bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sperm proteasome degrades egg envelope glycoprotein ZP1 during fertilization of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: Sasanami Tomohiro , Sugiura Kenichi , Tokumoto Toshinobu , Yoshizaki Norio , Dohra Hideo , Nishio Shunsuke , Mizushima Shusei , Hiyama Gen , Matsuda Tsukasa
Published: August 2012

At the time of fertilization, the extracellular matrix surrounding avian oocytes, termed the perivitelline membrane (pvm), is hydrolyzed by a sperm-borne protease, although the actual protease that is responsible for the digestion of the pvm remains to be identified. Here, we show evidence that the ubiquitin–proteasome system is functional in the fertilization of Japanese quail. The activities for the induction of the acrosome reaction and binding to ZP3 as revealed by ligand blotting of purified serum ZP1 are similar to those of pvm ZP1. Western blot analysis of purified ZP1 and ZP3 by the use of the anti-ubiquitin antibody showed that only pvm ZP1 was reactive to the antibody.In vitropenetration assay of the sperm on the pvm indicated that fragments of ZP1 and intact ZP3 were released from the pvm. Western blot analysis using the anti-20S proteasome antibody and ultrastructural analysis showed that immunoreactive proteasome was localized in the acrosomal region of the sperm. Inclusion of specific proteasome inhibitor MG132 in the incubation mixture, or depletion of extracellular ATP by the addition of apyrase, efficiently suppressed the sperm perforation of the pvm. These results demonstrate for the first time that the sperm proteasome is important for fertilization in birds and that the extracellular ubiquitination of ZP1 might occur during its transport via blood circulation.
Incidence of Genome Structure, DNA Asymmetry, and Cell Physiology on T-DNA Integration in Chromosomes of the Phytopathogenic Fungus Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: Bourras Salim , Meyer Michel , Grandaubert Jonathan , Lapalu Nicolas , Fudal Isabelle , Linglin Juliette , Ollivier Benedicte , Blaise Françoise , Balesdent Marie-Hélène , Rouxel Thierry
Published: August 2012

The ever-increasing generation of sequence data is accompanied by unsatisfactory functional annotation, and complex genomes, such as those of plants and filamentous fungi, show a large number of genes with no predicted or known function. For functional annotation of unknown or hypothetical genes, the production of collections of mutants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens–mediated transformation (ATMT) associated with genotyping and phenotyping has gained wide acceptance. ATMT is also widely used to identify pathogenicity determinants in pathogenic fungi. A systematic analysis of T-DNA borders was performed in an ATMT-mutagenized collection of the phytopathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans to evaluate the features of T-DNA integration in its particular transposable element-rich compartmentalized genome. A total of 318 T-DNA tags were recovered and analyzed for biases in chromosome and genic compartments, existence of CG/AT skews at the insertion site, and occurrence of microhomologies between the T-DNA left border (LB) and the target sequence. Functional annotation of targeted genes was done using the Gene Ontology annotation. The T-DNA integration mainly targeted gene-rich, transcriptionally active regions, and it favored biological processes consistent with the physiological status of a germinating spore. T-DNA integration was strongly biased toward regulatory regions, and mainly promoters. Consistent with the T-DNA intranuclear-targeting model, the density of T-DNA insertion correlated with CG skew near the transcription initiation site. The existence of microhomologies between promoter sequences and the T-DNA LB flanking sequence was also consistent with T-DNA integration to host DNA mediated by homologous recombination based on the microhomology-mediated end-joining pathway.
Microarray-Based Capture of Novel Expressed Cell Type–Specific Transfrags (CoNECT) to Annotate Tissue-Specific Transcription inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hong X , Doddapaneni H , Comeron J M , Rodesch M J , Halvensleben H A , Nien C Y , Bolei F , Metpally R , Richmond T A , Albert T J , Manak J R
Published: August 2012

Faithful annotation of tissue-specific transcript isoforms is important not only to understand how genes are organized and regulated but also to identify potential novel, unannotated exons of genes, which may be additional targets of mutation in disease states or while performing mutagenic screens. We have developed a microarray enrichment methodology followed by long-read, next-generation sequencing for identification of unannotated transcript isoforms expressed in two Drosophila tissues, the ovary and the testis. Even with limited sequencing, these studies have identified a large number of novel transcription units, including 5′ exons and extensions, 3′ exons and extensions, internal exons and exon extensions, gene fusions, and both germline-specific splicing events and promoters. Additionally, comparing our capture dataset with tiling array and traditional RNA-seq analysis, we demonstrate that our enrichment strategy is able to capture low-abundance transcripts that cannot readily be identified by the other strategies. Finally, we show that our methodology can help identify transcriptional signatures of minority cell types within the ovary that would otherwise be difficult to reveal without the CoNECT enrichment strategy. These studies introduce an efficient methodology for cataloging tissue-specific transcriptomes in which specific classes of genes or transcripts can be targeted for capture and sequence, thus reducing the significant sequencing depth normally required for accurate annotation.
Forward Genetic Analysis to Identify Determinants of Dopamine Signaling inCaenorhabditis elegansUsing Swimming-Induced Paralysis
Authors: Hardaway J Andrew , Hardie Shannon L , Whitaker Sarah M , Baas Sarah R , Zhang Bing , Bermingham Daniel P , Lichtenstein Ariana J , Blakely Randy D
Published: August 2012

Disrupted dopamine (DA) signaling is believed to contribute to the core features of multiple neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Essential features of DA neurotransmission are conserved in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, providing us with an opportunity to implement forward genetic approaches that may reveal novel, in vivo regulators of DA signaling. Previously, we identified a robust phenotype, termed Swimming-induced paralysis (Swip), that emerges in animals deficient in the plasma membrane DA transporter. Here, we report the use and quantitative analysis of Swip in the identification of mutant genes that control DA signaling. Two lines captured in our screen (vt21 and vt22) bear novel dat-1 alleles that disrupt expression and surface trafficking of transporter proteins in vitro and in vivo. Two additional lines, vt25 and vt29, lack transporter mutations but exhibit genetic, biochemical, and behavioral phenotypes consistent with distinct perturbations of DA signaling. Our studies validate the utility of the Swip screen, demonstrate the functional relevance of DA transporter structural elements, and reveal novel genomic loci that encode regulators of DA signaling.
Eficiência da seleção para incremento do teor de óleo do pinhão-manso
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo Barros , Ramalho André Rostand , Teixeira Alexsandro Lara , Laviola Bruno Galvêas , Silva Francisco Célio Gomes da , Militão Júlio Sancho Linhares Teixeira
Published: August 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar os parâmetros genéticos de características de qualidade de grãos de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas) e quantificar o progresso genético da seleção. O teor de óleo dos grãos e os pesos de grãos, amêndoas e casca de 120 plantas, selecionadas ao acaso em plantio comercial, foram avaliados aos 36 e 48 meses de cultivo. O progresso genético foi quantificado por meio da avaliação dos ganhos diretos e da utilização de índices de seleção. O efeito da interação genótipos x medição foi significativo para todas as características avaliadas; portanto, há genótipos com comportamento diferenciado nas duas colheitas. Os parâmetros genéticos indicaram predominância da variação genotípica na expressão das características avaliadas, e observou-se tendência de manutenção da superioridade dos genótipos ao longo do tempo. O índice de seleção genótipo-ideótipo resultou em maior ganho total e promoveu alteração mais equilibrada na média das características. A seleção direta para peso de amêndoa resulta em ganhos totais semelhantes aos obtidos com a utilização dos índices de seleção.
Rebitagem por fricção ("FricRiveting"). Desenvolvimento de uma nova técnica de união para juntas híbridas do tipo polímero-metal. Parte II: propriedades térmicas e mecânicas
Authors: Amancio-Filho Sergio T.
Published: August 2012

Este artigo tem como objetivo complementar a primeira parte do estudo já publicado (Parte I), ilustrando a viabilidade da técnica FricRiveting, através da análise da temperatura processual (via termometria e termografia) e desempenho mecânico (via ensaios de tração, cisalhamento e microdureza) de juntas produzidas a partir de polieterimida (PEI) com rebites de alumínio 2024-T351. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a máxima temperatura de processo é próxima da temperatura de fusão do rebite de alumínio e temperatura de transformações térmicas do PEI (300ºC a 500ºC); altas temperaturas de processamento e altas taxas de deformação, implicam em excelente performance de ancoramento do rebite; e consequentemente, ótimas propriedades mecânica das juntas. Essas evidências, reforçam o grande potencial de aplicação do FricRiveting como nova técnica de união e fabricação de juntas de termoplásticos avançados e ligas leves.
Aplicação de um elemento finito híbrido não linear na modelagem de estruturas metálicas
Authors: Santos Marcelo Nascimento , Rocha Paulo Anderson Santana , Silva Andréa Regina Dias da , Silveira Ricardo Azoubel da Mota
Published: August 2012

Nesse trabalho, um elemento finito híbrido, que incorpora em sua formulação os efeitos não lineares de segunda ordem, da inelasticidade do aço e da semirrigidez da ligação, é utilizado para modelar e analisar sistemas estruturais reticulados planos em aço. Trata-se do elemento finito clássico de pórtico plano que apresenta, em suas extremidades, pares de molas dispostas em série. Uma das molas é representada pelo parâmetro Sc, que define o grau de rigidez da ligação entre as barras; a outra mola é representada pelo parâmetro Ss, que avalia a plastificação da seção. A matriz de rigidez desse elemento incorpora todos os efeitos não lineares supracitados. O presente trabalho faz uma averiguação da eficiência computacional do elemento híbrido na simulação isolada e combinada desses efeitos não lineares. Problemas clássicos de equilíbrio e estabilidade são inicialmente modelados e, em seguida, a atenção é voltada para a análise de sistemas estruturais com ligações flexíveis. Por fim, o referido elemento é utilizado em análises inelásticas de pórticos planos baseadas no método da rótula plástica refinado. Através dessas análises, é possível verificar e validar o emprego do elemento híbrido na modelagem numérica de diversos problemas estruturais não lineares na engenharia civil.
Classificação internacional do carvão (CEE-NU) da camada inferior, Mina do Leão, RS, Brasil
Authors: Silva Maristela Bagatin
Published: August 2012

A aplicação de normas internacionais na classificação de carvões sul-brasileiros tem sido alvo de ampla discussão por causa da dificuldade de se obter uma perfeita correlação entre os diferentes parâmetros empregados, sobretudo na relação entre o poder refletor da vitrinita com outros parâmetros químicos, como o carbono e a matéria volátil. A Comissão Econômica para a Europa das Nações Unidas (CEE-NU) desenvolveu normas criteriosas para a classificação de carvões, tendo como base o uso simultâneo das três principais características dos carvões: composição, rank e grade, que devem ser consideradas simultaneamente, incluindo, também, análises suplementares como a determinação do poder calorífico superior, da umidade total da camada, do índice de inchamento (FSI) e análise elementar. Com a finalidade de se classificar o carvão da principal camada atualmente explotada na Mina do Leão pelas normas aprovadas pela CEE-NU, amostras foram coletadas e submetidas às análises petrográficas, imediatas, da umidade total e do poder calorífico superior. As camadas de carvão ocorrem na Formação Rio Bonito, Permiano (Artinskiano-Kunguriano), da bacia do Paraná. Com base nos resultados, o carvão da Camada Inferior do Leão pode ser classificado como carvão parabetuminoso (ou de grau médio D), conforme normas da Classificação Internacional da CEE-NU. Os resultados foram ainda comparados com dados de trabalhos anteriores com enfoque na avaliação do rank do carvão.
Estudo teórico experimental de ligações "T" e "KT", em perfis tubulares de aço
Authors: Mendes Francisco Canazart , Freitas Marcilio Sousa da Rocha , Freitas Arlene Maria Sarmanho
Published: August 2012

Nesse trabalho, é apresentado um estudo de ligações soldadas dos tipos K e KT, com barras afastadas, formadas por perfis tubulares de aço estrutural, sem costura, de seção transversal retangular no banzo e circular para demais membros. Para esse estudo, foram desenvolvidas análise analítica e análise numérica das ligações. Também foram desenvolvidos ensaios experimentais em protótipos em escala real e ensaios de tensões residuais no perfil retangular do banzo. Os ensaios dos protótipos das ligações visaram à obtenção do comportamento, carga última e modo de colapso da ligação. A análise numérica em elementos finitos envolveu a geração, a análise e a calibração, a partir dos resultados obtidos nos ensaios experimentais. O modelo foi constituído de forma que representasse o comportamento e a capacidade de carga das ligações ensaiadas experimentalmente. Os resultados foram apresentados de modo a comparar os dados obtidos experimentalmente com os diversos modelos numéricos gerados, com e sem o cordão de solda e sem as imperfeições geométricas. As análises realizadas apresentam boa correlação com os resultados experimentais.
Ventilação natural como estratégia para o conforto térmico em edificações
Authors: Souza Henor Artur de , Rodrigues Luciano Souza
Published: August 2012

Uma circulação natural de ar adequada dentro de um ambiente construído, além de auxiliar na diminuição do gradiente térmico, contribui para a renovação do ar interno. Este, dependendo do perfil de ocupação do ambiente, pode ser prejudicial à saúde. Uma circulação natural pode se constituir em uma alternativa eficiente na redução do consumo de energia no condicionamento de edificações. Nesse trabalho, estuda-se a ventilação natural, dirigida pela ação combinada das forças do vento e térmicas num ambiente. Avalia-se a eficiência da ventilação unilateral e cruzada, utilizando-se o método numérico de elementos finitos, por meio do software ANSYS. O modelo numérico é utilizado na determinação dos efeitos das forças do vento e das forças térmicas combinadas, obtendo-se o fluxo de ar e a distribuição de temperatura dentro do ambiente. Os resultados obtidos são comparados com resultados de modelos empíricos, observando-se que a eficiência da ventilação cruzada fica em torno de 3,5 vezes maior do que a ventilação unilateral, aumentando os vórtices no fluxo de ar no interior do ambiente.
Aspectos cinéticos e microestruturais da transformação bainítica incompleta em ferros nodulares austemperados
Authors: Hupalo Marcio Ferreira , Ramos Daniele da Silva , Rabelo Alexsandro , Lima Nelson Batista de
Published: August 2012

Nesse trabalho, foram estudados aspectos cinéticos da transformação bainítica incompleta em ligas de ferro nodular, contendo 2,36 e 2,68% Si. As amostras foram austenitizadas a 900°C, durante 90 minutos, e austemperadas a 320 e 370ºC, em tempos entre 1,5 e 60 minutos. A caracterização microestrutural foi realizada pelas técnicas de microscopia óptica (MO), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de Raios X (DRX) e microdureza Vickers. Foi desenvolvido um método de quantificação das frações transformadas por microscopia óptica. Devido ao elevado teor de silício, as ligas apresentaram o fenômeno de estase da transformação bainítica. As amostras tratadas a 320°C apresentaram microestrutura mais refinada e maiores frações transformadas para o início da estase da reação. As frações transformadas obtidas por DRX foram menores que as encontradas por MO. Esse fenômeno foi mais intenso para a menor temperatura de austêmpera. Curvas de transformação isotérmica foram obtidas para todas as condições estudadas. A cinética de transformação bainítica incompleta foi analisada segundo o modelo de Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK). Os valores do expoente n da equação JMAK variaram entre 0,15 e 0,67.
Desenvolvimento de modelo de seleção de materiais metálicos aplicando uma abordagem logística : o caso de empresas do setor minerometalúrgico
Authors: Silva Washington Luís Vieira da , Santos Zirlene Alves da Silva , Silva André Luis , Costa Adilson Rodrigues da
Published: August 2012

A logística, ao longo do tempo, tornou-se processo determinante para a sobrevivência das empresas em função dos seus aspectos. Os aspectos logísticos são responsáveis pelo fluxo de materiais e de informações, desde o fornecedor até o consumidor, e impactam, diretamente, no desempenho das empresas, bem como no custo dos produtos e serviços que oferecem. Isso é razão suficiente para sugerir a adição dos aspectos logísticos nas ferramentas de análise e seleção de materiais. Esse estudo tem como objetivo apresentar o desenvolvimento de um modelo de seleção de materiais metálicos que considera os aspectos logísticos no processo de decisão. Para isso, utilizou-se uma adaptação da rede PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), relacionando-se indicadores da variável seleção de materiais com os da variável logística. Implementamos o nosso modelo e apresentamos a especialistas de empresas do setor minerometalúrgico com fins de validação. Esses relataram que não possuem sistema gerencial que realize processo de seleção utilizando informações do material com informações logísticas. Assim, consideraram o modelo proposto um importante instrumento de tomada de decisão gerencial.
Viabilidade técnica da fabricação de cimento com mistura de escória de aciaria LD e resíduo de granito
Authors: Arrivabene Lúcio Flávio , Pinto Junior Luiz Alberto Baptista , Oliveira José Roberto de , Tenório Jorge Alberto Soares , Espinosa Denise Crocce Romano
Published: August 2012

Esse trabalho estuda a viabilidade técnica da fabricação de cimento com uma mistura de resíduo proveniente da serragem de blocos de granito e escória de aciaria LD. Para isso, foi preparada uma mistura desses materiais de modo que a relação %CaO / %SiO2 fosse 1,2. Essa mistura foi fundida e resfriada rapidamente em água. A amostra foi caracterizada e o difratograma de raios X mostrou um material amorfo e a presença das fases mineralógicas Akermanita e Gehlenita, as quais são consideradas como as fases mineralógicas ideais para a atividade hidráulica. Essa mistura foi adicionada ao clínquer para a fabricação de cimento. Com o cimento fabricado, foram feitos ensaios cujos resultados são apresentados e comparados com os valores obtidos para o cimento de alto-forno. Esses resultados indicam a viabilidade técnica da utilização da mistura na fabricação de cimento.
Escrubagem da bauxita de Paragominas - PA: Parte 1: influência de variáveis operacionais na desagregação da bauxita
Authors: Costa Jaime Henrique Barbosa da , Delboni Júnior Homero
Published: August 2012

O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a influência de variáveis operacionais na geração de finos (material com granulometria menor que 0,037 mm) durante o processo de escrubagem, em escala de laboratório, da bauxita proveniente da jazida Miltônia 3 da Mina de Bauxita de Paragominas-PA, com vistas a fornecer subsídios para a modelagem matemática da operação. Para isso, foi realizada uma campanha de experimentos de escrubagem, em um tambor desagregador de laboratório, baseada em planejamento fatorial. Os parâmetros operacionais avaliados foram os seguintes: grau de enchimento, tempo de residência da polpa e velocidade de rotação. A variável de resposta selecionada foi a quantidade de finos (partículas menores que 0,037 mm) no produto desagregado. O programa de experimentos permitiu a análise da influência de cada variável operacional selecionada na desagregação da bauxita. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, o parâmetro operacional que produziu o efeito mais significativo, na variável de resposta, foi o grau de enchimento.
Synthesizing phylogenetic knowledge for ecological research
Authors: Beaulieu Jeremy M. , Ree Richard H. , Cavender-Bares Jeannine , Weiblen George D. , Donoghue Michael J.
Published: August 2012

The demand for knowledge about the tree of life is steadily rising in ecology and other fields, but bioinformatic resources designed to meet these needs remain poorly developed. Ecologists pursuing phylogenetic insights into the organization of communities have come to rely on relatively conservative reference trees that, in general, are poorly resolved and documented. New methods for inferring very large trees by mining data from DNA sequence repositories will undoubtedly be useful in community phylogenetics but are not without limitations. Here we argue that the collective phylogenetic knowledge embodied in the literature of systematics is a valuable resource that can be tapped in assembling synthetic trees. Assembling a composite “literature‐based” tree by the judicious grafting of clades is one way to achieve a synthesis of current knowledge, and could, under some circumstances, better represent “what we know” about phylogenetic relationships than results obtained from automated pipelines. We describe an approach and new software for storing and annotating trees from published studies and grafting clades together in a documented and repeatable manner. Using this agglomerative approach, we are in the process of assembling a literature‐based tree for land plants, which presently contains 14 423 species from over 259 sources. For this strategy to be maximally effective, improvements in digital infrastructure are needed to capture and deploy advances in phylogenetic knowledge as they are published.
The interaction between reproductive cost and individual quality is mediated by oceanic conditions in a long‐lived bird
Authors: Robert Alexandre , Paiva Vítor H. , Bolton Mark , Jiguet Frédéric , Bried Joël
Published: August 2012

Environmental variability, costs of reproduction, and heterogeneity in individual quality are three important sources of the temporal and interindividual variations in vital rates of wild populations. Based on an 18‐year monitoring of an endangered, recently described, long‐lived seabird, Monteiro's Storm‐Petrel (Oceanodroma monteiroi), we designed multistate survival models to separate the effects of the reproductive cost (breeders vs. nonbreeders) and individual quality (successful vs. unsuccessful breeders) in relation to temporally variable demographic and oceanographic properties. The analysis revealed a gradient of individual quality from nonbreeders, to unsuccessful breeders, to successful breeders. The survival rates of unsuccessful breeders (0.90 ± 0.023, mean ± SE) tended to decrease in years of high average breeding success and were more sensitive to oceanographic variation than those of both (high‐quality) successful breeders (0.97 ± 0.015) and (low‐quality) nonbreeders (0.83 ± 0.028). Overall, our results indicate that reproductive costs act on individuals of intermediate quality and are mediated by environmental harshness.
Vascular Disease, ESRD, and Death
Authors: Grams Morgan E. , Coresh Josef , Segev Dorry L. , Kucirka Lauren M. , Tighiouart Hocine , Sarnak Mark J.
Published: August 2012

Background and objectives

Vascular disease, a common condition in CKD, is a risk factor for mortality and ESRD. Optimal patient care requires accurate estimation and ordering of these competing risks.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This is a prospective cohort study of screened (n=885) and randomized participants (n=837) in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (original study enrollment, 1989–1992), evaluating the association of vascular disease with ESRD and pre-ESRD mortality using standard survival analysis and competing risk regression.

Results

The method of analysis resulted in markedly different estimates. Cumulative incidence by standard analysis (censoring at the competing event) implied that, with vascular disease, the 15-year incidence was 66% and 51% for ESRD and pre-ESRD death, respectively. A more accurate representation of absolute risk was estimated with competing risk regression: 15-year incidence was 54% and 29% for ESRD and pre-ESRD death, respectively. For the association of vascular disease with pre-ESRD death, estimates of relative risk by the two methods were similar (standard survival analysis adjusted hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.20; competing risk regression adjusted subhazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.14). In contrast, the hazard and subhazard ratios differed substantially for other associations, such as GFR and pre-ESRD mortality.

Conclusions

When competing events exist, absolute risk is better estimated using competing risk regression, but etiologic associations by this method must be carefully interpreted. The presence of vascular disease in CKD decreases the likelihood of survival to ESRD, independent of age and other risk factors.
A generalization of Krasnosel’skii fixed point theorem for sums of compact and contractible maps with application
Authors: Przeradzki Bogdan
Published: August 2012

The existence of a fixed point for the sum of a generalized contraction and a compact map on a closed convex bounded set is proved. The result is applied to a kind of nonlinear integral equations.
Kinematic effects of a pedicle-lengthening osteotomy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Kiapour Ali , Anderson D. Greg , Spenciner David B. , Ferrara Lisa , Goel Vijay K.
Published: August 2012

Object

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) may lead to disabling neurogenic symptoms and has traditionally been treated using open laminectomy. A new technique for correcting LSS involves lengthening the lumbar pedicles through bilateral percutaneous pedicle osteotomies. In this paper, the authors' goal was to evaluate the changes in spinal canal dimensions and kinematic behavior after pedicle-lengthening osteotomies.

Methods

The kinematic behavior of 8 cadaveric lumbar segments was evaluated intact and after bilateral pedicle-lengthening osteotomies at the L-4, L-5, and L-4 and L-5 levels. Testing was conducted with and without a compressive preload using a custom kinematic apparatus that allowed for 3D tracking of each vertebra during flexion-extension, right-left bending, and right-left rotation. A validated finite element (FE) spine model was used to measure the changes in the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal and neural foramen after 2-, 3-, and 4.5-mm simulated pedicle-lengthening osteotomy procedures.

Results

The overall and segmental kinematics were not significantly altered after the pedicle-lengthening osteotomy procedure at the L-4 and/or L-5 pedicles. The kinematic signatures of the intact and lengthened states were similar for all motion pairs. The FE spine model yielded kinematics predictions within or close to the 95% confidence interval for the cadaveric data. The FE spine demonstrated substantial, pedicle length–dependent enlargement of the cross-sectional areas of the spinal canal and neural foramen after simulated pedicle lengthening.

Conclusions

Bilateral pedicle-lengthening osteotomies produced substantial increases in the cross-sectional areas of the spinal canal and neural foramen without significantly altering normal spinal kinematics. This technique deserves further study as a less invasive treatment option for LSS.
The impact of direct vertebral body derotation on the lumbar prominence in Lenke Type 5C curves
Authors: Hwang Steven W. , Dubaz Ornella M. , Ames Robert , Rothkrug Alex , Kimball Jeff S. , Samdani Amer F.
Published: August 2012

Object

The thoracic rib hump, caused by axial rotation of the spine, is one of the most dissatisfying cosmetic features associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, advances in instrumentation and surgical techniques, such as direct vertebral body derotation (DVBD), have allowed improved correction in the axial plane and the rib hump. In cases of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves (Lenke Type 5), the lumbar prominence can be equally disfiguring and is often associated with waist asymmetry, another cosmetic concern. Although DVBD has been evaluated in the thoracic spine, little is known about its impact on the lumbar spine. The authors investigated the outcomes of DVBD on the lumbar prominence.

Methods

A prospectively collected multicenter database was queried for pediatric patients with AIS and Lenke Type 5 curves. All patients who underwent thoracoplasty procedures were excluded. A total of 34 patients underwent surgical correction via a posterior-only approach using pedicle screw constructs. Nineteen patients underwent concurrent DVBD, and the remaining 15 patients served as a control group and did not undergo DVBD. All patients had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

Results

The mean age of the entire cohort was 14.9 ± 2.3 years, and the majority of patients were female (88%). All patients had Lenke Type 5C curves with a mean major curve of 46.0° ± 8.7°, which corrected to 13.7° ± 7.2° (70% correction). A mean of 10.7 ± 3.0 levels were fused. Only thoracic kyphosis was significantly different between the groups preoperatively. Similarly, postoperative radiographic parameters were comparable between the groups, with equivalent percentages of correction. Although improvement in the thoracic rib hump was comparable between the groups, the DVBD group had 56.2% correction of the lumbar prominence, and the control group had 76% improvement (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Although DVBD has been a valuable tool in the management of AIS, the authors' results suggest that its application for thoracolumbar curves may be limited. Further analysis with a larger cohort is required to better ascertain the impact of DVBD on thoracolumbar curves.
Preliminary Investigation of Food Guarding Behavior in Shelter Dogs in the United States
Authors: Mohan-Gibbons Heather , Weiss Emily , Slater Margaret
Published: August 2012

A survey given to animal shelters across the US reported food bowl guarding as one of the most common reasons for euthanasia and only 34% attempted to modify this guarding behavior. This study identified 96 dogs that guarded their food bowl during an assessment, and then placed them into a home on a modification program. Food guarding behavior was identified as stiffening, gulping, growling, freezing, and/or biting a fake hand during the SAFER® food bowl assessment. Dogs that exhibited guarding behavior over toys were excluded. Follow-up was done at 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months post adoption to measure all guarding behavior in the home. Six adopters reported at least one incident involving guarding in the first three weeks, of which only one was around the food bowl. By three months, those adopters reported no guarding behavior except one new occurrence of a dog guarding a rawhide was reported in the third month. For dog identified with food guarding, the return rate to the shelter was 5% and 9% for adult dogs not identified with guarding behavior. Adopters did not comply with at least one aspect of the program, so it is unclear why so little guarding was reported. The key finding is that dogs that guarded their food bowl in the shelter were not guarding their food in their new homes.
Text and Image. Fresco of Iphigenia from Gian Battista Tiepolo. Villa Valmarana near Vicenza
Authors: Chiarloni Anna
Published: August 2012

This essay examines the representation of the sacrifice of Iphigenia in the fresco by Gian Battista Tiepolo, located in Villa Valmarana near Vicenza. It explores the origins of the myth, beginning with the tragedy of Aeschylus, and continues to explore interpretations in the Latin literature until the Baroque period. The essay focuses especially on the patriarchal figure of Agamemnon, and the meaning of his hidden face.
Autophagy Contributes to the Death/Survival Balance in Cancer PhotoDynamic Therapy
Authors: Inguscio Valentina , Panzarini Elisa , Dini Luciana
Published: August 2012

Autophagy is an important cellular program with a “double face” role, since it promotes either cell survival or cell death, also in cancer therapies. Its survival role occurs by recycling cell components during starvation or removing stressed organelles; when damage becomes extensive, autophagy provides another programmed cell death pathway, known as Autophagic Cell Death (ACD). The induction of autophagy is a common outcome in PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT), a two-step process involving the irradiation of photosensitizer (PS)-loaded cancer cells. Upon tissue oxygen interaction, PS provokes immediate and direct Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-induced damage to Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), mitochondria, plasma membrane, and/or lysosomes. The main biological effects carried out in cancer PDT are direct cytotoxicity to tumor cells, vasculature damage and induction of inflammatory reactions stimulating immunological responses. The question about the role of autophagy in PDT and its putative immunological impact is hotly controversial and largely studied in recent times. This review deals with the induction of autophagy in PDT protocols and its dual role, also considering its interrelationship with apoptosis, the preferential cell death program triggered in the photodynamic process.
The Role of Autophagy in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Henderson Paul , Stevens Craig
Published: August 2012

(Macro)-autophagy is a homeostatic process by which eukaryotic cells dispose of protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Autophagy is also used to degrade micro-organisms that invade intracellularly in a process termed xenophagy. Genome-wide association scans have recently identified autophagy genes as conferring susceptibility to Crohn’s disease (CD), one of the chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, with evidence suggesting that CD arises from a defective innate immune response to enteric bacteria. Here we review the emerging role of autophagy in CD, with particular focus on xenophagy and enteric E. coli strains with an adherent and invasive phenotype that have been consistently isolated from CD patients with ileal disease.
The Effect of Restoration Treatments on the Spatial Variability of Soil Processes under Longleaf Pine Trees
Authors: Lavoie Martin , Mack Michelle C. , Hiers John K. , Pokswinski Scott
Published: August 2012

The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize tree-based spatial patterning of soil properties and understory vegetation in frequently burned (“reference state”) and fire-suppressed longleaf pine forests; and (2) determine how restoration treatments affected patterning. To attain these objectives, we used an experimental manipulation of management types implemented 15 years ago in Florida. We randomly located six mature longleaf pine trees in one reference and four restoration treatments (i.e., burn, control, herbicide, and mechanical), for a total of 36 trees. In addition to the original treatments and as part of a monitoring program, all plots were subjected to several prescribed fires during these 15 years. Under each tree, we sampled mineral soil and understory vegetation at 1 m, 2 m, 3 m and 4 m (vegetation only) away from the tree. At these sites, soil carbon and nitrogen were higher near the trunk while graminoids, forbs and saw palmetto covers showed an opposite trend. Our results confirmed that longleaf pine trees affect the spatial patterning of soil and understory vegetation, and this patterning was mostly limited to the restoration sites. We suggest frequent burning as a probable cause for a lack of spatial structure in the “reference state”. We attribute the presence of spatial patterning in the restoration sites to accumulation of organic materials near the base of mature trees.
Enzymatic Properties and Mutational Studies of Chalcone Synthase from Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Raja Abdul Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha , Zakaria Iffah Izzati , Salleh Abu Bakar , Basri Mahiran
Published: August 2012

PpCHS is a member of the type III polyketide synthase family and catalyses the synthesis of the flavonoid precursor naringenin chalcone from p-coumaroyl-CoA. Recent research reports the production of pyrone derivatives using either hexanoyl-CoA or butyryl-CoA as starter molecule. The Cys-His-Asn catalytic triad found in other plant chalcone synthase predicted polypeptides is conserved in PpCHS. Site directed mutagenesis involving these amino acids residing in the active-site cavity revealed that the cavity volume of the active-site plays a significant role in the selection of starter molecules as well as product formation. Substitutions of Cys 170 with Arg and Ser amino acids decreased the ability of the PpCHS to utilize hexanoyl-CoA as a starter molecule, which directly effected the production of pyrone derivatives (products). These substitutions are believed to have a restricted number of elongations of the growing polypeptide chain due to the smaller cavity volume of the mutant’s active site.
Novel Organic Sensitizers Containing 2,6-Difunctionalized Anthracene Unit for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Yen Yung-Sheng , Chen Yung-Chung , Chou Hsien-Hsin , Huang Shih-Tang , Lin Jiann T.
Published: August 2012

A series of new organic dyes comprising different amines as electron donors, 2-(6-substituted-anthracen-2-yl)-thiophene as the π-conjugated bridge, and cyanoacrylic acid group as an electron acceptor and anchoring group, have been synthesized. There exists charge transfer transition from arylamine and anthracene to the acceptor in these compounds, as evidenced from the photophysical measurements and the computational results. Under one sun (AM 1.5) illumination, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using these dyes as the sensitizers exhibited efficiencies ranging from 1.62% to 2.88%, surpassing that using 9,10-difunctionalized anthracene-based sensitizer.
Object-Based Classification of Urban Areas Using VHR Imagery and Height Points Ancillary Data
Authors: Salehi Bahram , Zhang Yun , Zhong Ming , Dey Vivek
Published: August 2012

Land cover classification of very high resolution (VHR) imagery over urban areas is an extremely challenging task. Impervious land covers such as buildings, roads, and parking lots are spectrally too similar to be separated using only the spectral information of VHR imagery. Additional information, therefore, is required for separating such land covers by the classifier. One source of additional information is the vector data, which are available in archives for many urban areas. Further, the object-based approach provides a more effective way to incorporate vector data into the classification process as the misregistration between different layers is less problematic in object-based compared to pixel-based image analysis. In this research, a hierarchical rule-based object-based classification framework was developed based on a small subset of QuickBird (QB) imagery coupled with a layer of height points called Spot Height (SH) to classify a complex urban environment. In the rule-set, different spectral, morphological, contextual, class-related, and thematic layer features were employed. To assess the general applicability of the rule-set, the same classification framework and a similar one using slightly different thresholds applied to larger subsets of QB and IKONOS (IK), respectively. Results show an overall accuracy of 92% and 86% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.88 and 0.80 for the QB and IK Test image, respectively. The average producers’ accuracies for impervious land cover types were also 82% and 74.5% for QB and IK.
Numerical Investigations on Electric Field Characteristics with Respect to Capacitive Detection of Free-Flying Droplets
Authors: Ernst Andreas , Mutschler Klaus , Tanguy Laurent , Paust Nils , Zengerle Roland , Koltay Peter
Published: August 2012

In this paper a multi-disciplinary simulation of a capacitive droplet sensor based on an open plate capacitor as transducing element is presented. The numerical simulations are based on the finite volume method (FVM), including calculations of an electric field which changes according to the presence of a liquid droplet. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is applied for the simulation of the ejection process of a liquid droplet out of a dispenser nozzle. The simulations were realised using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software CFD ACE+. The investigated capacitive sensing principle enables to determine the volume of a micro droplet passing the sensor capacitor due to the induced change in capacity. It could be found that single droplets in the considered volume range of 5 nL < Vdrop < 100 nL lead to a linear change of the capacity up to ΔQ < 30 fC. The sensitivity of the focused capacitor geometry was evaluated to be Si = 0.3 fC/nL. The simulation results are validated by experiments which exhibit good agreement.
Optimal Design of the Absolute Positioning Sensor for a High-Speed Maglev Train and Research on Its Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Long Zhiqiang , Xue Song , Zhang Junge
Published: August 2012

This paper studies an absolute positioning sensor for a high-speed maglev train and its fault diagnosis method. The absolute positioning sensor is an important sensor for the high-speed maglev train to accomplish its synchronous traction. It is used to calibrate the error of the relative positioning sensor which is used to provide the magnetic phase signal. On the basis of the analysis for the principle of the absolute positioning sensor, the paper describes the design of the sending and receiving coils and realizes the hardware and the software for the sensor. In order to enhance the reliability of the sensor, a support vector machine is used to recognize the fault characters, and the signal flow method is used to locate the faulty parts. The diagnosis information not only can be sent to an upper center control computer to evaluate the reliability of the sensors, but also can realize on-line diagnosis for debugging and the quick detection when the maglev train is off-line. The absolute positioning sensor we study has been used in the actual project.
Microsatellite primers in Oenothera harringtonii (Onagraceae), an annual endemic to the shortgrass prairie of Colorado
Authors: Skogen Krissa A. , Hilpman Evan T. , Todd Sadie L. , Fant Jeremie B.
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed in the annual herb, Oenothera harringtonii, to investigate patterns of genetic diversity, gene flow, and parentage within and among populations of this Colorado endemic.

• Methods and Results: Ten polymorphic loci were identified in O. harringtonii and tested in four populations sampled across the range of the species. These loci contained trinucleotide repeats with 7–29 alleles per locus. Nine of the 10 loci also amplified in O. caespitosa subsp. macroglottis, O. caespitosa subsp. marginata, and O. caespitosa subsp. navajoensis. In addition, we optimized three markers developed for O. biennis and provide reports of their effectiveness in all four taxa.

• Conclusions: These results indicate the utility of these markers in O. harringtonii for future studies of genetic structure, gene flow, and parentage as well as their applicability in other members of the O. caespitosa species complex.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai (Cupressaceae)1
Authors: Mishima Kentaro , Hirao Tomonori , Watanabe Atsushi , Takata Katsuhiko
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the endemic Japanese species Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai for studies on forest ecology and tree breeding.

• Methods and Results: We characterized 10 dinucleotide microsatellite loci by screening primers developed using a simple sequence repeat–enriched library. The number of alleles per locus ranged from eight to 44 with an average of 20.3. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.326 to 0.854 and from 0.670 to 0.976, respectively.

• Conclusions: The development of these markers can be used to assess useful genetic information for ecological studies and tree breeding in T. dolabrata var. hondai.
Directed deposition of silicon nanowires using neopentasilane as precursor and gold as catalyst
Authors: Kämpken Britta , Wulf Verena , Auner Norbert , Winhold Marcel , Huth Michael , Rhinow Daniel , Terfort Andreas
Published: August 2012

In this work the applicability of neopentasilane (Si(SiH3)4) as a precursor for the formation of silicon nanowires by using gold nanoparticles as a catalyst has been explored. The growth proceeds via the formation of liquid gold/silicon alloy droplets, which excrete the silicon nanowires upon continued decomposition of the precursor. This mechanism determines the diameter of the Si nanowires. Different sources for the gold nanoparticles have been tested: the spontaneous dewetting of gold films, thermally annealed gold films, deposition of preformed gold nanoparticles, and the use of “liquid bright gold”, a material historically used for the gilding of porcelain and glass. The latter does not only form gold nanoparticles when deposited as a thin film and thermally annealed, but can also be patterned by using UV irradiation, providing access to laterally structured layers of silicon nanowires.
Spontaneous dissociation of Co2(CO)8and autocatalytic growth of Co on SiO2: A combined experimental and theoretical investigation
Authors: Muthukumar Kaliappan , Jeschke Harald O , Valentí Roser , Begun Evgeniya , Schwenk Johannes , Porrati Fabrizio , Huth Michael
Published: August 2012

We present experimental results and theoretical simulations of the adsorption behavior of the metal–organic precursor Co2(CO)8on SiO2surfaces after application of two different pretreatment steps, namely by air plasma cleaning or a focused electron beam pre-irradiation. We observe a spontaneous dissociation of the precursor molecules as well as autodeposition of cobalt on the pretreated SiO2surfaces. We also find that the differences in metal content and relative stability of these deposits depend on the pretreatment conditions of the substrate. Transport measurements of these deposits are also presented. We are led to assume that the degree of passivation of the SiO2surface by hydroxyl groups is an important controlling factor in the dissociation process. Our calculations of various slab settings, using dispersion-corrected density functional theory, support this assumption. We observe physisorption of the precursor molecule on a fully hydroxylated SiO2surface (untreated surface) and chemisorption on a partially hydroxylated SiO2surface (pretreated surface) with a spontaneous dissociation of the precursor molecule. In view of these calculations, we discuss the origin of this dissociation and the subsequent autocatalysis.
Control over molecular motion using thecis–transphotoisomerization of the azo group
Authors: Merino Estíbaliz , Ribagorda María
Published: August 2012

Control over molecular motion represents an important objective in modern chemistry. Aromatic azobenzenes are excellent candidates as molecular switches since they can exist in two forms, namely thecis(Z) andtrans(E) isomers, which can interconvert both photochemically and thermally. This transformation induces a molecular movement and a significant geometric change, therefore the azobenzene unit is an excellent candidate to build dynamic molecular devices. We describe selected examples of systems containing an azobenzene moiety and their motions and geometrical changes caused by external stimuli.