bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute resistance exercise activates rapamycin‐sensitive and ‐insensitive mechanisms that control translational activity and capacity in skeletal muscle
Authors: West Daniel W. D. , Baehr Leslie M. , Marcotte George R. , Chason Courtney M. , Tolento Luis , Gomes Aldrin V. , Bodine Sue C. , Baar Keith
Published: November 2015

Key points

Ribosome biogenesis is the primary determinant of translational capacity, but its regulation in skeletal muscle following acute resistance exercise is poorly understood.

Resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis acutely, and muscle mass with training, but the role of translational capacity in these processes is unclear.

Here, we show that acute resistance exercise activated pathways controlling translational activity and capacity through both rapamycin‐sensitive and ‐insensitive mechanisms.

Transcription factor c‐Myc and its downstream targets, which are known to regulate ribosome biogenesis in other cell types, were upregulated after resistance exercise in a rapamycin‐independent manner and may play a role in determining translational capacity in skeletal muscle.

Local inhibition of myostatin was also not affected by rapamycin and may contribute to the rapamycin‐independent effects of resistance exercise.

This study aimed to determine (1) the effect of acute resistance exercise on mechanisms of ribosome biogenesis, and (2) the impact of mammalian target of rapamycin on ribosome biogenesis, and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and degradation. Female F344BN rats underwent unilateral electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve to mimic resistance exercise in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. TA muscles were collected at intervals over the 36 h of exercise recovery (REx); separate groups of animals were administered rapamycin pre‐exercise (REx+Rapamycin). Resistance exercise led to a prolonged (6–36 h) elevation (30–50%) of MPS that was fully blocked by rapamycin at 6 h but only partially at 18 h. REx also altered pathways that regulate protein homeostasis and mRNA translation in a manner that was both rapamycin‐sensitive (proteasome activity; phosphorylation of S6K1 and rpS6) and rapamycin‐insensitive (phosphorylation of eEF2, ERK1/2 and UBF; gene expression of the myostatin target Mighty as well as c‐Myc and its targets involved in ribosome biogenesis). The role of c‐Myc was tested in vitro using the inhibitor 10058‐F4, which, over time, decreased basal RNA and MPS in a dose‐dependent manner (correlation of RNA and MPS, r2 = 0.98), even though it had no effect on the acute stimulation of protein synthesis. In conclusion, acute resistance exercise stimulated rapamycin‐sensitive and ‐insensitive mechanisms that regulate translation activity and capacity.
Asymmetric Postbuckling Behavior of Hemispherical Shell Structure Under Axial Compression
Authors: Wang Shanshuai , Li Shuhui , He Ji , Zhao Yixi
Published: November 2015

In real physical experiments, three typical deformation stages including elastic deformation stage, symmetric deformation stage, and asymmetric deformation stage appear step by step when the stainless steel hemispherical shell structure is under axial compression loading. During the asymmetric deformation stage, the rolling-plastic-hinge-radius which characterizes the size of the deformation area evolves along the circumferential direction with the compressive displacement. For the hemispherical shell structures with apparent asymmetric deformation stage, the double-buckling phenomenon of the structures in experiments can be clearly detected. The traditional theoretical analysis based on the assumption with circumferentially constant rolling-plastic-hinge-radius is not suitable to predict this phenomenon. For these hemispherical shell structures, load capacity and absorbed energy predicted by the traditional analysis are usually higher than experimental results in the asymmetric deformation stage. In this paper, a new description based on experimental observation for the evolution of rolling-plastic-hinge-radius has been proposed. Minimum energy principle was employed to obtain the postbuckling behavior. The energy evolution of different buckling stages during compression loading is investigated to evaluate the structure load capacity. Stainless steel hemispherical specimens with different sizes are tested under axial compression between two rigid plates to verify the theoretical modification. Good agreement is achieved between proposed model and experimental results. The theoretical model proposed in this paper can be used in prediction of postbuckling behavior for different deformation patterns in the asymmetric deformation stage. It also provides higher flexibility and efficiency for the postbuckling behavior prediction of hemispherical shell structures.
An Experimental Study of the Collection of Fog Droplets Using a Mesh Fabric: Possible Application to Cooling Towers
Authors: Sontag D. S. , Saylor J. R.
Published: November 2015

An experimental study is presented of the ability of fine meshes to remove fog drops from an air flow. Specifically, the collection efficiency (CE) was measured for fog drops passing through mesh fabrics. Meshes composed of cotton, nylon, and Teflon were investigated, and the effect of the material as well as mesh porosity was determined. Collection efficiencies ranging from 5% to 50% were obtained. The ultimate goal of this work is to employ such meshes in a parachute configuration above power plant cooling towers, so that condensed fog may be collected and returned to the cooling loop. It is shown that the drop diameters and velocities investigated here are similar to those observed above cooling towers.
NARX-Based Short-Term Forecasting of Water Flow Rate of a Photovoltaic Pumping System: A Case Study
Authors: Haddad Sofiane , Mellit Adel , Benghanem Mohamed , Daffallah Khalid Osman
Published: November 2015

Hourly water flow rate (HWFR) forecasting is very important to photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS) planning, operation, and control. In this paper, a nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input-recurrent neural network (NARX-RNN) is investigated for the prediction of water flow rate (WFR) using experimental data collected from a PVWPS installed at Madinah site (Saudi Arabia). Results showed that the developed NARX-based model is able to reach acceptable accuracy for 1–12 hrs (next-day) ahead predictions. The developed methodology provides valuable information to PVWPS operators for controlling the production, storage, and delivery of water.
Validation of a Finite Element Humeroradial Joint Model of Contact Pressure Using Fuji Pressure Sensitive Film
Authors: Kim Sunghwan , Carl Miller Mark
Published: November 2015

A finite element (FE) elbow model was developed to predict the contact stress and contact area of the native humeroradial joint. The model was validated using Fuji pressure sensitive film with cadaveric elbows for which axial loads of 50, 100, and 200 N were applied through the radial head. Maximum contact stresses ranged from 1.7 to 4.32 MPa by FE predictions and from 1.34 to 3.84 MPa by pressure sensitive film measurement while contact areas extended from 39.33 to 77.86 mm2 and 29.73 to 83.34 mm2 by FE prediction and experimental measurement, respectively. Measurements from cadaveric testing and FE predictions showed the same patterns in both the maximum contact stress and contact area, as another demonstration of agreement. While measured contact pressures and contact areas validated the FE predictions, computed maximum stresses and contact area tended to overestimate the maximum contact stress and contact area.
Monte Carlo validation of the TrueBeam 10XFFF phase–space files for applications in lung SABR
Authors: Teke Tony , Duzenli Cheryl , Bergman Alanah , Viel Francis , Atwal Parmveer , Gete Ermias
Published: November 2015

Purpose:

To establish the clinical acceptability of universal Monte Carlo phase–space data for the 10XFFF (flattening filter free) photon beam on the Varian TrueBeam Linac, including previously unreported data for small fields, output factors, and inhomogeneous media. The study was particularly aimed at confirming the suitability for use in simulations of lung stereotactic ablative radiotherapy treatment plans.

Methods:

Monte Carlo calculated percent depth doses (PDDs), transverse profiles, and output factors for the TrueBeam 10 MV FFF beam using generic phase–space data that have been released by the Varian MC research team were compared with in‐house measurements and published data from multiple institutions (ten Linacs from eight different institutions). BEAMnrc was used to create field size specific phase–spaces located underneath the jaws. Doses were calculated with DOSXYZnrc in a water phantom for fields ranging from 1 × 1 to 40 × 40 cm2. Particular attention was paid to small fields (down to 1 × 1 cm2) and dose per pulse effects on dosimeter response for high dose rate 10XFFF beams. Ion chamber measurements were corrected for changes in ion collection efficiency (Pion) with increasing dose per pulse. MC and eclipse anisotropic analytical algorithm (aaa) calculated PDDs were compared to Gafchromic film measurement in inhomogeneous media (water, bone, lung).

Results:

Measured data from all machines agreed with Monte Carlo simulations within 1.0% and 1.5% for PDDs and in‐field transverse profiles, respectively, for field sizes >1 × 1 cm2 in a homogeneous water phantom. Agreements in the 80%–20% penumbra widths were better than 2 mm for all the fields that were compared. For all the field sizes considered, the agreement between their measured and calculated output factors was within 1.1%. Monte Carlo results for dose to water at water/bone, bone/lung, and lung/water interfaces as well as within lung agree with film measurements to within 2.8% for 10 × 10 and 3 × 3 cm2 field sizes. This represents a significant improvement over the performance of the eclipse aaa.

Conclusions:

The 10XFFF phase–space data offered by the Varian Monte Carlo research team have been validated for clinical use using measured, interinstitutional beam data in water and with film dosimetry in inhomogeneous media.
Enhanced multi-channel model for auditory spectrotemporal integration
Authors: Oh Yonghee , Feth Lawrence L. , Hoglund Evelyn M.
Published: November 2015

In psychoacoustics, a multi-channel model has traditionally been used to describe detection improvement for multicomponent signals. This model commonly postulates that energy or information within either the frequency or time domain is transformed into a probabilistic decision variable across the auditory channels, and that their weighted linear summation determines optimum detection performance when compared to a critical value such as a decision criterion. In this study, representative integration-based channel models, specifically focused on signal-processing properties of the auditory periphery are reviewed (e.g., Durlach's channel model). In addition, major limitations of the previous channel models are described when applied to spectral, temporal, and spectrotemporal integration performance by human listeners. Here, integration refers to detection threshold improvements as the number of brief tone bursts in a signal is increased. Previous versions of the multi-channel model underestimate listener performance in these experiments. Further, they are unable to apply a single processing unit to signals which vary simultaneously in time and frequency. Improvements to the previous channel models are proposed by considering more realistic conditions such as correlated signal responses in the auditory channels, nonlinear properties in system performance, and a peripheral processing unit operating in both time and frequency domains.
Coarctation of the aorta with left pulmonary artery stenosis: a rare association diagnosed with ECG-gated multislice dual-source CT angiography
Authors: Mittal Umesh Kumar , Rissam Harmeet Kaur , Garg Lalit , Puri Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2015

We report an extremely rare case of coarctation of the aorta with associated left pulmonary artery stenosis. This violates the traditional fetal flow pattern theory. Two-dimensional echocardiography, although being the initial imaging modality for diagnosing coarctation of the aorta, is limited in the demonstration of branch pulmonary arteries. Retrospective ECG-gated multidetector CT angiography is a non-invasive imaging technique for comprehensive assessment of the site, length and severity of the stenosed aortic segment. It is also helpful in differentiation of an interrupted aortic arch from severe coarctation. Associated pulmonary arterial and venous system anomalies can be evaluated, which dictates the management of aortic coarctation.
Pneumobilia with gastric outlet obstruction
Authors: Kakked Gaurav A , Bhatt Nikita R , Bhatt Rajiv
Published: November 2015

Complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) like gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) and biliary fistula have become extremely rare with the advent of proton-pump inhibitors.This is a case of PUD presenting with GOO, a cholecystoduodenal fistula discovered incidentally on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and the presence of pneumobilia on a contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen. A gastrojejunostomy with internal pyloric exclusion was performed. Since the patient did not have any signs of biliary tract disease,we decided not to operate on the fistula to prevent injury to the bile duct. The patient had an uneventful recovery.
Spontaneous resolution of a recurrent axillary cystic hygroma following acute infection
Authors: Gan Richard Wei Chern , Chauhan Kashif , Singh Shailinder
Published: November 2015

We report a case of spontaneous resolution of a recurrent axillary cystic hygroma in a 4-year-old boy. He presented with a 1-year history of a cystic lump in the left axilla, which intermittently changed in size. Ultrasound suggested it was a lipoma, with raised suspicions of vascular malformation. Scans were discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting and provisional diagnosis of lymphocele or slow flow lymphovascular malformation was made. It was surgically excised and histology confirmed the lesion to be a cystic hygroma. However, it recurred within 3 weeks. The patient was booked for aspiration and treatment with sclerotic agent OK 432. He developed acute infection in the cystic hygroma a week before surgical intervention and was treated with antibiotics for 5 days by his general practitioner. Acute infection led to complete spontaneous resolution of the cystic hygroma within a week. There are no other reported cases in which recurrent cystic hygroma has resolved after a week of acute infection.
Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness in adolescents with obesity: the HEARTY trial
Authors: Alberga Angela S. , Prud’homme Denis , Sigal Ronald J. , Goldfield Gary S. , Hadjiyannakis Stasia , Phillips Penny , Malcolm Janine , Ma Jinhui , Doucette Steve , Gougeon Rejeanne , Wells George A. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise training on cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness in postpubertal adolescents with obesity. After a 4-week supervised moderate-intensity exercise run-in, 304 adolescents aged 14–18 years with body mass index ≥85th percentile were randomized to 4 groups for 22 weeks of aerobic training, resistance training, combined training, or a nonexercising control. All participants received dietary counselling with a maximum daily energy deficit of 250 kcal. Cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption) was measured by indirect calorimetry using a graded treadmill exercise test. Musculoskeletal fitness was measured using the 2003 Canadian Physical Activity Fitness and Lifestyle Appraisal tests (hand grip, push-ups, partial curl-ups, sit and reach, and vertical jump). Muscular strength was assessed using an 8-repetition maximum test on the bench press, seated row, and leg press machines. A greater increase in peak oxygen consumption in the aerobic exercise group (30.6 ± 0.6 to 33.4 ± 0.7 mLO2/kg/min) was measured relative to the control group (30.6 ± 0.5 to 30.9 ± 0.7 mLO2/kg/min) (p = 0.002). Similarly, the number of partial curl-ups increased in the aerobic group (19 ± 1 to 23 ± 1) while no differences were measured in the control group (19 ± 1 to 20 ± 1) (p = 0.015). Increases in muscular strength and number of push-ups were greatest in the resistance group versus the control and combined groups versus the aerobic group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, aerobic training had the strongest effect on cardiorespiratory fitness, while resistance and combined training improved both muscular strength and endurance more than control and aerobic training alone, respectively, in adolescents with obesity.
A preliminary assessment of using conservation drones for Sumatran orang-utan (Pongo abelii) distribution and density
Authors: Wich Serge , Dellatore David , Houghton Max , Ardi Rio , Koh Lian Pin
Published: November 2015

To conserve biodiversity, scientists monitor wildlife populations and their habitats. Current methods have constraints, such as the costs of ground or aerial surveys, limited resolution of freely available satellite images, and expensive high-resolution satellite images. Recently researchers started to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) for wildlife and habitat monitoring. Here we tested whether we could detect nests of the critically endangered Sumatran orang-utan on imagery acquired from a camera-mounted drone to determine distribution and density. Our results show that the distribution of nests compares well between aerial and ground-based surveys and that relative density (nest/km) shows a significant correlation between these two survey types. The results also indicate that both methods can be used to detect significant differences in relative density between previously degraded reforested and enriched areas. We conclude that orang-utan nest surveys from drones are a promising survey method to determine distribution and (relative) density of Sumatran orang-utans and perhaps other ape species.
An Investigation on the Effects of Subnet Extension on Delay and Throughput in Network-on-Chip
Authors: Haghi Mostafa , Ghasemi Abdolrasoul , Moradi Saed
Published: November 2015

When designing a system-on-chip (SOC), a network-on-chip (NOC) paradigm is the backbone of used interconnection, but in recent years, with a great improvement in silicon technology and the ability to implement billions of transistors on a wafer, it sounds that wire-based communication is not efficient any longer, therefore designers intend to replace wireless transferring data methodology instead. In the following, we show how the performance of the wireless network is improved with subnet extension. This paper focuses on the evaluation of delay and throughput which are two important factors in network proficiency. In fact, to enhance the performance of the system, we need to reduce the number of delay cycles and improve the throughput, therefore to keep balance between these two parameters, designer has to adjust the packet injection rate (PIR) in a safe margin such that it does not exceed a certain point in each state, otherwise delay is uncontrollable, thus it is required to clearly identify the take-off points. About the designer also has to be informed purpose for which the system is going to be designed. It strictly depends on whether high throughput or low delay cycle is desirable. Subnet extension is a way to achieve this target. Here, totally three networks with the number of cores 64, 512 and 1024 have been selected, respectively. The effect of subnet extension is evaluated on each one. The behavior of each network with different number of subnets and IPs is studied. Obtained results from the simulator for different ranges of PIR and subnets are significant. To emphasize, we highlight the take-off points for the delay cycles and the points which does not cross the PIR level. Performance evaluation is conducted based on flit-accurate and open source system C simulator BookSim.
A Metallic CNT Tolerant Design Methodology for Carbon Nanotube-Based Programmable Gate Arrays
Authors: Tajary Alireza , Ghavami Behnam
Published: November 2015

Carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNFET) is one of the promising technologies as a replacement for current CMOS technology due to its excellent electronic properties. CNFETs can be fabricated in regular structures, making them ideal for creating the repetitive architectures found in field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). However, CNFETs face some fabrication challenges. The unwanted metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the major challenges in using CNFET technology for FPGAs. In this paper, we take the advantage of FPGAs programmability allowing reconfiguration around the metallic CNTs to tolerate this defect. We demonstrate a multi-stage solution to the metallic CNT problem in CNFET-based FPGAs that does not require any metallic nanotube removal of any kind. The proposed methodology consists of four consecutive stages in logic mapping process: (i) reordering of input variables, (ii) inputs complementing, (iii) adding inputs redundancy to basic logic element (BLE) and (iv) BLE lookup table (LUT) splitting. A fault simulation tool is designed to work closely with VPR, an academic FPGA CAD tool, to provide the investigation of metallic CNTs effects on CNFET-based FPGAs. Experimental results show that the proposed method can successfully map all logical nets at a cost of [Formula: see text] area overhead if the fraction of metallic CNTs is reduced to 30%.
How fast can a black hole rotate?
Authors: Herdeiro Carlos A. R. , Radu Eugen
Published: November 2015

Kerr black holes (BHs) have their angular momentum, [Formula: see text], bounded by their mass, [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text]. There are, however, known BH solutions violating this Kerr bound. We propose a very simple universal bound on the rotation, rather than on the angular momentum, of four-dimensional, stationary and axisymmetric, asymptotically flat BHs, given in terms of an appropriately defined horizon linear velocity, [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] bound is simply that [Formula: see text] cannot exceed the velocity of light. We verify the [Formula: see text] bound for known BH solutions, including some that violate the Kerr bound, and conjecture that only extremal Kerr BHs saturate the [Formula: see text] bound.
General relativity as a two-dimensional CFT
Authors: Adamo Tim
Published: November 2015

The tree-level scattering amplitudes of general relativity (GR) encode the full nonlinearity of the Einstein field equations. Yet remarkably compact expressions for these amplitudes have been found which seem unrelated to a perturbative expansion of the Einstein–Hilbert action. This suggests an entirely different description of GR which makes this on-shell simplicity manifest. Taking our cue from the tree-level amplitudes, we discuss how such a description can be found. The result is a formulation of GR in terms of a solvable two-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT), with the Einstein equations emerging as quantum consistency conditions.
The cosmological constant and entropy problems: Mysteries of the present with profound roots in the past
Authors: Solà Joan
Published: November 2015

An accelerated universe should naturally have a vacuum energy density determined by its dynamical curvature. The cosmological constant (CC) is most likely a temporary description of a dynamical variable that has been drastically evolving from the early inflationary era to the present. In this essay, we propose a unified picture of the cosmic history implementing such an idea, in which the CC problem is fixed at early times. All the main stages, from inflation and its (“graceful”) exit into a standard radiation regime, as well as the matter and dark energy epochs, are accounted for. Finally, we show that for a generic grand unified theory (GUT) associated to the inflationary phase, the amount of entropy generated from primeval vacuum decay can explain the huge measured value today.
Modular spacetime
Authors: Freidel Laurent , Leigh Robert G. , Minic Djordje
Published: November 2015

We have recently introduced metastring theory as a reformulation of string theory which does not rely on an a priori spacetime interpretation or a presumption of locality found in local effective field theory. In this essay, we focus on the concept of modular spacetime as the natural quantum gravitational notion of spacetime that emerges from metastring theory.
Mimicking static anisotropic fluid spheres in general relativity
Authors: Boonserm Petarpa , Ngampitipan Tritos , Visser Matt
Published: November 2015

We argue that an arbitrary general relativistic static anisotropic fluid sphere, (static and spherically symmetric but with transverse pressure not equal to radial pressure), can nevertheless be successfully mimicked by suitable linear combinations of theoretically attractive and quite simple classical matter: a classical (charged) isotropic perfect fluid, a classical electromagnetic field and a classical (minimally coupled) scalar field. While the most general decomposition is not unique, a preferred minimal decomposition can be constructed that is unique. We show how the classical energy conditions for the anisotropic fluid sphere can be related to energy conditions for the isotropic perfect fluid, electromagnetic field, and scalar field components of the model. Furthermore, we show how this decomposition relates to the distribution of both electric charge density and scalar charge density throughout the model. The generalized TOV equation implies that the perfect fluid component in this model is automatically in internal equilibrium, with pressure forces, electric forces, and scalar forces balancing the gravitational pseudo-force. Consequently, we can build theoretically attractive matter models that can be used to mimic almost any static spherically symmetric spacetime.
DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF A CONTINUOUS-CULTURE AND HARVEST CHEMOSTAT MODEL WITH IMPULSIVE EFFECT
Authors: ZHANG TONGQIAN , MA WANBIAO , MENG XINZHU
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we aim to propose a new chemostat model with continuous microbial culture and harvest, and to investigate the dynamics of the model. Different to the conventional ones, our model includes a constant periodic flocculant transmission. For the proposed system, by using theory of impulsive differential equations, we show that the microbe-extinction periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable when a threshold value is less than 1, and system is permanent when a certain threshold value is greater than 1. Then, according to the threshold associated with microbial extinction or existence, the control strategy for microbial continuous cultivation and harvest is discussed. Under such control strategy, continuous microbial culture and harvest can be achieved by adjusting input time, input amount or concentration of the flocculant. Finally, an example with numerical simulations is given to illustrate our theoretical conclusions.
One step beyond virtual reality
Authors: Plasencia Diego Martinez
Published: November 2015

We have come a long way since the late 1970s, when virtual reality technology was in its infancy. With an array of new VR technologies in the market, what might be the future impact on our daily lives?
Substitutional reality
Authors: Simeone Adalberto L. , Velloso Eduardo
Published: November 2015

Now that virtual reality headsets are finally reaching the wider consumer market, how can we merge the physical and virtual worlds to create a unified multi-sensory experience?
Lost in the rift
Authors: Boland Daniel , McGill Mark
Published: November 2015

Virtual reality users are torn between the real and virtual worlds. Determining how, and when, to show elements of reality in a virtual view is key to providing usable VR experiences.
VR to the rescue
Authors: Boulay Alain
Published: November 2015

Virtual reality is helping rescue teams prepare for emergency situations in places they could never ordinarily go, like collapsed mines deep underground.
Excellence around the world
Authors: Schulz Claudia
Published: November 2015

This year's ACM award winners share how their chapters came out on top.
Cytokines as Mediators of Pain‐Related Process in Breast Cancer
Authors: Panis Carolina , Pavanelli Wander Rogério
Published: November 2015

Pain is a clinical sign of inflammation found in a wide variety of chronic pathologies, including cancer. The occurrence of pain in patients carrying breast tumors is reported and is associated with aspects concerning disease spreading, treatment, and surgical intervention. The persistence of pain in patients submitted to breast surgery is estimated in a range from 21% to 55% and may affect patients before and after surgery. Beyond the physical compression exerted by the metastatic mass expansion and tissue injury found in breast cancer, inflammatory components that are significantly produced by the host‐tumor interaction can significantly contribute to the generation of pain. In this context, cytokines have been studied aiming to establish a cause‐effect relationship in cancer pain‐related syndromes, especially the proinflammatory ones. Few reports have investigated the relationship between pain and cytokines in women carrying advanced breast cancer. In this scenario, the present review analyzes the main cytokines produced in breast cancer and discusses the evidences from literature regarding its role in specific clinical features related with this pathology.
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced CT Characterization of Xp11.2 Translocation/TFE3 Gene Fusions versus Papillary Renal Cell Carcinomas
Authors: He Jian , Zhou Kefeng , Zhu Bin , Zhang Gutian , Li Xiaogong , Guo Hongqian , Gan Weidong , Zhou Zhengyang , Liu Tian
Published: November 2015

Purpose. To compare the differences of CT characteristics between renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE3 gene fusions (Xp11.2 RCCs) and papillary cell renal cell carcinomas (PRCCs). Methods. CT images and clinical records of 64 patients (25 Xp11.2 RCCs, 15 type 1 and 24 type 2 PRCCs) were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results. Xp11.2 RCC more frequently affected young (30.7±8.7 years) women (16/25, 64%) with gross hematuria (12/25, 48%), while PRCC more frequently involved middle-aged (54.8±11.1 years) men (28/39, 71.8%) asymptomatically. Xp11.2 RCC tended to be heterogeneous density with some showing circular calcification. Lesion sizes of Xp11.2 RCC (5.4±2.2 cm) and type 2 PRCC (5.7±2.5 cm) were significantly larger than that of type 1 PRCC (3.8±1.8 cm). Xp11.2 RCC contained more cystic components (22/25, 88%) than type 1 PRCC (all solid) and type 2 PRCC (9/24, 36.0%). Type 1 PRCC (13/15, 86.7%) and Xp11.2 RCC (21/25, 84.0%) showed more clear boundary than type 2 PRCC (12/24, 50.0%). Conclusion. CT features including diameter, boundary, attenuation, nature, and circular calcification of the tumor, combined with demographic information and symptoms, may be useful to differentiate Xp11.2 RCC from different subtypes of PRCC.
Applications of Thermoresponsive Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Yildiz Ibrahim , Sizirici Yildiz Banu
Published: November 2015

In recent years, magnetic nanoparticles carrying thermoresponsive polymeric coatings have gained increasing attention in material sciences due to the fact that resultant platforms offer controllable modalities such as imaging, drug delivery, and magnetic separation. As a result, novel materials including biosensors, therapeutic platforms, imaging agents, and magnetic separators have been realized. Since the number of publications reporting the applications of thermoresponsive magnetic nanoparticle has increased steadily over the years, a comprehensive review will be beneficial. In this paper, we aim to review publications studying applications of thermoresponsive nanoparticles in biomedical sciences as well as in environmental and chemical sciences. The paper also briefly discusses chemical formulations, characterizations, and properties of the thermoresponsive magnetic particles and then provides future outlooks.
3D Flower‐Like Hierarchitectures Constructed by SnS/SnS2 Heterostructure Nanosheets for High‐Performance Anode Material in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wu Zhiguo , Wang Fengyi , Zuo Shiyong , Li Shuankui , Geng Baisong , Zhuo Renfu , Yan Pengxun
Published: November 2015

Sn chalcogenides, including SnS, Sn2S3, and SnS2, have been extensively studied as anode materials for lithium batteries. In order to obtain one kind of high capacity, long cycle life lithium batteries anode materials, three‐dimensional (3D) flower‐like hierarchitectures constructed by SnS/SnS2 heterostructure nanosheets with thickness of ~20 nm have been synthesized via a simple one‐pot solvothermal method. The obtained samples exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as anode for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs), which deliver a first discharge capacity of 1277 mAhg−1 and remain a reversible capacity up to 500 mAhg−1 after 50 cycles at a current of 100 mAg−1.
Integrating the Symmetry Image and Improved Sparse Representation for Railway Fastener Classification and Defect Recognition
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Li Bailin , Xiong Ying , He Biao , Li Li
Published: November 2015

The detection of fastener defects is an important task for ensuring the safety of railway traffic. The earlier automatic inspection systems based on computer vision can detect effectively the completely missing fasteners, but they have weaker ability to recognize the partially worn ones. In this paper, we propose a method for detecting both partly worn and completely missing fasteners, the proposed algorithm exploits the first and second symmetry sample of original testing fastener image and integrates them for improved representation-based fastener recognition. This scheme is simple and computationally efficient. The underlying rationales of the scheme are as follows: First, the new virtual symmetrical images really reflect some possible appearance of the fastener; then the integration of two judgments of the symmetrical sample for fastener recognition can somewhat overcome the misclassification problem. Second, the improved sparse representation method discarding the training samples that are “far” from the test sample and uses a small number of samples that are “near” to the test sample to represent the test sample, so as to perform classification and it is able to reduce the side-effect of the error identification problem of the original fastener image. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art fastener recognition methods.
Multiple Bone Metastases as the First Manifestation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patient with Noncirrhotic Liver
Authors: Bae Soo Ya , Kim Hyun Jung , Oh Hyun Ho , Kwon Min Kwan , Lee Jong Ho , Park Moon , Sohn Byeong Seok
Published: November 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) generally occurs on the background of chronic liver disease. Chronic hepatitides B and C and alcoholic liver disease are well-known risk factors for HCC, and it is uncommon in noncirrhotic liver. Extrahepatic metastasis seldom occurs in patients with early stage intrahepatic HCC and isolated bone metastases as a first documented extrahepatic metastasis is unusual presentation. In this report, we present a rare case of small solitary HCC (<3 cm) in noncirrhotic liver, presenting isolated bone metastases as a sole manifestation in patient with no well-known risk factors. This case suggests that HCC should be considered as one of differential diagnoses in patient presenting with multiple bone metastases, even in the absence of liver cirrhosis.
Synthesis and Mechanical/Electrochemical Characterization of TiO2 Nanotubular Structures Obtained at High Voltage
Authors: Vera-Jiménez A. M. , Melgoza-Alemán R. M. , Valladares-Cisneros M. G. , Cuevas-Arteaga C.
Published: November 2015

The synthesis of TiO2 nanotubular arrays obtained through anodization of Ti foils in ethylene glycol (3% volume DI H2O + 0.25 wt.% NH4F) at high voltage is reported. The physical, chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical characterization was made to the TiO2 nanotubular arrays. The morphological characterization showed a cylindrical geometry (112 nm inner diameter and 65 μm length), determining a rugosity factor of 1840 points. The electrochemical characterization was carried out exposing four samples: Ti, TiO2 amorphous, and two crystalline TiO2 nanotubular arrays (450 and 600°C) in two aqueous solutions of different pH: 1 M Na2SO4 and 1 M Na2SO4 + H2SO4, using the potentiodynamic polarization curves. The mechanical characterization was performed through the nanoindentation technique applying three different loads (2.5, 5.0, and 10 mN) on the amorphous and the two crystalline TiO2 nanotubular samples, obtaining the mechanical parameters such as the hardness, the elastic module, and the maximum penetration depth. The TiO2 nanostructured sample crystallized at 600°C had the best electrochemical stability in both media and presented an elastic modulus of 22.42 GPa when it was tested applying a load of 2.5 mN, whereas the amorphous sample presented the major hardness at the loads of 5 and 10 mN.
Algebrization of Nonautonomous Differential Equations
Authors: Alcorta-García María Aracelia , Frías-Armenta Martín Eduardo , Grimaldo-Reyna María Esther , López-González Elifalet
Published: November 2015

Given a planar system of nonautonomous ordinary differential equations,dw/dt=F(t,w), conditions are given for the existence of an associative commutative unital algebraAwith uniteand a functionH:Ω⊂R2×R2→R2on an open setΩsuch thatF(t,w)=H(te,w)and the mapsH1(τ)=H(τ,ξ)andH2(ξ)=H(τ,ξ)are Lorch differentiable with respect toAfor all(τ,ξ)∈Ω, whereτandξrepresent variables inA. Under these conditions the solutionsξ(τ)of the differential equationdξ/dτ=H(τ,ξ)overAdefine solutions(x(t),y(t))=ξ(te)of the planar system.
Adaptive On-Demand Multicast Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Kim Jeong-Soo , Chung Sang-Hwa
Published: November 2015

The On-Demand Multicast Routing Protocol (ODMRP) is a multicast routing protocol for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Its efficiency, simplicity, and robustness against mobility render it one of the most widely used MANET multicast protocols. In this paper, we present an Adaptive On-Demand Multicast Routing Protocol (A-ODMRP), an improved version of ODMRP. ODMRP lacks a control mechanism for the physical layer. Nodes in ODMRP transmit multicast data at a fixed transmission rate and power level for the physical layer. Also, as the number of nodes belonging to the forwarding group increases, there is significant packet drop or retransmission due to interference between the nodes that send multicast data. However, A-ODMRP implements an adaptive control mechanism with a cross-layer algorithm for the physical layer. When a node transmits multicast data, A-ODMRP can adjust the transmission rate and power level of the physical layer to minimize packet drop or retransmission due to interference between nodes belonging to the forwarding group. Simulation results confirmed that A-ODMRP provides an improved goodput of up to 42% compared to ODMRP.
Computational Modelling Approaches on Epigenetic Factors in Neurodegenerative and Autoimmune Diseases and Their Mechanistic Analysis
Authors: Khanam Irin Afroza , Tom Kodamullil Alpha , Gündel Michaela , Hofmann-Apitius Martin
Published: November 2015

Neurodegenerative as well as autoimmune diseases have unclear aetiologies, but an increasing number of evidences report for a combination of genetic and epigenetic alterations that predispose for the development of disease. This review examines the major milestones in epigenetics research in the context of diseases and various computational approaches developed in the last decades to unravel new epigenetic modifications. However, there are limited studies that systematically link genetic and epigenetic alterations of DNA to the aetiology of diseases. In this work, we demonstrate how disease-related epigenetic knowledge can be systematically captured and integrated with heterogeneous information into a functional context using Biological Expression Language (BEL). This novel methodology, based on BEL, enables us to integrate epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation or acetylation of histones into a specific disease network. As an example, we depict the integration of epigenetic and genetic factors in a functional context specific to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Lymphoma Presenting as Acute-Onset Dysphagia
Authors: Simmons Daniel B. , Bursaw Andrew W.
Published: November 2015

A 61-year-old man with recent Bell’s palsy developed acute vocal cord paralysis causing severe dysphagia. CSF analysis showed elevated protein and a normal cell count; contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain was normal. He was treated with IVIG for a presumed bulbar-variant AIDP and gradually improved. Six months later, the patient developed rapidly progressive hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. Repeat MRI revealed bilateral enhancement of the eighth cranial nerves and a hypercellular mass in the left temporal lobe. Biopsy of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Lymphomatous invasion of the cranial nerves should be considered in cases of relapsing cranial neuropathies.
Irreducible Modular Representations of the Reflection GroupG(m,1,n)
Authors: Araujo José O. , Bratten Tim , Maiarú Cesar L.
Published: November 2015

In an article published in 1980, Farahat and Peel realized the irreducible modular representations of the symmetric group. One year later, Al-Aamily, Morris, and Peel constructed the irreducible modular representations for a Weyl group of typeBn. In both cases, combinatorial methods were used. Almost twenty years later, using a geometric construction based on the ideas of Macdonald, first Aguado and Araujo and then Araujo, Bigeón, and Gamondi also realized the irreducible modular representations for the Weyl groups of typesAnandBn. In this paper, we extend the geometric construction based on the ideas of Macdonald to realize the irreducible modular representations of the complex reflection group of typeG(m,1,n).
Real-World Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Lower-Risk Myelofibrosis Receiving Treatment with Ruxolitinib
Authors: Davis Keith L. , Côté Isabelle , Kaye James A. , Mendelson Estella , Gao Haitao , Perez Ronco Julian
Published: November 2015

Few trial-based assessments of ruxolitinib in patients with lower-risk myelofibrosis (MF) have been conducted, and no studies have made such assessments in a real-world population. We assessed changes in spleen size and constitutional symptoms during ruxolitinib treatment using a retrospective, observational review of anonymized US medical record data of patients diagnosed with IPSS low-risk (n=25) or intermediate-1-risk (n=83) MF. The majority of patients were male (low risk, 60%; intermediate-1 risk, 69%). Most patients (92% and 77%) were still receiving ruxolitinib at the medical record abstraction date (median observation/exposure time, 8 months). The proportion of patients with moderate or severe palpable splenomegaly (≥10 cm) decreased from diagnosis (56%) to best response (12%). Fatigue was reported in 47% of patients and was the most common constitutional symptom. For most symptoms in both risk groups, shifts in the distribution of severity from more to less severe from diagnosis to best response were observed. Both patients with low-risk and intermediate-1-risk MF experienced a substantial decrease in spleen size with ruxolitinib treatment in real-world settings. For most symptoms examined, there were distinct improvements in the distribution of severity during ruxolitinib treatment. These findings suggest that patients with lower-risk MF may benefit clinically from ruxolitinib treatment.
Trends in Marine Turtle Strandings along the East Queensland, Australia Coast, between 1996 and 2013
Authors: Flint Jaylene , Flint Mark , Limpus Colin J. , Mills Paul C.
Published: November 2015

In-water monitoring of marine vertebrates is usually expensive while the use of stranding data can be used to provide a cost-effective estimation of disease and mortality. Strandings for Queensland are recorded in a web based database (StrandNet) managed by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP). Data recorded in StrandNet from the east coast of Queensland between 1996 and 2013 were investigated for patterns of stranding. Significant trends in Queensland over this time were (i) an increase in the number of animals reported stranded within this study site; (ii) a species (loggerhead and green marine turtles) prevalence; (iii) a seasonal effect on different age classes stranding with most overall strandings occurring between August and November; and (iv) stranding hotspots (Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton region, and Cleveland Bays) persisting throughout the study timeframe. This study suggested that intervention strategies, such as rehabilitation, should be able to be focussed on periods of heightened importance and specific localities to minimize health risks and contribute to sustainable use of resources.
Constitutive Activation of the Nlrc4 Inflammasome Prevents Hepatic Fibrosis and Promotes Hepatic Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy
Authors: DeSantis David A. , Ko Chih-Wei , Wang Lan , Lee Peter , Croniger Colleen M.
Published: November 2015

TThe molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of hepatic fibrosis are not fully understood. The Nlrc4 inflammasome detects cytosolic presence of bacterial components, activating inflammatory cytokines to facilitate clearance of pathogens and infected cells. We hypothesized that low‐grade constitutive activation of the Nlrc4 inflammasome may lead to induced hepatocyte proliferation and prevent the development of hepatic fibrosis. The gene of Nlrc4 contains two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), one located within the Nlrc4 promoter and one contained within exon 5. These SNPs regulate Nlrc4 gene transcription and activation as measured through gene reporter assays and IL‐1β secretion. The 17C‐6 mice have increased IL‐1β in plasma after chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration compared to B6 mice. After two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (2/3PH) 17C‐6 mice have earlier restoration of liver mass with greater cyclin D1 protein and BrdU incorporation compared to B6 mice at several time points. These data reveal mild constitutive activation of the Nlrc4 inflammasome as the results of two SNPs, which leads to the stimulation of hepatocyte proliferation. The increased liver regeneration induces rapid liver mass recovery after hepatectomy and may prevent the development of hepatotoxin‐induced liver fibrosis.