bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coregulatory Interactions among CD8α Dendritic Cells, the Latency-Associated Transcript, and Programmed Death 1 Contribute to Higher Levels of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency
Authors: Mott Kevin R. , Allen Sariah J. , Zandian Mandana , Ghiasi Homayon
Published: March 2014

The latency-associated transcript (LAT) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), CD8α+dendritic cells (DCs), and programmed death 1 (PD-1) have all been implicated in the HSV-1 latency-reactivation cycle. It is not known, however, whether an interaction between LAT and CD8α+DCs regulates latency and T-cell exhaustion. To address this question, we used LAT-expressing [LAT(+)] and LAT-negative [LAT(−)] viruses. Depletion of DCs in mice ocularly infected with LAT(+) virus resulted in a reduction in the number of T cells expressing PD-1 in the trigeminal ganglia (TG), whereas depletion of DCs in mice similarly infected with LAT(−) virus did not alter PD-1 expression. CD8α+DCs, but not CD4+DCs, infected with LAT(+) virus had higher levels of ICP0, ICP4, thymidine kinase (TK), and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) transcripts than those infected with LAT(−) virus. Coculture of infected bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs from wild-type (WT) mice, but not infected DCs from CD8α−/−mice, with WT naive T cells contributed to an increase in PD-1 expression. Transfer of bone marrow from WT mice but not CD8α−/−mice to recipient Rag1−/−mice increased the number of latent viral genomes in reconstituted mice infected with the LAT(+) virus. Collectively, these data indicated that a reduction in latency correlated with a decline in the levels of CD8α+DCs and PD-1 expression. In summary, our results demonstrate an interaction among LAT, PD-1, and CD11c CD8α+cells that regulates latency in the TG of HSV-1-infected mice.

IMPORTANCEVery little is known regarding the interrelationship of LAT, PD-1, and CD8α+DCs and how such interactions might contribute to relative numbers of latent viral genomes. We show here that (i) in bothin vivoandin vitrostudies, deficiency of CD8α+DCs significantly reduced T-cell exhaustion in the presence of LAT(+) virus but not LAT(−) virus; (ii) HSV-1 infectivity was significantly lower in LAT(−)-infected DCs than in their LAT(+)-infected counterparts; and (iii) adoptive transfer of bone marrow (BM) from WT but not CD8α−/−mice to recipient Rag1−/−mice restored latency to the level in WT mice following infection with LAT(+) virus. These studies point to a key role for CD8α+DCs in T-cell exhaustion in the presence of LAT, which leads to larger numbers of latent viral genomes. Thus, altering this negative function of CD8α+DCs can potentially be used to generate a more effective vaccine against HSV infection.
Comparative Complete Genome Analysis of Chicken and Turkey Megriviruses (Family Picornaviridae): Long 3′ Untranslated Regions with a Potential Second Open Reading Frame and Evidence for Possible Recombination
Authors: Boros Ákos , Pankovics Péter , Knowles Nick J. , Nemes Csaba , Delwart Eric , Reuter Gábor
Published: March 2014

Members of the family
Picornaviridae
consist of small positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses capable of infecting various vertebrate species, including birds. One of the recently identified avian picornaviruses, with a remarkably long (>9,040-nucleotide) but still incompletely sequenced genome, is turkey hepatitis virus 1 (THV-1; species
Melegrivirus A
, genus
Megrivirus
), a virus associated with liver necrosis and enteritis in commercial turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo
). This report presents the results of the genetic analysis of three complete genomes of megriviruses from fecal samples of chickens (chicken/B21-CHV/2012/HUN, GenBank accession no.
KF961186
, and chicken/CHK-IV-CHV/2013/HUN, GenBank accession no.
KF961187
) (
Gallus gallus domesticus
) and turkey (turkey/B407-THV/2011/HUN, GenBank accession no.
KF961188
) (
Meleagris gallopavo
) with the largest picornavirus genome (up to 9,739 nucleotides) so far described. The close phylogenetic relationship to THV-1 in the nonstructural protein-coding genome region and possession of the same internal ribosomal entry site type (IVB-like) suggest that the study strains belong to the genus
Megrivirus
. However, the genome comparisons revealed numerous unique variations (e.g., different numbers of potential 2A peptides, unusually long 3′ genome parts with various lengths of a potential second open reading frame, and multiple repeating sequence motifs in the 3′ untranslated region) and heterogeneous sequence relationships between the structural and nonstructural genome regions. These differences suggest the classification of chicken megrivirus-like viruses into a candidate novel species in the genus
Megrivirus
. Based on the different phylogenetic positions of chicken megrivirus-like viruses at the structural and nonstructural genome regions, the recombinant nature of these viruses is plausible.

IMPORTANCE
The comparative genome analysis of turkey and novel chicken megriviruses revealed numerous unique genome features, e.g., up to four potential 2A peptides, unusually long 3′ genome parts with various lengths containing a potential second open reading frame, multiple repeating sequence motifs, and heterogeneous sequence relationships (possibly due to a recombination event) between the structural and nonstructural genome regions. Our results could help us to better understand the evolution and diversity (in terms of sequence and genome layout) of picornaviruses.
The Thr205 Phosphorylation Site within Respiratory Syncytial Virus Matrix (M) Protein Modulates M Oligomerization and Virus Production
Authors: Bajorek M. , Caly L. , Tran K. C. , Maertens G. N. , Tripp R. A. , Bacharach E. , Teng M. N. , Ghildyal R. , Jans D. A.
Published: March 2014

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and the elderly worldwide; however, there is no licensed RSV vaccine or effective drug treatment available. The RSV matrix (M) protein plays key roles in virus assembly and budding, but the protein interactions that govern budding of infectious virus are not known. In this study, we focus on M protein and identify a key phosphorylation site (Thr205) in M that is critical for RSV infectious virus production. Recombinant virus with a nonphosphorylatable alanine (Ala) residue at the site was markedly attenuated, whereas virus with a phosphomimetic aspartate (Asp) resulted in a nonviable virus which could only be recovered with an additional mutation in M (serine to asparagine at position 220), strongly implying that Thr205 is critical for viral infectivity. Experiments
in vitro
showed that mutation of Thr205 does not affect M stability or the ability to form dimers but implicate an effect on higher-order oligomer assembly. In transfected and infected cells, Asp substitution of Thr205 appeared to impair M oligomerization; typical filamentous structures still formed at the plasma membrane, but M assembly during the ensuing elongation process seemed to be impaired, resulting in shorter and more branched filaments as observed using electron microscopy (EM). Our data thus imply for the first time that M oligomerization, regulated by a negative charge at Thr205, may be critical to production of infectious RSV.

IMPORTANCE
We show here for the first time that RSV M's role in virus assembly/release is strongly dependent on threonine 205 (Thr205), a consensus site for CK2, which appears to play a key regulatory role in modulating M oligomerization and association with virus filaments. Our analysis indicates that T205 mutations do not impair M dimerization or viruslike filament formation
per se
but rather the ability of M to assemble in ordered fashion on the viral filaments themselves. This appears to impact in turn upon the infectivity of released virus rather than on virus production or release itself. Thus, M oligomerization would appear to be a target of interest for the development of anti-RSV agents; further, the recombinant T205-substituted mutant viruses described here would appear to be the first RSV mutants affected in viral maturation to our knowledge and hence of considerable interest for vaccine approaches in the future.
Pituitary apoplexy syndrome as the manifestation of intracranial tuberculoma
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Patil Tushar B , Lalla Rakesh
Published: March 2014

Pituitary apoplexy syndrome is characterised by acute neuro-ophthalmological features and usually occurs due to bleeding in a pituitary adenoma. It is an unusual presentation of tuberculoma, as only few similar cases have been reported previously. A 17-year-old girl presented with headache, vomiting, altered sensorium and vision loss. MRI of the brain revealed ring enhancing sellar lesions with other enhancing lesions and leptomeningeal enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid microscopy, biochemistry and PCR for tuberculosis confirmed tubercular meningitis. The patient was treated with antituberculous therapy and was asymptomatic at the end of treatment.
Sexual minority population density and incidence of lung, colorectal and female breast cancer in California
Authors: Boehmer Ulrike , Miao Xiaopeng , Maxwell Nancy I , Ozonoff Al
Published: March 2014

Objective

Risk factors for breast, colorectal, and lung cancer are known to be more common among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, suggesting they may be more likely to develop these cancers. Our objective was to determine differences in cancer incidence by sexual orientation, using sexual orientation data aggregated at the county level.

Methods

Data on cancer incidence were obtained from the California Cancer Registry and data on sexual orientation were obtained from the California Health Interview Survey, from which a measure of age-specific LGB population density by county was calculated. Using multivariable Poisson regression models, the association between the age–race-stratified incident rate of breast, lung and colorectal cancer in each county and LGB population density was examined, with race, age group and poverty as covariates.

Results

Among men, bisexual population density was associated with lower incidence of lung cancer and with higher incidence of colorectal cancer. Among women, lesbian population density was associated with lower incidence of lung and colorectal cancer and with higher incidence of breast cancer; bisexual population density was associated with higher incidence of lung and colorectal cancer and with lower incidence of breast cancer.

Conclusions

These study findings clearly document links between county-level LGB population density and cancer incidence, illuminating an important public health disparity.
Temporal change in body mass of two sympatric hamster species and implications for population dynamics
Authors: Yan Chuan , Xu Tongqin , Cao Xiaoping , Wang Fusheng , Wang Shuqing , Hao Shoushen , Yang Hefang , Li Hongjun , Zhang Zhibin
Published: March 2014

Shifting of body size distributions of animals has been a long-time focus in population ecology, but the underlying mechanism of density-dependent changes in body size and its implications for population dynamics of animals are largely unknown. In this 26-year study, we investigated intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting body mass of the Chinese striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis Pallas, 1773) and the greater long-tailed hamster (Tscherskia triton de Winton, 1899) in the Northern China Plain. We proposed three hypotheses to explain body mass shifts in the two hamster species: growth, survival, and reproduction hypotheses. Our results showed that mean and maximum body masses of both hamster species were positively correlated with population density, and that this density-dependent change in body mass is more likely to be caused by a change in mortality rates, not by a change in growth rates or reproduction rates. The sustained decline of body mass during the study period was probably caused by increased mortality owing to an increase in the area of agricultural irrigation. Our results suggest that, under the condition of lacking survival and growth data, the maximum body mass (which represents survival rate), minimum body mass (which represents growth rate), and mean body mass are very useful criteria in revealing intrinsic and extrinsic effects on population dynamics and the underlying mechanisms.
Fokker–Planck description of wealth dynamics and the origin of Pareto's law
Authors: Boghosian Bruce
Published: March 2014

The so-called "Yard-Sale Model" of wealth distribution posits that wealth is transferred between economic agents as a result of transactions whose size is proportional to the wealth of the less wealthy agent. In recent work [B. M. Boghosian, Phys. Rev. E89, 042804 (2014)], it was shown that this results in a Fokker–Planck equation governing the distribution of wealth. With the addition of a mechanism for wealth redistribution, it was further shown that this model results in stationary wealth distributions that are very similar in form to Pareto's well-known law. In this paper, a much simpler derivation of that Fokker–Planck equation is presented.
ECONOMIC-STATISTICAL DESIGN APPROACH FOR A VSSI X-BAR CHART CONSIDERING TAGUCHI LOSS FUNCTION AND RANDOM PROCESS SHIFTS
Authors: LUPO TONI
Published: March 2014

Economic design approaches of control charts are commonly based on the assumption that various cost parameters values and the occurrence risk of assignable causes have to be a priori known with precision. However, in real operative contexts, such parameters can be really difficult to accurately estimate, especially considering costs arising from out-of-control conditions of the process. As consequence, pure economic design approaches can involve chart schemes with low statistical performance. To overcome such limitation, it is herein proposed a multi-objective economic-statistical design approach for an adaptive X-bar chart. In particular, such approach aims at the minimization of both the total quality related costs and the out-of-control average run length, in such a way assuring an optimal trade-off between economic and statistical performance of the related control procedure. Moreover, for a robust design approach, the mean shift is considered as a random variable. A mixed integer nonlinear constrained mathematical model is formulated to solve the treated problem, whereas the Pareto optimal frontier is described by the ε-constraint method. In order to show the employment of the proposed approach, an illustrative example is developed and the related considerations are given. Finally, some sensitivity analysis is also performed to investigate the effects of operative and costs parameters on chart parameters.
OPTIMAL SOFTWARE SHIPPING TIME ESTIMATION BASED ON A CHANGE-POINT HAZARD RATE MODEL
Authors: INOUE SHINJI , NAKAGAWA YUKI , YAMADA SHIGERU
Published: March 2014

Software failure-occurrence or the fault-detection phenomenon is changed notably in an actual testing phase or an operational phase due to the changes of factors influencing the software reliability growth process. Taking into consideration of the effect of the change in software reliability growth modeling is expected to conduct more accurate software reliability assessment because it is said that such approach enables us to conduct more plausible software reliability assessment reflecting an actual testing-environment. We develop a framework for developing software hazard rate models with effect of change-point, and discuss change-point detection methods for applying our model to quantitative software reliability assessment. Additionally, we discuss an optimal software release problem for estimating optimal shipping time with the effect of the change as one of the application problems of our model in software project management. Finally, we show numerical examples for software reliability assessment and our optimal software release policy based on our change-point model by using actual data.
ACCELERATED FAILURE TIME MODELS COMPARISON TO THE PROPORTIONAL HAZARD MODEL FOR TIME-DEPENDENT COVARIATES WITH RECURRING EVENTS
Authors: MENDES ALEXANDRE C. , FARD NASSER
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an analysis of parametric survival models and compares their applications to time to event data used to validate the approximation for repeated events applying the Proportional Hazard Model (PHM) proposed in Mendes and Fard [Int. J. Reliab., Qual. Saf. Eng.19(6) (2012) 1240004.1–1240004.18]. The subjects studied do not show degrading failures, allowing the comparison between accelerated failure time models with the PHM. Results showed the applicability of the Weibull model and the versatility of the PHM not only to match the results of the parametric model, but also to allow the implementation of time-dependent covariates, resulting in superior model fit and more insightful interpretation for the covariate hazards. The paper contribution is to present the PHM as a simpler, more robust model to determine the acceleration factor for reliability testing when compared to the formidable task of fitting a parametric model for the distribution of failure. The Kaplan–Meier method may provide misleading guidance for covariate significance when time-dependent covariates are applied; however, relevant graphical screening is supplied. Notwithstanding, the PHM provides additional options to treat the repeated observations applying robust covariance correction for lack of heterogeneity in the fixed effects model or adopting the stratified model that absorbs the error using the stratification concept.
REACTION SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENT OF A Cl2/Ar INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA FOR ETCHING OF SILICON
Authors: GE JIE , LIU XUAN , YANG YI , SONG YIXU , REN TIANLING
Published: March 2014

As the key feature size keeps shrinking down, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) has been widely used for etching. In this study, a commercial ICP etcher filled with Cl 2/ Ar mixture was simulated. The simulation was based on a commercial software CFD-ACE+, which is a multi-module solver. For the simulation part, CFD-ACE module was used for reactor scale and CFD-TOPO module was used for feature scale simulation. We have reached a reasonable agreement between the simulative and experimental results. Specifically, the different causes of sidewall bowing and microtrenching were discussed. We also analyzed the causes of special profile as trench width scaling down. Moreover, the agreement validates correctness of the chemistry mechanism, so it can be used as guidance for the process designing and manufacturing equipment improvement.
REVIEW
Authors: Tharmaratnam Anand
Published: March 2014

Asia Pacific Industry Outlook: Rewards & Risks Abound in Evolving Market.
Coping with dehydration: sympathetic activation and regulation of glutamatergic transmission in the hypothalamic PVN
Authors: Bardgett Megan E. , Chen Qing-Hui , Guo Qing , Calderon Alfredo S. , Andrade Mary Ann , Toney Glenn M.
Published: March 2014

Autonomic and endocrine profiles of chronic hypertension and heart failure resemble those of acute dehydration. Importantly, all of these conditions are associated with exaggerated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) driven by glutamatergic activation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Here, studies sought to gain insight into mechanisms of disease by determining the role of PVN ionotropic glutamate receptors in supporting SNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during dehydration and by elucidating mechanisms regulating receptor activity. Blockade of PVN N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors reduced ( P < 0.01) renal SNA and MAP in urethane-chloralose-anesthetized dehydrated (DH) (48 h water deprivation) rats, but had no effect in euhydrated (EH) controls. Blockade of PVN α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors had no effect in either group. NMDA in PVN caused dose-dependent increases of renal SNA and MAP in both groups, but the maximum agonist evoked response ( Emax) of the renal SNA response was greater ( P < 0.05) in DH rats. The latter was not explained by increased PVN expression of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit protein, increased PVN neuronal excitability, or decreased brain water content. Interestingly, PVN injection of the pan-specific excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) inhibitor dl-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartic acid produced smaller sympathoexcitatory and pressor responses in DH rats, which was associated with reduced glial expression of EAAT2 in PVN. Like chronic hypertension and heart failure, dehydration increases excitatory NMDA receptor tone in PVN. Reduced glial-mediated glutamate uptake was identified as a key contributing factor. Defective glutamate uptake in PVN could therefore be an important, but as yet unexplored, mechanism driving sympathetic hyperactivity in chronic cardiovascular diseases.
Albumin inhibits the insulin-mediated ACE2 increase in cultured podocytes
Authors: Márquez Eva , Riera Marta , Pascual Julio , Soler María José
Published: March 2014

Podocytes are key cells in the glomerular filtration barrier with a major role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Podocytes are insulin-sensitive cells and have a functionally active local renin-angiotensin system. The presence and activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main role of which is cleaving profibrotic and proinflammatory angiotensin-II into angiotensin-(1–7), have been demonstrated in podocytes. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were cultured with insulin in the presence and absence of albumin. We found that insulin increases ACE2 gene and protein expression, by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and enzymatic activity within the podocyte and these increases were maintained over time. Furthermore, insulin favored an “anti-angiotensin II” regarding ACE/ACE2 gene expression balance and decreased fibronectin gene expression as a marker of fibrosis in the podocytes, all studied by real-time PCR. Similarly, insulin incubation seemed to protect podocytes from cell death, studied by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. However, all these effects disappeared in the presence of albumin, which may mimic albuminuria, a main feature of DN pathophysiology. Our results suggest that modulation of renin-angiotensin system balance, fibrosis, and apoptosis by insulin in the podocyte may be an important factor in preventing the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease, but the presence of albuminuria seems to block these beneficial effects.
Oxygen and seizure dynamics: II. Computational modeling
Authors: Wei Yina , Ullah Ghanim , Ingram Justin , Schiff Steven J.
Published: March 2014

Electrophysiological recordings show intense neuronal firing during epileptic seizures leading to enhanced energy consumption. However, the relationship between oxygen metabolism and seizure patterns has not been well studied. Recent studies have developed fast and quantitative techniques to measure oxygen microdomain concentration during seizure events. In this article, we develop a biophysical model that accounts for these experimental observations. The model is an extension of the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism and includes the neuronal microenvironment dynamics of sodium, potassium, and oxygen concentrations. Our model accounts for metabolic energy consumption during and following seizure events. We can further account for the experimental observation that hypoxia can induce seizures, with seizures occurring only within a narrow range of tissue oxygen pressure. We also reproduce the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory neurons seen in experiments, accounting for the different oxygen levels observed during seizures in excitatory vs. inhibitory cell layers. Our findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interrelationship among seizures, ion dynamics, and energy metabolism.
Contrasting the roles of the supplementary and frontal eye fields in ocular decision making
Authors: Yang Shun-nan , Heinen Stephen
Published: March 2014

Single-unit recording in monkeys and functional imaging of the human frontal lobe indicate that the supplementary eye field (SEF) and the frontal eye field (FEF) are involved in ocular decision making. To test whether these structures have distinct roles in decision making, single-neuron activity was recorded from each structure while monkeys executed an ocular go/nogo task. The task rule is to pursue a moving target if it intersects a visible square or “go zone.” We found that most SEF neurons showed differential go/nogo activity during the delay period, before the target intersected the go zone (delay period), whereas most FEF neurons did so after target intersection, during the period in which the movement was executed (movement period). Choice probability (CP) for SEF neurons was high in the delay period but decreased in the movement period, whereas for FEF neurons it was low in the delay period and increased in the movement period. Directional selectivity of SEF neurons was low throughout the trial, whereas that of FEF neurons was highest in the delay period, decreasing later in the trial. Increasing task difficulty led to later discrimination between go and nogo in both structures and lower CP in the SEF, but it did not affect CP in the FEF. The results suggest that the SEF interprets the task rule early but is less involved in executing the motor decision than is the FEF and that these two areas collaborate dynamically to execute ocular decisions.
Motor cortical disinhibition with baroreceptor unloading induced by orthostatic stress
Authors: Buharin Vasiliy E. , Butler Andrew J. , Shinohara Minoru
Published: March 2014

Unloading of the baroreceptors due to orthostatic stress increases corticospinal excitability. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of baroreceptor unloading due to orthostatic stress on intracortical excitatory and inhibitory pathways in the motor cortex. With transcranial magnetic stimulation, measures of intracortical excitability for a hand muscle were tested on 2 days in healthy young adults. Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of 40 mmHg was applied during one of the days and not during the Control day. During application of LBNP heart rate and the low-frequency component of heart rate variability increased, while mean arterial blood pressure was maintained. In the resting state, LBNP decreased short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and had no effect on intracortical facilitation (ICF) or short-interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) compared with the Control day. During isometric contraction, no effects of LBNP were observed on tested measures of intracortical excitability including SICI, SICF, and cortical silent period. It was concluded that baroreceptor unloading due to orthostatic stress results in diminished intracortical inhibition, at least in the resting muscle.
Alignment of sound localization cues in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus
Authors: Slee Sean J. , Young Eric D.
Published: March 2014

Accurate sound localization is based on three acoustic cues (interaural time and intensity difference and spectral cues from directional filtering by the pinna). In natural listening conditions, every spatial position of a sound source provides a unique combination of these three cues in “natural alignment.” Although neurons in the central nucleus (ICC) of the inferior colliculus (IC) are sensitive to multiple cues, they do not favor their natural spatial alignment. We tested for sensitivity to cue alignment in the nucleus of the brachium of the IC (BIN) in unanesthetized marmoset monkeys. The BIN receives its predominant auditory input from ICC and projects to the topographic auditory space map in the superior colliculus. Sound localization cues measured in each monkey were used to synthesize broadband stimuli with aligned and misaligned cues; spike responses to these stimuli were recorded in the BIN. We computed mutual information (MI) between the set of spike rates and the stimuli containing either aligned or misaligned cues. The results can be summarized as follows: 1) BIN neurons encode more information about auditory space when cues are aligned compared with misaligned. 2) Significantly more units prefer aligned cues in the BIN than in ICC. 3) An additive model based on summing the responses to stimuli with the localization cues varying individually accurately predicts the alignment preference with all cues varying. Overall, the results suggest that the BIN is the first site in the ascending mammalian auditory system that is tuned to natural combinations of sound localization cues.
Augmentation of the Heat Transfer Performance of a Sinusoidal Corrugated Enclosure by Employing Hybrid Nanofluid
Authors: Takabi Behrouz , Salehi Saeed
Published: March 2014

This paper numerically examines laminar natural convection in a sinusoidal corrugated enclosure with a discrete heat source on the bottom wall, filled by pure water, Al2O3/water nanofluid, and Al2O3-Cu/water hybrid nanofluid which is a new advanced nanofluid with two kinds of nanoparticle materials. The effects of Rayleigh number (103≤Ra≤106) and water, nanofluid, and hybrid nanofluid (in volume concentration of 0% ≤ ϕ ≤ 2%) as the working fluid on temperature fields and heat transfer performance of the enclosure are investigated. The finite volume discretization method is employed to solve the set of governing equations. The results indicate that for all Rayleigh numbers been studied, employing hybrid nanofluid improves the heat transfer rate compared to nanofluid and water, which results in a better cooling performance of the enclosure and lower temperature of the heated surface. The rate of this enhancement is considerably more at higher values of Ra and volume concentrations. Furthermore, by applying the modeling results, two correlations are developed to estimate the average Nusselt number. The results reveal that the modeling data are in very good agreement with the predicted data. The maximum error for nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid was around 11% and 12%, respectively.
Effect of Probiotic (VSL#3) and Omega-3 on Lipid Profile, Insulin Sensitivity, Inflammatory Markers, and Gut Colonization in Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Rajkumar Hemalatha , Mahmood Naseha , Kumar Manoj , Varikuti Sudarshan Reddy , Challa Hanumanth Reddy , Myakala Shiva Prakash
Published: March 2014

To evaluate the effects of probiotic (VSL#3) and omega-3 fatty acid on insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, and inflammation, we conducted a clinical trial in 60 overweight (BMI>25), healthy adults, aged 40–60 years. After initial screening the subjects were randomized into four groups with 15 per group. The four groups received, respectively, placebo, omega-3 fatty acid, probiotic VSL#3, or both omega-3 and probiotic, for 6 weeks. Blood and fecal samples were collected at baseline and after 6 weeks. The probiotic (VSL#3) supplemented group had significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL and had increased HDL (P<0.05) value. VSL#3 improved insulin sensitivity (P<0.01), decreased hsCRP, and favorably affected the composition of gut microbiota. Omega-3 had significant effect on insulin sensitivity and hsCRP but had no effect on gut microbiota. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid with VSL#3 had more pronounced effect on HDL, insulin sensitivity and hsCRP. Subjects with low HDL, insulin resistance, and high hsCRP had significantly lower total lactobacilli and bifidobacteria count and higherE. coliand bacteroides count.
Determinants of Bone Strength Estimated by Calcaneal Ultrasonography in Inuit Women from Nuuk (Greenland)
Authors: Paunescu Alexandra-Cristina , Ayotte Pierre , Dodin Sylvie , Dewailly Éric , Mulvad Gert , Pedersen Henning S. , Côté Suzanne
Published: March 2014

This study was conducted to identify determinants of bone strength estimated by quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) at the calcaneus of Greenlandic Inuit women. A total of 153 Inuit women from Nuuk, aged from 49 to 64 years, participated in the first QUS measurement (year 2000) with an Achilles Lunar instrument (speed of sound (SOS); broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA); stiffness index (SI)). A second measurement was performed two years later (year 2002) in 121 participants. Several factors known to be associated with bone strength were recorded at baseline for 118 of them. Determinants of QUS parameters were identified using an automatic (stepwise) selection of variables in linear regression. Significant determinants of baseline QUS measurements were age and body weight for all QUS parameters, height for BUA and SI, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use for SI. Significant predictors of follow-up QUS measurements were baseline QUS values, the smoking status and HRT use for all QUS parameters, omega-3/omega-6 PUFA content ratio of erythrocytes membrane phospholipids (BUA and SI), and menopausal status (BUA). Several modifiable dietary factors, such as a diet rich in omega-3 PUFAs and lifestyle factors (i.e., smoking, taking HRT), were shown to determine QUS parameters after a follow-up of two years.
Investigation of CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Dimensionless Groups in Wettability Modified Chalk and Sandstone Rocks
Authors: Alipour Tabrizy Vahid
Published: March 2014

The paper addresses enhanced oil recovery in chalk and sandstone rocks by CO2 injection, with different wettability, porosity, and permeability as well as injection rate and flooding conditions. Results indicate that an increase in Bond number has a positive effect on oil recovery whereas for capillary number, there is a limit in which recovery is improving. This limit is estimated when the pressure drop by viscous force is approximately equal to the threshold balance between capillary and gravity forces. A dimensionless group is proposed that combines the effect of capillarity, injection rate, permeability, and CO2 diffusion on the oil recovery. Recovery from all experiments in this study and reported data in the literature shows a satisfactory relationship with the proposed group.
Reoxygenation of Asphyxiated Newborn Piglets: Administration of 100% Oxygen Causes Significantly Higher Apoptosis in Cortical Neurons, as Compared to 21%
Authors: Faa G. , Fanos V. , Fanni D. , Gerosa C. , Faa A. , Fraschini M. , Pais M. E. , Di Felice E. , Papalois A. , Varsami M. , Xanthos T. , Iacovidou N.
Published: March 2014

Objective. Evaluation of neuronal changes in an animal experimental model of normocapnic hypoxia- reoxygenation.Materials and Methods. Fifty male piglets were the study subjects; normocapnic hypoxia was induced in 40 piglets and ten were sham-operated (controls). When bradycardia and/or severe hypotension occurred, reoxygenation was initiated. Animals were allocated in 4 groups according to the oxygen concentration, they were resuscitated with 18%, 21%, 40%, and 100% O2. Persisting asystole despite 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation were the endpoints of the experiment. Surviving animals were euthanized and brain cortex samples were collected, hematoxylin and eosin-stained, and examined for apoptotic bodies observing 10 consecutive high power fields.Results. Histological examination of the control group did not show any pathological change. On the contrary, apoptosis of neurons was found in 87.5% of treated animals. When specimens were examined according to the oxygen concentration used for resuscitation, we found marked intergroup variability; a higher percentage of apoptotic neurons was observed in piglets of group 4 (100% oxygen) compared to the others (P=0.001).Conclusions. This preliminary data shows that normocapnic hypoxia and reoxygenation in Landrace/Large White piglets resulted in significant histological changes in the brain cortex. The degree of pathological changes in cortical neurons was significantly associated with the oxygen concentration used for reoxygenation, with a higher percentage of apoptotic neurons being observed in piglets reoxygenated with 100% compared to 18% O2and to 21% O2.
Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using the Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine Saikokeishikankyoto: A Randomized, Observer‐Blinded, Controlled Trial in Survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Numata Takehiro , GunFan Shen , Takayama Shin , Takahashi Satomi , Monma Yasutake , Kaneko Soichiro , Kuroda Hitoshi , Tanaka Junichi , Kanemura Seiki , Nara Masayuki , Kagaya Yutaka , Ishii Tadashi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Kohzuki Masahiro , Iwasaki Koh
Published: March 2014

The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami caused immense damage over a wide area of eastern Japan. Hence, many survivors are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This randomized, observer‐blinded, controlled trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese herbal formula saikokeishikankyoto (SKK) in the treatment of PTSD among survivors of this disaster. Forty‐three participants with an Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R) score ≥ 25 were randomized into SKK (n = 21) and control (n = 22) groups. The primary endpoint was the change in IES‐R scores from baseline till after 2 weeks of treatment. Intergroup statistical comparisons were performed. The magnitude of changes in total IES‐R scores differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that the total IES‐R score improved significantly in the SKK group from 49.6 ± 11.9 to 25.5 ± 17.0 (P < 0.001). Subscale scores improved significantly in the SKK group (avoidance, P = 0.003; hyperarousal, P < 0.001; intrusion, P < 0.001). Two‐week treatment with SKK significantly improved IES‐R scores among PTSD patients. This traditional medicine may be a valid choice for the treatment of psychological and physical symptoms in PTSD patients.
Data Filtering Based Recursive Least Squares Algorithm for Two-Input Single-Output Systems with Moving Average Noises
Authors: Lu Xianling , Zhou Wei , Shi Wenlin
Published: March 2014

This paper studies identification problems of two-input single-output controlled autoregressive moving average systems by using an estimated noise transfer function to filter the input-output data. Through data filtering, we obtain two simple identification models, one containing the parameters of the system model and the other containing the parameters of the noise model. Furthermore, we deduce a data filtering based recursive least squares method for estimating the parameters of these two identification models, respectively, by replacing the unmeasurable variables in the information vectors with their estimates. The proposed algorithm has high computational efficiency because the dimensions of its covariance matrices become small. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is effective.
Plasma Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Level Is Inversely Associated with HDL Cholesterol Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Meguro Shu , Tomita Masuomi , Katsuki Takeshi , Kato Kiyoe , Oh Henpiru , Ainai Akira , Ito Ryo , Kawai Toshihide , Itoh Hiroshi , Hasegawa Hideki
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Relation between atherosclerosis and innate immunity has attracted attention. As the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, could have an important role in atherosclerosis, we supposed that there could be a meaningful association of plasma LL-37 level with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and Methods. We evaluated plasma LL-37 level and other clinical markers in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=133, 115 men and 18 women; age64.7±11.5years; HbA1c8.1±1.6%). Plasma level of LL-37 was measured by ELISA.Results. Mean plasma LL-37 level was71.2±22.3 ng/mL. Plasma LL-37 level showed significant correlations with HDL cholesterol (r=−0.450,P<0.01), triglyceride (r=0.445,P<0.01), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (r=0.316,P<0.01) but no significant correlation with age, body mass index, HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or vitamin D binding protein. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant correlations of plasma LL-37 level with HDL cholesterol (β=−0.411,P<0.01) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (β=0.193,P<0.05).Conclusion. Plasma LL-37 level was positively correlated with inflammatory markers and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Experimental Research on the Dynamic Response of Floating Structures with Coatings Subjected to Underwater Explosion
Authors: Xiao Feng , Chen Yong , Wang Yu , Hua Hongxing , Zhu Dawei
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the dynamic response of three free floating stiffened metal boxes with protective coatings subjected to underwater explosion (UNDEX). One box was kept intact while the other two were, respectively, covered with monolithic coatings and chiral honeycomb coatings. Three groups of live fire tests with different attack angles and stand-off distances were conducted. The acceleration on the stiffener and strain peak on the bottom hull were selected as the major comparative criterions. Test results show that the impulse transmitted to the structure at the initial stage can be reduced, owing to the coating flexibility and fluid-structure interaction mechanism. Consequently, the acceleration peaks induced by both shock wave and bubble pulse were reduced. The shock environment can be more effectively improved by honeycomb coating when compared with monolithic coating. Most of the strain peaks decreased to a certain extent, but some of them were notably manifested, especially for honeycomb coating. The test affirms the fact that soft coating can cause stress concentration on the shell that is in direct contact with the coating due to the impedance mismatch between the interfaces of materials. A softer rubber coating induces a greater magnitude of strain.
Lack of Association betweenABO,PPAP2B,ADAMST7,PIK3CG, andEDNRAand Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Carotid Plaques, and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: López-Mejías Raquel , Genre Fernanda , García-Bermúdez Mercedes , Ubilla Begoña , Castañeda Santos , Llorca Javier , González-Juanatey Carlos , Corrales Alfonso , Miranda-Filloy José A. , Pina Trinitario , Gómez-Vaquero Carmen , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Luis , Fernández-Gutiérrez Benjamín , Balsa Alejandro , Pascual-Salcedo Dora , López-Longo Francisco J. , Carreira Patricia , Blanco Ricardo , Martín Javier , González-Gay Miguel A.
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a polygenic disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Recent studies have identified theABOrs579459,PPAP2Brs17114036, andADAMTS7rs3825807 polymorphisms as genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease and thePIK3CGrs17398575 andEDNRArs1878406 polymorphisms as the most significant signals related to the presence of carotid plaque in nonrheumatic Caucasian individuals. Accordingly, we evaluated the potential relationship between these 5 polymorphisms and subclinical atherosclerosis (assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and presence/absence of carotid plaques) and CV disease in RA.Material and Methods. 2140 Spanish RA patients were genotyped for the 5 polymorphisms by TaqMan assays. Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated in 620 of these patients by carotid ultrasonography technology.Results. No statistically significant differences were found when each polymorphism was assessed according to cIMT values and presence/absence of carotid plaques in RA, after adjusting the results for potential confounders. Moreover, no significant differences were obtained when RA patients were stratified according to the presence/absence of CV disease after adjusting for potential confounders.Conclusion. Our results do not confirm association betweenABOrs579459,PPAP2Brs17114036,ADAMTS7rs3825807,PIK3CGrs17398575, andEDNRArs1878406 and subclinical atherosclerosis and CV disease in RA.
Solution of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations by New Laplace Variational Iteration Method
Authors: Hilal Eman M. A. , Elzaki Tarig M.
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study is to give a good strategy for solving some linear and nonlinear partial differential equations in engineering and physics fields, by combining Laplace transform and the modified variational iteration method. This method is based on the variational iteration method, Laplace transforms, and convolution integral, introducing an alternative Laplace correction functional and expressing the integral as a convolution. Some examples in physical engineering are provided to illustrate the simplicity and reliability of this method. The solutions of these examples are contingent only on the initial conditions.
Edge-Interior Disparities in Tree Species and Structural Composition of the Kilengwe Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Authors: Kacholi David Sylvester
Published: March 2014

A survey to determine the variation in species and structural composition of trees along the edge-interior gradient was done in the Kilengwe forest in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The forest was categorized into three habitats, namely, edge (0–100 m), intermediate (100–200 m), and interior (>200 m) depending on the distance from the forest margin. A total of six plots of 0.04 ha each were randomly placed in each of the habitats whereby all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. A total of 67 species representing 26 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most speciose and abundant family. Brachystegia spiciformis was the most abundant species. Of the recorded species, 10.45% were common in the three habitats while 8.95%, 13.43%, and 26.86% occurred exclusively to the edge, intermediate, and interior habitats, respectively. The forest interior was significantly rich in terms of species richness, diversity, density, and basal area than the edge and intermediate habitats. The edge had significantly higher number of stumps/ha. In summary, the results suggest that edge/intermediate and interior are contrasting habitats in terms of tree species richness, diversity, and structural composition. Moreover, the forest edge and intermediate habitats were found to be characterized by high anthropogenic activities compared to the forest interior habitat.
DDIT3 Expression in Liposarcoma Development
Authors: Kåbjörn Gustafsson Christina , Engström Katarina , Åman Pierre
Published: March 2014

Liposarcomas are mesenchymal tumors containing variable numbers of lipoblasts or adipocytes. The most common entities, well differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (WDLS/DDLS) and myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS), are both characterized by genetic rearrangements that affect the expression of the transcription factor DDIT3. DDIT3 induces liposarcoma morphology when ectopically expressed in a human fibrosarcoma. The role of DDIT3 in lipomatous tumors is, however, unclear. We have analyzed the expression of DDIT3 in 37 cases of liposarcoma (WDLS/DDLSn= 10, MLS/RCLSn= 16, and pleomorphic liposarcomas (PLS)n= 11) and 11 cases of common benign lipomas. Major cell subpopulations of WDLS/DDLS and MLS/RCLS tumors were found to express DDIT3 or the derived fusion protein, whereas PLS cases showed only a few positive cells. The lipomas contained large subpopulations expressing DDIT3. No correlation between numbers of DDIT3 expressing cells and numbers of lipoblasts/adipocytes was found. In vitro adipogenic treatment of two DDIT3 expressing cell lines induced lipid accumulation in small subpopulations only. Our results suggest a dual, promoting and limiting, role for DDIT3 in the formation of lipoblasts and liposarcoma morphology.