bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemicarceplex formation allows ready identification of the isomers of the metallofullerene Sc3N@C80using1H and13C NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Ku Min-Yen , Huang Shing-Jong , Huang Shou-Ling , Liu Yi-Hung , Lai Chien-Chen , Peng Shie-Ming , Chiu Sheng-Hsien
Published: August 2014

A cyclotriveratrylene-based molecular cage forms hemicarceplexes that significantly increase the solubility of commercially available Sc3N@C80in CDCl3.
Discovery of a new fluorescent light-up probe specific to parallel G-quadruplexes
Authors: Chen Shuo-Bin , Wu Wei-Bin , Hu Ming-Hao , Ou Tian-Miao , Gu Lian-Quan , Tan Jia-Heng , Huang Zhi-Shu
Published: August 2014

A sensitive probe was developed for the detection of parallel G-quadruplexes without affecting their topology or thermal stability.
Asymmetric bi-layer PFSA membranes as model systems for the study of water management in the PEMFC
Authors: Peng A. Z. , Morin A. , Huguet P. , Lanteri Y. , Deabate S.
Published: August 2014

New bi-layer PFSA membranes made of Nafion® NRE212 and Aquivion™ E79-05s with different equivalent weights are prepared with the aim of managing water repartition in the PEMFC.
Facile synthesis of monolithic mayenite with well-defined macropores via an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process accompanied by phase separation
Authors: Guo Xingzhong , Cai Xiaobo , Song Jie , Zhu Yang , Nakanishi Kazuki , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Yang Hui
Published: August 2014

Monolithic mayenite has been successfully preparedviaa sol–gel process followed by heat-treatment, exhibiting co-continuous macroporous structure and high porosity.
Conjugated energetic salts based on 3,3′-((1E,1′E)-(2,4,6-trinitro-1,3-phenylene)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenol)
Authors: Xu Junhui , Wei Jianping , Li Fangmei , Ma Qingguo , Peng Xinhua
Published: August 2014

Highly conjugated energetic salts exhibit remarkable thermostability and insensitivity.
Low‐complexity near‐optimal signal detection for uplink large‐scale MIMO systems
Authors: Gao Xinyu , Dai Linglong , Ma Yongkui , Wang Zhaocheng
Published: August 2014

The minimum mean square error (MMSE) signal detection algorithm is near‐optimal for uplink multi‐user large‐scale multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) systems, but involves matrix inversion with high complexity. It is firstly proved that the MMSE filtering matrix for large‐scale MIMO is symmetric positive definite, based on which a low‐complexity near‐optimal signal detection algorithm by exploiting the Richardson method to avoid the matrix inversion is proposed. The complexity can be reduced from 𝕆(K3) to 𝕆(K2), where K is the number of users. The convergence proof of the proposed algorithm is also provided. Simulation results show that the proposed signal detection algorithm converges fast, and achieves the near‐optimal performance of the classical MMSE algorithm.
Monolithically integrated wavelength‐multiplexed DFB laser array with laterally coupled quarter‐wave phase‐shift gratings defined by interference lithography
Authors: Li Jingsi , Cheng Julian
Published: August 2014

The first monolithically integrated laterally coupled, multi‐wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array using first‐order sidewall sampled gratings with equivalent quarter‐wave phase shifts defined by interference lithography is experimentally demonstrated. The elements of the monolithic DFB laser array lase strongly monomode, with an average side mode suppression ratio of ∼37.3 dB and with a uniform wavelength spacing of ∼7.3 nm. The output power under 100 mA bias current ranges from 11.4 to 14.1 mW. The proposed method offers a practical and low‐cost method for the fabrication of multi‐wavelength monolithic DFB laser arrays without regrowth or e‐beam lithography.
Memristive circuits with steady‐state mixed‐mode oscillations
Authors: Marszalek W. , Trzaska Z.W.
Published: August 2014

Two dual memristive circuits are presented, the steady‐state responses of which are periodic sequences of mixed‐mode oscillations (MMOs) of type L1S1 L2S2…Ln sn where Lk and sk are integers for k = 1, 2, …n. The Lk and sk are the numbers of large‐ and small‐amplitude oscillations, or LAOs and SAOs, respectively. This new feature of memristive circuits is illustrated through several MMO responses, all with the pinched hysteresis characteristics for both LAOs and SAOs. The mode‐locking phenomenon for MMOs is also discussed. The MMO sequences depend on initial conditions and parameters of the circuits.
Bézier curve string method for the study of rare events in complex chemical systems
Authors: Bellucci Michael A. , Trout Bernhardt L.
Published: August 2014

We present a new string method for finding the most probable transition pathway and optimal reaction coordinate in complex chemical systems. Our approach evolves an analytic parametric curve, known as a Bézier curve, to the most probable transition path between metastable regions in configuration space. In addition, we demonstrate that the geometric properties of the Bézier curve can be used to construct the optimal reaction coordinate near the most probable reaction path, and can further be used to devise a ranking vector capable of identifying precisely which collective variables are most important for governing the transition between metastable states. We discuss the algorithmic details of the Bézier curve string method, analyze its stability, accuracy and efficiency, and illustrate its capabilities using model potential energy functions. In particular, we use the degree elevation property of Bézier curves to develop an algorithm that adaptively learns the degree polynomial necessary to accurately represent the most probable transition path. Subsequently, we apply our method to the isomerization of alanine dipeptide, and demonstrate that the reaction coordinate obtained from the Bézier curve string method is in excellent agreement with the optimal reaction coordinate constructed from an aimless shooting and maximum likelihood procedure. Finally, we apply our method to a large complex system and study the homogenous nucleation of benzene from the melt. In these two examples, we illustrate that the ranking vector correctly identifies which collective variables govern these chemical transitions.
Testing several recent van der Waals density functionals for layered structures
Authors: Björkman Torbjörn
Published: August 2014

Six recently developed exchange functionals for pairing with two different versions of van der Waals density functionals (vdW-DF) are tested for weakly bonded solids. The test, using 26 layered weakly bonded compounds, benchmarks the lattice constants against experimental data and the interlayer binding energies against reference data from the random-phase approximation (RPA). The investigated functionals tend to give interlayer binding energies higher than the RPA benchmark, and the overall performance for lattice constants is good. The exchange functionals optB86b and cx13 paired with the original vdW-DF and the B86R functional paired with vdW-DF2 are found to give particularly good results for equilibrium geometries.
Analytic solutions for three dimensional swirling strength in compressible and incompressible flows
Authors: Chen Huai , Adrian Ronald J. , Zhong Qiang , Wang Xingkui
Published: August 2014

Eigenvalues of the 3D critical point equation (∇u)ν = λν are normally computed numerically. In the letter, we present analytic solutions for 3D swirling strength in both compressible and incompressible flows. The solutions expose functional dependencies that cannot be seen in numerical solutions. To illustrate, we study the difference between using fluctuating and total velocity gradient tensors for vortex identification. Results show that mean shear influences vortex detection and that distortion can occur, depending on the strength of mean shear relative to the vorticity at the vortex center.
Influence of InGaN sub-quantum-well on performance of InAlN/GaN/InAlN resonant tunneling diodes
Authors: Chen Haoran , Yang Lin'an , Hao Yue
Published: August 2014

The resonant tunneling mechanism of the GaN based resonant tunneling diode (RTD) with an InGaN sub-quantum-well has been investigated by means of numerical simulation. At resonant-state, Electrons in the InGaN/InAlN/GaN/InAlN RTD tunnel from the emitter region through the aligned discrete energy levels in the InGaN sub-quantum-well and GaN main-quantum-well into the collector region. The implantation of the InGaN sub-quantum-well alters the dominant transport mechanism, increase the transmission coefficient and give rise to the peak current and peak-to-valley current ratio. We also demonstrate that the most pronounced negative-differential-resistance characteristic can be achieved by choosing appropriately the In composition of InxGa1−xN at around x = 0.06.
Evidence of radicals created by plasma in bacteria in water
Authors: Lee Chae Bok , Na Young Ho , Hong Tae-Eun , Choi Eun Ha , Uhm Han S. , Baik Ku Youn , Kwon Gichung
Published: August 2014

Heavy water (D2O) was introduced into a non-thermal plasma-jet (NTPJ) device to generate deuterium monoxide (OD) radicals at room temperature. Owing to the similar reactivity and low prevalence of deuterium in nature, OD radicals can be utilized to visualize the OH radical interactions with water and living cells. Escherichia coli in water were treated with OD radicals, and D atom incorporation into cells was visualized using time-of-flight SIMS and Nano-SIMS. The results show that D atoms from NTPJ reach the cytoplasm of E. coli in H2O, indicating the usefulness of this OD-tracking method for the study of radical interactions with living cells.
Generic anthropometric and performance characteristics among elite adolescent boys in nine different sports
Authors: Pion Johan , Segers Veerle , Fransen Job , Debuyck Gijs , Deprez Dieter , Haerens Leen , Vaeyens Roel , Philippaerts Renaat , Lenoir Matthieu
Published: August 2014

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Flemish Sports Compass (FSC), a non‐sport‐specific generic testing battery. It was hypothesised that a set of 22 tests would have sufficient discriminant power to allocate athletes to their own sport based on a unique combination of test scores. First, discriminant analyses were applied to the 22 tests of anthropometry, physical fitness and motor coordination in 141 boys under age 18 (16.1 ± 0.8 years) and post age at peak height velocity (maturity offset = 2.674 ± 0.926) from Flemish Top Sport Academies for badminton, basketball, gymnastics, handball, judo, soccer, table tennis, triathlon and volleyball. Second, nine sequential discriminant analyses were used to assess the ability of a set of relevant performance characteristics classifying participants and non‐participants for the respective sports. Discriminant analyses resulted in a 96.4% correct classification of all participants for the nine different sports. When focusing on relevant performance characteristics, 80.1% to 97.2% of the total test sample was classified correctly within their respective disciplines. The discriminating characteristics were briefly the following: flexibility in gymnastics, explosive lower‐limb strength in badminton and volleyball, speed and agility in badminton, judo, soccer and volleyball, upper‐body strength in badminton, basketball and gymnastics, cardiorespiratory endurance in triathletes, dribbling skills in handball, basketball and soccer and overhead‐throwing skills in badminton and volleyball. The generic talent characteristics of the FSC enable the distinction of adolescent boys according to their particular sport. Implications for talent programmes are discussed.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Inpatient Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wagner Brittin , Filice Gregory A. , Drekonja Dimitri , Greer Nancy , MacDonald Roderick , Rutks Indulis , Butler Mary , Wilt Timothy J.
Published: August 2014

Objective

Evaluate the evidence for effects of inpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) on patient, prescribing, and microbial outcomes.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

Search of MEDLINE (2000 through November 2013), Cochrane Library, and reference lists of relevant studies. We included English language studies with patient populations relevant to the United States (ie, infectious conditions and prescriptions required for antimicrobials) that evaluated ASP interventions and reported outcomes of interest. Study characteristics and outcomes data were extracted and reviewed by investigators and trained research personnel.

Results

Few intervention types (eg, audit and feedback, guideline implementation, and decision support) substantially impacted patient outcomes, including mortality, length of stay, readmission, or incidence of Clostridium difficile infection. However, most interventions were not powered adequately to demonstrate impacts on patient outcomes. Most interventions were associated with improved prescribing patterns as measured by decreased antimicrobial use or increased appropriate use. Where reported, ASPs were generally associated with improvements in microbial outcomes, including institutional resistance patterns or resistance in the study population. Few data were provided on harms, sustainability, or key intervention components. Studies were typically of short duration, low in methodological quality, and varied in study design, populations enrolled, hospital setting, ASP intent, intervention composition and implementation, comparison group, and outcomes assessed.

Conclusions

Numerous studies suggest that ASPs can improve prescribing and microbial outcomes. Strength of evidence was low, and most studies were not designed adequately to detect improvements in mortality or other patient outcomes, but obvious adverse effects on patient outcomes were not reported.
Local and global analysis of endocytic patch dynamics in fission yeast using a new “temporal superresolution” realignment method
Authors: Berro Julien , Pollard Thomas D.
Published: August 2014

Quantitative microscopy is a valuable tool for inferring molecular mechanisms of cellular processes such as clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but, for quantitative microscopy to reach its potential, both data collection and analysis needed improvement. We introduce new tools to track and count endocytic patches in fission yeast to increase the quality of the data extracted from quantitative microscopy movies. We present a universal method to achieve “temporal superresolution” by aligning temporal data sets with higher temporal resolution than the measurement intervals. These methods allowed us to extract new information about endocytic actin patches in wild-type cells from measurements of the fluorescence of fimbrin-mEGFP. We show that the time course of actin assembly and disassembly varies <600 ms between patches. Actin polymerizes during vesicle formation, but we show that polymerization does not participate in vesicle movement other than to limit the complex diffusive motions of newly formed endocytic vesicles, which move faster as the surrounding actin meshwork decreases in size over time. Our methods also show that the number of patches in fission yeast is proportional to cell length and that the variability in the repartition of patches between the tips of interphase cells has been underestimated.
IroT/mavN, a new iron‐regulated gene involved in Legionella pneumophila virulence against amoebae and macrophages
Authors: Portier Emilie , Zheng Huaixin , Sahr Tobias , Burnside Denise M. , Mallama Celeste , Buchrieser Carmen , Cianciotto Nicholas P. , Héchard Yann
Published: August 2014

Legionella pneumophila is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in water. Eventually, it could be transmitted to humans via inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Iron is known as a key requirement for the growth of L. pneumophila in the environment and within its hosts. Many studies were performed to understand iron utilization by L. pneumophila but no global approaches were conducted. In this study, transcriptomic analyses were performed, comparing gene expression in L. pneumophila in standard versus iron restricted conditions. Among the regulated genes, a newly described one, lpp_2867, was highly induced in iron‐restricted conditions. Mutants lacking this gene in L. pneumophila were not affected in siderophore synthesis or utilization. On the contrary, they were defective for growth on iron‐depleted solid media and for ferrous iron uptake. A sequence analysis predicts that Lpp_2867 is a membrane protein, suggesting that it is involved in ferrous iron transport. We thus named it IroT, for iron transporter. Infection assays showed that the mutants are highly impaired in intracellular growth within their environmental host Acanthamoeba castellanii and human macrophages. Taken together, our results show that IroT is involved, directly or indirectly, in ferrous iron transport and is a key virulence factor for L. pneumophila.
Dubai in the ‘Middle’
Authors: Acuto Michele
Published: August 2014

In the early 2000s, Dubai seemed the apotheosis of the global city model. Lauded as an embodiment of globalist ideals, or harshly criticized as a representation of the dangers of contemporary urbanism, it was clearly under the spotlight. Then, like the concept of the ‘global city’ itself, it disappeared from the headlines, to be subject only to sporadic and cynical attention. Today some are heralding a ‘return’ of Dubai from the anonymity of the middle ground of global city hierarchies and rankings. What is often forgotten, however, is that urbanism in Dubai did not stop. On the contrary, Dubai's continuous ‘worlding’ offers a productive opportunity for the encounter of ‘global’ and ‘ordinary’ modes of urban analysis. By unpacking the construction of a global Dubai, this article advocates greater sensitivity to the multiscalar politics that shape its continuity. Stepping beyond rumours of crisis and decline, it aims to connect the global fortunes and everyday processes that jointly characterize the development of global cities. ‘Global’ and ‘ordinary’ urbanism, it argues, are but two registers of how we could, in Warren Magnusson's words, ‘see like a city’.
Post‐infectional dynamics of leaf spot disease in Withania somnifera
Authors: Sharma A. , Vats S.K. , Pati P.K.
Published: August 2014

Withania somnifera is a high value medicinal plant, native to Indian sub‐continent, and is extensively used in traditional systems of medicine. It is highly prone to leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata, that may affect the quality of crude herbal drugs. In the present study, the accumulation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was detected histochemically within the infected host tissue, using H2DCFDA (2′,7′‐difluorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and DAB (3,3′‐diaminobenzidine) staining methods. This ROS accumulation was linked with the process of disease initiation. The microscopy studies were conducted to explore the site of pathogen invasion into the host tissue. Some changes related to tissue degeneration during the infection process have also been reported. The observed changes in the form of reducing sugar and phenolic content showed an enhancement during infestation. Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur exhibited a decreasing trend with the progression of disease. Both the net rate of photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gS) showed a similar trend except that gS increased at the early stage of infection when the protruding fungal hyphae obstructed the stomatal closure. Further, the disintegration of chloroplasts was also observed in the infected leaves. Overall, the present study highlights a few potential targets for enhancing the disease resistance against the leaf spot pathogen of W. somnifera.
Impact of suppressing retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gammat(ROR)γt in ameliorating central nervous system autoimmunity
Authors: Yang Y , Winger R C , Lee P W , Nuro-Gyina P K , Minc A , Larson M , Liu Y , Pei W , Rieser E , Racke M K , Lovett-Racke A E
Published: August 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease affecting more than 400 000 people in the United States. Myelin-reactive CD4 T cells play critical roles in the formation of acute inflammatory lesions and disease progression in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a well-defined mouse model for MS. Current MS therapies are only partially effective, making it necessary to develop more effective therapies that specifically target pathogenic myelin-specific CD4 T cells for MS treatment. While suppressing T-bet, the key transcription factor in T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, has been demonstrated to be beneficial in prevention and treatment of EAE, the therapeutic potential of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR)γt, the key transcription factor for Th17 cells, has not been well-characterized. In this study, we characterized the correlation between RORγt expression and other factors affecting T cell encephalitogenicity and evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting RORγt by siRNA inhibition of RORγt. Our data showed that RORγt expression correlates with interleukin (IL)-17 production, but not with the encephalitogenicity of myelin-specific CD4 T cells. IL-23, a cytokine that enhances encephalitogenicity, does not enhance RORγt expression significantly. Additionally, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels, which correlate with the encephalitogenicity of different myelin-specific CD4 T cell populations, do not correlate with RORγt. More importantly, inhibiting RORγt expression in myelin-specific CD4 T cells with an siRNA does not reduce disease severity significantly in adoptively transferred EAE. Thus, RORγt is unlikely to be a more effective therapeutic target for ameliorating pathogenicity of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells.
Characteristics of chromium‐allergic dermatitis patients prior to regulatory intervention for chromium in leather: a questionnaire study
Authors: Bregnbak David , Thyssen Jacob P. , Zachariae Claus , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: August 2014

Background

Chromium‐tanned leather articles currently constitute the most important cause of contact allergy to chromium in Denmark. A regulation on the content of hexavalent chromium in leather was adopted in November 2013 by the EU member states.

Objectives

To characterize patients with chromium allergy and their disease, to serve as a baseline for future studies on the potential effect of the new regulation on chromium in leather.

Methods

A questionnaire case–control study was performed on 155 dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to potassium dichromate and a matched control group of 621 dermatitis patients. Comparisons were made by use of a χ2‐test and the Mann–Whitney U‐test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations.

Results

Sixty‐six per cent of chromium‐allergic patients had a positive history of contact dermatitis caused by leather exposure. They had a significantly lower quality of life (p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of dermatitis during the last year (p = 0.008), a higher use of medication during the past 12 months (p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of sick leave (p = 0.007) than patients in the control group.

Conclusions

Chromium‐allergic patients have more severe and more chronic contact dermatitis. Their primary chromium exposure comes from leather articles.
Operations research in BASF's supply chain operations
Authors: Blackburn Robert , Kallrath Josef , Klosterhalfen Steffen T.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we highlight the application of operations research (OR) at BASF in the area of supply chain management (SCM) by using selected examples with annual cost savings ranging between several hundred thousand and several million euros. We address special characteristics of the process industry that should be dealt with and identify future research needs. The examples cover strategic, tactical, and operational topics encountered at BASF. We share our lessons learned, based on our experience from past OR projects in SCM, about challenges as well as benefits of standard and tailor‐made OR solutions. In general, we find that the special characteristics often call for a modification or enhancement of standard OR models. Providing appropriate solutions therefore requires a joint effort of SCM, IT, and OR experts.
Depth‐dependent shear behavior of bovine articular cartilage: relationship to structure
Authors: Motavalli Mostafa , Akkus Ozan , Mansour Joseph M.
Published: August 2014

The mechanical behavior of bovine articular cartilage in shear was measured and related to its structure through the depth of the tissue. To make these measurements, we designed an apparatus that could apply controlled shear displacement and measure the resulting shear force on cartilage specimens. Shear displacement and shear strain were obtained from confocal images of photobleached lines on fluorescently stained deformed samples. Depth‐dependent collagen structure was obtained using compensated polarized light microscopy. Depth‐dependent shear behavior and structure of samples from two animals were measured (group A and B). Both animals were 18–24 months old, which is the range in which they are expected reach skeletal maturity. In mature samples (group A), the stiffest region was located beneath the superficial zone, and the most compliant region was found in the radial zone. In contrast, in samples that were in the process of maturing (group B) the most compliant region was located in the superficial zone. Compensated polarized light microscopy suggested that the animal from which the group A samples were obtained was skeletally mature, whereas the animal yielding the group B samples was in the process of maturing. Compensated polarized light microscopy was an important adjunct to the mechanical shear behavior in that it provided a means to reconcile differences in observed shear behavior in mature and immature cartilage. Although samples were harvested from two animals, there were clear differences in structure and shear mechanical behavior. Differences in the depth‐dependent shear strain were consistent with previous studies on mature and immature samples and, based on the structural variation between mature and immature articular cartilage, their mechanical behavior differences can be tenable. These results suggest that age, as well as species and anatomic location, need to be considered when reporting mechanical behavior results.
Prognostic significance of immunophenotypes and a nodular pattern in primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Maeshima Akiko Miyagi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Miyamoto Ken‐ichi , Fukuhara Suguru , Munakata Wataru , Maruyama Dai , Kim Sung‐Won , Kobayashi Yukio , Tobinai Kensei , Kushima Ryoji
Published: August 2014

To investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of a nodular pattern and immunophenotypes in primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma (PMBL), histopathological features, including a nodular pattern and immunophenotypes, were analyzed in 58 Japanese PMBL patients. The patients were 23 men and 35 women with a median age of 31 years. The 4‐year progression free survival (PFS) rate was 78%, and the 4‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 89%. Among the histopathological and immunohistochemical features, Bcl6+ (P = 0.013), MUM1+ (P = 0.091), and pale cytoplasm (P = 0.064) were favorable prognostic indicators of PFS, and Bcl6+ (P = 0.051) and MUM1+ (P = 0.07) were favorable prognostic indicators of OS. Patients with Bcl2 negativity (n = 11) had 4‐year PFS and OS rates of 100%. Histologically, a nodular pattern, resembling nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL), was observed in 22 patients (38%). However, this was not a significant prognostic indicator. In conclusion, Bcl6+, MUM1+, Bcl2‐, and pale cytoplasm are candidate favorable prognostic indicators for PMBL and should be further examined in larger studies. We suggest that PMBL with a nodular pattern may belong to the same histological spectrum as nodular sclerosis CHL.
Therapeutic effects of exon skipping and losartan on skeletal muscle of mdx mice
Authors: Lee Eun‐Joo , Kim Ah‐Young , Lee Eun‐Mi , Lee Myeong‐Mi , Min Chang‐Woo , Kang Kyung‐Ku , Park Jin‐Kyu , Hwang Meeyul , Kwon Soon‐Hak , Tremblay Jacques P. , Jeong Kyu‐Shik
Published: August 2014

Various attempts have been made to find treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Exon skipping is one of the promising technologies for DMD treatment by restoring dystropin protein, which is one of the muscle components. It is well known that losartan, an angiotensin II type1 receptor blocker, promotes muscle regeneration and differentiation by lowering the level of transforming growth factor–beta1 signaling. In this study, we illustrated the combined effects of exon skipping and losartan on skeletal muscle of mdx mice. We supplied mdx mice with losartan for 2 weeks before exon skipping treatment. The losartan with the exon skipping group showed less expression of myf5 than the losartan treated group. Also the losartan with exon skipping group recovered normal muscle architecture, in contrast to the losartan group which still showed many central nuclei. However, the exon skipping efficiency and the restoration of dystrophin protein were lower in the losartan with exon skipping group compared to the exon skipping group. We reveal that losartan promotes muscle regeneration and shortens the time taken to restore normal muscle structure when combined with exon skipping. However, combined treatment of exon skipping and losartan decreases the restoration of dystrophin protein meaning decrease of exon skipping efficiency.
High‐temperature inhibition of biosynthesis and transportation of anthocyanins results in the poor red coloration in red‐fleshed Actinidia chinensis
Authors: Man Yu‐Ping , Wang Yan‐Chang , Li Zuo‐Zhou , Jiang Zheng‐Wang , Yang Hong‐Li , Gong Jun‐Jie , He Shi‐Song , Wu Shi‐Quan , Yang Zuo‐Quan , Zheng Jing , Wang Zhong‐Yan
Published: August 2014

In plants, the role of anthocyanins trafficking in response to high temperature has been rarely studied, and therefore poorly understood. Red‐fleshed kiwifruit has stimulated the world kiwifruit industry owing to its appealing color. However, fruit in warmer climates have been found to have poor flesh coloration, and the factors responsible for this response remain elusive. Partial correlation and regression analysis confirmed that accumulative temperatures above 25°C (T25) was one of the dominant factors inhibiting anthocyanin accumulation in red‐fleshed Actinidia chinensis, ‘Hongyang’. Expression of structural genes, AcMRP and AcMYB1 in inner pericarp sampled from the two high altitudes (low temperature area), was notably higher than the low altitude (high temperature area) during fruit coloration. AcMYB1 and structural genes coordinate expression supported the MYB–bHLH (basic helix‐loop‐helix)–WD40 regulatory complex mediated downregulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis induced by high temperatures in kiwifruit. Moreover, cytological observations using the light and transmission electronic microscopy showed that there were a series of anthocyanic vacuolar inclusion (AVI)‐like structures involved in their vacuolization process and dissolution of the pigmented bodies inside cells of fruit inner pericarp. Anthocyanin transport was inhibited by high temperature via retardation of vacuolization or reduction in AIV‐like structure formation. Our findings strongly suggested that complex multimechanisms influenced the effects of high temperature on red‐fleshed kiwifruit coloration.
Purification, molecular cloning and functional characterization of flavonoid C‐glucosyltransferases from Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat) cotyledon
Authors: Nagatomo Yoshihisa , Usui Shiori , Ito Takamitsu , Kato Akira , Shimosaka Makoto , Taguchi Goro
Published: August 2014

C‐Glycosides are characterized by their C–C bonds in which the anomeric carbon of the sugar moieties is directly bound to the carbon atom of aglycon. C‐Glycosides are remarkably stable, as their C–C bonds are resistant to glycosidase or acid hydrolysis. A variety of plant species are known to accumulate C‐glycosylflavonoids; however, the genes encoding for enzymes that catalyze C‐glycosylation of flavonoids have been identified only from Oryza sativa (rice) and Zea mays (maize), and have not been identified from dicot plants. In this study, we identified the C‐glucosyltransferase gene from the dicot plant Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat). We purified two isozymes from buckwheat seedlings that catalyze C‐glucosylation of 2‐hydroxyflavanones, which are expressed specifically in the cotyledon during seed germination. Following purification we isolated the cDNA corresponding to each isozyme [FeCGTa (UGT708C1) and FeCGTb (UGT708C2)]. When expressed in Escherichia coli, both proteins demonstrated C‐glucosylation activity towards 2‐hydroxyflavanones, dihydrochalcone, trihydroxyacetophenones and other related compounds with chemical structures similar to 2′,4′,6′‐trihydroxyacetophenone. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of plant glycosyltransferases shows that flavonoid C‐glycosyltransferases form a different clade with other functionally analyzed plant glycosyltransferases.
Optimal Transient Control Trajectories in Diesel–Electric Systems—Part II: Generator and Energy Storage Effects
Authors: Sivertsson Martin , Eriksson Lars
Published: August 2014

The effects of generator model and energy storage on the optimal control of a diesel–electric powertrain in transient operation are studied. Two different types of problems are solved, minimum fuel and minimum time, with different generator models and limits as well as with an extra energy storage. For this aim, a four-state mean value engine model (MVEM) is used together with models for the generator and energy storage losses. In the optimization both the engines output power and speed are free variables. The considered transients are steps from idle to target power with different amounts of freedom, defined as requirements on produced energy, before the requested power has to be met. The main characteristics are seen to be independent of generator model and limits; they, however, shift the peak efficiency regions and therefore the stationary points. For minimum fuel transients, the energy storage remains virtually unused for all requested energies, for minimum time it is used to reduce the response time. The generator limits are found to have the biggest impact on the fuel economy, whereas an energy storage could significantly reduce the response time. The possibility to reduce the response time is seen to hold for a large range of values of energy storage parameters. The minimum fuel solutions remain unaffected when changing the energy storage parameters, implying it is not beneficial to use an energy storage if fuel consumption is to be minimized. Close to the minimum time solution, the fuel consumption with low required energy is quite sensitive to variations in duration, for larger energies it is not. Near the minimum fuel solution changes in duration have only minor effects on the fuel consumption.
Study of Using Solar Thermal Power for the Margarine Melting Heat Process
Authors: Sharaf Eldean Mohamed A. , Soliman A. M.
Published: August 2014

The heating process of melting margarine requires a vast amount of thermal energy due to its high melting point and the size of the reservoir it is contained in. Existing methods to heat margarine have a high hourly cost of production and use fossil fuels which have been shown to have a negative impact on the environment. Thus, we perform an analytical feasibility study of using solar thermal power as an alternative energy source for the margarine melting process. In this study, the efficiency and cost effectiveness of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) solar field are compared with that of a steam boiler. Different working fluids (water vapor and Therminol-VP1 heat transfer oil (HTO)) through the solar field are also investigated. The results reveal the total hourly cost ($/h) by the conventional configuration is much greater than the solar applications regardless of the type of working fluid. Moreover, the conventional configuration causes a negative impact to the environment by increasing the amount of CO2, CO, and NO2 by 117.4 kg/day, 184 kg/day, and 74.7 kg/day, respectively. Optimized period of melt and tank volume parameters at temperature differences not exceeding 25 °C are found to be 8–10 h and 100 m3, respectively. The solar PTC operated with water and steam as the working fluid is recommended as a vital alternative for the margarine melting heating process.
Tribological Optimization of Thrust Bearings Operated With Lubricants of Spatially Varying Viscosity
Authors: Pavlioglou S. K. , Mastrokalos M. E. , Papadopoulos C. I. , Kaiktsis L.
Published: August 2014

In the present work, a computational optimization study of thrust bearings lubricated with spatially varying viscosity lubricants is presented, with the main goal of minimizing friction coefficient. In practice, spatial variation of viscosity could be achieved by utilizing electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids. The bearings are modeled as two-dimensional (2D) channels, consisting of a smooth moving wall (rotor) and a parallel or inclined stationary wall (stator), which can be (i) smooth, (ii) partially textured with rectangular dimples, and (iii) smooth and partially hydrophobic. The bearings are considered to be operated with an ideal lubricant that exhibits different values of viscosity in two distinct regions of the fluid domain: a high viscosity area is considered at the channel inflow, with the viscosity acquiring a reference (low) value farther downstream. The flow field is calculated from the numerical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations for 2D incompressible isothermal flow. The bearing geometry is defined parametrically. Three optimization problems are formulated, corresponding to: (I) a conventional smooth converging slider, (II) a parallel slider with artificial surface texturing at part of the stator surface, and (III) a parallel or converging slider with hydrophobic properties at part of the stator surface. Here, the geometry parameters, as well as the increased viscosity value and the corresponding application regime, form the problem design variables. Bearings are optimized for maximum load capacity and minimum friction coefficient. Optimal solutions are compared against corresponding ones for operation with constant viscosity. It is demonstrated that, by using spatially varying viscosity, a substantial reduction of friction coefficient can be achieved, for all optimization problems considered. This decrease is shown to be a consequence of a sharp pressure rise in the high viscosity regime, resulting in a corresponding rise in load capacity, accompanied by a less pronounced increase in wall shear stress, and thus in total friction force.
Intranasal Administration of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Induces Superior Protection against Aerosol Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice
Authors: Derrick Steven C. , Kolibab Kristopher , Yang Amy , Morris Sheldon L.
Published: August 2014

Despite the widespread use ofMycobacterium bovisBCG, the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), TB remains a global epidemic. To assess whether more direct targeting of the lung mucosa by respiratory immunization would enhance the potency and longevity of BCG-induced anti-TB protective immunity, the long-term impact of intranasal (i.n.) BCG vaccination was compared to conventional subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization by using a mouse model of pulmonary tuberculosis. Although significantly improved protection in the lung was seen at early time points (2 and 4 months postvaccination) in i.n. BCG-immunized mice, no differences in pulmonary protection were seen 8 and 10 months postvaccination. In contrast, in all of the study periods, i.n. BCG vaccination induced significantly elevated protective splenic responses relative to s.c. immunization. At five of nine time points, we observed a splenic protective response exceeding 1.9 log10protection relative to the s.c. route. Furthermore, higher frequencies of CD4 T cells expressing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IFN-γ/tumor necrosis factor alpha, as well as CD8 T cells expressing IFN-γ, were detected in the spleens of i.n. vaccinated mice. Using PCR arrays, significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, interleukin-9 (IL-9), IL-11, and IL-21 expression were also seen in the spleen at 8 months after respiratory BCG immunization. Overall, while i.n. BCG vaccination provided short-term enhancement of protection in the lung relative to s.c. immunization, potent and extremely persistent splenic protective responses were seen for at least 10 months following respiratory immunization.
Influenza A Virus Polymerase Is a Site for Adaptive Changes during Experimental Evolution in Bat Cells
Authors: Poole Daniel S. , Yú Shuǐqìng , Caì Yíngyún , Dinis Jorge M. , Müller Marcel A. , Jordan Ingo , Friedrich Thomas C. , Kuhn Jens H. , Mehle Andrew
Published: August 2014

The recent identification of highly divergent influenza A viruses in bats revealed a new, geographically dispersed viral reservoir. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of host-restricted viral tropism and the potential for transmission of viruses between humans and bats, we exposed a panel of cell lines from bats of diverse species to a prototypical human-origin influenza A virus. All of the tested bat cell lines were susceptible to influenza A virus infection. Experimental evolution of human and avian-like viruses in bat cells resulted in efficient replication and created highly cytopathic variants. Deep sequencing of adapted human influenza A virus revealed a mutation in the PA polymerase subunit not previously described, M285K. Recombinant virus with the PA M285K mutation completely phenocopied the adapted virus. Adaptation of an avian virus-like virus resulted in the canonical PB2 E627K mutation that is required for efficient replication in other mammals. None of the adaptive mutations occurred in the gene for viral hemagglutinin, a gene that frequently acquires changes to recognize host-specific variations in sialic acid receptors. We showed that human influenza A virus uses canonical sialic acid receptors to infect bat cells, even though bat influenza A viruses do not appear to use these receptors for virus entry. Our results demonstrate that bats are unique hosts that select for both a novel mutation and a well-known adaptive mutation in the viral polymerase to support replication.

IMPORTANCE
Bats constitute well-known reservoirs for viruses that may be transferred into human populations, sometimes with fatal consequences. Influenza A viruses have recently been identified in bats, dramatically expanding the known host range of this virus. Here we investigated the replication of human influenza A virus in bat cell lines and the barriers that the virus faces in this new host. Human influenza A and B viruses infected cells from geographically and evolutionarily diverse New and Old World bats. Viruses mutated during infections in bat cells, resulting in increased replication and cytopathic effects. These mutations were mapped to the viral polymerase and shown to be solely responsible for adaptation to bat cells. Our data suggest that replication of human influenza A viruses in a nonnative host drives the evolution of new variants and may be an important source of genetic diversity.
A Synthetic Biology Approach for a Vaccine Platform against Known and Newly Emerging Serotypes of Bluetongue Virus
Authors: Nunes Sandro Filipe , Hamers Claude , Ratinier Maxime , Shaw Andrew , Brunet Sylvie , Hudelet Pascal , Palmarini Massimo
Published: August 2014

Bluetongue is one of the major infectious diseases of ruminants and is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), an arbovirus existing in nature in at least 26 distinct serotypes. Here, we describe the development of a vaccine platform for BTV. The advent of synthetic biology approaches and the development of reverse genetics systems has allowed the rapid and reliable design and production of pathogen genomes which can be subsequently manipulated for vaccine production. We describe BTV vaccines based on “synthetic” viruses in which the outer core proteins of different BTV serotypes are incorporated into a common tissue-culture-adapted backbone. As a means of validation for this approach, we selected two BTV-8 synthetic reassortants and demonstrated their ability to protect sheep against virulent BTV-8 challenge. In addition to further highlight the possibilities of genome manipulation for vaccine production, we also designed and rescued a synthetic BTV chimera containing a VP2 protein, including regions derived from both BTV-1 and BTV-8. Interestingly, while the parental viruses were neutralized only by homologous antisera, the chimeric proteins could be neutralized by both BTV-1 and BTV-8 antisera. These data suggest that neutralizing epitopes are present in different areas of the BTV VP2 and likely “bivalent” strains eliciting neutralizing antibodies for multiple strains can be obtained.

IMPORTANCE
Overall, this vaccine platform can significantly reduce the time taken from the identification of new BTV strains to the development and production of new vaccines, since the viral genomes of these viruses can be entirely synthesized
in vitro
. In addition, these vaccines can be brought quickly into the market because they alter the approach, but not the final product, of existing commercial products.
Type II seesaw origin of nonzero θ13, δCP and leptogenesis
Authors: Borah Debasish
Published: August 2014

We discuss the possible origin of nonzero reactor mixing angle θ13 and Dirac CP phase δ CP in the leptonic sector from a combination of type I and type II seesaw mechanisms. Type I seesaw contribution to neutrino mass matrix is of tri-bimaximal (TBM) type which gives rise to vanishing θ13 leaving the Dirac CP phase undetermined. If the Dirac neutrino mass matrix is assumed to take the diagonal charged lepton (CL) type structure, such a TBM type neutrino mass matrix originating from type I seesaw corresponds to real values of Dirac Yukawa couplings in the terms [Formula: see text]. This makes the process of right-handed heavy neutrino decay into a light neutrino and Higgs (N → νH) CP preserving ruling out the possibility of leptogenesis. Here we consider the type II seesaw term as the common origin of nonzero θ13 and δ CP by taking it as a perturbation to the leading order TBM type neutrino mass matrix. First, we numerically fit the type I seesaw term by taking oscillation as well as cosmology data and then compute the predictions for neutrino parameters after the type II seesaw term is introduced. We consider a minimal structure of the type II seesaw term and check whether the predictions for neutrino parameters lie in the 3σ range. We also compute the predictions for baryon asymmetry of the universe by considering type II seesaw term as the only source of CP violation and compare it with the latest cosmology data.
Tunneling characteristics of a contact between a superlattice and non-Fermi liquid using the AdS/CFT correspondence
Authors: Belonenko Mikhail B. , Konobeeva Natalia N. , Smovzh Dmitry V. , Zhukov Alexander V. , Bouffanais Roland
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we investigate the peculiar features of the tunneling contact between a superlattice and a non-Fermi quantum liquid. The imaginary part of the Green functions are responsible for the non-Fermi liquid density of states. The Green functions have been derived within the framework of the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence.
More gaps than shale: erosion of mud and its effect on preserved geochemical and palaeobiological signals
Authors: Trabucho-Alexandre João
Published: August 2014

Ths wht th fn-grnd mrine sdmtry rcrd rlly lks like.