bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2 low‐level laser therapy has an early but not delayed pain effect during experimental tooth movement
Authors: Deguchi T. , Kim DG. , Kamioka H.
Published: June 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that the use of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces elevated pain by controlling the release of neurochemicals during orthodontic tooth movement.

Setting and Sample Population

Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Okayama University. Sixty‐five Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to tooth movement and LLLT.

Materials and Methods

Adult Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Groups included day 0 controls, irradiation only controls and with or without irradiation sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after tooth movement (n=5 each, total n=65). Tooth movement was achieved by insertion of an elastic module between molar teeth. Immunohistochemistry for CD‐11b, GFAP and c‐fos in the brain stem was performed. Stains were quantified by constructing a three‐dimensional image using IMARIS, and counted using NEURON TRACER and WinROOF software. Two‐way ANOVA followed by a Tukey's post hoc test (P<.05) was used for statistical comparison between groups.

Results

C‐fos expression was significantly increased at one and three days after tooth movement. LLLT significantly diminished this increase in c‐fos expression only at one day after tooth movement CD‐b11 and GFAP expression also significantly increased after tooth movement. No significant change was observed for CD‐11b and GFAP expression in the central nervous system upon LLLT.

Conclusion

Low‐level laser therapy may reduce early neurochemical markers but have no effect on delayed pain neurochemical markers after tooth movement.
The use of cell culture platforms to identify novel markers of bone and dentin resorption
Authors: Rody W. J. , Krokhin O. , Spicer V. , Chamberlain C. A. , Chamberlain M. , McHugh K. P. , Wallet S. M. , Emory A. K. , Crull J. D. , Holliday L. S.
Published: June 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

1) To test the hypothesis that there would be proteomic differences in the composition of exosomes isolated from osteoclasts and odontoclasts and 2) to determine the clinical usefulness of these in vitro biomarker candidates.

Materials and Methods

Mouse bone marrow‐derived precursors were cultured on either dentin or bone slices and allowed to mature and begin resorption. Exosomes were isolated from cell culture media and characterized by mass spectrometry. The proteomic data obtained from this in vitro study were compared with the data obtained from human samples in our previous work.

Results

There was a difference in the proteomic composition of exosomes from osteoclasts and odontoclasts. A total of 40 exosomal proteins were only present in osteoclast media, whereas six unique exosomal proteins were identified in odontoclast supernatants. Approximately 50% of exosomal proteins released by clastic cells in vitro can be found in oral fluids.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the mineralized matrix type plays a role in the final phenotypic characteristics of mouse clastic cells. Many in vitro biomarker candidates of bone and dentin resorption can also be found in human oral fluids, thus indicating that this approach may be a viable alternative in biomarker discovery.
Effect of cyclical forces on orthodontic tooth movement, from animals to humans
Authors: Uribe F. , Dutra E. , Chandhoke T.
Published: June 2017

Vibration as a non‐invasive method is currently available for clinical use with the potential to accelerate the rate of tooth movement in orthodontics. The aim of this review was to evaluate the basic science and clinical literature on the effects of vibration on the axial and appendicular skeleton including the craniofacial bone. Vibration as a dynamic load consisting of high oscillatory forces of low magnitude has shown osteogenic and anti‐catabolic effects on bone. These effects have been observed in the craniofacial skeleton including the alveolar bone as increases in sutural width and alveolar bone formation. Animal studies have shown conflicting results on vibration when superposed to orthodontic tooth movement. The effects range from increasing to decreasing the rate of tooth movement. Clinical studies in accelerating the rate of tooth movement have similar findings observed in animal studies. High‐frequency oscillatory forces of low magnitude are able to affect bone formation and remodelling. These effects of vibration are primarily anabolic and anti‐catabolic in bone, including the craniofacial skeleton and alveolar bone. The effect of vibration on accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement is contradictory. Higher levels of evidence studies have not been able to show an acceleratory effect.
The fate of Osterix‐expressing mesenchymal cells in dental root formation and maintenance
Authors: Takahashi A. , Ono N. , Ono W.
Published: June 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

Osterix (Osx)‐expressing mesenchymal cells are progenitors for tooth root forming cells. The aim of this study was to reveal the fates of Osx‐expressing cells during and after root formation using a lineage tracing experiment.

Material and Methods

To reveal the fates of Osx‐expressing dental mesenchymal progenitors, we took advantage of tamoxifen‐inducible Cre reporter system. Osx‐creER; R26R‐tdTomato mice received tamoxifen (0.1 mg/body) at postnatal day 3 (P3). In this system, Osx‐expressing at P3 (Osx‐P3) cells undergo recombination, and they and their descendants continue to express Tomato red fluorescence protein permanently. Mandibles were dissected at serial time points ranging from P4 to P116 to investigate how Osx‐P3 cells participated in root formation. Tomato+ cells on frozen sections were imaged under fluorescence microscopy.

Results

Osx‐P3 cells and their descendants differentiated into all kinds of cells that contributed to the root and periodontal tissues, such as odontoblasts, cementoblasts, alveolar bone osteoblasts and periodontal ligament (PDL) cells during root formation. Even after root formation was completed, they persisted in dental pulp and PDL to provide progenitor cells for odontoblasts and cementoblasts.

Conclusion

Osx‐expressing cells play important roles in the entire processes of tooth root formation; their progeny continue to contribute to maintenance of tooth root even after root formation is complete.
Calvarial bone development and suture closure in Dicer‐deficient mice
Authors: Atsawasuwan P. , Ouibaidin M. , Dalal B. , Khan H. , Mohammed A.
Published: June 2017

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether lack of Dicer during calvaria development would lead to dysmorphology of calvaria and suture closure in mice.

Materials and Methods

A conditional Dicer deficient under Osx promoter mouse was employed in this study. The 4‐ and 10‐week‐old conditional Dicer‐deficient mice control littermates and Osx‐cre transgenic mice were studied for calvarial bone morphology and suture closure. Dry skull, microcomputed tomography (μCT), histological and gene expression studies were investigated to evaluate the effect of Dicer deficiency on calvarial bone morphology and their related genes during calvaria development.

Results

The results elucidated that complete suture closure was observed in 10‐week‐old conditional Dicer‐deficient mice while incomplete closure suture was observed in age‐matched Osx‐cre control mice. The μCT and histological sections demonstrated complete fusion of posterior frontal suture and dysmorphic calvarial bones in Dicer deficient mice compared to the ones in their littermates and age‐matched Osx‐cre control mice. Gene expression study demonstrated significantly increased expression of suture and calvarial bone‐related genes, that is Tgf‐beta family, Bmp3, Msx2, Alx4, Runx2 and Osx in Dicer‐deficient mice during suture closure time.

Conclusions

The results suggest mature miRNAs are important for suture closure and calvarial morphology during calvaria development.
R&D capabilities, intellectual property strength and choice of equity ownership in cross‐border acquisitions: evidence from BRICS acquirers in Europe
Authors: Ahammad Mohammad Faisal , Konwar Ziko , Papageorgiadis Nikolaos , Wang Chengang , Inbar Jacob
Published: June 2017

The aim of the study is to investigate two relatively underexplored factors, namely, the R&D (research and development) capabilities of target firms and the strength of intellectual property (IP) institutions in target economies, that influences the choice of equity ownership in cross border acquisitions (CBAs) undertaken by multinational enterprises (MNEs) from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies. They developed the key hypothesis on foreign market entry through CBAs by incorporating insights from transaction costs economics, the resource‐based view and institutional theory to investigate the determinants of full versus partial equity ownership. Using logistic regression estimation methods to a sample of 111 CBA deals of BRICS MNEs in 22 European countries, it was found that BRICS MNEs were likely to pursue full rather than partial acquisition mode when target firms have high R&D capabilities. However, the greater the degree of strength of IP institutions in target economies and higher the target firms’ R&D capabilities, the more likely it is for BRICS MNEs to undertake partial, rather than, full acquisition mode. They provided interesting theoretical insights and managerial implications that might underlie some of the key findings on CBAs by emerging market MNEs.
The Cartesian Roots of Berkeley's Account of Sensation
Authors: Frankel Melissa
Published: June 2017

On the old story about early modern philosophy, Descartes is a “rationalist” who devalues the senses, and Berkeley an “empiricist” who rejects this. Berkeley plays into this story in his Notebooks, where he writes: “in vindication of the senses effectually to confute wt Descartes saith in ye last par. of the last Med: viz. that the senses oftener inform him falsly than truely” (794). But when we turn to this “last par.,” we find Descartes maintaining that “my senses report the truth much more frequently than not” (CSM2: 61). In this paper, I draw on recent commentary to outline Descartes' positive account of sensation. I then look carefully at Berkeley's account of the same, in particular, by considering his distinction between human and divine perception and his account of the laws of nature. In so doing, I suggest that there are noteworthy parallels between Descartes' and Berkeley's accounts with respect to the function of sensation and the ways in which sensations can fulfill this function. I conclude by sketching some ways in which this understanding of Berkeley can illuminate some aspects of Berkeley scholarship.
Urban event detection with big data of taxi OD trips: A time series decomposition approach
Authors: Zhu Xi , Guo Diansheng
Published: June 2017

Big urban mobility data, such as taxi trips, cell phone records, and geo‐social media check‐ins, offer great opportunities for analyzing the dynamics, events, and spatiotemporal trends of the urban social landscape. In this article, we present a new approach to the detection of urban events based on location‐specific time series decomposition and outlier detection. The approach first extracts long‐term temporal trends and seasonal periodicity patterns. Events are defined as anomalies that deviate significantly from the prediction with the discovered temporal patterns, i.e., trend and periodicity. Specifically, we adopt the STL approach, i.e., seasonal and trend decomposition using LOESS (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing), to decompose the time series for each location into three components: long‐term trend, seasonal periodicity, and the remainder. Events are extracted from the remainder component for each location with an outlier detection method. We analyze over a billion taxi trips for over seven years in Manhattan (New York City) to detect and map urban events at different temporal resolutions. Results show that the approach is effective and robust in detecting events and revealing urban dynamics with both holistic understandings and location‐specific interpretations.
Dynamic spatial panel estimates of war contagion
Authors: Carmignani Fabrizio , Kler Parvinder
Published: June 2017

We estimate the temporal, spatial and “spatio‐temporal” effects of war using a dynamic spatial panel model. Our argument is that it is important to account for both the space and temporal lags concurrently, while instead the existing literature largely tends to focus on one or the other. Key findings are as follows: first, there is evidence that both temporal and spatial effects significantly impact upon the duration of war. Second, we also find that the combined “spatio‐temporal” interaction effect is significant only when excluding contemporaneous spatial lag effect. Third, while stronger for high‐intensity conflict, spatial and temporal effects remain significant also for low‐intensity conflict. Fourth, the spatial effect is stronger in magnitude for interstate wars. Our results point to the importance of regional co‐operation for conflict prevention and peace stabilisation.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain CDB3, an Arsenic-Resistant Soil Bacterium Isolated from Cattle Dip Sites
Authors: Yang Yiren , Zhang Ren
Published: June 2017

Bacillus
sp. strain CDB3, isolated from cattle dip sites in Australia, is highly resistant to arsenic. It contains 22 arsenic resistance (
ars
) genes, of which 17 are organized in 3
ars
clusters. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of CDB3, which will assist us in understanding the overall
ars
mechanism.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Extremely Thermoacidophilic Archaeon
Acidianus manzaensis
YN-25
Authors: Ma Ya-long , Xia Jin-lan , Yang Yun , Nie Zhen-yuan , Liu Hong-chang , Liu Li-zhu
Published: June 2017

The complete genome of
Acidianus manzaensis
YN-25 consists of a chromosome of 2,687,463 bp, with a G+C content of 30.62% and 2,746 coding DNA sequences. This archaeon contains a series of specific genes involved in the oxidation of elemental sulfur and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds.
The cause of the stroke: a diagnostic uncertainty
Authors: Dattani Abhishek , Jackson Ava
Published: June 2017

A 39-year-old man with a history of sickle cell disease (SCD) presented with left leg weakness. He had a normal CT head and CT angiogram, but MRI head showed multiple acute bilateral cortical infarcts including in the right precentral gyrus. The MRI findings were more in keeping with an embolic source rather than stroke related to SCD, although it could not be ruled out. He also had an echocardiogram which revealed a patent foramen ovale. He was treated with antiplatelet therapy and also had red blood cell exchange transfusion. His symptoms improved significantly and he was discharged with follow-up as an outpatient and a cardiology review.
Risk factors for head injury events in professional rugby union: a video analysis of 464 head injury events to inform proposed injury prevention strategies
Authors: Tucker Ross , Raftery Martin , Kemp Simon , Brown James , Fuller Gordon , Hester Ben , Cross Matthew , Quarrie Ken
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The tackle is responsible for the majority of head injuries during rugby union. In order to address head injury risk, risk factors during the tackle must first be identified. This study analysed tackle characteristics in the professional game in order to inform potential interventions.

Methods

464 tackles resulting in a head injury assessment (HIA) were analysed in detail, with tackle type, direction, speed, acceleration, nature of head contact and player body position the characteristics of interest.

Results

Propensity to cause an HIA was significantly greater for active shoulder tackles, front-on tackles, high speeder tackles and an accelerating tackler. Head contact between a tackler’s head and ball carrier’s head or shoulder was significantly more likely to cause an HIA than contact below the level of the shoulder (incident rate ratio (IRR) 4.25, 95%–CI 3.38 to 5.35). The tackler experiences the majority (78%) of HIAs when head-to-head contact occurs. An upright tackler was 1.5 times more likely to experience an HIA than a bent at the waist tackler (IRR 1.44, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.76).

Conclusions

This study confirms that energy transfer in the tackle is a risk factor for head injury, since direction, type and speed all influence HIA propensity. The study provides evidence that body position and the height of tackles should be a focus for interventions, since lowering height and adopting a bent at the waist body position is associated with reduced risk for both tacklers and ball carriers. To this end, World Rugby has implemented law change based on the present data.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare: past, present and future
Authors: Jiang Fei , Jiang Yong , Zhi Hui , Dong Yi , Li Hao , Ma Sufeng , Wang Yilong , Dong Qiang , Shen Haipeng , Wang Yongjun
Published: June 2017

Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to mimic human cognitive functions. It is bringing a paradigm shift to healthcare, powered by increasing availability of healthcare data and rapid progress of analytics techniques. We survey the current status of AI applications in healthcare and discuss its future. AI can be applied to various types of healthcare data (structured and unstructured). Popular AI techniques include machine learning methods for structured data, such as the classical support vector machine and neural network, and the modern deep learning, as well as natural language processing for unstructured data. Major disease areas that use AI tools include cancer, neurology and cardiology. We then review in more details the AI applications in stroke, in the three major areas of early detection and diagnosis, treatment, as well as outcome prediction and prognosis evaluation. We conclude with discussion about pioneer AI systems, such as IBM Watson, and hurdles for real-life deployment of AI.
Top 10 tips for working in the media
Authors: Wedderburn Pete
Published: June 2017

Pete Wedderburn shares his own top 10 tips for building good relationships with magazine, radio and television editors and producers
New Brunswick hydrometric network analysis and rationalization
Authors: Boisvert Jasmin , El-Jabi Nassir , El Adlouni Salah-Eddine , Caissie Daniel , Thiombiano Alida Nadège
Published: June 2017

The availability of hydrometric data, as well as its spatial distribution, is important for water resources management. An overly dense network or an under developed network can cause inaccurate hydrological regional estimates. The objective of this study is to propose a methodology for rationalizing a network, specifically the New Brunswick Hydrometric Network. A hierarchical clustering analysis allowed dividing the province into two regions (North and South), based on latitude and high flow timing. These groups were subsequently split separately into three homogeneous subgroups, based on the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution shape parameter of each station for annual maximum flow series. An entropy method was then applied to compute the amount of information shared between stations, ranking each station’s importance. A station with a lot of shared information is redundant (less important), whereas one with little shared information is unique (very important). The entropy method appears to be a useful decisional tool in a network rationalization.
Statistical properties of the q-deformed relativistic Dirac oscillator in minimal length quantum mechanics
Authors: Sargolzaeipor S. , Hassanabadi H. , Chung W.S.
Published: June 2017

In this article, we introduce a two-dimensional Dirac oscillator in the presence of an external magnetic field in terms of q-deformed creation and annihilation operators in the framework of relativistic quantum mechanics with minimal length. We discuss the eigenvalues of q-deformed Dirac oscillator in two dimensions and report the statistical quantities of the system for a small real q.
Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings
Authors: Hanssen Sveinn Are , Sonne Christian , Bustnes Jan Ove , Schnug Lisbeth , Bourgeon Sophie , Ballesteros Manuel , Eulaers Igor , Moum Truls , Johnsen Trond Vidar , Kjelgaard-Hansen Mads , Herzke Dorte , Jaspers Veerle L.B. , Covaci Adrian , Eens Marcel , Halley Duncan J. , Erikstad Kjell Einar , Ims Rolf Anker
Published: June 2017

We investigated the effects of parasite removal on various blood clinical–chemical variables (BCCVs). BCCVs are indicators of health, reflecting, e.g., homeostasis of liver, kidney function, and bone metabolism. The study was conducted in Norway on chicks of two predatory birds: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Chicks were treated against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). We treated against ectoparasites by spraying nests with pyrethrins. Within nests, chicks were randomly treated with either an anti-helminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water (controls). Treatment against either ectoparasites or endoparasites led to higher levels of the bone and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Bilirubin levels were lower when treated against ectoparasites, whereas bile acids were higher. Anti-endoparasite treatment led to higher creatinine levels. In Northern Goshawks, treating against endoparasites led to higher urea levels and lower potassium levels. Treatment against ectoparasites increased uric acid and urea levels and reduced bilirubin levels and protein:creatinine ratios. In conclusion, anti-parasite treatments led to changes in several BCCVs, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and physiological state of chicks that are possibly related to the costs of parasitism, but maybe also to the parasite treatment itself.
Software Product Line Testing Based on Feature Model Mutation
Authors: Ferreira Johnny Maikeo , Vergilio Silvia Regina , Quinaia Marcos
Published: June 2017

The Feature Model (FM) is a fundamental artifact of the Software Product Line (SPL) engineering, used to represent commonalities and variabilities, and also to derive products for testing. However, the test of all features combinations (products) is not always possible in practice. Due to the growing complexity of the applications, only a subset of products is usually selected. The selection is generally based on combinatorial testing, to test features interactions. This kind of selection does not consider different classes of faults that can be present in the FM. The application of a fault-based approach, such as mutation-based testing, can increase the probability of finding faults and the confidence that the SPL products match the requirements. Considering that, this paper introduces a mutation approach to select products for the feature testing of SPLs. The approach can be used similarly to a test criterion in the generation and assessment of test cases. It includes (i) a set of mutation operators, introduced to describe typical faults associated to the feature management and to the FM; and (ii) a testing process to apply the operators. Experimental results show the applicability of the approach. The selected test case sets are capable to reveal other kind of faults, not revealed in the pairwise testing.
An Evaluation Method for Content Analysis Based on Twitter Content Influence
Authors: Lee Euijong , Kim Young-Gab , Seo Young-Duk , Seol Kwangsoo , Baik Doo-Kwon
Published: June 2017

Twitter is a microblogging website, which has different characteristics from any other social networking service (SNS) in that it has one-directional relationships between users with short posts of less than 140 characters. These characteristics make Twitter not only a social network but also a news media. In addition, Twitter posts have been used and analyzed in various fields such as marketing, prediction of presidential elections, and requirement analysis. With an increase in Twitter usage, we need a more effective method to analyze Twitter content. In this paper, we propose a method for content analysis based on the influence of Twitter content. For measuring Twitter influence, we use the number of followers of the content author, retweet count, and currency of time. We perform experiments to compare the proposed method, frequency, numerical statistics, user influence, and sentiment score. The results show that the proposed method is slightly better than the other methods. In addition, we discuss Twitter characteristics and a method for an effective analysis of Twitter content.
Hom-L-R-smash biproduct and the category of Hom–Yetter–Drinfel’d–Long bimodules
Authors: Lu Daowei , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: June 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a Hom-bialgebra. In this paper, we firstly introduce the notion of Hom-L-R smash coproduct [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a Hom-coalgebra. Then for a Hom-algebra and Hom-coalgebra [Formula: see text], we introduce the notion of Hom-L-R-admissible pair [Formula: see text]. We prove that [Formula: see text] becomes a Hom-bialgebra under Hom-L-R smash product and Hom-L-R smash coproduct. Next, we will introduce a prebraided monoidal category [Formula: see text] of Hom–Yetter–Drinfel’d–Long bimodules and show that Hom-L-R-admissible pair [Formula: see text] actually corresponds to a bialgebra in the category [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are involutions. Finally, we prove that when [Formula: see text] is finite dimensional Hom-Hopf algebra, [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to the Yetter–Drinfel’d category [Formula: see text] as braid monoidal categories where [Formula: see text] is the tensor product Hom–Hopf algebra.
Universal central extensions of Lie–Rinehart algebras
Authors: Castiglioni J. L. , García-Martínez X. , Ladra M.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the universal central extension of a Lie–Rinehart algebra and we give a description of it. Then we study the lifting of automorphisms and derivations to central extensions. We also give a definition of a non-abelian tensor product in Lie–Rinehart algebras based on the construction of Ellis of non-abelian tensor product of Lie algebras. We relate this non-abelian tensor product to the universal central extension.
Metal-porphyrin catalyzed aziridination of α-methylstyrene: Batch vs. flow process
Authors: Intrieri Daniela , Rossi Sergio , Puglisi Alessandra , Gallo Emma
Published: June 2017

This work describes the aziridination process of [Formula: see text]-methylstyrene by using electron poor aromatic azides in the presence of metal-based porphyrins as catalysts. Different ruthenium and cobalt-based porphyrins were successfully employed for the synthesis of [Formula: see text]-aryl aziridines performed under a traditional batch methodology and under continuous flow conditions. In general, yields obtained using ruthenium-based catalysts in a traditional batch process were higher than those observed when the reaction was performed under flow conditions. However, cobalt-based porphyrins showed better activities and short reaction times when employed in a flow system process. DFT calculations were also performed in order to understand the influence of substituents on the porphyrin ring in the aziridination process.
On the gaps between nonzero Fourier coefficients of eigenforms with CM
Authors: Kaushik Surjeet , Kumar Narasimha
Published: June 2017

Suppose [Formula: see text] is an elliptic curve over [Formula: see text] of conductor [Formula: see text] with complex multiplication (CM) by [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is the corresponding cuspidal Hecke eigenform in [Formula: see text]. Then [Formula: see text]th Fourier coefficient of [Formula: see text] is nonzero in the short interval [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] and for some [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, we produce infinitely many cuspidal CM eigenforms [Formula: see text] level [Formula: see text] and weight [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] holds, for all [Formula: see text].
Aspect-Oriented Visual Ontology Editor (AVOnEd): Visual Language, Aspect-Oriented Editing Concept and Implementation
Authors: Hartmann Stefan , Hallay Florian , Brinkschulte Luisa , Rebstadt Jonas , Gesterkamp Lena , Enders Arkadij , Kewitz Niklas , Mertens Robert
Published: June 2017

When it comes to design and editing, complex ontologies have much in common with large and complex software systems. The ontology editor presented in this article adapts two solution approaches from software engineering to the task of ontology editing following the rationale that similar problems can be tackled with similar solutions. The first of the approaches is aspect orientation which allows to look at a problem from different perspectives and editing each perspective separately even with different names for one and the same entity. The article describes this approach’s theoretical foundations as well as the data model required for its implementation. The second approach is an auto-completion-like feature that checks whether editing steps on the ABox level are consistent with rules modeled on the TBox level and the ontology in general. The editor also features a visual language that is designed to facilitate editing OWL Lite based ontologies.
Numerical and Experimental Study on Welded and Bolted Steel Beam–Column Connections Subjected to Cyclic Loading
Authors: Shin Jinwon , Kim Jinkyu
Published: June 2017

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies for predicting the seismic responses of welded and bolted steel beam–column connections, namely, welded unreinforced flange and bolted web connection, and welded unreinforced flange and welded web connection. Cyclic tests of these connections composed of members applied widely to steel structures are conducted to examine their seismic performance. Numerical simulations with a focus on the bolted joint are conducted using a nonlinear finite element code. Two different strategies of modeling bolted parts are provided to improve the computational efficiency of numerical analysis: solid contact elements and more simply using shell connector elements. Numerical solutions obtained for full connection models are experimentally validated. The rotational capacity and dissipated energy of the welded and bolted connections are discussed. The local responses for stress and strain in the vicinity of welded and bolted joints are also investigated.
Dielectric properties of BNT-xBT prepared by hydrothermal process
Authors: Mahmood Natheer B. , Al-Shakarchi Emad K.
Published: June 2017

The BNT ceramic sample might be a good replacement for PZT piezoelectric in industrial applications, especially in energy harvesting from crystal vibrations. In order to enhance the performance of BNT ceramic, the solid solution was chosen by substitution with Ba[Formula: see text] at Morphtropic Phase Boundary (MPB). The BNT-[Formula: see text]BT powders with [Formula: see text], 0.07, 0.06 and 0 were prepared by the hydrothermal method with average particle size (65–150[Formula: see text]nm) at (90[Formula: see text]C/72[Formula: see text]h). The ceramic disc was sintered at (1150[Formula: see text]C/4[Formula: see text]h) and showed excellent relative density of about 96%. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the MPB for [Formula: see text] and 0.07, while the BNT had a rhombohedral structure and BT had a tetragonal structure. The dielectric measurements showed that BNT, BNT-7BT, BNT-6BT behave as the relaxator ferroelectric and showed a strong dependence on frequency, especially in the MPB region while BT behaves as a normal ferroelectric. Both the Curie temperature and depolarization temperature decrease at the MPB region and showed strong dependency on frequency.
Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of metasedimentary strata in the southern Brooks Range: constraints on Neoproterozoic–Cretaceous evolution of Arctic Alaska
Authors: Hoiland Carl W. , Miller Elizabeth L. , Pease Victoria , Hourigan Jeremy K.
Published: June 2017

Mid-Palaeozoic assembly models for the Arctic Alaska–Chukotka microplate predict the presence of cryptic crustal sutures, the exact locations and deformational histories of which have not been identified in the field. This study presents data on the provenance of polydeformed and metamorphosed strata in the southern Brooks Range Schist Belt and Central Belt of presumed Proterozoic–Devonian depositional age, as well as for the structurally overlying strata, to help elucidate terrane boundaries within the Arctic Alaska–Chukotka microplate and to add new constraints to the palaeogeographical evolution of its constituent parts. The protoliths identified support correlations with metasedimentary strata in the Ruby terrane and Seward Peninsula and suggest a (peri-) Baltican origin in late Neoproterozoic–early Palaeozoic time. Proximity to Laurentia is only evident in what are inferred to be post-early Devonian age strata. By contrast, the North Slope and Apoon terranes originated proximal to Laurentia. The mid-Palaeozoic boundary between these (peri-) Baltican and (peri-) Laurentian terranes once lay between rocks of the Schist/Central belts and those of the Apoon terrane, but is obscured by severe Mesozoic–Cenozoic deformation. Whether this boundary represents a convergent or transform suture, when exactly it formed and how it relates to broader Caledonian convergence in the North Atlantic are still unresolved questions.
Does acid-base equilibrium correlate with remnant liver volume during stepwise liver resection?
Authors: Golriz Mohammad , Abbasi Sepehr , Fathi Parham , Majlesara Ali , Brenner Thorsten , Mehrabi Arianeb
Published: June 2017

Small for size and flow syndrome (SFSF) is one of the most challenging complications following extended hepatectomy (EH). After EH, hepatic artery flow decreases and portal vein flow increases per 100 g of remnant liver volume (RLV). This causes hypoxia followed by metabolic acidosis. A correlation between acidosis and posthepatectomy liver failure has been postulated but not studied systematically in a large animal model or clinical setting. In our study, we performed stepwise liver resections on nine pigs to defined SFSF limits as follows: step 1: segment II/III resection, step 2: segment IV resection, step 3: segment V/VIII resection (RLV: 75, 50, and 25%, respectively). Blood gas values were measured before and after each step using four catheters inserted into the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, hepatic artery, and portal vein. The pH, [Formula: see text], and base excess (BE) decreased, but [Formula: see text] values increased after 75% resection in the portal and jugular veins. EH correlated with reduced BE in the hepatic artery. Pco2values increased after 75% resection in the jugular vein. In contrast, arterial Po2increased after every resection, whereas the venous Po2decreased slightly. There were differences in venous [Formula: see text], BE in the hepatic artery, and Pco2in the jugular vein after 75% liver resection. Because 75% resection is the limit for SFSF, these noninvasive blood evaluations may be used to predict SFSF. Further studies with long-term follow-up are required to validate this correlation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to evaluate acid-base parameters in major central and hepatic vessels during stepwise liver resection. The pH, [Formula: see text], and base excess (BE) decreased, but [Formula: see text] values increased after 75% resection in the portal and jugular veins. Extended hepatectomy correlated with reduced BE in the hepatic artery. Because 75% resection is the limit for small for size and flow syndrome (SFSF), postresection blood gas evaluations may be used to predict SFSF.
Dysfunctional neutrophil effector organelle mobilization and microbicidal protein release in alcohol-related cirrhosis
Authors: Tranah Thomas H. , Vijay Godhev K. Manakkat , Ryan Jennifer M. , Abeles R. Daniel , Middleton Paul K. , Shawcross Debbie L.
Published: June 2017

Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (ALD) are prone to infection. Circulating neutrophils in ALD are dysfunctional and predict development of sepsis, organ dysfunction, and survival. Neutrophil granules are important effector organelles containing a toxic array of microbicidal proteins, whose controlled release is required to kill microorganisms while minimizing inflammation and damage to host tissue. We investigated the role of these granular responses in contributing to immune disarray in ALD. Neutrophil granular content and mobilization were measured by flow cytometric quantitation of cell-surface/intracellular markers, [secretory vesicles (CD11b), secondary granules (CD66b), and primary granules (CD63; myeloperoxidase)] before and after bacterial stimulation in 29 patients with ALD cirrhosis (15 abstinent; 14 actively drinking) compared with healthy controls (HC). ImageStream Flow Cytometry characterized localization of granule subsets within the intracellular and cell-surface compartments. The plasma cytokine environment was analyzed using ELISA/cytokine bead array. Circulating neutrophils were primed in the resting state with upregulated surface expression of CD11b ( P = 0.0001) in a cytokine milieu rich in IL-8 ( P < 0.001) and lactoferrin ( P = 0.035). Neutrophils showed exaggerated mobilization to the cell surface of primary granules at baseline ( P = 0.001) and in response to N-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine ( P = 0.009) and Escherichia coli ( P = 0.0003) in ALD. There was no deficit in granule content or mobilization to the cell membrane in any granule subset observed. Paradoxically, active alcohol consumption abrogated the hyperresponsive neutrophil granular responses compared with their abstinent counterparts. Neutrophils are preprimed at baseline with augmented effector organelle mobilization in response to bacterial stimulation; neutrophil degranulation is not a mechanism leading to innate immunoparesis in ALD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neutrophil granule release is dysregulated in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (ALD) with augmented effector organelle mobilization and microbiocidal protein release. Neutrophil granules are upregulated in ALD at baseline and demonstrate augmented responses to bacterial challenge. The granular responses in ALD did not contribute to the observed functional deficit in innate immunity but rather were dysregulated and hyperresponsive, which may induce bystander damage to host tissue. Paradoxically, active alcohol consumption abrogated the excessive neutrophil granular responses to bacterial stimulus compared with their abstinent counterparts.
Remodeling of repolarization and arrhythmia susceptibility in a myosin-binding protein C knockout mouse model
Authors: Toib Amir , Zhang Chen , Borghetti Giulia , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Wallner Markus , Yang Yijun , Troupes Constantine D. , Kubo Hajime , Sharp Thomas E. , Feldsott Eric , Berretta Remus M. , Zalavadia Neil , Trappanese Danielle M. , Harper Shavonn , Gross Polina , Chen Xiongwen , Mohsin Sadia , Houser Steven R.
Published: June 2017

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common genetic cardiac diseases and among the leading causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young. The cellular mechanisms leading to SCD in HCM are not well known. Prolongation of the action potential (AP) duration (APD) is a common feature predisposing hypertrophied hearts to SCD. Previous studies have explored the roles of inward Na+ and Ca2+ in the development of HCM, but the role of repolarizing K+ currents has not been defined. The objective of this study was to characterize the arrhythmogenic phenotype and cellular electrophysiological properties of mice with HCM, induced by myosin-binding protein C (MyBPC) knockout (KO), and to test the hypothesis that remodeling of repolarizing K+ currents causes APD prolongation in MyBPC KO myocytes. We demonstrated that MyBPC KO mice developed severe hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction compared with wild-type (WT) control mice. Telemetric electrocardiographic recordings of awake mice revealed prolongation of the corrected QT interval in the KO compared with WT control mice, with overt ventricular arrhythmias. Whole cell current- and voltage-clamp experiments comparing KO with WT mice demonstrated ventricular myocyte hypertrophy, AP prolongation, and decreased repolarizing K+ currents. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed decreased mRNA levels of several key K+ channel subunits. In conclusion, decrease in repolarizing K+ currents in MyBPC KO ventricular myocytes contributes to AP and corrected QT interval prolongation and could account for the arrhythmia susceptibility.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ventricular myocytes isolated from the myosin-binding protein C knockout hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mouse model demonstrate decreased repolarizing K+ currents and action potential and QT interval prolongation, linking cellular repolarization abnormalities with arrhythmia susceptibility and the risk for sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Metabolic remodeling in hypertrophied and failing myocardium: a review
Authors: Peterzan Mark A. , Lygate Craig A. , Neubauer Stefan , Rider Oliver J.
Published: June 2017

The energy starvation hypothesis proposes that maladaptive metabolic remodeling antedates, initiates, and maintains adverse contractile dysfunction in heart failure (HF). Better understanding of the cardiac metabolic phenotype and metabolic signaling could help identify the role metabolic remodeling plays within HF and the conditions known to transition toward HF, including “pathological” hypertrophy. In this review, we discuss metabolic phenotype and metabolic signaling in the contexts of pathological hypertrophy and HF. We discuss the significance of alterations in energy supply (substrate utilization, oxidative capacity, and phosphotransfer) and energy sensing using observations from human and animal disease models and models of manipulated energy supply/sensing. We aim to provide ways of thinking about metabolic remodeling that center around metabolic flexibility, capacity (reserve), and efficiency rather than around particular substrate preferences or transcriptomic profiles. We show that maladaptive metabolic remodeling takes multiple forms across multiple energy-handling domains. We suggest that lack of metabolic flexibility and reserve (substrate, oxidative, and phosphotransfer) represents a final common denominator ultimately compromising efficiency and contractile reserve in stressful contexts.
The human coronary vasodilatory response to acute mental stress is mediated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Khan Sitara G. , Melikian Narbeh , Shabeeh Husain , Cabaco Ana R. , Martin Katherine , Khan Faisal , O’Gallagher Kevin , Chowienczyk Philip J. , Shah Ajay M.
Published: June 2017

Mental stress-induced ischemia approximately doubles the risk of cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease, yet the mechanisms underlying changes in coronary blood flow in response to mental stress are poorly characterized. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) regulates basal coronary blood flow in healthy humans and mediates mental stress-induced vasodilation in the forearm. However, its possible role in mental stress-induced increases in coronary blood flow is unknown. We studied 11 patients (6 men and 5 women, mean age: 58 ± 14 yr) undergoing elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization and assessed the vasodilator response to mental stress elicited by the Stroop color-word test. Intracoronary substance P (20 pmol/min) and isosorbide dinitrate (1 mg) were used to assess endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation, respectively. Coronary blood flow was estimated using intracoronary Doppler recordings and quantitative coronary angiography to measure coronary artery diameter. Mental stress increased coronary flow by 34 ± 7.0% over the preceding baseline during saline infusion ( P < 0.01), and this was reduced to 26 ± 7.0% in the presence of the selective nNOS inhibitor S-methyl-l-thiocitrulline (0.625 µmol/min, P < 0.001). Mental stress increased coronary artery diameter by 6.9 ± 3.7% ( P = 0.02) and 0.5 ± 2.8% ( P = 0.51) in the presence of S-methyl-l-thiocitrulline. The response to substance P did not predict the response to mental stress ( r2 = −0.22, P = 0.83). nNOS mediates the human coronary vasodilator response to mental stress, predominantly through actions at the level of coronary resistance vessels.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Acute mental stress induces vasodilation of the coronary microvasculature. Here, we show that this response involves neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the human coronary circulation.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/nnos-and-coronary-flow-during-mental-stress/ .
Frequency and magnitude of intermittent hypoxia modulate endothelial wound healing in a cell culture model of sleep apnea
Authors: Campillo Noelia , Falcones Bryan , Montserrat Josep M. , Gozal David , Obeso Ana , Gallego-Martin Teresa , Navajas Daniel , Almendros Isaac , Farré Ramon
Published: June 2017

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has been implicated in the cardiovascular consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the lack of suitable experimental systems has precluded assessment as to whether IH is detrimental, protective, or both for the endothelium. The aim of the work was to determine the effects of frequency and amplitude of IH oxygenation swings on aortic endothelial wound healing. Monolayers of human primary endothelial cells were wounded and subjected to constant oxygenation (1%, 4%, 13%, or 20% O2) or IH at different frequencies (0.6, 6, or 60 cycles/h) and magnitude ranges (13–4% O2or 20–1% O2), using a novel well-controlled system, with wound healing being measured after 24 h. Cell monolayer repair was similar at 20% O2and 13% O2, but was considerably increased (approximately twofold) in constant hypoxia at 4% O2. The magnitude and frequency of IH considerably modulated wound healing. Cycles ranging 13–4% O2at the lowest frequency (0.6 cycles/h) accelerated endothelial wound healing by 102%. However, for IH exposures consisting of 20% to 1% O2oscillations, wound closure was reduced compared with oscillation in the 13–4% range (by 74% and 44% at 6 cycles/h and 0.6 cycles/h, respectively). High-frequency IH patterns simulating severe OSA (60 cycles/h) did not significantly modify endothelial wound closure, regardless of the oxygenation cycle amplitude. In conclusion, the frequency and magnitude of hypoxia cycling in IH markedly alter wound healing responses and emerge as key factors determining how cells will respond in OSA.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Intermittent hypoxia (IH) induces cardiovascular consequences in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. However, the vast array of frequencies and severities of IH previously employed in OSA-related experimental studies has led to controversial results on the effects of IH. By employing an optimized IH experimental system here, we provide evidence that the frequency and magnitude of IH markedly alter human aortic endothelial wound healing, emerging as key factors determining how cells respond in OSA.