bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometric accuracy in three‐dimensional coordinates of Leksell stereotactic skull frame with wide‐bore 1.5‐T MRI compared with conventional 1.5‐T MRI
Authors: Nakazawa Hisato , Komori Masataka , Shibamoto Yuta , Takikawa Yukinori , Mori Yoshimasa , Tsugawa Takahiko
Published: August 2014

The use of 1.5‐tesla (T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a wide and simultaneously short bore enhances patient comfort compared with traditional 1.5‐T MR imaging and is becoming increasingly available in stereotactic radiosurgery treatment planning. However, the geometric accuracy seems unavoidably worse in wide‐bore MR imaging than in conventional MR imaging. We assessed the geometric distortion of the stereotactic image attached on a Leksell skull frame in conventional and wide‐bore 1.5‐T MR imaging. Two kinds of acrylic phantoms were placed on the skull frame and were scanned using computed tomography (CT) and conventional and wide‐bore 1.5‐T MR imaging. The three‐dimensional coordinates on both MR imaging were compared with those on CT. Deviations of measured coordinates at selected points (x = 50, 100, 150 mm; y = 50, 100, 150 mm) were indicated on different axial planes (z = 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 mm). The differences of coordinates were less than 1.0 mm in the entire treatable area for conventional MR imaging. With the large bore system, the differences of the coordinates were less than 1.0 mm around the center but substantially exceeded 1.0 mm in the peripheral regions. Further study is needed to increase the geometric accuracy of wide‐bore MR imaging for stereotactic radiosurgery treatment planning.
Neurophysiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing sessions: preliminary evidence for traumatic memories integration
Authors: Farina Benedetto , Imperatori Claudio , Quintiliani Maria I. , Castelli Gattinara Paola , Onofri Antonio , Lepore Marta , Brunetti Riccardo , Losurdo Anna , Testani Elisa , Della Marca Giacomo
Published: August 2014

We have investigated the potential role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in enhancing the integration of traumatic memories by measuring EEG coherence, power spectra and autonomic variables before (pre‐EMDR) and after (post‐EMDR) EMDR sessions during the recall of patient's traumatic memory. Thirteen EMDR sessions of six patients with post‐traumatic stress disorder were recorded. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography (sLORETA) software. Power spectra, EEG coherence and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between pre‐ and post‐EMDR sessions. After EMDR, we observed a significant increase of alpha power in the left inferior temporal gyrus (T = 3·879; P = 0·041) and an increased EEG coherence in beta band between C3 and T5 electrodes (T = 6·358; P<0·001). Furthermore, a significant increase of HRV in the post‐EMDR sessions was also observed (pre‐EMDR: 6·38 ± 6·83; post‐EMDR: 2·46 ± 2·95; U‐Test= 45, P = 0·043). Finally, the values of lagged coherence were negatively associated with subjective units of disturbance (r(24) = −0·44, P<0·05) and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (r(24)=0·40, P<0·05). Our results suggest that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms [Correction made here after initial publication].
Internally Versus Externally Developed Technology and Market Acceptance of Innovations: The Complementary Role of Branding
Authors: Patel Chirag , Haon Christophe
Published: August 2014

Empirical studies that relate internally versus externally developed technology to market acceptance of innovation during emergent stages provide contradictory findings. We contend that these conflicting findings might be the result of a theoretical misspecification in existing models that fail to consider the effect of synergy between a firm's technology development choice and its branding choice. We use the concepts of value creation and value appropriation to develop our hypotheses relating different combinations of technology development and branding choices to market acceptance. With data on the early history of Internet banking in the United States, we show that internally developed technology leads to greater market acceptance than externally developed technology, but this effect changes with the choice of a brand extension versus a new brand. Specifically, firms that combine internally developed technology with a new brand achieve greater market acceptance for their innovation during emergent stages.
Searching for Emerging Knowledge: The Influence of Collaborative and Geographically Proximate Search
Authors: Hohberger Jan
Published: August 2014

The application of emerging knowledge is crucial for innovation by firms competing in science and technology‐intensive industries. However, relatively little is known about how and where firms search externally for emerging knowledge. This study investigates collaborative and geographic proximate search patterns and the use of emergent knowledge in innovation activities. The examination of patent references in the US biotechnology industry reveals significant differences among knowledge‐search patterns. Collaborative search relates to emerging knowledge, but the age of the knowledge increases with geographic distance because knowledge sourced internationally tends to be older than national or local knowledge.
EFFICIENT METHOD OF MOMENTS ESTIMATORS FOR INTEGER TIME SERIES MODELS
Authors: Martin Vance L. , Tremayne Andrew R. , Jung Robert C.
Published: August 2014

The parameters of integer autoregressive models with Poisson, or negative binomial innovations can be estimated by maximum likelihood where the prediction error decomposition, together with convolution methods, is used to write down the likelihood function. When a moving average component is introduced this is not the case. To address this problem an efficient method of moment estimator is proposed where the estimated standard errors for the parameters are obtained using subsampling methods. The small sample properties of the estimator are investigated using Monte Carlo methods, while the approach is demonstrated using two well‐known examples from the time series literature.
SABRE is required for stabilization of root hair patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pietra Stefano , Lang Patricia , Grebe Markus
Published: August 2014

Patterned differentiation of distinct cell types is essential for the development of multicellular organisms. The root epidermis of Arabidopsis thaliana is composed of alternating files of root hair and non‐hair cells and represents a model system for studying the control of cell‐fate acquisition. Epidermal cell fate is regulated by a network of genes that translate positional information from the underlying cortical cell layer into a specific pattern of differentiated cells. While much is known about the genes of this network, new players continue to be discovered. Here we show that the SABRE (SAB) gene, known to mediate microtubule organization, anisotropic cell growth and planar polarity, has an effect on root epidermal hair cell patterning. Loss of SAB function results in ectopic root hair formation and destabilizes the expression of cell fate and differentiation markers in the root epidermis, including expression of the WEREWOLF (WER) and GLABRA2 (GL2) genes. Double mutant analysis reveal that wer and caprice (cpc) mutants, defective in core components of the epidermal patterning pathway, genetically interact with sab. This suggests that SAB may act on epidermal patterning upstream of WER and CPC. Hence, we provide evidence for a role of SAB in root epidermal patterning by affecting cell‐fate stabilization. Our work opens the door for future studies addressing SAB‐dependent functions of the cytoskeleton during root epidermal patterning.
Insights into immunoglobulin E‐mediated late‐phase reactions in dogs
Authors: Bieber Thomas
Published: August 2014

This editorial links to: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.2001.00230.x
Method for Quick Prediction of Windage Power Loss
Authors: Zhang Qide , Sundaravadivelu Kannan , Liu Ningyu , Jiang Quan
Published: August 2014

This work introduces a method by using an empirical formula to quickly predict windage caused power loss of hard disk drives. The results obtained by the empirical formula are compared with those obtained by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and validated by the experimental measurement data. Good agreement is observed among these three sets of data.
Effect of the Cross-Sectional Shape of Recirculation Channel on Expelling Air Bubbles in the FDBs of HDD Spindle Motors
Authors: Jung Y. H. , Jang G. H. , Kang C. H. , Shin H. H. , Jeong J. Y.
Published: August 2014

Fluid dynamic bearings (FDBs) are applied to most of the spindle motors of computer hard disk drives (HDDs) since FDBs provide better dynamic characteristics, such as lower vibration and noise, than ball bearings. However, a weakness of FBDs is instability arising from air bubbles in the oil lubricant of FDBs. One possible solution to expel the trapped air bubbles out of FDBs is to include recirculation channel (RC). RC is designed to balance the pressures between upper and lower parts of FDBs and to circulate the oil lubricant as well as to expel air bubbles out of FDBs. This paper experimentally and numerically investigates the behavior of the air bubble in oil lubricant of operating FDBs due to the design of the RC. We created the FDBs with transparent cover and performed the experiment to visually observe the behavior of trapped air bubbles. Also, we numerically studied the phenomena of expelling the air bubble. The flow field of FDBs is calculated by the Navier-Stokes equation and the continuity equation. And we numerically explained that large pressure difference between upper and lower regions of RC and fast flow velocity along RC expel the air bubble out of FDBs. This research can be effectively utilized to develop robust FDBs by expelling the air bubbles out of FDBs.
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Effects on a HAMR Head-Disk Interface
Authors: Myo Kyaw Sett , Zhou Weidong , Huang Xiaoyang , Yu Shengkai
Published: August 2014

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is one of prospective high density recording technologies in current hard disk industry. It requires heating a spot on the recording media with the laser beam to overcome the superpara-magnetic limit. The heat produced by laser beam causes the temperature field on the hard disk surface to be highly non-uniform, which may lead to unexpectedly severe lubricant loss, or even the failure of the whole HAMR system. In the meantime, the heat loss caused by the optical delivery system may cause unwanted thermal protrusion on the slider body, which may affect slider’s flying stability in the end.
A Facile Approach of Fabricating Ultra-Thin Wear Resistant Si/SiNx/C Overcoats for Magnetic Tape Recording Heads
Authors: Yeo Reuben J. , Dwivedi Neeraj , Lim Christina Y. H. , Bhatia C. S.
Published: August 2014

Magnetic tape recording is one of the oldest data storage technologies, and it is still used today due to its low cost and long data storage life. Magnetic tape recording is a contact recording technology, where a thin flexible magnetic tape medium is pulled across an Al2O3/TiC (AlTiC) recording head surface at a high velocity while in direct physical contact with each other. As a result, one of the inherent problems faced in magnetic tape recording systems is an increase in the magnetic spacing over time with prolonged usage, due to continuous wear of the tape bearing head surface, which in turn leads to a deterioration of the magnetic readback signal [1]. The increase in the magnetic spacing at the head-tape interface can be due to several factors, such as pole tip recession (PTR), accumulation of wear debris on the head and surface roughness of the head and tape medium. Out of these factors, PTR is a major contributor to the magnetic spacing loss, due to a higher rate of wear of the softer magnetic read and write poles at the head-tape interface [2].
Improving Stability Margins of Rotational Vibration Feed-Forward Compensator
Authors: Kharisov Evgeny
Published: August 2014

This work focuses on stability analysis and design for rotational vibration feed-forward (RVFF) compensator for hard disk drive (HDD) servo control system. We consider the effect of the coupling phenomenon between the voice coil motor (VCM) control current and the rotational vibration acceleration measurements. The coupling creates an undesirable feedback loop, which affects stability of the RVFF compensator as well as it limits the achievable system performance. In this work we present a method for the parasitic coupling mitigation. This method uses self-induced coupling vibration prediction to remove the coupling signal component from the rotational vibration (RV) acceleration measurements. We consider linear time invariant coupling estimator, which is more appealing for analysis in frequency domain, as well as its nonlinear adaptive version, which is more suitable for robust operation in uncertain environment.
Analysis of Thermal Flying-Height Control System About Humid Air Condition in Hard Disk Drive
Authors: Choi Jonghak , Park No-Cheol , Park Young-Pil , Park Kyoung-Su , Hong Eo-Jin , Lee Yonghyun , Kim Cheol-Soon
Published: August 2014

This research investigates to analyze the effect of humid air on TFC system. Required parameters of humid air and flying attitude of slider are calculated. Condensation of air bearing at over the saturation vapor pressure is considered. Heat transfer coefficient for humid air condition is calculated. TFC simulation about humid air is conducted.
Efficient Air Bearing Modeling for Operational Shock Analysis in 2.5-Inch HDD
Authors: Park Kyoung-Su , Lim Geonyup , Park No-Cheol , Park Young-Pil
Published: August 2014

As use of mobile computing devices has spread rapidly, it is very important to accurately analyze and predict anti-shock performance of the HDD system. In this paper, we proposed an efficient air bearing modeling method to analyze op-shock performance for the in 2.5-inch HDD system with ramp-disk contact behavior. We first constructed the decoupled approach method using linear air bearing springs in finite element method and used the Lagrange multiplier method for contact modeling between disk and ramp. With the constructed finite element model, the effect of linear air bearing stiffness was investigated in the decoupled method. We found that air bearing stiffness affects the behavior of the slider dominantly in the HDDs system with ramp-disk contact. Based on the numerical results, the advanced method able to efficiently reflect air bearing characteristics was proposed and evaluated.
A Nonlinear Feedback Control Scheme for Transient Performance Enhancement in Hard Disk Drives
Authors: Zheng Minghui , Chen Xu , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: August 2014

This paper aims to develop a nonlinear control algorithm to break the limitations of linear PID controls and improve the transient performance during the short-span track seeking / settling in hard disk drives (HDDs). It is designed based on a baseline PID controller which is well-designed to obtain good track following performance. The control algorithm is a combination of a nonlinear PID controller and a nonlinear turbo controller (NTC): when the position error signal (PES) is large, NTC assists the nonlinear PID controller to rapidly reduce the error; when PES is small, NTC is turned off to avoid possible chattering and ensure good steady state performance. As PES becomes even smaller, the nonlinear PID controller is reduced to the baseline PID controller to keep good steady state performance.
Design and Development of a Wireless Fall Detection Module for Homecare
Authors: Chao Paul C.-P. , Hsu Li-Chi , Li Yu-Feng , Chun Chin-Wei
Published: August 2014

A novel wireless circuit module is designed in this study to perform ubiquitous fall detections and then real-time fall detections of help messages. It is a common trend that as the demand for living quality increases tremendously while the technologies of electronics and medicine advances greatly, personal cares are elevated to the next level. As for the aging society, the issue of injuries due to falls among senior population arises rapidly [1,2]. Costly prices are often paid as the elderly falls without notice from companions at the site. Therefore, various modules and/or systems of automatic and wireless fall detection are developed into a past pace. Such fall-detection modules are demanded to be able to automatically detect falls of subjects and then send the help message to a remote hospital for an immediate help.
Modeling of Amorphous Carbon Overcoat for Investigation of Lubricant Transfer at the Head-Disk Interface
Authors: Seo Young Woo , Talke Frank E.
Published: August 2014

In current hard disk drives, the spacing between the slider and the disk is reduced to the order of 1–2 nm. At such a narrow spacing, intermolecular forces at the head-disk interface play an important role in achieving a stable slider-disk interface. Even in the absence of actual head-disk contact, lubricant transfer between a slider and a disk may occur. Transferred lubricant can change the flying characteristics of the slider in subsequent read-write operations. It is therefore apparent that lubricant transfer at the head-disk interface is undesirable. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate lubricant transfer between a slider and a disk. A so-called coarse-grained bead spring (CGBS) model was implemented. In this model, the Lennard-Jones potential, the short-range polar attractive potential, and the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic potential functions were used to describe the intermolecular interactions at the head-disk interface. Also, in order to develop a realistic model of the carbon overcoat, different modeling approaches are discussed, including the use of rigid coarse-grained beads and a 3-body Tersoff potential function.
Nano Wear of Thermal Flying Height Control Sliders
Authors: Hegetschweiler Andreas , Matthes Liane , Talke Frank E.
Published: August 2014

To increase the storage density in hard disk drives (HDDs), the clearance between the read/write head and the disk has to be reduced. In current HDDs, the flying height of the slider is about 1–2 nm, which is on the same order as the peak to peak value of the disk surface roughness. As a consequence, intermittent contact between the slider and the disk might occur. Intermittent head-disk contacts are undesirable since they can result in wear of the slider or lubricant transfer [1]–[5]. To achieve flying-heights of 1–2 nm, thermal flying height control (TFC) sliders have been introduced in HDDs [6]. TFC sliders contain a small heater element close to the read and write element. Energizing the heater element results in thermal expansion of the slider body and a thermal protrusion is formed. An increase in heater power increases this protrusion, thereby bringing the read and write element closer to the disk (Fig. 1).
Assessing and accounting for the impact of respiratory motion on FDG uptake and viable volume for liver lesions in free‐breathing PET using respiration‐suspended PET images as reference
Authors: Li Guang , Schmidtlein C. Ross , Burger Irene A. , Ridge Carole A. , Solomon Stephen B. , Humm John L.
Published: August 2014

Purpose:

To assess and account for the impact of respiratory motion on the variability of activity and volume determination of liver tumor in positron emission tomography (PET) through a comparison between free‐breathing (FB) and respiration‐suspended (RS) PET images.

Methods:

As part of a PET/computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous liver ablation procedure performed on a PET/CT scanner, a patientˈs breathing is suspended on a ventilator, allowing the acquisition of a near‐motionless PET and CT reference images of the liver. In this study, baseline RS and FB PET/CT images of 20 patients undergoing thermal ablation were acquired. The RS PET provides near‐motionless reference in a human study, and thereby allows a quantitative evaluation of the effect of respiratory motion on PET images obtained under FB conditions. Two methods were applied to calculate tumor activity and volume: (1) threshold‐based segmentation (TBS), estimating the total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and the segmented volume and (2) histogram‐based estimation (HBE), yielding the background‐subtracted lesion (BSL) activity and associated volume. The TBS method employs 50% of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) as the threshold for tumors with SUVmax ≥ 2× SUVliver‐bkg, and tumor activity above this threshold yields TLG50%. The HBE method determines local PET background based on a Gaussian fit of the low SUV peak in a SUV‐volume histogram, which is generated within a user‐defined and optimized volume of interest containing both local background and lesion uptakes. Voxels with PET intensity above the fitted background were considered to have originated from the tumor and used to calculate the BSL activity and its associated lesion volume.

Results:

Respiratory motion caused SUVmax to decrease from RS to FB by −15% ± 11% (p = 0.01). Using TBS method, there was also a decrease in SUVmean (−18% ± 9%, p = 0.01), but an increase in TLG50% (18% ± 36%) and in the segmented volume (47% ± 52%, p = 0.01) from RS to FB PET images. The background uptake in normal liver was stable, 1% ± 9%. In contrast, using the HBE method, the differences in both BSL activity and BSL volume from RS to FB were −8% ± 10% (p = 0.005) and 0% ± 16% (p = 0.94), respectively.

Conclusions:

This is the first time that almost motion‐free PET images of the human liver were acquired and compared to free‐breathing PET. The BSL methodˈs results are more consistent, for the calculation of both tumor activity and volume in RS and FB PET images, than those using conventional TBS. This suggests that the BSL method might be less sensitive to motion blurring and provides an improved estimation of tumor activity and volume in the presence of respiratory motion.
Walking Workstation Use Reduces Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Adults with Prehypertension
Authors: Zeigler Zachary S. , Swan Pamela D. , Bhammar Dharini M. , Gaesser Glenn A.
Published: August 2014

Background:

The acute effect of low-intensity walking on blood pressure (BP) is unclear.

Purpose:

To determine if the acute use of a walking workstation reduces ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in prehypertensive men and women.

Methods:

Ten prehypertensive adults participated in a randomized, cross-over study that included a control workday and a walking workstation workday. ABP was measured for 7 hour during the workday and for 6 hour after work.

Results:

Both systolic BP (SBP) (134 ± 14 vs. 137 ± 16 mmHg; P = .027) and diastolic BP (DBP) (79 ± 10 vs. 82 ± 12 mmHg; P = .001) were lower on the walking workstation day. Postwork hours (4:00 PM–10:00 PM), SBP (129 ± 13 vs. 133 ± 14 mmHg; P = .008), and DBP (74 ± 11 vs. 78 ± 13 mmHg; P = .001) were also lower on the walking workstation day. DBP load was significantly lower during the walking workstation day, with only 14% of the readings above 90 mmHg compared with 22% of the control day readings (P = .037).

Conclusion:

Accumulation of very-light-intensity physical activity (~2 METs) over the course of a single work day using a walking workstation may reduce BP burden in prehypertensive individuals.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in Vietnam
Authors: Vui Dam Thi , Tung Nguyen , Inui Ken , Slater Steven , Nilubol Dachrit
Published: August 2014

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has emerged in Vietnam since 2009. Herein, full-length genome sequences are reported for three PEDV isolates from pigs displaying severe diarrhea from farms located in northern and southern provinces of Vietnam. The results provide more understanding of the molecular characteristics of PEDV in Vietnam.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Alkane Degrader,
Alcanivorax
sp. Strain NBRC 101098
Authors: Miura Takamasa , Tsuchikane Keiko , Numata Mitsuru , Hashimoto Maiko , Hosoyama Akira , Ohji Shoko , Yamazoe Atsushi , Fujita Nobuyuki
Published: August 2014

Alcanivorax
sp. strain NBRC 101098 was isolated from seawater in Japan. Strain NBRC 101098 is able to degrade various types of
n
-alkanes. Here, we report the complete genome of strain NBRC 101098.
High-Quality Draft Genomes of Two Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Aid in Understanding Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease of Cultured Shrimps in Mexico
Authors: Gomez-Jimenez Silvia , Noriega-Orozco Lorena , Sotelo-Mundo Rogerio R. , Cantu-Robles Vito A. , Cobian-Guemes Ana G. , Cota-Verdugo Rosario G. , Gamez-Alejo Luis A. , del Pozo-Yauner Luis , Guevara-Hernandez Eduardo , Garcia-Orozco Karina D. , Lopez-Zavala Alonso A. , Ochoa-Leyva Adrián
Published: August 2014

The high-quality draft genomes of two
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
strains, one that causes the acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in cultured shrimps (FIM-S1708
+
), and another that does not (FIM-S1392
−
) are reported. A chromosome-scale assembly for the FIM-S1392
−
genome is reported here. The analysis of the two genomes gives some clues regarding the genomic differences between the strains.
Fast growing sequences of numbers and the first digit phenomenon
Authors: Massé Bruno , Schneider Dominique
Published: August 2014

We consider a large class of fast growing sequences of numbers Un like the nth superfactorial [Formula: see text], the nth hyperfactorial [Formula: see text] and similar ones. We show that their mantissas are distributed following Benford's law in the sense of the natural density. We prove that this is also verified by [Formula: see text], by [Formula: see text] and is passed down to all the sequences obtained by iterating this design process. We also consider the superprimorial numbers and the products of logarithms of integers.
Magnetite-bubble aggregates at mixing interfaces in andesite magma bodies
Authors: Edmonds M. , Brett A. , Herd R. A. , Humphreys M. C. S. , Woods A.
Published: August 2014

Magnetite is a particularly favourable site for heterogeneous bubble nucleation in magma and yet only very rarely is evidence for this preserved due to the myriad of processes that act to overprint such an association. The possibility of bubble-magnetite aggregates in magmas carries with it interesting implications for the fluid mechanics of magma bodies and for the magma mixing process responsible for the formation of andesites. We use image analysis and statistical methods to illustrate a spatial association between magnetite and bubbles in mafic enclaves. There is a large range in magnetite contents in the enclaves (up to 7.5%) which is related to the porosity of the enclaves, indicating a mechanism of enrichment of the mafic magma in magnetite. In the andesite there is no spatial association between bubbles and magnetite and the magnetite content of the andesite is small. We suggest a mechanism for enclave formation whereby in vapour-saturated magma, bubbles nucleate on magnetite. Upon intrusion into the base of an andesite magma body, these bubble-magnetite aggregates rise and ‘sweep up’ other magnetites, resulting in the accumulation of aggregates at the magma interface. Instabilities lead to the flotation of enclaves, characterized by enrichment in magnetite and bubbles.
Unexpected maturation of PI3K and MAPK-ERK signaling in fetal ovine cardiomyocytes
Authors: Chattergoon N. N. , Louey S. , Stork P. J. , Giraud G. D. , Thornburg K. L.
Published: August 2014

In the first two-thirds of gestation, ovine fetal cardiomyocytes undergo mitosis to increase cardiac mass and accommodate fetal growth. Thereafter, some myocytes continue to proliferate while others mature and terminally differentiate into binucleated cells. At term (145 days gestational age; dGA) about 60% of cardiomyocytes become binucleated and exit the cell cycle under hormonal control. Rising thyroid hormone (T3) levels near term (135 dGA) inhibit proliferation and stimulate maturation. However, the degree to which intracellular signaling patterns change with age in response to T3 is unknown. We hypothesized that in vitro activation of ERK, Akt, and p70S6K by two regulators of cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity, T3 and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), would be similar in cardiomyocytes at gestational ages 100 and 135 dGA. IGF-1 and T3 each independently stimulated phosphorylation of ERK, Akt, and p70S6K in cells at both ages. In the younger mononucleated myocytes, the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt was reduced in the presence of IGF-1 and T3. However, the same hormone combination led to a dramatic twofold increase in the phosphorylation of these signaling proteins in the 135 dGA cardiomyocytes—even in cells that were not proliferating. In the older cells, both mono- and binucleated cells were affected. In conclusion, fetal ovine cardiomyocytes undergo profound maturation-related changes in signaling in response to T3 and IGF-1, but not to either factor alone. Differences in age-related response are likely to be related to milestones in fetal cardiac development as the myocardium prepares for ex utero life.
Cytokine-like Molecule CCDC134 Contributes to CD8+ T-cell Effector Functions in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Huang Jing , Xiao Lin , Gong Xiaoting , Shao Wenwei , Yin Yanhui , Liao Qinyuan , Meng Yang , Zhang Yingmei , Ma Dalong , Qiu Xiaoyan
Published: August 2014

CCDC134 is a poorly characterized secreted protein that may act as an immune cytokine. Here, we show that CCDC134 is differentially expressed on resting and activated immune cells and that it promotes CD8+ T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity by augmenting expression of the T-cell effector molecules IFNγ, TNFα, granzyme B, and perforin. CCDC134 facilitated infiltration of CD8+ T cells with enhanced cytolytic activity into tumors, demonstrating strong antitumor effects in a CD8+ T-cell–dependent manner. Mechanistically, in CD8+ T cells, exposure to CCDC134 promoted cell proliferation through the JAK3–STAT5 pathway, a classic feature of many cytokines of the common γ-chain (γc) cytokine receptor family. Overall, our results provide evidence that CCDC134 may serve as a member of the γc cytokine family and illustrate its potent antitumor effects by augmenting CD8+ T-cell–mediated immunity. Cancer Res; 74(20); 5734–45. ©2014 AACR.
New species of Afrotropical Muscidae (Diptera: Muscoidea)
Authors: COURI MÁRCIA , PONT ADRIAN C.
Published: August 2014

The study of recently collected Afrotropical Muscidae (Diptera) from Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and South Africa has revealed ten new species which are described herein: Coenosia duomaculata sp. nov., C. nigromaculata sp. nov., C. fragilis sp. nov., Helina harrisorum sp. nov., H. ferfriniorum sp. nov., Hydrotaea tantula sp. nov., Limnophora diminuta sp. nov., L. antennalis sp. nov., Spilogona brunnea sp. nov. and S. bella sp. nov. Coenosia, Helina and Limnophora are speciose muscid genera, found throughout the Afrotropical Region, while Hydrotaea and Spilogona have a more restricted geographic distribution and include some 20 species each.
Methods, Theories, Data, and the Social Dynamics of Organizational Research
Authors: Bitektine Alex , Miller Danny
Published: August 2014

We characterize organizational research as a process driven by researcher’s adaptations to institutional pressures and resource constraints. Drawing on observations on the evolution of several research paradigms in management, organizational studies, and other disciplines, we argue that constraints on the set of legitimate research questions posed within a given theory, institutionalized research methods, and available/collectable data lead to a scarcity in opportunities for publishable contributions, and eventually to the decline of a research paradigm. We direct researchers’ attention to a number of symptoms of paradigm maturation and suggest strategies that are sometimes used to extend paradigm life. We also suggest that not all types of researchers working within a paradigm are equally affected by its maturation, and describe some implications of overly strict constraints on methods, theories, and data for the evolution of research paradigms and for careers of individual researchers.
Preparation and antitumor effect of a toxin-linked conjugate targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and urokinase plasminogen activator
Authors: Xiang Ying , Li Qiying , Huang Dehong , Tang Xianjun , Wang Li , Shi Yang , Zhang Wenjun , Yang Tao , Xiao Chunyan , Wang Jianghong
Published: August 2014

The aberrant signaling activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a common characteristic of many tumors, including lung cancer. Accordingly, VEGFR and uPA have emerged as attractive targets for tumor. KDR (Flk-1/VEGFR-2), a member of the VEGFR family, has been recognized as an important target for antiangiogenesis in tumor. In this study, a recombinant immunotoxin was produced to specifically target KDR-expressing tumor vascular endothelial cells and uPA-expressing tumor cells and mediate antitumor angiogenesis and antitumor effect. Based on its potent inhibitory effect on protein synthesis, Luffin-beta (Lβ) ribosome-inactivating protein was selected as part of a recombinant fusion protein, a single-chain variable fragment against KDR (KDRscFv)-uPA cleavage site (uPAcs)-Lβ-KDEL (named as KPLK). The KDRscFv-uPAcs-Lβ-KDEL (KPLK) contained a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against KDR, uPAcs, Lβ, and the retention signal for endoplasmic reticulum proteins KDEL (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu). The KPLK-expressing vector was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the KPLK protein was isolated with nickel affinity chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis test demonstrated KPLK was effectively expressed. Result of in vitro cell viability assay on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H460 cell line (uPA-positive cell) revealed that KPLK significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and accumulated cells in S and G2/M phases, but the normal cell line (human submandibular gland cell) was unaffected. These effects were enhanced when uPA was added to digest KPLK to release Lβ. For in vivo assay of KPLK, subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of nude mice were established with H460 cells. Growth of solid tumors was significantly inhibited in animals treated with KPLK up to 21 days, tumor weights were decreased, and the expression of angiogenesis marker CD31 was downregulated; meanwhile, the apoptosis-related protein casspase-3 was upregulated. These results suggested that the recombinant KPLK may have therapeutic applications on tumors, especially uPA-overexpressing ones.
Convergence of splitting algorithms for the sum of two accretive operators with applications
Authors: Qin Xiaolong , Cho Sun Young , Wang Lin
Published: August 2014

We study a splitting algorithm for problems involving the sum of two accretive operators. We prove the strong convergence of the algorithm. Applications to variational inequality, fixed point, equilibrium, and minimization problems are provided.
Crustal deformations in Kii peninsula associated with the SE off the Kii peninsula earthquake sequence of September 5, 2004 derived from dense GPS observations
Authors: Hashimoto Manabu , Onoue Kensuke , Ohya Fumio , Hoso Yoshinobu , Segawa Kohei , Sato Kazutoshi , Fujita Yasuyoshi
Published: August 2014

We present crustal deformations in southern Kii peninsula, southwest Japan, before and after the SE off the Kii peninsula earthquake sequence of September 5, 2004, which were obtained from repeated surveys of dense GPS network. Disaster Prevention Research Institute (hereafter DPRI), Kyoto University made a reoccupation of their dense GPS network network that was occupied in February-March, 2004, right after the event to obtain crustal deformations associated with this event. Since we do not have the data just before the event, we apply an inversion of displacements of GEONET sites during the period from February-March to August, and interpolate displacements at DPRI’s sites using the inverted fault model. Southward movements of about 2 cm are obtained in the middle of Kii peninsula, while displacements are rotated to southwest on the west side. These characteristics of horizontal displacement field cannot be explained only by a pure thrust faulting, but additional sources such as right-lateral faulting on a NW-SE trending fault are required.
A dense GPS observation immediately after the 2004 mid-Niigata prefecture earthquake
Authors: Takahashi Hiroaki , Matsushima Takeshi , Kato Teruyuki , Takeuchi Akira , Yamaguchi Teruhiro , Kohno Yuhki , Katagi Takeshi , Fukuda Jun’ichi , Hatamoto Kazuya , Doke Ryousuke , Matsu’ura Yuki , Kasahara Minoru
Published: August 2014

To investigate the postseismic crustal deformation associated with the 2004 mid-Niigata prefecture earthquake (M6.8), we newly started GPS observation to fill a gap of the nationwide continuous GPS network. Our GPS sites were mainly distributed in the focal region without permanent GPS site, and succeeded in obtaining the postseismic deformation. Coseismic displacements of two aftershocks were clearly detected because of immediate observation. Estimated fault parameters of the aftershock (M5.9) on November 8 occurring just beneath our GPS network indicated that geodetic data could be explained by either east- or west-dipping fault model inferred from detailed aftershock data. Moreover, clear postseismic deformation, which could be characterized by a logarithmic decay function, was observed. This signal probably suggests possible aseismic slip. Our results indicated that dense GPS observation could give important and interesting data to clarify the properties of shallow inland middle-size earthquakes.
Landform and local site effects on the colonies worst-hit by the 2004 mid-Niigata prefecture, Japan, earthquake
Authors: Yoshimi Masayuki , Komatsubara Taku , Miyachi Yoshinori , Kimura Katsumi , Sekiguchi Haruko , Saeki Masayuki , Kunimatsu Sunao , Yoshida Kunikazu , Ozaki Masanori , Nakazawa Tsutomu , Nakashima Rei , Saomoto Hidetaka
Published: August 2014

Landform and damage classification surveys have been conducted on six colonies worst-hit by the 2004 mid-Niigata prefecture earthquake. The landform was classified using aerial photographs taken by the US Air Force in 1947. Damage degree of each structure has been classified into four classes including foundation damage class, and location of each structure has been mapped with damage class. Around 1,000 houses and stores have been classified and mapped. In five of six colonies, buildings on the fans composed of colluvial deposits have been more likely suffered severe damage than those on terraces or dissected valleys. In the other colony located on a flood plain, no clear difference in degree of damage among landforms has been observed.
Utility of petrophysical and geophysical data to constrain the subsurface structure of the Kitakami plutons, northeast Japan
Authors: Okuma Shigeo , Kanaya Hiroshi
Published: August 2014

The Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ), AIST has been systematically measuring physical properties of basement rocks in Japan for more than 30 years and has started to construct a petrophysical database called PB-Rock 21 (Petrophysical Database of Basement rocks in Japan for the 21st Century, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/PB-Rock21/). The petrophysical data has been integrated with aeromagnetic data to determine the subsurface structure of the Himekami and Sobanokami plutons, members of the Kitakami plutonic belt, northeast Japan. For the Himekami pluton, the result of apparent magnetization intensity mapping clearly shows zonation within sub-plutons as well as regional rock type differences between the North (felsic) and South (felsic and mafic complex) sub-plutons. The bottom depths of the pluton were estimated by a successive 3-D magnetic modeling to be 1.7 km (North sub-pluton) and 1.5 km below sea level (South sub-pluton), respectively. Magnetic modeling of the Sobanokami pluton, which is partly exposed at the eastern edge of the Ishinomaki Plain, implies that the main part of the pluton extends to the northwest below the surface. Its western edge is cut by the Ishinomaki-wan fault, believed to be the upward extension of the fault plane of the 2003 northern Miyagi earthquake as defined by seismic observations and reflection seismic surveys conducted after the earthquake. Integrated magnetic and gravity modeling suggests that the Kakeyama Formation, a Neogene conglomerate deposited in a half-graben along the Ishinomaki-wan fault during Miocene rifting, contains more granitic fragments toward the south than to the north in the Ishinomaki Plain.
High resolution 3-D velocity structure in the source region of the 2000 Western Tottori Earthquake in southwestern Honshu, Japan using very dense aftershock observations
Authors: Shibutani Takuo , Katao Hiroshi ,   Group for the dense aftershock observations of the 2000 Western Tottori Earthquake
Published: August 2014

We carried out high density aftershock observations a week after the 2000 Western Tottori Earthquake for 40 days. We deployed 72 seismic stations in and around the aftershock area. The average spacing of the stations in the aftershock area was 4–5 km. We determined accurate hypocenters and focal mechanisms for ∼1,000 aftershocks and obtained a high resolution 3-D velocity structure in the source region. High P and S wave velocity anomalies (> 4%) near the southeasternmost aftershock area at 2 km depth correlated with Jurassic to Late Cretaceous plutonic and high pressure metamorphic rocks. The depth distribution of the P and S wave velocities along the mainshock fault showed that high velocity anomalies were located at the shallow southeastern edge and the deeper central part of the aftershock area. The ratio between P and S wave velocities in the high velocity anomalies was a little higher (∼1.75) than the average value (∼1.70) in the upper crust. These results indicate that the high velocity anomalies could correspond to the plutonic or metamorphic rocks. The distributions of the high velocity anomalies and large slips of the mainshock were complementary. These suggest that the high velocity anomalies could be stronger than the surrounding materials and might behave as barriers to the mainshock rupture.
Surface deformations associated with the October 2004 Mid-Niigata earthquake: Description and discussion
Authors: Yoong Kim Haeng , Okada Atsumasa
Published: August 2014

The Mid-Niigata earthquakes (mainshock: JMA M6.8, the largest aftershock: JMA M6.4) occurred on 23 October 2004 in the Shinano River fold and thrust zone, western margin of Northeast Japan. Two major Quaternary reverse fault systems, fault related to Higashiyama—Tamguiyama fold in western side and Muikamachi fault in eastern side, had already been mapped in aftershock area from the geological structure and tectonic morphostructure. These active fault and fold strike almost north-northeast—south-southwest. We investigated destructions of man-made structures and surface deformation using the releveling data by Geography Survey Institute. In turn, we examined about the origin of observed surface destructions from the compare with aftershock distribution. Our leveling and G.S.I leveling results indicate the deformation concordant with the Higashiyama-Tamugiyama fold and the offset along the a part of the northern half of Muikamachi fault. The vertical displacements are estimated to be ca. 70 cm and less than 20 cm, respectively. The surface destructions were identified almost only along the Suwatoge flexure (correlated to the eastern limb of the Higashiyama-Tamugiyama fold), Tagawa anticline, Obiro fault and Muikamachi fault. The shortening amounts were estimated to be ca. 16 cm at the Suwatoge flexure, less than 2 cm at the Tagawa anticline and ca. 8 cm at the Muikamachi fault from the compressional destruction of man-made structure. The maximum vertical displacement and shortening was appeared at the bottom of Suwatoge flexure. The Suwatoge flexure is located onto the shallower extension of the row of aftershocks which was correlated to main shock earthquake. The Muikamachi fault is located near the shallower extension of the source fault of the largest aftershock. The stress regime inferred from the character of the observed surface destructions is concordant with the trend of geological structure and focal mechanism solutions. The small compressional destructions of man-made structures are byproducts created by buried faulting and folding. Thus, the Higashiyama-Tamugiyama folding structure grew in association with the buried faulting in the 2004 earthquake.
Gravity and density variations of the tilted Tottabetsu plutonic complex, Hokkaido, northern Japan: implications for subsurface intrusive structure and pluton development
Authors: Kamiyama Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Akihiko , Hasegawa Takeshi , Kajiwara Takanori , Mogi Toru
Published: August 2014

An exposed cross section of the tilted Tottabetsu plutonic complex allows direct evaluation of its original 2-D cross-sectional shape and pretilting vertical density variations in both the pluton and the country rocks, which serves as a strong constraint in gravity modeling that complements information on the ’missing’ pretilting horizontal dimension of this tilted pluton. The pluton is stratified with the uppermost thin granitic unit (≈1-km thick) and the underlying thick gabbro-diorite units (≈9-km thick) that preserve a stratigraphic record of numerous hotter replenishments in the form of alternation of originally horizontal mafic sheets and cumulate layers. Both the pluton and the country rocks show systematic density increase with pretilting crustal depth, but density contrast of the pluton with the country rocks varies between each unit. The 2-D cross-sectional shape and gravity analysis revealed that the pluton had a vertically-elongated shape with vertical side walls before tilting. The vertical side walls, together with the stack of the originally horizontal sheets and cumulate layers, suggests that the pluton grew only vertically by piston mechanism. The very thick, exposed cross section provides unequivocal evidence for development of such a pluton with this unusual shape and mass distribution, which has been inferred elsewhere only by some geophysical studies.
Spatial distribution of F-net moment tensors for the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake determined by the extended method of the NIED F-net routine
Authors: Matsumoto Takumi , Ito Yoshihiro , Matsubayashi Hirotoshi , Sekiguchi Shoji
Published: August 2014

The 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake with a Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) magnitude (MJMA) of 7.0 occurred on March 20, 2005. We determined moment tensor solutions, using a surface wave with an extended method of the NIED F-net routine processing. The horizontal distance to the station is rounded to the nearest interval of 1 km, and the variance reduction approach is applied to a focal depth from 2 km with an interval of 1 km. We obtain the moment tensors of 101 events with (MJMA) exceeding 3.0 and spatial distribution of these moment tensors. The focal mechanism of aftershocks is mainly of the strike-slip type. The alignment of the epicenters in the rupture zone of the main-shock is oriented between N110°E and N130°E, which is close to the strike of the main-shock’s moment tensor solutions (N122°E). These moment tensor solutions of intermediatesized aftershocks around the focal region represent basic and important information concerning earthquakes in investigating regional tectonic stress fields, source mechanisms and so on.