bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxicity of gemcitabine enhanced by polyphenolics fromAronia melanocarpain pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1
Authors: Thani Noor Azela Abdullah , Keshavarz Sholeh , Lwaleed Bashir A , Cooper Alan J , Rooprai Harcharan K
Published: September 2014

Aims

Extending work with brain tumours, the hypothesis that micronutrients may usefully augment anticancer regimens, chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) extract was tested to establish whether it has pro-apoptotic effects in AsPC-1, an established human pancreatic cell line, and whether it potentiates cytotoxicity in combination with gemcitabine. Pancreatic cancer was chosen as a target, as its prognosis remains dismal despite advances in therapy.

Methods

An MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to assess the growth of the single pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1, alone and in comparison or combination with gemcitabine. This was backed up by flow cytometric DRAQ7 cell viability analysis. TUNEL assays were also carried out to investigate pro-apoptotic properties as responsible for the effects of chokeberry extract.

Results

Chokeberry extract alone and its IC75value (1 µg/mL) in combination with gemcitabine were used to assess the growth of the AsPC-1 cell line. Gemcitabine in combination with chokeberry extract was more effective than gemcitabine alone. TUNEL assays showed apoptosis to be a mechanism occurring at 1 µg/mL concentration of chokeberry, with apoptotic bodies detected by both colourimetric and fluorometric methods.

Conclusions

The implication of this study, using single cancer cell line, is that chemotherapy (at least with gemcitabine) might be usefully augmented with the use of micronutrients such as chokeberry extract.
Posterior communicating and vertebral artery configuration and outcome in endovascular treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion
Authors: Haussen Diogo C , Dharmadhikari Sushrut S , Snelling Brian , Lioutas Vasileios-Arsenios , Thomas Ajith , Peterson Eric C , Elhammady Mohamed Samy , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad Ali , Yavagal Dileep R
Published: September 2014

Background

We aimed to evaluate if vertebrobasilar anatomic variations impact reperfusion and outcome in intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for basilar artery occlusion (BAO).

Methods

Consecutive BAO patients with symptom onset <24 h treated with IAT were included. Vertebral artery (VA) V3 and posterior communicating artery (PCoA) diameters were measured (CT angiography or MR angiography). The presence of PCoA atresia, VA hypoplasia, VAs that end in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), and extracranial VA occlusion was recorded.

Results

38 BAO patients were included. Mean age was 63±15 years; 52% were men. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 21±9, and mean/median time from symptom onset to IAT were 10/7 h. First generation thrombectomy devices were mostly used. Overall Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia 2b-3 reperfusion was 68.4%. Good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) was observed in 17.8% and mortality in 64.3% of cases at 90 days. 55% of patients had an atretic PCoA while 47% had a hypoplastic VA. The mean sum of the bilateral PCoA and VA diameters were 2.3±1.2 and 5.2±5.2 mm, respectively. VAs that end in the PICA was noted in 23% of patients, and extracranial VA occlusion in 42%. BAO was proximal/mid/distal in 36%/29%/34%. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated hypertensive disease (β=2.97; 95% CI 1.15 to 4.79; p<0.01) and reperfusion rate (β=−0.40; 95% CI −0.74 to −0.70; p=0.02) independently associated with outcome. Multivariate analysis for predictors of reperfusion failed to identify other associations. A trend for better reperfusion with stent retrievers was noted (β=1.82; 95% CI −0.24 to 3.88; p=0.08).

Conclusions

Reperfusion emerged as a predictor of good outcome in patients that underwent IAT for BAO. Angioarchitectural variations of the posterior circulation were not found to impact reperfusion or clinical outcome.
Expression and characterization of single-chain variable fragment antibody against staphylococcal enterotoxin A in Escherichia coli
Authors: Chen Weifeng , Hu Li , Liu Aiping , Li Jinquan , Chen Fusheng , Wang Xiaohong
Published: September 2014

The staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are potent gastrointestinal exotoxins synthesized by Staphylococcus aureus, which is responsible for various diseases including septicemia, food poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome, as well as bovine mastitis. Among them, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is one of the most commonly present serotypes in staphylococcal food poisoning cases. In this study, the stable hybridoma 3C12 producing anti-SEA monoclonal antibody was established with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 1.48 × 10−8 mol·L−1, its ScFv-coding genes were obtained and then the anti-SEA single chain variable fragment (ScFv) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. Characterization of the expressed target ScFv protein was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results demonstrated that the recombinant anti-SEA ScFv protein retained a specific binding activity for SEA, and the KD value of the soluble ScFv was about 3.75 × 10−7 mol·L−1. The overall yield of bioactive anti-SEA ScFv in E. coli flask culture was more than 10 mg·L−1.
EFFECT OF NEURODYNAMIC SLIDING TECHNIQUE VERSUS STATIC STRETCHING ON HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS WITH SHORT HAMSTRING SYNDROME
Authors: Pagare Venus. K. , Ganacharya Pooja. M. , Sareen Aarti , Palekar Tushar. J.
Published: September 2014

Purpose: To compare the effects of Neurodynamic Sliding Technique with static stretching on hamstring flexibility in healthy young football players with short hamstring syndrome. Methods: 30 male football players within age group 18–25 years with short hamstring syndrome i.e. initial passive straight leg raise (SLR) ≤ 75° participated in the study. Participants were excluded if they exhibited any hamstring injury within the past year or presence of any history of neurological or orthopedic disorder affecting the lower extremities (e.g. Peripheral neuropathy, femur fracture, meniscal injury, low back pain, etc.) the participants were randomly assigned to either Neurodynamic Sliding Technique group or static stretching group. The same researcher provided the intervention to both the groups for three sessions on three different days over a period of one week. Passive SLR was measured pre-intervention, immediately after 1st session and after three sessions. Results: Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) revealed significant improvement for both the groups but no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Thus, both the techniques are equally effective to improve hamstring flexibility in football players with short hamstring syndrome.
Global asymptotics of the Szegő–Askey polynomials
Authors: Lin Y. , Wong R.
Published: September 2014

The Szegő–Askey polynomials are orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle. In this paper, we study their asymptotic behavior by knowing only their weight function. Using the Riemann–Hilbert method, we obtain global asymptotic formulas in terms of Bessel functions and elementary functions for z in two overlapping regions, which together cover the whole complex plane. Our results agree with those obtained earlier by Temme [Uniform asymptotic expansion for a class of polynomials biorthogonal on the unit circle, Constr. Approx. 2 (1986) 369–376]. Temme's approach started from an explicit expression of the Szegő–Askey polynomials in terms of an2F1-function, and followed by integral methods.
FCDECOMP: Decomposition of metabolic networks based on flux coupling relations
Authors: Rezvan Abolfazl , Marashi Sayed-Amir , Eslahchi Changiz
Published: September 2014

A metabolic network model provides a computational framework to study the metabolism of a cell at the system level. Due to their large sizes and complexity, rational decomposition of these networks into subsystems is a strategy to obtain better insight into the metabolic functions. Additionally, decomposing metabolic networks paves the way to use computational methods that will be otherwise very slow when run on the original genome-scale network. In the present study, we propose FCDECOMP decomposition method based on flux coupling relations (FCRs) between pairs of reaction fluxes. This approach utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) to obtain subsystems that can be analyzed in isolation, i.e. without considering the reactions of the original network in the analysis. Therefore, we propose that our method is useful for discovering biologically meaningful modules in metabolic networks. As a case study, we show that when this method is applied to the metabolic networks of barley seeds and yeast, the modules are in good agreement with the biological compartments of these networks.
DO WOMEN FARE BETTER IN FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESSES?
Authors: ROBERSON-SAUNDERS PAT , SMITH RAYMOND D. , GOEL RAJNI
Published: September 2014

Numerous studies have chronicled the problems women experience in seeking to be hired and subsequently break through the glass ceiling in corporate America. These studies have been approached from the traditional perspective of male-dominated organizations. However, using a human resource management (HRM) framework, this article explores the possibility of further extending to female-owned businesses Kanter's homosocial reproduction thesis that increased numbers of women in positions of management would increase hiring and advancement of women in corporate America. Results show that, at each step in the HRM process, female business owners in this study fulfill expectations by hiring, promoting and retaining significantly more women than male business owner counterparts. In addition, there were significant differences between minority and non-minority female business owners in the proportion of co-racial managers. Moreover, Whites and Blacks showed a significant preference for co-racial managers, while Hispanics and Asians did not.
Protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of RKIP regulates inhibition of Na-alanine cotransport by leukotriene D4 in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Arthur Subha , Sundaram Uma
Published: September 2014

Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) is an important immune inflammatory mediator that is known to be elevated in the mucosa of chronically inflamed intestine and alter nutrient absorption. LTD4 inhibits Na-alanine cotransport in intestinal epithelial cells by decreasing the affinity of the cotransporter ASCT1. LTD4 is known to increase intracellular Ca++ and cAMP concentrations. However, the intracellular signaling mechanism of LTD4-mediated ASCT1 inhibition is unknown. In the present study, pretreatment with calcium chelator BAPTA-AM or inhibition of Ca++-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), specifically PKCα, resulted in the reversal of LTD4-mediated inhibition of ASCT1, revealing the involvement of the Ca++-activated PKC pathway. PKCα is known to phosphorylate Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), thus activating its downstream signaling pathway. Immunoblotting with anti-RKIP-Ser153 antibody showed an increase in phosphorylation levels of RKIP in LTD4-treated cells. Downregulation of endogenous RKIP showed no decrease in ASCT1 activity by LTD4, thus confirming its involvement in ASCT1 regulation. Phosphorylation of RKIP by PKC is known to activate different signaling pathways, and in this study it was found to activate cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Although protein abundance of ASCT1 was not altered in any of the experimental conditions, there was an increase in the levels of phosphothreonine in ASCT1 protein, thus showing that phosphorylation changes were responsible for the altered affinity of ASCT1 by LTD4. In conclusion, LTD4 inhibits ASCT1 through PKC-mediated phosphorylation of RKIP, leading to the subsequent activation of PKA pathway, possibly through β2-andrenergic receptor activation.
An Evaluation of the Knowledge and Utilization of the Partogragh in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Care Settings in Calabar, South-South Nigeria
Authors: Okokon Ita B. , Oku Afiong O. , Agan Thomas U. , Asibong Udeme E. , Essien Ekere J. , Monjok Emmanuel
Published: September 2014

The challenge to maternal well-being with associated maternal wastages especially in labor has remained unsurmountable across the three tiers of health care delivery in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine and compare the factors that influence utilization of the partograph in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care delivery levels in Calabar, Nigeria. This was a descriptive study, using a self-administered semistructured questionnaire on 290 consenting nonphysician obstetric care workers, purposively recruited. The mean age of the respondents was 40.25±8.68 with a preponderance of females (92.4%). Knowledge of the partograph and previous partograph training had statistically significant relationship with its utilization among respondents from the tertiary and general hospitals. The level of knowledge was higher among workers in the general hospital than those working in the university teaching hospital. Nurses/midwives in the three levels of care were significantly more knowledgeable in partograph use than other nonphysician obstetric care workers. Lack of detailed knowledge of the partograph, its nonavailability and poor staff strength in the study centers were factors militating against its ease of utilization. The authors recommend periodic in-service training and provision of partograph in labor rooms in all maternity wards in our environment.
Validity of Nutritional Screening Tools for Hospitalized Children
Authors: Wonoputri Nathania , Djais Julistio T. B. , Rosalina Ina
Published: September 2014

Background. Malnutrition in hospitalized children can be prevented if children with risk of malnutrition are identified. Every hospital is recommended to have a standard nutritional screening tool. Numerous simple screening tools have been developed, namely Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP), and Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONG-kids). None has been accepted as a universal tool. Our study aims to determine the best screening tools compared to Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment (SGNA), an assessment tool which is more complex as our gold standard.Methods. This diagnostic study involved 116 patients aged 1–15 years. Three screening tools and SGNA were examined to each subject. Statistical analysis was used to determine sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR) by results from screening tools divided into low and moderate-high risk of malnutrition compared to results from SGNA divided into no and moderate-severe malnutrition.Results. PYMS showed superior agreement to SGNA resulting in sensitivity 95.32%, specificity 76.92%, positive LR 4.13, and negative LR 0.061. STAMP resulted in sensitivity, specificity, positive LR, and negative LR, respectively, as 100%, 11.54%, 1.13, and 0 and STRONG-kids resulted in 100%, 7.7%, 1.083, and 0.Conclusion. PYMS was the most reliable screening tool.
Dimerization of Peptides by Calcium Ions: Investigation of a Calcium-Binding Motif
Authors: Jamalian Azadeh , Sneekes Evert-Jan , Dekker Lennard J. M. , Ursem Mario , Luider Theo M. , Burgers Peter C.
Published: September 2014

We investigated calcium-binding motifs of peptides and their recognition of active functionalities for coordination. This investigation generates the fundamentals to design carrier material for calcium-bound peptide-peptide interactions. Interactions of different peptides with active calcium domains were investigated. Evaluation of selectivity was performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by infusing solutions containing two different peptides (P1 and P2) in the presence of calcium ions. In addition to signals for monomer species, intense dimer signals are observed for the heterodimer ions (P1⋯Ca2+⋯P2) (⋯ represents the noncovalent binding of calcium with the peptide) in the positive ion mode and for ions (P1-2H2-⋯Ca2+⋯P2-2H2-) in the negative ion mode. Monitoring of the dissociation from these mass selected dimer ions via the kinetic method provides information on the calcium affinity order of different peptide sequences.
The Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Epiblepharon in Korean Children: A 9-Year Experience
Authors: Kim Jong Soo , Jin Sang Wook , Hur Mun Chong , Kwon Yoon Hyung , Ryu Won Yeol , Jeong Woo Jin , Ahn Hee Bae
Published: September 2014

Purpose. To examine the demographic characteristics, clinical features, surgical outcomes, and long-term prognoses of epiblepharon in Korean children.Methods. Epiblepharon patients who were followed for ≥ 6 month following surgical correction between January 2005 and December 2013. The patient demographics, clinical features, concomitant disorders, surgical outcomes, and complications were retrospectively reviewed.Results. A total of 768 epiblepharon records were included in the analysis. The mean patient age was6.55±2.37years. At presentation, 712 patients (92.8%) complained of typical epiblepharon symptoms. The mean patient age at surgery was6.95±2.52years, with 629 patients (81.9%) on the lower lid and 72 patients (9.4%) on the upper lid and 82 patients (10.7%) undergoing surgery on both lids. The eyelid was well everted with no recurrence in 740 patients (96.4%).Conclusion. Epiblepharon frequently occurs in Korean children and is correctable with a simple surgery. Recurrence and serious complications do not occur often, and any suspicions of epiblepharon should be investigated. A thorough ocular examination can lead to a correct diagnosis and timely corrective surgery. Most procedures are successful and prevent secondary complications that often occur with uncorrected epiblepharon.
Some Inequalities for the Derivative of Polynomials
Authors: Hans Sunil , Tripathi Dinesh , Tyagi Babita
Published: September 2014

Ifpz=∑υ=0ncυzυis a polynomial of degreen, having no zeros inz<1, then Aziz (1989) provedmaxz=1p′z≤n/2Mα2+Mα+π21/2, whereMα=max1≤k≤npeiα+2kπ/n. In this paper, we consider a class of polynomialPnμof degreen, defined aspz=a0+∑υ=μnaυzυand present certain generalizations of above inequality and some other well-known results.
Inverse Limit Spaces with Various Shadowing Property
Authors: Barzanouni Ali
Published: September 2014

We discuss the relationship between ergodic shadowing property and inverse shadowing property offand that of the shift map σfon the inverse limit space.
Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Penis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Roewe R. J. , Uhlman Matthew A. , Bockholt Nathan A. , Gupta Amit
Published: September 2014

Basal cell carcinoma of the penis is an extremely rare entity, accounting for less than 0.03% of all basal cell carcinomas. Fortunately, wide local excision of such lesions is generally curative. Fewer than 25 cases have been reported in the literature describing penile basal cell carcinoma. Here we report a case of penile basal cell carcinoma cured with wide local excision.
Increasing the Stability of Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Bosch Mathieu , Zhang Muwei , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: September 2014

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new category of advanced porous materials undergoing study by many researchers for their vast variety of both novel structures and potentially useful properties arising from them. Their high porosities, tunable structures, and convenient process of introducing both customizable functional groups and unsaturated metal centers have afforded excellent gas sorption and separation ability, catalytic activity, luminescent properties, and more. However, the robustness and reactivity of a given framework are largely dependent on its metal-ligand interactions, where the metal-containing clusters are often vulnerable to ligand substitution by water or other nucleophiles, meaning that the frameworks may collapse upon exposure even to moist air. Other frameworks may collapse upon thermal or vacuum treatment or simply over time. This instability limits the practical uses of many MOFs. In order to further enhance the stability of the framework, many different approaches, such as the utilization of high-valence metal ions or nitrogen-donor ligands, were recently investigated. This review details the efforts of both our research group and others to synthesize MOFs possessing drastically increased chemical and thermal stability, in addition to exemplary performance for catalysis, gas sorption, and separation.
Age Dependent Differences in Collagen Alignment of Glutaraldehyde Fixed Bovine Pericardium
Authors: Sizeland Katie H. , Wells Hannah C. , Higgins John , Cunanan Crystal M. , Kirby Nigel , Hawley Adrian , Mudie Stephen T. , Haverkamp Richard G.
Published: September 2014

Bovine pericardium is used for heart valve leaflet replacement where the strength and thinness are critical properties. Pericardium from neonatal animals (4–7 days old) is advantageously thinner and is considered as an alternative to that from adult animals. Here, the structures of adult and neonatal bovine pericardium tissues fixed with glutaraldehyde are characterized by synchrotron-based small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and compared with the mechanical properties of these materials. Significant differences are observed between adult and neonatal tissue. The glutaraldehyde fixed neonatal tissue has a higher modulus of elasticity (83.7 MPa) than adult pericardium (33.5 MPa) and a higher normalised ultimate tensile strength (32.9 MPa) than adult pericardium (19.1 MPa). Measured edge on to the tissue, the collagen in neonatal pericardium is significantly more aligned (orientation index (OI) 0.78) than that in adult pericardium (OI 0.62). There is no difference in the fibril diameter between neonatal and adult pericardium. It is shown that high alignment in the plane of the tissue provides the mechanism for the increased strength of the neonatal material. The superior strength of neonatal compared with adult tissue supports the use of neonatal bovine pericardium in heterografts.
Withania coagulansFruit Extract Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Kidneys of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ojha Shreesh , Alkaabi Juma , Amir Naheed , Sheikh Azimullah , Agil Ahmad , Fahim Mohamed Abdelmonem , Adem Abdu
Published: September 2014

The present study was carried out to investigate the changes in oxidative and inflammatory status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat’s kidneys and serum following treatment withWithania coagulans, a popular herb of ethnomedicinal significance. The key markers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-γ) were increased in kidneys along with significant hyperglycemia. However, treatment of four-month diabetic rats withWithania coagulans(10 mg/kg) for 3 weeks significantly attenuated hyperglycemia and reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in kidneys. In addition,Withania coagulanstreatment restored the glutathione levels and inhibited lipid peroxidation along with marked reduction in kidney hypertrophy. The present study demonstrates thatWithania coagulanscorrects hyperglycemia and maintained antioxidant status and reduced the proinflammatory markers in kidneys, which may subsequently reduce the development and progression of renal injury in diabetes. The results of the present study are encouraging for its potential use to delay the onset and progression of diabetic renal complications. However, the translation of therapeutic efficacy in humans requires further studies.
Impact of Climate Change on the Characteristics of Indian Summer Monsoon Onset
Authors: Patwardhan Savita , Kulkarni Ashwini , Krishna Kumar K.
Published: September 2014

A high resolution regional climate modeling system, known as PRECIS (Providing REgional Climate for Impact Studies), developed by Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, UK, is applied for Indian subcontinent to assess the impact of climate change on the summer monsoon onset characteristics. The present day simulation (1961–1990) with PRECIS is evaluated for the characteristics of onset over Kerala, southernmost part of India, where the monsoon sets in over Indian landmass. The meteorological parameters like precipitation, outgoing long wave radiation (OLR), and low level winds are analysed to study the monsoon onset over Kerala. The model is able to capture the sudden and sharp increase of rainfall associated with the onset. The rapid built-up of convective activity over the southeastern Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is well represented by the model. PRECIS simulations, under scenarios of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and sulphate aerosols, are analysed to study the likely changes in the onset characteristics in future, towards the end of present century (2071–2100). The analysis does not indicate significant difference in the mean onset dates in A2 and B2 scenarios. However, the variability of onset date is likely to be more towards the end of the 21st century especially in A2 scenario.
Negative Effects of a Nonhost Proteinase Inhibitor of ~19.8 kDa fromMadhuca indicaSeeds on Developmental Physiology ofHelicoverpa armigera(Hübner)
Authors: Jamal Farrukh , Singh Dushyant , Pandey Prabhash K.
Published: September 2014

An affinity purified trypsin inhibitor from the seed flour extracts ofMadhuca indica(MiTI) on denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that MiTI consisted of a single polypeptide chain with molecular mass of ~19.8 kDa. MiTI inhibited the total proteolytic and trypsin-like activities of the midgut proteinases ofHelicoverpa armigeralarvae by 87.51% and 76.12%, respectively, at concentration of 5 µg/mL with an IC50of 1.75 µg/mL against trypsin like midgut proteinases. The enzyme kinetic studies demonstrated that MiTI is a competitive inhibitor with aKivalue of4.1×10−10 M forHelicoverpatrypsin like midgut proteinases.In vivoexperiments with different concentrations of MiTI in artificial diet (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% w/w) showed an effective downfall in the larval body weight and an increase in larval mortality. The concentration of MiTI in the artificial diet to cause 50% mortality (LD50) of larvae was 1.5% w/w and that to cause reduction in mass of larvae by 50% (ED50) was 1.0% w/w. Nutritional indices observations suggest the toxic and adverse effects of MiTI on the growth and development ofH. armigeralarvae. The results suggest a strong bioinsecticidal potential of affinity purified MiTI which can be exploited in insect pest management of crop plants.
LQG Control of Along‐Wind Response of a Tall Building with an ATMD
Authors: You Ki-Pyo , You Jang-Youl , Kim Young-Moon
Published: September 2014

Modern tall buildings use lighter construction materials that have high strength and less stiffness and are more flexible. Although this results in the improvement of structural safety, excessive wind‐induced excitations could lead to occupant discomfort. The optimal control law of a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller with an active tuned mass damper (ATMD) is used for reducing the along‐wind response of a tall building. ATMD consists of a second mass with optimum parameters for tuning frequency and damping ratio of the tuned mass damper (TMD), under the stationary random load, was used. A fluctuating along‐wind load, acting on a tall building, was treated as a stationary Gaussian white noise and was simulated numerically, in the time domain, using the along‐wind load spectra proposed by G. Solari in 1993. Using this simulated wind load, it was possible to calculate the along‐wind responses of a tall building (with and without the ATMD), using an LQG controller. Comparing the RMS (root mean square) response revealed that the numerically simulated along‐wind responses, without ATMD, are a good approximation to the closed form response, and that the reduced responses with ATMD and LQG controller were estimated by varying the values of control design parameters.
Unique Genotypic Differences Discovered among Indigenous Bangladeshi Rice Landraces
Authors: Yesmin Nusrat , Elias Sabrina M. , Rahman Md. Sazzadur , Haque Taslima , Mahbub Hasan A. K. M. , Seraj Zeba I.
Published: September 2014

Bangladesh is a reservoir of diverse rice germplasm and is home to many landraces with unique, important traits. Molecular characterization of these landraces is of value for their identification, preservation, and potential use in breeding programs. Thirty-eight rice landraces from different regions of Bangladesh including some high yielding BRRI varieties were analyzed by 34 polymorphic microsatellite markers yielding a total of 258 reproducible alleles. The analysis could locate 34 unique identifiers for 21 genotypes, making the latter potentially amenable to identity verification. An identity map for these genotypes was constructed with all the 12 chromosomes of the rice genome. Polymorphism information content (PIC) scores of the 34 SSR markers were 0.098 to 0.89 where on average 7.5 alleles were observed. A dendogram constructed using UPGMA clustered the varieties into two major groups and five subgroups. In some cases, the clustering matched with properties like aromaticity, stickiness, salt tolerance, and photoperiod insensitivity. The results will help breeders to work towards the proper utilization of these landraces for parental selection and linkage map construction for discovery of useful alleles.
Purification and Characterization of Alkaline-Thermostable Protease Enzyme from Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Waste: A Potential Low Cost of the Enzyme
Authors: Amid Mehrnoush , ABD Manap Mohd Yazid , Zohdi Nor Khanani
Published: September 2014

The thermoalkaline protease enzyme from pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) waste was purified by a factor of 221.2 with 71.3% recovery using ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration, and cation exchange chromatography. Gel filtration chromatography together with sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that the enzyme is monomeric with a molecular weight of 26.7 kDa. The apparentKmandVmaxof the protease were 2.8 mg/mL and 31.20 u/min, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 70°C. The enzyme was highly active and stable over a wide pH range (from pH 3.0 to pH 11.0 with the optimum activity at pH 8.0). The protease has broad specificity toward azocasein, casein, hemoglobin, and gelatine. Activity of the enzyme was inhibited by Fe2+and Zn2+, while protease activity was increased in the presence of Ca2+and Mg2+and Cu2+by factors of 125%, 110%, and 105%, respectively. The alkaline protease showed extreme stability toward surfactants and oxidizing agent. The purified protease exhibited extreme stability in the presence of organic solvents and inhibitors. In addition, the enzyme was relativity stable toward organic solvents and chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The enzyme, derived from pitaya peel, possesses unique characteristics and could be used in various industrial and biotechnological applications.
Proteomic Characterization of Lytic Bacteriophages of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Sewage Affluent of India
Authors: Sangha Kamalpreet Kaur , Kumar B. V. Sunil , Agrawal Ravi Kant , Deka Dipak , Verma Ramneek
Published: September 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes a variety of diseases, including bovine mastitis, which has severe economic consequences. Standard antibiotic treatment results in selection of resistant strains, leading to need for an alternative treatment such as bacteriophage therapy. Present study describes isolation and characterization of a staphylococcal phage from sewage samples. S. aureus isolates obtained from microbial type culture collection (MTCC), Chandigarh, India, were used to screen staphylococcal phages. A phage designated as ΦMSP was isolated from sewage samples by soft agar overlay method. It produced clear plaques on tryptone soya agar overlaid with S. aureus. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the phage had an icosahedral symmetry. It had 5 major proteins and possessed a peptidoglycan hydrolase corresponding to 70 kDa. ΦMSP infection induced 26 proteins to be uniquely expressed in S. aureus. This phage can be proposed as a candidate phage to treat staphylococcal infections.
PS-Regular Sets in Topology and Generalized Topology
Authors: Gupta Ankit , Sarma Ratna Dev
Published: September 2014

We define and study a new class of regular sets calledPS-regular sets. Properties of these sets are investigated for topological spaces and generalized topological spaces. Decompositions of regular open sets and regular closed sets are provided usingPS-regular sets. Semiconnectedness is characterized by usingPS-regular sets.PS-continuity and almostPS-continuity are introduced and investigated.
A Rare Presentation of Hepatitis A Infection with Extrahepatic Manifestations
Authors: Bhatt Geetika , Sandhu Varrinder S. , Mitchell Charlene K.
Published: September 2014

Hepatitis A has a variety of associated extrahepatic manifestations that clinicians should be aware of for early diagnosis and treatment. We report a unique case of hepatitis A presenting with multiple extrahepatic manifestations not previously described in a single patient. A 34-year-old male presented with sudden onset of left sided facial pain, swelling, and skin rash, with diffuse body pains and muscle weakness, and was found to be positive for hepatitis A immunoglobulin M (IgM). He was initially started on antibiotics for concerns of bacterial parotitis but did not show any improvement. A punch biopsy of his mandibular rash and swelling was done which showed lymphohistiocytic infiltration with a few eosinophils. A trial of prednisone resulted in improvement of his symptoms. Clinicians should be aware to look for hepatitis A infection in a patient with atypical clinical picture causing a widespread systemic inflammatory response. Treatment with prednisone may result in resolution.
Natural Compounds and Aging: Between Autophagy and Inflammasome
Authors: Chuang Shih-Yi , Lin Chih-Hung , Fang Jia-You
Published: September 2014

Aging, a natural physiological process, is characterized by a progressive loss of physiological integrity. Loss of cellular homeostasis in the aging process results from different sources, including changes in genes, cell imbalance, and dysregulation of the host-defense systems. Innate immunity dysfunctions during aging are connected with several human pathologies, including metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have clearly indicated that the decline in autophagic capacity that accompanies aging results in the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and further process dysfunction of the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in the macrophages, which produce the proinflammatory cytokines. These factors impair cellular housekeeping and expose cells to higher risk in many age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. In this review, we investigated the relationship between dysregulation of the inflammasome activation and perturbed autophagy with aging as well as the possible molecular mechanisms. We also summarized the natural compounds from food intake, which have potential to reduce the inflammasome activation and enhance autophagy and can further improve the age-related diseases discussed in this paper.
Nonwearable Gaze Tracking System for Controlling Home Appliance
Authors: Heo Hwan , Lee Jong Man , Jung Dongwook , Lee Ji Woo , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: September 2014

A novel gaze tracking system for controlling home appliances in 3D space is proposed in this study. Our research is novel in the following four ways. First, we propose a nonwearable gaze tracking system containing frontal viewing and eye tracking cameras. Second, our system includes three modes: navigation (for moving the wheelchair depending on the direction of gaze movement), selection (for selecting a specific appliance by gaze estimation), and manipulation (for controlling the selected appliance by gazing at the control panel). The modes can be changed by closing eyes during a specific time period or gazing. Third, in the navigation mode, the signal for moving the wheelchair can be triggered according to the direction of gaze movement. Fourth, after a specific home appliance is selected by gazing at it for more than predetermined time period, a control panel with3×2menu is displayed on laptop computer below the gaze tracking system for manipulation. The user gazes at one of the menu options for a specific time period, which can be manually adjusted according to the user, and the signal for controlling the home appliance can be triggered. The proposed method is shown to have high detection accuracy through a series of experiments.
Soft Mappings Space
Authors: Ozturk Taha Yasin , Bayramov Sadi
Published: September 2014

Various soft topologies are being introduced on a given function space soft topological spaces. In this paper, soft compact-open topology is defined in functional spaces of soft topological spaces. Further, these functional spaces are studied and interrelations between various functional spaces with soft compact-open topology are established.
Serum Inter-Alpha-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain 4 (ITIH4) in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C: Relation to Liver Fibrosis and Viremia
Authors: Sira Mostafa M. , Behairy Behairy E. , Abd-Elaziz Azza M. , Abd Elnaby Sameh A. , Eltahan Ehab E.
Published: September 2014

Liver fibrosis and viremia are determinant factors for the treatment policy and its outcome in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to investigate serum level of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) and its relation to liver fibrosis and viremia in children with chronic HCV. ITIH4 was measured by ELISA in 33 treatment-naive children with proved chronic HCV and compared according to different clinical, laboratory and histopathological parameters. Liver histopathological changes were assessed using Ishak score and compared with aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) and FIB-4 indices as simple noninvasive markers of fibrosis. ITIH4 was measured in a group of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. ITIH4 was significantly higher in patients than in controls (54.2±30.78 pg/mL versus 37.21±5.39 pg/mL; P=0.021). ITIH4, but not APRI or FIB-4, had a significant direct correlation with fibrosis stage (P=0.015, 0.961, and 0.389, resp.), whereas, the negative correlation of ITIH4 with HCV viremia was of marginal significance (P=0.071). In conclusion, ITIH4 significantly correlated with higher stages of fibrosis indicating a possible relation to liver fibrogenesis. The trend of higher ITIH4 with lower viremia points out a potential antiviral properties and further studies in this regard are worthwhile.
Physiological-Social Scores in Predicting Outcomes of Prehospital Internal Patients
Authors: Ebrahimian Abbasali , Seyedin Hesam , Jamshidi-Orak Roohangiz , Masoumi Gholamreza
Published: September 2014

The physiological-social modified early warning score system is a newly developed instrument for the identification of patients at risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using the physiological-social modified early warning score system for the identification of patients that needed prehospital emergency care. This prospective cohort study was conducted with 2157 patients. This instrument was used as a measure to detect critical illness in patients hospitalised in internal wards. Judgment by an emergency medicine specialist was used as a measure of standard. Data were analyzed by using receiver operating characteristics curves and the area under the curve with 95% confidence interval. The mean score of the physiological-social modified early warning score system was 2.71 ± 3.55. Moreover, 97.6% patients with the score ≥ 4 needed prehospital emergency services. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.738 (95% CI = 0.708–0.767). Emergency medical staffs can use PMEWS ≥ 4 to identify those patients hospitalised in the internal ward as at risk patients. The physiological-social modified early warning score system is suggested to be used for decision-making of emergency staff about internal patients’ wards in EMS situations.
Gender and Reproductive Outcomes: The Effects of a Radio Serial Drama in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Jah Fatou , Connolly Scott , Barker Kriss , Ryerson William
Published: September 2014

A large body of evidence has documented the effectiveness of mass-media communication programs in increasing family planning use and changing reproductive behavior. But the potential impact of these programs on the mediating role of gender norms has not been systematically assessed in Nigeria. Regionally representative cross-sectional end line data collected for the evaluation of a long-running entertainment-education radio serial drama program aired in northern Nigeria are examined for program effects on both reproductive and gender outcomes as well as the relative effect of gender on reproductive outcomes. The drama was popular, with 70% of the sample listening weekly. Results show that the drama positively impacted both sets of outcomes especially the reproductive outcomes. Results further indicate a strong relative effect of gender on reproductive issues.
Litter Controls Earthworm-Mediated Carbon and Nitrogen Transformations in Soil from Temperate Riparian Buffers
Authors: Kernecker Maria , Whalen Joann K. , Bradley Robert L.
Published: September 2014

Nutrient cycling in riparian buffers is partly influenced by decomposition of crop, grass, and native tree species litter. Nonnative earthworms in riparian soils in southern Quebec are expected to speed the processes of litter decomposition and nitrogen (N) mineralization, increasing carbon (C) and N losses in gaseous forms or via leachate. A 5-month microcosm experiment evaluated the effect ofAporrectodea turgidaon the decomposition of 3 litter types (deciduous leaves, reed canarygrass, and soybean stem residue). Earthworms increased CO2and N2O losses from microcosms with soybean residue, by 112% and 670%, respectively, but reduced CO2and N2O fluxes from microcosms with reed canarygrass by 120% and 220%, respectively. Litter type controlled the CO2flux (soybean ≥ deciduous-mix litter = reed canarygrass > no litter) and the N2O flux (soybean ≥ no litter ≥ reed canarygrass > deciduous-mix litter). However, in the presence of earthworms, there was a slight increase in C and N gaseous losses of C and N relative to their losses via leachate, across litter treatments. We conclude that litter type determines the earthworm-mediated decomposition effect, highlighting the importance of vegetation management in controlling C and N losses from riparian buffers to the environment.
An ISM Based Approach for Product Innovation Using a Synthesized Process
Authors: Wang Ming-Tang , Wu Chang-Tzuoh , Chen Rain , Chen Wen-Liang , Liu Chien-Yu
Published: September 2014

Internet shopping has become a global business activity; it also increases the workload of delivery services. The Transnet logistics can easily deliver and collect cargos from everywhere, with difficulty of having the greatest efficiency. This study is composed of four parts; the first step of identifies opportunities in which proposing an auxiliary vehicle for Transnet truck to support service in narrow or crowded road. A weight calculation system determined the relative value of different items and applied the interpretive structural model (ISM) to modularize SET for constructing innovation from integrated new product development (iNPD). From finding GAPs in opportunities of search results are explored an innovative light electric carrier as an auxiliary vehicle is determined. The second part consists of quantifying 21 items based upon 7 specific attributes for user orientation. The third part describes a new kind of light electric vehicle which is developed and mounted on the rear side of transport trucks; it can be used to deliver goods along narrow roads. Finally, more specific details of a collapsible electric motor carrier with a battery that is recharged using truck’s power system after using it are presented. The results of this study establish a research and product design to help Transnet drivers by improving carrying efficiency in narrow and crowded roads.
Transport Catastrophe Analysis as an Alternative to a Monofractal Description: Theory and Application to Financial Crisis Time Series
Authors: Kamenshchikov Sergey A.
Published: September 2014

The goal of this investigation was to overcome limitations of a persistency analysis, introduced by Benoit Mandelbrot for monofractal Brownian processes: nondifferentiability, Brownian nature of process, and a linear memory measure. We have extended a sense of a Hurst factor by consideration of a phase diffusion power law. It was shown that precatastrophic stabilization as an indicator of bifurcation leads to a new minimum of momentary phase diffusion, while bifurcation causes an increase of the momentary transport. An efficiency of a diffusive analysis has been experimentally compared to the Reynolds stability model application. An extended Reynolds parameter has been introduced as an indicator of phase transition. A combination of diffusive and Reynolds analyses has been applied for a description of a time series of Dow Jones Industrial weekly prices for the world financial crisis of 2007–2009. Diffusive and Reynolds parameters showed extreme values in October 2008 when a mortgage crisis was fixed. A combined R/D description allowed distinguishing of market evolution short-memory and long-memory shifts. It was stated that a systematic large scale failure of a financial system has begun in October 2008 and started fading in February 2009.
A Study of Antibioactivity of Nanosilver Colloid and Silver Ion Solution
Authors: Tseng Kuo-Hsiung , Lee Heng-Lin , Tien Der-Chi , Tang Ya-Lan , Kao Yi-Syuan
Published: September 2014

The colloidal silver solution was successfully prepared in dielectric fluid by using electrical spark discharge (ESD) without any surfactants. It does not require the toxic chemical agents in the process, which may affect the effectiveness of nanosilver colloid as an antibacterial agent. Nanocolloidal silver produced by ESD is characterized as low cost, zero environmental pollution, continuous, and rapid mass production process. In order to test the effect of antibioactivity, nanosilver dough was tested; the silver nanofluid was prepared by ESD machine, made into dough at different concentrations, and fermented for three hours in order to observe changes in the diameter of the dough. The results showed that the effect of effectiveness of nanosilver at the concentration of 100 ppm was weak, whereas the effect of 60 ppm silver ion (100 ppm AgNO3) was significant, as the dissociation rate of silver ion concentration correlates to the antibioactivity.