bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Life History of Pseudomonas syringae: Linking Agriculture to Earth System Processes
Authors: Morris Cindy E. , Monteil Caroline L. , Berge Odile
Published: May 2013

The description of the ecology of Pseudomonas syringae is moving away from that of a ubiquitous epiphytic plant pathogen to one of a multifaceted bacterium sans frontières in fresh water and other ecosystems linked to the water cycle. Discovery of the aquatic facet of its ecology has led to a vision of its life history that integrates spatial and temporal scales spanning billions of years and traversing catchment basins, continents, and the planet and that confronts the implication of roles that are potentially conflicting for agriculture (as a plant pathogen and as an actor in processes leading to rain and snowfall). This new ecological perspective has also yielded insight into epidemiological phenomena linked to disease emergence. Overall, it sets the stage for the integration of more comprehensive contexts of ecology and evolutionary history into comparative genomic analyses to elucidate how P. syringae subverts the attack and defense responses of the cohabitants of the diverse environments it occupies.
Electrochemical Insertion of Sodium Ion into Nanocarbon Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Matsushita Tomohiro , Ishii Yosuke , Kawasaki Shinji
Published: May 2013

The structural changes of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by the reactions with sodium in a sealed glass tube at high temperature were investigated by Raman scattering and XRD measurements. It was found that sodium atoms are inserted into the nanotube hollow core space in the case of open-end SWCNTs. However, it was shown by electrochemical charge–discharge measurements that the inner space of the nanotubes cannot work as sodium ion adsorption sites when sodium doping was done electrochemically.
Experimental Investigation of Two-Phase Electrolysis Processes in the Alkaline Solution
Authors: Derhoumi Zine , Mandin Philippe , Roustan Hervé
Published: May 2013

During two-phase electrolysis for the production of oxygen and hydrogen, it is generally observed production of bubbles at one or two electrodes which indicates a change in electrical and hydrodynamic properties of the electrolyser. In the presence of gravity, the production of bubbles at the electrodes induces a macro-convection in the electrolyser. This leads to a variable distribution of the bubbles void fraction and of the current density j at the electrodes. The absence of gravity eliminates the natural convection and by the same frictional forces. The electrolysis is performed using a potentiostat. The formation of gas bubbles at the anode is observed by two cameras. The aim of this study is to predict the evolution laws of the electrochemical cell voltage and of the bubble diameter during a two-phase electrolysis depending on the three presently explored inputs: current density j, gravity G and concentration C.
Underpotential Deposition of Sn on S-Covered Ag(111)
Authors: Innocenti Massimo , Bencistà Ilaria , Di Benedetto Francesco , Cinotti Serena , De Luca Antonio , Bellandi Silvano , Lavacchi Alessandro , Muniz Miranda Maurizio , Vizza Francesco , Marinelli Federica , Dei Luigi , Carretti Emiliano , Zafferoni Claudio , Foresti Maria Luisa
Published: May 2013

Tin sulfides present electrical and optical properties, which give them high potential use in opto-electronic devices and photoconductive cells, i.e. photovoltaic applications. In this paper we report an electrochemical study of a tin solution, carried out by cyclic and stripping voltammetry. These techniques allow to establish the presence of surface limited processes and, hence, to define the experimental conditions for the Underpotential Deposition of Sn on Ag(111) previously covered by a S monolayer. Moreover, we studied the growth of the first layers of tin sulfides.
LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method: Structure and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Hashem Ahmed M. , Abdel-Ghany Ashraf E. , Abuzeid Hanaa M. , Ehrenberg Helmut , Mauger Alain , Groult Henri , Julien Christian M
Published: May 2013

We report the structural and electrochemical properties of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (LNMC) synthesized by sol-gel method via citrate xerogel. Characterizations showed that powders crystallized in the well-defined aENaFeO2 structure with cationic distribution close to the nominal formula. The cationic mixing, i.e. Ni ions located in the Li sublattice was estimated 3.2% from both XRD and magnetic measurements. The effect of the interslab mixing on electrochemical performance is discussed and compared with other LiNiyMnyCo1-2yO2 systems. Initial discharge capacity of 176 mAh g−1 was delivered at C/15-rate in the cut-off voltage of 2.5–4.5 V. More than 87% of its initial capacity was retained after 35 cycles at C/15-rate.
Crystal Structures and Electrochemical Properties of Ni-Substituted Li2CuO2 as a Cathode Material
Authors: Arachi Yoshinori , Ide Tomoyuki , Nakagawa Takafumi , Nakata Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2013

A single orthorhombic phases of Li2CuO2-Li2NiO2 solid solutions were prepared in the range of x = 0 to 0.4 in Li2Cu1-x
Ni
x
O2. An improvement of specific capacity by the Ni-substitution was obtained as reported previously. Our present study clarified the phase relationship and changes in chemical oxidation states of Cu and Ni ions caused by Li-extracting. The XRD patterns using synchrotron radiations showed that CuO, NiO or LiNiO2 phases were not observed for fully charged Li2Cu1-x
Ni
x
O2. It is likely that the substitution of Ni has an effect to depress the formation of these oxides during charging. X-ray absorption spectra for both Ni and Cu K-edges shifted to higher energy from Li2Cu0.6Ni0.4O2 to LiCu0.6Ni0.4O2 and then to lower energy by charging LiCu0.6Ni0.4O2. An irreversible capacity was improved by the substitution of 10 or 20 mole % of divalent Ni for divalent Cu.
Pure Phase Disordered LiMn1.45Cr0.1Ni0.45O4 by Post-Annealing Treatment
Authors: Liu D , Hamel-Paquet J , Trottier J , Barray F , Gariépy Vincent , Hovington P , Guerfi A , Zaghib Karim , Mauger A , Goodenough John B. , Julien C.M.
Published: May 2013

A new post-annealing treatment at ca. 600 °C was used to modify the oxygen deficiency during the synthesis of the spinel LiMn1.45Cr0.1Ni0.45O4 cathode for Li-ion batteries. It is an effective way to eliminate the impurity phase without changing the crystal chemistry. Small amount of substituting Cr leads to better rate performance and cyclability at room temperature, compared to commercial LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4. LiMn1.45Cr0.1Ni0.45O4 delivered a reversible capacity of 104 mAh g-1 at 1C rate. After 125 cycles, about 99% of reversible capacity was retained for the LiMn1.45Cr0.1Ni0.45O4 in contrast with 6% capacity loss for the commercial LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the LiMn1.45Cr0.1Ni0.45O4 had a smaller surface resistance, which may be due to the segregation of Ni from the surface to the bulk.
Use of High Surface Area Electrodes for Safe Delivery of Direct Current for Nerve Conduction Block
Authors: Vrabec Tina , Wainright Jesse , Bhadra Niloy , Bhadra Narendra , Kilgore Kevin
Published: May 2013

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has widely been used to elicit neural activity to activate muscle for functional outcomes. But there are many diseases which result from undesirable neural activity which are equally debilitating. A localized, reversible, electrical nerve conduction block is an attractive way of addressing these conditions. High frequency alternating current (HFAC) has also been shown to generate a complete conduction block. But HFAC generates an "onset response" consisting of a short, but intense burst of firing at the start of the HFAC. This onset response can be eliminated by applying direct current (DC) briefly during onset duration. However, DC has been shown to cause nerve damage when applied for long durations. High surface area electrodes show promise in delivering DC without nerve damage.
Molecular Dynamics Study for Sintering Characteristics of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode
Authors: Nakao Kazuhide , Kohno Haruhiko , Ishimoto Takayoshi , Koyama Michihisa
Published: May 2013

The prediction of long-term durability of SOFC anode is important to understand the sintering phenomena in the anode, which are affected by microstructure, materials, and impurities. To understand the sintering phenomena considering the effects of materials and chemical species, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is one of the most effective computational methods. In this study, we developed a theoretical methodology based on the master sintering curve to analyze the sintering property. We performed MD simulation for the densification of both Ni and YSZ porous structures. The sintering activation energy obtained from our proposed method was in reasonable agreement with the experimental result.
Effects of Chromate and Molybdate Ions on Scratch Repassivation Behavior of Precipitation Hardened Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Madden Samuel B. , Moosbauer D. J. , Scully J. R.
Published: May 2013

Scratch depassivation of AA2024-T351, AA7075-T6, and 99.999% aluminum in molybdate (MoO4
2-) and chromate (CrO4
2-) containing NaCl solutions was used to examine electrochemical repassivation kinetics over a range of potentials and inhibitor concentrations. Single frequency impedance measurements were taken in the capacitive region of frequency response. Capacitance measurements enabled the observation of the effects of inhibitor additions on oxide growth as protective oxide films formed on the scratched electrode surface. Chromate was found to suppress scratched electrode current transients at high potentials on both AA2024-T351 and AA7075-T6. Capacitance measurements revealed the rapid growth of a thick, protective oxide when concentrations as low 5 mM CrO4
2-E were in solution. Molybdate did not suppress transient current density in AA2024-T351 or AA7075-T6. In some cases the addition of molybdate increased the total charge passed after the scratch. However, capacitance measurements in the presence of molybdate indicate the rapid growth of a passive film.
Template-Based Synthesis of Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Microfluidic and Nanofluidic Applications
Authors: Golshadi Masoud , Schrlau Michael G.
Published: May 2013

A multifunctional nanofluidic device consisting of an array of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was fabricated. A template-based method was employed to manufacture the CNT array without the need for nanoassembly. The CNT synthesis was done inside the pores of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The tips of the CNTs were partially exposed through a sodium hydroxide etching process. The wall thickness and inner and outer diameters of the resultant CNTs were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fluid flow through the CNT array was observed and the pressure drop across the membrane was measured as a function of fluid flow rate and CNT inner diameter. Nanochannel wettability was then evaluated as a function of carbon deposition and wet etching time. The work demonstrates the feasibility of creating a device, consisting of an array of vertically-aligned CNTs, capable of simultaneously measuring electrical signals and transferring fluid through conductive nanotubes.
(Invited) New Paradigms for Cost-Effective III-V Photovoltaic Technology
Authors: Shahrjerdi Davood , Bedell Stephen W. , Hekmatshoar Bahman , Bayram Can , Sadana Devendra
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we discuss two new paradigms for enabling cost-effective III-V solar cell photovoltaics using (i) our novel layer transfer technology, called controlled spalling and (ii) new solar cell device structures. First, we present the application of the controlled spalling for making high-efficiency thin-film multi-junction solar cells. Finally, a novel GaAs heterojunction solar cell structure is described, consisting of thin hydrogenated amorphous silicon stack deposited directly on the GaAs surface at 200ºC, aiming to eliminate the III-V epitaxy. This feature in conjunction with a kerf-less removal of GaAs using the controlled spalling technique offers a viable pathway for realizing low cost high-efficiency III-V photovoltaic technology.
(Invited) Electrodeposited CIS and CIGS-based Solar Cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Raghu N , Kim Youngho , Yoon Sanghyo , Jeon Myoungae
Published: May 2013

Previously, we reported 15.4%-efficient copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from electrodeposited precursor films in which the final film composition was adjusted using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. At present, we are fabricating CIS and CIGS-based solar cells directly from electrodeposited precursor films, eliminating the expensive PVD step. Electrodeposited CIS and CIGS absorber layers are fabricated from stacked Cu/In and Cu/In/Ga layers, respectively. All films are electrodeposited from aqueous-based solutions at room temperature in a two-electrode cell configuration, with platinum gauze as the counter electrode and a glass substrate as the working electrode. The substrate is DC-sputtered with about 1 µm of Mo. The electrodeposited films are selenized at high temperature (~550ºC) to obtain 10.9%-efficient CIS device and 11.7%-efficient CIGS device.
One-Step Electrochemical Deposition of Cu-In-Ga Mixed Oxide Thin Films for Low-Cost CIGS Solar Cells
Authors: Chassaing Elisabeth , Duchatelet Aurelien , Sidali Tarik , Savidand Gregory , Lincot Daniel
Published: May 2013

A new method for the preparation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber layers is developed. The method is based on a single bath electrochemical deposition of Cu-In-Ga oxides in an acidic nitrate based electrolyte. It is cheap, easy to carry out and fast. It takes advantage of the strong affinity of indium and gallium for oxygen. The kinetics is analysed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry using a rotating disk electrode and an electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance. A reaction path is developed which accounts for the main experimental results. It is based on the reduction of the nitrate species on the freshly deposited copper. This reaction leads to a local pH increase at the cathode which induces the precipitation of indium and gallium oxides/hydroxides. The Cu-In-Ga oxide films deposited on Mo-coated glass substrates are reduced and selenized. The cells are finished with standard process. First cell results show conversion efficiency up to 9.4%.
XRD and Raman Spectroscopy Study of Fe solubility in Cerium Oxide
Authors: Zhao Liang , Bishop Sean R. , Hyodo Junji , Ishihara Tatsumi , Sasaki Kazunari
Published: May 2013

The solubility of Fe in CeO2 was investigated for 3-50 mol% Fe. Powders were synthesized by the Pechini method in air. Raman spectroscopy and lattice parameter analysis revealed that the solubility limit of Fe in CeO2 is less than 3 mol% for the present preparation conditions. The low solubility limit was rationalized in terms of the much smaller ionic radius of Fe versus Ce. As a consequence, an approach to increase the Fe radii size through annealing in reducing conditions (humidified H2 at 1100 ℃) was attempted. In this case, the more stable CeFeO3 phase was observed by XRD, thereby indicating difficulty in obtaining Fe doped CeO2 under reducing conditions, as well.
Growth and Fabrication of GaN Light Emitting Diode on Patterned-Sapphire Substrate
Authors: Tran Binh Tinh , Ming Chen-Hauw , Lin Kung Liang , Chen Hao-Ming , Wang Ching Chian , Chen Chien Chih , Huang Chih Yung , Chung Chen Chen , Yi Chang Edward
Published: May 2013

In this study, the growth of GaN-films-based light emitting diodes(LEDs), have been clearly demonstrated on wet-etching patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) and conventional LEDs. The wet-etching PSS LED device showed a significantly higher performance than the conventional LED device. The wet-etching PSS LED device exhibited a leakage current of 9 mA under a bias of 8 V, an external quantum efficiency and output powers of 35.09 % and19.23 mW under 20 mA injection current as compared to 12 mA, 27.23%, and 15.02 mW of the conventional LED device.
Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Anatase Titanium Dioxides Prepared from Peroxo-Polytitanic Acid and Their Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Tsuyumoto Isao , Kobayashi Kazuki
Published: May 2013

Peroxo-polytitanic acid solution was obtained by a reaction between metallic Ti powder and 30 wt% H2O2 aq. Amorphous titanium dioxide was obtained as its dried residue at 115 °C, and nanocrystalline anatase titanium dioxide was obtained by heating the amorphous phase at 300 – 500 °C. The anatase titanium dioxide with average particle size of 25 nm obtained by heating at 300 °C for 5h showed the capacity of 158 mAh/g as negative electrode for lithium ion batteries. The capacity was increased with increasing the heating time at 300 °C. Lattice defects were reduced by heating at 300 °C without crystal growth and aggregation, and this enhanced the lithium insertion/deinsertion performance. We also calculated site energy distribution from the deconvolution of experimental discharge curves, and discussed the relationship between the structure and the insertion site.
Newly Found Electrochemical Oscillations during Reduction of Nitrate Ions
Authors: Mukouyama Yoshiharu , Yamamoto Shuhei , Nakazato Ryusuke , Nakanishi Shuji , Okamoto Hiroshi
Published: May 2013

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate ions on Cu in strong acid solutions have been found to give two types of new oscillations both under potential controlled conditions and under current controlled conditions. The new oscillations occur during the reduction in HNO3 solutions and in H2SO4 solutions with KNO3. One of the new oscillations can be classified into a HNDR oscillator by electrochemical impedance measurements. Based on the experimental result that a little amount of hydrogen bubbles evolves due to the H+ reduction during the oscillation, we think that the NDR-hiding factor was the reduction current due to the reduction of hydrogen ions. The other new oscillation appears when hydrogen bubbles evolve intensely due to the reduction of water. The mechanism for the appearance of the oscillation awaits further investigation.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Organogel Electrolytes Based on Low Molecular Weight Molecules
Authors: Miura Masahiro , Iuchi Ayuko , Morita Yuki , Kasatani Kazuo , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: May 2013

Several derivatives for 4-(2-perfluoroalkyl)ethylthiobenzene were prepared and their gelation properties were investigated. The alkyl and alkylene derivatives (compound 1-n and 2-n) formed organogels with aprotic polar organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, propylenecarbonate, ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate and γ-butyrolactone. The critical gel concentration for compound 2-n are lesser than those for compound 1-n. The thermal properties for these organogels are revealed to be thermoreversible physical gels. Furthermore, organogel electrolyte using compound 2-n was prepared from LiPF6 as a supporting electrolyte and mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate, and the cyclic voltammogram of the gel electrolyte and that of the corresponding electrolyte solution were also examined.
Physical and Electrolytic Properties of Trifluorinated Linear Ethers and Their Application to Lithium Secondary Batteries
Authors: Satoh Tomohiro , Nambu Noritoshi , Takehara Masahiro , Ue Makoto , Sasaki Yukio
Published: May 2013

A trifluoromethyl group (CF3-) is a strong electron-withdrawing substituent. The trifluoromethyl is much larger than a methyl group. We have investigated the physical and electrolytic properties of trifluorinated linear ethers as solvents and their applications to lithium secondary batteries. We synthesized 1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-methoxyethane (TFEME) as a trifluorinated diether and 1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (TFEMEE) as a trifluorinated triether. Three fluorine atoms of TFEME and TFEMEE are situated on the same terminal carbon atom of the ethyl group. The mass densities, relative permittivities, viscosities, and anodic stabilities of TFEME and TFEMEE were higher than those of the corresponding nonfluorinated linear ethers (1-ethoxy-2-methoxyethane (EME) and 1-ethoxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (EMEE)). The presence of the trifluomethyl group can weaken the attractive forces between molecules. The kinematic viscosities of TFEME and TFEMEE were as low as those of the corresponding nonfluorinated linear ethers especially at high temperatures. The use of an EC−TFEME or an EC−TFEMEE binary mixture improved the cycling efficiency of a lithium anode and the discharge capacity of a Li | LiCoO2 coin cell.
Influence of Added Elements on Electroless NiP
Authors: Cavallotti Pietro Luigi , Magagnin Luca
Published: May 2013

Addition of other metals can greatly influence the Autocatalytic Chemical Deposition ACD NiP plating process. The most important effects are related to possible codeposition, obtaining ternary or quaternary alloys, or stabilization of the bath. Minor, but not less important, effects regard deposit aspect and structure, phosphorus content, corrosion and wear resistance, stability of the deposits with respect to thermal treatments. A general interpretation of the influence of the added elements on the process and the deposit properties is proposed. The behaviour of the added elements is generally anti-correlated with their behaviour in electrodeposition. Elements giving anomalous alloy electrodeposition, such as Zn, Co and Fe behave normally in electroless baths; elements electrodeposited by induction, such as W and Mo, have important effects on the electroless process: they decrease the P content and the deposition rate, while increasing the corrosion resistance. Some of the metal stabilizers, such as Pb, Tl, Hg, Cd, Sb, Bi and Te, can have also a brightening effect on NiP deposits. This is the case of Cd, Sb, Bi and Te and this effect can be related to their interaction with adsorbed hydrogen, which is stabilized by these additives.
Morphological, immunocytochemical, and functional characterization of esophageal enteric neurons in primary culture
Authors: Dong Hui , Jiang Yanfen , Srinivasan Shanthi , Mittal Ravinder K.
Published: May 2013

The enteric nervous system of the esophagus plays an important role in its sensory and motor functions. Although the esophagus contains enteric neurons, they have never been isolated and characterized in primary culture. We isolated and cultured enteric neurons of the rat esophagus and determined their morphological appearance, chemical coding for neurotransmitters, and functional characteristics. After primary culture for 2 wk, dendrites and axons appeared in the enteric neurons, which usually have one axon and several dendrites. Although the size of neuronal bodies varied from Dogiel type I to type II, their average size was 39 ± 1.8 μm in length and 23 ± 1.4 μm in width. Immmunocytochemical studies revealed that over 95% of these cells were positively stained for two general neuronal markers, PGP 9.5 or Milli-Mark Fluoro. Chemical coding showed that the neurons were positively stained for choline acetyltransferease (53 ± 6%) or nNOS (66 ± 13%). In functional studies, membrane depolarization and stimulation of several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) induced Ca2+signaling in the esophageal enteric neurons. The GPCR stimulation was found to induce both intracellular Ca2+release and extracellular Ca2+entry. The functional expressions of Ca2+channels (voltage-gated Ca2+channels and store-operated channels) and Ca2+pump (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase) were also demonstrated on these neurons. We have grown, for the first time, esophageal enteric neurons in primary culture, and these contain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. The functional integrity of GPCRs, Ca2+channels, and Ca2+pump in these neurons makes them a useful cell model for further studies.
The peptide transporter PEPT1 is expressed in distal colon in rodents and humans and contributes to water absorption
Authors: Wuensch Tilo , Schulz Stephan , Ullrich Sina , Lill Nicole , Stelzl Tamara , Rubio-Aliaga Isabel , Loh Gunnar , Chamaillard Mathias , Haller Dirk , Daniel Hannelore
Published: May 2013

The peptide transporter PEPT1, expressed in the brush border membrane of enterocytes, mediates the uptake of di- and tripeptides from luminal protein digestion in the small intestine. PEPT1 was proposed not to be expressed in normal colonic mucosa but may become detectable in inflammatory states such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. We reassessed colonic expression of PEPT1 by performing a systematic analysis of PEPT1 mRNA and protein levels in healthy colonic tissues in mice, rats, and humans. Immunofluorescence analysis of different mouse strains (C57BL/6N, 129/Sv, BALB/c) demonstrated the presence of PEPT1 in the distal part of the colon but not in proximal colon. Rat and human intestines display a similar distribution of PEPT1 as found in mice. However, localization in human sigmoid colon revealed immunoreactivity present at low levels in apical membranes but substantial staining in distinct intracellular compartments. Functional activity of PEPT1 in colonic tissues from mice was assessed in everted sac preparations using [14C]Gly-Sar and found to be 5.7-fold higher in distal compared with proximal colon. In intestinal tissues from Pept1−/−mice, no [14C]Gly-Sar transport was detectable but feces samples revealed significantly higher water content than in wild-type mice, suggesting that PEPT1 contributes to colonic water absorption. In conclusion, our studies unequivocally demonstrate the presence of PEPT1 protein in healthy distal colonic epithelium in mice, rats, and humans and proved that the protein is functional and contributes to electrolyte and water handling in mice.
Murine pulmonary acinar mechanics during quasi-static inflation using synchrotron refraction-enhanced computed tomography
Authors: Sera Toshihiro , Yokota Hideo , Tanaka Gaku , Uesugi Kentaro , Yagi Naoto , Schroter Robert C.
Published: May 2013

We visualized pulmonary acini in the core regions of the mouse lung in situ using synchrotron refraction-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and evaluated their kinematics during quasi-static inflation. This CT system (with a cube voxel of 2.8 μm) allows excellent visualization of not just the conducting airways, but also the alveolar ducts and sacs, and tracking of the acinar shape and its deformation during inflation. The kinematics of individual alveoli and alveolar clusters with a group of terminal alveoli is influenced not only by the connecting alveolar duct and alveoli, but also by the neighboring structures. Acinar volume was not a linear function of lung volume. The alveolar duct diameter changed dramatically during inflation at low pressures and remained relatively constant above an airway pressure of ∼8 cmH2O during inflation. The ratio of acinar surface area to acinar volume indicates that acinar distension during low-pressure inflation differed from that during inflation over a higher pressure range; in particular, acinar deformation was accordion-like during low-pressure inflation. These results indicated that the alveoli and duct expand differently as total acinar volume increases and that the alveolar duct may expand predominantly during low-pressure inflation. Our findings suggest that acinar deformation in the core regions of the lung is complex and heterogeneous.
Acute right ventricular pressure overload compromises left ventricular function by altering septal strain and rotation
Authors: Chua Jason , Zhou Wei , Ho Jonathan K. , Patel Nikhil A. , Burkhard Mackensen G. , Mahajan Aman
Published: May 2013

While right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has long been known to affect the performance of left ventricle (LV), the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Recently, speckle-tracking echocardiography has demonstrated that preservation of strain and rotational dynamics is crucial to both LV systolic and diastolic function. We hypothesized that alteration in septal strain and rotational dynamics of the LV occurs during acute RV pressure overload (RVPO) and leads to decreased cardiac performance. Seven anesthetized pigs underwent median sternotomy and placement of intraventricular pressure-volume conductance catheters. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images and LV pressure-volume loops were acquired for offline analysis at baseline and after banding of the pulmonary artery to achieve RVPO (>50 mmHg) induced RV dysfunction. RVPO resulted in a significant decrease ( P < 0.05) in LV end-systolic elastance (50%), systolic change in pressure over change in time (19%), end-diastolic volume (22%), and cardiac output (37%) that correlated with decrease in LV global circumferential strain (58%), LV apical rotation (28%), peak untwisting (reverse rotation) rate (27%), and prolonged time to peak rotation (17%), while basal rotation was not significantly altered. RVPO reduced septal radial and circumferential strain, while no other segment of the LV midpapillary wall was affected. RVPO decreased septal radial strain on LV side by 27% and induced a negative radial strain from 28 ± 5 to −16 ± 2% on the RV side of the septum. The septal circumferential strain on both LV and RV side decreased by 46 and 50%, respectively, following RVPO ( P < 0.05). Our results suggest that acute RVPO impairs LV performance by primarily altering septal strain and apical rotation.
Tumor Heterogeneity and Permeability as Measured on the CT Component of PET/CT Predict Survival in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Win Thida , Miles Kenneth A. , Janes Sam M. , Ganeshan Balaji , Shastry Manu , Endozo Raymondo , Meagher Marie , Shortman Robert I. , Wan Simon , Kayani Irfan , Ell Peter J. , Groves Ashley M.
Published: May 2013

Purpose: We prospectively examined the role of tumor textural heterogeneity on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting survival compared with other clinical and imaging parameters in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Experimental Design: The feasibility study consisted of 56 assessed consecutive patients with NSCLC (32 males, 24 females; mean age 67 ± 9.7 years) who underwent combined fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT. The validation study population consisted of 66 prospectively recruited consecutive consenting patients with NSCLC (37 males, 29 females; mean age, 67.5 ± 7.8 years) who successfully underwent combined FDG PET/CT-dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT. Images were used to derive tumoral PET/CT textural heterogeneity, DCE CT permeability, and FDG uptake (SUVmax). The mean follow-up periods were 22.6 ± 13.3 months and 28.5± 13.2 months for the feasibility and validation studies, respectively. Optimum threshold was determined for clinical stage and each of the above biomarkers (where available) from the feasibility study population. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to assess the ability of the biomarkers to predict survival in the validation study. Cox regression determined survival factor independence.

Results: Univariate analysis revealed that tumor CT-derived heterogeneity (P < 0.001), PET-derived heterogeneity (P = 0.003), CT-derived permeability (P = 0.002), and stage (P < 0·001) were all significant survival predictors. The thresholds used in this study were derived from a previously conducted feasibility study. Tumor SUVmax did not predict survival. Using multivariable analysis, tumor CT textural heterogeneity (P = 0.021), stage (P = 0.001), and permeability (P < 0.001) were independent survival predictors. These predictors were independent of patient treatment.

Conclusions: Tumor stage and CT-derived textural heterogeneity were the best predictors of survival in NSCLC. The use of CT-derived textural heterogeneity should assist the management of many patients with NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3591–9. ©2013 AACR.
A Phase I, Open-Label Study of Siltuximab, an Anti–IL-6 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, or Castleman Disease
Authors: Kurzrock Razelle , Voorhees Peter M. , Casper Corey , Furman Richard R. , Fayad Luis , Lonial Sagar , Borghaei Hossein , Jagannath Sundar , Sokol Lubomir , Usmani Saad Z. , van de Velde Helgi , Qin Xiang , Puchalski Thomas A. , Hall Brett , Reddy Manjula , Qi Ming , van Rhee Frits
Published: May 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of siltuximab, an anti–interleukin-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma, or Castleman disease.

Experimental Design: In an open-label, dose-finding, 7 cohort, phase I study, patients with NHL, multiple myeloma, or symptomatic Castleman disease received siltuximab 3, 6, 9, or 12 mg/kg weekly, every 2 weeks, or every 3 weeks. Response was assessed in all disease types. Clinical benefit response (CBR; composite of hemoglobin, fatigue, anorexia, fever/night sweats, weight, largest lymph node size) was also evaluated in Castleman disease.

Results: Sixty-seven patients received a median of 16 siltuximab doses for a median of 8.5 (maximum 60.5) months; 29 were treated 1 year or longer. There was no dose-limiting toxicity, antibodies to siltuximab, or apparent dose–toxicity relationship. The most frequently reported possible drug-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (25%), hypertriglyceridemia (19%), neutropenia (19%), leukopenia (18%), hypercholesterolemia (15%), and anemia (10%). None of these events led to dose delay/discontinuation except for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (n = 1 each). No treatment-related deaths occurred. C-reactive protein (CRP) suppression was most pronounced at 12 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Mean terminal-phase half-life of siltuximab ranged 17.73 to 20.64 days. Thirty-two of 37 (86%) patients with Castleman disease improved in 1 or more CBR component; 12 of 36 evaluable Castleman disease patients had radiologic response [complete response (CR), n = 1; partial response (PR), n = 11], including 8 of 19 treated with 12 mg/kg; 2 of 14 (14%) evaluable NHL patients had PR; 2 of 13 (15%) patients with multiple myeloma had CR.

Conclusion: No dose-related or cumulative toxicity was apparent across all disease indications. A dose of 12 mg/kg every 3 weeks was recommended on the basis of the high response rates in Castleman disease and the sustained CRP suppression. Randomized studies are ongoing in Castleman disease and multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3659–70. ©2013 AACR.
Dysregulating IRES-Dependent Translation Contributes to Overexpression of Oncogenic Aurora A Kinase
Authors: Dobson Tara , Chen Juan , Krushel Les A.
Published: May 2013

Overexpression of the oncoprotein Aurora A kinase occurs in multiple types of cancer, often early during cell transformation. To identify the mechanism(s) contributing to enhanced Aurora A protein expression, a comparison between normal human lung fibroblast and breast epithelial cells to nontumorigenic breast (MCF10A and MCF12A) and tumorigenic breast (MCF-7) and cervical cell lines (HeLa S3) was performed. A subset of these immortalized lines (MCF10A, MCF12A, and HeLa S3) exhibited increased levels of Aurora A protein, independent of tumorigenicity. The increase in Aurora A protein in these immortalized cells was not due to increased transcription/RNA stability, protein half-life, or cap-dependent translation. Assays utilizing monocistronic and dicistronic RNA constructs revealed that the 5′-leader sequence of Aurora A contains an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES), which is regulated in a cell cycle–dependent manner, peaking in G2/M phase. Moreover, IRES activity was increased in the immortalized cell lines in which Aurora A protein expression was also enhanced. Additional studies indicated that the increased internal initiation is specific to the IRES of Aurora A and may be an early event during cancer progression. These results identify a novel mechanism contributing to Aurora A kinase overexpression.

Implications: The current study indicates that Aurora A kinase contributes to immortalization and tumorigenesis. Mol Cancer Res; 11(8); 887–900. ©2013 AACR.
TGF-β Signaling in Myeloid Cells Is Required for Tumor Metastasis
Authors: Pang Yanli , Gara Sudheer Kumar , Achyut Bhagelu R. , Li Zhaoyang , Yan Hannah H. , Day Chi-Ping , Weiss Jonathan M. , Trinchieri Giorgio , Morris John C. , Yang Li
Published: May 2013

TGF-β is overexpressed in advanced human cancers. It correlates with metastasis and poor prognosis. However, TGF-β functions as both a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter. Here, we report for the first time that genetic deletion of Tgfbr2 specifically in myeloid cells (Tgfbr2MyeKO) significantly inhibited tumor metastasis. Reconstitution of tumor-bearing mice with Tgfbr2MyeKO bone marrow recapitulated the inhibited metastasis phenotype. This effect is mediated through decreased production of type II cytokines, TGF-β1, arginase 1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, which promoted IFN-γ production and improved systemic immunity. Depletion of CD8 T cells diminished the metastasis defect in the Tgfbr2MyeKO mice. Consistent with animal studies, myeloid cells from patients with advanced-stage cancer showed increased TGF-β receptor II expression. Our studies show that myeloid-specific TGF-β signaling is an essential component of the metastasis-promoting puzzle of TGF-β. This is in contrast to the previously reported tumor-suppressing phenotypes in fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and T cells.

Significance: Our study identifies myeloid-specific TGF-β signaling as a critical mediator in tumor metastasis, distinct from the tumor-suppressive effect of TGF-β signaling in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and T cells. We further provide mechanistic insight into host antitumor immunity and suggest a cell type–specific cancer-targeting strategy. Cancer Discov; 3(8); 936–51. ©2013 AACR.

See related commentary by Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes and Smyth, p. 846

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 826
Angptl3 Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Insulin Sensitivity, Lipoprotein Lipase Activity, and Decreased Serum Free Fatty Acids
Authors: Robciuc Marius R. , Maranghi Marianna , Lahikainen Anna , Rader Daniel , Bensadoun Andre , Öörni Katariina , Metso Jari , Minicocci Ilenia , Ciociola Ester , Ceci Fabrizio , Montali Anna , Arca Marcello , Ehnholm Christian , Jauhiainen Matti
Published: May 2013

Objective—

Angiopoietin-like 3 (Angptl3) is a regulator of lipoprotein metabolism at least by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase activity. Loss-of-function mutations in
ANGPTL3
cause familial combined hypolipidemia through an unknown mechanism.

Approach and Results—

We compared lipolytic activities, lipoprotein composition, and other lipid-related enzyme/lipid transfer proteins in carriers of the S17X loss-of-function mutation in
ANGPTL3
and in age- and sex-matched noncarrier controls. Gel filtration analysis revealed a severely disturbed lipoprotein profile and a reduction in size and triglyceride content of very low density lipoprotein in homozygotes as compared with heterozygotes and noncarriers. S17X homozygotes had significantly higher lipoprotein lipase activity and mass in postheparin plasma, whereas heterozygotes showed no difference in these parameters when compared with noncarriers. No changes in hepatic lipase, endothelial lipase, paraoxonase 1, phospholipid transfer protein, and cholesterol ester transfer protein activities were associated with the S17X mutation. Plasma free fatty acid, insulin, glucose, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly lower in homozygous subjects compared with heterozygotes and noncarriers subjects.

Conclusions—

These results indicate that, although partial Angptl3 deficiency did not affect the activities of lipolytic enzymes, the complete absence of Angptl3 results in an increased lipoprotein lipase activity and mass and low circulating free fatty acid levels. This latter effect is probably because of decreased mobilization of free fatty acid from fat stores in human adipose tissue and may result in reduced hepatic very low density lipoprotein synthesis and secretion via attenuated hepatic free fatty acid supply. Altogether, Angptl3 may affect insulin sensitivity and play a role in modulating both lipid and glucose metabolism.
Between Famine and Death: England on the Eve of the Black Death—Evidence from Paleoepidemiology and Manorial Accounts
Authors: DeWitte Sharon , Slavin Philip
Published: May 2013

Archaeological findings, in conjunction with contemporary quantitative data from manorial records, demonstrate that most of the English population before the onset of the Black Death (1348–1350) suffered from a chronic shortage of protein, calcium, and Vitamin B12 for at least one generation—much longer than the three years of bad harvests and grain famine typically attributed to the Great Famine (1315–1317). The skeletal evidence suggests that after the Great Famine had thinned the population of its frailest individuals, the Great Bovine Pestilence (1319–1320), which caused a prolonged dearth of dairy products, created a generation of people who were less healthy than those who had survived the famine and who therefore were particularly susceptible to the ravages associated with the Black Death.
Mapping the Boston Poor: Inmates of the Boston Almshouse, 1795–1801
Authors: Herndon Ruth Wallis , Challú Amilcar E.
Published: May 2013

Documentary and geographical evidence about Boston from 1795 to 1801 reveals distinct patterns in poor people's use of the Boston Almshouse and in their areas of residence within the city. A much higher percentage of Almshouse inmates came from Boston's densely populated North End than from less urban areas with lower population densities. They clustered in distinctive ways—immigrants tending to come from districts close to commercial and shipping areas, and women and families from the outskirts of town. Recurrent users of the almshouse were highly mobile, likely to have changed their ward of residence at least once from 1795 to 1801. This geographical mobility on the part of the poor continuously recreated the city and challenged the contours of class and tradition.
Top–Down Inhibitory Control Exerted by the Medial Frontal Cortex during Action Selection under Conflict
Authors: Duque Julie , Olivier Etienne , Rushworth Matthew
Published: May 2013

Top–down control is critical to select goal-directed actions in changeable environments, particularly when several conflicting options compete for selection. In humans, this control system is thought to involve an inhibitory mechanism that suppresses the motor representation of unwanted responses to favor selection of the most appropriate action. Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of a region of the medial frontal cortex, the pre-SMA, in this form of inhibition by using a double coil TMS protocol combining repetitive TMS (rTMS) over the pre-SMA and a single-pulse TMS over the primary motor cortex (M1) during a visuomotor task that required participants to choose between a left or right button press according to an imperative cue. M1 stimulation allowed us to assess changes in motor excitability related to selected and nonselected (unwanted) actions, and rTMS was used to produce transient disruption of pre-SMA functioning. We found that when rTMS was applied over pre-SMA, inhibition of the nonselected movement representation was reduced. Importantly, this effect was only observed when the imperative cue produced a substantial amount of competition between the response alternatives. These results are consistent with previous studies pointing to a role of pre-SMA in competition resolution. In addition, our findings indicate that this function of pre-SMA involves the control of inhibitory influences directed at unwanted action representations.
The Role of Transverse Occipital Sulcus in Scene Perception and Its Relationship to Object Individuation in Inferior Intraparietal Sulcus
Authors: Bettencourt Katherine C. , Xu Yaoda
Published: May 2013

The parietal cortex has been functionally divided into various subregions; however, very little is known about how these areas relate to each other. Two such regions are the transverse occipital sulcus (TOS) scene area and inferior intraparietal sulcus (IPS). TOS exhibits similar activation patterns to the scene selective parahippocampal place area, suggesting its role in scene perception. Inferior IPS, in contrast, has been shown to participate in object individuation and selection via location. Interestingly, both regions have been localized to the same general area of the brain. If these two were actually the same brain region, it would have important implications regarding these regions' role in cognition. To explore this, we first localized TOS and inferior IPS in individual participants and examined the degree of overlap between these regions in each participant. We found that TOS showed only a minor degree of overlap with inferior IPS (∼10%). We then directly explored the role of TOS and inferior IPS in object individuation and scene perception by examining their responses to furnished rooms, empty rooms, isolated furniture, and multiple isolated objects. If TOS and inferior IPS were the same region, we would expect to see similar response patterns in both. Instead, the response of TOS was predominantly scene selective, whereas activity in inferior IPS was primarily driven by the number of objects present in the display, regardless of scene context. These results show that TOS and inferior IPS are nearby but distinct regions, with different functional roles in visual cognition.
Unconscious Priming Requires Early Visual Cortex at Specific Temporal Phases of Processing
Authors: Persuh Marjan , Ro Tony
Published: May 2013

Although examples of unconscious shape priming have been well documented, whether such priming requires early visual cortex (V1/V2) has not been established. In the current study, we used TMS of V1/V2 at varying temporal intervals to suppress the visibility of preceding shape primes while the interval between primes and targets was kept constant. Our results show that, although conscious perception requires V1/V2, unconscious priming can occur without V1/V2 at an intermediate temporal interval but not at early (5–25 msec) or later (65–125 msec) stages of processing. Because the later time window of unconscious priming suppression has been proposed to interfere with feedback processing, our results further suggest that feedback processing is also essential for unconscious priming and may not be a sufficient condition for conscious vision.
EEG Data Space Adaptation to Reduce Intersession Nonstationarity in Brain-Computer Interface
Authors: Arvaneh Mahnaz , Guan Cuntai , Ang Kai Keng , Quek Chai
Published: May 2013

A major challenge in EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) is the intersession nonstationarity in the EEG data that often leads to deteriorated BCI performances. To address this issue, this letter proposes a novel data space adaptation technique, EEG data space adaptation (EEG-DSA), to linearly transform the EEG data from the target space (evaluation session), such that the distribution difference to the source space (training session) is minimized. Using the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence criterion, we propose two versions of the EEG-DSA algorithm: the supervised version, when labeled data are available in the evaluation session, and the unsupervised version, when labeled data are not available. The performance of the proposed EEG-DSA algorithm is evaluated on the publicly available BCI Competition IV data set IIa and a data set recorded from 16 subjects performing motor imagery tasks on different days. The results show that the proposed EEG-DSA algorithm in both the supervised and unsupervised versions significantly outperforms the results without adaptation in terms of classification accuracy. The results also show that for subjects with poor BCI performances when no adaptation is applied, the proposed EEG-DSA algorithm in both the supervised and unsupervised versions significantly outperforms the unsupervised bias adaptation algorithm (PMean).