bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphatidylserine synthase 2 and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase are essential for aminophospholipid synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Farine Luce , Jelk Jennifer , Choi Jae‐Yeon , Voelker Dennis R. , Nunes Jon , Smith Terry K. , Bütikofer Peter
Published: January 2017

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) are ubiquitously expressed and metabolically interconnected glycerophospholipids in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In Trypanosoma brucei, PE synthesis has been shown to occur mainly via the Kennedy pathway, one of the three routes leading to PE synthesis in eukaryotes, while PS synthesis has not been studied experimentally. We now reveal the importance of T. brucei PS synthase 2 (TbPSS2) and T. brucei PS decarboxylase (TbPSD), two key enzymes involved in aminophospholipid synthesis, for trypanosome viability. By using tetracycline‐inducible down‐regulation of gene expression and in vivo and in vitro metabolic labeling, we found that TbPSS2 (i) is necessary for normal growth of procyclic trypanosomes, (ii) localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and (iii) represents the unique route for PS formation in T. brucei. In addition, we identified TbPSD as type I PS decarboxylase in the mitochondrion and found that it is processed proteolytically at a WGSS cleavage site into a heterodimer. Down‐regulation of TbPSD expression affected mitochondrial integrity in both procyclic and bloodstream form trypanosomes, decreased ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation in procyclic form and affected parasite growth.
Aspergillus sensitisation in bidi smokers with and without chronic obstructive lung disease
Authors: Agarwal Ritesh , Bhogal Sumita , Choudhary Hansraj , Aggarwal Ashutosh N. , Sehgal Inderpaul S. , Dhooria Sahajal , Behera Digambar , Chakrabarti Arunaloke
Published: January 2017

Recent studies have described fungal sensitisation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, no study has evaluated fungal sensitisation specifically in bidi smokers. Herein, we evaluate the prevalence of Aspergillus sensitisation in bidi smokers. Bidi smokers with and without COPD underwent chest radiography, spirometry, Aspergillus skin test, A. fumigatus precipitins, A. fumigatus‐specific IgE and total IgE. Aspergillus sensitisation was defined as the presence of either immediate cutaneous hyperreactivity to Aspergillus antigen or raised A. fumigatus‐specific IgE level >0.35 kUA/L. Bidis were obtained from a subset of cases and controls and cultured for the growth of any fungus. Two hundred subjects with COPD and 72 chronic bidi smokers without COPD were included in the study (258 men; mean age, 56.8 years). Aspergillus sensitisation was found to be significantly higher in bidi smokers without COPD (27.8%) compared to the COPD cases (16%). Age, COPD, lung function, severity of smoking and current smoking were not associated with Aspergillus sensitisation, on a multivariate logistic regression analysis. We found a high prevalence of Aspergillus sensitisation in bidi‐smoking subjects. More studies are required to confirm the findings of our study.
Partial preferential chromosome pairing is genotype dependent in tetraploid rose
Authors: Bourke Peter M. , Arens Paul , Voorrips Roeland E. , Esselink G. Danny , Koning‐Boucoiran Carole F. S. , van't Westende Wendy P. C. , Santos Leonardo Tiago , Wissink Patrick , Zheng Chaozhi , van Geest Geert , Visser Richard G. F. , Krens Frans. A. , Smulders Marinus J. M. , Maliepaard Chris
Published: January 2017

It has long been recognised that polyploid species do not always neatly fall into the categories of auto‐ or allopolyploid, leading to the term ‘segmental allopolyploid’ to describe everything in between. The meiotic behaviour of such intermediate species is not fully understood, nor is there consensus as to how to model their inheritance patterns. In this study we used a tetraploid cut rose (Rosa hybrida) population, genotyped using the 68K WagRhSNP array, to construct an ultra‐high‐density linkage map of all homologous chromosomes using methods previously developed for autotetraploids. Using the predicted bivalent configurations in this population we quantified differences in pairing behaviour among and along homologous chromosomes, leading us to correct our estimates of recombination frequency to account for this behaviour. This resulted in the re‐mapping of 25 695 SNP markers across all homologues of the seven rose chromosomes, tailored to the pairing behaviour of each chromosome in each parent. We confirmed the inferred differences in pairing behaviour among chromosomes by examining repulsion‐phase linkage estimates, which also carry information about preferential pairing and recombination. Currently, the closest sequenced relative to rose is Fragaria vesca. Aligning the integrated ultra‐dense rose map with the strawberry genome sequence provided a detailed picture of the synteny, confirming overall co‐linearity but also revealing new genomic rearrangements. Our results suggest that pairing affinities may vary along chromosome arms, which broadens our current understanding of segmental allopolyploidy.
EQUAL USAGE OF EACH POWER SUPPLY IN A SCALABLE PARALLEL CONFIGURATION
Authors: S. To Mark Ryan , R. Magsino Elmer
Published: January 2017

In this paper, a fuzzy logic controller determines the turning ON or OFF of a power supply in a scalable n-parallel power supply configuration. Each power supply is modeled using differential equations and only differs in the values of its parasitic resistances. This is done in a MATLAB/Simulink environment. A fuzzy logic controller accepts the power supply usage and the power supply’s input voltage perturbation as its inputs while the probability of the corresponding power supply turning ON is its output. The power supplies are connected in parallel configuration and tested under various conditions of static and dynamic current sharing load, voltage input perturbations and on the total number of active power supplies in a given parallel configuration. The number of power supplies n in the parallel configuration is changed by adding or removing a power supply. This addition or removal is termed as scalability. As a result, the fuzzy logic controller was able to guarantee that all power supplies in the scalable n-parallel configuration have equal usage while sharing the load current equally under a regulated output voltage.
Combining RAVEN, RELAP5-3D, and PHISICS for Fuel Cycle and Core Design Analysis for New Cladding Criteria
Authors: Alfonsi Andrea , Mesina George L. , Zoino Angelo , Anderson Nolan , Rabiti Cristian
Published: January 2017

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has considered revision of 10-CFR-50.46C rule (Borchard and Johnson, 2013, “10 CFR 50.46c Rulemaking: Request to Defer Draft Guidance and Extension Request for Final Rule and Final Guidance,” U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC.) to account for burn-up rate effects in future analysis of reactor accident scenarios so that safety margins may evolve as dynamic limits with reactor operation and reloading. To find these limiting conditions, both cladding oxidation and maximum temperature must be cast as functions of fuel exposure. To run a plant model through a long operational transient to fuel reload is computationally intensive, and this must be repeated for each reload until the time of the accident scenario. Moreover for probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), this must be done for many different fuel reload patterns. To perform such new analyses in a reasonable amount of computational time with good accuracy, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed new multiphysics tools by combining existing codes and adding new capabilities. The parallel highly innovative simulation INL code system (PHISICS) toolkit (Rabiti et al., 2016, “New Simulation Schemes and Capabilities for the PHISICS/RELAP5-3D Coupled Suite,” Nucl. Sci. Eng., 182(1), pp. 104–118; Alfonsi et al., 2012, “PHISICS Toolkit: Multi-Reactor Transmutation Analysis Utility—MRTAU,” PHYSOR 2012 Advances in Reactor Physics Linking Research, Industry, and Education, Knoxville, TN, Apr. 15–20.) for neutronic and reactor physics is coupled with the reactor excursion and leak analysis program—three-dimensional (RELAP5-3D) (The RELAP5-3D© Code Development Team, 2014, “RELAP5-3D© Code Manual Volume I: Code Structure, System Models, and Solution Methods,” Rev. 4.2, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, Technical Report No. INEEL-EXT-98-00834.) for the loss of coolant accident (LOCA) analysis and reactor analysis and virtual-control environment (RAVEN) (Alfonsi et al., 2013, “RAVEN as a Tool for Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment: Software Overview,” 2013 International Conference on Mathematics and Computational Methods Applied to Nuclear Science and Engineering, Sun Valley, ID, May 5–9, pp. 1247–1261.) for the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and margin characterization analysis. For RELAP5-3D to process a single sequence of cores in a continuous run required a sequence of restarting input decks, each with different neutronics or thermal-hydraulic (TH) flow region and culminating in an accident scenario. A new multideck input processing capability was developed and verified for this analysis. The combined RAVEN/PHISICS/RELAP5-3D tool is used to analyze a typical pressurized water reactor (PWR).
Hydrogen interactions with oxidized austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Nemanič Vincenc , Žumer Marko , Lakner Mitja
Published: January 2017

An ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) chamber is generally supposed to have a constant base background outgassing rate q0 over very long periods of time. In experiments with ionized or molecular hydrogen, this level might be increased by absorption of a small fraction of hydrogen. In this work, absorption of molecular hydrogen is monitored in a small austenitic stainless steel UHV chamber during 3 h exposures at initial pressures from 0.01 to 1 mbar at room temperature. An absorbed dose of ∼1013–1014 atom H cm−2 was recorded. After gas removal, desorption period in the closed vacuum system lasted for 20 h, wherein most of the absorbed hydrogen was released. The initial desorption rate was 10–100 times higher than the previous q0. Calculations based on well accepted models for hydrogen–metal interactions confirm that the observed absorption–desorption processes are related mainly to the native oxide layer. Its reported thickness is between 1 and 3 nm and our results express its high solubility, which at 1 nm ranges from Ksox(294 K) = 2.0 × 1022 to 3.8 × 1022 atom H cm−3 bar−0.5. The recombination rate coefficient ranges from KLox(294 K) = 8.9 × 10−19 to 6.45 × 10−18 cm4 s−1. The bulk metal was not involved noticeably in 24 h cycles as the oxide layer–bulk metal interactions proceed substantially slower.
Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Peptide-Conjugated Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers
Authors: Howard James J. , Sturge Carolyn R. , Moustafa Dina A. , Daly Seth M. , Marshall-Batty Kimberly R. , Felder Christina F. , Zamora Danniel , Yabe-Gill Marium , Labandeira-Rey Maria , Bailey Stacey M. , Wong Michael , Goldberg Joanna B. , Geller Bruce L. , Greenberg David E.
Published: January 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a highly virulent, multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is particularly devastating in patients with cystic fibrosis. Increasing antibiotic resistance coupled with decreasing numbers of antibiotics in the developmental pipeline demands novel antibacterial approaches. Here, we tested peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs), which inhibit translation of complementary mRNA from specific, essential genes in
P. aeruginosa
. PPMOs targeted to
acpP
,
lpxC
, and
rpsJ
, inhibited
P. aeruginosa
growth in many clinical strains and activity of PPMOs could be enhanced 2- to 8-fold by the addition of polymyxin B nonapeptide at subinhibitory concentrations. The PPMO targeting
acpP
was also effective at preventing
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 biofilm formation and at reducing existing biofilms. Importantly, treatment with various combinations of a PPMO and a traditional antibiotic demonstrated synergistic growth inhibition, the most effective of which was the PPMO targeting
rpsJ
with tobramycin. Furthermore, treatment of
P. aeruginosa
PA103-infected mice with PPMOs targeting
acpP
,
lpxC
, or
rpsJ
significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the lungs at 24 h by almost 3 logs. Altogether, this study demonstrates that PPMOs targeting the essential genes
acpP
,
lpxC
, or
rpsJ
in
P. aeruginosa
are highly effective at inhibiting growth
in vitro
and
in vivo
. These data suggest that PPMOs alone or in combination with antibiotics represent a novel approach to addressing the problems associated with rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance in
P. aeruginosa
.
A Clostridium difficile Lineage Endemic to Costa Rican Hospitals Is Multidrug Resistant by Acquisition of Chromosomal Mutations and Novel Mobile Genetic Elements
Authors: Ramírez-Vargas Gabriel , Quesada-Gómez Carlos , Acuña-Amador Luis , López-Ureña Diana , Murillo Tatiana , del Mar Gamboa-Coronado María , Chaves-Olarte Esteban , Thomson Nicholas , Rodríguez-Cavallini Evelyn , Rodríguez César
Published: January 2017

The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates and levels recorded for
Clostridium difficile
are on the rise. This study reports the nature, levels, diversity, and genomic context of the antimicrobial resistance of human
C. difficile
isolates of the NAP
CR1
/RT012/ST54 genotype, which caused an outbreak in 2009 and is endemic in Costa Rican hospitals. To this end, we determined the susceptibilities of 38 NAP
CR1
isolates to 10 antibiotics from seven classes using Etests or macrodilution tests and examined 31 NAP
CR1
whole-genome sequences to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes that could explain the resistance phenotypes observed. The NAP
CR1
isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR) and commonly exhibited very high resistance levels. By sequencing their genomes, we showed that they possessed resistance-associated SNPs in
gyrA
and
rpoB
and carried eight to nine acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Most of these genes were located on known or novel mobile genetic elements shared by isolates recovered at different hospitals and at different time points. Metronidazole and vancomycin remain the first-line treatment options for these isolates. Overall, the NAP
CR1
lineage showed an enhanced ability to acquire AMR genes through lateral gene transfer. On the basis of this finding, we recommend further vigilance and the adoption of improved control measures to limit the dissemination of this lineage and the emergence of more
C. difficile
MDR strains.
Forest damage inventory using the local pivotal sampling method
Authors: Roberge Cornelia , Grafström Anton , Ståhl Göran
Published: January 2017

Specially designed forest damage inventories, directed to areas with potential or suspected damage, are performed in many countries. In this study, we evaluate a new approach for damage inventories in which auxiliary data are used for the sample selection with the recently introduced local pivotal sampling design. With this design, a sample that is well spread in the space of the auxiliary variables is obtained. We applied Monte Carlo sampling simulation to evaluate whether this sampling design leads to more precise estimates compared with commonly applied baseline methods. The evaluations were performed using different damage scenarios and different simulated relationships between the auxiliary data and the actual damages. The local pivotal method was found to be more efficient than simple random sampling in all scenarios, and depending on the allocation of the sample and the properties of the auxiliary data, it sometimes outperformed two-phase sampling for stratification. Thus, the local pivotal method may be a valuable tool to cost-efficiently assess the magnitude of forest damage once outbreaks have been detected in a forest region.
A Proposal for Assessing Imprecise Concepts in Spanish Primary and Secondary Schools
Authors: Blanco-Fernández Ángela , Díaz-Díaz Patricia , García-Honrado Itziar , Ramos-Guajardo Ana Belén , Rodríguez-Muñiz Luis José
Published: January 2017

Spanish primary and secondary school curricula comprise several contents, learning outcomes and assessment criteria directly related with probability and approximate calculus. Some of them refer to situations modeled by the students, which entail not only uncertainty but also imprecision. For this reason, different techniques including fuzzy logic and fuzzy sets theory could be applied when dealing with this kind of situations in the classroom. Several teaching situations handling imprecise concepts in primary and secondary schools are suggested from a theoretical point of view. These more exible ways of reasoning could be combined with the traditional probability approach, allowing to tackle more general problems and not only those involving exact calculations or specific numerical assignments. Moreover, this type of approaches will provide the students with tools to manage imprecision as a mathematical tool in their personal life.
On δ-ϵ-Partitions for Finite Interval-Valued Hesitant Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Quirós Pelayo , Alonso Pedro , Díaz Irene , Montes Susana
Published: January 2017

Hesitant fuzzy sets represent a useful tool in many areas such as decision making or image processing. Finite interval-valued hesitant fuzzy sets are a particular kind of hesitant fuzzy sets that generalize fuzzy sets, interval-valued fuzzy sets or Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy sets, among others. Partitioning is a long-standing open problem due to its remarkable importance in many areas such as clustering. Thus, many different partitioning approaches have been developed for crisp and fuzzy sets. This work presents a partitioning method for the so-called finite interval-valued hesitant fuzzy sets. The definition of this partitioning method involves a definition of an ordering relation for finite interval-valued fuzzy sets membership degrees, i.e, finitely generated sets, as well as the definitions of t-norm and t-conorm for these kinds of sets.
Dual-Task Does Not Increase Slip and Fall Risk in Healthy Young and Older Adults during Walking
Authors: Soangra Rahul , Lockhart Thurmon E.
Published: January 2017

Dual-task tests can identify gait characteristics peculiar to fallers and nonfallers. Understanding the relationship between gait performance and dual-task related cognitive-motor interference is important for fall prevention. Dual-task adapted changes in gait instability/variability can adversely affect fall risks. Although implicated, it is unclear if healthy participants’ fall risks are modified by dual-task walking conditions. Seven healthy young and seven healthy older adults were randomly assigned to normal walking and dual-task walking sessions with a slip perturbation. In the dual-task session, the participants walked and simultaneously counted backwards from a randomly provided number. The results indicate that the gait changes in dual-task walking have no destabilizing effect on gait and slip responses in healthy individuals. We also found that, during dual-tasking, healthy individuals adopted cautious gait mode (CGM) strategy that is characterized by reduced walking speed, shorter step length, increased step width, and reduced heel contact velocity and is likely to be an adaptation to minimize attentional demand and decrease slip and fall risk during limited available attentional resources. Exploring interactions between gait variability and cognitive functions while walking may lead to designing appropriate fall interventions among healthy and patient population with fall risk.
Cestrum nocturnum Flower Extracts Attenuate Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Malignant Cells through Inducing DNA Damage and Inhibiting Topoisomerase II Activity
Authors: Wu Deng-Pan , Lin Tian-Yu , Lv Jin-Yan , Chen Wen-Ya , Bai Li-Ru , Zhou Yan , Huang Jin-Lan , Zhong Zhen-Guo
Published: January 2017

Most of the existing chemotherapeutic drugs have plenty of side effects. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for pharmaceutical and dietary therapy for thousands of years with more effective and fewer side effects. Cestrum nocturnum (CN) has long been used to treat digestive diseases for centuries in China. Our previous study first proved that the n‐butanol part isolated from the flowers of CN produced an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of malignant cells. However, the fractions responsible for the antiproliferation effect of n‐butanol part from CN flowers and related mechanisms remain unknown. Thus, in this study, we extracted fractions C4 and C5 from n‐butanol part of CN flowers and investigated their immune toxicity and antitumor activities. It was found that fractions C4 and C5 exhibited great cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines but had low immune toxicity towards T and B lymphocytes in vitro. The tested fractions also attenuated proliferation and induced apoptosis at G0/G1 and G2/M phases in Bel‐7404 cells through inducing DNA damage and inhibiting topoisomerase II relaxation activity. These results suggest that fractions C4 and C5 may represent important sources of potential antitumor agents due to their pronounced antitumor effects and low immune toxicity.
Optimal Sensor Communications in Presence of Transmission Delays and Bandwidth Limitations
Authors: Share Pasand M. M. , Montazeri M.
Published: January 2017

In a distributed sensor (and actuator) network, several sensors may be lumped to a single transmitter or communicate via a remote terminal unit. Due to bandwidth limitations in the network, the transmitter/remote terminal should decide on the communication sequence according to which it sends sensor data. This decision must be based on an appropriate performance criterion. In this paper, we formulize this problem and propose a convex optimization scheme to optimize the estimation variance via choosing the most appropriate communication sequence. The derived communication sequence is then used for designing a Kalman filter to estimate states of the underlying system. Both cases of Zero-Order Hold and Reset To Zero output policies are investigated and compared in the simulation.
Comparison of Different Features and Classifiers for Driver Fatigue Detection Based on a Single EEG Channel
Authors: Hu Jianfeng
Published: January 2017

Driver fatigue has become an important factor to traffic accidents worldwide, and effective detection of driver fatigue has major significance for public health. The purpose method employs entropy measures for feature extraction from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel. Four types of entropies measures, sample entropy (SE), fuzzy entropy (FE), approximate entropy (AE), and spectral entropy (PE), were deployed for the analysis of original EEG signal and compared by ten state-of-the-art classifiers. Results indicate that optimal performance of single channel is achieved using a combination of channel CP4, feature FE, and classifier Random Forest (RF). The highest accuracy can be up to 96.6%, which has been able to meet the needs of real applications. The best combination of channel + features + classifier is subject-specific. In this work, the accuracy of FE as the feature is far greater than the Acc of other features. The accuracy using classifier RF is the best, while that of classifier SVM with linear kernel is the worst. The impact of channel selection on the Acc is larger. The performance of various channels is very different.
The Construct of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 for the Population of Taiwan
Authors: Su Chia-Ting , Yang Ai-Lun , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: January 2017

This study examines the factor structure of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 (SQLS-R4) for inpatients with schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan. All the participants (n=100) filled out the SQLS-R4, Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) under the supervision of one experienced occupational therapist. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we first determined that a 29-item model was more satisfactory than the original 33-item model based on the findings of better fit indices for the 29-item model. We then found that a three-correlated-factor structure was best for the SQLS-R4 after four models (namely, two-correlated-factor, three-correlated-factor, seven-correlated-factor, and second-order models) had been compared. In addition, the three constructs (psychosocial, physical, and vitality) were moderately to highly correlated with the constructs of the World Health Organization Quality of Life- (WHOQOL-) BREF (r=-0.38 to -0.69), except for one low correlation between the vitality construct of the SQLS-R4 and the psychological construct of the WHOQOL-BREF (r=-0.26). We tentatively conclude that the SQLS-R4 with a three-correlated-factor structure is a valid and reliable instrument for examining the quality of life of people with schizophrenia.
The Role of the Occupational Therapist in Disaster Areas: Systematic Review
Authors: Parente M. , Tofani M. , De Santis R. , Esposito G. , Santilli V. , Galeoto G.
Published: January 2017

Background. Disasters are increasingly more frequent events on our planet. During disaster the role of the occupational therapist will require a more specific operative framework within nongovernmental organizations and community health services. Design. Systematic review. Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the evidence that highlight occupational therapist’s role in disaster area through a systematic review. Materials and Methods. Research on MEDLINE was performed. All articles from 2005 to 2015 concerning rehabilitation and occupational therapy in disaster areas were included. Results. Ten studies were selected to be included in this review. Four interesting points emerged: the importance of having rehabilitation intervention in postdisaster situations, the necessity to include a rehabilitation team in the early phase of disaster response, the need to provide a method to address the difficult evacuation, and finding the safest method of transport of people with preexisting disabilities and new injuries. Conclusions. The amount of evidence with respect to specific intervention of the occupational therapist’s role in a disaster situation is limited. However some evidence suggests that it could be a good means for reducing the number of medical complications and deaths of persons with preexisting disabilities. The evidences found highlight the necessity to create a multidisciplinary team addressing needs in disasters situation, in which the occupational therapist could certainly contribute.
Detection of Impaired Cerebral Autoregulation Using Selected Correlation Analysis: A Validation Study
Authors: Proescholdt Martin A. , Faltermeier Rupert , Bele Sylvia , Brawanski Alexander
Published: January 2017

Multimodal brain monitoring has been utilized to optimize treatment of patients with critical neurological diseases. However, the amount of data requires an integrative tool set to unmask pathological events in a timely fashion. Recently we have introduced a mathematical model allowing the simulation of pathophysiological conditions such as reduced intracranial compliance and impaired autoregulation. Utilizing a mathematical tool set called selected correlation analysis (sca), correlation patterns, which indicate impaired autoregulation, can be detected in patient data sets (scp). In this study we compared the results of the sca with the pressure reactivity index (PRx), an established marker for impaired autoregulation. Mean PRx values were significantly higher in time segments identified as scp compared to segments showing no selected correlations (nsc). The sca based approach predicted cerebral autoregulation failure with a sensitivity of 78.8% and a specificity of 62.6%. Autoregulation failure, as detected by the results of both analysis methods, was significantly correlated with poor outcome. Sca of brain monitoring data detects impaired autoregulation with high sensitivity and sufficient specificity. Since the sca approach allows the simultaneous detection of both major pathological conditions, disturbed autoregulation and reduced compliance, it may become a useful analysis tool for brain multimodal monitoring data.
Acute toxicity (LC50) of a pesticide (Carbendazim) on two native crustacean zooplankton species: Daphnia pulex Leydig, 1860 and Tumeodiaptomus diabolicus (Brehm, 1935) from northern Patagonian lakes (Chile)
Authors: Encina Francisco , De Los Ríos Escalante Patricio , Salazar Katherine
Published: January 2017

In Chile there is an increased use of fungicides, especially in the central and southern parts of the country. The aim of this study was to test the sensitivity of two common zooplankton species, Daphnia pulex Leydig, 1860 and Tumeodiaptomus diabolicus (Brehm, 1935) to the fungicide carbendazim. The specimens came from Lake Calafquén (southern Chile), and were subjected to bioassay experiments under laboratory conditions over 48 h to seven carbendazim concentrations (0-77.70 μg/l); these bioassays were performed using adult specimens. In parallel, also literature information on the commonly used D. magna Straus, 1820, was used. It was found that T. diabolicus had a 48-h LC50 of 28.1 μg/l, while D. pulex had a 48-h LC50 of 26.1 μg/l, and finally D. magna has a 48-h LC50 of 136.1 μg/l. These results indicate that the two native zooplankton species of Chilean Patagonian lakes are considerably more sensitive to the pesticide carbendazim, than the species D. magna that is used as a standard.
Broad-Spectrum Mountain Waves
Authors: Smith Ronald B. , Kruse Christopher G.
Published: January 2017

Recent airborne mountain-wave measurements over New Zealand in the lower stratosphere during the Deep Propagating Gravity Wave Experiment (DEEPWAVE) campaign allow for improved spectral analysis of velocities u, υ, and w, pressure p, and temperature T fluctuations. Striking characteristics of these data are the spectral breadth and the different spectral shapes of the different physical quantities. Using idealized complex terrain as a guide, the spectra are divided into the long-wave “volume mode” arising from airflow over the whole massif and the short-wave “roughness mode” arising from flow into and out of valleys. The roughness mode is evident in the aircraft data as an intense band of w power from horizontal wavelength λ = 8–40 km. The shorter part of this band (i.e., λ = 8–15 km) falls near the nonhydrostatic buoyancy cutoff (λ = 2πU/N). It penetrates easily into the lower stratosphere but carries little u power or momentum flux. The longer part of this roughness mode (i.e., λ = 15–40 km) carries most of the wave momentum flux. The volume mode for New Zealand, in the range λ = 200–400 km, is detected using the u-power, p-power, and T-power spectra. Typically, the volume mode carries a third or less of the total wave momentum flux, but it dominates the u power and thus may control the wave breakdown aloft. Spectra from numerical simulations agree with theory and aircraft data. Problems with the monochromatic assumption for wave observation and momentum flux parameterization are discussed.
Intranasal administration of dopamine attenuates unconditioned fear in that it reduces restraint-induced ultrasound vocalizations and escape from bright light
Authors: Talbot Teddy , Mattern Claudia , de Souza Silva Maria Angelica , Brandão Marcus Lira
Published: January 2017

Background:

Although substantial evidence suggests that dopamine (DA) enhances conditioned fear responses, few studies have examined the role of DA in unconditioned fear states. Whereas DA does not cross the blood–brain barrier, intranasally-applied dopamine reaches the brain directly via the nose–brain pathways in rodents, providing an alternative means of targeting DA receptors. Intranasal dopamine (IN-DA) has been demonstrated to bind to DA transporters and to increase extracellular DA in the striatum as well as having memory-promoting effects in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of IN-DA in three tests of fear/anxiety.

Methods:

The three doses of DA hydrochloride (0.03, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg) were applied in a viscous castor oil gel in a volume of 5 µl to each of both nostrils of adult Wistar rats prior to testing of (a) escape from a bright light, using a two-chamber procedure, (b) restraint-induced 22 kHz ultrasound vocalizations (USVs), and (c) exploratory behavior in the elevated plus-maze (EPM).

Results:

IN-DA dose-dependently reduced escape from bright light and the number of USV responses to restraint. It had no influence on the exploratory behavior in the EPM.

Conclusions:

IN-DA application reduced escape behavior in two tests of unconditioned fear (escape from bright light and USV response to immobilization). These findings may be interpreted in light of the known antidepressant action of IN-DA and DA reuptake blockers. The results also confirm the promise of the nasal route as an alternative means for targeting the brain’s dopaminergic receptors with DA.
Performance of three transducer mounting methods in impedance-based structural health monitoring applications
Authors: da Silveira Ricardo Zanni Mendes , Campeiro Leandro Melo , Baptista Fabricio Guimarães
Published: January 2017

Piezoelectric transducers are widely used in many nondestructive methods for damage detection in structural health monitoring applications. Among the various methods for detecting damage, the electromechanical impedance technique is known for using thin and small piezoelectric ceramics operating simultaneously as actuators and sensors. The basic method of installing these piezoelectric ceramics in the host structure is using a high-stiffness adhesive such as epoxy or cyanoacrylate glue. However, some studies have proposed alternative methods of transducer mounting, therein aiming to reuse the transducer or allowing for the monitoring of structures under adverse conditions under which the direct installation of the sensor would not be possible. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze and compare the performance of three main mounting methods for metal structures for applications based on the electromechanical impedance technique: magnetic mounting, metal-wire-based mounting, and conventional mounting using adhesives. Tests were conducted on aluminum beams, and the performances of the three transducer mounting methods were compared using basic damage indices and the pencil-lead-break test. The experimental results indicate that the mounting method has a significant effect on the frequency response and sensitivity for damage detection.
S100A9 induces differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells through TLR4
Authors: Laouedj Malika , Tardif Mélanie R. , Gil Laurine , Raquil Marie-Astrid , Lachhab Asmaa , Pelletier Martin , Tessier Philippe A. , Barabé Frédéric
Published: January 2017

Key Points

S100A9 induces differentiation and growth arrest of AML cells via TLR4. S100A8 regulates S100A9 activity and sustains AML immature phenotype.
Fast, high-resolution beam tomography and velocity-model building
Authors: Tanushev Nick , Popovici Alexander Mihai , Hardesty Sean
Published: January 2017

We present a wide-azimuth beam tomography based on fast beam migration and a method for automatically estimating the rms velocity. This combination allows us to have a direct “input data to velocity model” workflow that does not involve laborious manual user interaction other than quality control (QC). The estimated rms velocity model serves as an initial model for tomography. A 3D residual-moveout (RMO) method enables a very rapid estimation of the depth or time delays along each ray, which represent the direct input to a tomographic update, without the time-consuming steps required for traditional tomography, including preparing the gathers for semblance analysis, semblance picking, and back-projection picks QC. A 2000 km2 velocity model can be updated using 400 CPUs in less than five minutes on a 20 m by 20 m by 20 m velocity-model grid. In addition, beam tomography retains the true azimuthal information. This allows the tomographic update to go beyond the current limitation of limited wide-azimuth velocity updates. Beam tomography allows for faster turnaround time for large 3D seismic projects and, at the same time, increases the accuracy of the velocity model by using wide-azimuth information that is typically unavailable in traditional tomography. In addition to a single-parameter update (one time delay or residual velocity value for each image point) and multiple-parameter update (time delay depends on offset), we now have a wide-azimuth and offset update (time delay depends on offset and azimuth).
The Garden Banks model experience
Authors: Dellinger Joe , Brenders Andrew J. , Sandschaper J. R. , Regone Carl , Etgen John , Ahmed Imtiaz , Lee K. J.
Published: January 2017

To better understand deepwater imaging challenges in the Gulf of Mexico, we constructed a large 3D model based on the complex salt geology of the Garden Banks protraction area. We simulated a regional wide-azimuth (WAZ) streamer survey with offsets of ±8 km inline and ±4 km crossline over this model. Using the true velocity model, reverse time migration of this data set produced a usable subsalt image nearly everywhere. The same synthetic seismic data set was passed to interpreters and geophysicists to process and image as if it were real field data. They did not get to see the true velocity model. Instead they performed conventional “migrate, pick, and flood” top-down velocity-model building, followed by final imaging through their interpreted velocity model. Where the salt was relatively simple, we found that the interpreted velocity model was reasonably accurate. Reverse time migration of the seismic data through these parts of the velocity model produced an image that was imperfect, but still usable for exploration-scale, structural interpretation. Where the salt structure was complex, however, it was sometimes grossly misinterpreted. The ensuing large-scale errors in the interpreted velocity model resulted in an unusable, shattered subsalt image. We next simulated a low-frequency, ocean-bottom-node (OBN) acquisition, with offsets up to 30 km in all azimuths. We started with the imperfect model produced by the interpreters and investigated what it would take for full-waveform inversion (FWI) to successfully find and fix the gross interpretation errors. Initial results suggest this “interpretation followed by FWI” methodology could produce a velocity model capable of generating an adequate subsalt image, but it may require ultrawide offsets (30 km), ultralow frequencies (below 2 Hz), and improved FWI algorithms to do so.
Controlled-source velocity calibration for real-time downhole microseismic monitoring
Authors: Hogarth Leah J. , Kolb Conrad M. , Le Calvez Joël H.
Published: January 2017

The typical real-time microseismic monitoring workflow involves using seismic sources at known locations, such as perforation shots, string shots, or ball-seating events, to calibrate the velocity model. In some cases, none of these sources are available, they are of poor quality, or their coverage of the rock volume of interest is limited (e.g., in horizontal monitoring configurations). Crosswell seismic data provide a great opportunity to calibrate a velocity model for use in real-time microseismic monitoring when optimal calibration sources are not available. We tested two data sets with different well configurations and available calibration data to demonstrate the use of crosswell sources for velocity-model calibration. The first data set, which includes both crosswell sources and perforation shots, shows that using crosswell source shots for velocity-model calibration results in event locations as good as locations based on perforations. In a second example, we establish the feasibility of using crosswell sources to extend the depth coverage of velocity-model calibration for a horizontal monitoring configuration. In both cases, using crosswell sources can provide a means to reduce uncertainty in the velocity model and improve subsequent event locations.
Step-by-step NMO correction
Authors: Uieda Leonardo
Published: January 2017

Open any textbook about seismic data processing and you will inevitably find a section about the normal moveout (NMO) correction. There you'll see that we can correct the measured traveltime of a reflected wave t at a given offset x to obtain the traveltime at normal incidence t0 by applying the following equation:
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of tooth root development
Authors: Li Jingyuan , Parada Carolina , Chai Yang
Published: January 2017

The tooth root is an integral, functionally important part of our dentition. The formation of a functional root depends on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and integration of the root with the jaw bone, blood supply and nerve innervations. The root development process therefore offers an attractive model for investigating organogenesis. Understanding how roots develop and how they can be bioengineered is also of great interest in the field of regenerative medicine. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tooth root formation. We review the function of cellular structure and components such as Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, cranial neural crest cells and stem cells residing in developing and adult teeth. We also highlight how complex signaling networks together with multiple transcription factors mediate tissue-tissue interactions that guide root development. Finally, we discuss the possible role of stem cells in establishing the crown-to-root transition, and provide an overview of root malformations and diseases in humans.
Neomorphic effects of the neonatal anemia (Nan-Eklf) mutation contribute to deficits throughout development
Authors: Planutis Antanas , Xue Li , Trainor Cecelia D. , Dangeti Mohan , Gillinder Kevin , Siatecka Miroslawa , Nebor Danitza , Peters Luanne L. , Perkins Andrew C. , Bieker James J.
Published: January 2017

Transcription factor control of cell-specific downstream targets can be significantly altered when the controlling factor is mutated. We show that the semi-dominant neonatal anemia (Nan) mutation in the EKLF/KLF1 transcription factor leads to ectopic expression of proteins that are not normally expressed in the red blood cell, leading to systemic effects that exacerbate the intrinsic anemia in the adult and alter correct development in the early embryo. Even when expressed as a heterozygote, the Nan-EKLF protein accomplishes this by direct binding and aberrant activation of genes encoding secreted factors that exert a negative effect on erythropoiesis and iron use. Our data form the basis for a novel mechanism of physiological deficiency that is relevant to human dyserythropoietic anemia and likely other disease states.
Pseudouridine and N6-methyladenosine modifications weaken PUF protein/RNA interactions
Authors: Vaidyanathan Pavanapuresan P. , AlSadhan Ishraq , Merriman Dawn K. , Al-Hashimi Hashim M. , Herschlag Daniel
Published: January 2017

RNA modifications are ubiquitous in biology, with over 100 distinct modifications. While the vast majority were identified and characterized on abundant noncoding RNA such as tRNA and rRNA, the advent of sensitive sequencing-based approaches has led to the discovery of extensive and regulated modification of eukaryotic messenger RNAs as well. The two most abundant mRNA modifications—pseudouridine (Ψ) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A)—affect diverse cellular processes including mRNA splicing, localization, translation, and decay and modulate RNA structure. Here, we test the hypothesis that RNA modifications directly affect interactions between RNA-binding proteins and target RNA. We show that Ψ and m6A weaken the binding of the human single-stranded RNA binding protein Pumilio 2 (hPUM2) to its consensus motif, with individual modifications having effects up to approximately threefold and multiple modifications giving larger effects. While there are likely to be some cases where RNA modifications essentially fully ablate protein binding, here we see modest responses that may be more common. Such modest effects could nevertheless profoundly alter the complex landscape of RNA:protein interactions, and the quantitative rather than qualitative nature of these effects underscores the need for quantitative, systems-level accounting of RNA:protein interactions to understand post-transcriptional regulation.
Earthquake relocation for North-Western Greece using 3D crustal model; method comparison and seismotectonic interpretation.
Authors: Stavroulopoulou O. , Sokos E. , Martakis N. , Tselentis G. A.
Published: January 2017

A dense microseismic network was installed in Northwestern Greece for a period of eleven months. A total of 1368 events were recorded and located using a 1D model. These events were also used to derive a 3D velocity model for the area. This work presents results from further processing of the data using (a) simple location method of events in a 1D medium through Hypo71 standard procedure; (b) location via the probabilistic, non-linear earthquake location method in 3D medium; (c) relocation of the events using the Double - Difference method in 1D medium; and (d) the same relocation  procedure  invoking  3D  medium.  The  application  of  different  location methodologies results in slightly different locations, which are evaluated using as criterion the compactness of hypocenter distribution. The three point method was used in order to derive linear characteristics from the hypocenter distribution and the final results were compared against the focal mechanisms of the events as computed using the polarity method and the 3D velocity model. The combination of accurately computed hypocenters and focal mechanisms provides important information for the seismotectonics of Epirus
Near-real-time evaluation of the evolution of a seismic excitation: Application to the January 8, 2013 Lemnos seismic sequence.
Authors: Teza E. , Scordilis E. M. , Papazachos C. B. , Karakaisis G. F.
Published: January 2017

Monitoring the evolution of a seismic excitation in near-real-time sense is of high practical  importance,  as  the  quantitative  results  of  this  procedure  may  provide useful  information  to  be  used  for  the  efficient  planning  of  seismic  protection measures. Furthermore, it may provide indications on the future evolution of this sequence,  which  is  extremely  important  for  both  the  public  and  authorities.  A software package consisting of a number of sub-programs has been developed for this task. The main goal of this software is to obtain a semi -automatic evaluation of the possible evolution of a seismic excitation (sequence) already in progress. To achieve this target, successive determinations of basic parameters that characterize the sequence are performed and respective graphs are produced. In particular, the software automatically provides periodical snap-shots (within time periods defined by the user) describing how the shocks-members of the sequence are distributed in space,  time,  space-time  and  magnitude,  allowing,  this  way,  to  detect  possible variations in these parameters that could be connected to normal or non-normal evolution of the sequence. Application of this package has been performed during the  recent seismic sequence which occurred SE of Lemnos island with a mainshock of M=5.9 (8/1/2013, 14:16 GMT). The snap-shots that described the evolution of the sequence and were produced by the application of the developed software package suggested a "normal" aftershock evolution during the first seven days of the main phase of this excitation.