bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pinus massonianaBark Extract: Structure–Activity Relationship and Biomedical Potentials
Authors: Feng Jiao , Zhang Xiao-Lu , Li Ying-Ya , Cui Ying-Yu , Chen Yi-Han
Published: November 2016

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) belong to the condensed tannin subfamily of natural flavonoids. Recent studies have shown that the main bioactive compounds of Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) are PAs, especially the proanthocyanidins B series, which play important roles in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. PA-Bs are mixtures of oligomers and polymers composed of flavan-3-ol, and the relationship between their structure and corresponding biomedical potentials is summarized in this paper. The hydroxyl at certain positions or the linkage between different carbon atoms of different rings determines or affects their anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging bioactivities. The degree of polymerization and the water solubility of the reaction system also influence their biomedical potential. Taken together, PMBE has a promising future in clinical drug development as a candidate anticancer drug and as a food additive to prevent tumorigenesis. We hope this review will encourage interested researchers to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the anticancer activities of PMBE, its active constituents and their derivatives.
Angelica gigas Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Steatosis in C57BL/KsJ-db/db Mice via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway
Authors: Bae Ui-Jin , Choi Eun-Kyung , Oh Mi-Ra , Jung Su-Jin , Park Joon , Jung Tae-Sung , Park Tae-Sun , Chae Soo-Wan , Park Byung-Hyun
Published: November 2016

The prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a major global public health challenge. Decursin, an active compound of Angelica gigas Nakai roots, was recently reported to have a glucose-lowering activity. However, the antidiabetic effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AGNE) has not yet been investigated. We evaluated the effects of AGNE on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic mice and investigated the underlying mechanism by which AGNE acts. Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were treated with either AGNE (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg) or metformin (100 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. AGNE supplementation (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly decreased fasting glucose and insulin levels, decreased the areas under the curve of glucose in oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, and improved homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) scores. AGNE also ameliorated hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Mechanistic studies suggested that the glucose-lowering effect of AGNE was mediated by the activation of AMP activated protein kinase, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3[Formula: see text]. AGNE can potentially improve hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Preventive Intra Oral Treatment of Sea Cucumber Ameliorate OVA-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Lee Da-In , Park Mi-Kyung , Kang Shin Ae , Choi Jun-Ho , Kang Seok-Jung , Lee Jeong-Yeol , Yu Hak Sun
Published: November 2016

Sea cucumber extracts have potent biological effects, including anti-viral, anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammation effects. To understand their anti-asthma effects, we induced allergic airway inflammation in mice after 7 oral administrations of the extract. The hyper-responsiveness value in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-alum-induced asthma after oral injection of sea cucumber extracts was significantly lower than that in the OVA-alum-induced asthma group. In addition, the number of eosinophils in the lungs of asthma-induced mice pre-treated with sea cucumber extract was significantly decreased compared to that of PBS pre-treated mice. Additionally, CD4[Formula: see text]CD25[Formula: see text]Foxp3[Formula: see text]T (regulatory T; Treg) cells significantly increased in mesenteric lymph nodes after 7 administrations of the extract. These results suggest that sea cucumber extract can ameliorate allergic airway inflammation via Treg cell activation and recruitment to the lung.
BVDT: A Boosted Vector Decision Tree Algorithm for Multi-Class Classification Problems
Authors: Wu Kaiyuan , Zheng Zhiming , Tang Shaoting
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we propose a powerful weak learner (Vector Decision Tree (VDT)) and a new Boosted Vector Decision Tree (BVDT) algorithm framework for the task of multi-class classification. Unlike the traditional scalar valued boosting algorithms, the BVDT algorithm directly maps the feature space to the decision space in the multi-class setting, which facilitates convenient implementations of the multi-class classification algorithms using diverse loss functions. By viewing the explicit hard threshold on the leaf node value applied in the LogitBoost as a constraint optimization problem, we further develop two new variants of the BVDT algorithm: the [Formula: see text]-BVDT and the [Formula: see text]-BVDT. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on different datasets and compared with three state-of-the-art boosting algorithms, [Formula: see text]-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm ranks first in all but one dataset and reduces the test error rate by 4% up to 58% with respect to the state-of-the-art boosting algorithms based on the scalar-valued weak learner. Furthermore, we present a case study on the Abalone dataset by designing a new loss function that combines the negative log-likelihood loss function of classification problem and square loss function of regression problem.
Unsupervised Image Segmentation with Pairwise Markov Chains Based on Nonparametric Estimation of Copula Using Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Atiampo Armand Kodjo , Loum Georges Laussane
Published: November 2016

Copula were introduced in Markov models in the early 2000s to better model the relationship between the observation data involved in these models. However, their estimation is difficult. This paper presents a new approach in the estimation of copula in Markov models. The proposed approach is based on a nonparametric method of estimating the density of the copula. The decomposition of an orthonormal basis of the unit interval support polynomials is used to estimate this density. The family of polynomial used is built from the family of Legendre polynomials. Our approach has the major advantage of reducing the problem of unsupervised image segmentation by Pairwise Markov chains to the problem of the estimated marginal distributions unlike the conventional approach which requires both an estimation of the density the marginal distributions and the estimation of the density distribution of the copula. Moreover, the problems of boundary effect encountered in the density estimation of copulas are solved by the use of orthonormal basis functions in the unit interval. The new model is validated from experiments performed on synthetic images and real images including optical and radar satellite images not necessarily affected by the Gaussian noise. The results are encouraging and show the proposed model as an interesting alternative to Pairwise Markov chains commonly used in literature.
Mathematical model of LsrR-binding and derepression inEscherichia coliK12
Authors: Graff Steven M. , Bentley William E.
Published: November 2016

Quorum sensing (QS) enables bacterial communication and collective behavior in response to self-secreted signaling molecules. Unlocking its genetic regulation will provide insight towards understanding its influence on pathogenesis, formation of biofilms, and many other phenotypes. There are few datasets available that link QS-mediated gene expression to its regulatory components and even fewer mathematical models that incorporate known mechanistic detail. By integrating these data with annotated sequence information, mathematical inferences can be pieced together that shed light on regulatory structure. A first principles model, developed here for the E. coli QS system, builds on known mechanistic detail and is used to develop a working model of LuxS-regulated (Lsr) activity. That is, our model is meant to discriminate among hypothetical mechanisms governing lsr transcriptional regulation. Our simulations are in qualitative agreement with experimentally observed data. Importantly, our results point to the importance of transcriptional regulator, LsrR, cycling on genetic control. We also found several experimental observations in E. coli and homologous systems that were not explained by current mechanistic understanding. For example, by comparing simulations with reports of the integrating host factor in Aggrigatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, we conclude that additional transcriptional components are likely involved. An iterative process of simulation and experiment, therefore, is needed to inform new experiments and incorporate new model detail, the benefit of which will more rapidly validate mechanistic understanding.
An Efficient Method for Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures in the Presence of Uncertainty in Loading Direction
Authors: Liu Jie , Wen Guilin , Qing Qixiang , Xie Yi Min
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a simple yet efficient method for the topology optimization of continuum structures considering interval uncertainties in loading directions. Interval mathematics is employed to equivalently transform the uncertain topology optimization problem into a deterministic one with multiple load cases. An efficient soft-kill bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method is proposed to solve the problem, which only requires two finite element analyses per iteration for each external load with directional uncertainty regardless of the number of the multiple load cases. The presented algorithm leads to significant computational savings when compared with Monte Carlo-based optimization (MCBO) algorithms. A series of numerical examples including symmetric and nonsymmetric loading variations demonstrate the considerable improvement of computational efficiency of the proposed approach as well as the significance of including uncertainties in topology optimization when to design a structure. Optimums obtained from the proposed algorithm are verified by MCBO method.
URINARY RETENTION CAUSED BY A BOTCHED CASTRATION IN A GOAT
Authors: Lai Jyh-Mirn , Chang Ming-Huang , Hwang Ming-Yang , Wang Jiann-Hsiung
Published: November 2016

Urinary retention in goats is usually associated with dietary problems. So far there have been no reports of this issue being the result of a botched castration. A 9-month-old, male castrated Nubia goat suffered from urinary retention after undergoing castration six months ago. Although the owner tried a remedy to the problem by removing part of the goat’s penis, ventral subcutaneous oedema remained and the goat was sent to a hospital for further examination. Physical, hematological and biochemical examinations, X-ray, and ultrasound images revealed azotemia, an enlarged bladder (over 12[Formula: see text]cm) and ventral cutaneous oedema. Urethrectomy was performed two days after the goat was hospitalized, and caseous was observed during the procedure in the areas surrounding the scrotum and spermatic cord; the caseous was believed to press the urinary tract to cause urine retention in the urinary bladder. The goat was healthy, without signs of azotemia, after the urethral tract was sutured on the perineal skin. This case demonstrated that urinary retention in goats can also be caused by an inappropriately administered castration, which causes caseous to allow the urinary tract to be blocked from outside.
Modeling Mismatch Strain Induced Self-Folding of Bilayer Gel Structures
Authors: Xiao Rui
Published: November 2016

When exposed to a solvent, a gel bilayer beam can bend due to different swelling abilities of the two layers. In this work, an analytical model is derived to obtain the curvature of the bilayer beam. The model is further linearized to obtain an explicit expression for the curvature. The finite element model is used to verify the above analytical solutions. The results show the curvature predicted by the analytical model is in excellent agreement with the finite element results. The linear model predicts a smaller curvature at large swelling ratio. These results suggest the analytical models can provide a design metric for self-folding 3D structures.
Light-Induced Bending and Buckling of Large-Deflected Liquid Crystalline Polymer Plates
Authors: Fu Chenbo , Xu Yiwei , Xu Fan , Huo Yongzhong
Published: November 2016

Cross-linked liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) are smart materials for large light-activated variation or bend to transfer luminous energy into mechanical energy. We study the light-induced behavior of homeotropic nematic network polymer plates. The perturbation method is applied to find approximate solutions under uniform illumination and compared with finite element simulations. Moreover, situations of nonuniform laser illumination are investigated. Unlike single solution obtained from small displacement assumption, multiple solutions within Föppl–von Kármán nonlinear geometry framework are found in the post-buckling regime and the effect of various boundary conditions is discussed. The nonuniform bending moment generated by the inhomogeneous light-induced strain, membrane force and boundary effects lead to the unconventional nonsymmetric buckling behavior that is rarely observed under traditional mechanical or thermal loading.
Application of the Natural Refrigerant Mixture R-290/DME to a Soft Ice Cream Refrigerator
Authors: Kim Nae-Hyun
Published: November 2016

Due to the ozone depletion issue, R-502, which had long been used as the refrigerant of an ice cream refrigerator, has been replaced by R-404A. However, global warming potential (GWP) of R-404A is high, and thus, a replacement refrigerant is necessary in the long term. Natural refrigerants, such as R-290 or DME (dimethylether), could be a choice. In this study, an ice cream refrigerator cycle was optimized using R-290/DME mixture (mass fraction 65/35). The optimization was accomplished through a search for the proper refrigerant charge amount and the opening of the expansion valve. For the present ice cream refrigerator having 2.8[Formula: see text]L freezer volume, the optimum charge amount was 900[Formula: see text]g, and the optimum valve opening was [Formula: see text]120[Formula: see text]. At this configuration, the ice cream formation time was 3[Formula: see text] 6[Formula: see text] and COP was 2.0. The ice cream formation time was much shorter than when R-404A was used, and the COP was increased by more than 100%. For actual usage of the refrigerant, however, the flammability issue of the R-290/DME mixture should be cleared.
Observability and Controllability Study of a Household Refrigerator Exposed to an Outdoor Cold Airflow Using Bond Graph Approach
Authors: Aridhi Emna , Albouchi Afef , Mami Abdelkader
Published: November 2016

The present paper studies the properties of observability and controllability using Bond Graph (BG) approach. It is especially applied to a pseudo BG model that describes the thermal transfers in a household refrigerator compartment exposed to an outdoor natural cold airflow. This latter is spread out in an installation, which consists of a cavity covering the side wall of the appliance and connected to inlet and outlet ducts through two openings. The study results show that the pseudo BG model is observable and controllable in time-varying (TV) systems using the concept of duality.
Evaluation of Histogram of Oriented Gradients Soft Errors Criticality for Automotive Applications
Authors: Fernandes Fernando , Weigel Lucas , Jung Claudio , Navaux Philippe , Carro Luigi , Rech Paolo
Published: November 2016

Pedestrian detection reliability is a key problem for autonomous or aided driving, and methods that use Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) are very popular. Embedded Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are exploited to run HOG in a very efficient manner. Unfortunately, GPUs architecture has been shown to be particularly vulnerable to radiation-induced failures. This article presents an experimental evaluation and analytical study of HOG reliability. We aim at quantifying and qualifying the radiation-induced errors on pedestrian detection applications executed in embedded GPUs.

We analyze experimental results obtained executing HOG on embedded GPUs from two different vendors, exposed for about 100 hours to a controlled neutron beam at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We consider the number and position of detected objects as well as precision and recall to discriminate critical erroneous computations. The reported analysis shows that, while being intrinsically resilient (65% to 85% of output errors only slightly impact detection), HOG experienced some particularly critical errors that could result in undetected pedestrians or unnecessary vehicle stops.

Additionally, we perform a fault-injection campaign to identify HOG critical procedures. We observe that Resize and Normalize are the most sensitive and critical phases, as about 20% of injections generate an output error that significantly impacts HOG detection. With our insights, we are able to find those limited portions of HOG that, if hardened, are more likely to increase reliability without introducing unnecessary overhead.
Aerobic system analysis based on oxygen uptake and hip acceleration during random over-ground walking activities
Authors: Beltrame Thomas , Hughson Richard L.
Published: November 2016

Deteriorated aerobic response to moderate exercise might precede the manifestation of clinical symptoms of noncommunicable diseases. The purpose of the current study was to verify that the use of current wearable technologies for analysis of pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇o2) dynamics during a pseudorandom ternary sequence (PRTS) over-ground walking protocol is a suitable procedure for the investigation of the aerobic response in more realistic settings. A wearable accelerometer located at the hip assessed the magnitude of the input changes delivered to the aerobic system. Eight adults (24 ± 4 yr old, 174 ± 7 cm, and 71.4 ± 7.4 kg) performed two identical PRTS over-ground walking protocols. In addition, they performed on the cycle ergometer two identical pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) protocols and one incremental protocol for maximal V̇o2 determination. In the frequency domain, mean normalized gain amplitude (MNG in %) quantified V̇o2 dynamics. The MNG during PRTS was correlated ( r = −0.80, P = 0.01) with the V̇o2 time constant (τ) obtained during cycling. The MNG estimated during PRBS was similar to the MNG estimated during PRTS ( r = 0.80, P = 0.01). The maximal V̇o2 correlated with the MNG obtained during the PRBS ( r = 0.79, P = 0.01) and PRTS ( r = 0.78, P = 0.02) protocols. In conclusion, PRTS over-ground walking protocol can be used to evaluate the aerobic system dynamics by the simultaneous measurement of V̇o2 and hip acceleration. In addition, the aerobic response dynamics from PRBS and PRTS were correlated to maximal V̇o2. This study has shown that wearable technologies in combination with assessment of MNG, a novel indicator of system dynamics, open new possibilities to monitor cardiorespiratory health under conditions that better simulate activities of daily living than cardiopulmonary exercise testing performed in a medical environment.
Ion transport in the zebrafish kidney from a human disease angle: possibilities, considerations, and future perspectives
Authors: Kersten Simone , Arjona Francisco J.
Published: November 2016

Unique experimental advantages, such as its embryonic/larval transparency, high-throughput nature, and ease of genetic modification, underpin the rapid emergence of the zebrafish ( Danio rerio) as a preeminent model in biomedical research. Particularly in the field of nephrology, the zebrafish provides a promising model for studying the physiological implications of human solute transport processes along consecutive nephron segments. However, although the zebrafish might be considered a valuable model for numerous renal ion transport diseases and functional studies of many channels and transporters, not all human renal electrolyte transport mechanisms and human diseases can be modeled in the zebrafish. With this review, we explore the ontogeny of zebrafish renal ion transport, its nephron structure and function, and thereby demonstrate the clinical translational value of this model. By critical assessment of genomic and amino acid conservation of human proteins involved in renal ion handling (channels, transporters, and claudins), kidney and nephron segment conservation, and renal electrolyte transport physiology in the zebrafish, we provide researchers and nephrologists with an indication of the possibilities and considerations of the zebrafish as a model for human renal ion transport. Combined with advanced techniques envisioned for the future, implementation of the zebrafish might expand beyond unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie distinct genetic or environmentally, i.e., pharmacological and lifestyle, induced renal transport deficits. Specifically, the ease of drug administration and the exploitation of improved genetic approaches might argue for the adoption of the zebrafish as a model for preclinical personalized medicine for distinct renal diseases and renal electrolyte transport proteins.
IL-17 mediates neutrophil infiltration and renal fibrosis following recovery from ischemia reperfusion: compensatory role of natural killer cells in athymic rats
Authors: Mehrotra Purvi , Collett Jason A. , McKinney Seth D. , Stevens Jackson , Ivancic Carlie M. , Basile David P.
Published: November 2016

T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous studies suggest that Th17 cells participate during the AKI-to-CKD transition, and inhibition of T cell activity by mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or losartan attenuates the development of fibrosis following AKI. We hypothesized that T cell-deficient rats may have reduced levels of IL-17 cytokine leading to decreased fibrosis following AKI. Renal ischemis-reperfusion (I/R) was performed on T cell-deficient athymic rats (Foxn1rnu−/rnu−) and control euthymic rats (Foxn1rnu−/+), and CKD progression was hastened by unilateral nephrectomy at day 33 and subsequent exposure to 4.0% sodium diet. Renal fibrosis developed in euthymic rats and was reduced by MMF treatment. Athymic rats exhibited a similar degree of fibrosis, but this was unaffected by MMF treatment. FACS analysis demonstrated that the number of IL-17+cells was similar between postischemic athymic vs. euthymic rats. The source of IL-17 production in euthymic rats was predominately from conventional T cells (CD3+/CD161−). In the absence of conventional T cells in athymic rats, a compensatory pathway involving natural killer cells (CD3−/CD161+) was the primary source of IL-17. Blockade of IL-17 activity using IL-17Rc receptor significantly decreased fibrosis and neutrophil recruitment in both euthymic and athymic rats compared with vehicle-treated controls. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-17 secretion participates in the pathogenesis of AKI-induced fibrosis possibly via the recruitment of neutrophils and that the source of IL-17 may be from either conventional T cells or NK cells.
The critical role of Krüppel-like factors in kidney disease
Authors: Mallipattu Sandeep K. , Estrada Chelsea C. , He John C.
Published: November 2016

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of zinc-finger transcription factors critical to mammalian embryonic development, regeneration, and human disease. There is emerging evidence that KLFs play a vital role in key physiological processes in the kidney, ranging from maintenance of glomerular filtration barrier to tubulointerstitial inflammation to progression of kidney fibrosis. Seventeen members of the KLF family have been identified, and several have been well characterized in the kidney. Although they may share some overlap in their downstream targets, their structure and function remain distinct. This review highlights our current knowledge of KLFs in the kidney, which includes their pattern of expression and their function in regulating key biological processes. We will also critically examine the currently available literature on KLFs in the kidney and offer some key areas in need of further investigation.
Functional role of airflow-sensing hairs on the bat wing
Authors: Sterbing-D'Angelo S. J. , Chadha M. , Marshall K. L. , Moss C. F.
Published: November 2016

The wing membrane of the big brown bat ( Eptesicus fuscus) is covered by a sparse grid of microscopic hairs. We showed previously that various tactile receptors (e.g., lanceolate endings and Merkel cell neurite complexes) are associated with wing-hair follicles. Furthermore, we found that depilation of these hairs decreased the maneuverability of bats in flight. In the present study, we investigated whether somatosensory signals arising from the hairs carry information about airflow parameters. Neural responses to calibrated air puffs on the wing were recorded from primary somatosensory cortex of E. fuscus. Single units showed sparse, phasic, and consistently timed spikes that were insensitive to air-puff duration and magnitude. The neurons discriminated airflow from different directions, and a majority responded with highest firing rates to reverse airflow from the trailing toward the leading edge of the dorsal wing. Reverse airflow, caused by vortices, occurs commonly in slowly flying bats. Hence, the present findings suggest that cortical neurons are specialized to monitor reverse airflow, indicating laminar airflow disruption (vorticity) that potentially destabilizes flight and leads to stall.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Bat wings are adaptive airfoils that enable demanding flight maneuvers. The bat wing is sparsely covered with sensory hairs, and wing-hair removal results in reduced flight maneuverability. Here, we report for the first time single-neuron responses recorded from primary somatosensory cortex to airflow stimulation that varied in amplitude, duration, and direction. The neurons show high sensitivity to the directionality of airflow and might act as stall detectors.
Forward and inverse effects of the complete electrode model in neonatal EEG
Authors: Pursiainen S. , Lew S. , Wolters C. H.
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates finite element method-based modeling in the context of neonatal electroencephalography (EEG). In particular, the focus lies on electrode boundary conditions. We compare the complete electrode model (CEM) with the point electrode model (PEM), which is the current standard in EEG. In the CEM, the voltage experienced by an electrode is modeled more realistically as the integral average of the potential distribution over its contact surface, whereas the PEM relies on a point value. Consequently, the CEM takes into account the subelectrode shunting currents, which are absent in the PEM. In this study, we aim to find out how the electrode voltage predicted by these two models differ, if standard size electrodes are attached to a head of a neonate. Additionally, we study voltages and voltage variation on electrode surfaces with two source locations: 1) next to the C6 electrode and 2) directly under the Fz electrode and the frontal fontanel. A realistic model of a neonatal head, including a skull with fontanels and sutures, is used. Based on the results, the forward simulation differences between CEM and PEM are in general small, but significant outliers can occur in the vicinity of the electrodes. The CEM can be considered as an integral part of the outer head model. The outcome of this study helps understanding volume conduction of neonatal EEG, since it enlightens the role of advanced skull and electrode modeling in forward and inverse computations.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effect of the complete electrode model on electroencephalography forward and inverse computations is explored. A realistic neonatal head model, including a skull structure with fontanels and sutures, is used. The electrode and skull modeling differences are analyzed and compared with each other. The results suggest that the complete electrode model can be considered as an integral part of the outer head model. To achieve optimal source localization results, accurate electrode modeling might be necessary.
Cortical plasticity following stripe rearing in the marsupialMonodelphis domestica: neural response properties of V1
Authors: Dooley James C. , Donaldson Michaela S. , Krubitzer Leah A.
Published: November 2016

The functional organization of the primary visual area (V1) and the importance of sensory experience in its normal development have been well documented in eutherian mammals. However, very few studies have investigated the response properties of V1 neurons in another large class of mammals, or whether sensory experience plays a role in shaping their response properties. Thus we reared opossums ( Monodelphis domestica) in normal and vertically striped cages until they reached adulthood. They were then anesthetized using urethane, and electrophysiological techniques were used to examine neuronal responses to different orientations, spatial and temporal frequencies, and contrast levels. For normal opossums, we observed responses to the temporal and spatial characteristics of the stimulus to be similar to those described in small, nocturnal, eutherian mammals such as rats and mice; neurons in V1 responded maximally to stimuli at 0.09 cycles per degree and 2.12 cycles per second. Unlike other eutherians, but similar to other marsupials investigated, only 40% of the neurons were orientation selective. In stripe-reared animals, neurons were significantly more likely to respond to vertical stimuli at a wider range of spatial frequencies, and were more sensitive to gratings at lower contrast values compared with normal animals. These results are the first to demonstrate experience-dependent plasticity in the visual system of a marsupial species. Thus the ability of cortical neurons to alter their properties based on the dynamics of the visual environment predates the emergence of eutherian mammals and was likely present in our earliest mammalian ancestors.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY These results are the first description of visual response properties of the most commonly studied marsupial model organism, the short-tailed opossum ( Monodelphis domestica). Further, these results are the first to demonstrate experience-dependent plasticity in the visual system of a marsupial species. Thus the ability of cortical neurons to alter their properties based on the dynamics of the visual environment predates the emergence of eutherian mammals and was likely present in our earliest mammalian ancestors.
On identifying kinematic and muscle synergies: a comparison of matrix factorization methods using experimental data from the healthy population
Authors: Lambert-Shirzad Navid , Van der Loos H. F. Machiel
Published: November 2016

Human motor behavior is highly goal directed, requiring the central nervous system to coordinate different aspects of motion generation to achieve the motion goals. The concept of motor synergies provides an approach to quantify the covariation of joint motions and of muscle activations, i.e., elemental variables, during a task. To analyze goal-directed movements, factorization methods can be used to reduce the high dimensionality of these variables while accounting for much of the variance in large data sets. Three factorization methods considered in this paper are principal component analysis (PCA), nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF), and independent component analysis (ICA). Bilateral human reaching data sets are used to compare the methods, and advantages of each are presented and discussed. PCA and NNMF had a comparable performance on both EMG and joint motion data and both outperformed ICA. However, NNMF's nonnegativity condition for activation of basis vectors is a useful attribute in identifying physiologically meaningful synergies, making it a more appealing method for future studies. A simulated data set is introduced to clarify the approaches and interpretation of the synergy structures returned by the three factorization methods.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Literature on comparing factorization methods in identifying motor synergies using numerically generated, simulation, and muscle activation data from animal studies already exists. We present an empirical evaluation of the performance of three of these methods on muscle activation and joint angles data from human reaching motion: principal component analysis, nonnegative matrix factorization, and independent component analysis. Using numerical simulation, we also studied the meaning and differences in the synergy structures returned by each method. The results can be used to unify approaches in identifying and interpreting motor synergies.
Trial-to-trial adjustments of speed-accuracy trade-offs in premotor and primary motor cortex
Authors: Thura David , Guberman Guido , Cisek Paul
Published: November 2016

Recent studies have shown that activity in sensorimotor structures varies depending on the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) context in which a decision is made. Here we tested the hypothesis that the same areas also reflect a more local adjustment of SAT established between individual trials, based on the outcome of the previous decision. Two monkeys performed a reaching decision task in which sensory evidence continuously evolves during the time course of a trial. In two SAT contexts, we compared neural activity in trials following a correct choice vs. those following an error. In dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), we found that 23% of cells exhibited significantly weaker baseline activity after error trials, and for ∼30% of these this effect persisted into the deliberation epoch. These cells also contributed to the process of combining sensory evidence with the growing urgency to commit to a choice. We also found that the activity of 22% of PMd cells was increased after error trials. These neurons appeared to carry less information about sensory evidence and time-dependent urgency. For most of these modulated cells, the effect was independent of whether the previous error was expected or unexpected. We found similar phenomena in primary motor cortex (M1), with 25% of cells decreasing and 34% increasing activity after error trials, but unlike PMd, these neurons showed less clear differences in their response properties. These findings suggest that PMd and M1 belong to a network of brain areas involved in SAT adjustments established using the recent history of reinforcement.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Setting the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) is crucial for efficient decision making. Previous studies have reported that subjects adjust their SAT after individual decisions, usually choosing more conservatively after errors, but the neural correlates of this phenomenon are only partially known. Here, we show that neurons in PMd and M1 of monkeys performing a reach decision task support this mechanism by adequately modulating their firing rate as a function of the outcome of the previous decision.
Contributions of rapid neuromuscular transmission to the fine control of acoustic parameters of birdsong
Authors: Mencio Caitlin , Kuberan Balagurunathan , Goller Franz
Published: November 2016

Neural control of complex vocal behaviors, such as birdsong and speech, requires integration of biomechanical nonlinearities through muscular output. Although control of airflow and tension of vibrating tissues are known functions of vocal muscles, it remains unclear how specific muscle characteristics contribute to specific acoustic parameters. To address this gap, we removed heparan sulfate chains using heparitinases to perturb neuromuscular transmission subtly in the syrinx of adult male zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata). Infusion of heparitinases into ventral syringeal muscles altered their excitation threshold and reduced neuromuscular transmission changing their ability to modulate airflow. The changes in muscle activation dynamics caused a reduction in frequency modulation rates and elimination of many high-frequency syllables but did not alter the fundamental frequency of syllables. Sound amplitude was reduced and sound onset pressure was increased, suggesting a role of muscles in the induction of self-sustained oscillations under low-airflow conditions, thus enhancing vocal efficiency. These changes were reversed to preinfusion levels by 7 days after infusion. These results illustrate complex interactions between the control of airflow and tension and further define the importance of syringeal muscle in the control of a variety of acoustic song characteristics. In summary, the findings reported here show that altering neuromuscular transmission can lead to reversible changes to the acoustic structure of song. Understanding the full extent of muscle involvement in song production is critical in decoding the motor program for the production of complex vocal behavior, including our search for parallels between birdsong and human speech motor control.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY It is largely unknown how fine motor control of acoustic parameters is achieved in vocal organs. Subtle manipulation of syringeal muscle function was used to test how active motor control influences acoustic parameters. Slowed activation kinetics of muscles reduced frequency modulation and, unexpectedly, caused a distinct decrease in sound amplitude and increase in phonation onset pressure. These results show that active control enhances the efficiency of energy conversion in the syrinx.
Enhancement of Polymerase Activity of the Large Fragment in DNA Polymerase I fromGeobacillus stearothermophilusby Site-Directed Mutagenesis at the Active Site
Authors: Ma Yi , Zhang Beilei , Wang Meng , Ou Yanghui , Wang Jufang , Li Shan
Published: November 2016

The large fragment of DNA polymerase I fromGeobacillus stearothermophilusGIM1.543 (Bst DNA polymerase) with 5′-3′ DNA polymerase activity while in absence of 5′-3′ exonuclease activity possesses high thermal stability and polymerase activity. Bst DNA polymerase was employed in isothermal multiple self-matching initiated amplification (IMSA) which amplified the interest sequence with high selectivity and was widely applied in the rapid detection of human epidemic diseases. However, the detailed information of commercial Bst DNA polymerase is unpublished and well protected by patents, which makes the high price of commercial kits. In this study, wild-type Bst DNA polymerase (WT) and substitution mutations for improving the efficiency of DNA polymerization were expressed and purified inE. coli. Site-directed substitutions of four conserved residues (Gly310, Arg412, Lys416, and Asp540) in the activity site of Bst DNA polymerase influenced efficiency of polymerizing dNTPs. The substitution of residue Gly310by alanine or leucine and residue Asp540by glutamic acid increased the efficiency of polymerase activity. All mutants with higher polymerizing efficiency were employed to complete the rapid detection of EV71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) by IMSA approach with relatively shorter period which is suitable for the primary diagnostics setting in rural and underdeveloped areas.
A Fault Diagnosis Method of High Voltage Circuit Breaker Based on Moving Contact Motion Trajectory and ELM
Authors: Niu Weihua , Liang Guishu , Yuan Hejin , Li Baoshu
Published: November 2016

In order to avoid the deficiencies of conventional high voltage circuit breaker mechanical properties detection methods, a new algorithm based on image block matching with diamond search strategy is presented in this paper. The motion of auxiliary mark on the pull rod or shaft is firstly recorded by a high-speed and high-definition digital camera when the circuit breaker is open or close. Then the motion trajectory is acquired through diamond image block matching method. The mechanical parameters, such as travel and open and close velocity, are calculated according to the travel-time curve of the circuit breaker. Finally, evaluation model is constructed taking mechanical parameters characteristic values as inputs of ELM. Comparing to the existing techniques, our method is a noncontact measurement based on computer vision. It is easy and convenient for practical application since it need not any electrical and mechanical connection to the breaker. Another advantage of our method is that it can obtain the line and angle displacement simultaneously. The experiment results on the circuit breaker of 220 kv show that our method is effective for breaker mechanical properties detection.
Stability of the Cauchy Additive Functional Equation on Tangle Space and Applications
Authors: Kim Soo Hwan
Published: November 2016

We introduce real tangle and its operations, as a generalization of rational tangle and its operations, to enumerating tangles by using the calculus of continued fraction and moreover we study the analytical structure of tangles, knots, and links by using new operations between real tangles which need not have the topological structure. As applications of the analytical structure, we prove the generalized Hyers-Ulam stability of the Cauchy additive functional equation fx⊕y=fx⊕fy in tangle space which is a set of real tangles with analytic structure and describe the DNA recombination as the action of some enzymes on tangle space.
Complement Receptor Type 1 Suppresses Human B Cell Functions in SLE Patients
Authors: Kremlitzka Mariann , Mácsik-Valent Bernadett , Polgár Anna , Kiss Emese , Poór Gyula , Erdei Anna
Published: November 2016

Complement receptors (CRs) play an integral role in innate immunity and also function to initiate and shape the adaptive immune response. Our earlier results showed that complement receptor type 1 (CR1, CD35) is a potent inhibitor of the B cell receptor- (BCR-) induced functions of human B lymphocytes. Here we show that this inhibition occurs already at the initial steps of B cell activation since ligation of CR1 reduces the BCR-induced phosphorylation of key signaling molecules such as Syk and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, our data give evidence that although B lymphocytes of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients express lower level of CR1, the inhibitory capacity of this complement receptor is still maintained and its ligand-induced clustering results in significant inhibition of the main B cell functions, similar to that found in the case of healthy individuals. Since we have found that reduced CR1 expression of SLE patients does not affect the inhibitory capacity of the receptor, our results further support the therapeutical potential of CD35 targeting the decrease of B cell activation and autoantibody production in autoimmune patients.
A Novel Discovery of Growth Process for Ag Nanowires and Plausible Mechanism
Authors: Zhu Jiejun , Kan Caixia , Wu Yaozheng , Wan Jianguo , Han Min , Wang Guanghou
Published: November 2016

A novel growth process of silver nanowires was revealed by tracing the morphology evolution of Ag nanostructures fabricated by an improved polyol process. A mixture of Ag nanowires and nanoparticles was obtained with the usage of PVP-K25 (MW = 38,000). The products sampled at different reaction time were studied in detail using UV-visible absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An interesting phenomenon unknown in the past was observed where Ag nanoparticles undergo an important dissolution-recrystallization process and Ag nanowires are formed at the expense of the preformed Ag nanoparticles. A plausible novel growth mechanism for the silver nanowires was proposed.
Fermented Herbal Formulas KIOM-MA128 Ameliorate IL-6-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Colon Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Park Kwang Il , Kim Dong Gun , Lee Bo Hyoung , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: November 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), depending on the extent and duration of intestinal inflammation. Increased IL-6 expression has been reported in IBD patients, which may be associated with intestinal barrier function through discontinuous tight junction (TJ). KIOM-MA is a specific agent for allergic diseases and cancer, and it is composed of several plants; these herbs have been used in traditional oriental medicine. We fermented KIOM-MA, the product of KIOM-MA128, using probiotics to improve the therapeutic efficacy via the absorption and bioavailability of the active ingredients. In this study, we demonstrated that KIOM-MA/MA128 exhibited anticolitis effects via the modulation of TJ protein. Interleukin-6 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the TER and an increase in the FITC-dextran permeability; however, pretreatment with 400 µg/ml KIOM-MA/MA128 resulted in a significant increase in the TER and a decrease in the FITC-dextran permeability via IL-6 induction. Furthermore, protein and mRNA TJ levels remained stable after pretreatment with 400 µg/ml KIOM-MA/MA128. Moreover, KIOM-MA/MA128 suppressed the expression of PLCγ1 and PKC. Taken together, these findings suggest novel information and clue of the anticolitis effects of KIOM-MA128 via regulation of tight junction.
Pretransplant Factors and Associations with Postoperative Respiratory Failure, ICU Length of Stay, and Short-Term Survival after Liver Transplantation in a High MELD Population
Authors: Pedersen Mark R. , Choi Myunghan , Brink Jeffrey A. , Seetharam Anil B.
Published: November 2016

Changes in distribution policies have increased median MELD at transplant with recipients requiring increasing intensive care perioperatively. We aimed to evaluate association of preoperative variables with postoperative respiratory failure (PRF)/increased intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS)/short-term survival in a high MELD cohort undergoing liver transplant (LT). Retrospective analysis identified cases of PRF and increased ICU LOS with recipient, donor, and surgical variables examined. Variables were entered into regression with end points of PRF and ICU LOS > 3 days. 164 recipients were examined: 41 (25.0%) experienced PRF and 74 (45.1%) prolonged ICU LOS. Significant predictors of PRF with univariate analysis: BMI > 30, pretransplant MELD, preoperative respiratory failure, LVEF < 50%, FVC < 80%, intraoperative transfusion > 6 units, warm ischemic time > 4 minutes, and cold ischemic time > 240 minutes. On multivariate analysis, only pretransplant MELD predicted PRF (OR 1.14, p=0.01). Significant predictors of prolonged ICU LOS with univariate analysis are as follows: pretransplant MELD, FVC < 80%, FEV1 < 80%, deceased donor, and cold ischemic time > 240 minutes. On multivariate analysis, only pretransplant MELD predicted prolonged ICU LOS (OR 1.28, p<0.001). One-year survival among cohorts with PRF and increased ICU LOS was similar to subjects without. Pretransplant MELD is a robust predictor of PRF and ICU LOS. Higher MELDs at LT are expected to increase need for ICU utilization and modify expectations for recovery in the immediate postoperative period.