bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adipocyte Pseudohypoxia Suppresses Lipolysis and Facilitates Benign Adipose Tissue Expansion
Authors: Michailidou Zoi , Morton Nicholas M. , Moreno Navarrete José Maria , West Christopher C. , Stewart Kenneth J. , Fernández-Real José Manuel , Schofield Christopher J. , Seckl Jonathan R. , Ratcliffe Peter J.
Published: November 2014

Prolyl hydroxylase enzymes (PHDs) sense cellular oxygen upstream of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling, leading to HIF degradation in normoxic conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that adipose PHD2 inhibition plays a key role in the suppression of adipocyte lipolysis. Adipose Phd2 gene ablation in mice enhanced adiposity, with a parallel increase in adipose vascularization associated with reduced circulating nonesterified fatty acid levels and normal glucose homeostasis. Phd2 gene–depleted adipocytes exhibited lower basal lipolysis in normoxia and reduced β-adrenergic–stimulated lipolysis in both normoxia and hypoxia. A selective PHD inhibitor suppressed lipolysis in murine and human adipocytes in vitro and in vivo in mice. PHD2 genetic ablation and pharmacological inhibition attenuated protein levels of the key lipolytic effectors hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), suggesting a link between adipocyte oxygen sensing and fatty acid release. PHD2 mRNA levels correlated positively with mRNA levels of AB-hydrolase domain containing-5, an activator of ATGL, and negatively with mRNA levels of lipid droplet proteins, perilipin, and TIP47 in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Therapeutic pseudohypoxia caused by PHD2 inhibition in adipocytes blunts lipolysis and promotes benign adipose tissue expansion and may have therapeutic applications in obesity or lipodystrophy.
Design of regular positive and stable descriptor systems via state-feedbacks for descriptor continuous-time linear systems with singular pencils
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: November 2014

A new method is proposed of design of regular positive and asymptotically stable descriptor systems by the use of state-feedbacks for descriptor continuous-time linear systems with singular pencils. The method is based on the reduction of the descriptor system by elementary row and column operations to special form. A procedure for the design of the state-feedbacks gain matrix is presented and illustrated by a numerical example
Rockburst Hazard Assessment in Bedded Rock Mass: Laboratory Tests of Rock Samples and Numerical Calculations
Authors: Tajduś Antoni , Cieślik Jerzy , Tajduś Krzysztof
Published: November 2014

The paper presents the results of analyses on tendency of bedded rock mass towards rockburst, carried out on the basis of laboratory tests of rock samples and determined indices, as well as by means of numerical calculations. The first part of the paper discusses selected parameters evaluating the tendency of rocks towards burst, on the basis of which the analysis was carried out in order to assess rockburst hazard in selected complexes of strata in Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Rockburst hazard in bedded rock mass is also analyzed with the use of numerical methods and the results of calculations of rock damage development in the exploitation front during coal deposit extraction are presented. Burst hazard of rock mass is studied through the changes of intensiveness of damage process in the area of exploitation front.
Influence of Barometric Pressure Changes on Ventilation Conditions in Deep Mines
Authors: Wasilewski Stanisław
Published: November 2014

Barometric air pressure and its changes have a critical impact on ventilation conditions in the underground workings of deep mines. Changes in pressure are particularly important because they are responsible for the transient states of ventilation conditions, therefore, assessing the scale of pressure change is essential. Unfortunately, previously for many years in the Polish mining industry barometric pressure was recorded only on tapes of mechanical barographs by the ventilation department on the surface and therefore such dependencies of methane concentration due to barometric pressure changes have not been properly documented. Today, after the implementation in mines of instruments enabling the monitoring of absolute pressure in the workings of mines (Wasilewski, 2009) the conditions have been created to study the influence of pressure changes on changes of air parameters in the mine workings. Barometric pressure changes were observed and recorded over a course of approximately two years using monitoring system that utilized high accuracy pressure sensors on the surface and in selected workings of an underground mine.

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the data that we generated from assessing pressure changes on the surface and at selected underground points in the mine. In the article, which presents the results of the first part of the study, some examples of when significant changes in pressure prior to the tragic events, which were not accompanied by changes in the methane concentration in mine workings, will also be shown. Interestingly, we found that the relationship between methane ignitions and explosions in longwall gob mined via the cave-in method is associated with changes in the barometric pressure.

Several instances of methane ignitions and explosions in the gob of cave-in longwalls in recent years were compared with background barometric pressure changes. Research carried out in within the strategic project “Improving work safety in the mines” allowed to record air parameters changes inside the gob of longwalls and show the influence of pressure changes on changes in methane and oxygen concentration in the gob, which will be shown in the second part of the article to be published in the near future.
Analysis of Yielding Steel Arch Support with Rock Bolts in Mine Roadways Stability Aspect
Authors: Majcherczyk Tadeusz , Niedbalski Zbigniew , Małkowski Piotr , Bednarek łukasz
Published: November 2014

The result of the search for new technological solutions in the field of support for roadways in coal mines has in recent years been the widespread use of steel arch with rockbolt support systems. The efficiency of these systems is affected among other things by the option of installing rock bolts after the actual driving the mine roadway, the increased load capacity that these systems can support, and their resistance to dynamic weight. Large variation in the way that these steel arch support can be connected using different types of rock bolts necessitates mining research revealing the effectiveness of such solutions. Although the steel arch with rockbolt support system is used in the majority of European coal mines, it is still not possible to apply templates of schemes due to the diversity of geological and mining conditions. Therefore, throughout a period of several years, the authors of this article conducted research in situ under conditions of different schemes related to connecting arched support frames with rock bolts, with only selected results being presented in the article. The measurements of convergence, load supported by the system frame, load supported by the rock bolts, and the stratification of roof rocks were analyzed, carried out in two roadways with yielding steel arch support in which strand bolts were applied. The article also proposes the index for working maintenance nuw, used in preliminarily assessing the stability of a given working with a limited number of data concerning geomechanical conditions. Additionally considered are empirical methods used in Poland for designing steel arch with rock bolt support systems.

The results of mine research indicate that strengthening yielding steel support with strand bolts through steel beams maintains the stability of a roadway, even when exposed to the exploitation stress. Aside from the impact of exploitation, deformations of the support system are negligible, despite the fact that the tensile forces acting on the rock bolts can reach values of up to 160 kN. Under favorable geological and mining conditions, support system frames can be spread up to 1.5 m apart when using rock bolts between them. The conducted measurement of convergence during a three year period revealed a compression amounting to a few centimeters. The results obtained by the research fully confirm the effectiveness of combined yielding steel arch with rock bolt support systems under different mining conditions.
Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Coal Properties in Terms of Gasification
Authors: Marciniak-Kowalska Jolanta , Niedoba Tomasz , Surowiak Agnieszka , Tumidajski Tadeusz
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a comparative analysis of two types of coal taken from the ZG Janina and ZG Wieczorek coalmines. The aim of this study has been to analyze the suitability of the coal in the context of the gasification process. The types of coal vary considerably in terms of their characteristics. Each of them was subjected to treatment in a ten-ringed annular jig. A particle size of 0-18 mm constituted the feed. The separated coal was divided into five layers, each of them containing material from two additional annular jigs. Analysis of their characteristics was carried out for each of the five layers and for both types of coal obtained, taking into account both their physicochemical properties as well as chemical ones. Each of these characteristics was then presented in three-dimensional surface diagrams, where the ordinate (or Y-axis) and abscissa (X-axis) was the particle size and height in which the material ended up in the jig (expressed as a percentage of the total height of the device). On the basis of observations, it was found that the types of coal have different potential for gasification, although both types are within the limits specified on the basis of previous studies. A correlation analysis between particle size and remaining characteristics of coal was carried out for each of the layers, allowing to determine which of the studied characteristics induced changes significant from the point of view of the coal gasification process. The entire research and observation was supported by conclusions and findings, which shall form the basis for further, in-depth analysis of coal.
Influence of Coal Particle Size on Coal Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Lei , Aziz Naj , Ren Ting , Nemcik Jan , Tu Shihao
Published: November 2014

Accurate testing coal isotherm can play a significant role in the areas of coal seam gas drainage, outburst control, CO2 geo-sequestration, coalbed methane (CBM) and enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM) etc. The effect of particle size on the CO2 and CH4 sorption capacity of bituminous coal from Illawarra, Australia was investigated at 35°C and at pressure up to 4 MPa. A unique indirect gravimetric apparatus was used to measure the gas adsorption and desorption isotherms of coal of different particle sizes ranging from around 150 urn to 16 mm. Langmuir model was used to analysis the experimental results of all gases. Coal particle size was found to have an apparent effect on the coal ash content and helium density results. Coal with larger particle size had higher ash content and higher helium density. The sorption isotherm was found to be highly sensitive with helium density of coal which was determined in the procedure of testing the void volume of sample cell. Hence, coal particle size had a significant influence on the coal sorption characteristics including sorption capacity and desorption hysteresis for CO2 and CH4, especially calculated with dry basis of coal. In this study, the 150-212 um (150 um) coal samples achieved higher sorption capacity and followed by 2.36-3.35 mm (2.4 mm), 8-9.5 mm (8 mm) and 16-19 mm (16 mm) particle size samples. However, the differences between different coal particles were getting smaller when the sorption isotherms are calculated with dry ash free basis. Test with 150 um coal samples were also found to have relatively smaller desorption hysteresis compared with the other larger particle size samples. The different results including adsorption/desorption isotherm, Langmuir parameters and coal hysteresis were all analysed with the CO2 and CH4 gases.
A Study of the Optimal Model of the Flotation Kinetics of Copper Slag from Copper Mine BOR
Authors: Stanojlović Rodoljub D. , Sokolović Jovica M.
Published: November 2014

In this study the effect of mixtures of copper slag and flotation tailings from copper mine Bor, Serbia on the flotation results of copper recovery and flotation kinetics parameters in a batch flotation cell has been investigated.

By simultaneous adding old flotation tailings in the ball mill at the rate of 9%, it is possible to increase copper recovery for about 20%. These results are compared with obtained copper recovery of pure copper slag.

The results of batch flotation test were fitted by MatLab software for modeling the first-order flotation kinetics in order to determine kinetics parameters and define an optimal model of the flotation kinetics. Six kinetic models are tested on the batch flotation copper recovery against flotation time. All models showed good correlation, however the modified Kelsall model provided the best fit.
Fragmentation, Cost and Environmental Effects of Plaster Stemming Method for Blasting at A Basalt Quarry
Authors: Cevizci Halim
Published: November 2014

In this study, the plaster stemming application for blasting at a basalt quarry is studied. Drill cuttings are generally used in open pits and quarries as the most common stemming material since these are most readily available at blast sites. However, dry drill cuttings eject very easily from blastholes without offering much resistance to blast energy. The plaster stemming method has been found to be better than the drill cuttings stemming method due to increased confinement inside the hole and better utilization of blast explosive energy in the rock. The main advantage of the new stemming method is the reduction in the cost of blasting. At a basalt quarry, blasting costs per unit volume of rock were reduced to 15% by increasing burden and spacing distances. In addition, better fragmentation was obtained by using the plaster stemming method. Blast trials showed that plaster stemming produced finer material. In the same blast tests, +30 cm size fragments were reduced to 47.3% of the total, compared to 32.6% in the conventional method of drill cuttings stemming. With this method of stemming, vibration and air shock values increased slightly due to more blast energy being available for rock breakage but generally these increased values were small and stayed under the permitted limit for blast damage criteria unless measuring distance is too close.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Controlled Stirred Tank Bioreactor With Predator-Prey Relationship
Authors: Tabiś Bolesław , Skoneczny Szymon , Stryjewski Wojciech S.
Published: November 2014

The paper presents the dynamic characteristics of a continuous tank bioreactor for microbiological process, with a developed predator-prey food chain. The presence of the predator microorganism considerably influences the position and stability character of steady-states. There appears to exist a wide range of unstable steady-states and high-amplitude oscillations of state variables. Without automatic control, the system can operate only in unsteady conditions. From technological point of view, this circumstance is unfavorable. It was shown that oscillations can be removed by employing automatic control with continuous P or PI controllers. Moreover, the use of a controller with integrating element causes removal of the predator from the bioreactor. The paper discusses an application of this phenomenon for practical purposes.
Computational Modelling of a Tangentially Fired Boiler With Deposit Formation Phenomena
Authors: Modliński Norbert J.
Published: November 2014

Any complete CFD model of pulverised coal-fired boiler needs to consider ash deposition phenomena. Wall boundary conditions (temperature and emissivity) should be temporally corrected to account for the effects of deposit growth on the combustion conditions. At present voluminous publications concerning ash related problems are available. The current paper presents development of an engineering tool integrating deposit formation models with the CFD code. It was then applied to two tangentially-fired boilers. The developed numerical tool was validated by comparing it with boiler evaporator power variation based on the on-line diagnostic system with the results from the full CFD simulation.
Where Are the Minorities?
Authors: Gaul Anne
Published: November 2014

This article analyzes the representation of Sri Lanka's communities in history textbooks that are currently in use. Even before the end of the war in 2009, the education system was recognized as an instrument with which the country's divided society could be rebuilt. The issues addressed in this article concern a period in which ambitious educational reforms are being implemented that envision textbooks as a tool for the creation of a new generation of citizens in a postwar society. It reveals that the general lack of recognition of minority communities, and the negative representations of the Tamil community in particular, that appear in these textbooks are not compatible with the proclaimed vision of a multicultural yet integrated society. Instead of fostering social cohesion, these textbooks may deepen ethnic divides and stereotypes, and therefore thwart reconciliation and long-term peace.
William H. Feindel (1918–2014)
Authors: Leblanc Richard , Preul Mark C.
Published: November 2014

William Howard Feindel (1918–2014) was one of the world's most distinguished neurosurgeons and a brilliant neuroscientist. As the Montreal Neurological Institute's third director, having succeeded Theodore Rasmussen and Wilder Penfield, he proved to be a visionary medical and scientific administrator. His keen interests in epilepsy and brain imaging were enhanced by a passion for medical history. Students and young people invariably gravitated to Dr. Feindel; he was a kind, patient, thoughtful, intelligent, and caring mentor who was never too busy for them. A pioneer in his own right, Dr. Feindel linked our modern neurosurgical world with the legacy of the first generations of important neurosurgeons and neuroscientists.
Thrombosis and spontaneous recanalization of a giant intracranial aneurysm: diagnostic and management pearls in a pediatric patient
Authors: Kooshkabadi Ali , Jankowitz Brian , Choi Phillip A. , Weiner Gregory M. , Greene Stephanie
Published: November 2014

The authors present the case of a boy who was successfully managed through the spontaneous thrombosis of a cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm, the subsequent occlusion of the ICA, its recanalization, and ultimate endovascular sacrifice, using only two angiograms because of the diagnostic capability of CT angiography. Spontaneous recanalization of the ICA following occlusion in the setting of a giant aneurysm has not been previously reported.
Frameless robotic stereotactic biopsies: a consecutive series of 100 cases
Authors: Lefranc Michel , Capel Cyrille , Pruvot-Occean Anne-Sophie , Fichten Anthony , Desenclos Christine , Toussaint Patrick , Le Gars Daniel , Peltier Johann
Published: November 2014

OBJECT

Stereotactic biopsy procedures are an everyday part of neurosurgery. The procedure provides an accurate histological diagnosis with the least possible morbidity. Robotic stereotactic biopsy needs to be an accurate, safe, frameless, and rapid technique. This article reports the clinical results of a series of 100 frameless robotic biopsies using a Medtech ROSA device.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed their first 100 frameless stereotactic biopsies performed with the robotic ROSA device: 84 biopsies were performed by frameless robotic surface registration, 7 were performed by robotic bone fiducial marker registration, and 9 were performed by scalp fiducial marker registration. Intraoperative flat-panel CT scanning was performed concomitantly in 25 cases. The operative details of the robotic biopsies, the diagnostic yield, and mortality and morbidity data observed in this series are reported.

RESULTS

A histological diagnosis was established in 97 patients. No deaths or permanent morbidity related to surgery were observed. Six patients experienced transient neurological worsening. Six cases of bleeding within the lesion or along the biopsy trajectory were observed on postoperative CT scans but were associated with transient clinical symptoms in only 2 cases. Stereotactic surgery was performed with patients in the supine position in 93 cases and in the prone position in 7 cases. The use of fiducial markers was reserved for posterior fossa biopsy via a transcerebellar approach, via an occipital approach, or for pediatric biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

ROSA frameless stereotactic biopsies appear to be accurate and safe robotized frameless procedures.
Merging Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions in Schizophrenia
Authors: Lecomte Tania , Corbière Marc , Simard Stéphanie , Leclerc Claude
Published: November 2014

Psychosocial interventions are an essential part of the treatment for people with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia. The criteria regarding what makes an intervention “evidence-based” along with a current list of evidence-based interventions are presented. Although many evidence-based interventions exist, implementation studies reveal that few, if any, are ever implemented in a given setting. Various theories and approaches have been developed to better understand and overcome implementation obstacles. Among these, merging two evidence-based interventions, or offering an evidence-based intervention within an evidence-based service, are increasingly being reported and studied in the literature. Five such merges are presented, along with their empirical support: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with skills training; CBT and family psychoeducation; supported employment (SE) and skills training; SE and cognitive remediation; and SE and CBT.
A Protocol for Evaluating Contextual Design Principles
Authors: Stamps Arthur
Published: November 2014

This paper explains how scientific data can be incorporated into urban design decisions, such as evaluating contextual design principles. The recommended protocols are based on the Cochrane Reviews that have been widely used in medical research. The major concepts of a Cochrane Review are explained, as well as the underlying mathematics. The underlying math is meta-analysis. Data are reported for three applications and seven contextual design policies. It is suggested that use of the Cochrane protocols will be of great assistance to planners by providing scientific data that can be used to evaluate the efficacies of contextual design policies prior to implementing those policies.
The Wickedness and Complexity of Decision Making in Geoengineering
Authors: Zhang Yanzhu , Posch Alfred
Published: November 2014

Geoengineering, the deliberate large-scale manipulation of the planetary environment to counteract anthropogenic climate change, has been more widely considered as an accompanying strategy to conventional climate change mitigation measures to combat global warming. However, this approach is far from achieving agreements from different institutional domains. Geoengineering, intended to be deployed on a planetary scale, would cause fundamental interventions to the human-environment system and create new risks and problems with high uncertainty and uneven distribution around the globe. Apart from the physical effects, conflicting attitudes appear from social, economic, and environmental worldviews in the international community. The intertwined sociotechnical complexity and conflicting attitudes make geoengineering a wicked and complex issue. This article elaborates the wickedness and complexity from a system perspective, primarily for an interdisciplinary, policy-oriented audience.
J.J. Thomson and Duhem’s Lagrangian Approaches to Thermodynamics
Authors: Bordoni Stefano
Published: November 2014

In the last decades of the nineteenth century, different attitudes towards mechanics led to two main theoretical approaches to thermodynamics: an abstract and phenomenological approach, and a very different approach in terms of microscopic models. In reality some intermediate solutions were also put forward. Helmholtz and Planck relied on a mere complementarity between mechanical and thermal variables in the expressions of state functions, and Oettingen explored the possibility of a more demanding symmetry between mechanical and thermal capacities. Planck refused microscopic interpretations of heat, whereas Helmholtz made also recourse to a Lagrangian approach involving fast hidden motions. J.J. Thomson incorporated the two mechanical attitudes in his theoretical framework, and put forward a very general theory for physical and chemical processes. He made use of two sets of Lagrangian coordinates that corresponded to two components of kinetic energy: alongside macroscopic energy, there was a microscopic energy, which was associated with the absolute temperature. Duhem put forward a bold design of unification between physics and chemistry, which was based on the two principles of thermodynamics. From the mathematical point of view, his thermodynamics or energetics consisted of a Lagrangian generalization of mechanics that could potentially describe every kind of irreversible process, explosive chemical reactions included.
Modeling Spatial and Temporal Variability of Residential Air Exchange Rates for the Near-Road Exposures and Effects of Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS)
Authors: Breen Michael , Burke Janet , Batterman Stuart , Vette Alan , Godwin Christopher , Croghan Carry , Schultz Bradley , Long Thomas
Published: November 2014

Air pollution health studies often use outdoor concentrations as exposure surrogates. Failure to account for variability of residential infiltration of outdoor pollutants can induce exposure errors and lead to bias and incorrect confidence intervals in health effect estimates. The residential air exchange rate (AER), which is the rate of exchange of indoor air with outdoor air, is an important determinant for house-to-house (spatial) and temporal variations of air pollution infiltration. Our goal was to evaluate and apply mechanistic models to predict AERs for 213 homes in the Near-Road Exposures and Effects of Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS), a cohort study of traffic-related air pollution exposures and respiratory effects in asthmatic children living near major roads in Detroit, Michigan. We used a previously developed model (LBL), which predicts AER from meteorology and questionnaire data on building characteristics related to air leakage, and an extended version of this model (LBLX) that includes natural ventilation from open windows. As a critical and novel aspect of our AER modeling approach, we performed a cross validation, which included both parameter estimation (i.e., model calibration) and model evaluation, based on daily AER measurements from a subset of 24 study homes on five consecutive days during two seasons. The measured AER varied between 0.09 and 3.48 h−1 with a median of 0.64 h−1. For the individual model-predicted and measured AER, the median absolute difference was 29% (0.19 h‑1) for both the LBL and LBLX models. The LBL and LBLX models predicted 59% and 61% of the variance in the AER, respectively. Daily AER predictions for all 213 homes during the three year study (2010–2012) showed considerable house-to-house variations from building leakage differences, and temporal variations from outdoor temperature and wind speed fluctuations. Using this novel approach, NEXUS will be one of the first epidemiology studies to apply calibrated and home-specific AER models, and to include the spatial and temporal variations of AER for over 200 individual homes across multiple years into an exposure assessment in support of improving risk estimates.
Evaluation of Mobility, Bioavailability and Toxicity of Pb and Cd in Contaminated Soil Using TCLP, BCR and Earthworms
Authors: Kede Maria , Correia Fabio , Conceição Paulo , Junior Sidney , Marques Marcia , Moreira Josino , Pérez Daniel
Published: November 2014

The objective of the present study was to investigate the reduction of mobility, availability and toxicity found in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from Santo Amaro Municipality, Bahia, Brazil using two combined methods, commonly tested separately according to the literature: metal mobilization with phosphates and phytoextraction. The strategy applied was the treatment with two sources of phosphates (separately and mixed) followed by phytoremediation with vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)). The treatments applied (in triplicates) were: T1—potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4); T2—reactive natural phosphate fertilizer (NRP) and; T3—a mixture 1:1 of KH2PO4 and NRP. After this step, untreated and treated soils were planted with vetiver grass. The extraction procedures and assays applied to contaminated soil before and after the treatments included metal mobility test (TCLP); sequential extraction with BCR method; toxicity assays with Eisenia andrei. The soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for Pb and Cd were estimated in all cases. All treatments with phosphates followed by phytoremediation reduced the mobility and availability of Pb and Cd, being KH2PO4 (T1) plus phytoremediation the most effective one. Soil toxicity however, remained high after all treatments.
Hunting the Needle in the Haystack: A Guide to Obtain Biologically Meaningful MicroRNA Targets
Authors: Karbiener Michael , Glantschnig Christina , Scheideler Marcel
Published: November 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs of ~23 nucleotides in length that form up a novel class of regulatory determinants, with a large set of target mRNAs postulated for every single miRNA. Thousands of miRNAs have been discovered so far, with hundreds of them shown to govern biological processes with impact on disease. However, very little is known about how they specifically interfere with biological pathways and disease mechanisms. To investigate this interaction, the hunt for direct miRNA targets that mediate the miRNA effects—the “needle in the haystack”—is an essential step. In this review we provide a comprehensive workflow of successfully applied methods starting from the identification of putative miRNA-target pairs, followed by validation of direct miRNA–mRNA interactions, and finally presenting methods that dissect the impact of particular miRNA-target pairs on a biological process or disease. This guide allows the way to be paved for obtaining biologically meaningful miRNA targets.
Analysis of Dynamic Performance of a Kalman Filter for Combining Multiple MEMS Gyroscopes
Authors: Xue Liang , Wang Lixin , Xiong Tao , Jiang Chengyu , Yuan Weizheng
Published: November 2014

In this paper, the dynamic performance of a Kalman filter (KF) was analyzed, which is used to combine multiple measurements of a gyroscopes array to reduce the noise and improve the accuracy of the individual sensors. A principle for accuracy improvement by the KF was briefly presented to obtain an optimal estimate of input rate signal. In particular, the influences of some crucial factors on the KF dynamic performance were analyzed by simulations such as the factors input signal frequency, signal sampling, and KF filtering rate. Finally, a system that was comprised of a six-gyroscope array was designed and implemented to test the dynamic performance. Experimental results indicated that the 1σ error for the combined rate signal was reduced to about 0.2°/s in the constant rate test, which was a reduction by a factor of more than eight compared to the single gyroscope. The 1σ error was also reduced from 1.6°/s to 0.48°/s in the swing test. It showed that the estimated angular rate signal could well reflect the dynamic characteristic of the input signal in dynamic conditions.
Antimicrobial Activity of UV-Induced Phenylamides from Rice Leaves
Authors: Park Hye , Yoo Youngchul , Hahn Tae-Ryong , Bhoo Seong , Lee Sang-Won , Cho Man-Ho
Published: November 2014

Rice produces a wide array of phytoalexins in response to pathogen attacks and UV-irradiation. Except for the flavonoid sakuranetin, most phytoalexins identified in rice are diterpenoid compounds. Analysis of phenolic-enriched fractions from UV-treated rice leaves showed that several phenolic compounds in addition to sakuranetin accumulated remarkably in rice leaves. We isolated two compounds from UV-treated rice leaves using silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. The isolated phenolic compounds were identified as phenylamide compounds: N-trans-cinnamoyltryptamine and N-p-coumaroylserotonin. Expression analysis of biosynthetic genes demonstrated that genes for arylamine biosynthesis were upregulated by UV irradiation. This result suggested that phenylamide biosynthetic pathways are activated in rice leaves by UV treatment. To unravel the role of UV-induced phenylamides as phytoalexins, we examined their antimicrobial activity against rice fungal and bacterial pathogens. N-trans-Cinnamoyltryptamine inhibited the growth of rice brown spot fungus (Bipolaris oryzae). In addition to the known antifungal activity to the blast fungus, sakuranetin had antimicrobial activity toward B. oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani (rice sheath blight fungus). UV-induced phenylamides and sakuranetin also had antimicrobial activity against rice bacterial pathogens for grain rot (Burkholderia glumae), blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) and leaf streak (X. oryzae pv. oryzicola) diseases. These findings suggested that the UV-induced phenylamides in rice are phytoalexins against a diverse array of pathogens.
Icariin Is A PPARα Activator Inducing Lipid Metabolic Gene Expression in Mice
Authors: Lu Yuan-Fu , Xu Yun-Yan , Jin Feng , Wu Qin , Shi Jing-Shan , Liu Jie
Published: November 2014

Icariin is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. To understand the effect of icariin on lipid metabolism, effects of icariin on PPARα and its target genes were investigated. Mice were treated orally with icariin at doses of 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, or clofibrate (500 mg/kg) for five days. Liver total RNA was isolated and the expressions of PPARα and lipid metabolism genes were examined. PPARα and its marker genes Cyp4a10 and Cyp4a14 were induced 2-4 fold by icariin, and 4-8 fold by clofibrate. The fatty acid (FA) binding and co-activator proteins Fabp1, Fabp4 and Acsl1 were increased 2-fold. The mRNAs of mitochondrial FA β-oxidation enzymes (Cpt1a, Acat1, Acad1 and Hmgcs2) were increased 2-3 fold. The mRNAs of proximal β-oxidation enzymes (Acox1, Ech1, and Ehhadh) were also increased by icariin and clofibrate. The expression of mRNAs for sterol regulatory element-binding factor-1 (Srebf1) and FA synthetase (Fasn) were unaltered by icariin. The lipid lysis genes Lipe and Pnpla2 were increased by icariin and clofibrate. These results indicate that icariin is a novel PPARα agonist, activates lipid metabolism gene expressions in liver, which could be a basis for its lipid-lowering effects and its beneficial effects against diabetes.
UV-Absorption—The Primary Process in Photocatalysis and Some Practical Consequences
Authors: Egerton Terry
Published: November 2014

TiO2 photochemistry studies generally address reactions of photogenerated charge-carriers at the oxide surface or the recombination reactions which control the proportion of charge carriers that reach the surface. By contrast, this review focuses on UV absorption, the first photochemical step in semiconductor photocatalysis. The influence of particle size on absorption and scattering of light by small TiO2 particles is summarized and the importance of considering, the particle size in the application, not the BET or X-ray line broadening size, is emphasized. Three different consequences of UV absorption are then considered. First, two commercially important systems, pigmented polymer films and paints, are used to show that TiO2 can protect from direct photochemical degradation. Then the effect of UV absorption on the measured photocatalytic degradation of aqueous solutions of organics is considered for two separate cases. Firstly, the consequences of UV absorption by TiO2 on the generation of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 are considered in the context of the claimed synergy between H2O2 and TiO2. Secondly, the effect of altered UV absorption, caused by changed effective particle size of the catalyst, is demonstrated for photocatalysis of propan-2-ol oxidation and salicylic acid degradation.
Amino Acid Derivatives of Ligustrazine-Oleanolic Acid as New Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Chu Fuhao , Xu Xin , Li Guoliang , Gu Shun , Xu Kuo , Gong Yan , Xu Bing , Wang Mina , Zhang Huazheng , Zhang Yuzhong , Wang Penglong , Lei Haimin
Published: November 2014

A series of novel ligustrazine-oleanolic acid (TOA) derivatives were designed, and synthesized by conjugating amino acids to the 3-hydroxy group of TOA by ester bonds. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated on four cancer cell lines (HepG2, HT-29, Hela and BGC-823) by standard MTT assays. The ClogP values were calculated by means of computer simulation, and logP values of both 3β-glycine ester olean-12-en-28-oic acid-3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-methyl ester (6a) and TOA were determined using a shake flask-ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. It was found that 6a and the 3β-L-lysine ester-6g not only displayed good cytotoxicity (IC50 < 3.5 μM) but also possessed better hydrophilicity than TOA. Moreover, 6a (IC50 = 4.884 μM) had lower nephrotoxicity than both 6g (IC50 = 2.310 μM) and cisplatin (CDDP, IC50 = 3.691 μM) on MDCK cells. Combining Giemsa and DAPI staining, it was further verified that 6a could induce HepG2 apoptosis via nuclei fragmentation and had lower nephrotoxicity. In addition, the structure-activity relationships of these derivatives are briefly discussed.
Sulfated Chitosan Oligosaccharides Suppress LPS-Induced NO Production via JNK and NF-κB Inactivation
Authors: Kim Jung-Hyun , Kim Yon-Suk , Hwang Jin-Woo , Han Young-Ki , Lee Jung-Suck , Kim Se-Kwon , Jeon You-Jin , Moon Sang-Ho , Jeon Byong-Tae , Bahk Young , Park Pyo-Jam
Published: November 2014

Various biological effects have been reported for sulfated chitosan oligosaccharides, but the molecular mechanisms of action of their anti-inflammatory effects are still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of sulfated chitosan oligosaccharides and to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action. The results showed that pretreated low molecular weight sulfated chitosan oligosaccharides inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. The sulfated chitosan oligosaccharides also suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), phosphorylation of JNK and translocation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB, into the nucleus by inhibiting degradation of IκB-α. Our investigation suggests sulfated chitosan oligosaccharides inhibit IL-6/TNF-α in LPS-induced macrophages, regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathways dependent on NF-κB activation.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition of Maternal Diet and Erythrocyte Phospholipid Status in Chilean Pregnant Women
Authors: Bascuñán Karla , Valenzuela Rodrigo , Chamorro Rodrigo , Valencia Alejandra , Barrera Cynthia , Puigrredon Claudia , Sandoval Jorge , Valenzuela Alfonso
Published: November 2014

Chilean diets are characterized by a low supply of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), which are critical nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, because of their role in brain and visual development. DHA is the most relevant n-3 PUFA in this period. We evaluated the dietary n-3 PUFA intake and erythrocyte phospholipids n-3 PUFA in Chilean pregnant women. Eighty healthy pregnant women (20–36 years old) in the 3rd–6th month of pregnancy were included in the study. Dietary assessment was done applying a food frequency questionnaire, and data were analyzed through the Food Processor SQL® software. Fatty acids of erythrocyte phospholipids were assessed by gas-liquid chromatography. Diet composition was high in saturated fat, low in mono- and PUFA, high in n-6 PUFA (linoleic acid) and low in n-3 PUFA (alpha-linolenic acid and DHA), with imbalance in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Similar results were observed for fatty acids from erythrocyte phospholipids. The sample of Chilean pregnant women showed high consumption of saturated fat and low consumption of n-3 PUFA, which is reflected in the low DHA content of erythrocyte phospholipids. Imbalance between n-6/n-3 PUFA could negatively affect fetal development. New strategies are necessary to improve n-3 PUFA intake throughout pregnancy and breast feeding periods. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop dietary interventions to improve the quality of consumed foods with particular emphasis on n-3 PUFA.
A Duality Result for the Generalized Erlang Risk Model
Authors: Ji Lanpeng , Zhang Chunsheng
Published: November 2014

In this article, we consider the generalized Erlang risk model and its dual model. By using a conditional measure-preserving correspondence between the two models, we derive an identity for two interesting conditional probabilities. Applications to the discounted joint density of the surplus prior to ruin and the deficit at ruin are also discussed.
Quantifying Ancient Maya Land Use Legacy Effects on Contemporary Rainforest Canopy Structure
Authors: Hightower Jessica , Butterfield A. , Weishampel John
Published: November 2014

Human land use legacies have significant and long-lasting ecological impacts across landscapes. Investigating ancient (>400 years) legacy effects can be problematic due to the difficulty in detecting specific, historic land uses, especially those hidden beneath dense canopies. Caracol, the largest (~200 km2) Maya archaeological site in Belize, was abandoned ca. A.D. 900, leaving behind myriad structures, causeways, and an extensive network of agricultural terraces that persist beneath the architecturally complex tropical forest canopy. Airborne LiDAR enables the detection of these below-canopy archaeological features while simultaneously providing a detailed record of the aboveground 3-dimensional canopy organization, which is indicative of a forest’s ecological function. Here, this remote sensing technology is used to determine the effects of ancient land use legacies on contemporary forest structure. Canopy morphology was assessed by extracting LiDAR point clouds (0.25 ha plots) from LiDAR-identified terraced (n = 150) and non-terraced (n = 150) areas on low (0°–10°), medium (10°–20°), and high (>20°) slopes. We calculated the average canopy height, canopy openness, and vertical diversity from the LiDAR returns, with topographic features (i.e., slope, elevation, and aspect) as covariates. Using a PerMANOVA procedure, we determined that forests growing on agricultural terraces exhibited significantly different canopy structure from those growing on non-terraced land. Terraces appear to mediate the effect of slope, resulting in less structural variation between slope and non-sloped land and yielding taller, more closed, more vertically diverse forests. These human land uses abandoned >1000 years ago continue to impact contemporary tropical rainforests having implications related to arboreal habitat and carbon storage.
Modeling and Mapping of Soil Salinity with Reflectance Spectroscopy and Landsat Data Using Two Quantitative Methods (PLSR and MARS)
Authors: Nawar Said , Buddenbaum Henning , Hill Joachim , Kozak Jacek
Published: November 2014

The monitoring of soil salinity levels is necessary for the prevention and mitigation of land degradation in arid environments. To assess the potential of remote sensing in estimating and mapping soil salinity in the El-Tina Plain, Sinai, Egypt, two predictive models were constructed based on the measured soil electrical conductivity (ECe) and laboratory soil reflectance spectra resampled to Landsat sensor’s resolution. The models used were partial least squares regression (PLSR) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). The results indicated that a good prediction of the soil salinity can be made based on the MARS model (R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 6.53, and ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) = 1.96), which performed better than the PLSR model (R2 = 0.70, RMSE = 6.95, and RPD = 1.82). The models were subsequently applied on a pixel-by-pixel basis to the reflectance values derived from two Landsat images (2006 and 2012) to generate quantitative maps of the soil salinity. The resulting maps were validated successfully for 37 and 26 sampling points for 2006 and 2012, respectively, with R2 = 0.72 and 0.74 for 2006 and 2012, respectively, for the MARS model, and R2 = 0.71 and 0.73 for 2006 and 2012, respectively, for the PLSR model. The results indicated that MARS is a more suitable technique than PLSR for the estimation and mapping of soil salinity, especially in areas with high levels of salinity. The method developed in this paper can be used for other satellite data, like those provided by Landsat 8, and can be applied in other arid and semi-arid environments.
MODIS Inundation Estimate Assimilation into Soil Moisture Accounting Hydrologic Model: A Case Study in Southeast Asia
Authors: Posner Ari , Georgakakos Konstantine , Shamir Eylon
Published: November 2014

Flash Flood Guidance consists of indices that estimate the amount of rain of a certain duration that is needed over a given small basin in order to cause minor flooding. Backwater catchment inundation from swollen rivers or regional groundwater inputs are not significant over the spatial and temporal scales for the majority of upland flash flood prone basins, as such, these effects are not considered. However, some lowland areas and flat terrain near large rivers experience standing water long after local precipitation has ceased. NASA is producing an experimental product from the MODIS that detects standing water. These observations were assimilated into the hydrologic model in order to more accurately represent soil moisture conditions within basins, from sources of water from outside of the basin. Based on the upper soil water content, relations are used to derive an error estimate for the modeled soil saturation fraction; whereby, the soil saturation fraction model state can be updated given the availability of satellite observed inundation. Model error estimates were used in a Monte Carlo ensemble forecast of soil water and flash flood potential. Numerical experiments with six months of data (July 2011–December 2011) showed that MODIS inundation data, when assimilated to correct soil moisture estimates, increased the likelihood that bankfull flow would occur, over non-assimilated modeling, at catchment outlets for approximately 44% of basin-days during the study time period. While this is a much more realistic representation of conditions, no actual events occurred allowing for validation during the time period.