight less than 450 and Log P less than 5, two criteria preferred for blood-brain barrier penetration. These agents have a polar surface area less than 90 Angstroms2. Each show zero violations of the Rule of five indicating favorable drug likeness and oral drug activity. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that 16 of the novel agents were highly similar to lomustine, save for agent 12 which bears a hydroxylated branched carbon substituent. A total of 17 novel anticancer agents were elucidated having molecular properties very effective for penetrating through the BBB and into the central nervous system. This study shows the effectiveness of in silico search and recognition of anticancer agents that are suitable for the clinical treatment of brain tumors.
FatalNocardia farcinicaBacteremia Diagnosed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry in a Patient with Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treated with Corticosteroids
Authors: Leli Christian , Moretti Amedeo , Guercini Francesco , Cardaccia Angela , Furbetta Leone , Agnelli Giancarlo , Bistoni Francesco , Mencacci Antonella
Published: April 2013

Nocardia farcinicais a Gram-positive weakly acid-fast filamentous saprophytic bacterium, an uncommon cause of human infections, acquired usually through the respiratory tract, often life-threatening, and associated with different clinical presentations. Predisposing conditions forN. farcinicainfections include hematologic malignancies, treatment with corticosteroids, and any other condition of immunosuppression. Clinical and microbiological diagnoses ofN. farcinicainfections are troublesome, and the isolation and identification of the etiologic agent are difficult and time-consuming processes. We describe a case of fatal disseminated infection in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, treated with corticosteroids, in whichN. farcinicahas been isolated from blood culture and identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. The patient died after 18 days of hospitalization in spite of triple antimicrobial therapy.Nocardia farcinicainfection should be suspected in patients with history of malignancy, under corticosteroid therapy, suffering from subacute pulmonary infection,and who do not respondto conventional antimicrobial therapy. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry can be a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of nocardiosis.
Structural and Optical Properties of Chemical Bath Deposited Silver Oxide Thin Films: Role of Deposition Time
Authors: Nwanya A. C. , Ugwuoke P. E. , Ezekoye B. A. , Osuji R. U. , Ezema F. I.
Published: April 2013

Silver oxide thin films were deposited on glass substrates at a temperature of 50°C by chemical bath deposition technique under different deposition times using pure AgNO3precursor and triethanolamine as the complexing agent. The chemical analysis based on EDX technique shows the presence of Ag and O at the appropriate energy levels. The morphological features obtained from SEM showed that the AgxO structures varied as the deposition time changes. The X-ray diffraction showed the peaks of Ag2O and AgO in the structure. The direct band gap and the refractive index increased as the deposition time increased and was in the range of 1.64–1.95 eV and 1.02–2.07, respectively. The values of the band gap and refractive index obtained indicate possible applications in photovoltaic and photothermal systems.
Interpolation Polynomials of Entire Functions for Erdös-Type Weights
Authors: Nakamura Gou , Sakai Ryozi , Suzuki Noriaki
Published: April 2013

Letℝ=(−∞,∞), and letQ∈C1(ℝ):ℝ→[0,∞)be an even function. In this paper, we consider some Lagrange interpolation polynomials and the Gauss-Jacobi quadrature formula of entire functions associated with Erdös-type weightsw(x)=e−Q(x),x∈ℝ, and we will estimate the error terms.
Electromagnetic Heating of Heavy Oil and Bitumen: A Review of Experimental Studies and Field Applications
Authors: Mukhametshina Albina , Martynova Elena
Published: April 2013

Viscosity is a major obstacle in the recovery of low API gravity oil resources from heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs. While thermal recovery is usually considered the most effective method for lowering viscosity, for some reservoirs introducing heat with commonly implemented thermal methods is not recommended. For these types of reservoirs, electromagnetic heating is the recommended solution. Electromagnetic heating targets part of the reservoir instead of heating the bulk of the reservoir, which means that the targeted area can be heated up more effectively and with lower heat losses than with other thermal methods. Electromagnetic heating is still relatively new and is not widely used as an alternate or addition to traditional thermal recovery methods. However, studies are being conducted and new technologies proposed that could help increase its use. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the recovery of heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs by electromagnetic heating through the review of existing laboratory studies and field trials.
On the Continuity of Hausdorff Dimension of Julia Sets Concerning Potts Models
Authors: Liu Gang , Gao Junyang
Published: April 2013

Considering the Julia sets of a family of rational maps concerning two-dimensional diamond hierarchical Potts models in statistical mechanics, we show the continuity of their Hausdorff dimension.
Improved Succinate Production by Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Cheng Ke-Ke , Wang Gen-Yu , Zeng Jing , Zhang Jian-An
Published: April 2013

Succinate is a promising chemical which has wide applications and can be produced by biological route. The history of the biosuccinate production shows that the joint effort of different metabolic engineering approaches brings successful results. In order to enhance the succinate production, multiple metabolical strategies have been sought. In this review, different overproducers for succinate production, including natural succinate overproducers and metabolic engineered overproducers, are examined and the metabolic engineering strategies and performances are discussed. Modification of the mechanism of substrate transportation, knocking-out genes responsible for by-products accumulation, overexpression of the genes directly involved in the pathway, and improvement of internal NADH and ATP formation are some of the strategies applied. Combination of the appropriate genes from homologous and heterologous hosts, extension of substrate, integrated production of succinate, and other high-value-added products are expected to bring a desired objective of producing succinate from renewable resources economically and efficiently.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution in the Renal Betaine/GABA Transporter Prevents Trafficking to the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Day Christopher R. , Gordon Sashana S. , Vaughn Cherissa L. , Kempson Stephen A.
Published: April 2013

One response to hypertonic stress in the renal medulla and MDCK cells is the upregulation of betaine transporter (BGT1) synthesis, followed by trafficking to the plasma membrane (PM) and an increase in betaine transport. Upregulation of BGT1 was enhanced by inhibitors of phosphatases PP1 and PP2A and was attenuated by inhibitors of protein kinase C, suggesting an important role for phosphorylation reactions. This was tested using mutants of BGT1 tagged with EGFP. The PM trafficking motifs of BGT1 reside near the C terminus, and truncation at lysine560resulted in a protein that remained intracellular during hypertonic stress. This K560Δmutant colocalized with endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Substitution of alanine at Thr40, a putative phosphorylation site, also prevented trafficking to the PM during hypertonic stress. Live-cell imaging showed that T40A was not retained in the ER and colocalized with markers for Golgi and endosomes. In contrast, substitution of aspartate or glutamate at Thr40, to mimic phosphorylation, restored normal trafficking to the PM. HEK293 cells transfected with K560Δor T40A mutants had 10% of the GABA transport activity of native BGT1, but normal transport activity was restored in cells expressing T40E. Normal BGT1 trafficking likely requires phosphorylation at Thr40in addition to C-terminal motifs.
A Suspected Pelvic Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in Pregnancy
Authors: Elkattah Rayan , Foulk Brooke
Published: April 2013

Albeit rare, the majority of identified bone lesions in pregnancy spare the pelvis. Once encountered with a pelvic bone lesion in pregnancy, the obstetrician may face a challenging situation as it is difficult to determine and predict the effects that labor and parturition impart on the pelvic bones. Bone changes and pelvic bone fractures have been well documented during childbirth. The data regarding clinical outcomes and management of pregnancies complicated by pelvic ABCs is scant. Highly suspected to represent an aneurysmal bone cyst, the clinical evaluation of a pelvic lesion in the ilium of a pregnant individual is presented, and modes of delivery in such a scenario are discussed.
Proteoglycan Expression in Normal Human Prostate Tissue and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Suhovskih Anastasia V. , Mostovich Lyudmila A. , Kunin Igor S. , Boboev Mekhrozhiddin M. , Nepomnyashchikh Galina I. , Aidagulova Svetlana V. , Grigorieva Elvira V.
Published: April 2013

Proteoglycans (PGs) are expressed on the cell surface and extracellular matrix of all mammalian cells and tissues, playing an important role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and signaling. Changes in the expression and functional properties of individual PGs in prostate cancer are shown, although common patterns of PGs expression in normal and tumour prostate tissues remain unknown. In this study, expression of cell surface and stromal proteoglycans (glypican-1, perlecan, syndecan-1, aggrecan, versican, NG2, brevican, decorin, and lumican) in normal tissue and prostate tumours was determined by RT-PCR analysis and immunostaining with core protein- and GAG-specific antibodies. In normal human prostate tissue, versican, decorin, and biglycan were predominant proteoglycans localised in tissue stroma, and syndecan-1 and glypican-1 were expressed mainly by epithelial cells. In prostate tumours, complex changes in proteoglycans occur, with a common trend towards decrease of decorin and lumican expression, overall increase of syndecan-1 and glypican-1 expression in tumour stroma along with its disappearance in tumour epithelial cells, and aggrecan and NG2 expressions in some prostate tumours. All the changes result in the highly individual proteoglycan expression patterns in different prostate tumours, which may be potentially useful as molecular markers for prostate cancer personalised diagnosis and treatment.