bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive overburden elimination with the multidimensional Marchenko equation
Authors: van der Neut Joost , Wapenaar Kees
Published: August 2016

Iterative substitution of the multidimensional Marchenko equation has been introduced recently to integrate internal multiple reflections in the seismic imaging process. In so-called Marchenko imaging, a macro velocity model of the subsurface is required to meet this objective. The model is used to back-propagate the data during the first iteration and to truncate integrals in time during all successive iterations. In case of an erroneous model, the image will be blurred (akin to conventional imaging) and artifacts may arise from inaccurate integral truncations. However, the scheme is still successful in removing artifacts from internal multiple reflections. Inspired by these observations, we rewrote the Marchenko equation, such that it can be applied early in a processing flow, without the need of a macro velocity model. Instead, we have required an estimate of the two-way traveltime surface of a selected horizon in the subsurface. We have introduced an approximation, such that adaptive subtraction can be applied. As a solution, we obtained a new data set, in which all interactions (primaries and multiples) with the part of the medium above the picked horizon had been eliminated. Unlike various other internal multiple elimination algorithms, the method can be applied at any specified target horizon, without having to resolve for internal multiples from shallower horizons. We successfully applied the method on synthetic data, where limitations were reported due to thin layers, diffraction-like discontinuities, and a finite acquisition aperture. A field data test was also performed, in which the kinematics of the predicted updates were demonstrated to match with internal multiples in the recorded data, but it appeared difficult to subtract them.
Adverse Reproductive and Developmental Health Outcomes Following Prenatal Exposure to a Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Mixture in Female C57Bl/6 Mice
Authors: Kassotis Christopher D. , Bromfield John J. , Klemp Kara C. , Meng Chun-Xia , Wolfe Andrew , Zoeller R. Thomas , Balise Victoria D. , Isiguzo Chiamaka J. , Tillitt Donald E. , Nagel Susan C.
Published: August 2016

Unconventional oil and gas operations using hydraulic fracturing can contaminate surface and groundwater with endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We have previously shown that 23 of 24 commonly used hydraulic fracturing chemicals can activate or inhibit the estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, progesterone, and/or thyroid receptors in a human endometrial cancer cell reporter gene assay and that mixtures can behave synergistically, additively, or antagonistically on these receptors. In the current study, pregnant female C57Bl/6 dams were exposed to a mixture of 23 commonly used unconventional oil and gas chemicals at approximately 3, 30, 300, and 3000 μg/kg·d, flutamide at 50 mg/kg·d, or a 0.2% ethanol control vehicle via their drinking water from gestational day 11 through birth. This prenatal exposure to oil and gas operation chemicals suppressed pituitary hormone concentrations across experimental groups (prolactin, LH, FSH, and others), increased body weights, altered uterine and ovary weights, increased heart weights and collagen deposition, disrupted folliculogenesis, and other adverse health effects. This work suggests potential adverse developmental and reproductive health outcomes in humans and animals exposed to these oil and gas operation chemicals, with adverse outcomes observed even in the lowest dose group tested, equivalent to concentrations reported in drinking water sources. These endpoints suggest potential impacts on fertility, as previously observed in the male siblings, which require careful assessment in future studies.
Exosomes bind to autotaxin and act as a physiological delivery mechanism to stimulate LPA receptor signalling in cells
Authors: Jethwa Susanna A. , Leah Emma J. , Zhang Qifeng , Bright Nicholas A. , Oxley David , Bootman Martin D. , Rudge Simon A. , Wakelam Michael J. O.
Published: August 2016

Autotaxin (ATX; also known as ENPP2), the lysophospholipase responsible for generating the lipid receptor agonist lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), is a secreted enzyme. Here we show that, once secreted, ATX can bind to the surface of cell-secreted exosomes. Exosome-bound ATX is catalytically active and carries generated LPA. Once bound to a cell, through specific integrin interactions, ATX releases the LPA to activate cell surface G-protein-coupled receptors of LPA; inhibition of signalling by the receptor antagonist Ki1642 suggests that these receptors are LPAR1 and LPAR3. The binding stimulates downstream signalling, including phosphorylation of AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinases, the release of intracellular stored Ca2+ and cell migration. We propose that exosomal binding of LPA-loaded ATX provides a means of efficiently delivering the lipid agonist to cell surface receptors to promote signalling. We further propose that this is a means by which ATX–LPA signalling operates physiologically.
Invariant death
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: August 2016

In nematodes, environmental or physiological perturbations alter death’s scaling of time. In human cancer, genetic perturbations alter death’s curvature of time. Those changes in scale and curvature follow the constraining contours of death’s invariant geometry. I show that the constraints arise from a fundamental extension to the theories of randomness, invariance and scale. A generalized Gompertz law follows. The constraints imposed by the invariant Gompertz geometry explain the tendency of perturbations to stretch or bend death’s scaling of time. Variability in death rate arises from a combination of constraining universal laws and particular biological processes.
Dysphagia after stroke and feeding with acknowledged risk
Authors: Sommerville Peter , Lang Alex , Nightingale Sarah , Birns Jonathan
Published: August 2016

Dysphagia after stroke is common and has a significant impact on disability, institutionalisation and mortality. Patients who cannot achieve nutrition from food and fluids orally should be considered for a modified diet and/or tube feeding, taking into account their wishes and best interests. This article describes the issues in managing such patients, including feeding with acknowledged risk. The specialist stroke nurse plays a central role in the successful implementation of these strategies, particularly with regard to patient and carer education, monitoring and compliance.
A Prospective Study of Iron Status of Exclusively Breastfed Infants Weighing 1800-2499g At Birth and Correlation With Breast Milk Lactoferrin
Authors: Mehta Manisha , Faridi M. M. A. , Sharma Satendra , Singh Om , Sharma A. K.
Published: August 2016

Background: Iron status of exclusively breastfed low birth weight (LBW) infants has not been evaluated sufficiently. We determined the iron status of infants weighing 1800-2499g at birth and correlated it with breast milk lactoferrin levels of their mothers.
Methods: Sixty five exclusively breastfed LBW infants were recruited at 6 weeks and followed-up until 6 months of age. Iron parameters (serum iron, serum ferritin, iron binding capacity, percent transferring saturation) and breastmilk lactoferrin were measured and compared at 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured at 6, 10, 14, 18 weeks and 6 months of age. If at any time, Hb of the infant was <10.5g/dl then iron supplementation was started at 3mg/kg/day for a minimum of 2 months or till Hb rose to>10.5g/dl.
Results: Fifty (76.9%) out of 65 infants developed anemia between 10 weeks and 6 months of age. At 6 months of age 32.2% babies showed iron deficiency (serum ferritin level <10ng/mL). There was no correlation between breast milk lactoferrin and infants’ serum iron profile either at 6 weeks or at 6 months of age.
Conclusion: About 1/3rd infants developed iron deficiency state at 6 months of age. Three-fourth infants required iron supplementation by 6 months of age. There was no relationship between maternal breast milk lactoferrin with infants’ iron profile either at 6 weeks or at 6 months of age.
Development of Screening Parameter for the Design of Monolithic Alternative Landfill Covers in Arid and Semi-Arid Climates
Authors: Escobar Francisco , Abichou Tarek
Published: August 2016

After landfills reach their storage limit, they need to have a final cover to reduce the amount of water that percolates from rainfall to diminish leachate production and the risk of additional contamination. Many States require that final covers provide the hydraulic impedance that limits flow into underlying contaminated materials. Water balance covers that rely on the capacity of fine-textured soils to store infiltration during rainier periods have been accepted to be used in arid and semiarid climatic zones of the US.
The objective of the study was to develop a screening parameter that will make alternative landfill cover design simpler. This study assessed how effective are previous design schemes and developed a new design index for water balance covers in Arid and Semi-Arid climates. Eighteen locations were selected across the Arid and Semi-Arid climate of the U.S. Ten typical soils were selected as representative of soils found in these regions. HYDRUS-1D was used as the model to simulate the water balance of several covers, each one for a different soil and thickness.
The results of the simulation were compared to that expected using previous design schemes. Surprisingly, Ten out of eighteen modeled locations resulted in percolation, which contradicts existing design methodologies. A new design parameter, SrNEW, was developed by modifying the original SrACAP to be specific to alternative covers in Arid and Semi-Arid climates.
Estimation Of The Thermochemical And Solubility Properties Of Some Nigerian Softwood
Authors: Ejikeme Chigozie M. , Ezeonu Chukwuma S. , Eboatu Augustine N.
Published: August 2016

The abundance of softwoods in Nigeria makes them readily available and their renewability is also an advantage in generation of any product that has usefulness in scientific application. All the softwood samples investigated were soluble in hot concentrated H2SO4. From a measured quantity of each Nigerian softwood powder consumed in their destructive distillation, the results showed that: Tetrapleura tetraptera had appreciable quantities of wood charcoal with a maximum value of 5.2g, Allanblackia floribunda, Afzelia bella and Afrormosia laxiflora each with 4.5g also had high quantities of wood charcoal. Afzelia bipindensis, Cassipourea barteri and Khaya ivorensis each produced 3.00cm3 pyroligneous acid volume. Tar volumes of 0.25cm3 as the highest value was observed in each of Monodara tenuifolia, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Amphimas pterocarpoides, Afzelia bipindensis and Cassipourea barteri. The volumes of wood gas emitted were high. The maximum wood gas emitted showed values of 998 and 980cm3 from Afzelia bipindensis and Sacoglottis gabonensis. These thermochemicals have agricultural, industrial and domestic values.
Zaldi-haragiaren ezaugarritzea: konposizio kimikoa eta gantz-azidoen profila
Authors: Belaunzaran Xabier , Aldai Noelia
Published: August 2016

Zaldi-haragiaren ekoizpen-, merkataritza- eta biztanleriarekiko eskuragarritasun-balioak laburbildu dira artikulu honetan. Gainera, zaldi-haragia ezaugarritzeko helburuarekin (konposizio kimikoa eta gantz-azidoen (GA) profila), laginketa egin da Kantauri mendilerroaren bi aldeetan kokaturiko herrialdeetan, udaberrian (n = 41) eta neguan (n = 41). Oro har, urtaroak GA monoasegabe eta poliasegabeetan izan du eragina. Bestalde, herrialdeen arteko haragiaren gantz kopuruan eta honen GAen profilean desberdintasun esanguratsuak ikusi dira. Lagin koipetsuenetan, GA monoasegabeen ehunekorik altuenak eta GA poliasegabeen eta dimetil azetalen ehunekorik baxuenak lortu dira. Desberdintasun horiek lurraldearekin erlazionatutako arraza eta ekoizpen-sistema izan dezakete oinarri. Dena den, zaldi-haragia gantz urriko eta n-3 gantz-azidoen iturri garrantzitsu izan daitekeen produktu bezala ezaugarritu da.
Arrantza prezioen bilakaera: merkaturatze-katearen analisia
Authors: Martin Eneko , Del Valle Ikerne , Astorkiza Kepa
Published: August 2016

Lan honen helburu nagusia banaketa-katean zehar arrantza prezioen integrazio bertikala aztertzea da, eta horretarako agregazio-ikuspegi bat du oinarri. Ikuspegi hori jatorriko arrantza prezioen agregazio-indize sintetiko bat (JPI) eraikitzean oinarritua dago, eta ondoren arrantza prezioen indizearekin (API) eta Estatistika Institutu Nazionaleko (EIN) kontsumoko prezioen indizearekin (KPI) konparaketa egingo da.
Euskarazko denbora-informazioaren tratamendu automatikoa TimeMLren eta HeidelTimeren bidez
Authors: Altuna Begoña , Aranzabe M.ª Jesús , Díaz de Ilarraza Arantza
Published: August 2016

hizkuntzaren prozesamenduan (HP), denbora-informazioa beharrezkoa da testuak ulertzeko, testuko gertaerak noiz jazotzen diren edo zenbat irauten duten adierazten baitu. Artikulu honetan, euskarazko denbora-informazioaren azterketa eta prozesamendua aurkezten dira. Lehenik, denbora-egituren deskribapena egin da. Bigarren, informazio egituratua emateko markaketa-lengoaia eta horren bidez etiketatutako corpusak azaldu dira. Ondoren, etiketatzeko tresna automatikoa ere deskribatzen da eta lehen etiketatze automatikoaren saiakera bat eta horren emaitzak ere ematen dira.
Azterketa informatizatu eraginkor baten bila
Authors: Armendariz Anaje , Lopez-Cuadrado Javier , Pérez Tomás , Presedo Conchi
Published: August 2016

Gaur egun testak ohikoak dira, ezagutza ebaluatzeko garaian. Gehienetan, ebaluatzailearen esperientzian eta eskarmentuan oinarrituta hartzen dira azterketarako galdera edo itemak. Test Egokigarri Informatizatu (TEI) batean pertsona bakoitzak item ezberdinak ditu, aurreko erantzunen arabera. Hori lortu ahal izateko, item bakoitza kalibratu egin behar da, hau da, item bakoitzari balio batzuk eman behar zaizkio, prozesu jakin, zehatz bati jarraituz. Artikulu honetan azaltzen da zer egin behar den TEI bat osatzeko eta itemak kalibratzeko.
Elbarritasun bat duten Bigarren Hezkuntzako ikasleen jarduera fisiko eta atsedenaldietan gertatzen diren egoeren azterketa
Authors: Redin Azkona Saioa , Iantzi Irigoien Xabier
Published: August 2016

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue analizar los hábitos de práctica de actividad física, las preferencias y el tipo de actividades realizadas y las relaciones con otros compañeros y profesores en los recreos escolares en alumnos de educación secundaria con algún tipo de discapacidad. En este estudio participaron 11 alumnos con discapacidad (8 chicas y 3 chicos) de entre 14 y 21 años. Atendiendo a los resultados obtenidos, a pesar de que los participantes en este estudio afirmaban que lo que más les gusta realizar en los recreos era estar con los compañeros, jugar y pasárselo bien, en la observación directa realizada, la actividad más frecuente no fue la de jugar sino la de pasear. Por otro lado, la actividad realizada por los alumnos con discapacidad de este estudio en los recreos tuvo un carácter predominantemente socio motor. Referente a la relación de los alumnos con discapacidad con los profesores en los recreos, en mayor medida fueron los profesores quienes se acercaban a estos alumnos para entablar relación.
Nutrients and chlorophyll-a distribution over the continental margin between Cabo Frio (RJ) and Ubatuba (SP): winter of 2010
Authors: Takanohashi Robson Alves , Moser Gleyci Aparecida Oliveira , Fernandes Alexandre Macedo , Enrich-Prast Alex , Pollery Ricardo Cesar Gonçalves
Published: August 2016

Thirty nine oceanographic stations were conducted off Rio de Janeiro and northern São Paulo, encompassing Cabo Frio, Guanabara Bay, Sepetiba Bay and Ubatuba in the winter of 2010. Dissolved inorganic nutrients (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate) and chlorophyll-a data were used to investigate biogeochemical and physical processes occurring on the continental shelf. Four major sources of nutrients were identified: local estuarine plumes; remote origins coastal waters; intrusion of South Atlantic Central Water over the continental shelf; and bottom sediments ressuspension and remineralization processes.
Comparison Neglect in Upgrade Decisions
Authors: Sela Aner , LeBoeuf Robyn A.
Published: August 2016

To properly evaluate a potential product upgrade, consumers should compare the upgraded option with the product they already own to assess the upgrade's added utility. However, although consumers explicitly and spontaneously acknowledge the importance of comparing the upgrade with the status quo, the authors find that they often fail to do so. Consequently, consumers frequently buy product upgrades that they would not have bought had they followed their own advice. Five experiments, involving both real and hypothetical upgrade decisions, show that even when the status quo option is represented in the decision context, if consumers are not explicitly prompted to reflect on it or compare it with the upgraded option, they often do not compare it with the upgrade and thus show an elevated likelihood of upgrading. The experiments suggest that this “comparison neglect” increases upgrade likelihood by making people overlook the similarities between the upgraded and status quo options and that it persists even when deliberation effort is high. The findings have important implications for theory, marketing practice, and consumer welfare.
Incentives versus Reciprocity: Insights from a Field Experiment
Authors: Chung Doug J. , Narayandas Das
Published: August 2016

The authors conduct a field experiment in which they vary the sales force compensation scheme at an Asian enterprise that sells consumer durable goods. With variation generated by the experimental treatments, the authors model sales force performance to identify the effectiveness of various forms of conditional and unconditional compensation. They account for salesperson heterogeneity using a hierarchical Bayesian framework to estimate the model. They find conditional compensation in the form of quota bonus incentives to improve performance; however, such compensation may lead to lower future performance. The authors find little difference in effectiveness between a quota bonus plan and punitive bonus plans framed as a penalty for not achieving quota. They find that unconditional compensation, in the form of reciprocity, is effective at improving sales force performance only when it is given as a delayed reward; however, the effectiveness of this plan decreases with repeated exposure. The authors also find heterogeneity in the impact of compensation on performance across salespeople, such that unconditional compensation is more effective for salespeople with high base performance, whereas conditional compensation is equally effective across all types of salespeople.
Lingoing, language labels and metrolingual practices
Authors: Pennycook Alastair , Otsuji Emi
Published: August 2016

There is a potential tension between the descriptions of language use by contemporary sociolinguistic researchers keen to focus on metro- poly- or translanguaging – with a focus on repertoires of semiotic resources – and the terms used by language users themselves – which may accord much more with traditional linguistic labels. While we tried to account for this disparity in previous discussions by focusing on the push and pull between fluid and fixed language use and descriptions, we focus in this paper on the negotiations around the labels used by the participants themselves. While it is certainly the case that the tools for discussing language use and affiliation in everyday discourse are themselves linguistically constrained (using commonly accepted language labels) the terms people use to talk about their multilingual environments are not necessarily as normative as they first appear. Such apparently stable referents are themselves part of a more complex set of identity repertoires that are always being reworked. What is at stake, therefore, is not so much a polarisation between fluid language use and fixed language ascriptions as a constant reconfiguration of language meanings.
Monitoring nicotine intake from e-cigarettes: measurement of parent drug and metabolites in oral fluid and plasma
Authors: Papaseit Esther , Farré Magí , Graziano Silvia , Pacifici Roberta , Pérez-Mañá Clara , García-Algar Oscar , Pichini Simona
Published: August 2016

Background:

Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) known as electronic nicotine devices recently gained popularity among smokers. Despite many studies investigating their safety and toxicity, few examined the delivery of e-cig-derived nicotine and its metabolites in alternative biological fluids.

Methods:

We performed a randomized, crossover, and controlled clinical trial in nine healthy smokers. Nicotine (NIC), cotinine (COT), and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3-HCOT) were measured in plasma and oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after consumption of two consecutive e-cig administrations or two consecutive tobacco cigarettes.

Results:

NIC and its metabolites were detected both in oral fluid and plasma following both administration conditions. Concentrations in oral fluid resulted various orders of magnitude higher than those observed in plasma. Oral fluid concentration of tobacco cigarette and e-cig-derived NIC peaked at 15 min after each administration and ranged between 1.0 and 1396 μg/L and from 0.3 to 860 μg/L; those of COT between 52.8 and 110 μg/L and from 33.8 to 94.7 μg/L; and those of 3-HCOT between 12.4 and 23.5 μg/L and from 8.5 to 24.4 μg/L. The oral fluid to plasma concentration ratio of both e-cig- and tobacco cigarette-derived NIC peaked at 15 min after both administrations and correlated with oral fluid NIC concentration.

Conclusions:

The obtained results support the measurement of NIC and metabolites in oral fluid in the assessment of intake after e-cig use and appear to be a suitable alternative to plasma when monitoring nicotine delivery from e-cig for clinical and toxicological studies.
Microbiological Analysis of Dried Goose Carcasses
Authors: Kamber Ufuk , Yaman Hilmi
Published: August 2016

Microbiological studies on chicken meat and carcasses are well documented, but very few studies exist on goose meat and carcasses. Therefore, in this study, dried goose carcass samples were collected from the local households in Kars/Turkey and microbiologically analyzed in terms of public health risks. The total mesophilic viable count was found to be 6.58 (mean log10 CFU g−1) (100%). The number of Enterobacteriaceae was 4.85 (92.8%). Coliform bacteria was counted at the numbers of 2.98 (67.8%), while it was 3.95 (91.1%) for the enterococci, 0.42 (26.7%) for the clostridia, 0.04 (3.5%) for the Clostridium perfringens, and 0.41 (12.5%) for the coagulase positive staphylococci. The numbers of mould and yeast were 0.93 (25%) and 4.81 (94.6%), respectively. Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus could not be isolated in the samples. The results indicate that the dried goose meat samples had poor hygienic quality, contained some of the pathogen microorganisms that are likely to pose a potential health risk.
The Methanol Seed Extract of Garcinia kola Attenuated Angiotensin II- and Lipopolyssacharide-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Nitric Oxide Production
Authors: Adedapo Adeolu A. , Omobowale Temidayo O. , Oyagbemi Ademola A. , Yakubu Momoh A.
Published: August 2016

All over the world, cardiovascular diseases are a risk factor for poor health and early death with predisposing factors to include age, gender, tobacco use, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, family history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, psychosocial factors, poverty and low educational status, and air pollution. It is envisaged that herbal products that can stem this trend would be of great benefit. Garcinia kola (GK), also known as bitter kola is one of such plants. Generally used as a social snack and offered to guests in some cultural settings, bitter kola has been indicated in the treatment of laryngitis, general inflammation, bronchitis, viral infections and diabetes. In this study, the effects of methanol seed extract of Garcinia kola on the proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) in cell culture by Angiotensin II (Ang II) and LPS-induced NO production were carried out. Confluent VSMCs were exposed to GK (25, 50 and 100 μg/ml) before or after treatment with lipopolyssacharide (100μg/ml), and Angiotensin II (10−8-10−6M). Cellular proliferation was determined by MTT assay and NO production by Griess assay. Treatment with Angiotensin II (10−8, 10−6) or LPS significantly enhanced proliferation of VSM cells while LPS significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production. Treatment with GK (25, 50 & 100 μg/ml) attenuated VSM cell proliferation. The results indicate that GK has potential to inhibit mitogen activated vascular cell growth and possibly inhibit inflammatory responses to LPS. Thus GK may be useful in condition that is characterized by cellular proliferation and inflammatory responses.
Photoreduction of Pu(V,VI) by TiO2
Authors: Romanchuk Anna Yu. , Kalmykov Stepan N. , Egorov Alexander V. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Shiryaev Andrei A. , Smirnov Eugene A. , Garshev Alexey V.
Published: August 2016

In this study, the effect of light on the kinetics and speciation of plutonium at its interaction with particles of TiO2 under different light conditions is shown for the first time. It was found that sorption was followed by reduction of the plutonium to Pu(IV). In this, the reduction reaction and sorption in conditions of the presence of light proceed significantly more rapidly due to the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide, providing a source of electrons for the reaction. Spectral methods (XAFS and TEM) showed that plutonium forms nanoclusters with the structure of PuO2, which decorate the surface of the solid phase.
Nitrate quantification: recent insights into enzyme-based methods
Authors: Hooda Vinita , Sachdeva Veena , Chauhan Nidhi
Published: August 2016

Nitrate monitoring of environmental samples is essential to safeguard human and environmental health. Various non-enzymatic methods such as Griess reaction-based chemical method; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; chromatographic, electrochemical and optical sensors yield reproducible results but suffer from drawbacks such as use of hazardous chemicals, interference from coexistent anions, and bulky and expensive instrumentation and hence are not favored for routine analysis. On the other hand, nitrate reductase (NR)-based methods are simple, sensitive, specific, environment friendly, easy to carry out, and, therefore, suitable for routine analysis. NR in these methods is employed in both free (in commercially available kits) and immobilized form. In comparison to the native NR, immobilized NR shows better activity and stability accompanied by overall reduction in the cost of the method. The review gives a brief account of non-enzymatic nitrate quantification, whereas recent advances in enzyme-based determination have been explored in more detail.
Neuroprotective properties of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants of the SkQ-type
Authors: Isaev Nickolay K. , Stelmashook Elena V. , Genrikhs Elisaveta E. , Korshunova Galina A. , Sumbatyan Natalya V. , Kapkaeva Marina R. , Skulachev Vladimir P.
Published: August 2016

In 2008, using a model of compression brain ischemia, we presented the first evidence that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants of the SkQ family, i.e. SkQR1 [10-(6′-plastoquinonyl)decylrhodamine], have a neuroprotective action. It was shown that intraperitoneal injections of SkQR1 (0.5–1 μmol/kg) 1 day before ischemia significantly decreased the damaged brain area. Later, we studied in more detail the anti-ischemic action of this antioxidant in a model of experimental focal ischemia provoked by unilateral intravascular occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. The neuroprotective action of SkQ family compounds (SkQR1, SkQ1, SkQTR1, SkQT1) was manifested through the decrease in trauma-induced neurological deficit in animals and prevention of amyloid-β-induced impairment of long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices. At present, most neurophysiologists suppose that long-term potentiation underlies cellular mechanisms of memory and learning. They consider inhibition of this process by amyloid-β1-42 as an in vitro model of memory disturbance in Alzheimer’s disease. Further development of the above studies revealed that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants could retard accumulation of hyperphosphorylated τ-protein, as well as amyloid-β1-42, and its precursor APP in the brain, which are involved in developing neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer’s disease.
Multimode Characteristics of Space-Charge Waves in a Plasma Waveguide
Authors: Hong Woo-Pyo , Jung Young-Dae
Published: August 2016

The multimode characteristics of the space-charge wave are investigated in a cylindrical waveguide complex plasma. The dispersion relation of the space-charge wave is derived in a waveguide, including two-temperature electrons. The results show that the wave frequencies in a plasma with a high population of high-temperature electrons are always smaller those in a plasma with a low population of high-temperature electrons. It is also found that the population of high-temperature electrons suppresses the group velocity of the space-charge wave. In addition, it is found that the frequency increases with an increase in the radius of the cylindrical wave guide. The variations of the frequency and the group velocity due to the density, temperature, and geometric effects are also discussed.
Decolourization and COD reduction of textile wastewater by ozonation in combination with biological treatment
Authors: C. Z. A. Abidin , Fahmi Fahmi , Ong S.A , Mohd Makhtar S.N.N. , Rahmat N.R. , Ahmad R.
Published: August 2016

In this study, the characteristics of colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of azo dye by ozonation and biological treatment were evaluated for applying in industrial azo dye effluent treatment. Reactive Red 120 has been selected from among azo dyes due to its high solubility in an aquatic environment. The experimentation was arranged in two stages: during the first, only ozonation was performed, while, during the second stage, ozonation was integrated with biological treatment of completely mixed activated sludge (CMAS). COD removal was contributed simultaneously by the ozonation and biological treatment mechanism at lower ozone doses. However, it was significantly the result of direct oxidation at higher ozone doses. Ozonation of dyes usually leads to small organic molecular fragments that lead to a residual COD. The biological treatment is more efficient at mineralizing the by-products of the ozonation, but less efficient at colour reduction than the ozonation process itself. Thus, COD resulting from these small newly formed molecules can be further degraded by biological treatment. Therefore, ozonation should be applied at a medium ozone dose as a pre-treatment for a combined ozonation– biological treatment for azo dye removal.
Characterization of the biaxial fatigue behaviour on medium carbon steel using the strain-life approach
Authors: Mohamed S.A.N. , Abdullah S. , Arifin A. , Ariffin A. K. , Padzi M.M.
Published: August 2016

This study aims to investigate the fatigue behaviour and determine the fatigue life prediction under biaxial loading. Fatigue tests were performed according to ASTM 2207-02 and the values of tensile stresses are selected from the ultimate tensile strength which is 0.5 Su, 0.6 Su, 0.7 Su, 0.8 Su and 0.9 Su, while the torsion angle representing the shear stresses acting was set at 15 degrees. The biaxial fatigue test was conducted using a combination of two types of stresses acting on the same frequency, namely 1 Hz, on smooth specimens made from medium carbon steel. The biaxial fatigue lives of the specimens are recorded when the specimen has completely fractured. The results indicate that the observed fatigue lives are in good agreement with the predicted lives by using the Coffin–Manson, Morrow, and Smith–Watson–Topper strain-based models. Mohr’s circle approach was used to determine the maximum shear stress and principal normal stress. The maximum shear stress increased from 457 MPa to 486 MPa with the increment of principal normal stress from 612 MPa to 767 MPa. The principal stresses, maximum shear stresses, and energy dissipated were used to explain and describe the behaviour of biaxial fatigue. Both stresses are inversely proportional to the fatigue life. Meanwhile, the energy is linearly proportional to the stress applied, where the values increase in the range 500 kJ/m3 to 605 kJ/m3 . Thus, the basic understanding of the material behaviour may be used in the processes of declaring component service lives and the fatigue life prediction of a particular automotive component. Therefore, the cost incurred can be reduced for the development process in material engineering.
Mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with alkaline treated pineapple leaf fibre from Josapine cultivar
Authors: Kasim A.N. , Selamat M.Z. , Daud M.A.M. , Yaakob M.Y. , Putra A. , Sivakumar D.
Published: August 2016

This study investigates the mechanical properties of high impact polypropylene composite reinforced with pineapple leaf fibre from the Josapine cultivar as a function of fibre loading. PLF was extracted by using a pineapple leaf fibre machine and then an alkaline treatment was conducted to enhance the properties. Samples of the composite were fabricated with 100 mm fibre length with five different fibre loadings of PLF (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 wt%). The fabrication was made by a compression moulding technique with unidirectional fibre orientation. Related tests such as tensile, hardness and density tests were conducted to determine the effect of fibre loading. The experimental data showed that the composite with the 60 wt% fibre loading offered the highest value of tensile strength, which was about 309%, and the Young’s modulus was about 540% compared to 0 wt% of PLF loading. Meanwhile, the hardness and density of the PLF/PP composites showed very similar values, with small increments from 30 wt% up to 70 wt% PLF loading compared to 0 wt% of PLF loading. The highest values are 65.38 Shore-D and 1.002 g/cm³ respectively. The results also revealed that PLF from the Josapine cultivar with alkaline treatment greatly influences the mechanical properties of PLF/PP composite.
Effects of sintering schedule on the characteristics of Fe-based powder compacts formed through warm compaction route
Authors: Rahman M.M. , Rosli M.H. , Namasivayam D.
Published: August 2016

This paper presents the sintering characteristics of Fe-based powder compacts formed through the warm compaction method. Iron powder ASC100.29 (73 wt%), chromium powder (22 wt%), and aluminium powder (5 wt%) were mixed mechanically for 60 mins in preparing the feedstock. The powder mixture was subsequently compacted at 200ºC through simultaneous loading of 325 MPa from upper and lower punches. The defectfree green compacts were then sintered in an argon gas fired furnace at a rate of 10ºC/min by varying the sintering time (30, 60, and 90 mins) and temperature (600, 750, and 900ºC), respectively. The sintered samples were characterized through physical and mechanical properties and their microstructures were analysed through scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that sintering at 900ºC for 90 mins contributed to the highest volumetric expansion and relative density change, which are not expected in the powder metallurgy industries. A moderate sintering temperature of 750ºC for a holding time of 60 mins was found to produce a sintered sample with higher bending strength. In these sintering conditions, better dispersion of the alloyed elements is also observed.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Multiple Regions Associated with Head Size in Catfish
Authors: Geng Xin , Liu Shikai , Yao Jun , Bao Lisui , Zhang Jiaren , Li Chao , Wang Ruijia , Sha Jin , Zeng Peng , Zhi Degui , Liu Zhanjiang
Published: August 2016

Skull morphology is fundamental to evolution and the biological adaptation of species to their environments. With aquaculture fish species, head size is also important for economic reasons because it has a direct impact on fillet yield. However, little is known about the underlying genetic basis of head size. Catfish is the primary aquaculture species in the United States. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study using the catfish 250K SNP array with backcross hybrid catfish to map the QTL for head size (head length, head width, and head depth). One significantly associated region on linkage group (LG) 7 was identified for head length. In addition, LGs 7, 9, and 16 contain suggestively associated regions for head length. For head width, significantly associated regions were found on LG9, and additional suggestively associated regions were identified on LGs 5 and 7. No region was found associated with head depth. Head size genetic loci were mapped in catfish to genomic regions with candidate genes involved in bone development. Comparative analysis indicated that homologs of several candidate genes are also involved in skull morphology in various other species ranging from amphibian to mammalian species, suggesting possible evolutionary conservation of those genes in the control of skull morphologies.
Potential Direct Regulators of theDrosophila yellowGene Identified by Yeast One-Hybrid and RNAi Screens
Authors: Kalay Gizem , Lusk Richard , Dome Mackenzie , Hens Korneel , Deplancke Bart , Wittkopp Patricia J
Published: August 2016

The regulation of gene expression controls development, and changes in this regulation often contribute to phenotypic evolution. Drosophila pigmentation is a model system for studying evolutionary changes in gene regulation, with differences in expression of pigmentation genes such as yellow that correlate with divergent pigment patterns among species shown to be caused by changes in cis- and trans-regulation. Currently, much more is known about the cis-regulatory component of divergent yellow expression than the trans-regulatory component, in part because very few trans-acting regulators of yellow expression have been identified. This study aims to improve our understanding of the trans-acting control of yellow expression by combining yeast-one-hybrid and RNAi screens for transcription factors binding to yellow cis-regulatory sequences and affecting abdominal pigmentation in adults, respectively. Of the 670 transcription factors included in the yeast-one-hybrid screen, 45 showed evidence of binding to one or more sequence fragments tested from the 5′ intergenic and intronic yellow sequences from D. melanogaster, D. pseudoobscura, and D. willistoni, suggesting that they might be direct regulators of yellow expression. Of the 670 transcription factors included in the yeast-one-hybrid screen, plus another TF previously shown to be genetically upstream of yellow, 125 were also tested using RNAi, and 32 showed altered abdominal pigmentation. Nine transcription factors were identified in both screens, including four nuclear receptors related to ecdysone signaling (Hr78, Hr38, Hr46, and Eip78C). This finding suggests that yellow expression might be directly controlled by nuclear receptors influenced by ecdysone during early pupal development when adult pigmentation is forming.
Obp56hModulates Mating Behavior inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Shorter John R , Dembeck Lauren M , Everett Logan J , Morozova Tatiana V , Arya Gunjan H , Turlapati Lavanya , St. Armour Genevieve E , Schal Coby , Mackay Trudy F C , Anholt Robert R H
Published: August 2016

Social interactions in insects are driven by conspecific chemical signals that are detected via olfactory and gustatory neurons. Odorant binding proteins (Obps) transport volatile odorants to chemosensory receptors, but their effects on behaviors remain poorly characterized. Here, we report that RNAi knockdown of Obp56h gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster enhances mating behavior by reducing courtship latency. The change in mating behavior that results from inhibition of Obp56h expression is accompanied by significant alterations in cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) composition, including reduction in 5-tricosene (5-T), an inhibitory sex pheromone produced by males that increases copulation latency during courtship. Whole genome RNA sequencing confirms that expression of Obp56h is virtually abolished in Drosophila heads. Inhibition of Obp56h expression also affects expression of other chemoreception genes, including upregulation of lush in both sexes and Obp83ef in females, and reduction in expression of Obp19b and Or19b in males. In addition, several genes associated with lipid metabolism, which underlies the production of cuticular hydrocarbons, show altered transcript abundances. Our data show that modulation of mating behavior through reduction of Obp56h is accompanied by altered cuticular hydrocarbon profiles and implicate 5-T as a possible ligand for Obp56h.
Mitochondrial-Nuclear Interactions Mediate Sex-Specific Transcriptional Profiles inDrosophila
Authors: Mossman Jim A , Tross Jennifer G , Li Nan , Wu Zhijin , Rand David M
Published: August 2016

The assembly and function of mitochondria require coordinated expression from two distinct genomes, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA). Mutations in either genome can be a source of phenotypic variation, yet their coexpression has been largely overlooked as a source of variation, particularly in the emerging paradigm of mitochondrial replacement therapy. Here we tested how the transcriptome responds to mtDNA and nDNA variation, along with mitonuclear interactions (mtDNA × nDNA) in Drosophila melanogaster. We used two mtDNA haplotypes that differ in a substantial number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, with >100 amino acid differences. We placed each haplotype on each of two D. melanogaster nuclear backgrounds and tested for transcription differences in both sexes. We found that large numbers of transcripts were differentially expressed between nuclear backgrounds, and that mtDNA type altered the expression of nDNA genes, suggesting a retrograde, trans effect of mitochondrial genotype. Females were generally more sensitive to genetic perturbation than males, and males demonstrated an asymmetrical effect of mtDNA in each nuclear background; mtDNA effects were nuclear-background specific. mtDNA-sensitive genes were not enriched in male- or female-limited expression space in either sex. Using a variety of differential expression analyses, we show the responses to mitonuclear covariation to be substantially different between the sexes, yet the mtDNA genes were consistently differentially expressed across nuclear backgrounds and sexes. Our results provide evidence that the main mtDNA effects can be consistent across nuclear backgrounds, but the interactions between mtDNA and nDNA can lead to sex-specific global transcript responses.
Insights into Interspecific Hybridization Events in Allotetraploid Cotton Formation from Characterization of a Gene-Regulating Leaf Shape
Authors: Chang Lijing , Fang Lei , Zhu Yajuan , Wu Huaitong , Zhang Zhiyuan , Liu Chunxiao , Li Xinghe , Zhang Tianzhen
Published: August 2016

The morphology of cotton leaves varies considerably. Phenotypes, including okra, sea-island, super-okra, and broad leaf, are controlled by a multiple allele locus, L2. Okra leaf (L2°) is an incomplete mutation that alters leaf shape by increasing the length of lobes with deeper sinuses. Using a map-based cloning strategy, we cloned the L2 locus gene, which encodes a LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY 1 (LMI1)-like transcription factor (GhOKRA). Silencing GhOKRA leads to a change in phenotype from okra to broad leaf. Overexpression of GhOKRA in Arabidopsis thaliana greatly increases the degree of the leaf lobes and changes the leaf shape. Premature termination of translation in GhOKRA results in the production of broad leaves. The sequences of OKRA from diploid progenitor D-genome species, and wild races and domesticated allotetraploid cottons in Gossypium hirsutum show that a premature termination mutation occurred before and after the formation of tetraploid cotton, respectively. This study provides genomic insights into the two interspecific hybridization events: one produced the present broad leaf and another formed okra leaf phenotype with complete OKRA, that occurred during allotetraploid cotton formation.
Is Ethnobotany an Ecological Science? Steps towards a complex Ethnobotany
Authors: Hurrell Julio Alberto , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino
Published: August 2016

There are different links between ecology and ethnobotany. In principle, because they have common interests, like the conservation of plant resources. Nevertheless, the consolidation of the ecology as a science of synthesis that is based on the complexity of relationships between organisms and their surroundings, allows the ecology to provide a conceptual framework for more complex and comprehensive ethnobotany. This is also, for origin, a science of synthesis. In this contribution we discuss the basic aspects of ecology that can become guides for a complex framework of ethnobotany, which acts as a context in which their contributions to acquire significance. It also discusses various aspects of ethnobotany which, by its own complexity, are linked to the theoretical framework of ecology. Finally, we consider ethnobotany as an ecological science, from which certain assumptions are given, that can guide investigations based on the complex relationships between people and plants, the object of study of this science.
Book Review
Authors: Bányai Fanni
Published: August 2016

Larry D. Rosen, Nancy A. Cheever and L. Mark Carrier (Eds.) The Wiley Handbook of Psychology, Technology, and Society John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester, UK, 2015, 1st ed., 592 pp. Hardback ISBN: 978-1-118-77202-7
The possible role of the insula in the epilepsy and the gambling disorder of Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Authors: Tényi Dalma , Gyimesi Csilla , Kovács Norbert , Tényi Tamás , Janszky József
Published: August 2016

Background

The retrospective diagnosis of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky’s (1821–1881) neurological and psychiatric disease proves to be particularly interesting. Recent neurobiological data suggest a solution to the questions regarding the writer’s retrospective diagnosis, claiming the insular cortex to be the origin of the rare ecstatic seizures. Regarding Dostoyevsky’s pathological gambling, this hypothesis is consistent with another finding from recent neuroscience, namely that the malfunction of the insula could be an important underlying pathology in gambling disorder.

Case study

Literary and scientific overview (1928–2015) on the subjects of Dostoyevsky’s epilepsy and gambling disorder.

Discussion and conclusion

Taking Dostoyevsky’s neurological (ecstatic seizures) and psychiatric (pathological gambling) disease and the crossroads into consideration, these two disciplines make regarding the underlying pathology, we would like to suggest a speculative theory that these two disorders have a common insular pathomechanism, namely, the malfunctioning of the risk prediction–risk prediction error coding system. Furthermore, based on Dostoyevsky’s case, regarding gambling disorder in general, we would like to hypothesize that the three common gambling-related cognitive distortions (near-miss effect, gambler’s fallacy, and the illusion of control) can be all attributed to the impairment of the anterior insular risk prediction–risk prediction error coding system.