bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman Spectroscopic Signatures of Echovirus 1 Uncoating
Authors: Ruokola Päivi , Dadu Elina , Kazmertsuk Artur , Häkkänen Heikki , Marjomäki Varpu , Ihalainen Janne A.
Published: May 2014

In recent decades, Raman spectroscopy has entered the biological and medical fields. It enables nondestructive analysis of structural details at the molecular level and has been used to study viruses and their constituents. Here, we used Raman spectroscopy to study echovirus 1 (EV1), a small, nonenveloped human pathogen, in two different uncoating states induced by heat treatments. Raman signals of capsid proteins and RNA genome were observed from the intact virus, the uncoating intermediate, and disrupted virions. Transmission electron microscopy data revealed general structural changes between the studied particles. Compared to spectral characteristics of proteins in the intact virion, those of the proteins of the heat-treated particles indicated reduced α-helix content with respect to β-sheets and coil structures. Changes observed in tryptophan and tyrosine signals suggest an increasingly hydrophilic environment around these residues. RNA signals revealed a change in the environment of the genome and in its conformation. The ionized-carbonyl vibrations showed small changes between the intact virion and the uncoating intermediate, which points to cleavage of salt bridges in the protein structure during the uncoating process. In conclusion, our data reveal distinguishable Raman signatures of the intact, intermediate, and disrupted EV1 particles. These changes indicate structural, chemical, and solute-solvent alterations in the genome and in the capsid proteins and lay the essential groundwork for investigating the uncoating of EV1 and related viruses in real time.

IMPORTANCE
In order to combat virus infection, we need to know the details of virus uncoating. We present here the novel Raman signatures for opened and intact echovirus 1. This gives hope that the signatures may be used in the near future to evaluate the ambient conditions in endosomes leading to virus uncoating using, e.g., coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) imaging. These studies will complement structural studies on virus uncoating. In addition, Raman/CARS imaging offers the possibility of making dynamic live measurements
in vitro
and in cells which are impossible to measure by, for example, cryo-electron tomography. Furthermore, as viral Raman spectra can be overwhelmed with various contaminants, our study is highly relevant in demonstrating the importance of sample preparation for Raman spectroscopy in the field of virology.
An adult patient with common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who presented with pancreatic involvement, description of the second adult case and review of paediatric cases
Authors: Pamuk Gulsum Emel , Tapan Umit , Aksoy Sema , Umit Hasan
Published: May 2014

Pancreatic involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may go unrecognised. There are only a few paediatric cases; nevertheless, presentation with pancreatic involvement in an adult patient with ALL has been reported rarely. Our 52-year-old male patient came to us with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting; he had pancreatic enlargement on CT. He was diagnosed with common B-cell ALL with pancreatic involvement. The patient obtained haematological remission and the pancreatic enlargement regressed after chemotherapy, but later he had central nervous system and liver relapses. He died 6 months after diagnosis because of progressive pneumonia and chemotherapy-resistant ALL with multiple extramedullary relapses.
Giant ameloblastoma mortality; a consequence of ignorance, poverty and fear
Authors: Etetafia Mabel Okiemute , Arisi Andrew Arotuah , Omoregie Osawe F
Published: May 2014

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumour of odontogenic origin. Although locally invasive, delay in treatment can lead to severe disfiguring of the facial region. In this report, we present two cases, a man and a woman, of a large ameloblastoma that presented with the typical radiographic features of variably sized radiolucent loculations. Patients presented initially with relatively small tumours but due to fear of surgery, ignorance and possibly poverty, tumour growth became enormous. The female patient died while awaiting consent for surgery and the male patient died at home due to complications closely associated with fear and growth of tumour. Literatures on mortality of ameloblastoma are reviewed. The need for more public enlightenment on the nature and treatment of facial tumours is highlighted.
An adult with a sinus venosus atrial septal defect and dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Oakley Luke , Foley Sean , Cox Justin , Seidensticker Daniel
Published: May 2014

Dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure and atrial septal defects are well-recognised entities in isolation, but are rarely seen together. Now that 90% of children with congenital heart disease survive into adulthood, such combinations of disease are increasingly seen in adult cardiology. While most young patients with dilated cardiomyopathy respond well to medical therapy, some do not, and require more invasive management. We describe a 32 year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy and a sinus venosus-type atrial septal defect associated with a remarkable pulmonary to systemic flow ratio of 5:1. We propose that the atrial septal defect blunted his heart failure symptoms by serving as a ‘pop-off’ valve and limiting pulmonary congestion. The patient ultimately failed medical management and received a left ventricular assist device. The case is presented along with a discussion of this unique pathophysiology and a brief review of the literature in this rapidly evolving field.
Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome as a presenting manifestation of p-ANCA-associated vasculitis
Authors: Patel Upasana Vrijlal , Patel Nirajkumar Jagjivan
Published: May 2014

Rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis like microscopic polyangiitis and allergic granulomatous angiitis are among the common presentations of perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) vasculitis. Involvement of central nervous system is rare in contrast to mononeuritis multiplex, which is a well-known neurological manifestation of this condition. We report a case presented with uraemic encephalopathy and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)-related symptoms, which showed recovery after haemodialysis although PRES with seizures recurred later. As uraemic encephalopathy appears to be the underlying aetiology as per the temporal correlation of correction of uraemia and resolution of the symptoms of PRES, it becomes a rare case of uraemia-induced PRES as a presenting manifestation of p-ANCA-associated vasculitis along with necrotising crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Implementation of a neuromuscular training programme in female adolescent football: 3-year follow-up study after a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lindblom Hanna , Waldén Markus , Carlfjord Siw , Hägglund Martin
Published: May 2014

Background

Neuromuscular training (NMT) has been shown to reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury rates in highly structured clinical trials. However, there is a paucity of studies that evaluate implementation of NMT programmes in sports.

Aim

To evaluate the implementation of an NMT programme in female adolescent football 3 years after a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

Cross-sectional follow-up after an RCT using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance Sports Setting Matrix (RE-AIM SSM) framework. Questionnaires were sent to the Swedish Football Association (FA), to eight district FAs and coaches (n=303) that participated in the RCT in 2009, and coaches who did not participate in the RCT but were coaching female adolescent football teams during the 2012 season (n=496).

Results

Response rates were 100% among the FAs, 57% among trial coaches and 36% among currently active coaches. The reach of the intervention was high, 99% of trial coaches (control group) and 91% of current coaches were familiar with the programme. The adoption rate was 74% among current coaches, but programme modifications were common among coaches. No district FA had formal policies regarding implementation, and 87% of current coaches reported no club routines for programme use. Maintenance was fairly high; 82% of trial coaches from the intervention group and 68% from the control group still used the programme.

Conclusions

Reach and adoption of the programme was high among coaches. However, this study identified low programme fidelity and lack of formal policies for its implementation and use in clubs and district FAs.
A coronary heart disease prediction model: the Korean Heart Study
Authors: Jee Sun Ha , Jang Yangsoo , Oh Dong Joo , Oh Byung-Hee , Lee Sang Hoon , Park Seong-Wook , Seung Ki-Bae , Mok Yejin , Jung Keum Ji , Kimm Heejin , Yun Young Duk , Baek Soo Jin , Lee Duk Chul , Choi Sung Hee , Kim Moon Jong , Sung Jidong , Cho BeLong , Kim Eung Soo , Yu Byung-Yeon , Lee Tae-Yong , Kim Jong Sung , Lee Yong-Jin , Oh Jang-Kyun , Kim Sung Hi , Park Jong-Ku , Koh Sang Baek , Park Sat Byul , Lee Soon Young , Yoo Cheol-In , Kim Moon Chan , Kim Hong-Kyu , Park Joo-sung , Kim Hyeon Chang , Lee Gyu Jang , Woodward Mark
Published: May 2014

Objective

The objectives of this study were to develop a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk model among the Korean Heart Study (KHS) population and compare it with the Framingham CHD risk score.

Design

A prospective cohort study within a national insurance system.

Setting

18 health promotion centres nationwide between 1996 and 2001 in Korea.

Participants

268 315 Koreans between the ages of 30 and 74 years without CHD at baseline.

Outcome measure

Non-fatal or fatal CHD events between 1997 and 2011. During an 11.6-year median follow-up, 2596 CHD events (1903 non-fatal and 693 fatal) occurred in the cohort. The optimal CHD model was created by adding high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides to the basic CHD model, evaluating using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and continuous net reclassification index (NRI).

Results

The optimal CHD models for men and women included HDL-cholesterol (NRI=0.284) and triglycerides (NRI=0.207) from the basic CHD model, respectively. The discrimination using the CHD model in the Korean cohort was high: the areas under ROC were 0.764 (95% CI 0.752 to 0.774) for men and 0.815 (95% CI 0.795 to 0.835) for women. The Framingham risk function predicted 3–6 times as many CHD events than observed. Recalibration of the Framingham function using the mean values of risk factors and mean CHD incidence rates of the KHS cohort substantially improved the performance of the Framingham functions in the KHS cohort.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first evidence that the Framingham risk function overestimates the risk of CHD in the Korean population where CHD incidence is low. The Korean CHD risk model is well-calculated alternations which can be used to predict an individual's risk of CHD and provides a useful guide to identify the groups at high risk for CHD among Koreans.
The impact of gastrostomy in motor neurone disease: challenges and benefits from a patient and carer perspective
Authors: Stavroulakis Theocharis , Baird Wendy O , Baxter Susan K , Walsh Theresa , Shaw Pamela J , McDermott Christopher J
Published: May 2014

Objectives

This study explores the experience of gastrostomy insertion from the perspective of the patients and their informal carers. Gastrostomy feeding is commonly used to support motor neurone disease (MND) patients with dysphagia. However, there is lack of information describing patient and carer experiences following gastrostomy insertion. The effect of gastrostomy on quality of life for these patients and their family is currently not well understood.

Methods

Retrospective qualitative exploration using semistructured interviews with patients and their informal carers to elicit in-depth descriptions of their experiences and views following gastrostomy.

Results

27 patients consented to the study; of these, 23 underwent a successful gastrostomy. 10 patients and 8 carers were interviewed, approximately 3 months following a successful gastrostomy. Participants described clinical complications, practical issues, time restrictions imposed by strict feeding regimens and psychological issues, which adversely impacted on quality of life. However, the establishment of a safe alternative route for feeding and medication, and the reduced worry over difficult meals and weight loss, were described by all as outweighing these negative impacts. Participants also described having received education/training on gastrostomy feeding both in hospital and in the community, which helped them to cope during the transition from oral to gastrostomy feeding.

Conclusions

This study highlights the challenges and benefits of gastrostomy as well as the importance of education and information provision. Emphasis should be given to education before and after insertion along with support and care in the community. While the significant impact of gastrostomy on patients and carers should not be underestimated, the potential benefits were described as outweighing these concerns.
Supervision and risk of unintentional injury in young children
Authors: Schnitzer Patricia G , Dowd M Denise , Kruse Robin L , Morrongiello Barbara A
Published: May 2014

Objective

Assess the association between caregiver supervision and acute unintentional injury in young children; evaluate whether lower levels of supervision result in more severe injury.

Methods

A case cross-over study was conducted. Parents of children aged ≤4 years whose injuries required emergency department (ED sample) treatment or admission to the hospital (inpatient sample) were interviewed. Information on supervision (3 dimensions: proximity, attention, continuity) at the time of injury and 1 h before the injury (control time) was collected. An overall supervision score was created; a higher score indicates closer supervision. Hospital admission served as a proxy for injury severity. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated.

Results

Interviews were completed by 222 participants; 50 (23%) were in the inpatient sample. For each supervision dimension the inpatient sample had higher odds of injury, indicating effect modification requiring separate analyses for inpatient and ED samples. For both samples, proximity ‘beyond reach’ was associated with the highest odds of injury; compared with 1 h before injury, children were more likely to be beyond reach of their caregiver at the time of injury (inpatient sample: OR 11.5, 95% CI 2.7 to 48.8; ED sample: OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 4.9). Children with lower supervision scores had the greatest odds of injury (inpatient sample: OR 8.0, 95% CI 2.4 to 26.6; ED sample: OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.6).

Conclusions

Lower levels of adult supervision are associated with higher odds of more severe injury in young children. Proximity is the most important supervision dimension for reducing injury risk.
Comparison of the adipogenesis in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes from Bamei and Landrace pigs
Authors: Zhang Guo Hua , Lu Jian Xiong , Chen Yan , Zhao Yong Qing , Guo Peng Hui , Yang Ju Tian , Zang Rong Xin
Published: May 2014

Fat deposition is a complex process involving proliferation, differentiation, and lipogenesis of adipocytes. Bamei and Landrace are considered to represent fat- and lean-type pig breeds. Subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) pre-adipocytes were cultured to compare the proliferation and lipogenesis in these breeds. The differentiated adipocytes were exposed to glucose or insulin to evaluate their effects on lipogenesis and lipogenic gene expression. Pre-adipocytes proliferated dramatically faster in SC vs. IM cells, and in Bamei vs. Landrace breeds. Lipogenesis and lipogenic gene expression had a greater increase in Bamei than in Landrace, and in SC vs. IM in the process of differentiation. Glucose markedly promoted lipogenesis and lipogenic gene expression in differentiated adipocytes. The stimulation of high-glucose levels on lipogenesis and ChREBP and lipogenic gene expression was higher in SC than IM adipocytes, and in Bamei vs. Landrace. Insulin largely increased SREBP-1c expression, however it modestly stimulated lipogenesis and lipogenic gene expression, and there was no difference between cell populationsor between breeds. These data demonstrated that regional and varietal differences obviously existed in the development of porcine adipocytes. The proliferation and differentiation capacity of pre-adipocytes, and the adipocyte lipogenesis stimulated by glucose, are stronger in Bamei than Landrace, and in SC vs. IM adipocytes independent of breed.
Effects of domestication on parr maturity, growth, and vulnerability to predation in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Debes Paul V. , Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2014

Domestication can change fitness-related traits. We investigated domestication-induced changes in fitness-related traits in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) under naturally enriched laboratory conditions with and without threat of predation. Selection in two strains for rapid growth for three and five generations resulted in two and three times larger sizes of under-yearling parr relative to their wild ancestor. An initially larger size and ability to outgrow prey size more rapidly resulted in lower size-selective predation mortality for domesticated individuals. Growth under threat of predation was only reduced for wild individuals, suggesting that domestication co-selects for predator-related stress resistance. Size-adjusted male parr maturation probability was 34% in the wild strain, but significantly reduced to 10% and 7% after three and five generations of domestication, respectively. Together, freshwater-stage-specific survival for individuals with a domesticated background relative to individuals with a wild genetic background might be higher in the presence of gape-limited predators preferring small individuals, but male reproductive success might be lower for domesticated individuals as their reproduction potential during the freshwater phase is reduced.
Postharvest forest floor manipulation effects on nutrient dynamics in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation
Authors: Zerpa Jose L. , Allen H. Lee , McLaughlin Blair C. , Phelan Jennifer , Campbell Robert G. , Hu Shuijin
Published: May 2014

The synchronization of nutrient release and demand in early stand establishment is important to maximizing resource use in forest plantations. We explored the impacts of forest floor manipulations on the dynamics of forest floor and mineral soil nutrient pools in a Pinus taeda L. plantation in North Carolina prior to and during 2 years following harvest and replanting. We present a novel method to estimate forest floor decomposition that avoids the exclusion of large detritivores. Decomposition and nutrient release rates from the forest floor were higher than rates typically observed in older stands (averaging 81% mass loss and 75% N loss across treatments over the 2-year period), highlighting the potential importance of the forest floor nutrient pool in early stand nutrition. Doubling the forest floor increased available C, N, and P pools in the mineral soil 46%, 47%, and 49%, respectively. Incorporating the forest floor into mineral soil through mixing had only transient positive effects on nutrient pools. Across treatments, an expected postharvest flush of soil available N was observed; however, removing the forest floor caused an earlier flush of available N in comparison with the control treatment, and doubling the forest floor caused a year delay in maximum N availability, better synchronizing the site’s available N with stand demand.
The use of shock-detecting sensor to improve the stability of Lattice Boltzmann Model for high Mach number flows
Authors: Ghadyani Mohsen , Esfahanian Vahid , Taeibi-Rahni Mohammad
Published: May 2014

Attempts to simulate compressible flows with moderate Mach number to relatively high ones using Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) have been made by numerous researchers in the recent decade. The stability of the LBM is a challenging problem in the simulation of compressible flows with different types of embedded discontinuities. The present study proposes an approach for simulation of inviscid flows by a compressible LB model in order to enhance the robustness using a combination of Essentially NonOscillatory (ENO) scheme and Shock-Detecting Sensor (SDS) procedure. A sensor is introduced with adjustable parameters which is active near the discontinuities and affects less on smooth regions. The validity of the improved model to capture shocks and to resolve contact discontinuity and rarefaction waves in the well-known benchmarks such as, Riemann problem, and shock reflection is investigated. In addition, the problem of supersonic flow in a channel with ramp is simulated using a skewed rectangular grid generated by an algebraic grid generation method. The numerical results are compared with analytical ones and those obtained by solving the original model. The numerical results show that the presented scheme is capable of generating more robust solutions in the simulation of compressible flows and is almost free of oscillations for high Mach numbers. Good agreements are obtained for all problems.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND GDP IN ASEAN COUNTRIES: BOOTSTRAP-CORRECTED PANEL AND TIME SERIES CAUSALITY TESTS
Authors: YILDIRIM ERTUGRUL , ASLAN ALPER , OZTURK ILHAN
Published: May 2014

This study reexamines the relationship between energy consumption per capita and real GDP per capita for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand using both panel data causality which is taking into account cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity among the countries and time series causality tests for the period 1971–2009. The findings indicate that taking into account cross-sectional dependence has a substantial effect on the achieved results. The conservation hypothesis is supported for Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Although a bidirectional relation is found in the case of Thailand, since there is no positive effect of energy consumption on GDP, the conservation hypothesis is supported. In the pattern of Singapore, the neutrality hypothesis is supported. In addition, the increase in investment and labor force lead to more energy consumption in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
ADVANCE TAX PAYMENT AND TAX EVASION: EXPECTED UTILITY ANALYSIS
Authors: MORITA KEISUKE
Published: May 2014

The traditional theoretical analysis of tax evasion fails to explain the empirical finding that declared income decreases with the tax rate. We show that one of the reasons for this result is that many such studies overlook advance tax payments in their analyses. Furthermore, we investigate how advance tax payments influence the extent of tax evasion. We conclude that the influence of advance tax payments on the extent of tax evasion depends on whether an individual's preference is based on expected utility theory or prospect theory.
Structural, stability and electronic properties of C15-AB2 (A = Ti, Zr; B = Cr) intermetallic compounds and their hydrides: An ab initio study
Authors: Sarhaddi Reza , Arabi Hadi , Pourarian Faiz
Published: May 2014

The structural, stability and electronic properties of C15- AB 2 ( A = Ti , Zr ; B = Cr ) isomeric intermetallic compounds were systematically investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) and plane-wave pseudo-potential (PW-PP) method. The macroscopic properties including the lattice constant, bulk modulus and stability for these compounds were studied before and after hydrogenation. For parent compounds, the enthalpy of formation was evaluated with regard to their bulk modules and electronic structures. After hydrogenation of compounds at different interstitial tetrahedral sites ( A 2 B 2, A 1 B 3, B 4), a volume expansion was found for hydrides. The stability properties of hydrides characterized the A 2 B 2 sites as the site preference of hydrogen atoms for both compounds. The Miedema's "reverse stability" rule is also satisfied in these compounds as lower the enthalpy of formation for the host compound, the more stable the hydride. Analysis of microscopic properties (electronic structures) after hydrogenation at more stable interstitial site ( A 2 B 2) shows that the H atoms interact stronger with the weaker (or non) hydride forming element B   (Cr) than the hydride forming element A  ( Ti/Zr ). A correlation was also found between the stability of the hydrides and their electronic structure: the deeper the hydrogen band, the less stable the hydride.
TESTING OF NICKEL-CHROME ALLOY AS A TIP MATERIAL FOR MULTI-TIP LANGMUIR PROBES
Authors: NAZ MUHAMMAD YASIN , SHUKRULLAH SHAZIA , GHAFFAR ABDUL , SHAKIR IMRAN , ULLAH SAMI , SAGIR MUHAMMAD
Published: May 2014

The electrostatic probes are considered to be the most powerful and experimentally simplest technique for plasma characterization. The objective of the work was to test the nickel-chrome alloy as probe tip material for characterization of RF discharge plasmas. In order to meet the objective, a triple Langmuir probe diagnostic system and associated driving circuit was designed and tested in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) generated by a 13.56 MHz radio frequency (RF) source. Using this probe diagnostic, the electron temperature, electron number density and ion saturation current were measured as a function of input RF power and filling gas pressure. An increasing trend was noticed in electron temperature and electron number density with input power whilst a decreasing trend was evident in these parameters for increasing nitrogen gas pressure. The overall variations in electron temperature and electron number density after repeated measurements were ranging from 5% to 12% and 3% to 13%, respectively.
Frobenius property for fusion categories of small integral dimension
Authors: Dong Jingcheng , Natale Sonia , Vendramin Leandro
Published: May 2014

Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. In this paper, we prove that fusion categories of Frobenius–Perron dimensions 84 and 90 are of Frobenius type. Combining this with previous results in the literature, we obtain that every weakly integral fusion category of Frobenius–Perron dimension less than 120 is of Frobenius type.
A NONLINEAR HYPERELASTIC BEHAVIOR TO IDENTIFY THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF RAT SKIN UNDER UNIAXIAL LOADING
Authors: KARIMI ALIREZA , FATURECHI RAHIM , NAVIDBAKHSH MAHDI , HASHEMI SEYYED ATAOLLAH
Published: May 2014

Skin is a thin membrane which provides many biological functions, such as thermoregulation and protection from mechanical, bacterial, and viral insults. The mechanical properties of skin tissue are extremely hard to measure and may vary according to the anatomical locations of a body. However, the mechanical properties of skin at different anatomical regions have not been satisfactorily simulated by conventional engineering models. In this study, the linear elastic and nonlinear hyperelastic mechanical properties of rat skin at different anatomical locations, including back and abdomen, are investigated using a series of tensile tests. The Young's modulus and maximum stress of skin tissue are measured before the incidence of failure. The nonlinear mechanical behavior of skin tissue is also experimentally and computationally investigated through constitutive equations. Hyperelastic strain energy density functions are adjusted using the experimental results. A hyperelastic constitutive model is selected to suitably represent the axial behavior of the skin. The results reveal that the maximum stress (20%) and Young's modulus (35%) of back skin are significantly higher than that of abdomen skin. The Ogden model is selected to closely address the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the skin which can be used in further biomechanical simulations of the skin tissue. The results might have implications not only for understanding of the mechanical behavior of skin tissue at different anatomical locations, but also to give an engineering insight for a diversity of disciplines, such as dermatology, cosmetics industry, clinical decision making, and clinical intervention.
COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEVEL IDENTIFICATION
Authors: PFANTE OLIVER , BERTSCHINGER NILS , OLBRICH ECKEHARD , AY NIHAT , JOST JÜRGEN
Published: May 2014

Levels of a complex system are characterized by the fact that they admit a closed functional description in terms of concepts and quantities intrinsic to that level. Several ideas have come up so far in order to make the notion of a closed description precise. In this paper, we present four of these approaches and investigate their mutual relationships. Our study is restricted to the case of discrete dynamical systems, where the different levels are linked by a coarse-graining of variables and states of the system.
Effect of abdominal binding on respiratory mechanics during exercise in athletes with cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: West Christopher R. , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L. , Campbell Ian G. , Romer Lee M.
Published: May 2014

We asked whether elastic binding of the abdomen influences respiratory mechanics during wheelchair propulsion in athletes with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Eight Paralympic wheelchair rugby players with motor-complete SCI (C5-C7) performed submaximal and maximal incremental exercise tests on a treadmill, both with and without abdominal binding. Measurements included pulmonary function, pressure-derived indices of respiratory mechanics, operating lung volumes, tidal flow-volume data, gas exchange, blood lactate, and symptoms. Residual volume and functional residual capacity were reduced with binding (77 ± 18 and 81 ± 11% of unbound, P < 0.05), vital capacity was increased (114 ± 9%, P < 0.05), whereas total lung capacity was relatively well preserved (99 ± 5%). During exercise, binding introduced a passive increase in transdiaphragmatic pressure, due primarily to an increase in gastric pressure. Active pressures during inspiration were similar across conditions. A sudden, sustained rise in operating lung volumes was evident in the unbound condition, and these volumes were shifted downward with binding. Expiratory flow limitation did not occur in any subject and there was substantial reserve to increase flow and volume in both conditions. V̇o2 was elevated with binding during the final stages of exercise (8–12%, P < 0.05), whereas blood lactate concentration was reduced (16–19%, P < 0.05). V̇o2/heart rate slopes were less steep with binding (62 ± 35 vs. 47 ± 24 ml/beat, P < 0.05). Ventilation, symptoms, and work rates were similar across conditions. The results suggest that abdominal binding shifts tidal breathing to lower lung volumes without influencing flow limitation, symptoms, or exercise tolerance. Changes in respiratory mechanics with binding may benefit O2 transport capacity by an improvement in central circulatory function.
Direct activation of the Mauthner cell by electric field pulses drives ultrarapid escape responses
Authors: Tabor Kathryn M. , Bergeron Sadie A. , Horstick Eric J. , Jordan Diana C. , Aho Vilma , Porkka-Heiskanen Tarja , Haspel Gal , Burgess Harold A.
Published: May 2014

Rapid escape swims in fish are initiated by the Mauthner cells, giant reticulospinal neurons with unique specializations for swift responses. The Mauthner cells directly activate motoneurons and facilitate predator detection by integrating acoustic, mechanosensory, and visual stimuli. In addition, larval fish show well-coordinated escape responses when exposed to electric field pulses (EFPs). Sensitization of the Mauthner cell by genetic overexpression of the voltage-gated sodium channel SCN5 increased EFP responsiveness, whereas Mauthner ablation with an engineered variant of nitroreductase with increased activity (epNTR) eliminated the response. The reaction time to EFPs is extremely short, with many responses initiated within 2 ms of the EFP. Large neurons, such as Mauthner cells, show heightened sensitivity to extracellular voltage gradients. We therefore tested whether the rapid response to EFPs was due to direct activation of the Mauthner cells, bypassing delays imposed by stimulus detection and transmission by sensory cells. Consistent with this, calcium imaging indicated that EFPs robustly activated the Mauthner cell but only rarely fired other reticulospinal neurons. Further supporting this idea, pharmacological blockade of synaptic transmission in zebrafish did not affect Mauthner cell activity in response to EFPs. Moreover, Mauthner cells transgenically expressing a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel retained responses to EFPs despite TTX suppression of action potentials in the rest of the brain. We propose that EFPs directly activate Mauthner cells because of their large size, thereby driving ultrarapid escape responses in fish.
Magnetic resonance imaging of differential compartmental function of horizontal rectus extraocular muscles during conjugate and converged ocular adduction
Authors: Demer Joseph L. , Clark Robert A.
Published: May 2014

Activity in horizontal rectus extraocular muscles (EOMs) was investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of humans during asymmetric convergence to a monocularly aligned target at 15-cm distance or monocular fixation of afocal targets placed over a wide range of conjugate abduction through adduction. Cross sections and posterior partial volumes (PPVs) of EOMs were determined from quasi-coronal image planes and were separately analyzed in the inferior vs. superior compartments, defined by lines bisecting their maximum vertical dimensions. Both inferior and superior compartments of medial (MR) and lateral (LR) rectus exhibited contractile changes in PPV and maximum cross section for both asymmetric convergence and a comparable range of conjugate adduction. Both LR compartments, and the inferior MR compartment, exhibited similar decreases in contractility correlating with relaxation during both convergence and conjugate adduction. In contrast, the superior MR compartment exhibited roughly three times the contractility in conjugate adduction as in similar-magnitude convergence. In the aligned eye that did not move during convergence, summed contractility in all compartments of MR and LR exhibited corelaxation consistent with published EOM force measurements in this paradigm (Miller JM, Bockisch CJ, Pavlovski DS. J Neurophysiol 87: 2421–2433, 2002; Miller JM, Davison RC, Gamlin PD. J Neurophysiol 105: 2863–2873, 2011). The superior MR compartment also exhibited significantly greater contractility than the other compartments over the maximum achievable horizontal globe rotation from abduction to adduction. These findings suggest that the superior MR compartment is controlled differentially from the inferior compartment and suggest that its activity is reduced during convergence as a component of generally altered extraocular mechanics.
Electrical stimulation of transplanted motoneurons improves motor unit formation
Authors: Liu Yang , Grumbles Robert M. , Thomas Christine K.
Published: May 2014

Motoneurons die following spinal cord trauma and with neurological disease. Intact axons reinnervate nearby muscle fibers to compensate for the death of motoneurons, but when an entire motoneuron pool dies, there is complete denervation. To reduce denervation atrophy, we have reinnervated muscles in Fisher rats from local transplants of embryonic motoneurons in peripheral nerve. Since growth of axons from embryonic neurons is activity dependent, our aim was to test whether brief electrical stimulation of the neurons immediately after transplantation altered motor unit numbers and muscle properties 10 wk later. All surgical procedures and recordings were done in anesthetized animals. The muscle consequences of motoneuron death were mimicked by unilateral sciatic nerve section. One week later, 200,000 embryonic day 14 and 15 ventral spinal cord cells, purified for motoneurons, were injected into the tibial nerve 10–15 mm from the gastrocnemii muscles as the only neuron source for muscle reinnervation. The cells were stimulated immediately after transplantation for up to 1 h using protocols designed to examine differential effects due to pulse number, stimulation frequency, pattern, and duration. Electrical stimulation that included short rests and lasted for 1 h resulted in higher motor unit counts. Muscles with higher motor unit counts had more reinnervated fibers and were stronger. Denervated muscles had to be stimulated directly to evoke contractions. These results show that brief electrical stimulation of embryonic neurons, in vivo, has long-term effects on motor unit formation and muscle force. This muscle reinnervation provides the opportunity to use patterned electrical stimulation to produce functional movements.
Opposing history effect of preceding decision and action in the free choice of saccade direction
Authors: Mochizuki Kei , Funahashi Shintaro
Published: May 2014

When we act voluntarily, we make a decision to do so prior to the actual execution. However, because of the strong tie between decision and action, it has been difficult to dissociate these two processes in an animal's free behavior. In the present study, we tried to characterize the differences in these processes on the basis of their unique history effect. Using simple eye movement tasks in which the direction of a saccade was either instructed by a computer or freely chosen by the subject, we found that the preceding decision and action had different effects on the animal's subsequent behavior. While choosing a direction (previous decision) produced a positive history effect that prompted the choice of the same saccade direction, making a saccadic response to a direction (previous action) produced a negative history effect that discouraged the monkey from choosing the same direction. This result suggests that the history effect in sequential behavior reported in previous studies was a mixture of these two different components. Future studies on decision-making need to consider the importance of the distinction between decision and action in animal behavior.
Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Silver Nanowires through Different Mediated Agents (CuCl2 and NaCl) Polyol Process
Authors: Johan Mohd Rafie , Aznan Nurul Azri Khalisah , Yee Soo Teng , Ho Ing Hong , Ooi Soo Wern , Darman Singho Noorsaiyyidah , Aplop Fatihah
Published: May 2014

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been synthesized by polyol process through different mediated agents (CuCl2 and NaCl). The presence of cations and anions (Cu(II), Na+, and Cl−) has been shown to have a strong impact on the shape of silver nanostructures. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show uniform nanowires. The UV‐vis spectra show that plasmon peak indicated the formation of nanowires. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern displayed that final product was highly crystallized and pure. The growth mechanism of AgNWs was proposed.
Energy Effective Congestion Control for Multicast with Network Coding in Wireless Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Zhao Chuanxin , Luo Yonglong , Chen Fulong , Zhang Ji , Wang Ruchuan
Published: May 2014

In order to improve network throughput and reduce energy consumption, we propose in this paper a cross‐layer optimization design that is able to achieve multicast utility maximization and energy consumption minimization. The joint optimization of congestion control and power allocation is formulated to be a nonlinear nonconvex problem. Using dual decomposition, a distributed optimization algorithm is proposed to avoid the congestion by control flow rate at the source node and eliminate the bottleneck by allocating the power at the intermediate node. Simulation results show that the cross‐layer algorithm can increase network performance, reduce the energy consumption of wireless nodes and prolong the network lifetime, while keeping network throughput basically unchanged.
Liposomal Nasal Spray versus Guideline-Recommended Steroid Nasal Spray in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comparison of Tolerability and Quality of Life
Authors: Eitenmüller Anna , Piano Lisa , Böhm Myriam , Shah-Hosseini Kija , Glowania Andreas , Pfaar Oliver , Mösges Ralph , Klimek Ludger
Published: May 2014

Objective. To investigate the tolerability and impact on quality of life of liposomal nasal spray compared to guideline-recommended steroid-based therapy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Symptom reduction and use of antisymptomatic medication were also examined. Methods. In this monocenter, prospective, controlled, open, and noninterventional study, 60 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were treated with liposomal nasal spray and 30 patients received steroid-based therapy. The study comprised five visits occurring at intervals of two to four weeks. Efficacy was determined according to the sinusitis symptom score documented daily. The polyp score was recorded at the initial and final visits. Tolerability was determined through the Nasal Spray Evaluation Questionnaire, and quality of life was ascertained with the SNOT-20 Score. Results. Both treatments achieved a significant reduction of sinusitis symptoms (P<0.05) and also rhinoscopic improvement (P<0.05). The majority of patients assessed the treatments as “good” or “very good,” and the quality of life improved significantly (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in symptom reduction, QoL, and endoscopic exams between both treatments. Conclusion. The treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with liposomal nasal spray results in a similar, significant reduction of symptoms and significant improvement in quality of life as guideline-recommended treatment and is therefore a comparable alternative.
Genetic Variability, Character Association, and Path Analysis for Economic Traits in Menthofuran Rich Half-Sib Seed Progeny ofMentha piperitaL.
Authors: Kumar Birendra , Mali Himanshi , Gupta Ekta
Published: May 2014

Menthofuran rich eight half-sib seed progeny ofMentha piperita(MPS-36) were studied for various genetic parameters, namely, coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and path of various plant and oil attributes, namely, plant height, L : S ratio, herb yield,β-myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, menthone, menthofuran, neomenthone, pulegone, and menthol. Maximum genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance as percentage of mean were recorded for pulegone, followed by menthofuran and 1,8-cineole. The genotypic correlation in general was higher than phenotypic; positive significant correlation was recorded for limonene with 1,8-cineole and menthone,β-myrcene with limonene, and 1,8-cineole and menthofuran with neomenthol. A high direct positive effect on menthofuran was of neomenthol.
Several Dynamical Properties for a Nonlinear Shallow Water Equation
Authors: Yong Ls , Yan Haibo
Published: May 2014

A nonlinear third order dispersive shallow water equation including the Degasperis‐Procesi model is investigated. The existence of weak solutions for the equation is proved in the space L1(R)∩BV (R) under certain assumptions. The Oleinik type estimate and L2N(R)  (N is a natural number) estimate for the solution are obtained.
Metadherin, p50, and p65 Expression in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms: An Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Giopanou Ioanna , Bravou Vasiliki , Papanastasopoulos Panagiotis , Lilis Ioannis , Aroukatos Panagiotis , Papachristou Dionysios , Kounelis Sophia , Papadaki Helen
Published: May 2014

NF-κB signaling promotes cancer progression in a large number of malignancies. Metadherin, a coactivator of the NF-κB transcription complex, was recently identified to regulate different signaling pathways that are closely related to cancer. We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of p50, p65, and metadherin in 30 ovarian carcinomas, 15 borderline ovarian tumours, and 31 benign ovarian cystadenomas. Ovarian carcinomas exhibited significantly higher expression of all 3 markers compared to benign ovarian tumours. Borderline ovarian tumours demonstrated significantly higher expression for all 3 markers compared to benign cystadenomas. Ovarian carcinomas demonstrated significantly higher expression of p50 and metadherin compared to borderline ovarian tumours, whereas no significant difference was noted in p65 expression between ovarian carcinomas and borderline ovarian tumours. There was a strong correlation with the expression levels of p50, p65, and metadherin, whereas no correlation was observed with either grade or stage. Strong p50, p65, and metadherin expression was associated with a high probability to distinguish ovarian carcinomas over borderline and benign ovarian tumours, as well as borderline ovarian tumours over benign ovarian neoplasms. A gradual increase in the expression of these molecules is noted when moving across the spectrum of ovarian carcinogenesis, from borderline ovarian tumours to epithelial carcinomas.
Real-Time Elastography of the Prostate
Authors: Junker D. , De Zordo T. , Quentin M. , Ladurner M. , Bektic J. , Horniger W. , Jaschke W. , Aigner F.
Published: May 2014

Palpation of organs is one of the oldest clinical examination techniques, for instance, if you think of the palpation of the breast or the digital rectal examination of the prostate, where hard palpable regions are suspicious for cancer. This is the basic principle of real-time elastography, an ultrasound technique, which is able to visualise tissue elasticity. Since prostate cancer features an increased stiffness due to the higher cell and vessel density than the normal surrounding tissue, real-time elastography has been used for several years for prostate cancer detection. This review introduces the different techniques of ultrasound elastography and furthermore summarises its limitations and potentials.
System Simulation and Implementation of SIPS in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chao-Rong , Tsai Wen-Ta , Chen Hua-Yi
Published: May 2014

This study describes the system simulation and implementation of the system integrity protection schemes (SIPS) in an independent, intensive, and island‐type power system. It also elucidates a smart grid plan to provide grid security in this power grid. The proposed SIPS can prevent blackouts that could otherwise result from the transient instability of N‐3 contingencies and has been fully implemented and operated. The entire SIPS installation comprises two stages. The first‐stage SIPS takes generator tripping system simulation and the second‐stage SIPS involves generator tripping, load rejection, and bus‐tie switching countermeasures. The proposed SIPS can prevent isolated power system blackout from extreme contingencies system and provide a valuable system simulation experience for similar independent power grids.
PELP1 Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer through c-Src Downregulation
Authors: Ning Zhifeng , Zhang Youzhi , Chen Hanwei , Wu Jiliang , Song Tieshan , Wu Qian , Liu Fuxing
Published: May 2014

Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1), a coregulator of estrogen receptors alpha and beta, is a potential protooncogene implicated in several human cancers, including sexual hormone-responsive or sexual hormone-nonresponsive cancers. However, the functions of PELP1 in colorectal cancer remain unclear. In this study, western blot and bioinformatics revealed that PELP1 expression was higher in several colorectal cancer cell lines than in immortalized normal colorectal epithelium. PELP1 silencing by short hairpin RNA promoted the senescence and inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and xenograft tumor formation of the CRC cell line HT-29. Moreover, PELP1 silencing was accompanied by c-Src downregulation. c-Src upregulation partly alleviated the damage in HT-29 malignant behavior induced by PELP1 RNA interference. In conclusion, PELP1 exhibits an oncogenic function in colorectal cancer through c-Src upregulation.