bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A basal ceratopsid (Centrosaurinae: Nasutoceratopsini) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ryan Michael J. , Holmes Robert , Mallon Jordan , Loewen Mark , Evans David C.
Published: October 2016

A partial skull (CMN 8804) of a ceratopsid from the upper unit of the Campanian Oldman Formation of Alberta is the first Canadian example of the newly established Nasutoceratopsini, a new subclade of Centrosaurinae defined as the stem-based clade of centrosaurine ceratopsids more closely related to Nasutoceratops titusi than to Centrosaurus apertus. The new clade is diagnosed, in part, by having a parietosquamosal frill lacking modified epimarginals; a small nasal horncore; large, rostrolaterally directed postorbital horncores; and a relatively short, deep face. Although the CMN 8804 taxon closely resembles Nasutoceratops, its phylogenetic position within Nasutoceratopsini is unresolved. The CMN 8804 taxon would have been contemporaneous with dinosaurs from the lower portion of the Dinosaur Park Formation 200 km to the northwest in Dinosaur Provincial Park. The presence of the CMN 8804 taxon in Alberta, and the approximately contemporaneous Nasutoceratops in Utah, indicates that the nasutoceratopsins persisted in both north and south Laramidia well after the first appearance (i.e., Coronosaurus brinkmani) of the newly defined Centrosaurini. This stem-based clade is composed of centrosaurine ceratopsids with well-adorned parietosquamosal frills and short postorbital horncores that are more closely related to Centrosaurus apertus than Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis. The rarity of nasutoceratopsins in the well-sampled sediments of Laramidia suggests that they may have had different ecological preferences than centrosaurins, or that their relatively non-diagnostic, fragmentary remains may be misidentified as other centrosaurins. The temporally (∼79–76 Ma) and geographically (Utah to Alberta) large distributions of Nasutoceratopsini weakens the hypothesis of distinct north and south Laramidian provinciality.
Estimation of occupancy, density, and abundance of larval lampreys in tributary river mouths upstream of dams on the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon
Authors: Harris Julianne E. , Jolley Jeffrey C.
Published: October 2016

We estimated occupancy, density, and abundance of larval Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and Lampetra spp. in tributary river mouths to impounded portions of the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon, using count data from deepwater electrofishing. Count data were analyzed by Bayesian methods using zero-inflated N-mixture models modified to include our experimentally derived estimate of capture probability of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.63–0.77). Lampetra spp. were only collected in river mouths in Bonneville Reservoir, while Pacific lamprey were also captured from river mouths in The Dalles and John Day reservoirs. In occupied river mouths, mean densities were commonly 0.2–0.3·m−2, but ranged from 0.18 to 1.72·m−2for Pacific lamprey and 0.24 to 1.72·m−2for Lampetra spp. Although there was spatial overlap, estimated density peaked in the Klickitat River mouth (556 600 larvae) for Pacific lamprey and in the Wind River mouth (544 800 larvae) for Lampetra spp. Our study demonstrates considerable larval rearing in river mouths to impounded portions of the Columbia River; however, information on survival is needed to evaluate the contribution of this production to population growth and conservation.
Classification of lipolytic enzymes and their biotechnological applications in the pulping industry
Authors: Ramnath L. , Sithole B. , Govinden R.
Published: October 2016

In the pulp and paper industry, during the manufacturing process, the agglomeration of pitch particles (composed of triglycerides, fatty acids, and esters) leads to the formation of black pitch deposits in the pulp and on machinery, which impacts on the process and pulp quality. Traditional methods of pitch prevention and treatment are no longer feasible due to environmental impact and cost. Consequently, there is a need for more efficient and environmentally friendly approaches. The application of lipolytic enzymes, such as lipases and esterases, could be the sustainable solution to this problem. Therefore, an understanding of their structure, mechanism, and sources are essential. In this report, we review the microbial sources for the different groups of lipolytic enzymes, the differences between lipases and esterases, and their potential applications in the pulping industry.
K X-ray fluorescence parameters of peripherally and non-peripherally tetra-substituted zinc (II) phthalocyanines
Authors: Cengiz Erhan , Dogan Muhammet , Biyiklioglu Zekeriya , Cakir Dilek , Tirasoglu Engin , Apaydin Gökhan
Published: October 2016

The K shell production cross-sections and Kβ to Kα X-ray intensity ratios of peripherally and non-peripherally tetra-substituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine complexes were determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). The effect of substituent position on these parameters was also investigated. The complexes were excited by 59.5 keV γ-rays from an 241Am annular radioactive source and K X-rays emitted by the complexes were counted by an Ultra-LEGe detector with a resolution of 150 eV at 5.9 keV. The experimental results of the zinc phthalocyanines having the same ligand substituted peripheral and non-peripheral were compared with each other, theoretical, and experimental values of pure zinc.
A New Danshensu Derivative Protects Against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced NeurotoxicityIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Cui Guozhen , Shan Luchen , Chen Yang , Zhou Hefeng , Wang Yuqiang , Lee Simon Ming-Yuen
Published: October 2016

We previously reported a novel danshensu derivative ([Formula: see text])-(3,5,6-Trimethylpyrazinyl) methyl-2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-diacetoxyphenyl) propanoate (ADTM), which conferred cardioprotective and anti-thrombotic effects in vitro and in vivo. Here, we examined the neuroprotective actions of ADTM on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells 1 in vitro and zebrafish in vivo. Pretreatment with ADTM significantly inhibited 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC12 cells through Akt signaling. Moreover, treatment with ADTM also inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and production of intracellular nitric oxide (NO), which are associated with inflammation. In addition, ADTM exhibited significant protection against 6-OHDA-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons in a zebrafish model. Taken together, our findings suggest that ADTM is also a potential effective therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) through anti-oxidant cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory actions.
The cosmic microwave background and pseudo-Nambu–Goldstone bosons: Searching for Lorentz violations in the cosmos
Authors: Leon David , Kaufman Jonathan , Keating Brian , Mewes Matthew
Published: October 2016

One of the most powerful probes of new physics is the polarized cosmic microwave background (CMB). The detection of a nonzero polarization angle rotation between the CMB surface of last scattering and today could provide evidence of Lorentz-violating physics. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, we review one popular mechanism for polarization rotation of CMB photons: the pseudo-Nambu–Goldstone boson (PNGB). Second, we propose a method to use the Polarbear experiment to constrain Lorentz-violating physics in the context of the Standard Model Extension (SME), a framework to standardize a large class of potential Lorentz-violating terms in particle physics.
Pinning force scaling analysis of Fe-based high-Tc superconductors
Authors: Koblischka Michael R. , Muralidhar Miryala
Published: October 2016

Pinning force data, [Formula: see text], of a variety of Fe-based high-[Formula: see text] superconductors (11-, 111-, 122- and 1111-type) were analyzed by means of a scaling approach based on own experimental data and an extensive collection of literature data. The literature data were mostly replotted, but also converted from critical current measurements together with data for the irreversibility line when available from the same authors. Using the scaling approaches of Dew-Hughes [J. Appl. Phys. 44, 1360 (1973)] and Kramer [Philos. Mag. 30, 293 (1974)], we determined the scaling behavior and the best fits to the theory. The data of most experiments analyzed show a good scaling behavior at high temperatures when plotting the normalized pinning force [Formula: see text] versus the irreversibility field, [Formula: see text]. The resulting peak positions, [Formula: see text], were found at [Formula: see text] for the 11-type materials, at [Formula: see text] for the 111-type materials, between 0.32 and 0.5 for the 1111-type materials and between 0.25 and 0.71 for the 122-type materials. Compared to the typical results of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and YBa2Cu3O[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], most of the 122 and 1111 samples investigated show peak values higher than 0.4, which is similar to the data obtained on the light-rare earth 123-type HTSC like NdBa2Cu3Oy. This high peak position ensures a good performance of the materials in high applied magnetic fields and is, therefore, a very promising result concerning the possible applications of the Fe-based high-[Formula: see text] superconductors.
Bifurcation Analysis of Five-Level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter Using Proportional-Resonant Plus Time-Delayed Feedback
Authors: Zhang Jinke , Wu Xiaojie , Xing Lvshuai , Zhang Chao , Iu Herbert , Fernando Tyrone
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a traditional five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter is studied and regulated by a proportional-resonant (PR) controller. In order to extend the range of the gain of PR controller, for the purpose of achieving a fast response, a time-delayed feedback controller (TDFC) is used. Similar to the pulse width modulation (PWM) current-mode single phase H-bridge inverter that exhibits bifurcation and chaos when parameters vary, we demonstrate for the first time that the cascaded H-bridge inverter also shows similar features. From the perspective of a discontinuous map, the cascaded H-bridge inverter generally displays extraordinary complexity. Moreover, a new virtual ergodic method (VEM) is proposed to establish the mathematical model of the whole system, which helps to understand the observed bifurcation phenomena. Simulation results are given to verify the analysis.
Estimation of Critical Conditions for Noise-Induced Bifurcation in Nonautonomous Nonlinear Systems by Stochastic Sensitivity Function
Authors: Sun Yahui , Hong Ling , Jiang Jun , Li Zigang
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes an efficient but simple method to determine the approximate stationary probability distribution around periodic attractors of nonautonomous nonlinear systems under multiple time-dependent parametric noises and estimate the critical noise intensity for noise-induced explosive bifurcations under a given confidence probability. After adopting a stroboscopic map constructed by a method with higher accuracy and efficiency, nonautonomous dynamical systems around periodic attractors are transformed into mapping ones. Then the mean-square analysis method of discrete systems is used to derive the stochastic sensitivity function. Based on the confidence ellipses of stochastic attractors and the global structure of deterministic nonlinear systems, the critical noise intensity of noise-induced explosive bifurcations under a given confidence probability is estimated. A Mathieu–Duffing oscillator under both multiplicative and additive noises is studied to show the validity of the proposed method.
Chaotic Image Encryption of Regions of Interest
Authors: Xiao Di , Fu Qingqing , Xiang Tao , Zhang Yushu
Published: October 2016

Since different regions of an image have different importance, therefore only the important information of the image regions, which the users are really interested in, needs to be encrypted and protected emphatically in some special multimedia applications. However, the regions of interest (ROI) are always some irregular parts, such as the face and the eyes. Assuming the bulk data in transmission without being damaged, we propose a chaotic image encryption algorithm for ROI. ROI with irregular shapes are chosen and detected arbitrarily. Then the chaos-based image encryption algorithm with scrambling, S-box and diffusion parts is used to encrypt the ROI. Further, the whole image is compressed with Huffman coding. At last, a message authentication code (MAC) of the compressed image is generated based on chaotic maps. The simulation results show that the encryption algorithm has a good security level and can resist various attacks. Moreover, the compression method improves the storage and transmission efficiency to some extent, and the MAC ensures the integrity of the transmission data.
Software Maintainability: Systematic Literature Review and Current Trends
Authors: Malhotra Ruchika , Chug Anuradha
Published: October 2016

Software maintenance is an expensive activity that consumes a major portion of the cost of the total project. Various activities carried out during maintenance include the addition of new features, deletion of obsolete code, correction of errors, etc. Software maintainability means the ease with which these operations can be carried out. If the maintainability can be measured in early phases of the software development, it helps in better planning and optimum resource utilization. Measurement of design properties such as coupling, cohesion, etc. in early phases of development often leads us to derive the corresponding maintainability with the help of prediction models. In this paper, we performed a systematic review of the existing studies related to software maintainability from January 1991 to October 2015. In total, 96 primary studies were identified out of which 47 studies were from journals, 36 from conference proceedings and 13 from others. All studies were compiled in structured form and analyzed through numerous perspectives such as the use of design metrics, prediction model, tools, data sources, prediction accuracy, etc. According to the review results, we found that the use of machine learning algorithms in predicting maintainability has increased since 2005. The use of evolutionary algorithms has also begun in related sub-fields since 2010. We have observed that design metrics is still the most favored option to capture the characteristics of any given software before deploying it further in prediction model for determining the corresponding software maintainability. A significant increase in the use of public dataset for making the prediction models has also been observed and in this regard two public datasets User Interface Management System (UIMS) and Quality Evaluation System (QUES) proposed by Li and Henry is quite popular among researchers. Although machine learning algorithms are still the most popular methods, however, we suggest that researchers working on software maintainability area should experiment on the use of open source datasets with hybrid algorithms. In this regard, more empirical studies are also required to be conducted on a large number of datasets so that a generalized theory could be made. The current paper will be beneficial for practitioners, researchers and developers as they can use these models and metrics for creating benchmark and standards. Findings of this extensive review would also be useful for novices in the field of software maintainability as it not only provides explicit definitions, but also lays a foundation for further research by providing a quick link to all important studies in the said field. Finally, this study also compiles current trends, emerging sub-fields and identifies various opportunities of future research in the field of software maintainability.
Efficiently Updating the Discovered Sequential Patterns for Sequence Modification
Authors: Lin Jerry Chun-Wei , Gan Wensheng , Fournier-Viger Philippe , Hong Tzung-Pei
Published: October 2016

Mining sequential patterns (SPs) is a popular data mining task, which consists in finding interesting, unexpected, and useful patterns in sequence databases. It has several applications in many domains. However, most sequential pattern mining algorithms assume that databases are static, i.e. that they do not change over time. But in real-word applications, sequences are often modified. Thus, it is an important issue to design algorithms for updating SPs in a dynamic database environment. Although some algorithms have been proposed to maintain SPs in dynamic databases, these algorithms may have poor performance, especially when databases contain long sequences or a large number of sequences. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a novel dynamic mining approach named PreFUSP-TREE-MOD to address the problem of maintaining and updating discovered SPs when sequences in a database are modified. The proposed approach adopts the previously proposed pre-large concept using two support thresholds, to avoid scanning the database when possible, for updating the set of discovered patterns. Due to the pruning properties of the pre-large concept, the PreFUSP-TREE-MOD maintenance algorithm can effectively reduce the cost of database scans to maintain and update the built FUSP-tree for sequence modification. When the number of modified sequences is less than the safety bound of the pre-large concept, the proposed maintenance algorithm outperforms traditional SPM algorithms in batch mode, and the state-of-the-art maintenance algorithm in terms of execution time and number of tree nodes.
Numerical Reconstruction of Potentials Based on a Sequence of Inverse Sturm–Liouville Problems
Authors: Drignei Mihaela-Cristina , Fagan Erin Leigh
Published: October 2016

Numerical solutions to inverse Sturm–Liouville problems by three spectra, on a finite interval [Formula: see text] are considered. Dirichlet boundary conditions are assumed to hold at the end-points of the interval [Formula: see text], and either a Dirichlet or a Robin-type interior point condition is imposed at an arbitrary interior point [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. We demonstrate that the numerical solution of the inverse three spectra problem corresponding to an interior point [Formula: see text] depends continuously on [Formula: see text]. This statement is particularly useful when measurements of the input data cannot be obtained at the interior point [Formula: see text], but they can be obtained at a nearby interior point. Consequently, we could solve approximately the original inverse problem by departing slightly from [Formula: see text]. We validate this statement through numerical experiments for sequences of interior points [Formula: see text] converging to [Formula: see text].
Combined Discrete–Finite Element Modeling of Ballasted Railway Track Under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Shao S. , Yan Y. , Ji S.
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes a combined discrete–finite element model to investigate the dynamic behavior of ballasted railway tracks. The discrete element method (DEM) is adopted to model the discrete ballast materials. The shapes of ballast particles resembled clumps of overlapping spheres which are obtained by the growth of spheres inside convex polyhedrons. The finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the continuous embankment and foundation. The transmission between DEM and FEM at the ballast-embankment interface is processed according to the interaction force based on the principle of virtual work. The dynamic behavior of ballasted railway track under cyclic loading is simulated with the developed DEM–FEM model. The settlement of the sleeper and the deformation of the embankment and foundation, the force chains in the ballast and stress distributions in the embankment and foundation are obtained. The developed model is helpful in better understanding the mechanical characteristics of ballasted railway tracks.
A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN ENDANGERED FORMOSAN PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA PENTADACTYLA) FROM SOUTHEASTERN TAIWAN
Authors: Khatri-Chhetri Rupak , Chang Tsung-Chou , Khatri-Chhetri Nabin , Huang Yen-Li , Pei Kurtis Jai-Chyi , Wu Hung-Yi
Published: October 2016

Formosan pangolin, a sub-species of Chinese pangolin is a critically endangered insectivorous mammal found only in Taiwan. Pathological studies are helpful in the diagnosis and investigation of wildlife diseases. Pathological findings in pangolins have not been well documented. The present paper reports the pathological findings of 14 free-ranging Formosan pangolins. External injuries and superficial wounds (6/14) were common finding in gross examination and were mostly found in the legs. Respiratory system (78%, 11/14) lesions included interstitial pneumonia, atelectasis and emphysema. Hepatic changes (43%, 6/14) included necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, lipidosis and extensive hepatocyte degeneration. Parasites were detected in 57% of pangolins (8/14) studied and included both endoparasites and ectoparasites. Urinary system (21%, 3/14) lesions were interstitial nephritis and nephrolithiasis. Brain lesions were found in three pangolins and included cerebral edema and hemorrhage and ventriculitis. Additional pathological lesions included thyroid gland hyperplasia and left ventricular hypertrophy. The presented pathological findings can aid in the understanding of diseases of pangolins and will contribute knowledge to future investigations on diseases of pangolins.
Economic Growth and Human Capital in the Post-Knowledge Era: A Focus on Positive Externalities and Spillover Effects of Knowledge in Italy and the Emergency of the Less Developed Areas
Authors: Lima Rita
Published: October 2016

The growth of learning and knowledge of a nation has been quantified in different ways, including country’s absorptive capacity to store information, to internalize knowledge, to invest in innovation and to transfer of technology in its area. In the context of the post-knowledge era, this paper estimates a growth panel data model in exploring the role of R&D s and human capital in regional economic growth and income convergence. The aim is double. On the one hand, to analyze the Italian ability for catching-up with more advanced nations, such as Germany. On the other hand, to explain divergent levels of regional growth behavior, focusing on one of the less developed regions and reducing the effects of spatial contagion of knowledge networks and innovation system: Sicily. The results reveal a lower gap in human capital between Sicily and the whole of the country than that in terms of innovation.
The Lancaster Field: progress in opening the UK's fractured basement play
Authors: Belaidi A. , Bonter D. A. , Slightam C. , Trice R. C.
Published: October 2016

To date, fractured crystalline basement reservoirs (basement) on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) have largely been underexplored, despite the fact that numerous indications of hydrocarbons have been reported from basement in wells dating back to the 1970s. As production from the UKCS continues to decline, and with the exploration potential of more traditional plays becoming increasingly mature, the potential of the overlooked and underrated basement play warrants further exploration. Over the last 10 years, Hurricane Energy (Hurricane) have deliberately set out to explore the potential of this untapped resource, focusing on the Rona Ridge trend, West of Shetland. The Lancaster Field has been penetrated by four wells and benefits from a full 3D seismic survey, and, as such, represents Hurricane's most de-risked basement asset. The level of understanding of the Lancaster reservoir is such that Hurricane is now working towards a phased field development. This paper provides a summary of the geology and reservoir characteristics of the Lancaster Discovery, and a description of the technical progress achieved, to date, in de-risking the Lancaster Field.
Exploration well failures from the UK North Sea
Authors: Mathieu Christian J. H.
Published: October 2016

The UK Oil & Gas Authority carried out post-well failure analyses of exploration and appraisal wells in the Moray Firth and the UK Central North Sea to fully understand the basis for drilling the prospects and the reasons why the prospects failed.

The data consisted of Tertiary, Mesozoic and Palaeozoic targets/segments associated with 97 wells drilled from 2003 to 2013. Seal was the primary reason for failure followed by trap, reservoir and charge. Root causes for failure were a lack of lateral seal, the absence of the target reservoir and the lack of a trap. The main pre-drill risk was not accurately predicted in over one-third of the cases and a third of the segments were targeted on the basis of perceived Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators.

This study identified a number of interpretation gaps and pitfalls that ultimately contributed to the well failures. These included poor integration, improper application of geophysics, lack of regional play context, and absent or ineffective peer review. Addressing these gaps in a comprehensive and systematic way is fundamental to improving exploration success rates.
The Bacchus development: dealing with geological uncertainty in a small high-pressure–high-temperature development
Authors: Rose Phil , Byerley Grant , Vaughan Owen
Published: October 2016

The Bacchus Field, discovered in 2004, is a small borderline high-pressure–high-temperature (HPHT) oil field 6.8 km east of the Forties Alpha Platform. The reservoir is Fulmar Sandstone with a rotated fault-block trap. The reservoir is typically thin (10–50 m) and difficult to image seismically. Compartmentalization was anticipated due to significant in-field faulting. The Bacchus development decision was made when considerable geological uncertainty remained.

The key risk-mitigation strategies employed during the development of Bacchus were to drill long horizontal wells, contacting multiple reservoir compartments, while maintaining a flexible development plan. The ability to react to unexpected results was facilitated by optimizing the development data-acquisition programme. Drilling risk and cost were minimized by exploiting existing well control for landing development wells, combined with pilot drilling in untested parts of the reservoir. Development wells were designed to be geometrically robust, minimizing the requirement for geo-steering. This ensured low wellbore tortuosity that did not compromise the completions. Bacchus was successfully developed despite the final distribution of reserves being radically different from the pre-development perception. It is argued that maintaining a flexible development plan was far more effective in maximizing the value of the Bacchus development than more extensive pre-development appraisal or modelling.
Deconstructing human-building interaction
Authors: Alavi Hamed S. , Churchill Elizabeth , Kirk David , Nembrini Julien , Lalanne Denis
Published: October 2016

Interaction design is increasingly about embedding interactive technologies in our built environment; architecture is increasingly about the use of interactive technologies to reimagine and dynamically repurpose our built environment. This forum focuses on this intersection of interaction and architecture.
--- Mikael Wiberg, Editor
Exercise-induced alterations and loss of sarcomeric M-line organization in the diaphragm muscle of obscurin knockout mice
Authors: Randazzo D. , Blaauw B. , Paolini C. , Pierantozzi E. , Spinozzi S. , Lange S. , Chen J. , Protasi F. , Reggiani C. , Sorrentino V.
Published: October 2016

We recently reported that skeletal muscle fibers of obscurin knockout (KO) mice present altered distribution of ankyrin B (ankB), disorganization of the subsarcolemmal microtubules, and reduced localization of dystrophin at costameres. In addition, these mice have impaired running endurance and increased exercise-induced sarcolemmal damage compared with wild-type animals. Here, we report results from a combined approach of physiological, morphological, and structural studies in which we further characterize the skeletal muscles of obscurin KO mice. A detailed examination of exercise performance, using different running protocols, revealed that the reduced endurance of obscurin KO animals on the treadmill depends on exercise intensity and age. Indeed, a mild running protocol did not evidence significant differences between control and obscurin KO mice, whereas comparison of running abilities of 2-, 6-, and 11-mo-old mice exercised at exhaustion revealed a progressive age-dependent reduction of the exercise tolerance in KO mice. Histological analysis indicated that heavy exercise induced leukocyte infiltration, fibrotic connective tissue deposition, and hypercontractures in the diaphragm of KO mice. On the same line, electron microscopy revealed that, in the diaphragm of exercised obscurin KO mice, but not in the hindlimb muscles, both M-line and H-zone of sarcomeres appeared wavy and less defined. Altogether, these results suggest that obscurin is required for the maintenance of morphological and ultrastructural integrity of skeletal muscle fibers against damage induced by intense mechanical stress and point to the diaphragm as the skeletal muscle most severely affected in obscurin-deficient mice.
Hydroxylase inhibition regulates inflammation-induced intestinal fibrosis through the suppression of ERK-mediated TGF-β1 signaling
Authors: Manresa Mario C. , Tambuwala Murtaza M. , Radhakrishnan Praveen , Harnoss Jonathan M. , Brown Eric , Cavadas Miguel A. , Keogh Ciara E. , Cheong Alex , Barrett Kim E. , Cummins Eoin P. , Schneider Martin , Taylor Cormac T.
Published: October 2016

Fibrosis is a complication of chronic inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, a condition which has limited therapeutic options and often requires surgical intervention. Pharmacologic inhibition of oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylases, which confer oxygen sensitivity upon the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, has recently been shown to have therapeutic potential in colitis, although the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of hydroxylase inhibition on inflammation-driven fibrosis in a murine colitis model. Mice exposed to dextran sodium sulfate, followed by a period of recovery, developed intestinal fibrosis characterized by alterations in the pattern of collagen deposition and infiltration of activated fibroblasts. Treatment with the hydroxylase inhibitor dimethyloxalylglycine ameliorated fibrosis. TGF-β1 is a key regulator of fibrosis that acts through the activation of fibroblasts. Hydroxylase inhibition reduced TGF-β1-induced expression of fibrotic markers in cultured fibroblasts, suggesting a direct role for hydroxylases in TGF-β1 signaling. This was at least in part due to inhibition of noncanonical activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. In summary, pharmacologic hydroxylase inhibition ameliorates intestinal fibrosis through suppression of TGF-β1-dependent ERK activation in fibroblasts. We hypothesize that in addition to previously reported immunosupressive effects, hydroxylase inhibitors independently suppress profibrotic pathways.
Physiological roles of claudins in kidney tubule paracellular transport
Authors: Muto Shigeaki
Published: October 2016

The paracellular pathways in renal tubular epithelia such as the proximal tubules, which reabsorb the largest fraction of filtered solutes and water and are leaky epithelia, are important routes for transepithelial transport of solutes and water. Movement occurs passively via an extracellular route through the tight junction between cells. The characteristics of paracellular transport vary among different nephron segments with leaky or tighter epithelia. Claudins expressed at tight junctions form pores and barriers for paracellular transport. Claudins are from a multigene family, comprising at least 27 members in mammals. Multiple claudins are expressed at tight junctions of individual nephron segments in a nephron segment-specific manner. Over the last decade, there have been advances in our understanding of the structure and functions of claudins. This paper is a review of our current knowledge of claudins, with special emphasis on their physiological roles in proximal tubule paracellular solute and water transport.
Serine/threonine phosphatases and aquaporin-2 regulation in renal collecting duct
Authors: LeMaire Sophia M. , Raghuram Viswanathan , Grady Cameron R. , Pickering Christina M. , Chou Chung-Lin , Umejiego Ezigbobiara N. , Knepper Mark A.
Published: October 2016

Phosphorylation of the aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel at four COOH-terminal serines plays a central role in the regulation of water permeability of the renal collecting duct. The level of phosphorylation at these sites is determined by a balance between phosphorylation by protein kinases and dephosphorylation by phosphatases. The phosphatases that dephosphorylate AQP2 have not been identified. Here, we use large-scale data integration techniques to identify serine-threonine phosphatases likely to interact with AQP2 in renal collecting duct principal cells. As a first step, we have created a comprehensive list of 38 S/T phosphatase catalytic subunits present in the mammalian genome. Then we used Bayes’ theorem to integrate available information from large-scale data sets from proteomic and transcriptomic studies to rank the known S/T phosphatases with regard to the likelihood that they interact with AQP2 in renal collecting duct cells. To broaden the analysis, we have generated new proteomic data (LC-MS/MS) identifying 4538 distinct proteins including 22 S/T phosphatases in cytoplasmic fractions from native inner medullary collecting duct cells from rats. The official gene symbols corresponding to the top-ranked phosphatases (common names in parentheses) were: Ppp1cb (PP1-β), Ppm1g (PP2C), Ppp1ca (PP1-α), Ppp3ca (PP2-B or calcineurin), Ppp2ca (PP2A-α), Ppp1cc (PP1-γ), Ppp2cb (PP2A-β), Ppp6c (PP6C), and Ppp5c (PP5). This ranking correlates well with results of prior reductionist studies of ion and water channels in renal collecting duct cells.
Flow velocity is relatively uniform in the coronary sinusal venous tree: structure-function relation
Authors: Wu Hao , Kassab Ghassan S. , Tan Wenchang , Huo Yunlong
Published: October 2016

The structure and function of coronary venous vessels are different from those of coronary arteries and are much less understood despite the therapeutic significance of coronary sinus interventions. Here we aimed to perform a hemodynamic analysis in the entire coronary sinusal venous tree, which enhances the understanding of coronary venous circulation. A hemodynamic model was developed in the entire coronary sinusal venous tree reconstructed from casts and histological data of five swine hearts. Various morphometric and hemodynamic parameters were determined in each vessel and analyzed in the diameter-defined Strahler system. The findings demonstrate an area preservation between the branches of the coronary venous system that leads to relatively uniform flow velocity in different orders of the venous tree. Pressure and circumferential and wall shear stresses decreased abruptly from the smallest venules toward vessels of order −5 (80.4 ± 39.1 µm) but showed a more modest change toward the coronary sinus. The results suggest that vessels of order −5 denote a hemodynamic transition from the venular bed to the transmural subnetwork. In contrast with the coronary arterial tree, which obeys the minimum energy hypothesis, the coronary sinusal venous system complies with the area-preserving rule for efficient venous return, i.e., da Vinci’s rule. The morphometric and hemodynamic model serves as a physiological reference state to test various therapeutic rationales through the venous route.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A hemodynamic model is developed in the entire coronary sinusal venous tree of the swine heart. A key finding is that the coronary sinusal venous system complies with the area preservation rule for efficient venous return while the coronary arterial tree obeys the minimum energy hypothesis. This model can also serve as a physiological reference state to test various therapeutic rationales through the venous route.
Effect of hypohydration on thermoregulatory responses in men with low and high body fat exercising in the heat
Authors: Tucker Matthew A. , Caldwell Aaron R. , Butts Cory L. , Robinson Forrest B. , Reynebeau Haley C. , Kavouras Stavros A. , McDermott Brendon P. , Washington Tyrone A. , Turner Ronna C. , Ganio Matthew S.
Published: October 2016

It is unclear whether men with low body fat (LO-BF) have impaired thermoregulation during exercise heat stress compared with those with high body fat (HI-BF) when euhydration (EU) is maintained. Furthermore, in LO-BF individuals, hypohydration (HY) impairs thermoregulatory responses during exercise heat stress, but it is unknown whether this occurs in HI-BF counterparts. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that men with HI-BF have impaired thermoregulatory responses to exercise heat stress and that HY further exacerbates these impairments vs. LO-BF. Men with LO-BF [ n = 11, body mass (BM) 73.9 ± 8.5 kg, BF% 13.6 ± 3.8] and HI-BF ( n = 9, BM 89.6 ± 6.9 kg, BF% 30.2 ± 4.1), in a randomized crossover design, performed 60 min of upright cycling in a hot environment (40.3 ± 0.4°C, relative humidity 32.5 ± 1.9%) at a metabolic heat production rate of 6 W/kg BM and finished exercise either euhydrated (EU; 0.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.9% BM loss) or HY (−2.5 ± 1.1 vs. −1.7 ± 1.5% BM loss). Changes in rectal temperature (ΔTrec), local sweat rate (ΔLSR), and cutaneous vascular conductance (ΔCVC; %max) were measured throughout. When EU, LO-BF and HI-BF had similar CVC and LSR responses ( P > 0.05); however, LO-BF had a lower ΔTrec vs. HI-BF (0.92 ± 0.35 vs. 1.31 ± 0.32°C, P = 0.021). Compared with EU, HY increased end-exercise ΔTrec in LO-BF (0.47 ± 0.37°C, P < 0.01) but not in HI-BF (−0.06 ± 0.29°C, P > 0.05). HY, compared with EU, did not affect ΔLSR and ΔCVC in either group ( P > 0.05). We conclude that, when euhydrated, men with HI-BF have a greater increase in Trec vs. LO-BF but similar CVC and LSR. HY exacerbates increases in Trec in LO-BF but not HI-BF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first known investigation to compare thermoregulatory responses to exercise heat stress between men with high and low body fat (BF) in a physiologically uncompensable environment while simultaneously examining the confounding influence of hydration status. Both groups demonstrated similar sweating and cutaneous vasodilatory responses when euhydrated, despite vast differences in rectal temperature. Furthermore, in contrast to low BF, individuals with high BF demonstrated similar increases in core body temperature when either euhydrated or hypohydrated.
The acute inhibition of enteric glial metabolism with fluoroacetate alters calcium signaling, hemichannel function, and the expression of key proteins
Authors: McClain Jonathon L. , Gulbransen Brian D.
Published: October 2016

Glia play key roles in the regulation of neurotransmission in the nervous system. Fluoroacetate (FA) is a metabolic poison widely used to study glial functions by disrupting the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme aconitase. Despite the widespread use of FA, the effects of FA on essential glial functions such as calcium (Ca2+) signaling and hemichannel function remain unknown. Therefore, our goal was to assess specifically the impact of FA on essential glial cell functions that are involved with neurotransmission in the enteric nervous system. To this end, we generated a new optogenetic mouse model to study specifically the effects of FA on enteric glial Ca2+signaling by crossing PC::G5-tdTomato mice with Sox10::creERT2mice. FA did not change the peak glial Ca2+response when averaged across all glia within a ganglion. However, FA decreased the percent of responding glia by 30% ( P < 0.05) and increased the peak Ca2+response of the glial cells that still exhibited a response by 26% ( P < 0.01). Disruption of Ca2+signaling with FA impaired the activity-dependent uptake of ethidium bromide through connexin-43 (Cx43) hemichannels ( P < 0.05) but did not affect baseline Cx43-dependent dye uptake. FA did not cause overt glial or neurodegeneration, but glial cells significantly increased glial fibrillary acid protein by 56% ( P < 0.05) following treatment with FA. Together, these data show that the acute impairment of glial metabolism with FA causes key changes in glial functions associated with their roles in neurotransmission and phenotypic changes indicative of reactive gliosis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study shows that the acute impairment of enteric glial metabolism with fluoroacetate (FA) alters specific glial functions that are associated with the modification of neurotransmission in the gut. These include subtle changes to glial agonist-evoked calcium signaling, the subsequent disruption of connexin-43 hemichannels, and changes in protein expression that are consistent with a transition to reactive glia. These changes in glial function offer a mechanistic explanation for the effects of FA on peripheral neuronal networks.
Cigarette smoking causes epigenetic changes associated with cardiorenal fibrosis
Authors: Drummond Christopher A. , Crotty Alexander Laura E. , Haller Steven T. , Fan Xiaoming , Xie Jeffrey X. , Kennedy David J. , Liu Jiang , Yan Yanling , Hernandez Dawn-Alita , Mathew Denzil P. , Cooper Christopher J. , Shapiro Joseph I. , Tian Jiang
Published: October 2016

Clinical studies indicate that smoking combustible cigarettes promotes progression of renal and cardiac injury, leading to functional decline in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, basic studies using in vivo small animal models that mimic clinical pathology of CKD are lacking. To address this issue, we evaluated renal and cardiac injury progression and functional changes induced by 4 wk of daily combustible cigarette smoke exposure in the 5/6th partial nephrectomy (PNx) CKD model. Molecular evaluations revealed that cigarette smoke significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased renal and cardiac expression of the antifibrotic microRNA miR-29b-3 and increased expression of molecular fibrosis markers. In terms of cardiac and renal organ structure and function, exposure to cigarette smoke led to significantly increased systolic blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac and renal fibrosis, and decreased renal function. These data indicate that decreased expression of miR-29b-3p is a novel mechanism wherein cigarette smoke promotes accelerated cardiac and renal tissue injury in CKD. (155 words)
Research on the Fatigue Life Prediction Method of Thrust Rod
Authors: Feng Guoyu , Shi Wenku , Zhang Henghai , Zu Qinghua , Teng Teng , Wu Zhiyong
Published: October 2016

Purpose of this paper is to investigate the fatigue life prediction method of the thrust rod based on the continuum damage mechanics. The equivalent stress used as damage parameters established rubber fatigue life prediction model. Through the finite element simulation and material test, the model parameters and the fatigue damage dangerous positions were obtained. By equivalent stress life model, uniaxial fatigue life of the V-type thrust rod is analyzed to predict the ratio of life and the life of the test was 1.73, within an acceptable range, and the fatigue damage occurring position and finite element analysis are basically the same. Fatigue life analysis shows that the method is of correct, theoretical, and practical value.
Investigation of the Performance of Two Passive Controllers in Mitigating the Rotational Response of Irregular Buildings
Authors: Bigdeli Yasser , Kim Dookie
Published: October 2016

Two passive vibration control devices (i.e., circle type tuned liquid damper (C-TLD) and a circle type tuned liquid column damper (C-TLCD)) were experimentally investigated for their performance when attached to the irregular building structure subjected to dynamic loads. The specific directions where the maximum response of the structure is expected were experimentally identified for x- and y-directions as well as for rotational direction. The power spectral density (PSD) was computed for the response of the structure based on the frequency of the first three modes and also water level changes in the device container by using fast Fourier transform (FFT). The performances of these two controllers regarding suppressing the structural vibration were compared for the seismic loads applied in an experimentally identified critical direction. The results show that these systems are effective in terms of mitigating the coupled lateral and torsional vibrations of a scaled three-story irregular model.
Reduced Dental Plaque Formation in Dogs Drinking a Solution Containing Natural Antimicrobial Herbal Enzymes and Organic Matcha Green Tea
Authors: Lindinger Michael I.
Published: October 2016

The results of an exploratory, multicenter clinical study confirmed the hypothesis that a novel, natural, and safe oral care product (OCP) reduced the rate of plaque formation on teeth of dogs consuming the OCP (antimicrobial plant-derived enzymes, organic matcha green tea, cultured dextrose, sodium bicarbonate, and ascorbic acid) compared to controls. Healthy dogs without periodontitis, of varying breeds, sex, and age, were recruited and enrolled, using nonrandomized stratification methods, into a control and treatment groups. Treatment group dogs drank only water into which OCP was suspended, for 28 days. Control group dogs drank their normal household water. On day 0 all teeth were cleaned by a veterinarian and gingivitis was assessed. On days 14, 21, and 28 plaque index, plaque thickness, gingivitis, freshness of breath, and general health were assessed. Over the 28 days of study, dogs on the OCP had significant reduction in plaque index and plaque thickness compared to controls. By day 14 OCP reduced plaque formation by 37%; the 28-day reduction in plaque index and coverage averaged 22% with no measurable gingivitis or calculus.Conclusion. Using the OCP attenuated dental plaque formation when consumed as normal drinking water and in the absence of other modes of oral care.
Dimensionless Analysis on the Characteristics of Pneumatic Booster Valve with Energy Recovery
Authors: Yang Fan , Tadano Kotaro , Li Gangyan , Kagawa Toshiharu
Published: October 2016

Factories are increasingly reducing their air supply pressures in order to save energy. Hence, there is a growing demand for pneumatic booster valves to overcome the local pressure deficits in modern pneumatic systems. To further improve energy efficiency, a new type of booster valve with energy recovery (BVER) is proposed. The BVER principle is presented in detail, and a dimensionless mathematical model is established based on flow rate, gas state, and energy conservation. The mathematics model was transformed into a dimensionless model by accurately selecting the reference values. Subsequently the dimensionless characteristics of BVER were found. BVER energy efficiency is calculated based on air power. The boost ratio is found to be mainly affected by the operational parameters. Among the structural ones, the recovery/boost chamber area ratio and the sonic conductance of the chambers are the most influential. The boost ratio improves by 15%–25% compared to that of a booster valve without an energy recovery chamber. The efficiency increases by 5%–10% depending on the supply pressure. A mathematical model is validated by experiment, and this research provides a reference for booster valve optimisation and energy saving.