bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trap Analysis: an automated approach for deriving column height predictions in fault-bounded traps
Authors: Bretan Peter
Published: October 2016

Column height predictions are often displayed as attributes on fault-plane profiles. However, fault-plane profiles are difficult to interpret when derived from multiple faults that bound a trap. An automated approach, termed Trap Analysis, permits the rapid analysis of column height predictions using the deterministic fault-seal analysis method.

For column height predictions to be meaningful, all faults that contribute to the sealing of hydrocarbons within a trap must be analysed as one coherent structural element. Hydrocarbon column height data at key reservoir juxtapositions on all faults that bound a trap are simultaneously interrogated to derive the unique location of the weakest point on the fault seal, termed Fault Leak Point (FLP). The FLP is trap-critical if it supports a column with a contact that is shallower than the trap's structural spill point.

The Trap Analysis approach enables sensitivity studies to be routinely undertaken. The predicted weakest point on a fault seal, and hence, the column height supported at that point, can depend on the calibration used to transform shale gouge ratio (SGR) to threshold capillary pressure, and on the density contrast between the buoyant and water phases.
The transmissibility of faulted connections in corner-point geometry models
Authors: Islam Md Saiful , Manzocchi Tom
Published: October 2016

The transmissibility expression generally used for connections across faults in industrial flow-simulation models built using corner-point geometry is inaccurate, because of cell misalignments across the faults. A comprehensive suite of high-resolution flow-simulation models has been designed to assess the magnitude of the error, which is greatest for connections with smaller juxtaposition areas; between cells with higher
k
V
:
k
H
ratios; between cells with greater length: height aspect ratios; in more heterogeneous sequences; for connections containing more permissive fault rocks; and for connections between cells with lower angular misalignments. Transmissibility can be underestimated by a factor of 10 or more in the absence of fault rock; however, the inclusion of realistic fault transmissibility multipliers virtually eliminates the error. The expression for transmissibility for corner-point geometry models contained in commercial simulators is therefore within acceptable limits for most realistic faulted full-field models.
The long (3.7–2.1 Ga) and multistage evolution of the Bug Granulite–Gneiss Complex, Ukrainian Shield, based on the SIMS U–Pb ages and geochemistry of zircons from a single sample
Authors: Lobach-Zhuchenko S. B. , Kaulina T. V. , Baltybaev S. K. , Balagansky V. V. , Egorova Yu. S. , Lokhov K. I. , Skublov S. G. , Sukach V. V. , Bogomolov E. S. , Stepanyuk L. M. , Galankina O. L. , Berezhnaya N. G. , Kapitonov I. N. , Antonov A. V. , Sergeev S. A.
Published: October 2016

Multidisciplinary studies of zircons, rock-forming minerals and the whole-rock composition of granulite samples from the Bug Granulite–Gneiss Complex, Ukraine (including ion microprobe REE analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) Lu–Hf analysis of zircons from a single sample) have revealed three major stages in the geological evolution of the complex. (i) At 3.66 Ga, a mafic intrusion contaminated with felsic rocks formed, as evidenced by 3.74 Ga zircon xenocrysts with inclusions of plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz. (ii) At 3.59–3.55 Ga, high-temperature and high- to moderate-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism accompanied by migmatization and deformation resulted in the formation of mafic granulites. (iii) At 2.1–2.0 Ga, metamorphic overprinting occurred, and metatrachybasaltic dykes intruded at approximately 2.0 Ga. The metamorphic mineral assemblages recorded in the dykes formed at temperatures similar to those of the 3.59–3.55 Ga metamorphism but at pressures 2–3 kbar lower. This metamorphism disturbed the Sm–Nd whole-rock system, altered the Hf isotope system of the older zircons and resulted in Pb loss in small zircon grains. This complex event history recorded in zircons from a single rock corresponds to major stages of the geological evolution of both the Dniester–Bug Province and the entire Ukrainian Shield.
Introduction to Intelligent Music Systems and Applications
Authors: Schedl Markus , Yang Yi-Hsuan , Herrera-Boyer Perfecto
Published: October 2016

Intelligent technologies have become an essential part of music systems and applications. This is evidenced by today's omnipresence of digital online music stores and streaming services, which rely on music recommenders, automatic playlist generators, and music browsing interfaces. A large amount of research leading to intelligent music applications deals with the extraction of musical and acoustic information directly from the audio signal using signal processing techniques. Other strategies exploit contextual aspects of music, not present in the signal, for example, community meta-data and trails of user interaction, as found, for instance, on social media platforms. In this editorial, we discuss the notion of “intelligent music system” and give an overview of the papers selected to this special issue.
Understanding Response Time in the Redundancy-d System
Authors: Gardner Kristen , Zbarsky Samuel , Velednitsky Mark , Harchol-Balter Mor , Scheller-Wolf Alan
Published: October 2016

An increasingly prevalent technique for improving response time in queueing systems is the use of redundancy. In a system with redundant requests, each job that arrives to the system is copied and dispatched to multiple servers. As soon as the first copy completes service, the job is considered complete, and all remaining copies are deleted. A great deal of empirical work has demonstrated that redundancy can significantly reduce response time in systems ranging from Google's BigTable service to kidney transplant waitlists.

We propose a theoretical model of redundancy, the Redundancy- d system, in which each job sends redundant copies to d servers chosen uniformly at random. We derive the first exact expressions for mean response time in Redundancy-d systems with any finite number of servers. We also find asymptotically exact expressions for the distribution of response time as the number of servers approaches infinity.
Geographical Load Balancing across Green Datacenters
Authors: Neglia Giovanni , Sereno Matteo , Bianchi Giuseppe
Published: October 2016

"Geographic Load Balancing" is a strategy for reducing the energy cost of data centers spreading across different terrestrial locations. In this paper, we focus on load balancing among micro-datacenters powered by renewable energy sources. We model via a Markov Chain the problem of scheduling jobs by prioritizing datacenters where renewable energy is currently available. Not finding a convenient closed form solution for the resulting chain, we use mean field techniques to derive an asymptotic approximate model which instead is shown to have an extremely simple and intuitive steady state solution. After proving, using both theoretical and discrete event simulation results, that the system performance converges to the asymptotic model for an increasing number of datacenters, we exploit the simple closed form model's solution to investigate relationships and trade-offs among the various system parameters.
Effects of various types of anesthesia on hemodynamics, cardiac function, and glucose and lipid metabolism in rats
Authors: Sano Yusuke , Ito Shogo , Yoneda Mamoru , Nagasawa Kai , Matsuura Natsumi , Yamada Yuichiro , Uchinaka Ayako , Bando Yasuko K. , Murohara Toyoaki , Nagata Kohzo
Published: October 2016

Anesthesia can affect respiratory, circulatory, and endocrine systems but is necessary for certain experimental procedures such as echocardiography and blood sampling in small animals. We have now investigated the effects of four types of anesthesia [pentobarbital sodium (PENT), ketamine-xylazine (K/X), and low- or high-dose isoflurane (ISO)] on hemodynamics, cardiac function, and glucose and lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats. Aortic pressure, heart rate, and echocardiographic parameters were measured at various time points up to 45 min after the induction of anesthesia, and blood was then collected for measurement of parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism. Systolic aortic pressure remained constant in the PENT group, whereas it showed a biphasic pattern in the K/X group and a gradual decline in the ISO groups. Marked bradycardia was observed in the K/X group. The serum glucose concentration was increased and the plasma insulin level was reduced in the K/X and ISO groups compared with the PENT group. The concentrations of free fatty acids and norepinephrine in plasma were increased in the K/X group. Despite the metabolic effects of K/X and ISO, our results suggest that the marked bradycardic effect of K-X renders this combination appropriate for measurement of Doppler-derived indexes of left ventricular diastolic function, whereas the relative ease with which the depth of anesthesia can be controlled with ISO makes it suitable for manipulations or data collection over long time periods. On the other hand, PENT may be best suited for experiments that focus on measurement of cardiac function by M-mode echocardiography and metabolic parameters.
IL-17A-mediated expression of epithelial IL-17C promotes inflammation during acutePseudomonas aeruginosapneumonia
Authors: Wolf Lisa , Sapich Sandra , Honecker Anja , Jungnickel Christopher , Seiler Frederik , Bischoff Markus , Wonnenberg Bodo , Herr Christian , Schneider-Daum Nicole , Lehr Claus-Michael , Bals Robert , Beisswenger Christoph
Published: October 2016

Lung epithelial cells are suggested to promote pathogen-induced pulmonary inflammation by the release of chemokines, resulting in enhanced recruitment of circulating leukocytes. Recent studies have shown that the interleukin-17C (IL-17C) regulates innate immune functions of epithelial cells in an autocrine manner. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of IL-17C to pulmonary inflammation in a mouse model of acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Infection with P. aeruginosa resulted in an increased expression of IL-17C in lung tissue of wild-type mice. Numbers of neutrophils and the expression of the neutrophil-recruiting chemokines keratinocyte-derived chemokine and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 were significantly decreased in lungs of IL-17C-deficient (IL-17C−/−) mice infected with P. aeruginosa at 24 h. Systemic concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly decreased in infected IL-17C−/−mice at 24 h and the survival of IL-17C−/−mice was significantly increased at 48 h. The expression of IL-17C was reduced in infected mice deficient for interleukin-17A (IL-17A), whereas pulmonary concentrations of IL-17A were not affected by the deficiency for IL-17C. Stimulation of primary alveolar epithelial cells with IL-17A resulted in a significantly increased expression of IL-17C in vitro. Our data suggest that IL-17A-mediated expression of epithelial IL-17C amplifies the release of chemokines by epithelial cells and thereby contributes to the recruitment of neutrophils and systemic inflammation during acute P. aeruginosa pneumonia.
Neutrophils promote alveolar epithelial regeneration by enhancing type II pneumocyte proliferation in a model of acid-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Paris Andrew J. , Liu Yuhong , Mei Junjie , Dai Ning , Guo Lei , Spruce Lynn A. , Hudock Kristin M. , Brenner Jacob S. , Zacharias William J. , Mei Hankun D. , Slamowitz April R. , Bhamidipati Kartik , Beers Michael F. , Seeholzer Steven H. , Morrisey Edward E. , Worthen G. Scott
Published: October 2016

Alveolar epithelial regeneration is essential for resolution of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although neutrophils have traditionally been considered mediators of epithelial damage, recent studies suggest they promote type II pneumocyte (AT2) proliferation, which is essential for regenerating alveolar epithelium. These studies did not, however, evaluate this relationship in an in vivo model of alveolar epithelial repair following injury. To determine whether neutrophils influence alveolar epithelial repair in vivo, we developed a unilateral acid injury model that creates a severe yet survivable injury with features similar to ARDS. Mice that received injections of the neutrophil-depleting Ly6G antibody had impaired AT2 proliferation 24 and 72 h after acid instillation, which was associated with decreased reepithelialization and increased alveolar protein concentration 72 h after injury. As neutrophil depletion itself may alter the cytokine response, we questioned the contribution of neutrophils to alveolar epithelial repair in neutropenic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)−/− mice. We found that the loss of G-CSF recapitulated the neutrophil response of Ly6G-treated mice and was associated with defective alveolar epithelial repair, similar to neutrophil-depleted mice, and was reversed by administration of exogenous G-CSF. To approach the mechanisms, we employed an unbiased protein analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from neutrophil-depleted and neutrophil-replete mice 12 h after inducing lung injury. Pathway analysis identified significant differences in multiple signaling pathways that may explain the differences in epithelial repair. These data emphasize an important link between the innate immune response and tissue repair in which neutrophils promote alveolar epithelial regeneration.
Attenuated heme oxygenase-1 responses predispose the elderly to pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections
Authors: Surolia Ranu , Karki Suman , Wang Zheng , Kulkarni Tejaswini , Li Fu Jun , Vohra Shikhar , Batra Hitesh , Nick Jerry A. , Duncan Steven R. , Thannickal Victor J. , Steyn Adrie J. C. , Agarwal Anupam , Antony Veena B.
Published: October 2016

Pulmonary infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (P-NTM), such as by Mycobacterium avium complex ( M. avium), are increasingly found in the elderly, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Recent studies suggest that adaptive immunity is necessary, but not sufficient, for host defense against mycobacteria. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been recognized as a critical modulator of granuloma formation and programmed cell death in mycobacterial infections. Old mice (18–21 mo) infected with M. avium had attenuated HO-1 response with diffuse inflammation, high burden of mycobacteria, poor granuloma formation, and decreased survival (45%), while young mice (4–6 mo) showed tight, well-defined granuloma, increased HO-1 expression, and increased survival (95%). To further test the role of HO-1 in increased susceptibility to P-NTM infections in the elderly, we used old and young HO-1+/+and HO-1−/−mice. The transcriptional modulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in HO-1−/−mice due to M. avium infection demonstrated similarities to infected wild-type old mice with upregulation of SOCS3 and inhibition of Bcl2. Higher expression of SOCS3 with downregulation of Bcl2 resulted in higher macrophage death via cellular necrosis. Finally, peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from elderly patients with P-NTM also demonstrated attenuated HO-1 responses after M. avium stimulation and increased cell death due to cellular necrosis (9.69% ± 2.02) compared with apoptosis (4.75% ± 0.98). The augmented risk for P-NTM in the elderly is due, in part, to attenuated HO-1 responses, subsequent upregulation of SOCS3, and inhibition of Bcl2, leading to programmed cell death of macrophages, and sustained infection.
Improving Feature Representation Based on a Neural Network for Author Profiling in Social Media Texts
Authors: Gómez-Adorno Helena , Markov Ilia , Sidorov Grigori , Posadas-Durán Juan-Pablo , Sanchez-Perez Miguel A. , Chanona-Hernandez Liliana
Published: October 2016

We introduce a lexical resource for preprocessing social media data. We show that a neural network-based feature representation is enhanced by using this resource. We conducted experiments on the PAN 2015 and PAN 2016 author profiling corpora and obtained better results when performing the data preprocessing using the developed lexical resource. The resource includes dictionaries of slang words, contractions, abbreviations, and emoticons commonly used in social media. Each of the dictionaries was built for the English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian languages. The resource is freely available.
Catalytic Pyrolysis of Low Density Polyethylene Using Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Encapsulated Monovacant Keggin UnitsC19H42N4H3(PW11O39)and ZSM-5
Authors: Batool Madeeha , Shah Asma Tufail , Imran Din Muhammad , Li Baoshan
Published: October 2016

The effect of the catalysts on the pyrolysis of commercial low density polyethylene (LDPE) has been studied in a batch reactor. The thermal catalytic cracking of the LDPE has been done using cetyltrimethyl ammonium encapsulated monovacant keggin units (C19H42N)4H3(PW11O39), labeled as CTA-POM and compared with the ZSM-5 catalyst. GC-MS results showed that catalytic cracking of LDPE beads generated oilier fraction over CTA-POM as compared to ZSM-5. Thus, the use of CTA-POM is more significant because it yields more useful fraction. It was also found that the temperature required for the thermal degradation of LDPE was lower when CTA-POM was used as a catalyst while high temperature was required for degradation over ZSM-5 catalyst. Better activity of CTA-POM was due to hydrophobic nature of CTA moiety which helps in catalyst mobility and increases its interaction with hydrocarbons.
A Two-Tier Energy-Aware Resource Management for Virtualized Cloud Computing System
Authors: Huang Wei , Wang Zhen , Dong Mianxiong , Qian Zhuzhong
Published: October 2016

The economic costs caused by electric power take the most significant part in total cost of data center; thus energy conservation is an important issue in cloud computing system. One well-known technique to reduce the energy consumption is the consolidation of Virtual Machines (VMs). However, it may lose some performance points on energy saving and the Quality of Service (QoS) for dynamic workloads. Fortunately, Dynamic Frequency and Voltage Scaling (DVFS) is an efficient technique to save energy in dynamic environment. In this paper, combined with the DVFS technology, we propose a cooperative two-tier energy-aware management method including local DVFS control and global VM deployment. The DVFS controller adjusts the frequencies of homogenous processors in each server at run-time based on the practical energy prediction. On the other hand, Global Scheduler assigns VMs onto the designate servers based on the cooperation with the local DVFS controller. The final evaluation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our two-tier method in energy saving.
Allogeneic Antigen Composition for Preparing Universal Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Lokhov Petr G. , Balashova Elena E.
Published: October 2016

Recently it was demonstrated that tumors induce specific changes to the surface of human endothelial cells thereby providing the basis for designing endothelial cell-based vaccines that directly target antigens expressed by the tumor endothelium. The present report extends these studiesin vitroby investigating the efficacy of allogeneic antigens with regard to their ability to target immune responses against the tumor vasculature since alloantigens simplify vaccine development and implementation in clinical practice. We demonstrated that allogeneic SANTAVAC (Set of All Natural Target Antigens for Vaccination Against Cancer), which presents a specifically prepared composition of cell surface antigens from tumor-stimulated endothelial cells, allows targeting of the tumor vasculature with efficacy of 17, where efficacy represents the killing rate of target cells before normal cells are adversely affected, and efficacy of 60, where efficacy represents the fold decrease in the number of target cells and directly relates to tumor growth arrest. These data suggest that allogeneic SANTAVAC may be considered an antigenic composition that following administration in the presence of respective adjuvants may be clinically tested as a therapeutic or prophylactic universal cancer vaccine without adverse side effects to the normal vasculature.
Research on Aerodynamic Noise Reduction for High-Speed Trains
Authors: Zhang Yadong , Zhang Jiye , Li Tian , Zhang Liang , Zhang Weihua
Published: October 2016

A broadband noise source model based on Lighthill’s acoustic theory was used to perform numerical simulations of the aerodynamic noise sources for a high-speed train. The near-field unsteady flow around a high-speed train was analysed based on a delayed detached-eddy simulation (DDES) using the finite volume method with high-order difference schemes. The far-field aerodynamic noise from a high-speed train was predicted using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) acoustic analogy. An analysis of noise reduction methods based on the main noise sources was performed. An aerodynamic noise model for a full-scale high-speed train, including three coaches with six bogies, two inter-coach spacings, two windscreen wipers, and two pantographs, was established. Several low-noise design improvements for the high-speed train were identified, based primarily on the main noise sources; these improvements included the choice of the knuckle-downstream or knuckle-upstream pantograph orientation as well as different pantograph fairing structures, pantograph fairing installation positions, pantograph lifting configurations, inter-coach spacings, and bogie skirt boards. Based on the analysis, we designed a low-noise structure for a full-scale high-speed train with an average sound pressure level (SPL) 3.2 dB(A) lower than that of the original train. Thus, the noise reduction design goal was achieved. In addition, the accuracy of the aerodynamic noise calculation method was demonstrated via experimental wind tunnel tests.
Immunity Status of Blood Donors RegardingToxoplasma gondiiInfection in a Low-Income District of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa
Authors: Siransy Liliane , Dasse Sery Romuald , Dou Gonat Serge Pacôme , Legbedji Antoinette , N’guessan Koffi , Kouacou Patricia Ama , Yeboah Richard , Menan Hervé
Published: October 2016

Background. Toxoplasmosis is a widespread cosmopolitan anthropozoonosis, which affects more than a third of the world population. Except the modes of transmission well known,Toxoplasma gondiican be transmitted during transplantation or blood transfusion. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgMToxoplasma gondiiand to estimate the potential risk by blood products.Methods. This is a cross-sectional study on the research forToxoplasma gondiiantibodies (IgG and IgM) blood donors performed by ELISA.Results. An overall seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiamong blood donors recruited was 67.92% (n=72). Among these, 68 haveToxoplasma gondiiIgG (64.15%), 12Toxoplasma gondiiIgM (11.32%), and 4 (3.77%) both. The risk varies between 8 for 100000 and 172 for 100000 donations.Conclusion. The need to strengthen security measures for people multitransfused, immunocompromised, and pregnant women to reduce the transmission of toxoplasmosis is important.
Chondrogenic Potency Analyses of Donor‐Matched Chondrocytes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow, Infrapatellar Fat Pad, and Subcutaneous Fat
Authors: Garcia John , Mennan Claire , McCarthy Helen S. , Roberts Sally , Richardson James B. , Wright Karina T.
Published: October 2016

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a cell‐based therapy that has been used clinically for over 20 years to treat cartilage injuries more efficiently in order to negate or delay the need for joint replacement surgery. In this time, very little has changed in the ACI procedure, but now many centres are considering or using alternative cell sources for cartilage repair, in particular mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we have tested the chondrogenic potential of donor‐matched MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM), infrapatellar fat pad (FP), and subcutaneous fat (SCF), compared to chondrocytes. We have confirmed that there is a chondrogenic potency hierarchy ranging across these cell types, with the most potent being chondrocytes, followed by FP‐MSCs, BM‐MSCs, and lastly SCF‐MSCs. We have also examined gene expression and surface marker profiles in a predictive model to identify cells with enhanced chondrogenic potential. In doing so, we have shown that Sox‐9, Alk‐1, and Coll X expressions, as well as immunopositivity for CD49c and CD39, have predictive value for all of the cell types tested in indicating chondrogenic potency. The findings from this study have significant clinical implications for the refinement and development of novel cell‐based cartilage repair strategies.
Polar Value Analysis of Corneal Astigmatism in Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segment Implantation
Authors: Rho Chang Rae , Kim Min-Ji , Joo Choun-Ki
Published: October 2016

Purpose.To evaluate surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) and the average corneal power change in symmetric intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation.Methods.The study included 34 eyes of 34 keratoconus patients who underwent symmetric Intacs SK ICRS implantation. The corneal pocket incision meridian was the preoperative steep meridian. Corneal power data were obtained before and 3 months after Intacs SK ICRS implantation using scanning-slit topography. Polar value analysis was used to evaluate the SIA. Hotelling’s trace test was used to compare intraindividual changes.Results.Three months postoperatively, the combined mean polar value for SIA changed significantly (Hotelling’sT2=0.375;P=0.006). The SIA was 1.54 D at 99° and the average corneal power decreased significantly by 3.8 D.Conclusion.Intacs SK ICRS placement decreased the average corneal power and corneal astigmatism compared to the preoperative corneal power and astigmatism when the corneal pocket incision was made at the preoperative steep meridian.
Enhancing Performance of SnO2-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using ZnO Passivation Layer
Authors: Wanninayake W. M. N. M. B. , Premaratne K. , Rajapakse R. M. G. R.
Published: October 2016

Although liquid electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have shown higher photovoltaic performance in their class, they still suffer from some practical limitations such as solvent evaporation, leakage, and sealing imperfections. These problems can be circumvented to a certain extent by replacing the liquid electrolytes with quasi-solid-state electrolytes. Even though SnO2shows high election mobility when compared to the semiconductor material commonly used in DSCs, the cell performance of SnO2-based DSCs is considerably low due to high electron recombination. This recombination effect can be reduced through the use of ultrathin coating layer of ZnO on SnO2nanoparticles surface. ZnO-based DSCs also showed lower performance due to its amphoteric nature which help dissolve in slightly acidic dye solution. In this study, the effect of the composite SnO2/ZnO system was investigated. SnO2/ZnO composite DSCs showed 100% and 38% increase of efficiency compared to the pure SnO2-based and ZnO-based devices, respectively, with the gel electrolyte consisting of LiI salt.
Use of an Image Acquisition Stabilizer Improves Sidestream Dark Field Imaging of the Serosa during Open Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors: de Bruin Anthonius F.J. , Tavy Arthur , van der Sloot Koene , Smits Anke , Van Ramshorst Bert , Boerma Christiaan E. , Kars Peter , Noordzij Peter G. , Boerma Djamila , van Iterson Mat
Published: October 2016

Aim: To investigate whether an image acquisition stabilizer (IAS) mounted on the sidestream dark field camera (SDF) during gastrointestinal surgery improves image stability and acquisition. Methods: Serosal SDF imaging was compared with SDF imaging combined with an IAS (SDF + IAS) during gastrointestinal surgery. Stability was assessed as the image drift in pixels and the time to obtain stable images. The success rate was determined as the percentage of analyzable images after recording. The effect of negative pressure from the IAS was determined during single-spot measurements and by comparing microvascular parameters between groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Results: Sixty serosal measurements were performed per group; 87% were successful in the SDF group and 100% in the SDF + IAS group (p = 0.003). Image drift in the SDF group was 148 ± 36 versus 55 ± 15 pixels in the SDF + IAS group; p < 0.001. Time to stable image was 96 ± 60 s in the SDF group versus 57 ± 31 s in the SDF + IAS group; p = 0.03. No effect of negative pressure was seen. Conclusion: The use of an IAS mounted on an SDF camera during serosal microvascular assessment improves the success rate of image acquisition and stability and reduces the time to stable image with no effect on the microcirculation.
Rapamycin Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Experimental Uremic Cardiomyopathy by Reducing Marinobufagenin Levels and Inhibiting Downstream Pro‐Fibrotic Signaling
Authors: Haller Steven T. , Yan Yanling , Drummond Christopher A. , Xie Joe , Tian Jiang , Kennedy David J. , Shilova Victoria Y. , Xie Zijian , Liu Jiang , Cooper Christopher J. , Malhotra Deepak , Shapiro Joseph I. , Fedorova Olga V. , Bagrov Alexei Y.
Published: October 2016

Background

Experimental uremic cardiomyopathy causes cardiac fibrosis and is causally related to the increased circulating levels of the cardiotonic steroid, marinobufagenin (
MBG
), which signals through Na/K‐
ATP
ase. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) implicated in the progression of many different forms of renal disease. Given that Na/K‐
ATP
ase signaling is known to stimulate the
mTOR
system, we speculated that the ameliorative effects of rapamycin might influence this pathway.

Methods and Results

Biosynthesis of
MBG
by cultured human
JEG
‐3 cells is initiated by
CYP
27A1, which is also a target for rapamycin. It was demonstrated that 1 μmol/L of rapamycin inhibited production of
MBG
in human
JEG
‐2 cells. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to either partial nephrectomy (
PN
x), infusion of
MBG
, and/or infusion of rapamycin through osmotic minipumps.
PN
x animals showed marked increase in plasma
MBG
levels (1025±60 vs 377±53 pmol/L;
P
<0.01), systolic blood pressure (169±1 vs 111±1 mm Hg;
P
<0.01), and cardiac fibrosis compared to controls. Plasma
MBG
levels were significantly decreased in
PN
x‐rapamycin animals compared to
PN
x (373±46 vs 1025±60 pmol/L;
P
<0.01), and cardiac fibrosis was substantially attenuated by rapamycin treatment.

Conclusions

Rapamycin treatment in combination with
MBG
infusion significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis. Our results suggest that rapamycin may have a dual effect on cardiac fibrosis through (1)
mTOR
inhibition and (2) inhibiting
MBG‐
mediated profibrotic signaling and provide support for beneficial effect of a novel therapy for uremic cardiomyopathy.
Novel Role for Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Modulation of Cholesterol Metabolism
Authors: Hernandez‐Anzaldo Samuel , Brglez Vesna , Hemmeryckx Bianca , Leung Dickson , Filep Janos G. , Vance Jean E. , Vance Dennis E. , Kassiri Zamaneh , Lijnen Roger H. , Lambeau Gérard , Fernandez‐Patron Carlos
Published: October 2016

Background

The development of atherosclerosis is strongly linked to disorders of cholesterol metabolism. Matrix metalloproteinases (
MMP
s) are dysregulated in patients and animal models with atherosclerosis. Whether systemic
MMP
activity influences cholesterol metabolism is unknown.

Methods and Results

We examined
MMP
‐9–deficient (
Mmp9

−/−

) mice and found them to have abnormal lipid gene transcriptional responses to dietary cholesterol supplementation. As opposed to
Mmp9

+/+

(wild‐type) mice,
Mmp9

−/−

mice failed to decrease the hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 pathway genes, which control hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake. Furthermore,
Mmp9

−/−

mice failed to increase the expression of genes encoding the rate‐limiting enzymes in biliary cholesterol excretion (eg,
Cyp7a
and
Cyp27a
). In contrast,
MMP
‐9 deficiency did not impair intestinal cholesterol absorption, as shown by the
14
C‐cholesterol and
3
H‐sitostanol absorption assay. Similar to our earlier study on
Mmp2

−/−

mice, we observed that
Mmp9

−/−

mice had elevated plasma secreted phospholipase A
2
activity. Pharmacological inhibition of systemic circulating secreted phospholipase A
2
activity (with varespladib) partially normalized the hepatic transcriptional responses to dietary cholesterol in
Mmp9

−/−

mice. Functional studies with mice deficient in other
MMP
s suggested an important role for the
MMP
system, as a whole, in modulation of cholesterol metabolism.

Conclusions

Our results show that
MMP
‐9 modulates cholesterol metabolism, at least in part, through a novel
MMP
‐9–plasma secreted phospholipase A
2
axis that affects the hepatic transcriptional responses to dietary cholesterol. Furthermore, the data suggest that dysregulation of the
MMP
system can result in metabolic disorder, which could lead to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Two new species of Papuagrion Ris, 1913 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from New Guinea with a survey of distribution records for the genus
Authors: ORR A.G. , KALKMAN V.J.
Published: October 2016

Two new species of Papuagrion Ris, 1913 are described from Papua Province, Indonesia. These are P. marirobi sp .nov. from Japen Island and P. stellimontanum sp .nov., from the Star Mountains. The new species are, respectively, most closely allied to P. degeneratum Lieftinck and P. digitiferum Lieftinck. They bring the number of Papuagrion species to 28. New locality records of several other species are noted.
The first riparian skink (Genus: Sphenomorphus Strauch, 1887) from Peninsular Malaysia and its relationship to other Indochinese and Sundaic species
Authors: SUMARLI ALEXANDRA , GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD PERRY L., JR. , AHMAD AMIRRUDIN B. , RIZAL SYED , ISMAIL LUKMAN H. , IZAM NUR AMALINA MOHD , AHMAD NORHAYATI , LINKEM CHARLES W.
Published: October 2016

Recently discovered populations of skinks of the genus Sphenomorphus from central Peninsular Malaysia represent a new species, S. sungaicolus sp. nov., and the first riparian skink known from Peninsular Malaysia. Morphological analyses of an earlier specimen reported as S. tersus from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor indicate that it too is the new riparian species S. sungaicolus sp. nov. Additionally, two specimens from the Tembat Forest Reserve, Hulu Terengganu, Kelantan and another from Ulu Gombak, Selangor have been diagnosed as new the species. The latter specimen remained unidentified in the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii since its collection in June 1962. Morphological and molecular analyses demonstrate that S. sungaicolus sp. nov. forms a clade with the Indochinese species S. maculatus, S. indicus, and S. tersus and is the sister species of the latter. Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other members of this clade by having a smaller SVL (66.5–89.6 mm); 39–44 midbody scale rows; 72–81 paravertebral scales; 74–86 ventral scales; a primitive plantar scale arrangement; and 20–22 scale rows around the tail at the position of the 10th subcaudal.
A new South American Miocene species of 'one-holed' sand dollar (Echinoidea: Clypeasteroida: Monophorasteridae)
Authors: MOOI RICH , MARTÍNEZ SERGIO A. , RÍO CLAUDIA J. DEL
Published: October 2016

A new species of monophorasterid sand dollar, Monophoraster telfordi n. sp., is described from the Early Miocene basal horizons of the Chenque Formation of Patagonia, Santa Cruz Province, in southern Argentina. The new taxon raises the number of known species in the family to six, and represents first unequivocal record of the genus for the Early Miocene of South America. It is therefore also the oldest member of the genus. M. telfordi is characterized by its test width to length ratio, which is much higher than for the other two described species in the genus, but less than that known for the extremely wide members of the sister taxon, Amplaster. M. telfordi is also unusual among monophorasterids in lacking broad continuity between basicoronal and post-basicoronal plates in the oral interambulacra. A key is provided to all the known species of Monophorasteridae.
On the nature of Scleropages leichardti Günther, 1864 (Pisces: Osteoglossidae)
Authors: PUSEY BRADLEY J. , FISHER CLEMENCY , MACLAINE JAMES
Published: October 2016

The Australasian Saratoga (Pisces: Osteoglossidae) is currently recognised as comprised of two species Scleropages leichardti and S. jardinii. The Prussian explorer Ludwig Leichhardt (1813–c.1848) collected specimens of both species on his first major expedition across northern Australia but believed at the time that all specimens collected were from within one species. Details of the fate of these specimens are unclear as is the geographic origin of those specimens that ultimately made their way into museum collections. Günther’s 1864 description of the Southern Saratoga S. leichardti, purportedly from the Fitzroy River in Queensland to which it is restricted (although he erred and listed it as the Burdekin River) is meagre and inconsistent with contemporary accounts of the morphology of this species. It is also inconsistent with a subsequent description by de Castelnau in 1876 of the supposedly synonymous Osteoglossum guntheri. Finally, the description of S. leichardti by Günther is largely consistent with meristic and morphometric information within Saville-Kent’s (1892) description of the wide-spread Northern Saratoga S. jardinii. On balance, these inconsistencies, doubt about the provenance and geographic origin of type material and provenance of the original descriptions all strongly suggest that Günther based his description of S. leichardti on material collected from within the range of the more widespread taxon currently recognised as S. jardinii. A revision of the Australian species within the genus Scleropages is warranted.
A new genus of freshwater crab of the tribe Kingsleyini Bott, 1970 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae) with description of a new species from Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: PEDRAZA MANUEL , TAVARES MARCOS , MAGALHÃES CÉLIO
Published: October 2016

A new genus and species of freshwater crab, Melothelphusa apiaka n. gen., n. sp., from Mato Grosso, Central Brazil is described and illustrated. Brasiliothelphusa dardanelosensis Magalhães & Türkay, 2010, is assigned to the new genus Melothelphusa. Therefore, the genus Brasiliothelphusa Magalhães & Türkay, 1986, is restricted to its type species B. tapajoense Magalhães & Türkay, 1986. The new taxa can be easily separated from their close relatives by a suite of morphological characters from the first gonopod.
Dual-Polarized Radar and Surface Observations of a Winter Graupel Shower with Negative Zdr Column
Authors: Bringi V. N. , Kennedy P. C. , Huang G.-J. , Kleinkort C. , Thurai M. , Notaroš B. M.
Published: October 2016

Comprehensive analysis of an unusual graupel-shower event recorded by an S-band polarimetric radar and two optical-imaging surface instruments is presented. The primary radar characteristic was negative differential reflectivity Zdr values along a vertical column. During the afternoon hours of 16 February 2015, a sequence of three showers that were composed primarily of small (8–15-mm diameter) graupel affected the ground instrumentation site that was established for the Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera and Radar (MASCRAD) experiment in the high plains of Colorado. While these showers passed the instrumentation site, the CSU–CHILL radar conducted high-time-resolution (~2.5-min cycle time) range–height indicator (RHI) scans from a range of 13 km. The RHI data show that the negative Zdr values extended vertically through much of the reflectivity cores, implying that the reflectivity-weighted mean axis ratios of the graupel particles in this event remained somewhat prolate throughout their lifetime. To be specific, the cores of the convective showers only extended to heights of ~3.5 km AGL and had fractionally negative (from ~−0.3 to −0.7 dB) Zdr levels in those cores. Particle-image data obtained by the MASC system and by a collocated 2D video disdrometer measured the diameters, shapes, and fall speeds of the graupel particles as they reached the surface. The graupel particles were found to be primarily of the lump type with a slightly prolate mean shape (especially for the larger-diameter particles). Microwave backscatter calculations confirm that the graupel-particle shape and orientation characteristics are consistent with the observed slightly, but consistently, negative Zdr values.
Contribution of Tropical Cyclones to Rainfall at the Global Scale
Authors: Khouakhi Abdou , Villarini Gabriele , Vecchi Gabriel A.
Published: October 2016

This study quantifies the relative contribution of tropical cyclones (TCs) to annual, seasonal, and extreme rainfall and examines the connection between El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the occurrence of extreme TC-induced rainfall across the globe. The authors use historical 6-h best-track TC datasets and daily precipitation data from 18 607 global rain gauges with at least 25 complete years of data between 1970 and 2014. The highest TC-induced rainfall totals occur in East Asia (>400 mm yr−1) and northeastern Australia (>200 mm yr−1), followed by the southeastern United States and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico (100–150 mm yr−1). Fractionally, TCs account for 35%–50% of the mean annual rainfall in northwestern Australia, southeastern China, the northern Philippines, and Baja California, Mexico. Seasonally, between 40% and 50% of TC-induced rain is recorded along the western coast of Australia and in islands of the south Indian Ocean in the austral summer and in East Asia and Mexico in boreal summer and fall. In terms of extremes, using annual maximum and peak-over-threshold approaches, the highest proportions of TC-induced rainfall are found in East Asia, followed by Australia and North and Central America, with fractional contributions generally decreasing farther inland from the coast. The relationship between TC-induced extreme rainfall and ENSO reveals that TC-induced extreme rainfall tends to occur more frequently in Australia and along the U.S. East Coast during La Niña and in East Asia and the northwestern Pacific islands during El Niño.
Inverse associations between cord vitamin D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: A child cohort study
Authors: Mossin Mats H , Aaby Jens B , Dalgård Christine , Lykkedegn Sine , Christesen Henrik T , Bilenberg Niels
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To examine the association between cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D2+3 (25(OH)D) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers, using Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5.

Method:

In a population-based birth cohort, a Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5 questionnaire was returned from parents of 1233 infants with mean age 2.7 (standard deviation 0.6) years. Adjusted associations between cord 25(OH)D and Child Behaviour Checklist–based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problems were analysed by multiple regression.

Results

The median cord 25(OH)D was 44.1 (range: 1.5–127.1) nmol/L. Mean attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem score was 2.7 (standard deviation 2.1). In adjusted analyses, cord 25(OH)D levels >25 nmol/L and >30 nmol/L were associated with lower attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scores compared to levels ⩽25 nmol/L ( p = 0.035) and ⩽30 nmol/L ( p = 0.043), respectively. The adjusted odds of scoring above the 90th percentile on the Child Behaviour Checklist–based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem scale decreased by 11% per 10 nmol/L increase in cord 25(OH)D.

Conclusion:

An inverse association between cord 25(OH)D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers was found, suggesting a protective effect of prenatal vitamin D.
Intrinsic brain abnormalities in young healthy adults with childhood trauma: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study of regional homogeneity and functional connectivity
Authors: Lu Shaojia , Gao Weijia , Wei Zhaoguo , Wang Dandan , Hu Shaohua , Huang Manli , Xu Yi , Li Lingjiang
Published: October 2016

Objective:

Childhood trauma confers great risk for the development of multiple psychiatric disorders; however, the neural basis for this association is still unknown. The present resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study aimed to detect the effects of childhood trauma on brain function in a group of young healthy adults.

Methods:

In total, 24 healthy individuals with childhood trauma and 24 age- and sex-matched adults without childhood trauma were recruited. Each participant underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Intra-regional brain activity was evaluated by regional homogeneity method and compared between groups. Areas with altered regional homogeneity were further selected as seeds in subsequent functional connectivity analysis. Statistical analyses were performed by setting current depression and anxiety as covariates.

Results:

Adults with childhood trauma showed decreased regional homogeneity in bilateral superior temporal gyrus and insula, and the right inferior parietal lobule, as well as increased regional homogeneity in the right cerebellum and left middle temporal gyrus. Regional homogeneity values in the left middle temporal gyrus, right insula and right cerebellum were correlated with childhood trauma severity. In addition, individuals with childhood trauma also exhibited altered default mode network, cerebellum-default mode network and insula-default mode network connectivity when the left middle temporal gyrus, right cerebellum and right insula were selected as seed area, respectively.

Conclusion:

The present outcomes suggest that childhood trauma is associated with disturbed intrinsic brain function, especially the default mode network, in adults even without psychiatric diagnoses, which may mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and psychiatric disorders in later life.
Communicative tensions of meaningful work: The case of sustainability practitioners
Authors: Mitra Rahul , Buzzanell Patrice M
Published: October 2016

This study, based on in-depth interviews with 45 practitioners in the emerging field of environmental sustainability, argues for a more nuanced approach to studying the meaningfulness of work. Drawing from the tension-centered approach, we posit that sustainability practitioners derived meaningfulness in tensional ways from circumstances and factors that were both enabling and constraining, stemming from various organizational, professional and political structures. This occurs through ongoing negotiation that spans everyday work processes, the perceived impact of such work, and participants’ career positioning. In addition to examining meaningfulness as a dynamic and contested negotiation, rather than a purely positive outcome, the political implications of such meaning-making are traced. We close by discussing some implications for future research on meaningfulness of work.
Critical social work and the promotion of citizenship in Chile
Authors: Muñoz Arce Gianinna
Published: October 2016

Drawing upon the findings of my doctoral research, this article examines social workers’ understanding and interventions related to the promotion of citizenship in Chile. The study involved documentary analysis and 26 semi-structured interviews with social workers who, employed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), implemented state policy for addressing poverty and social exclusion. The findings indicate that social workers understood citizenship as the exercise of individual rights mainly. At the same time, strategies employed by some social workers to oppose resistance to such neoliberal reworking of citizenship were identified. Suggestions are made with respect to the development of Chilean social work from a critical perspective.