bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of selective α2‐adrenergic receptor agonists on electrical field‐stimulated contractions of isolated bronchi in horses
Authors: Menozzi A. , Pozzoli C. , Poli E. , Colla C. , Placenza G. , Bertini S.
Published: November 2017

We investigated the effects of different selective α2‐adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists (detomidine, medetomidine, xylazine, and brimonidine) on the contractions of horse‐isolated bronchi induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and by carbachol. No effects were observed on the contraction induced by carbachol, while α2‐ARagonists reducedEFS‐evoked contractions in a concentration‐related fashion. The rank order of potency (pD2) was brimonidine (7.40 ± 0.20) >medetomidine (7.09 ± 0.24) >detomidine (6.13 ± 0.55) >xylazine (4.59 ± 0.16). The maximal effects (Emax) were −56.3% ± 6.3%, −40.4% ± 6.9%, −48.6% ± 9.9%, and −72.7% ± 12.7% for brimonidine, medetomidine, detomidine, and xylazine, respectively. Adrenergic block by guanethidine enhanced the potency (8.10 ± 0.05, 7.30 ± 0.15, 6.83 ± 0.41, and 5.40 ± 0.22) and the efficacy (−95.2% ± 0.7%, −45.2% ± 11.7%, −58.5% ± 9.8%, and −97.9% ± 0.6%) of brimonidine, medetomidine, detomidine, and xylazine, respectively. Selective α2‐ARantagonist, atipamezole, competitively antagonized the inhibition ofEFS‐evoked contractions induced by all agonists except xylazine. These results suggest the existence of presynaptic α2‐ARs on cholinergic neurons, negatively regulating the release of acetylcholine in horse bronchial muscle, and that α2‐ARagonists may be beneficial against vagally mediated bronchoconstriction.
Dual PPARα/γ agonist saroglitazar improves liver histopathology and biochemistry in experimental NASH models
Authors: Jain Mukul R. , Giri Suresh R. , Bhoi Bibhuti , Trivedi Chitrang , Rath Akshyaya , Rathod Rohan , Ranvir Ramchandra , Kadam Shekhar , Patel Hiren , Swain Prabodha , Roy Sib Sankar , Das Nabanita , Karmakar Eshani , Wahli Walter , Patel Pankaj R.
Published: November 2017

Background & Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are common clinico‐pathological conditions that affect millions of patients worldwide. In this study, the efficacy of saroglitazar, a novel PPARα/γ agonist, was assessed in models of NAFLD/NASH.

Methods & Results

HepG2 cells treated with palmitic acid (PA;0.75 mM) showed decreased expression of various antioxidant biomarkers (SOD1, SOD2, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and increased expression of inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL1β and IL6). These effects were blocked by saroglitazar, pioglitazone and fenofibrate (all tested at 10μM concentration). Furthermore, these agents reversed PA‐mediated changes in mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP production, NFkB phosphorylation and stellate cell activation in HepG2 and HepG2‐LX2 Coculture studies. In mice with choline‐deficient high‐fat diet‐induced NASH, saroglitazar reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, ballooning and prevented development of fibrosis. It also reduced serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and expression of inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers. In this model, the reduction in the overall NAFLD activity score by saroglitazar (3 mg/kg) was significantly more prominent than pioglitazone (25 mg/kg) and fenofibrate (100 mg/kg). Pioglitazone and fenofibrate did not show any improvement in steatosis, but partially improved inflammation and liver function. Antifibrotic effect of saroglitazar (4 mg/kg) was also observed in carbon tetrachloride‐induced fibrosis model.

Conclusions

Saroglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist with predominant PPARα activity, shows an overall improvement in NASH. The effects of saroglitazar appear better than pure PPARα agonist, fenofibrate and PPARγ agonist pioglitazone.
Wolbachia infection alters the relative abundance of resident bacteria in adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but not larvae
Authors: Audsley Michelle D. , Seleznev Andrei , Joubert D. Albert , Woolfit Megan , O'Neill Scott L. , McGraw Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2017

Insect–symbiont interactions are known to play key roles in host functions and fitness. The common insect endosymbiont Wolbachia can reduce the ability of several human pathogens, including arboviruses and the malaria parasite, to replicate in insect hosts. Wolbachia does not naturally infect Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue virus, but transinfected Ae. aegypti have antidengue virus properties and are currently being trialled as a dengue biocontrol strategy. Here, we assess the impact of Wolbachia infection of Ae. aegypti on the microbiome of wild mosquito populations (adults and larvae) collected from release sites in Cairns, Australia, by profiling the 16S rRNA gene using next‐generation sequencing. Our data indicate that Wolbachia reduces the relative abundance of a large proportion of bacterial taxa in Ae. aegypti adults, that is in accordance with the known pathogen‐blocking effects of Wolbachia on a variety of bacteria and viruses. In adults, several of the most abundant bacterial genera were found to undergo significant shifts in relative abundance. However, the genera showing the greatest changes in relative abundance in Wolbachia‐infected adults represented a low proportion of the total microbiome. In addition, there was little effect of Wolbachia infection on the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in larvae, or on species diversity (accounting for species richness and evenness together) detected in adults or larvae. These results offer insight into the effects of Wolbachia on the Ae. aegypti microbiome in a native setting, an important consideration for field releases of Wolbachia into the population.
Molecular basis for the differential expression of the global regulator VieA in Vibrio cholerae biotypes directed by H‐NS, LeuO and quorum sensing
Authors: Ayala Julio C. , Wang Hongxia , Benitez Jorge A. , Silva Anisia J.
Published: November 2017

VieA is a cyclic diguanylate phosphodiesterase that modulates biofilm development and motility in Vibrio cholerae O1 of the classical biotype. vieA is part of an operon encoding the VieSAB signal transduction pathway that is nearly silent in V. cholerae of the El Tor biotype. A DNA pull‐down assay for proteins interacting with the vieSAB promoter identified the LysR‐type regulator LeuO. We show that in classical biotype V. cholerae, LeuO cooperates with the nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS to repress vieSAB transcription. LeuO and H‐NS interacted with the vieSAB promoter of both biotypes with similar affinities and protected overlapping DNA sequences. H‐NS was expressed at similar levels in both cholera biotypes. In contrast, El Tor biotype strains expressed negligible LeuO under identical conditions. In El Tor biotype vibrios, transcription of vieSAB is repressed by the quorum sensing regulator HapR, which is absent in classical biotype strains. Restoring HapR expression in classical biotype V. cholerae repressed vieSAB transcription by binding to its promoter. We propose that double locking of the vieSAB promoter by H‐NS and HapR in the El Tor biotype prior to the cessation of exponential growth results in a more pronounced decline in VieA specific activity compared to the classical biotype.
Addressing the burden of dialysis around the world: A summary of the roundtable discussion on dialysis economics at the First International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists 2015
Authors: Li Philip Kam‐Tao , Lui Sing Leung , Ng Jack Kit‐Chung , Cai Guan Yan , Chan Christopher T , Chen Hung Chun , Cheung Alfred K , Choi Koon Shing , Choong Hui Lin , Fan Stanley L , Ong Loke Meng , Yu Linda Wai Ling , Yu Xue Qing
Published: November 2017

Summary at a Glance

The First International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists was held in Hong Kong in 2015. This review summarizes the results of a roundtable discussion among international experts in order to cope with the ever‐increasing prevalence of end stage renal disease and the resulting heavy dialysis burden.
Maternal pre‐pregnancy obesity and child neurodevelopmental outcomes: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Sanchez C. E. , Barry C. , Sabhlok A. , Russell K. , Majors A. , Kollins S. H. , Fuemmeler B. F.
Published: November 2017

This review examined evidence of the association between maternal pre‐pregnancy overweight/obesity status and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. PubMed and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched for empirical studies published before April 2017 using keywords related to prenatal obesity and children's neurodevelopment. Of 1483 identified papers, 41 were included in the systematic review, and 32 articles representing 36 cohorts were included in the meta‐analysis. Findings indicated that compared with children of normal weight mothers, children whose mothers were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy were at increased risk for compromised neurodevelopmental outcomes (overweight: OR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.11, 1.24], I2 = 65.51; obese: OR = 1.51; 95% CI [1.35, 1.69], I2 = 79.63). Pre‐pregnancy obesity increased the risk of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (OR = 1.62; 95% CI [1.23, 2.14], I2 = 70.15), autism spectrum disorder (OR = 1.36; 95% CI [1.08, 1.70], I2 = 60.52), developmental delay (OR = 1.58; 95% CI [1.39, 1.79], I2 = 75.77) and emotional/behavioural problems (OR = 1.42; 95% CI [1.26, 1.59], I2 = 87.74). Given the current obesity prevalence among young adults and women of childbearing age, this association between maternal obesity during pregnancy and atypical child neurodevelopment represents a potentially high public health burden.
Association between oropharyngeal dysphagia, oral functionality, and oral sensorimotor alteration
Authors: Rech RS , Baumgarten A , Colvara BC , Brochier CW , de Goulart BNG , Hugo FN , Hilgert JB
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether the oral functionality and the oral sensorimotor alterations are associated with oropharyngeal dysphagia in community‐dwelling older persons and long‐term care older residents.

Methods

An exploratory study with 265 independent older persons of the southern state of Brazil. The diagnosis of dysphagia, as well as the condition of the oral sensorimotor system, was assessed by a speech‐language therapist and the oral health status by a dentist. Poisson Regression with robust variance was used to calculate the crude and adjusted Prevalence Ratios (PR) and their respective confidence intervals of 95%.

Results

The mean age was 73.5 (±8.9) years, women represented 59.2% of the sample. The frequency of dysphagia in the studied population was 45.3% (n = 120), being more frequent in the long‐term care older residents (62.5%; n = 75) than in the community‐dwelling older persons (37.5%; n = 45). Individuals with four or more oral sensorimotor alterations (PR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.27–3.18), as well as those who presented a non‐functional oral status (PR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.02–2.54) presented a higher frequency of dysphagia. Subgroup analysis indicates the same trend of results, when stratified by community‐dwelling older persons and long‐term older residents.

Conclusion

A non‐functional oral health status and oral sensorimotor alterations are associated with a higher prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Juvenile xanthogranuloma with angiomatous appearance and a peculiar immunophenotype
Authors: López‐Robles Joaquín , Núñez Lucía , Macias‐del‐Toro Elena , Ramírez‐Bellver José Luis , Díaz José Luis , Requena Luis
Published: November 2017

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is the most common form of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis in childhood. The clinical differential diagnosis of a solitary juvenile xanthogranuloma includes molluscum contagiosum, Spitz nevus, and melanoma. Lesions larger than 2 cm in diameter may be misdiagnosed as hemangiomas, but this is not typical of smaller juvenile xanthogranuloma. We report a case of solitary juvenile xanthogranuloma in a 10‐year‐old boy with angiomatous appearance and peculiar immunophenotype.
Urticarial vasculitis after meningococcal serogroup B vaccine in a 6‐year‐old girl
Authors: Velasco‐Tamariz Virginia , Prieto‐Barrios Marta , Tous‐Romero Fátima , Palencia‐Pérez Sara Isabel , Postigo‐Llorente Concepción
Published: November 2017

The first vaccine that shows significant potential in providing broad coverage against serogroup B meningococcal disease has recently been approved. Because of its newness, potential adverse events need to be reported. Here we report a case of urticarial vasculitis, a rare disease in children, in probable relationship with the novel vaccine.
A role for fruit structure in seed survival and germination of Swartzia langsdorffii Raddi beyond dispersal
Authors: Vaz T. A. A. , Rodrigues‐Junior A. G. , Davide A. C. , Nakamura A. T. , Toorop P. E.
Published: November 2017

Diaspore structure has been hypothesised to play a role in seed viability and/or germination of recalcitrant seeds, especially for Swartzia langsdorffii. Thus, this work aims to (i) investigate the in situ contribution of pericarp and aril on seed viability and germination, and (ii) identify morphoanatomical traits of S. langsdorffii diaspores that allow its desiccation‐sensitive seeds to remain viable.

The role of the pericarp and aril in seed survival and germination was investigated by placing the whole fruit, whole seeds (arillate seed) and bare seeds (without aril) in soil in the forest understorey, assessing germination, emergence, dead, firm and predated seeds, and water content of pericarps, arils and seeds. Correlation analysis was performed between environmental variables and physiological parameters. Histochemical features of diaspores were also investigated.

Pericarp water content fell after several months, while the aril maintained its water content. Seeds did not lose water even without the presence of the pericarp and aril. However, presence of the pericarp promoted seed water content, viability and germination long after dispersal. The embryo had a thickened outer periclinal cell wall.

Pericarp and aril are not essential to prevent water loss in seeds, but do help to retain seed moisture, favouring viability maintenance and promoting germination during the rainy season. Morphoanatomical features of seeds are suggested as main factors that reduce water loss. Survival of these desiccation‐sensitive seeds upon dispersal during the dry season appears to be facilitated by multiple diaspore features that prevent viability loss.
Volatile organic compound emissions from Microcystis aeruginosa under different phosphorus sources and concentrations
Authors: Ye Chaolin , Yang Youyou , Xu Qinghuan , Ying Binbin , Zhang Minqian , Gao Bo , Ni Binbin , Yakefu Zumulati , Bai Yan , Zuo Zhaojiang
Published: November 2017

In eutrophicated water, cyanobacteria massively grow and release an abundance of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to the water odor. To uncover the effects of different phosphorus (P) nutrients on the formation of cyanobacteria VOCs and water odor, the cell growth and VOC emissions of Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated under different P nutrient conditions. Among K2HPO4, Na4P2O7, and (NaPO3)6, K2HPO4 showed the largest increase in cell density, while a reduction in P concentration decreased the cell density. There were 26, 23 and 22 compounds in M. aeruginosa VOCs with K2HPO4, Na4P2O7 and (NaPO3)6 as the sole P source, respectively, including sulfocompounds, terpenoids, benzenes, hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. Non‐P markedly promoted the VOC emission, and six additional compounds were observed: α‐pinene, 1‐phenyl‐1‐butanone, 1H‐1‐ethylidene‐indene, 2,6,10‐trimethyl‐tetradecane, 2‐ethyl‐hexanal, and acetic acid 2‐ethylhexyl ester. It can be deduced that cyanobacteria release different VOC blends using various P forms in eutrophicated waters, and the reduction of P amount promotes VOC emission and increases the water odor.
Canine prostate specific esterase (CPSE) as an useful biomarker in preventive screening programme of canine prostate: CPSE threshold value assessment and its correlation with ultrasonographic prostatic abnormalities in asymptomatic dogs
Authors: Alonge S , Melandri M , Leoci R , Lacalandra GM , Aiudi G
Published: November 2017

Contents

Due to the increased attention that pet‐owners devote to their animals and to the improved veterinary care, investigations regarding methods to early detect prostatic disorders that might affect canine life quality have been performed. Canine prostate specific esterase (CPSE) concentration was reported to be higher in dogs suffering from prostatic diseases. This study aimed to estimate the CPSE threshold as a biomarker to early identify prostatic diseases in asymptomatic dogs. The ultrasonographic examination of the prostate was performed in 19 dogs (6–40 kg; 1–5 years) with no symptoms of prostatic diseases. Dogs were grouped according to the presence (Group A) or absence (Group B) of prostatic disorders at the ultrasound (altered appearance, the presence of cysts or irregular borders). For each dog, a venous blood sample was collected to measure serum CPSE and the ratio between calculated and normal expected prostatic volume was assessed for each dog. The CPSE data were statistically analysed (t test, p < .05), and the CPSE threshold in blood serum between groups was calculated by ROC. In 11 dogs, ultrasonography showed signs of prostatic abnormalities (Group A, 2–5 years), while no signs were detected in eight dogs (Group B, 1–3 years). The calculated/estimated volume ratio resulted greater than 1.5 in Group A dogs. The CPSE was statistically different between groups (p < .0001): higher in Group A (mean = 184.9, SD = 126 ng/ml) than in Group B (38.9 ± 22.1 ng/ml). The cut‐off CPSE threshold was 52.3 ng/ml (ROC, AUC = 0.974, SE 95.6%, SP 89.2%). This study suggests that CPSE serum concentration higher than 50 ng/ml in asymptomatic dogs is associated with ultrasonographic alterations and increased the prostatic size (volume by 1.5 times greater than the normal size). As the onset of prostatic disorders often remains asymptomatic, the rapid assessment of CPSE could be suitable for selecting preventively those animals that would require further accurate evaluation.
Importance of oil overlay for production of porcine embryos in vitro
Authors: Martinez CA , Martinez EA , Gil MA
Published: November 2017

Contents

Technologies to edit the zygote genome have revolutionized biomedical research not only for the creation of animal models for the study of human disease but also for the generation of functional human cells and tissues through interspecies blastocyst complementation technology. The pig is the ideal species for these purposes due to its great similarity in anatomy and physiology to humans. Emerging biotechnologies require the use of oocytes and/or embryos of good quality, which might be obtained using in vitro production (IVP) techniques. However, the current porcine embryo IVP systems are still suboptimal and result in low monospermic fertilization and blastocyst formation rates and poor embryo quality. During recent years, intensive investigations have been performed to evaluate the influence of specific compounds on gametes and embryos and to avoid the use of undefined supplements (serum and serum derivate) in the incubation media. However, little consideration has been given to the use of the mineral oil (MO) to overlay incubation droplets, which, albeit being a routine component of the IVP systems, is a totally undefined and thus problematic product for the safety of gametes and embryos. In this review, we provide an overview on the advantages and disadvantages of using MO to cover the incubation media. We also review one important concern in IVP laboratories: the use of oils containing undetected contamination. Finally, we discuss the effects of different types of oils on the in vitro embryo production outcomes and the transfer of compounds from oil into the culture media.
Associations between sleep consolidation in infancy and peer relationships in middle childhood
Authors: Larose‐Grégoire Élodie , Bernier Annie , Dirks Melanie , Perrier Rachel
Published: November 2017

Sleep plays an important role in many aspects of children's development. Research on children's sleep and their peer relationships has begun to emerge in the last years. However, these studies are mostly cross‐sectional. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between infant sleep and peer relationships in middle childhood. The sample comprised 72 children. Sleep was measured at 1 year using a sleep diary completed by mothers. In the second and third grades of elementary school (7 and 8 years of age), mothers and fathers reported on their children's functioning with peers. When they were in third grade, children were interviewed regarding their friendship quality with a best friend. Results revealed negative associations between children's sleep consolidation (i.e., ratio of nighttime sleep) and parent‐reported peer problems, and positive associations between sleep consolidation and perceived friendship quality. These findings suggest that well‐regulated sleep in infancy may help children develop the skills necessary for later appropriate social functioning in peer contexts.
Populist Mobilization Across Time and Space: An Introduction
Authors: Bornschier Simon
Published: November 2017

Populism has become pervasive in political language and in the diagnosis of the malaise of contemporary politics. At the same time, more narrow definitions of populism have become shared in scholarship on the subject, nourishing more analytical approaches that put populism in historical and cross‐regional perspective. The purpose of this introduction is to use the evidence assembled in this special issue to ask some fundamental questions concerning the study of populist mobilization. Most importantly, what do we gain and what do we lose from sight by focusing on the commonalities between parties based on their populist appeals, when populist parties differ dramatically in terms of the substantive ideologies they adhere to? Are there distinctive features in terms of voter attitudes that underlie populist mobilization? And if failures of political representation and populism are intimately related, can we expect populists to render party systems more responsive to voters’ substantive policy preferences?
Impact of low‐level BK polyomavirus viremia on intermediate‐term renal allograft function
Authors: Korth Johannes , Widera Marek , Dolff Sebastian , Guberina Hana , Bienholz Anja , Brinkhoff Alexandra , Anastasiou Olympia Evdoxia , Kribben Andreas , Dittmer Ulf , Verheyen Jens , Wilde Benjamin , Witzke Oliver
Published: November 2017

Background

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV)‐associated nephropathy (PyVAN) is a significant cause of premature renal transplant failure. High‐level BKPyV viremia is predictive for PyVAN; however, low‐level BKPyV viremia does not necessarily exclude the presence of PyVAN. As data are limited regarding whether or not low‐level BKPyV viremia has an effect on intermediate‐term graft outcome, this study analyzes the impact of low‐level BKPyV viremia on intermediate‐term graft function and outcome compared with high‐level viremia and non‐viremic patients.

Methods

All renal transplant patients received follow‐up examinations at the Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen. Patients were screened for BKPyV viremia and stratified into three groups according to their maximum BKPyV load in serum (low‐level viremia, high‐level viremia, and no viremia).

Results

In 142 of 213 (67%) patients, BKPyV was never detected in serum; 42 of 213 (20%) patients were found positive for low‐level viremia (≤104 copies/mL); and 29 of 213 (13%) patients showed high‐level viremia (>104 copies/mL). No significant differences regarding transplant function and graft failure were observed between patients without BKPyV viremia (delta estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] +0.1 mL/min [month 1 vs last visit at month 44]) and patients with low‐level BKPyV viremia (delta eGFR −1.7 mL/min). In patients with high‐level viremia, transplant function was significantly restricted (delta eGFR −6.5 mL/min) compared with low‐level viremia until the last visit at 44 ± 9.7 months after transplantation. Although the graft function and graft loss were worse in the high‐level viremia group compared with no viremia (eGFR 37 vs 45 mL/min), the difference was not significant.

Conclusions

High‐level viremia was associated with impaired graft function. In contrast, low‐level BKPyV viremia had no significant impact on intermediate‐term graft function.
Making Meaning Present: Semiotics and the Ontological Life of Stones in West Africa
Authors: Merz Johannes
Published: November 2017

Semiotics, which is a foundational principle of scientific thought, has also shaped anthropology’s understanding of live stones that serve as shrines in the savannah region of West Africa, such as in the Commune of Cobly of northwestern Benin. Semiotics either reduce live stones and other religious and ontological phenomena to a function of signification or they recast them as semiotic anomalies attributable to the Other. Either way leads to an epistemological paradox in which such phenomena can be rationally understood yet existentially denied. I propose to counter this by introducing a new type of entity, which I call the “onton.” Building on the notion of presence and the anthropology of ontology, I understand ontons as indivisible and non-representational entities that cannot be broken down into different sign components. Ontons are more than meaningful; they are made present in the world when other entities relate to them through the process of presencing that shifts the focus from meaning to action. Presencing, which builds on semiotics, is guided by different practices, which, in turn, can account for ontological diversity and differentiation. I claim that presencing, which allows for ontonic entities, leads to a deeper understanding of ontology and human experience more broadly. Meaning as a basis for communication is thus extended to include presence as a basis for a wider engagement with the world, thereby breaking down difference between humans, animals and things.
Voltage-Induced Wrinkling in a Constrained Annular Dielectric Elastomer Film
Authors: Li Kai , Wu Wanfang , Jiang Ziyang , Cai Shengqiang
Published: November 2017

Wrinkles can be often observed in dielectric elastomer (DE) films when they are subjected to electrical voltage and mechanical forces. In the applications of DEs, wrinkle formation is often regarded as an indication of system failure. However, in some scenarios, wrinkling in DE does not necessarily result in material failure and can be even controllable. Although tremendous efforts have been made to analyze and calculate a variety of deformation modes in DE structures and devices, a model which is capable of analyzing wrinkling phenomena including the critical electromechanical conditions for the onset of wrinkles and wrinkle morphology in DE structures is currently unavailable. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate controllable wrinkling in annular DE films with the central part being mechanically constrained. By changing the ratio between the inner radius and outer radius of the annular films, wrinkles with different wavelength can be induced in the films when externally applied voltage exceeds a critical value. To analyze wrinkling phenomena in DE films, we formulate a linear plate theory of DE films subjected to electromechanical loadings. Using the model, we successfully predict the wavelength of the voltage-induced wrinkles in annular DE films. The model developed in this paper can be used to design voltage-induced wrinkling in DE structures for different engineering applications.
Subsea Pipeline Lateral Buckling Design—Strain Concentration or Strain Capacity Reduction Factors
Authors: Liu M. , Cross C.
Published: November 2017

A strain concentration factor is typically incorporated in the higher-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) pipeline lateral buckling assessment to account for nonuniform stiffness or plastic bending moment. Increased strain concentration can compromise pipeline low cycle fatigue and lateral buckling capacity, leading to an early onset of local buckling failure. In this paper, the philosophy of local buckling mitigation using the strain concentration factor is examined. The local buckling behavior is evaluated. Global strain reduction and evolution against buckling are analyzed with respect to varying joint mismatch level. The concept of a strain reduction factor (SNRF) due to joint mismatch is developed based on the global strain capacity reduction with reference to the uniform configuration. It is demonstrated that the SNRF in terms of strain capacity reduction is a unique characteristic parameter. As opposed to strain concentration, it is an invariant insensitive to evaluation methods and design strain demand level, hence more representative as a limiting design metric to maintain the safety margin. The rationale for its introduction as an alternative to the strain concentration factor is outlined and its benefits are established. The method for obtaining the SNRF and its application is developed. The discernible difference and scenarios for application of either factor are discussed, including low and high cycle fatigue, linearity and stress concentration, engineering criticality assessment (ECA), and lateral buckling. Additional causal factors giving rise to mismatch such as pipe schedule transition and buckler arrestor are also discussed. Iterations of finite element (FE) analyses are performed for a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) configuration in a case study.
Study of shot noise in photoresists for extreme ultraviolet lithography through comparative analysis of line edge roughness in electron beam and extreme ultraviolet lithography
Authors: Bhattarai Suchit , Neureuther Andrew R. , Naulleau Patrick P.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the influence of the absorption shot noise on line edge roughness (LER) of photoresists for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is studied experimentally through the comparative analysis of LER obtained by EUV (92 eV photons) and 100 keV e-beam lithography. Techniques for performing EUV and e-beam lithography with a matched image log slope for a fair comparison of LER values are described. Measurements of absorption of 100 keV electrons estimated through a transmissive electron energy loss spectroscopy measurement with a 120 keV electron beam showed that despite having access to core levels in the material (e.g., 284 eV edge in carbon), these electrons mostly just excite the energy levels less than 100 eV in the resist, with a mean deposited energy of 35 eV. By combining the incident flux and the absorption probabilities, the absorbed quanta for patterning of 50 nm half-pitch line/space features was found to be similar between the two patterning technologies.
Ontogeny of individual and litter identity signaling in grunts of piglets
Authors: Syrová Michaela , Policht Richard , Linhart Pavel , Špinka Marek
Published: November 2017

Many studies have shown that animal vocalizations can signal individual identity and group/family membership. However, much less is known about the ontogeny of identity information—when and how this individual/group distinctiveness in vocalizations arises and how it changes during the animal's life. Recent findings suggest that even species that were thought to have limited vocal plasticity could adjust their calls to sound more similar to each other within a group. It has already been shown that sows can acoustically distinguish their own offspring from alien piglets and that litters differ in their calls. Surprisingly, individual identity in piglet calls has not been reported yet. In this paper, this gap is filled, and it is shown that there is information about piglet identity. Information about litter identity is confirmed as well. Individual identity increased with age, but litter vocal identity did not increase with age. The results were robust as a similar pattern was apparent in two situations differing in arousal: isolation and back-test. This paper argues that, in piglets, increased individual discrimination results from the rapid growth of piglets, which is likely to be associated with growth and diversification of the vocal tract rather than from social effects and vocal plasticity.
Extracting the time domain Green's function from ocean ambient noise using acoustic vector sensors
Authors: Zhou Jianbo , Piao Shengchun , Qu Ke , Iqbal Kashif , Dong Yang , Zhang Shizhao , Zhang Haigang , Wang Xiaohan , Liu Yaqin
Published: November 2017

A function that closely resembles the two-point time-domain Green's function (TDGF) representing the time delays associated with multipath between the two sensors can be recovered by correlating the noise field measured by two sensors. Here, a technique for extracting the TDGF from ambient ocean noise using acoustic vector sensors is presented. Experimental results suggest that the averaging time to extract TDGF is greatly reduced if sound pressure sensors (hydrophones) are replaced by acoustic vector sensors. The direct arrival and bottom bounce arrival were extracted successfully with only 1 min of vertical velocity data, while the bottom bounce arrival was not extracted with even 10 min of sound pressure data.
Scattering of flexural waves from an N-beam resonator in a thin plate
Authors: Climente Alfonso , Gao Penglin , Wu Linzhi , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: November 2017

The impedance matrix method is applied to study the scattering of flexural waves propagating in an infinite thin plate containing an N-beam resonator. The resonator consists of a circular hole containing a smaller plate connected to the background plate by a number N of rectangular beams. After representing the boundary conditions in a modal multipole expansion form, a compact expression is obtained for the T-matrix, which relates the incident and the scattered transverse (out-of-plane) waves. The analysis of the scattering cross-section reveals interesting scattering features, like resonances and anisotropy, associated to this type of resonators. Numerical experiments performed within the framework of the finite element method support the accuracy of the model here developed.
High Levels of Cyclic Di-GMP in Klebsiella pneumoniae Attenuate Virulence in the Lung
Authors: Rosen David A. , Twentyman Joy , Hunstad David A.
Published: November 2017

The bacterial second messenger bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) has been shown to influence the expression of virulence factors in certain pathogenic bacteria, but little is known about its activity in the increasingly antibiotic-resistant pathogen
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Here, the expression in
K. pneumoniae
of a heterologous diguanylate cyclase increased the bacterial c-di-GMP concentration and attenuated pathogenesis in murine pneumonia. This attenuation remained evident in mice lacking the c-di-GMP sensor STING, indicating that the high c-di-GMP concentration exerted its influence not on host responses but on bacterial physiology. While serum resistance and capsule expression were unaffected by the increased c-di-GMP concentration, both type 3 and type 1 pili were strongly upregulated. Importantly, attenuation of
K. pneumoniae
virulence by high c-di-GMP levels was abrogated when type 1 pilus expression was silenced. We conclude that increased type 1 piliation may hamper
K. pneumoniae
virulence in the respiratory tract and that c-di-GMP signaling represents a potential therapeutic target for antibiotic-resistant
K. pneumoniae
in this niche.
β-
d
-
N
4
-Hydroxycytidine Is a Potent Anti-alphavirus Compound That Induces a High Level of Mutations in the Viral Genome
Authors: Urakova Nadya , Kuznetsova Valeriya , Crossman David K. , Sokratian Arpine , Guthrie David B. , Kolykhalov Alexander A. , Lockwood Mark A. , Natchus Michael G. , Crowley Michael R. , Painter George R. , Frolova Elena I. , Frolov Ilya
Published: November 2017

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a representative member of the New World alphaviruses. It is transmitted by mosquito vectors and causes highly debilitating disease in humans, equids, and other vertebrate hosts. Despite a continuous public health threat, very few compounds with anti-VEEV activity in cell culture and in mouse models have been identified to date, and rapid development of virus resistance to some of them has been recorded. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using a modified nucleoside analog, β-
d
-
N
4
-hydroxycytidine (NHC), as an anti-VEEV agent and defined the mechanism of its anti-VEEV activity. The results demonstrate that NHC is a very potent antiviral agent. It affects both the release of genome RNA-containing VEE virions and their infectivity. Both of these antiviral activities are determined by the NHC-induced accumulation of mutations in virus-specific RNAs. The antiviral effect is most prominent when NHC is applied early in the infectious process, during the amplification of negative- and positive-strand RNAs in infected cells. Most importantly, only a low-level resistance of VEEV to NHC can be developed, and it requires acquisition and cooperative function of more than one mutation in nsP4. These adaptive mutations are closely located in the same segment of nsP4. Our data suggest that NHC is more potent than ribavirin as an anti-VEEV agent and likely can be used to treat other alphavirus infections.

IMPORTANCE
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) can cause widespread epidemics among humans and domestic animals. VEEV infections result in severe meningoencephalitis and long-term sequelae. No approved therapeutics exist for treatment of VEEV infections. Our study demonstrates that β-
d
-
N
4
-hydroxycytidine (NHC) is a very potent anti-VEEV compound, with the 50% effective concentration being below 1 μM. The mechanism of NHC antiviral activity is based on induction of high mutation rates in the viral genome. Accordingly, NHC treatment affects both the rates of particle release and the particle infectivity. Most importantly, in contrast to most of the anti-alphavirus drugs that are under development, resistance of VEEV to NHC develops very inefficiently. Even low levels of resistance require acquisition of multiple mutations in the gene of the VEEV-specific RNA-dependent RNA polymerase nsP4.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
and Its Invasin EtpE Block Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Macrophages in a DNase X-Dependent Manner
Authors: Teymournejad Omid , Lin Mingqun , Rikihisa Yasuko
Published: November 2017

The obligatory intracellular pathogen
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
lacks most genes that confer resistance to oxidative stress but can block reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by host monocytes-macrophages. Bacterial and host molecules responsible for this inhibition have not been identified. To infect host cells,
Ehrlichia
uses the C terminus of its surface invasin, entry-triggering protein of
Ehrlichia
(EtpE; EtpE-C), which directly binds the mammalian cell surface receptor glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein DNase X. We investigated whether EtpE-C binding to DNase X blocks ROS production by mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). On the basis of a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay,
E. chaffeensis
inhibited phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced ROS generation by BMDMs from wild-type, but not DNase X
−/−
, mice. EtpE-C is critical for inhibition, as recombinant EtpE-C (rEtpE-C)-coated latex beads, but not recombinant N-terminal EtpE-coated or uncoated beads, inhibited PMA-induced ROS generation by BMDMs from wild-type mice. DNase X is required for this inhibition, as none of these beads inhibited PMA-induced ROS generation by BMDMs from DNase X
−/−
mice. Previous studies showed that
E. chaffeensis
does not block ROS generation in neutrophils, a cell type that is a potent ROS generator but is not infected by
E. chaffeensis
. Human and mouse peripheral blood neutrophils did not express DNase X. Our findings point to a unique survival mechanism of ROS-sensitive obligate intramonocytic bacteria that involves invasin EtpE binding to DNase X on the host cell surface. This is the first report of bacterial invasin having such a subversive activity on ROS generation.

IMPORTANCE
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
preferentially infects monocytes-macrophages and causes a life-threatening emerging tick-transmitted infectious disease called human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichial infection, and hence the disease, depends on the ability of this bacterium to avoid or overcome powerful microbicidal mechanisms of host monocytes-macrophages, one of which is the generation of ROS. Our findings reveal that an ehrlichial surface invasin, EtpE, not only triggers bacterial entry but also blocks ROS generation by host macrophages through its host cell receptor, DNase X. As ROS sensitivity is an Achilles’ heel of this group of pathogens, understanding the mechanism by which
E. chaffeensis
rapidly blocks ROS generation suggests a new approach for developing effective anti-infective measures. The discovery of a ROS-blocking pathway is also important, as modulation of ROS generation is important in a variety of ailments and biological processes.
Ablation of an Ovarian Tumor Family Deubiquitinase Exposes the Underlying Regulation Governing the Plasticity of Cell Cycle Progression in
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Dhara Animesh , de Paula Baptista Rodrigo , Kissinger Jessica C. , Snow E. Charles , Sinai Anthony P.
Published: November 2017

The
Toxoplasma
genome encodes the capacity for distinct architectures underlying cell cycle progression in a life cycle stage-dependent manner. Replication in intermediate hosts occurs by endodyogeny, whereas a hybrid of schizogony and endopolygeny occurs in the gut of the definitive feline host. Here, we characterize the consequence of the loss of a cell cycle-regulated
o
varian
tu
mor (OTU family) deubiquitinase, OTUD3A of
Toxoplasma gondii
(TgOTUD3A; TGGT1_258780), in
T. gondii
tachyzoites. Rather than the mutation being detrimental, mutant parasites exhibited a fitness advantage, outcompeting the wild type. This phenotype was due to roughly one-third of TgOTUD3A-knockout (TgOTUD3A-KO) tachyzoites exhibiting deviations from endodyogeny by employing replication strategies that produced 3, 4, or 5 viable progeny within a gravid mother instead of the usual 2. We established the mechanistic basis underlying these altered replication strategies to be a dysregulation of centrosome duplication, causing a transient loss of stoichiometry between the inner and outer cores that resulted in a failure to terminate S phase at the attainment of 2N ploidy and/or the decoupling of mitosis and cytokinesis. The resulting dysregulation manifested as deviations in the normal transitions from S phase to mitosis (S/M) (endopolygeny-like) or M phase to cytokinesis (M/C) (schizogony-like). Notably, these imbalances are corrected prior to cytokinesis, resulting in the generation of normal progeny. Our findings suggest that decisions regarding the utilization of specific cell cycle architectures are controlled by a ubiquitin-mediated mechanism that is dependent on the absolute threshold levels of an as-yet-unknown target(s). Analysis of the TgOTUD3A-KO mutant provides new insights into mechanisms underlying the plasticity of apicomplexan cell cycle architecture.

IMPORTANCE
Replication by
Toxoplasma gondii
can occur by 3 distinct cell cycle architectures. Endodyogeny is used by asexual stages, while a hybrid of schizogony and endopolygeny is used by merozoites in the definitive feline host. Here, we establish that the disruption of an
o
varian-
tu
mor (OTU) family deubiquitinase, TgOTUD3A, in tachyzoites results in dysregulation of the mechanism controlling the selection of replication strategy in a subset of parasites. The mechanistic basis for these altered cell cycles lies in the unique biology of the bipartite centrosome that is associated with the transient loss of stoichiometry between the inner and outer centrosome cores in the TgOTUD3A-KO mutant. This highlights the importance of ubiquitin-mediated regulation in the transition from the nuclear to the budding phases of the cell cycle and provides new mechanistic insights into the regulation of the organization of the apicomplexan cell cycle.
Molecular dynamics simulations of gallium nitride nanosheets under uniaxial and biaxial tensile loads
Authors: Rouhi Saeed , Pourmirzaagha Hamoon , Bidgoli Mostafa Omidi
Published: November 2017

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to study the elastic properties of gallium nitride (GaN) nanosheets. Young’s and bulk moduli of GaN nanosheets with different side lengths and height/width ratio are obtained. Besides, the configuration of the nanosheet at different strains is represented until the fracture initiation and final fracture are observed. It is seen that the zigzag nanosheets have larger elastic moduli than armchair ones with the same sizes. Moreover, increasing the length size of the nanosheets results in decreasing Young’s modulus. Bulk moduli of GaN nanosheets are also obtained by applying biaxial loading on all edges. It is seen that under the biaxial tensile force, the fracture is initiated at the nanosheet corners and is continued toward the nanosheet center. A nonlinear relation between the bulk modulus and nanosheet size is observed.
Metrics Visualization Techniques Based on Historical Origins and Functional Layers for Developments by Multiple Organizations
Authors: Ishizue Ryosuke , Washizaki Hironori , Fukazawa Yoshiaki , Inoue Sakae , Hanai Yoshiiku , Kanazawa Masanobu , Namba Katsushi
Published: November 2017

Software developments involving multiple organizations such as Open Source Software (OSS)-based projects tend to have numerous defects when one organization develops and another organization edits the program source code files. Developments with complex file creation, modification history (origin), and software architecture (functional layer) are increasing in OSS-based development. As an example, we focus on an Android smart phone and a VirtualBox development project, and propose new visualization techniques for product metrics based on file origin and functional layers. One is the Metrics Area Figure, which can express duplication of edits by multiple organizations intuitively using overlapping figures. The other is Origin City, which was inspired by Code City. It can represent the scale and other measurements, while simultaneously stacking functional layers as 3D buildings. The contributions of our paper are to propose new techniques, implement them as web applications, and share the results of our questionnaire. Our proposed techniques are useful not only to visualize the measured metrics, but also to improve the product quality.
A BSSRDF model for efficient rendering of fur with global illumination
Authors: Yan Ling-Qi , Sun Weilun , Jensen Henrik Wann , Ramamoorthi Ravi
Published: November 2017

Physically-based hair and fur rendering is crucial for visual realism. One of the key effects is global illumination, involving light bouncing between different fibers. This is very time-consuming to simulate with methods like path tracing. Efficient approximate global illumination techniques such as dual scattering are in widespread use, but are limited to human hair only, and cannot handle color bleeding, transparency and hair-object inter-reflection.

We present the first global illumination model, based on dipole diffusion for subsurface scattering, to approximate light bouncing between individual fur fibers. We model complex light and fur interactions as subsurface scattering, and use a simple neural network to convert from fur fibers' properties to scattering parameters. Our network is trained on only a single scene with different parameters, but applies to general scenes and produces visually accurate appearance, supporting color bleeding and further inter-reflections.