bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on dynamic response and vibration reduction of medium-speed mills with spring vibration–isolated foundations in thermal power plants
Authors: Zhu Lihua , Li Qiao , Bai Guoliang
Published: August 2015

Spring vibration–isolated foundations are widely used today to support medium-speed mills in thermal power plants. The vibration of machine body should be considered in the design and vibration evaluation of the foundation of dynamic machine. To investigate the dynamic characteristics and vibration reduction measures used with these foundations, eight mills, including one mill supported by a non-isolated foundation, were tested on site. Vibration safety was evaluated based on the test results. Furthermore, a mill-foundation coupled finite element model was built using ANSYS to analyze modal and harmonic responses. The calculation results were generally in accordance with the test results. Finally, vibration reduction measures were discussed by parametric analysis including the number of isolators and the mass ratio of the foundation to that of the machine. This study shows that the vibration could be effectively reduced by the spring vibration–isolated foundation, particularly for the ground. The vibration displacements of medium-speed mills supported by spring vibration–isolated foundations meet code requirements, but the vibration displacements of the machine body are larger than the code requirements. To achieve good vibration isolation, the maximum horizontal vibration displacement at the top of the foundation is suggested to be 50 µm, and the mass ratio of the foundation to the machine should be 3.0 ± 0.2.
Search for Trustful Leadership in Secondary Schools
Authors: Freire Carla , Fernandes António
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyse how the access to structures of empowerment by teachers in primary and secondary education impacts on their trust of the headmaster of the school management board. Using the theoretical framework of empowerment and trust in the context of companies, one adapted the constructs of these scales to the reality of primary and secondary schools. A questionnaire was presented to 112 teachers in order to evaluate the impact of empowerment structures on their trust of the leader. The results obtained indicate that a context of empowering work is significantly predictive of trust in the school’s headmaster. The teaching staff who realize that they have access to empowerment structures (power, resources, opportunities, support and information) and feel that they can exercise some influence on the organization of their workplace are in a better position to trust the headmaster. The results are discussed and the contributions of the study to theory and to school administration are presented.
Comprendre l’influence des facteurs contextuels sur la participation communautaire à la santé : une étude de cas dans le district sanitaire de Tenkodogo, au Burkina Faso
Authors: Sombié Issa , Ilboudo David O. S. , Soubeiga André Kamba , Samuelsen Helle
Published: August 2015

Le Burkina Faso met en œuvre depuis plusieurs années la stratégie de la participation communautaire. Des comités de gestion (CoGes) ont été mis en place dans les centres de santé de la première ligne et doivent participer aux prises de décisions. L’objectif principal de cette stratégie est de favoriser l’utilisation des services de santé et une adhésion massive des communautés aux activités de promotion de la santé. Seulement, on constate que les résultats escomptés par les autorités sanitaires tardent à se réaliser. Le présent article convoque les facteurs liés au contexte socioculturel du district sanitaire, pour analyser le phénomène de la participation communautaire.

L’étude s’est déroulée dans le district sanitaire de Tenkodogo, situé dans la région administrative du Centre-est, à environ 190 km de la capitale. Cette étude exclusivement qualitative, a utilisé deux méthodes de collecte : les entretiens individuels et les focus groups. Les participants à l’étude sont les chefs de ménage ( n = 48), les membres des CoGes ( n = 10), les agents de santé ( n = 8) et les agents de santé communautaire ( n = 24). La méthode de l’analyse de contenu a été utilisée pour l’analyse des données.

Les résultats de l’étude montrent que plusieurs facteurs socioculturels influencent la dynamique de la participation communautaire dans le district. Ce sont les conditions économiques, la perception négative des services de santé, les inégalités sociales de sexe et d’âge, le faible ancrage social des organisations communautaires, les rivalités inter-villages et les conflits coutumiers. L’étude relève également que les communautés ne perçoivent pas leur implication dans le processus décisionnel des services de santé comme une priorité. Leurs principales attentes s’orientent vers la disponibilité de soins de qualité et à coût réduit.
A C-Peptide-Based Model of Pancreatic Insulin Secretion in Extremely Preterm Neonates in Intensive Care
Authors: Dickson Jennifer L. , Alsweiler Jane , Gunn Cameron A. , Pretty Christopher G. , Chase J. Geoffrey
Published: August 2015

Background:

Model-based glycemic control relies on sufficiency of underlying models to describe underlying patient physiology. In particular, very preterm infant glucose-insulin metabolism can differ significantly from adults, and is relatively unstudied. In this study, C-peptide concentrations are used to develop insulin-secretion models for the purposes of glycemic control in neonatal intensive care.

Methods:

Plasma C-peptide, insulin, and blood glucose concentrations (BGC) were retrospectively analyzed from a cohort of 41 hyperglycemic very preterm (median age 27.2 [26.2-28.7] weeks) and very low birth-weight infants (median birth weight 839 [735-1000] g). A 2-compartment model of C-peptide kinetics was used to estimate insulin secretion. Insulin secretion was examined with respect to nutritional intake, exogenous and plasma insulin concentration, and BGC.

Results:

Insulin secretion was found to be highly variable between patients and over time, and could not be modeled with respect to age, weight, or protein or dextrose intake. In 13 of 54 samples exogenous insulin was being administered, and insulin secretion was lower. However, low data numbers make this result inconclusive. Insulin secretion was found to increase with BG, with a stronger association in female infants than males ( R2 = .51 vs R2 = .13, and R2 = .26 for the combined cohort).

Conclusions:

A sex-based insulin secretion model was created and incorporated into a model-based glycemic control framework. Nutritional intake did not predict insulin secretion, indicating that insulin secretion is a complex function of a number of metabolic factors.
An Automatic Assessment System of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on Wound Area Determination, Color Segmentation, and Healing Score Evaluation
Authors: Wang Lei , Pedersen Peder C. , Strong Diane M. , Tulu Bengisu , Agu Emmanuel , Ignotz Ron , He Qian
Published: August 2015

Background:

For individuals with type 2 diabetes, foot ulcers represent a significant health issue. The aim of this study is to design and evaluate a wound assessment system to help wound clinics assess patients with foot ulcers in a way that complements their current visual examination and manual measurements of their foot ulcers.

Methods:

The physical components of the system consist of an image capture box, a smartphone for wound image capture and a laptop for analyzing the wound image. The wound image assessment algorithms calculate the overall wound area, color segmented wound areas, and a healing score, to provide a quantitative assessment of the wound healing status both for a single wound image and comparisons of subsequent images to an initial wound image.

Results:

The system was evaluated by assessing foot ulcers for 12 patients in the Wound Clinic at University of Massachusetts Medical School. As performance measures, the Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) value for the wound area determination algorithm tested on 32 foot ulcer images was .68. The clinical validity of our healing score algorithm relative to the experienced clinicians was measured by Krippendorff’s alpha coefficient (KAC) and ranged from .42 to .81.

Conclusion:

Our system provides a promising real-time method for wound assessment based on image analysis. Clinical comparisons indicate that the optimized mean-shift-based algorithm is well suited for wound area determination. Clinical evaluation of our healing score algorithm shows its potential to provide clinicians with a quantitative method for evaluating wound healing status.
Excision of Morton’s Neuroma Using a Longitudinal Plantar Approach
Authors: Kundert Hans-Peter , Plaass Christian , Stukenborg-Colsman Christina , Waizy Hazibullah
Published: August 2015

Background. Operative procedures are indicated in the treatment of Morton’s neuroma (MN) when conservative therapies have been unsuccessful. A dorsal approach for neurolysis or neurectomy was strongly recommended. The aim of this case series study was to prospectively analyze the midterm clinical outcome and complications following the excision of a MN using a plantar longitudinal approach. Methods. Between September 2000 and January 2009, we included 44 patients (51 feet, 56 neuromas) in a prospective study treated by excision of a primary MN using a plantar longitudinal approach. The MN diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and pain relief after infiltration of local anesthetics. Histological examinations were performed in all resected specimens. The patients returned for final follow-up at a mean of 54 (range = 12 to 99) months, comparing preoperative and postoperative perception of pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and assessing clinical findings. Results. The average amount of pain, according to VAS, was 8 (range = 6-9) points preoperatively and 0.4 (range = 0-5) points at final follow-up. Complications occurred in 7.1% of interventions and scar problems in 5.2%, including delayed wound healing, hypertrophic scar formation, and inclusion cyst. Conclusion. The present study shows a strong relief of pain after MN resection using a plantar longitudinal incision, coupled with a low rate of local complications. This surgical procedure seems to be a reliable choice for the excision of MN, even in cases with MN in adjacent webspaces, because it is technically simple and the plantar scar is not bothersome if properly located.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Prospective, Case series
Retrocalcaneal Pain After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Avulsion Fracture of the Achilles Tendon Treated by Endoscopic Adhesiolysis and Endoscopic Calcaneoplasty
Authors: Lui Tun Hing
Published: August 2015

Avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon is uncommon. Open reduction and internal fixation is indicated for displaced fracture in order to restore the normal function of the Achilles tendon. We present a patient with avulsion fracture of Achilles tendon that was complicated by the development of secondary Haglund’s deformity and fibrous adhesion between the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus. He was successful treated by endoscopic calcaneoplasty and endoscopic adhesiolysis.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case report
Preliminary Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy Using Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound
Authors: Hsu Andrew R. , Holmes George B.
Published: August 2015

Background. Achilles tendinopathy is a degenerative process of the tendon associated with diminished vascularity, microtrauma, and aging. Nonoperative treatments such as activity modification, immobilization, night splints, and physical therapy have good outcomes for the majority of patients. However, there are cohorts of patients that remain symptomatic despite use of all nonoperative measures that eventually require surgical intervention. The present study reports the preliminary short-term clinical outcomes of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) for treatment for Achilles tendinopathy. Materials and Methods. Fourteen patients with clinically diagnosed Achilles tendinopathy who failed previous nonoperative treatments underwent LIPUS stimulation directly over the area of maximum tendon tenderness for 20 min/d for 8 weeks total. No other treatment modalities were used during the period of LIPUS stimulation. All patients had serial clinical exams and evaluations with an average follow-up of 12 months (range, 6-50 months). Results. Excellent clinical outcomes with complete resolution of pain and other symptoms were obtained in 7 patients (50%). Two patients (14%) had good outcomes with mild tendon irritation and stiffness not requiring further intervention. Five patients (36%) had minimal benefit with continued pain, swelling, and tenderness over the Achilles and functional deficits. No patients had worsening pain or progression of disability requiring surgery. Conclusions. LIPUS is an additional noninvasive treatment modality for chronic Achilles tendinopathy that may potentially help improve clinical symptoms and delay and/or prevent the need for surgical intervention. While LIPUS is easy to use, well-tolerated, and has promising early clinical results, further research is needed to determine the long-term benefits, disadvantages, and cost-effectiveness of this alternative treatment for tendinopathy.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series
Minimizing Patient Safety Events Through a Multidisciplinary Approach to Human Milk Management
Authors: Paul Elizabeth
Published: August 2015

Optimization of nutrition is key in infant development and it is well documented that human milk is the ideal form of nutrition for infants during the first year of life. However, unaltered maternal human milk may not be sufficient to meet the nutritional demands of premature infants. Under these circumstances, addition of a fortifier to the maternal human milk has become standard practice. In one newborn/infant intensive care unit (N/IICU) located in Philadelphia, fortification and modification of human milk is handled within the Human Milk Management Center (HMMC). A multidisciplinary team rounds weekly on all infants receiving fortified or modified human milk. Feeding orders and maternal milk supply are discussed to ensure the feeding is ordered correctly, the final caloric concentration is correct and a backup feeding order is in place for low maternal milk supply. Through this multidisciplinary discussion, the team has been able to identify and resolve potential errors from reaching the patient. Improvement in patient safety while providing human milk remains of utmost importance and the central goal of the HMMC collaborative.
Stigma-Based Rejection and the Detection of Signs of Acceptance
Authors: Richman Laura Smart , Martin Julie , Guadagno Jennifer
Published: August 2015

After people experience social rejection, one tactic to restore a sense of belonging is to selectively attend to and readily perceive cues that connote acceptance. The multimotive model of responses to rejection suggests that contextual features of the rejection are important determinants of how people are motivated to respond. According to this model, when rejection is construed as pervasive and chronic, people will be less likely to adopt strategies that promote belonging. Across two studies, we found that chronic rejection—in the context of stigmatization—predicted a slower response time to smiling faces and less recognition of affiliation-related words as compared to a nonstigmatized control group. These results suggest that, unlike more transitory forms of rejection, stigmatization leads to slower detection of signs of acceptance. These responses may hinder belonging repair and thus have important negative implications for health and well-being.
When Societal Norms and Social Identity Collide
Authors: Pauker Kristin , Apfelbaum Evan P. , Spitzer Brian
Published: August 2015

Racial minorities face a unique “race talk” dilemma in contemporary American society: Their racial background is often integral to their identity and how others perceive them, yet talk of race is taboo. This dilemma highlights the conflict between two fundamental social processes: social identity development and social norm adherence. To examine how, and with what costs, this dilemma is resolved, 9- to 12-year-old Latino, Asian, Black, and White children ( N = 108) completed a photo identification task in which acknowledging racial difference is beneficial to performance. Results indicate minority children are just as likely to avoid race as White children, and such avoidance exacted a cost to performance and nonverbal comfort. Results suggest that teachers are particularly important social referents for instilling norms regarding race. Norms that equate color blindness with socially appropriate behavior appear more broadly influential than previously thought, stifling talk of race even among those for whom it may be most meaningful.
‘Special’ non-human actors in the ‘inclusive’ early childhood classroom: The wrist band, the lock and the scooter board
Authors: Watson Karen , Millei Zsuzsa , Petersen Eva Bendix
Published: August 2015

It is well established in research that early childhood classrooms are one of the most controlled environments during the human life course. When control is discussed, the enactment of regulatory frameworks and various discourses are analysed but less focus is paid on the materialities of classrooms. In this article, we pay attention to ‘special’ non-human actors present in an ‘inclusive’ early childhood classroom. These ‘special’ non-human actors are so named as they operate in the classroom as objects specific for the child with a diagnosis. The ‘special’ non-human actors, in the specific case the wrist band, the lock and the scooter board, take on meaning within discourses in the ‘inclusive’ classroom. We illuminate how these non-human actors contribute to the constitution of the ‘normal’ and the regulation of educators and children. To trouble the working of power and the control these objects effect on all who is present in the classroom, we ask the following questions: What do these non-human actors do in the ‘inclusive’ classroom and with what effects? How do non-human actors reproduce/produce the ‘normal’, impossible/possible ways to be and act, thus control educators and children? The data used in our analyses were produced as part of a 6-month-long ethnographic engagement in three early childhood settings in the broader region of Newcastle, Australia. It includes observations and conversations with children.
Radical cystectomy: Analysis of trends in UK practice 2004–2012, from the British Association of Urological Surgeons’ (BAUS) Section of Oncology Dataset
Authors: Cresswell J , Mariappan P , Thomas SA , Khan MS , Johnson MI , Fowler S ,   on behalf of the BAUS Section of Oncology
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To analyse the British Association of Urological Surgeons’ (BAUS) radical cystectomy (RC) dataset, to examine the trends in patient selection, use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and operative technique.

Methods:

Data for RC were entered into a database voluntarily, by operating surgeons. A comparison was made to the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data, to estimate the proportion of cases captured by the dataset.

Results:

From 2004 to 2012, data was collected on 5321 patients undergoing RC. This constituted 37.1% of all HES RC cases during the corresponding time period. Notable trends were: An increasing use of NAC, the introduction of minimally-invasive surgery (23.5% in 2012), a dramatic reduction in blood transfusion rates and the increasing yields from lymph node dissection. The ileal conduit urinary diversion predominated as the urinary diversion of choice (80% of cases).

Conclusions:

This analysis of a large multi-centre dataset provides insight into RC practice in the UK, over 8 years. The major weaknesses of the study were that only one-third of cases were recorded and that outcome data was very limited. Mandatory publication of outcome data from 2016 should increase the recording of cases and provide material for a more complete analysis.
Venous extravasation and polymethylmethacrylate pulmonary embolism following fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty
Authors: Makary Mina S , Zucker Ivan L , Sturgeon John M
Published: August 2015

Percutaneous vertebroplasty has gained widespread popularity and demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of spinal osteoporotic compression fractures and pathologic osteolytic lesions. Despite its rapid pain relief and safety, this minimally invasive intervention has exhibited some rare complications over the past decade. In this case study, we describe a patient with an uncommon complication of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement pulmonary embolism following fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of pain associated with an osteoporotic vertebral fracture. We present this case to highlight that vertebroplasty is not risk-free and that knowledge of such potentially severe complication is necessary for prevention and optimal operative outcomes.
Writing in the Professions
Authors: Bourelle Tiffany
Published: August 2015

This article considers how professional writing courses can prepare students in various disciplines for the workforce. Specifically, I argue for Writing in the Disciplines (WID) internships where students learn to write documents relevant for their careers while participating in practical work experiences. In the WID internships I describe, instructors collaborate with coordinators across campus to establish writing-intensive internships that focus on the needs of students and the community partner. This article illustrates the collaborative endeavors of three internships, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned from WID internships.
Oxide formation during electric resistance welding of low carbon steels
Authors: Khvan A. V. , Dinsdale A. T. , Cheverikin V. V. , Kudashov D. , Stepanov P. P. , Watson A. , Kondratiev A.
Published: August 2015

The influence of Mn and Cr on the formation of surface oxides and their entrapment during electric resistance welding of Si containing low carbon steels was studied using thermodynamic calculations and experimental investigation of the microstructure of the different oxide inclusions within welds on electric resistance welding-fabricated pipes. The process of oxidation during the welding process, its dependence on oxygen content, temperature of oxidation and the composition of ferrite within the parent steel were analysed. It was shown that the most important influence on the type of oxide inclusions formed during welding is the Mn/Si ratio, while Cr has an indirect influence via carbide formation, which increases the relative content of Mn in ferrite.
Synergistic activity of BET protein antagonist-based combinations in mantle cell lymphoma cells sensitive or resistant to ibrutinib
Authors: Sun Baohua , Shah Bhavin , Fiskus Warren , Qi Jun , Rajapakshe Kimal , Coarfa Cristian , Li Li , Devaraj Santhana G. T. , Sharma Sunil , Zhang Liang , Wang Michael L. , Saenz Dyana T. , Krieger Stephanie , Bradner James E. , Bhalla Kapil N.
Published: August 2015

Key Points

BA reduces MYC, CDK4/6, nuclear RelA, and BTK expression and is synergistically lethal with ibrutinib in MCL cells. Cotreatment with BA and inhibitor of BCL2, CDK4/6, or histone deacetylases is synergistically lethal against ibrutinib-resistant MCL cells.
Toll-like receptor 4-interacting SPA4 peptide suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome in response to LPS and ATP stimuli
Authors: Ramani Vijay , Awasthi Shanjana
Published: August 2015

Inflammation is induced because of interplay among multiple signaling pathways and molecules during infectious and noninfectious tissue injuries. Crosstalk between Toll-like receptor-4 signaling and the neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein, major histocompatibility class 2 transcription activator, incompatibility locus protein from Podospora anserina, and telomerase-associated protein (NACHT), leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome against pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns can cause exaggerated inflammation. We previously established that the Toll-like receptor-4-interacting SPA4 peptide suppresses gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (Toll-like receptor-4 ligand)-induced nuclear factor-κB and inflammatory response. In the present study, we hypothesized that the SPA4 peptide exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the crosstalk between Toll-like receptor-4 signaling and the NLRP3 inflammasome. We evaluated binding of the lipopolysaccharide-ligand to cell-surface Toll-like receptor-4 in the presence or absence of adenosine triphosphate (an NLRP3 inflammasome inducer) by flow cytometry. The expression and activity of NLRP3 inflammasome-related parameters were studied in cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate using molecular and immunologic methods. The cells were challenged with lipopolysaccharide and treated with SPA4 peptide before (pre-adenosine triphosphate) or after (post-adenosine triphosphate) secondary challenge with adenosine triphosphate. Our data demonstrate that the Toll-like receptor-4-interacting SPA4 peptide does not affect the binding of lipopolysaccharide to Toll-like receptor-4 in the presence or absence of adenosine triphosphate. We also found that the SPA4 peptide inhibits mRNA and cellular protein levels of pro-interleukin-1β and NLRP3, formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase activity, and release of interleukin-1β. Furthermore, the SPA4 peptide treatment reduced the secreted levels of interleukin-1β from cells overexpressing Toll-like receptor-4 compared with cells expressing the dominant-negative form of Toll-like receptor-4. Together our results suggest that the SPA4 peptide exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing Toll-like receptor-4-priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome
Retinoic acid signaling spatially restricts osteoblasts and controls ray-interray organization during zebrafish fin regeneration
Authors: Blum Nicola , Begemann Gerrit
Published: August 2015

The zebrafish caudal fin consists of repeated units of bony rays separated by soft interray tissue, an organization that must be faithfully reestablished during fin regeneration. How and why regenerating rays respect ray-interray boundaries, thus extending only the existing bone, has remained unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that a retinoic acid (RA)-degrading niche is established by Cyp26a1 in the proximal basal epidermal layer that orchestrates ray-interray organization by spatially restricting osteoblasts. Disruption of this niche causes preosteoblasts to ignore ray-interray boundaries and to invade neighboring interrays where they form ectopic bone. Concomitantly, non-osteoblastic blastema cells and regenerating blood vessels spread into the interrays, resulting in overall disruption of ray-interray organization and irreversible inhibition of fin regeneration. The cyp26a1-expressing niche plays another important role during subsequent regenerative outgrowth, where it facilitates the Shha-promoted proliferation of osteoblasts. Finally, we show that the previously observed distal shift of ray bifurcations in regenerating fins upon RA treatment, or amputation close to the bifurcation, can be explained by inappropriate preosteoblast alignment and does not necessarily require putative changes in proximodistal information. Our findings uncover a mechanism regulating preosteoblast alignment and maintenance of ray-interray boundaries during fin regeneration.
Root developmental programs shape theMedicago truncatulanodule meristem
Authors: Franssen Henk J. , Xiao Ting Ting , Kulikova Olga , Wan Xi , Bisseling Ton , Scheres Ben , Heidstra Renze
Published: August 2015

Nodules on the roots of legume plants host nitrogen-fixing rhizobium bacteria. Several lines of evidence indicate that nodules are evolutionary related to roots. We determined whether developmental control of the Medicago truncatula nodule meristem bears resemblance to that in root meristems through analyses of root meristem expressed PLETHORA genes. In nodules, MtPLETHORA1 and 2 genes are preferentially expressed in cells positioned at the periphery of the meristem abutting nodule vascular bundles. Their expression overlaps with an auxin response maximum and MtWOX5 that is a marker for the root quiescent centre. Strikingly, the cells in the central part of the nodule meristem have a high level of cytokinin and display MtPLETHORA 3 and 4 gene expression. Nodule-specific knock-down of MtPLETHORA genes results in reduced number of nodules and/or in nodules in which meristem activity has ceased. Our nodule gene expression map indicates that the nodule meristem is composed of two distinct domains in which different MtPLETHORA gene subsets are expressed. Our mutant studies show that MtPLETHORA genes redundantly function in nodule meristem maintenance. This indicates that Rhizobium has recruited root developmental programs for nodule formation
Single cell analysis of endothelial morphogenesis in vivo
Authors: Yu Jianxin A. , Castranova Daniel , Pham Van N. , Weinstein Brant M.
Published: August 2015

Vessel formation has been extensively studied at the tissue level, but difficulty in imaging the endothelium with cellular resolution has hampered study of the morphogenesis and behavior of endothelial cells (EC) in vivo. We are using endothelial-specific transgenes and high-resolution imaging to examine single endothelial cells in the zebrafish. By generating mosaics with transgenes that simultaneously mark endothelial nuclei and membranes we are able to definitively identify and study the morphology and behavior of individual EC during vessel sprouting and lumen formation. Using these methods, we show that developing trunk vessels are composed of EC of varying morphology, and that single cell analysis of EC can be used to quantitate alterations in morphology and dynamics in EC defective in proper guidance and patterning. Finally, we use single cell analysis of intersegmental vessels (ISV) undergoing lumen formation to demonstrate the coexistence of seamless transcellular lumens and single or multicellular enclosed lumens with autocellular or intercellular junctions, suggesting heterogeneous mechanisms contribute to vascular lumen formation in vivo. The tools we have developed for single EC analysis should facilitate further rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis of EC morphology and behavior in vivo.
Cdc42 is required for cytoskeletal support of endothelial cell adhesion during blood vessel formation
Authors: Barry David M. , Xu Ke , Meadows Stryder M. , Zheng Yi , Norden Pieter R. , Davis George E. , Cleaver Ondine
Published: August 2015

The Rho family of small GTPases has been shown to be required in endothelial cells (ECs) during blood vessel formation. However, the underlying cellular events controlled by different GTPases remain unclear. Here, we assess the cellular mechanisms by which Cdc42 regulates mammalian vascular morphogenesis and maintenance. In vivo deletion of Cdc42 in embryonic ECs (Cdc42Tie2KO) results in blocked lumen formation and endothelial tearing, leading to lethality of mutant embryos by E9-10 due to failed blood circulation. Similarly, inducible deletion of Cdc42 (Cdc42Cad5KO) at mid-gestation blocks angiogenic tubulogenesis. By contrast, deletion of Cdc42 in postnatal retinal vessels leads to aberrant vascular remodeling and sprouting, as well as markedly reduced filopodia formation. We find that Cdc42 is essential for organization of EC adhesion, as its loss results in disorganized cell-cell junctions and reduced focal adhesions. Endothelial polarity is also rapidly lost upon Cdc42 deletion, as seen by failed localization of apical podocalyxin (PODXL) and basal actin. We link observed failures to a defect in F-actin organization, both in vitro and in vivo, which secondarily impairs EC adhesion and polarity. We also identify Cdc42 effectors Pak2/4 and N-WASP, as well as the actomyosin machinery, as critical to EC actin organization. This work supports Cdc42 as a central regulator of the cellular machinery in ECs that drives blood vessel formation.
Hippo signaling is required for Notch-dependent smooth muscle differentiation of neural crest
Authors: Manderfield Lauren J. , Aghajanian Haig , Engleka Kurt A. , Lim Lillian Y. , Lui Feiyan , Jain Rajan , Li Li , Olson Eric N. , Epstein Jonathan A.
Published: August 2015

Notch signaling has well defined roles in the assembly of arterial walls and in the development of the endothelium and smooth muscle of the vasculature. Hippo signaling regulates cellular growth in many tissues, and contributes to regulation of organ size, in addition to other functions. Here, we show that the Notch and Hippo pathways converge to regulate smooth muscle differentiation of neural crest, which is critical for normal development of the aortic arch arteries and cranial vasculature during embryonic development. Neural crest specific deletion of the Hippo effectors Yap and Taz produces neural crest precursors that migrate normally, but fail to produce vascular smooth muscle, and Notch target genes such as Jagged1 fail to activate normally. We show that Yap is normally recruited to a tissue-specific Jagged1 enhancer by directly interacting with the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). The Yap-NICD complex is recruited to chromatin by the DNA-binding protein Rbp-J in a Tead-independent fashion. Thus, Hippo signaling can modulate Notch signaling outputs, and components of the Hippo and Notch pathways physically interact. Convergence of Hippo and Notch pathways by the mechanisms described here may be relevant to the function of these signaling cascades in many tissues and in diseases such as cancer.
Building a dishonest signal: the functional basis of unreliable signals of strength in males of the two-toned fiddler crab,Uca vomeris
Authors: Bywater Candice L. , Seebacher Frank , Wilson Robbie S.
Published: August 2015

Males of many species use signals during aggressive contests to communicate their fighting capacity. These signals are usually reliable indicators of an individual's underlying quality, however, in several crustacean species, displays of weapons do not always accurately reflect the attribute being advertised. Male fiddler crabs possess one enlarged claw that is used to attract females and to intimidate opponents during territorial contests. After the loss of their major, claw males can regenerate a replacement claw that is similar in size but considerably weaker. As this inferior weapon can still be used to successfully intimidate rivals, it represents one of the clearest cases of unreliable signalling of strength during territorial contests. We investigated the functional mechanisms that govern signal reliability in the two-toned fiddler crab, Uca vomeris. Male U. vomeris exhibit both reliable and unreliable signals of strength via the expression of original and regenerated claw morphs. We examined the morphological, biomechanical and biochemical characteristics of original and regenerated claws to establish the best predictors of variation in claw strength. For a given claw size, regenerated claws have less muscle mass than original claws, and for a given muscle mass regenerated claws were significantly weaker than original claws. The mechanical advantage was also lower in regenerated claws compared with original claws. However, the activity of three catabolic enzymes did not differ between claw types. We concluded that the structural and physiological predictors of force production influence the frequencies of reliable and unreliable signals of strength in U. vomeris. This study furthers our understanding of the proliferation of unreliable signals in natural populations.
Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) locomotion: gaits and ground reaction forces
Authors: Shine Catherine L. , Penberthy Skylar , Robbins Charles T. , Nelson O. Lynne , McGowan Craig P.
Published: August 2015

Locomotion of plantigrade generalists has been relatively little studied compared to more specialised postures even though plantigrady is ancestral among quadrupeds. Bears (Ursidae) are a representative family for plantigrade carnivorans, they have the majority of the morphological characteristics identified for plantigrade species, and they have the full range of generalist behaviours. This study compares the locomotion of adult grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis Linnaeus 1758), including stride parameters, gaits and analysis of three dimensional ground reaction forces, to previously studied quadrupeds. At slow to moderate speeds grizzly bears use walks, running walks, and canters. Vertical ground reaction forces demonstrated the typical M-shaped curve for walks, however this was significantly more pronounced in the hind limb. The rate of force development was also significantly higher for the hind than the forelimbs at all speeds. Mediolateral forces were significantly higher than would be expected for a large erect mammal, almost to the extent of a sprawling crocodilian. There may be morphological or energetic explanations for the use of the running walk rather than the trot. The high medial forces (produced from a lateral push by the animal) could be caused by frontal plane movement of the carpus and elbow by bears. Overall, while grizzly bears share some similarities with large cursorial species, their locomotor kinetics have unique characteristics. Additional studies are needed to determine if these characters are a feature of all bears or plantigrade species.
A novel acoustic-vibratory multimodal duet
Authors: Rajaraman Kaveri , Godthi Vamsy , Pratap Rudra , Balakrishnan Rohini
Published: August 2015

The communication strategy of most crickets and bushcrickets typically consists of males broadcasting loud acoustic calling songs, while females perform phonotaxis, moving towards the source of the call. Males of the pseudophylline bushcricket species Onomarchus uninotatus produce an unusually low-pitched call, and we found that the immediate and most robust response of females to the male acoustic call was a bodily vibration, or tremulation, following each syllable of the call. We hypothesized that these bodily oscillations might send out a vibrational signal along the substrate on which the female stands, which males could use to localize her position. We quantified these vibrational signals using a laser vibrometer and found a clear phase relationship of alternation between the chirps of the male acoustic call and the female vibrational response. This system therefore constitutes a novel multimodal duet with a reliable temporal structure. We also found that males could localize the source of vibration but only if both the acoustic and vibratory components of the duet were played back. This unique multimodal duetting system may have evolved in response to higher levels of bat predation on searching bushcricket females than calling males, shifting a part of the risks associated with partner localization onto the male. This is the first known example of bushcricket female tremulation in response to a long-range male acoustic signal and of a multimodal duet among animals.
Effect and the related signaling pathways of insulin influencing lipid metabolism in yellow catfishPelteobagrus fulvidraco
Authors: Zhuo Mei-Qin , Luo Zhi , Pan Ya-Xiong , Wu Kun , Fan Yao-Fang , Zhang Li-Han , Song Yu-Feng
Published: August 2015

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects and the related signaling pathways of insulin influencing lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. As a result, hepatic lipid and intracellular triglyceride (TG) content, the activities and expression levels of several enzymes (CPT I, 6PGD, G6PD, FAS, ME and ICDH) as well as the mRNA expression of transcription factors (PPARα and PPARγ) involved in lipid metabolism were determined. Troglitazone (specific PPARγ pathway activator), GW6471 and fenofibrate (specific PPARα pathway inhibitor and activator, respectively), and wortmannin (PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway blocker) were used to explore the signaling pathways of insulin influencing lipid metabolism. Insulin tended to increase hepatic lipid accumulation, activities of lipogenic enzymes (6PGD, G6PD, ME, ICDH and FAS) and mRNA levels of FAS, G6PD, 6PGD, CPT IA and PPARγ, but down-regulated PPARα mRNA level. Insulin-induced effect could be stimulated by specific PPARγ activator troglitazone or reversed by PI 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor wortmannin, demonstrating that signaling pathways of PPARγ and PI 3-kinase/Akt were involved in the insulin-induced alteration of lipid metabolism. Fenofibrate reduced insulin-induced TG accumulation, down-regulated the mRNA levels of FAS, G6PD and 6PGD, and up-regulated mRNA levels of CPT IA, PPARα and PPARγ. GW6471 reduced insulin-induced changes of all the tested genes' expression, indicating that PPARα mediated the insulin-induced changes of lipid metabolism. The present results contribute to gain new knowledge on the regulatory role of insulin in hepatic metabolism in fish.
Isomerization of Metastable Amine Radical Cations by Dissociation—Recombination
Authors: Pedersen Anders H. , Nielsen Christian B.O. , Bojesen Gustav , Hammerum Steen
Published: August 2015

The metastable molecular ions of primary aliphatic amines branched at C2 can isomerize by cleavage–recombination, thereby facilitating fragmentation reactions that require less energy than simple cleavage of the initial molecular ion. This process complements the reactions described by Audier to account for the conspicuous absence of the conventional α-cleavage among the major fragmentation reactions of the metastable molecular ions of primary amines.
Application of Positive Mode Atmospheric Chemical Ionisation to Distinguish Epimeric Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids
Authors: Townley Chloe , Brettell Rhea C. , Bowen Richard D. , Gallagher Richard T. , Martin William H.C.
Published: August 2015

A new and more reliable method is reported for distinguishing the equatorial and axial epimers of oleanolic and ursolic acids and related triterpenoids based primarily on the relative abundance of the [M + H]+ and [M + H – H2O]+ signals in their positive mode atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectra. The rate of elimination of water, which is the principal primary fragmentation of protonated oleanolic and ursolic acids, depends systematically on the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group in the 3 position. For the β-epimer, in which the 3-hydroxyl substituent is in an equatorial position, [M + H – H2O]+ is the base peak. In contrast, for the α-epimer, where the 3-hydroxyl group is axial, [M + H]+ is the base peak. This trend, which is general for a range of derivatives of oleanolic and ursolic acids, including the corresponding methyl esters, allows epimeric triterpenoids in these series to be securely differentiated. Confirmatory information is available from the collision-induced dissociation of the [M + H – H2O]+ primary fragment ions, which follow different pathways for the species derived from axial and equatorial epimers of oleanolic and ursolic acids. These two pieces of independent spectral information permit the stereochemistry of epimeric oleanolic and ursolic acids (and selected derivatives) to be assigned with confidence without relying either on chromatographic retention times or referring to the spectra or other properties of authentic samples of these triterpenoids.
On the Role of a Direct Interaction between Protein Ions and Solvent Additives during Protein Supercharging by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Douglass Kevin A. , Venter Andre R.
Published: August 2015

The addition of certain reagents during the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of proteins can shift the protein ion signal charge-state distributions (CSDs) to higher average charge states, a phenomenon known as ‘supercharging’. The role of reagent gas-phase basicity (GB) during this process was investigated in both the negative and positive ion modes. Reagents with known or calculated GBs were added individually in equimolar amounts to protein solutions which were subsequently electrosprayed for mass spectrometry analysis. Shifts in the CSDs of the protein ion signals were monitored and related to the reagents' GBs. Trends for this data were evaluated for possible insights into a supercharging mechanism involving the direct interaction between supercharging reagent and protein ion. Reagent GB was confirmed to be directly related to the amount of supercharging observed in the negative ion mode. Supercharging in the positive ion mode, on the other hand, showed a maximal trend. Interestingly, a loss of signal and supercharging efficacy was observed for reagents with GBs intermediate within the investigated range, between ∼800 and ∼840 kJ mol−1, at the 100 mM concentration used in the present study. The possibility of a direct interaction model for supercharging in the negative and positive ion modes dependent on the GBs of the protein ions and reagents is discussed. In the positive ion mode, supercharging appears to depend on the stability of a proton bridge formed between the reagent and a highly charged protein ion.
Differentiating Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans Using Collision-Induced Dissociation; Uronic Acid Cross-Ring Diagnostic Fragments in a Single Stage of Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kailemia Muchena J. , Patel Anish B. , Johnson Dane T. , Li Lingyun , Linhardt Robert J. , Amster I. Jonathan
Published: August 2015

The stereochemistry of the hexuronic acid residues of the structure of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is a key feature that affects their interactions with proteins and other biological functions. Electron-based tandem mass spectrometry methods, in particular electron detachment dissociation (EDD), have been able to distinguish glucuronic acid (GlcA) from iduronic acid (IdoA) residues in some heparan sulfate tetrasaccharides by producing epimer-specific fragments. Similarly, the relative abundance of glycosidic fragment ions produced by collision-induced dissociation (CID) or EDD has been shown to correlate with the type of hexuronic acid present in chondroitin sulfate GAGs. The present work examines the effect of charge state and degree of sodium cationization on the CID fragmentation products that can be used to distinguish GlcA and IdoA containing chondroitin sulfate A and dermatan sulfate chains. The cross-ring fragments 2,4A n and 0,2X n formed within the hexuronic acid residues are highly preferential for chains containing GlcA, distinguishing it from IdoA. The diagnostic capability of the fragments requires the selection of a molecular ion and fragment ions with specific ionization characteristics, namely charge state and number of ionizable protons. The ions with the appropriate characteristics display diagnostic properties for all the chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate chains (degree of polymerization of 4–10) studied.
OM Forum—Making OM Research More Relevant: “Why?” and “How?”
Authors: Tang Christopher S.
Published: August 2015

Should OM research become more relevant? I provide my own perspective on this question and some practical ideas for our community to explore. This article is based on my Manufacturing and Service Operations Management (MSOM) Distinguished Fellow inaugural lecture given at the University of Toronto on June 29, 2015.
Enhanced recovery: The role of patient warming
Authors: Edis Helena
Published: August 2015

Protecting patients from developing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is an integral element of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme because this protection promotes physical wellbeing throughout a patient's surgical journey. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) is preventable in most cases, yet as many as 70% of surgical patients experience it ( Niranjan et al, 2011 ). It is associated with multiple devastating complications for the patient. As ERAS programmes focus on optimising the patient's physical state prior to, during and after surgery, it fits that maintaining a healthy body temperature forms part of the programme. In this article, the risk factors at all stages of the patient's surgical journey will be discussed, as well as strategies for warming patients and why this is vital for the success of ERAS programmes.