bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detergent‐dependent separation of postsynaptic density, membrane rafts and other subsynaptic structures from the synaptic plasma membrane of rat forebrain
Authors: Zhao LiYing , Sakagami Hiroyuki , Suzuki Tatsuo
Published: July 2014

We systematically investigated the purification process of post‐synaptic density (PSD) and post‐synaptic membrane rafts (PSRs) from the rat forebrain synaptic plasma membranes by examining the components and the structures of the materials obtained after the treatment of synaptic plasma membranes with TX‐100, n‐octyl β‐d‐glucoside (OG) or 3‐([3‐cholamidopropyl]dimethylammonio)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐propanesulfonate (CHAPSO). These three detergents exhibited distinct separation profiles for the synaptic subdomains. Type I and type II PSD proteins displayed mutually exclusive distribution. After TX‐100 treatment, type I PSD was recovered in two fractions: a pellet and an insoluble fraction 8, which contained partially broken PSD‐PSR complexes. Conventional PSD was suggested to be a mixture of these two PSD pools and did not contain type II PSD. An association of type I PSD with PSRs was identified in the TX‐100 treatment, and those with type II PSD in the OG and CHAPSO treatments. An association of GABA receptors with gephyrin was easily dissociated. OG at a high concentration solubilized the type I PSD proteins. CHAPSO treatment resulted in a variety of distinct fractions, which contained certain novel structures. Two different pools of GluA, either PSD or possibly raft‐associated, were identified in the OG and CHAPSO treatments. These results are useful in advancing our understanding of the structural organization of synapses at the molecular level.

image

We systematically investigated the purification process of post‐synaptic density (PSD) and synaptic membrane rafts by examining the structures obtained after treatment of the SPMs with TX‐100, n‐octyl β‐d‐glucoside or CHAPSO. Differential distribution of type I and type II PSD, synaptic membrane rafts, and other novel subdomains in the SPM give clues to understand the structural organization of synapses at the molecular level.
Fine‐scale spatial genetic structure of common and declining bumble bees across an agricultural landscape
Authors: Dreier Stephanie , Redhead John W. , Warren Ian A. , Bourke Andrew F. G. , Heard Matthew S. , Jordan William C. , Sumner Seirian , Wang Jinliang , Carvell Claire
Published: July 2014

Land‐use changes have threatened populations of many insect pollinators, including bumble bees. Patterns of dispersal and gene flow are key determinants of species' ability to respond to land‐use change, but have been little investigated at a fine scale (<10 km) in bumble bees. Using microsatellite markers, we determined the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure of populations of four common Bombus species (B. terrestris, B. lapidarius, B. pascuorum and B. hortorum) and one declining species (B. ruderatus) in an agricultural landscape in Southern England, UK. The study landscape contained sown flower patches representing agri‐environment options for pollinators. We found that, as expected, the B. ruderatus population was characterized by relatively low heterozygosity, number of alleles and colony density. Across all species, inbreeding was absent or present but weak (FIS = 0.01–0.02). Using queen genotypes reconstructed from worker sibships and colony locations estimated from the positions of workers within these sibships, we found that significant isolation by distance was absent in B. lapidarius, B. hortorum and B. ruderatus. In B. terrestris and B. pascuorum, it was present but weak; for example, in these two species, expected relatedness of queens founding colonies 1 m apart was 0.02. These results show that bumble bee populations exhibit low levels of spatial genetic structure at fine spatial scales, most likely because of ongoing gene flow via widespread queen dispersal. In addition, the results demonstrate the potential for agri‐environment scheme conservation measures to facilitate fine‐scale gene flow by creating a more even distribution of suitable habitats across landscapes.
Invasion genetics of a human commensal rodent: the black rat Rattus rattus in Madagascar
Authors: Brouat C. , Tollenaere C. , Estoup A. , Loiseau A. , Sommer S. , Soanandrasana R. , Rahalison L. , Rajerison M. , Piry S. , Goodman S. M. , Duplantier J.‐M.
Published: July 2014

Studies focusing on geographical genetic patterns of commensal species and on human history complement each other and provide proxies to trace common colonization events. On Madagascar, the unintentional introduction and spread of the commensal species Rattus rattus by people may have left a living clue of human colonization patterns and history. In this study, we addressed this question by characterizing the genetic structure of natural populations of R. rattus using both microsatellites and mitochondrial sequences, on an extensive sampling across the island. Such data sets were analysed by a combination of methods using population genetics, phylogeography and approximate Bayesian computation. Our results indicated two introduction events to Madagascar from the same ancestral source of R. rattus, one in the extreme north of the island and the other further south. The latter was the source of a large spatial expansion, which may have initially started from an original point located on the southern coast. The inferred timing of introduction events—several centuries ago—is temporally congruent with the Arabian trade network in the Indian Ocean, which was flourishing from the middle of the first millennium.
The key to unlock the Hsp100/Clp protein degradation machines of Mycobacterium
Authors: Molière Noël , Turgay Kürşad
Published: July 2014

Hsp100/Clp protease complexes are molecular machines important for cellular protein homeostasis and are concurrently embedded in the control of various signal transduction networks by regulatory proteolysis. In Mycobacteria, the genes encoding the components of these Hsp100/Clp protease complexes are essential for growth and were identified as targets for antibiotics, with a new antimicrobial mechanism, that are active on slow growing or even dormant cells. Schmitz and Sauer (2014) report the biochemical characterization of mycobacterial Hsp100/Clp protease complexes actively degrading folded substrate proteins. Their results suggest an unusual activation mechanism for this protease complex and will set the stage for further mechanistic studies of antibiotics acting on this new cellular target.
Impatiens menghuochengensis sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae) from Sichuan, China
Authors: Luo Qiang , Wang Tong‐Jun , Zhao Li‐Hua
Published: July 2014

Impatiens menghuochengensis Q Luo. (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Shimian county in southwestern Sichuan province, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to I. tortisepala J. D. Hooker, but differs in having stem unbranched in lower portion; lateral sepals transparent, obliquely ovate; dorsal petal with central columnar cristate swelling; lateral united petals with distal lobes oblong‐dolabriform, apically retuse; lower sepal saccate with purple–red veins, abruptly narrowed at belly into an incurved spur 20–25 mm. The morphological characteristics and surface patterning of the seeds and pollen of the new species are examined under SEM and compared with those of I. tortisepala.
Genotypic variability of sugarcane resistance to the aphid Melanaphis sacchari, vector of the Sugarcane yellow leaf virus
Authors: Fartek Benjamin , Nibouche Samuel , Atiama‐Nurbel Toulassi , Reynaud Bernard , Costet Laurent
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to analyse the genotypic variability of sugarcane resistance to the main aphid vector of the Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) (Polerovirus, Luteoviridae), Melanaphis sacchari. We assessed the incidence of aphids in a field trial comparing 181 sugarcane cultivars. Based on the percentage of infested leaves, aphid incidence was scored every two weeks during three cropping seasons. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant genotype, and genotype × year variance, and high broad sense heritability. Using semivariograms, we showed that the alpha lattice design used in the field trial was able to cope with spatial correlation issues caused by the patchy nature of aphid infestations. Twenty‐two aphid resistant cultivars were identified. A laboratory study of the development of M. sacchari on four of these 22 resistant cultivars confirmed the resistant status of three of them. We observed modest positive phenotypic and genetic correlations between the aphid incidence and the incidence of ScYLV. The 22 cultivars resistant to M. sacchari showed twofold lower mean virus incidence than the remaining 159 cultivars.
Development of a Pseudomonas syringae–Eutrema salsugineum pathosystem to investigate disease resistance in a stress tolerant extremophile model plant
Authors: Yeo M. T. S. , Carella P. , Fletcher J. , Champigny M. J. , Weretilnyk E. A. , Cameron R. K.
Published: July 2014

To improve the ability to understand how plants respond to multiple and/or concurrent stresses, disease resistance was investigated in Eutrema salsugineum, an extremophile model plant that is highly tolerant of abiotic stress. Compared to Arabidopsis (Col‐0), both Yukon and Shandong Eutrema accessions exhibit increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) and pv. maculicola (Psm), with Shandong Eutrema exhibiting greater resistance to Pst than Yukon Eutrema. RT‐PCR of the EsPR1 (Pathogenesis‐related 1) defence marker gene confirmed RNA‐Seq data that healthy Shandong Eutrema constitutively expresses EsPR1. The data suggests that Shandong Eutrema exists in a highly primed state of defence preparedness, as it displays heightened resistance compared to defence‐primed natural accessions of Arabidopsis (Can‐0, Bur‐0). Pathogen‐triggered PR1 expression was delayed in Yukon Eutrema; however, these plants were resistant to Pst suggesting that Yukon Eutrema employs a PR1‐independent mechanism to resist Pst. This study demonstrates that Eutrema is an excellent model to investigate biotic stress tolerance. The Eutrema–P. syringae pathosystem will facilitate future studies to understand how this extremophile tolerates both abiotic and biotic stress, and will allow exploration of the interplay of these responses to inform efforts to improve stress tolerance in crops.
Stereotypes of Norwegian social groups
Authors: Bye Hege H. , Herrebrøden Henrik , Hjetland Gunnhild J. , Røyset Guro Ø. , Westby Linda L.
Published: July 2014

We present a pilot study and two main studies that address the nature of stereotypes of social groups in Norway within the framework of the Stereotype Content Model (SCM). The first study focused on stereotypes of a wide range of groups across categories such as gender, age, religious conviction, socioeconomic and health status. The second study focused on stereotypes of immigrant groups. Participants (n = 244 and n = 63, respectively) rated the groups on perceived warmth, competence, status, and competition. Results from both studies support the applicability of the SCM in Norway and provides a unique insight into stereotypes of Norwegian social groups.
Proteomic analysis of equine amniotic membrane: characterization of proteins
Authors: Galera Paula D. , Ribeiro Cássio R. , Sapp Harold L. , Coleman James , Fontes Wagner , Brooks Dennis E.
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Human amniotic membrane (AM) has been used as a biomaterial for surgical wound skin and ocular surface reconstruction for several years. Currently, equine AM has been used for corneal reconstruction in several animal species, and appears to have the same properties as human AM. Despite the observed positive healing abilities of this tissue in horses with ulcerative keratitis the proteins of equine AM have not been described.

Objective

To identify proteins known to be associated with corneal healing from frozen equine AM.

Procedures

Placentas were acquired from healthy live foal births from a local Thoroughbred breeding farm. The amnion was removed from the chorion by blunt dissection, washed with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), and treated with 0.05% trypsin and 0.02% ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid in PBS. Amnion was attached to nitrocellulose paper (epithelial side up), and cut into 4 × 4 cm pieces. The sheets were frozen at −80 °C. The protein samples were solubilized, and analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis and shotgun proteomics.

Results

A reference identification map of the equine AM proteins was produced and 149 different proteins were identified. From gel‐based proteomics, 49 spots were excised and 43 proteins identified by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Shotgun proteomics identified 116 proteins with an overlap of 10 proteins in both analyses.

Conclusions

We have described a reference map for equine AM proteins that may provide a background to explain the positive results found in horses with ulcerative keratopathies using this biomaterial.
Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Phase II Trial To Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam plus Metronidazole Compared with Meropenem in Adult Patients with Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections
Authors: Lucasti Christopher , Hershberger Ellie , Miller Benjamin , Yankelev Sara , Steenbergen Judith , Friedland Ian , Solomkin Joseph
Published: July 2014

Ceftolozane-tazobactam (TOL-TAZ) is a novel antibacterial with activity against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and other common Gram-negative pathogens, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
, that are associated with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs). This prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter, phase II trial assessed patient clinical and microbiological responses to and the safety of TOL-TAZ plus metronidazole compared with those of meropenem. Hospitalized adults with cIAIs that required surgical intervention were randomized (2:1) to receive intravenous (i.v.) TOL-TAZ (1.5 g [containing 1,000 mg TOL and 500 mg TAZ] every 8 h [q8h]) with or without i.v. metronidazole (500 mg q8h) or i.v. meropenem (1 g q8h) for 4 to 7 days. The primary endpoint was the clinical response at the test-of-cure visit in the microbiologically modified intent-to-treat (mMITT) and microbiologically evaluable (ME) populations. Secondary measures included the patients' microbiological response and safety. In total, 82 patients received TOL-TAZ (90.2% with metronidazole), and 39 received meropenem. For the mMITT population, clinical cure was seen in 83.6% of the patients (51/61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 71.9 to 91.8) who received TOL-TAZ and 96.0% of the patients (24/25; 95% CI, 79.6 to 99.9) who received meropenem (difference, −12.4%; 95% CI, −34.9% to 11.1%); in the ME population, clinical cure was seen in 88.7% and 95.8% of the patients (difference, −7.1%; 95% CI, −30.7% to 16.9%) who received TOL-TAZ and meropenem, respectively. TOL-TAZ demonstrated microbiological success against
Escherichia coli
(89.5%),
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(100%), and
P. aeruginosa
(100%). The adverse event rates were similar in the groups (50.0% with TOL-TAZ and 48.8% with meropenem). TOL-TAZ in combination with metronidazole was well tolerated and resulted in clinical and microbiological success rates supportive of further clinical development in patients with cIAIs. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01147640.)
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 5a Subgenomic Replicons for Evaluation of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents
Authors: Wose Kinge Constance N. , Espiritu Christine , Prabdial-Sing Nishi , Sithebe Nomathamsaqa Patricia , Saeed Mohsan , Rice Charles M.
Published: July 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists as six major genotypes that differ in geographical distribution, pathogenesis, and response to antiviral therapy.
In vitro
replication systems for all HCV genotypes except genotype 5 have been reported. In this study, we recovered genotype 5a full-length genomes from four infected voluntary blood donors in South Africa and established a G418-selectable subgenomic replicon system using one of these strains. The replicon derived from the wild-type sequence failed to replicate in Huh-7.5 cells. However, the inclusion of the S2205I amino acid substitution, a cell culture-adaptive change originally described for a genotype 1b replicon, resulted in a small number of G418-resistant cell colonies. HCV RNA replication in these cells was confirmed by quantification of viral RNA and detection of the nonstructural protein NS5A. Sequence analysis of the viral RNAs isolated from multiple independent cell clones revealed the presence of several nonsynonymous mutations, which were localized mainly in the NS3 protein. These mutations, when introduced back into the parental backbone, significantly increased colony formation. To facilitate convenient monitoring of HCV RNA replication levels, the mutant with the highest replication level was further modified to express a fusion protein of firefly luciferase and neomycin phosphotransferase. Using such replicons from genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a, we compared the effects of various HCV inhibitors on their replication. In conclusion, we have established an
in vitro
replication system for HCV genotype 5a, which will be useful for the development of pan-genotype anti-HCV compounds.
MicroRNA 21 (miR-21) and miR-181b Couple with NFI-A To Generate Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Promote Immunosuppression in Late Sepsis
Authors: McClure Clara , Brudecki Laura , Ferguson Donald A. , Yao Zhi Q. , Moorman Jonathan P. , McCall Charles E. , El Gazzar Mohamed
Published: July 2014

The sepsis initial hyperinflammatory reaction, if not treated early, shifts to a protracted state of immunosuppression that alters both innate and adaptive immunity and is associated with elevated mortality. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are myeloid progenitors and precursors that fail to differentiate into mature innate-immunity cells and are known for their potent immunosuppressive activities. We previously reported that murine MDSCs expand dramatically in the bone marrow during late sepsis, induced by cecal ligation and puncture, and demonstrated that they contribute to late-sepsis immunosuppression. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for generating these immature Gr1
+
CD11b
+
myeloid cells during sepsis remains unknown. We show here that sepsis generates a microRNA (miRNA) signature that expands MDSCs. We found that miRNA 21 (miR-21) and miR-181b expression is upregulated in early sepsis and sustained in late sepsis. Importantly, we found that simultaneous
in vivo
blockade of both miRNAs via antagomiR (a chemically modified miRNA inhibitor) injection after sepsis initiation decreased the bone marrow Gr1
+
CD11b
+
myeloid progenitors, improved bacterial clearance, and reduced late-sepsis mortality by 74%. Gr1
+
CD11b
+
cells isolated from mice injected with antagomiRs were able to differentiate
ex vivo
into macrophages and dendritic cells and produced smaller amounts of the immunosuppressive interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) after stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, suggesting that immature myeloid cells regained their maturation potential and have lost their immunosuppressive activity. In addition, we found that the protein level of transcription factor NFI-A, which plays a role in myeloid cell differentiation, was increased during sepsis and that antagomiR injection reduced its expression. Moreover, knockdown of NFI-A in the Gr1
+
CD11b
+
cells isolated from late-septic mice increased their maturation potential and reduced their production of the immunosuppressive mediators, similar to antagomiR injection. These data support the hypothesis that sepsis reprograms myeloid cells and thus alters the innate immunity cell repertoire to promote immunosuppression, and they demonstrate that this process can be reversed by targeting miR-21 and miR-181b to improve late-sepsis survival.
Two Functional Type VI Secretion Systems in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Are Involved in Different Pathogenic Pathways
Authors: Ma Jiale , Bao Yinli , Sun Min , Dong Wenyang , Pan Zihao , Zhang Wei , Lu Chengping , Yao Huochun
Published: July 2014

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are involved in the pathogenicity of several Gram-negative bacteria. The VgrG protein, a core component and effector of T6SS, has been demonstrated to perform diverse functions. The N-terminal domain of VgrG protein is a homologue of tail fiber protein gp27 of phage T4, which performs a receptor binding function and determines the host specificity. Based on sequence analysis, we found that two putative T6SS loci exist in the genome of the avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(APEC) strain TW-XM. To assess the contribution of these two T6SSs to TW-XM pathogenesis, the crucial
clpV
clusters of these two T6SS loci and their
vgrG
genes were deleted to generate a series of mutants. Consequently, T6SS1-associated mutants presented diminished adherence to and invasion of several host cell lines cultured
in vitro
, decreased pathogenicity in duck and mouse infection models
in vivo
, and decreased biofilm formation and bacterial competitive advantage. In contrast, T6SS2-associated mutants presented a significant decrease only in the adherence to and invasion of mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC) line bEnd.3 and brain tissue of the duck infection model. These results suggested that T6SS1 was involved in the proliferation of APEC in systemic infection, whereas VgrG-T6SS2 was responsible only for cerebral infection. Further study demonstrated that VgrG-T6SS2 was able to bind to the surface of bEnd.3 cells, whereas it did not bind to DF-1 (chicken embryo fibroblast) cells, which further proved the interaction of VgrG-T6SS2 with the surface of BMECs.
Streptococcus pneumoniae ClpL Modulates Adherence to A549 Human Lung Cells through Rap1/Rac1 Activation
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Thach , Le Nhat-Tu , Tran Thao Dang-Hien , Kim Eun-Hye , Park Sang-Sang , Luong Truc Thanh , Chung Kyung-Tae , Pyo Suhkneung , Rhee Dong-Kwon
Published: July 2014

Caseinolytic protease L (ClpL) is a member of the HSP100/Clp chaperone family, which is found mainly in Gram-positive bacteria. ClpL is highly expressed during infection for refolding of stress-induced denatured proteins, some of which are important for adherence. However, the role of ClpL in modulating pneumococcal virulence is poorly understood. Here, we show that ClpL impairs pneumococcal adherence to A549 lung cells by inducing and activating Rap1 and Rac1, thus increasing phosphorylation of cofilin (inactive form). Moreover, infection with a
clpL
mutant (Δ
clpL
) causes a greater degree of filopodium formation than D39 wild-type (WT) infection. Inhibition of Rap1 and Rac1 impairs filopodium formation and pneumococcal adherence. Therefore, ClpL can reduce pneumococcal adherence to A549 cells, likely via modulation of Rap1- and Rac1-mediated filopodium formation. These results demonstrate a potential role for ClpL in pneumococcal resistance to host cell adherence during infection. This study provides insight into further understanding the interactions between hosts and pathogens.
Clinical management issues vary by specialty in the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Vinluan Jessele , Retegan Claudia , Chen Andrew , Beiles Charles Barry
Published: July 2014

Objective

Clinical management issues are contributory factors to mortality. The aim of this study was to use data from the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM), an educational peer-review process for surgeons, to discover differences in the incidence of these issues between surgical specialties in order to focus attention to areas of care that might be improved.

Design

This study used retrospectively analysed observational data from VASM. Clinical management issues between eight specialties were assessed using χ2analysis.

Data sources

VASM data were reported by participating public and private health services, the Coroner and self-reporting surgeons across Victoria.

Results

A total of 2946 specific clinical issues as deficiencies of care were reported. 15% of cases had significant issues of care. The most common clinical management issue was the delay in delivery of treatment. Other clinical issues included the quality of communication and documentation, preoperative and postoperative care, adverse events and protocol issues. There were significant differences in issues between specialties.

Conclusions

The clinical management issues presented across surgical specialties were similar; however, five issues of clinical care differed significantly in frequency across surgical specialties. The three main issues varying among specialties were complications after operation, communication and postoperative care. Addressing these clinical management issues via the peer-review process may impact positively on patient care.
Feasibility and outcomes of combined transcatheter aortic valve replacement with other structural heart interventions in a single session: a matched cohort study
Authors: Khattab Ahmed A , Gloekler Steffen , Sprecher Beate , Shakir Samera , Guerios Ênio , Stortecky Stefan , O'Sullivan Crochan J , Nietlispach Fabian , Moschovitis Aris , Pilgrim Thomas , Buellesfeld Lutz , Wenaweser Peter , Windecker Stephan , Meier Bernhard
Published: July 2014

Background

Concurrent cardiac diseases are frequent among elderly patients and invite simultaneous treatment to ensure an overall favourable patient outcome.

Aim

To investigate the feasibility of combined single-session percutaneous cardiac interventions in the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

This prospective, case–control study included 10 consecutive patients treated with TAVI, left atrial appendage occlusion and percutaneous coronary interventions. Some in addition had patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect closure in the same session. The patients were matched in a 1:10 manner with TAVI-only cases treated within the same time period at the same institution regarding their baseline factors. The outcome was validated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria.

Results

Procedural time (126±42 vs 83±40 min, p=0.0016), radiation time (34±8 vs 22±12 min, p=0.0001) and contrast dye (397±89 vs 250±105 mL, p<0.0001) were higher in the combined intervention group than in the TAVI-only group. Despite these drawbacks, no difference in the VARC endpoints was evident during the in-hospital period and after 30 days (VARC combined safety endpoint 32% for TAVI only and 20% for combined intervention, p=1.0).

Conclusions

Transcatheter treatment of combined cardiac diseases is feasible even in a single session in a high-volume centre with experienced operators.
Laboratory Tests and Numerical Simulations of CFRP Strengthened RC Pier Subjected to Barge Impact Load
Authors: Sha Yanyan , Hao Hong
Published: July 2014

Bridge piers are designed to withstand not only axial loads of superstructures and passing vehicles but also out-of-plane loads such as earthquake excitations and vessel impact loads. Vessel impact on bridge piers can lead to substantial damages or even collapse of bridge structures. An increasing number of vessel collision accidents have been reported in the past decade. A lot of researches have been conducted for predicting barge impact loads and calculating structural responses. However, in practice it is not possible to design bridge structures to resist all levels of barge impact loads. Moreover, with an increasing traffic volume and vessel payload in some waterways, the bridge piers designed according to previous specifications might not be sufficient to resist the current vessel impact loads. Therefore, strengthening existing bridge piers are sometimes necessary for protecting structures from barge impact. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) has been widely used in strengthening reinforced concrete structures under impulsive loadings. It is an effective material which has been proven to be able to increase the flexural strength of structures. In this study, CFRP composites are used to strengthen reinforced concrete piers against barge impact loads. Pendulum impact tests are conducted on scaled pier models. Impact force and pier response with and without CFRP strengthening are compared. The effectiveness of using CFRP strengthening the pier model is observed. In addition, numerical models of the bridge piers are developed and calibrated with experimental results. Parametric simulations of barge impacting on piers with or without CFRP strengthening are carried out. The results show that compared with unstrengthened pier, CFRP composite strengthened bridge pier has a higher impact resistance capacity and hence endures less structural damage under the same barge impact load. The effectiveness of CFRP strengthening with different CFRP thickness, CFRP strength and bond strength between the pier and the CFRP composite are also discussed.
Debris-flow hazard assessment based on stepwise discriminant analysis and extension theory
Authors: Niu Cen-Cen , Wang Qing , Chen Jian-Ping , Wang Ke , Zhang Wen , Zhou Fu-Jun
Published: July 2014

The Wudongde dam is located in the mountainous region of southwestern China. Debris flows form a serious threat to the safety of this site and appropriate hazard assessments need to be carried out. However, the results of such assessments may be erroneous, especially when certain influencing factors are not properly considered. In this study, a stepwise discriminant analysis is used to investigate which factors influence debris-flow occurrence. A total of 27 debris flows, identified through field investigation, are analysed and this resulted in the selection of 17 influence factors. By employing a stepwise discriminant analysis it is possible to reduce these to just five major influencing factors, thus simplifying the calculation of debris-flow hazard assessment. Extension theory has been used to further identify the role of the influencing factors in debris-flow hazard assessment. Thus, reasonable and objective results of hazard degree assessment are expected. Once the criteria for debris-flow hazard assessment are established, the hazard degree of each debris flow is determined. Of the 27 debris flows analysed in this study, four are categorized as ‘extremely hazardous’, 10 as ‘very hazardous’, 10 as ‘moderately hazardous’, and three as ‘slightly hazardous’. The results are consistent with current expert knowledge of these debris flows, thereby providing an indication that the methods used in this study adequately replicate the expert assessments.
Modeling User Preferences in Recommender Systems
Authors: Jawaheer Gawesh , Weller Peter , Kostkova Patty
Published: July 2014

Recommender systems are firmly established as a standard technology for assisting users with their choices; however, little attention has been paid to the application of the user model in recommender systems, particularly the variability and noise that are an intrinsic part of human behavior and activity. To enable recommender systems to suggest items that are useful to a particular user, it can be essential to understand the user and his or her interactions with the system. These interactions typically manifest themselves as explicit and implicit user feedback that provides the key indicators for modeling users’ preferences for items and essential information for personalizing recommendations. In this article, we propose a classification framework for the use of explicit and implicit user feedback in recommender systems based on a set of distinct properties that include Cognitive Effort, User Model, Scale of Measurement, and Domain Relevance. We develop a set of comparison criteria for explicit and implicit user feedback to emphasize the key properties. Using our framework, we provide a classification of recommender systems that have addressed questions about user feedback, and we review state-of-the-art techniques to improve such user feedback and thereby improve the performance of the recommender system. Finally, we formulate challenges for future research on improvement of user feedback.
Waiting for Godot? the
right
language abstractions for parallel programming should be here soon
Authors: Mytkowicz Todd , Schulte Wolfram
Published: July 2014

As a discipline, we have been discussing parallel programming for years. After all these years, do we know the right language abstractions for parallel programming? Would we recognize the right abstractions if we were to see them? In this article, Todd Mytkowicz and Wolfram Schulte, both from Microsoft Research, ask: Have we been simply biding our time, waiting for our Godot?
Smoothed Functional Algorithms for Stochastic Optimization Using
q
-Gaussian Distributions
Authors: Ghoshdastidar Debarghya , Dukkipati Ambedkar , Bhatnagar Shalabh
Published: July 2014

Smoothed functional (SF) schemes for gradient estimation are known to be efficient in stochastic optimization algorithms, especially when the objective is to improve the performance of a stochastic system. However, the performance of these methods depends on several parameters, such as the choice of a suitable smoothing kernel. Different kernels have been studied in the literature, which include Gaussian, Cauchy, and uniform distributions, among others. This article studies a new class of kernels based on the
q
-Gaussian distribution, which has gained popularity in statistical physics over the last decade. Though the importance of this family of distributions is attributed to its ability to generalize the Gaussian distribution, we observe that this class encompasses almost all existing smoothing kernels. This motivates us to study SF schemes for gradient estimation using the
q
-Gaussian distribution. Using the derived gradient estimates, we propose two-timescale algorithms for optimization of a stochastic objective function in a constrained setting with a projected gradient search approach. We prove the convergence of our algorithms to the set of stationary points of an associated ODE. We also demonstrate their performance numerically through simulations on a queuing model.
Randomized auction design for electricity markets between grids and microgrids
Authors: Zhang Linquan , Li Zongpeng , Wu Chuan
Published: July 2014

This work studies electricity markets between power grids and microgrids, an emerging paradigm of electric power generation and supply. It is among the first that addresses the economic challenges arising from such grid integration, and represents the first power auction mechanism design that explicitly handles the Unit Commitment Problem (UCP), a key challenge in power grid optimization previously investigated only for centralized cooperative algorithms. The proposed solution leverages a recent result in theoretical computer science that can decompose an optimal fractional (infeasible) solution to NP-hard problems into a convex combination of integral (feasible) solutions. The end result includes randomized power auctions that are (approximately) truthful and computationally efficient, and achieve small approximation ratios for grid-wide social welfare under UCP constraints and temporal demand correlations. Both power markets with grid-to-microgrid and microgrid-to-grid energy sales are studied, with an auction designed for each, under the same randomized power auction framework. Trace driven simulations are conducted to verify the efficacy of the two proposed inter-grid power auctions.
Augmenting the non-visual web browsing process using the geomagic touch haptic device
Authors: Kuber Ravi , Zhu Shaojian , Arber Yevgeniy , Norman Kirk , Magnusson Charlotte
Published: July 2014

In this article, we describe an extension to a web browsing tool, designed to support individuals who are blind. The user is able to explore web-based content using the Geomagic Touch device. Both haptic and speech-based cues are presented when alighting over objects (e.g. images, hyperlinks, buttons and textboxes/textareas), replacing much of the structural information which can be difficult to obtain via a traditional screen reader. Findings from an observational study suggest that the tool offers promise to assist users with mapping the layout of objects on a web page. However, further refinements are needed, particularly when encountering smaller-sized objects located in close proximity to one another. In terms of future work, we aim to evaluate the tool with blind web developers who design for sighted audiences, or who work in teams with sighted developers, to determine whether the solution can support target users within the work environment.
Physiological Functions of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor β
Authors: Neels Jaap G. , Grimaldi Paul A.
Published: July 2014

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ, are a family of transcription factors activated by a diversity of molecules including fatty acids and fatty acid metabolites. PPARs regulate the transcription of a large variety of genes implicated in metabolism, inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation in different cell types. These transcriptional regulations involve both direct transactivation and interaction with other transcriptional regulatory pathways. The functions of PPARα and PPARγ have been extensively documented mainly because these isoforms are activated by molecules clinically used as hypolipidemic and antidiabetic compounds. The physiological functions of PPARβ remained for a while less investigated, but the finding that specific synthetic agonists exert beneficial actions in obese subjects uplifted the studies aimed to elucidate the roles of this PPAR isoform. Intensive work based on pharmacological and genetic approaches and on the use of both in vitro and in vivo models has considerably improved our knowledge on the physiological roles of PPARβ in various cell types. This review will summarize the accumulated evidence for the implication of PPARβ in the regulation of development, metabolism, and inflammation in several tissues, including skeletal muscle, heart, skin, and intestine. Some of these findings indicate that pharmacological activation of PPARβ could be envisioned as a therapeutic option for the correction of metabolic disorders and a variety of inflammatory conditions. However, other experimental data suggesting that activation of PPARβ could result in serious adverse effects, such as carcinogenesis and psoriasis, raise concerns about the clinical use of potent PPARβ agonists.
Glial Cells as Progenitors and Stem Cells: New Roles in the Healthy and Diseased Brain
Authors: Dimou Leda , Götz Magdalena
Published: July 2014

The diverse functions of glial cells prompt the question to which extent specific subtypes may be devoted to a specific function. We discuss this by reviewing one of the most recently discovered roles of glial cells, their function as neural stem cells (NSCs) and progenitor cells. First we give an overview of glial stem and progenitor cells during development; these are the radial glial cells that act as NSCs and other glial progenitors, highlighting the distinction between the lineage of cells in vivo and their potential when exposed to a different environment, e.g., in vitro. We then proceed to the adult stage and discuss the glial cells that continue to act as NSCs across vertebrates and others that are more lineage-restricted, such as the adult NG2-glia, the most frequent progenitor type in the adult mammalian brain, that remain within the oligodendrocyte lineage. Upon certain injury conditions, a distinct subset of quiescent astrocytes reactivates proliferation and a larger potential, clearly demonstrating the concept of heterogeneity with distinct subtypes of, e.g., astrocytes or NG2-glia performing rather different roles after brain injury. These new insights not only highlight the importance of glial cells for brain repair but also their great potential in various aspects of regeneration.
Biological Treatments in Behçet’s Disease: Beyond Anti-TNF Therapy
Authors: Caso Francesco , Costa Luisa , Rigante Donato , Lucherini Orso Maria , Caso Paolo , Bascherini Vittoria , Frediani Bruno , Cimaz Rolando , Marrani Edoardo , Nieves-Martín Laura , Atteno Mariangela , Raffaele Carmela G. L. , Tarantino Giusyda , Galeazzi Mauro , Punzi Leonardo , Cantarini Luca
Published: July 2014

Behçet’s disease (BD) is universally recognized as a multisystemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology with chronic course and unpredictable exacerbations: its clinical spectrum varies from pure vasculitic manifestations with thrombotic complications to protean inflammatory involvement of multiple organs and tissues. Treatment has been revolutionized by the progressed knowledge in the pathogenetic mechanisms of BD, involving dysfunction and oversecretion of multiple proinflammatory molecules, chiefly tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and IL-6. However, although biological treatment with anti-TNF-αagents has been largely demonstrated to be effective in BD, not all patients are definite responders, and this beneficial response might drop off over time. Therefore, additional therapies for a subset of refractory patients with BD are inevitably needed. Different agents targeting various cytokines and their receptors or cell surface molecules have been studied: the IL-1 receptor has been targeted by anakinra, the IL-1 by canakinumab and gevokizumab, the IL-6 receptor by tocilizumab, the IL12/23 receptor by ustekinumab, and the B-lymphocyte antigen CD-20 by rituximab. The aim of this review is to summarize all current experiences and the most recent evidence regarding these novel approaches with biological drugs other than TNF-αblockers in BD, providing a valuable addition to the actually available therapeutic armamentarium.
The Exact Solutions for a Point Mass Moving along a Stretched String on a Winkler Foundation
Authors: Gao Q. , Zhang J. , Zhang H. W. , Zhong W. X.
Published: July 2014

This paper derives the exact solutions for a point mass moving along a stretched infinite string on a Winkler foundation at a constant velocity. The solutions for the contact force between the string and the mass are derived and then the displacement responses of the string can be obtained easily. The solutions cover infinite string subjected to a moving mass at subsonic, sonic, or supersonic velocities. When time tends to infinity, the asymptotical solutions for the contact force between the mass and the string and for the displacement of the contact point are derived. The formulas derived are shown to be correct by comparison with the semianalytical method.
Traditional Knowledge and Formulations of Medicinal Plants Used by the Traditional Medical Practitioners of Bangladesh to Treat Schizophrenia Like Psychosis
Authors: Ahmed Md. Nasir , Kabidul Azam Md. Nur
Published: July 2014

Schizophrenia is a subtle disorder of brain development and plasticity; it affects the most basic human processes of perception, emotion, and judgment. In Bangladesh the traditional medical practitioners of rural and remote areas characterized the schizophrenia as an insanity or a mental problem due to possession by ghosts or evil spirits and they have used various plant species’ to treat such symptoms. The aim of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal plant survey and documentation of the formulations of different plant parts used by the traditional medical practitioners of Rangamati district of Bangladesh for the treatment of schizophrenia like psychosis. It was observed that the traditional medical practitioners used a total of 15 plant species to make 14 formulations. The plants were divided into 13 families, used for treatment of schizophrenia and accompanying symptoms like hallucination, depression, oversleeping or insomnia, deterioration of personal hygiene, forgetfulness, and fear due to evil spirits like genies or ghost. A search of the relevant scientific literatures showed that a number of plants used by the medicinal practitioners have been scientifically validated in their uses and traditional medicinal knowledge has been a means towards the discovery of many modern medicines. Moreover, the antipsychotic drug reserpine, isolated from the dried root ofRauvolfia serpentinaspecies, revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia. So it is very much possible that formulations of the practitioner, when examined scientifically in their entireties, can form discovery of lead compounds which can be used as safe and effective antipsychotic drug to treat schizophrenia.
Structure-Property Relationship of New Organic Sensitizers Based on Multicarbazole Derivatives for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Jo Hyo Jeong , Nam Jung Eun , Kim Dae-Hwan , Kim Hyojeong , Kang Jin-Kyu
Published: July 2014

A new multicarbazole based organic dye (C2A1,C2S1A1) with a twisted structure was designed and synthesized, and the corresponding dye (C1A1) without the twisted structure was synthesized for comparison. They were successfully applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results showed that the nonplanar structure ofC2A1andC2S1A1can efficiently retard the dye aggregation and charge recombination. The organic dye (C2S1A1) with thiophene units also exhibited a higher molar extinction coefficient and red-shifted absorption, which leads to an improved light harvesting efficiency. TheC2S1A1-sensitized solar cell produced a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 5.1%, high open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.69 V, and short-circuit photocurrent density of 10.83 mA cm−2under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm−2) conditions.
Frailty and Body Mass Index as Predictors of 3-Year Mortality in Older Adults Living in the Community
Authors: Lee Yunhwan , Kim Jinhee , Han Eun Sook , Ryu Mikyung , Cho Yunyoung , Chae Songi
Published: July 2014

Background: Frailty and body mass index (BMI) are known to be predictive of late life mortality, but little is known about the combined effects of frailty and BMI on mortality. Objective: This study investigated the influence of frailty status and BMI category on mortality in older adults. Methods: Data were from the Living Profiles of Older People Survey, a national survey of community-dwelling older people in Korea, with a baseline study of 11,844 Koreans aged 65 years and older in 2008 and a 3-year follow-up for mortality. Frailty was categorized as not frail, prefrail, and frail, based on five indicators (weight loss, exhaustion, physical activity, walking speed, and grip strength). BMI (kg/m2) was classified as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), or obese (≥30.0). A Cox proportional model was used to analyze the association of the combined frailty and BMI categories with all-cause mortality, adjusting for sociodemographics and health-related factors. Results: Adjusting for covariates, compared with the normal-weight nonfrail counterpart, the underweight or normal-weight prefrail/frail status demonstrated significantly increased rates of death. The obese frail respondents showed a significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratio, 3.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-13.28). The overweight prefrail/frail group, however, exhibited no significant association with mortality. Conclusion: Among older people who were of normal weight or underweight, greater frailty was associated with poorer survival. Whereas being overweight tended to be neutral of the influence of frailty on mortality, the obese frail exhibited a significantly elevated rate of death.