bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and magnetic properties of an annulated dinuclear copper(II) phthalocyanine peripherally having 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituents
Authors: Ikeue Takahisa , Sawada Naoko , Matsumoto Naomi , Miyazaki Ayaka , Sugimori Tamotsu , Koikawa Masayuki , Hiromitsu Ichiro , Yoshino Katsumi , Mikuriya Masahiro , Kataoka Yusuke , Handa Makoto
Published: October 2014

A dinuclear copper(II) phthalocyanine complex with 12 2,6-dimethylphenoxyl groups at the peripheral positions of the [ CuPc ]2 framework, where [ CuPc ] units are linked by a common annulated benzene ring to give the planar dinuclear structure, was prepared and characterized. The introduced bulky 2,6-dimethylphenoxyl groups were revealed to effectively suppress the aggregation of the dinuclear complex in the toluene solution, showing a considerably red-shifted Q-band at 838 nm. The EPR spectrum (measured in the frozen toluene solution at 15 K) and temperature-dependent magnetic moment indicated the existence of antiferromagnetic interaction between the copper(II) ions. The exchange integral J was estimated to be -1.8 cm-1 using Bleaney Bowers equation for the S1 = S2 = 1/2 system. The long-range interaction ( Cu – Cu distance = 10.7 Å) through the common annulated benzene ring between two [ CuPc ] units was confirmed by the DFT calculation result.
Synthesis of NIR-emitting O-chelated BODIPYs fused with benzene and acenaphthylene
Authors: Okujima Tetsuo , Shida Yoichi , Ohara Keishi , Tomimori Yuya , Nishioka Motoyoshi , Mori Shigeki , Nakae Takahiro , Uno Hidemitsu
Published: October 2014

A series of O-chelated BODIPYs fused with aromatic rings such as benzene and acenaphthylene at β,β-positions was synthesized as a near-infrared dye. The photophysical properties were examined by UV-vis-NIR absorption and fluorescence measurement. Acenaphthylene-fused O-BODIPYs showed a intense absorption at 750–840 nm with the ε of 105 M-1.cm-1. and a fluorescence emission at 770–850 nm with the high Φ value of 0.06–0.43.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A REFRIGERANT AS A COOLANT OF A POWER PLANT CONDENSER
Authors: YOUSEF KHALED , BOLIN CHRISTOPHER , ENGEDA ABRAHAM , HEGAZY AHMED
Published: October 2014

Steam power plants are the largest industrial users for water. New restrictions for using water in cooling systems have led to a search for alternative cooling methods. This paper presents an experimental study of using a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS) for cooling a steam power plant condenser. The refrigeration system uses commercially available and environmental friendly R-410A to cool an intermediate chilled water loop which is used as a coolant for the steam condenser. Working under lower condenser pressure with higher coolant flow rates reduces the power required for the refrigeration system and rises the coefficient of performance (COP) and condensation rate. Based on the present experimental data an adjustment to a known empirical correlation for the Nusselt number in a shell and tube steam condenser is presented. The results show that decreasing the inlet coolant temperature increases condensation rate, heat rejection, COP, overall heat transfer coefficient, and R-410A to condensate mass flow ratio. Moreover, the increase in the rate of condensation and COP is most pronounced at lower steam condenser operating pressure and higher water coolant mass flow rate. The results reveal that using a VCRS is capable of providing a steam condenser with a more constant and lower coolant temperature than traditional wet and dry cooling technologies.
The role of proteases in excitation-contraction coupling failure in muscular dystrophy
Authors: Mázala Davi A. G. , Grange Robert W. , Chin Eva R.
Published: October 2014

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most frequent types of muscular dystrophy. Alterations in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) handling are thought to contribute to the disease severity in DMD, possibly due to the activation of Ca2+-activated proteases. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine whether prolonged excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling disruption following repeated contractions is greater in animals lacking both dystrophin and utrophin ( mdx/Utr−/−) compared with mice lacking only dystrophin ( mdx); and 2) to assess whether protease inhibition can prevent E-C coupling failure following repeated tetani in these dystrophic mouse models. Excitation-contraction coupling was assessed using Fura-2 ratio, as an index of intracellular free Ca2+concentration, in response to electrical stimulation of single muscle fibers from the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. Resting Fura-2 ratio was higher in dystrophic compared with control (Con) fibers, but peak Fura-2 ratios during stimulation were similar in dystrophic and Con fibers. One hour after a series of repeated tetani, peak Fura-2 ratios were reduced by 30 ± 5.6%, 23 ± 2%, and 36 ± 3.1% in mdx, mdx/Utr+/−, and mdx/Utr−/−, respectively, with the greatest reduction in mdx/Utr−/−fibers ( P < 0.05). Protease inhibition attenuated this decrease in peak Fura-2 ratio. These data indicate that E-C coupling impairment after repeated contractions is greatest in fibers lacking both dystrophin and utrophin and that prevention of protease activation can mitigate the prolonged E-C coupling impairment. These data further suggest that acute protease inhibition may be useful in reducing muscle weakness in DMD.
Force enhancement after stretch in mammalian muscle fiber: no evidence of cross-bridge involvement
Authors: Nocella Marta , Cecchi Giovanni , Bagni Maria Angela , Colombini Barbara
Published: October 2014

Stretching of activated skeletal muscles induces a force increase above the isometric level persisting after stretch, known as residual force enhancement (RFE). RFE has been extensively studied; nevertheless, its mechanism remains debated. Unlike previous RFE studies, here the excess of force after stretch, termed static tension (ST), was investigated with fast stretches (amplitude: 3–4% sarcomere length; duration: 0.6 ms) applied at low tension during the tetanus rise in fiber bundles from flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) mouse muscle at 30°C. ST was measured at sarcomere length between 2.6 and 4.4 μm in normal and N-benzyl- p-toluene sulphonamide (BTS)-added (10 μM) Tyrode solution. The results showed that ST has the same characteristics and it is equivalent to RFE. ST increased with sarcomere length, reached a peak at 3.5 μm, and decreased to zero at ∼4.5 μm. At 4 μm, where active force was zero, ST was still 50% of maximum. BTS reduced force by ∼75% but had almost no effect on ST. Following stimulation, ST developed earlier than force, with a time course similar to internal Ca2+ concentration: it was present 1 ms after the stimulus, at zero active force, and peaked at ∼3-ms delay. At 2.7 μm, activation increased the passive sarcomere stiffness by a factor of ∼7 compared with the relaxed state All our data indicate that ST, or RFE, is independent of the cross-bridge presence and it is due to the Ca2+-induced stiffening of a sarcomeric structure identifiable with titin.
Leptin receptor signaling in the lateral parabrachial nucleus contributes to the control of food intake
Authors: Alhadeff Amber L. , Hayes Matthew R. , Grill Harvey J.
Published: October 2014

Pontine parabrachial nucleus (PBN) neurons integrate visceral, oral, and other sensory information, playing an integral role in the neural control of feeding. Current experiments probed whether lateral PBN (lPBN) leptin receptor (LepRb) signaling contributes to this function. Intra-lPBN leptin microinjection significantly reduced cumulative chow intake, average meal size, and body weight in rats, independent of effects on locomotor activity or gastric emptying. In contrast to the effects observed following LepRb activation in other nuclei, lPBN LepRb stimulation did not affect progressive ratio responding for sucrose reward or conditioned place preference for a palatable food. Collectively, results suggest that lPBN LepRb activation reduces food intake by modulating the neural processing of meal size/satiation signaling, and highlight the lPBN as a novel site of action for leptin-mediated food intake control.
Exocyst Sec10 protects renal tubule cells from injury by EGFR/MAPK activation and effects on endocytosis
Authors: Fogelgren Ben , Zuo Xiaofeng , Buonato Janine M. , Vasilyev Aleksandr , Baek Jeong-In , Choi Soo Young , Chacon-Heszele Maria F. , Palmyre Aurélien , Polgar Noemi , Drummond Iain , Park Kwon Moo , Lazzara Matthew J. , Lipschutz Joshua H.
Published: October 2014

Acute kidney injury is common and has a high mortality rate, and no effective treatment exists other than supportive care. Using cell culture models, we previously demonstrated that exocyst Sec10 overexpression reduced damage to renal tubule cells and speeded recovery and that the protective effect was mediated by higher basal levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. The exocyst, a highly-conserved eight-protein complex, is known for regulating protein trafficking. Here we show that the exocyst biochemically interacts with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is upstream of MAPK, and Sec10-overexpressing cells express greater levels of phosphorylated (active) ERK, the final step in the MAPK pathway, in response to EGF stimulation. EGFR endocytosis, which has been linked to activation of the MAPK pathway, increases in Sec10-overexpressing cells, and gefitinib, a specific EGFR inhibitor, and Dynasore, a dynamin inhibitor, both reduce EGFR endocytosis. In turn, inhibition of the MAPK pathway reduces ligand-mediated EGFR endocytosis, suggesting a potential feedback of elevated ERK activity on EGFR endocytosis. Gefitinib also decreases MAPK signaling in Sec10-overexpressing cells to levels seen in control cells and, demonstrating a causal role for EGFR, reverses the protective effect of Sec10 overexpression following cell injury in vitro. Finally, using an in vivo zebrafish model of acute kidney injury, morpholino-induced knockdown of sec10 increases renal tubule cell susceptibility to injury. Taken together, these results suggest that the exocyst, acting through EGFR, endocytosis, and the MAPK pathway is a candidate therapeutic target for acute kidney injury.
Running economy, not aerobic fitness, independently alters thermoregulatory responses during treadmill running
Authors: Smoljanić Jovana , Morris Nathan B. , Dervis Sheila , Jay Ollie
Published: October 2014

We sought to determine the independent influence of running economy (RE) and aerobic fitness [maximum oxygen consumption (V̇o2max)] on thermoregulatory responses during treadmill running by conducting two studies. In study 1, seven high (HI-FIT: 61 ± 5 ml O2·kg−1·min−1) and seven low (LO-FIT: 45 ± 4 ml O2·kg−1·min−1) V̇o2max males matched for physical characteristics and RE (HI-FIT: 200 ± 21; LO-FIT: 200 ± 18 ml O2·kg−1·km−1) ran for 60 min at 1) 60%V̇o2max and 2) a fixed metabolic heat production (Hprod) of 640 W. In study 2, seven high (HI-ECO: 189 ± 15.3 ml O2·kg−1·km−1) and seven low (LO-ECO: 222 ± 10 ml O2·kg−1·km−1) RE males matched for physical characteristics and V̇o2max (HI-ECO: 60 ± 3; LO-ECO: 61 ± 7 ml O2·kg−1·min−1) ran for 60 min at a fixed 1) speed of 10.5 km/h and 2) Hprod of 640 W. Environmental conditions were 25.4 ± 0.8°C, 37 ± 12% RH. In study 1, at Hprod of 640 W, similar changes in esophageal temperature (ΔTes; HI-FIT: 0.63 ± 0.20; LO-FIT: 0.63 ± 0.22°C; P = 0.986) and whole body sweat losses (WBSL; HI-FIT: 498 ± 66; LO-FIT: 497 ± 149 g; P = 0.984) occurred despite different relative intensities (HI-FIT: 55 ± 6; LO-FIT: 39 ± 2% V̇o2max; P < 0.001). At 60% V̇o2max, ΔTes ( P = 0.029) and WBSL ( P = 0.003) were greater in HI-FIT (1.14 ± 0.32°C; 858 ± 130 g) compared with LO-FIT (0.73 ± 0.34°C; 609 ± 123 g), as was Hprod (HI-FIT: 12.6 ± 0.9; LO-FIT: 9.4 ± 1.0 W/kg; P < 0.001) and the evaporative heat balance requirement (Ereq; HI-FIT: 691 ± 74; LO-FIT: 523 ± 65 W; P < 0.001). Similar sweating onset ΔTes and thermosensitivities occurred between V̇o2max groups. In study 2, at 10.5 km/h, ΔTes (1.16 ± 0.31 vs. 0.78 ± 0.28°C; P = 0.017) and WBSL (835 ± 73 vs. 667 ± 139 g; P = 0.015) were greater in LO-ECO, as was Hprod (13.5 ± 0.6 vs. 11.3 ± 0.8 W/kg; P < 0.001) and Ereq (741 ± 89 vs. 532 ± 130 W; P = 0.007). At Hprod of 640 W, ΔTes ( P = 0.910) and WBSL ( P = 0.710) were similar between HI-ECO (0.55 ± 0.31°C; 501 ± 88 g) and LO-ECO (0.57 ± 0.16°C; 483 ± 88 g), but running speed was different (HI-ECO: 8.2 ± 0.6; LO-ECO: 7.2 ± 0.4 km/h; P = 0.025). In conclusion, thermoregulatory responses during treadmill running are not altered by V̇o2max, but by RE because of differences in Hprod and Ereq.
Information theoretic analysis of proprioceptive encoding during finger flexion in the monkey sensorimotor system
Authors: Witham Claire L. , Baker Stuart N.
Published: October 2014

There is considerable debate over whether the brain codes information using neural firing rate or the fine-grained structure of spike timing. We investigated this issue in spike discharge recorded from single units in the sensorimotor cortex, deep cerebellar nuclei, and dorsal root ganglia in macaque monkeys trained to perform a finger flexion task. The task required flexion to four different displacements against two opposing torques; the eight possible conditions were randomly interleaved. We used information theory to assess coding of task condition in spike rate, discharge irregularity, and spectral power in the 15- to 25-Hz band during the period of steady holding. All three measures coded task information in all areas tested. Information coding was most often independent between irregularity and 15–25 Hz power (60% of units), moderately redundant between spike rate and irregularity (56% of units redundant), and highly redundant between spike rate and power (93%). Most simultaneously recorded unit pairs coded using the same measure independently (86%). Knowledge of two measures often provided extra information about task, compared with knowledge of only one alone. We conclude that sensorimotor systems use both rate and temporal codes to represent information about a finger movement task. As well as offering insights into neural coding, this work suggests that incorporating spike irregularity into algorithms used for brain-machine interfaces could improve decoding accuracy.
Excitability changes in primary motor cortex just prior to voluntary muscle relaxation
Authors: Suzuki Tomotaka , Sugawara Kenichi , Takagi Mineko , Higashi Toshio
Published: October 2014

We postulated that primary motor cortex (M1) activity does not just decrease immediately prior to voluntary muscle relaxation; rather, it is dynamic and acts as an active cortical process. Thus we investigated the detailed time course of M1 excitability changes during muscle relaxation. Ten healthy participants performed a simple reaction time task. After the go signal, they rapidly terminated isometric abduction of the right index finger from a constant muscle force output of 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction force and performed voluntary muscle relaxation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses were randomly delivered before and after the go signal, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the right first dorsal interosseous muscle. We selected the time course relative to an appropriate reference point, the onset of voluntary relaxation, to detect excitability changes in M1. MEP amplitude from 80 to 60 ms before the estimated electromyographic offset was significantly greater than that in other intervals. Dynamic excitability changes in M1 just prior to quick voluntary muscle relaxation indicate that cortical control of muscle relaxation is established through active processing and not by simple cessation of activity. The cortical mechanisms underlying muscle relaxation need to be reconsidered in light of such dynamics.
Perceptual and motor learning underlies human stick-balancing skill
Authors: Lee Kwee-Yum , O'Dwyer Nicholas , Halaki Mark , Smith Richard
Published: October 2014

We investigated the acquisition of skill in balancing a stick (52 cm, 34 g) on the fingertip in nine participants using three-dimensional motion analysis. After 3.5 h of practice over 6 wk, the participants could more consistently balance the stick for longer durations with greatly reduced magnitude and speed of stick and finger movements. Irrespective of level of skill, the balanced stick behaved like a normal noninverted pendulum oscillating under greater-than-gravity torque with simple harmonic motion about a virtual pivot located at the radius of gyration above the center of mass. The control input parameter was the magnitude ratio between the torque applied on the stick by the participant and the torque due to gravity. The participants utilized only a narrow range of this parameter, which did not change with practice, to rotate the stick like a linear mass-spring system. With increased skill, the stick therefore maintained the same period of oscillation but showed marked reductions in magnitude of both oscillation and horizontal translation. Better balancing was associated with 1) more accurate visual localization of the stick and proprioceptive localization of the finger and 2) reduced cross-coupling errors between finger and stick movements in orthogonal directions; i.e., finger movements in the anteroposterior plane became less coupled with stick tip movements in the mediolateral plane, and vice versa. Development of this fine motor skill therefore depended on perceptual and motor learning to provide improved estimation of sensorimotor state and precision of motor commands to an unchanging internal model of the rotational dynamics.
Effect of acute noxious stimulation to the leg or back on muscle synergies during walking
Authors: van den Hoorn Wolbert , Hodges Paul W. , van Dieën Jaap H. , Hug François
Published: October 2014

This study aimed to examine how acute muscle pain affects muscle coordination during gait with consideration of muscle synergies (i.e., group of muscles activated in synchrony), amplitude of muscle activity and kinematics. A secondary aim was to determine whether any adaptation was specific to pain location. Sixteen participants walked on a treadmill during 5 conditions [control, low back pain (LBP), washout LBP, calf pain (CalfP), and washout CalfP]. Five muscle synergies were identified for all of the conditions. Cross-validation analysis showed that muscle synergy vectors extracted for the control condition accounted for >81% of variance accounted for from the other conditions. Muscle synergies were altered very little in some participants ( n = 7 for LBP; n = 10 for CalfP), but were more affected in the others ( n = 9 for LBP; n = 6 for CalfP). No systematic differences between pain locations were observed. Considering all participants, synergies related to propulsion and weight acceptance were largely unaffected by pain, whereas synergies related to other functions (trunk control and leg deceleration) were more affected. Gastrocnemii activity was less during both CalfP and LBP than control. Soleus activity was further reduced during CalfP, and this was associated with reduced plantar flexion. Some lower leg muscles exhibited adaptations depending on pain location (e.g., greater vastus lateralis and rectus femoris activity during CalfP than LBP). Overall, these changes in muscle coordination involve a participant-specific strategy that is important to further explore, as it may explain why some people are more likely to develop persistence of a painful condition.
RMSE‐ELM: Recursive Model Based Selective Ensemble of Extreme Learning Machines for Robustness Improvement
Authors: Han Bo , He Bo , Ma Mengmeng , Sun Tingting , Yan Tianhong , Lendasse Amaury
Published: October 2014

For blended data, the robustness of extreme learning machine (ELM) is so weak because the coefficients (weights and biases) of hidden nodes are set randomly and the noisy data exert a negative effect. To solve this problem, a new framework called “RMSE‐ELM” is proposed in this paper. It is a two‐layer recursive model. In the first layer, the framework trains lots of ELMs in different ensemble groups concurrently and then employs selective ensemble approach to pick out an optimal set of ELMs in each group, which can be merged into a large group of ELMs called candidate pool. In the second layer, selective ensemble approach is recursively used on candidate pool to acquire the final ensemble. In the experiments, we apply UCI blended datasets to confirm the robustness of our new approach in two key aspects (mean square error and standard deviation). The space complexity of our method is increased to some degree, but the result has shown that RMSE‐ELM significantly improves robustness with a rapid learning speed compared to representative methods (ELM, OP‐ELM, GASEN‐ELM, GASEN‐BP, and E‐GASEN). It becomes a potential framework to solve robustness issue of ELM for high‐dimensional blended data in the future.
Intestinal Malrotation: A Rare Cause of Small Intestinal Obstruction
Authors: Sipahi Mesut , Caglayan Kasim , Arslan Ergin , Erkoc Mustafa Fatih , Aytekin Faruk Onder
Published: October 2014

Background. The diagnosis of intestinal malrotation is established by the age of 1 year in most cases, and the condition is seldom seen in adults. In this paper, a patient with small intestinal malrotation-type intraperitoneal hernia who underwent surgery at an older age because of intestinal obstruction is presented.Case. A 73-year-old patient who presented with acute intestinal obstruction underwent surgery as treatment. Distended jejunum and ileum loops surrounded by a peritoneal sac and located between the stomach and transverse colon were determined. The terminal ileum had entered into the transverse mesocolon from the right lower part, resulting in kinking and subsequent segmentary obstruction. The obstruction was relieved, and the small intestines were placed into their normal position in the abdominal cavity.Conclusion. Small intestinal malrotations are rare causes of intestinal obstructions in adults. The appropriate treatment in these patients is placement of the intestines in their normal positions.
Multigap Superconductivity in the Ferromagnetic Superconductor UCoGe Revealed by Thermal Conductivity Measurements
Authors: Howald Ludovic , Taupin Mathieu , Aoki Dai
Published: October 2014

We performed thermal conductivity measurements on a single crystal of the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe under magnetic field. Two different temperature dependencies of the thermal conductivity are observed, for H→∥b→: linear at low magnetic field and quadratic for magnetic field larger than 1 Tesla. At the same field value, a plateau appears in the field dependency of the residual term of thermal conductivity. Such observations suggest a multigap superconductivity with a line of nodes in the superconducting gap.
3D Texture Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma Tissue Image Grading
Authors: Kim Tae-Yun , Cho Nam-Hoon , Jeong Goo-Bo , Bengtsson Ewert , Choi Heung-Kook
Published: October 2014

One of the most significant processes in cancer cell and tissue image analysis is the efficient extraction of features for grading purposes. This research applied two types of three-dimensional texture analysis methods to the extraction of feature values from renal cell carcinoma tissue images, and then evaluated the validity of the methods statistically through grade classification. First, we used a confocal laser scanning microscope to obtain image slices of four grades of renal cell carcinoma, which were then reconstructed into 3D volumes. Next, we extracted quantitative values using a 3D gray level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) and a 3D wavelet based on two types of basis functions. To evaluate their validity, we predefined 6 different statistical classifiers and applied these to the extracted feature sets. In the grade classification results, 3D Haar wavelet texture features combined with principal component analysis showed the best discrimination results. Classification using 3D wavelet texture features was significantly better than 3D GLCM, suggesting that the former has potential for use in a computer-based grading system.
Working the Night Shift: The Impact of Compensating Wages and Local Economic Conditions on Shift Choice
Authors: Trent Colene , Mayer Walter J.
Published: October 2014

The theory of compensating differentials asserts that night shift workers should receive compensating wage differentials due to undesirable work conditions. In weak local economies, workers may have difficulty finding jobs; thus, these workers might be more likely to accept night shift work and be less concerned with the size of the compensating differential for night shifts. Using CPS data from 2001, this paper employs maximum likelihood estimation of an endogenous switching regression model to analyze wages of day and night shift workers and shift choice. The findings indicate the presence of selection bias, thus emphasizing the importance of correcting for self-selection into night shifts. The average of the estimated wage differentials for night shift work is negative for the overall sample, with differentials varying by worker characteristics. The shift differential is found to be a statistically significant predictor of shift choice, indicating that shift premiums play an important role in motivating individuals to select night shift work. Using two measures of local economic conditions and a new method of analyzing interaction effects in the context of an endogenous switching regression model, this paper finds limited evidence that weak local economic conditions lessen the impact of compensating differentials on shift choice.
ModelingIn VitroCellular Responses to Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Mukherjee Dwaipayan , Royce Steven G. , Sarkar Srijata , Thorley Andrew , Schwander Stephan , Ryan Mary P. , Porter Alexandra E. , Chung Kian Fan , Tetley Teresa D. , Zhang Junfeng , Georgopoulos Panos G.
Published: October 2014

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely demonstrated to induce toxic effects to various cell types.In vitrocell exposure systems have high potential for reliable, high throughput screening of nanoparticle toxicity, allowing focusing on particular pathways while excluding unwanted effects due to other cells or tissue dosimetry. The work presented here involves a detailed biologically based computational model of cellular interactions with NPs; it utilizes measurements performed in human cell culture systemsin vitro, to develop a mechanistic mathematical model that can support analysis and prediction ofin vivoeffects of NPs. The model considers basic cellular mechanisms including proliferation, apoptosis, and production of cytokines in response to NPs. This new model is implemented for macrophages and parameterized usingin vitromeasurements of changes in cellular viability and mRNA levels of cytokines: TNF, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. The model includesin vitrocellular dosimetry due to nanoparticle transport and transformation. Furthermore, the model developed here optimizes the essential cellular parameters based onin vitromeasurements, and provides a “stepping stone” for the development of more advancedin vivomodels that will incorporate additional cellular and NP interactions.
Equilibria and Free Vibration of a Two‐Pulley Belt‐Driven System with Belt Bending Stiffness
Authors: Ding Jieyu , Hu Qingquan
Published: October 2014

Nonlinear equilibrium curvatures and free vibration characteristics of a two‐pulley belt‐driven system with belt bending stiffness and a one‐way clutch are investigated. With nonlinear dynamical tension, the transverse vibrations of the translating belt spans and the rotation motions of the pulleys and the accessory shaft are coupled. Therefore, nonlinear piecewise discrete‐continuous governing equations are established. Considering the bending stiffness of the translating belt spans, the belt spans are modeled as axially moving beams. The pattern of equilibria is a nontrivial solution. Furthermore, the nontrivial equilibriums of the dynamical system are numerically determined by using two different approaches. The governing equations of the vibration near the equilibrium solutions are derived by introducing a coordinate transform. The natural frequencies of the dynamical systems are studied by using the Galerkin method with various truncations and the differential and integral quadrature methods. Moreover, the convergence of the Galerkin truncation is investigated. Numerical results reveal that the study needs 16 terms after truncation in order to determine the free vibration characteristics of the pulley‐belt system with the belt bending stiffness. Furthermore, the first five natural frequencies are very sensitive to the bending stiffness of the translating belt.
CD47 in the Tumor Microenvironment Limits Cooperation between Antitumor T-cell Immunity and Radiotherapy
Authors: Soto-Pantoja David R. , Terabe Masaki , Ghosh Arunima , Ridnour Lisa A. , DeGraff William G. , Wink David A. , Berzofsky Jay A. , Roberts David D.
Published: October 2014

Although significant advances in radiotherapy have increased its effectiveness in many cancer settings, general strategies to widen the therapeutic window between normal tissue toxicity and malignant tumor destruction would still offer great value. CD47 blockade has been found to confer radioprotection to normal tissues while enhancing tumor radiosensitivity. Here, we report that CD47 blockade directly enhances tumor immunosurveillance by CD8+ T cells. Combining CD47 blockade with irradiation did not affect fibrosarcoma growth in T cell–deficient mice, whereas adoptive transfer of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells restored combinatorial efficacy. Furthermore, ablation of CD8+ T cells abolished radiotherapeutic response in immunocompetent syngeneic hosts. CD47 blockade in either target cells or effector cells was sufficient to enhance antigen-dependent CD8+ CTL-mediated tumor cell killing in vitro. In CD47-deficient syngeneic hosts, engrafted B16 melanomas were 50% more sensitive to irradiation, establishing that CD47 expression in the microenvironment was sufficient to limit tumor radiosensitivity. Mechanistic investigations revealed increased tumor infiltration by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in a CD47-deficient microenvironment, with an associated increase in T cell–dependent intratumoral expression of granzyme B. Correspondingly, an inverse correlation between CD8+ T-cell infiltration and CD47 expression was observed in human melanomas. Our findings establish that blocking CD47 in the context of radiotherapy enhances antitumor immunity by directly stimulating CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, with the potential to increase curative responses. Cancer Res; 74(23); 6771–83. ©2014 AACR.
Therapeutic Targeting of Cellular Metabolism in Cells with Hyperactive mTORC1: A Paradigm Shift
Authors: Medvetz Doug , Priolo Carmen , Henske Elizabeth P.
Published: October 2014

mTORC1 is an established master regulator of cellular metabolic homeostasis, via multiple mechanisms that include altered glucose and glutamine metabolism, and decreased autophagy. mTORC1 is hyperactive in the human disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. In TSC-deficient cells, metabolic wiring is extensively disrupted and rerouted as a consequence of mTORC1 hyperactivation, leading to multiple vulnerabilities, including “addiction” to glutamine, glucose, and autophagy. There is synergy between two rapidly evolving trajectories: elucidating the metabolic vulnerabilities of TSC-associated tumor cells, and the development of therapeutic agents that selectively target cancer-associated metabolic defects. The current review focuses on recent work supporting the targeting of cellular metabolic dysregulation for the treatment of tumors in TSC, with relevance to the many other human neoplasms with mTORC1 hyperactivation. These data expose a fundamental paradox in the therapeutic targeting of tumor cells with hyperactive mTORC1: inhibition of mTORC1 may not represent the optimal therapeutic strategy. Inhibiting mTORC1 “fixes” the metabolic vulnerabilities, results in a cytostatic response, and closes the door to metabolic targeting. In contrast, leaving mTORC1 active allows the metabolic vulnerabilities to be targeted with the potential for a cytocidal cellular response. The insights provided here suggest that therapeutic strategies for TSC and other tumors with activation of mTORC1 are at the verge of a major paradigm shift, in which optimal clinical responses will be accomplished by targeting mTORC1-associated metabolic vulnerabilities without inhibiting mTORC1 itself. Mol Cancer Res; 13(1); 3–8. ©2014 AACR.
Calcium Channel Blockers and Outcomes in Older Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Patel Kanan , Fonarow Gregg C. , Ahmed Momanna , Morgan Charity , Kilgore Meredith , Love Thomas E. , Deedwania Prakash , Aronow Wilbert S. , Anker Stefan D. , Ahmed Ali
Published: October 2014

Background—

Little is known about associations of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) with outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (EF).

Methods and Results—

Of the 10 570 hospitalized patients with heart failure and preserved EF, ≥65 years, EF ≥40%, in the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF; 2003–2004), linked to Medicare data (through December 31, 2008), 7514 had no prior history of CCB use. Of these, 815 (11%) patients received new discharge prescriptions for CCBs. Propensity scores for CCB initiation, calculated for each of the 7514 patients, were used to assemble a matched cohort of 1620 (810 pairs) patients (mean age, 80 years; mean EF, 56%; 65% women; 10% black) receiving and not receiving CCBs, balanced on 114 baseline characteristics. The primary composite end point of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization occurred in 82% and 81% of patients receiving and not receiving CCBs (hazard ratio for CCBs, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.14). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and all-cause hospitalization were 1.05 (0.94–1.18), 1.05 (0.91–1.21), and 1.03 (0.93–1.14), respectively. Similar associations were observed when we categorized patients into those receiving amlodipine and nonamlodipine CCBs. Among 7514 prematch patients, multivariable-adjusted and propensity-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for primary composite end point were 1.03 (0.95–1.12) and 1.02 (0.94–1.11), respectively.

Conclusions—

In hospitalized older patients with heart failure, new discharge prescriptions for CCBs had no associations with composite or individual end points of mortality or heart failure hospitalization, regardless of the class of CCBs.
Aetokthonos hydrillicola gen. et sp. nov.: Epiphytic cyanobacteria on invasive aquatic plants implicated in Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy
Authors: Wilde Susan Bennett , Johansen Jeffrey R. , Wilde Henry Dayton , Jiang Peng , Bartelme Bradley , Haynie Rebecca Smith
Published: October 2014

Research into the taxonomy of a novel cyanobacterial epiphyte in locations where birds, most notably Bald eagle and American coots, are dying from a neurologic disease (Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy—AVM) has been ongoing since 2001. Field investigations revealed that all sites where birds were dying had extensive invasive aquatic vegetation with dense colonies of an unknown cyanobacterial species growing on the underside of leaves. Morphological evaluation indicated that this was a true-branching, heterocystous taxon falling within the former order Stigonematales. However, 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that it did not match closely with any described genus or species. More recent sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and associated ITS region from additional true branching species resulted in a unique phylogenetic placement distant from the other clades of true-branching cyanobacteria. Light, epifluorescent, and transmission and scanning electron micrographs confirm the novel characteristics of this species, which is true-branching form with uniseriate basal filaments. It is encased within a firm sheath and has heterocytes both within the filaments and at the tips of the branches. The species is in a new genus of uncertain family assignment, and is herein named Aetokthonos hydrillicola gen. et sp. nov.
Remarkable morphological features of taxonomic interest in the female genitalia of five Erythrogonia species (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadellidae)
Authors: CARVALHO RACHEL A. , MEJDALANI GABRIEL
Published: October 2014

The female genitalia of the Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) are usually considered more morphologically conservative (i.e., less variable) than the male genitalia at the generic and specific levels. However, various recent publications on the Cicadellinae (sharpshooters) have demonstrated the existence of useful characters in the female genitalia for the recognition of genera and species. Here we describe, illustrate, compare, and discuss peculiar processes, sclerites, and other features of the first pair of valvifers, sternite VIII, and ovipositor valvulae I and II of five species of the sharpshooter genus Erythrogonia (E. calva (Taschenberg, 1884), E. hertha Medler, 1963, E. phoenicea (Signoret, 1853), E. proterva Melichar, 1926, and E. sexguttata (Fabricius, 1803)). This genus includes currently the highest species diversity among the New World Cicadellinae, an agriculturally important subfamily. Comparative notes on other genera of the Cicadellini are added. In agreement with other recent publications, our results challenge the view that the morphology of the female genitalia is almost always conservative in the Cicadellidae.
Baroclinic and Barotropic Annular Variability in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Thompson David W. J. , Li Ying
Published: October 2014

Large-scale variability in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) circulation can be viewed in the context of three primary types of structures: 1) teleconnection patterns, 2) a barotropic annular mode, and 3) a baroclinic annular mode. The barotropic annular mode corresponds to the northern annular mode (NAM) and has been examined extensively in previous research. Here the authors examine the spatial structure and time-dependent behavior of the NH baroclinic annular mode (NBAM).

The NAM and NBAM have very different signatures in large-scale NH climate variability. The NAM emerges as the leading principal component (PC) time series of the zonal-mean kinetic energy. It dominates the variance in the wave fluxes of momentum, projects weakly onto the eddy kinetic energy and wave fluxes of heat, and can be modeled as Gaussian red noise with a time scale of ~10 days. In contrast, the NBAM emerges as the leading PC time series of the eddy kinetic energy. It is most clearly identified when the planetary-scale waves are filtered from the data, dominates the variance in the synoptic-scale eddy kinetic energy and wave fluxes of heat, and has a relatively weak signature in the zonal-mean kinetic energy and the wave fluxes of momentum. The NBAM is marked by weak but significant enhanced spectral power on time scales of ~20–25 days.

The NBAM is remarkably similar to its Southern Hemisphere counterpart despite the pronounced interhemispheric differences in orography and land–sea contrasts.
Assessing the Impact of the Tropopause on Mountain Waves and Orographic Precipitation Using Linear Theory and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Siler Nicholas , Durran Dale
Published: October 2014

The partial reflection of mountain waves at the tropopause has been studied extensively for its contribution to downslope windstorms, but its impact on orographic precipitation has not been addressed. Here linear theory and numerical simulations are used to investigate how the tropopause affects the vertical structure of mountain waves and, in turn, orographic precipitation. Relative to the no-tropopause case, wave-induced ascent above the windward slope of a two-dimensional ridge is found to be enhanced or diminished depending on the ratio of the tropopause height to the vertical wavelength of the mountain waves—defined here as the “nondimensional tropopause height” . In idealized simulations of flow over both two-dimensional and three-dimensional ridges, variations in are found to modulate the precipitation rate by roughly a factor of 2 under typical atmospheric conditions. The sensitivity of precipitation to is related primarily to the depth of windward ascent but also to the location and strength of leeside descent, with significant impacts on the distribution of precipitation across the range (i.e., the rain-shadow effect). Using a modified version of Smith and Barstad’s orographic precipitation model, variations in are found to produce significant rain-shadow variability in the Washington Cascades, perhaps explaining some of the variability in rain-shadow strength observed among Cascade storms.
Diagnostics for Near-Surface Wind Response to the Gulf Stream in a Regional Atmospheric Model*
Authors: Takatama Kohei , Minobe Shoshiro , Inatsu Masaru , Small R. Justin
Published: October 2014

The mechanisms acting on near-surface winds over the Gulf Stream are diagnosed using 5-yr outputs of a regional atmospheric model. The diagnostics for the surface-layer momentum vector, its curl, and its convergence are developed with a clear separation of pressure adjustment from downward momentum inputs from aloft in the surface-layer system. The results suggest that the downward momentum mixing mechanism plays a dominant role in contributing to the annual-mean climatological momentum curl, whereas the pressure adjustment mechanism plays a minor role. In contrast, the wind convergence is mainly due to the pressure adjustment mechanism. This can be explained by the orientation of background wind to the sea surface temperature front. The diagnostics also explain the relatively strong seasonal variation in surface-layer momentum convergence and the small seasonal variation in curl. Finally, the surface-layer response to other western boundary currents is examined using a reanalysis dataset.
Retrieval of Hourly Records of Surface Hydrometeorological Variables Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Moghim Sanaz , Bowen Andrew Jay , Sarachi Sepideh , Wang Jingfeng
Published: October 2014

A new algorithm is formulated for retrieving hourly time series of surface hydrometeorological variables including net radiation, sensible heat flux, and near-surface air temperature aided by hourly visible images from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and in situ observations of mean daily air temperature. The algorithm is based on two unconventional, recently developed methods: the maximum entropy production model of surface heat fluxes and the half-order derivative–integral model that has been tested previously. The close agreement between the retrieved hourly variables using remotely sensed input and the corresponding field observations indicates that this algorithm is an effective tool in remote sensing of the earth system.
Effect of an α-Lactalbumin-Enriched Infant Formula Supplemented With Oligofructose on Fecal Microbiota, Stool Characteristics, and Hydration Status
Authors: Wernimont Susan , Northington Robert , Kullen Martin J. , Yao Manjiang , Bettler Jodi
Published: October 2014

Aims. To evaluate the impact of oligofructose (OF)-supplemented infant formula on fecal microbiota, stool characteristics, and hydration. Methods. Ninety-five formula-fed infants were randomized to α-lactalbumin-enriched control formula (CF) or identical formula with 3.0 g/L OF (EF) for 8 weeks; 50 infants fed human milk (HM) were included. Results. Eighty-four infants completed the study, 70 met per-protocol criteria. Over 8 weeks, bifidobacteria increased more in EF than CF group (0.70 vs 0.16 log10 bacterial counts/g dry feces, P = .008); EF was not significantly different from HM group ( P = .32). EF group stool consistency was intermediate between CF and HM groups; at week 8, EF group had softer stools than CF (5-point scale: 1 = hard, 5 = watery; consistency score 3.46 vs 2.82, P = .015) without significant differences in stool frequency. Physician-assessed hydration status was normal for all infants. Conclusions. Infant formula with 3.0 g/L OF promoted bifidobacteria growth and softer stools without adversely affecting stool frequency or hydration.
Behavior of sandwich wall panels with GFRP face sheets and a foam-GFRP web core loaded under four-point bending
Authors: Wang Lu , Liu Weiqing , Fang Hai , Wan Li
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a simple and innovative sandwich panel with GFRP face sheets and a foam-GFRP web core (GFFW panels) is developed. An experimental study was carried out to validate the effectiveness of this panel for increasing the bending strength. The effects of web thickness, web spacing, web height and face sheet thickness on bending stiffness and energy dissipation were also investigated. Test results demonstrate that compared to the normal foam-core sandwich panels, a maximum of approximately 640% increase in the ultimate bending strength can be achieved. Meanwhile, the bending stiffness and energy dissipation can be enhanced by increasing web thickness, web height and face sheet thickness. An analytical model was developed to predict the ultimate bending strength of GFFW panels. The formulae to calculate the equivalent bending stiffness, shear modulus and mid-span deflection were also derived. A comparison of the analytical and experimental results showed that the analytical model accurately predicted the ultimate bending strengths and min-span deflections of the GFFW panels under four-point bending. Furthermore, the finite element analysis was extended to nvestigate the effects of foam density and shear span-to-depth ratio which were not considered in the tests. The numerical results revealed that increasing foam density and decreasing the shear span-to-depth ratio can improve the bending strength and stiffness of the panels.
Dual Role of Autophagy in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Preodontoblastic Cells
Authors: Pei F. , Lin H. , Liu H. , Li L. , Zhang L. , Chen Z.
Published: October 2014

Odontoblasts derive from neural crest–derived odontogenic mesenchymal cells, and they are an important barrier of defense for the host. Survival and immunity of odontoblasts play important roles in protecting the dentin-pulp structure. Autophagy can eliminate damaged organelles and recycle cellular components to facilitate cellular homeostasis. Autophagy can be activated with external stressors, such as starvation, hypoxia, and infection. In this study, the role of autophagy in inflamed odontoblasts was explored, and its possible mechanism was investigated. Cell viability was not affected by mild lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, and autophagy was activated during this process. Immunofluorescence of light chain 3 confirmed that autophagy was induced with LPS treatment. Early-stage autophagy inhibition resulted in down-regulated cell viability, contrary to the up-regulated cell viability at late-stage autophagy inhibition. Western blot suggested that p-Akt and survivin were not activated in the early stage, and they gradually increased and peaked in the late stage. Meanwhile, autophagy was down-regulated through the Akt/mTOR/survivin pathway in the late stage. Thus, autophagy has a dual role in inflamed odontoblasts, which indicates its importance in maintaining the microenvironment homeostasis of odontoblasts. Autophagy was induced as a survival mechanism in the early stage, and it decreased through the Akt/mTOR/survivin signaling pathway in the late stage.