bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine Seed Dormancy as Regulated by Grassland Seedbed Conditions
Authors: Bai Yuguang , Thompson Don , Broersma Klaas ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Tree encroachment in the ecotone between grassland and forest of interior British Columbia has resulted in decreasing grazing potential of rangelands. The 2 dominant tree species in this region, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), require stratification for seed dormancy release. The objective of this study was to determine whether seeds of these species can be stratified and dormancy released under grassland conditions. Field stratification experiments were conducted over 4 years using 2 Douglas fir and 3 ponderosa pine seed collections. A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effect of seedcoat removal, light, and stratification duration on dormancy release. Dormancy in Douglas fir and ponderosa pine was released after 1 to 2 months of stratification under grassland seedbed conditions when seeds were placed in the field in late fall and early winter. Continuous stratification until the following May was correlated with higher germination rate. One week of stratification in the laboratory was sufficient to break dormancy in the 2 species and a similar effect can be achieved by exposure to light. Seed coat removal for ponderosa pine also released dormancy, indicating that this structure imposes dormancy. Therefore, the grassland seedbeds near the forest edge can provide suitable conditions to break dormancy of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine seeds, contributing to tree encroachment into adjacent grasslands. Managements aiming to control tree encroachment should take the interaction between tree seed and grassland seedbed conditions into consideration, and the control should be focused on the elimination of seeds and seedlings but not on the germination stage.
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Effects on Montana's Mixed-Grass Prairie
Authors: Johnson-Nistler Carolyn M. , Sowell Bok F. , Sherwood Harrie W. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Forty paired sites were examined on the mixed-grass prairie of northeastern Montana to compare the effects of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies on native range vegetation. Thirty 0.25-m2 quadrats were placed on colonized and uncolonized locations and matched by environmental conditions. Cover and standing crop biomass of each plant species was estimated using a double sampling procedure where every third plot was clipped and estimated. A total of 2 400 quadrats were estimated, whereas 720 quadrats were clipped during the months of May-August of 2000 and 2001. Crude protein, digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were determined on the basis of vegetative classes (cool-season grasses, warm-season grasses, standing dead grass, forbs, and dwarf shrubs). Pairwise comparisons were made using paired t tests and differences were declared significant at the 0.05 level. Plant biomass of colonized sites was dominated by fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida Willd.) (42%), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [HBK] Lag. ex Steud) (16%), and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) (16%). Uncolonized sites were dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) (36%), western wheatgrass (13%), and blue grama (12%). Standing crop biomass, plant species richness, litter, standing crop crude protein, sagebrush canopy cover, and density were greater (P < 0.05) on uncolonized areas compared to colonized areas. Bare ground and crude protein concentration were greater (P < 0.05) on areas colonized by prairie dogs compared to uncolonized areas. Digestibility and fiber content of both areas were not different (P > 0.05). Activities associated with prairie dog colonies reduced plant productivity and plant species richness of the mixed-grass prairie by reducing cool-season perennial grasses and litter, increasing bare ground, and eliminating big sagebrush.
Safety and clinical effectiveness of a compounded sustained-release formulation of buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia in New Zealand White rabbits
Authors: DiVincenti Louis , Meirelles Luiz A. D. , Westcott Robin A.
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of a compounded sustained-release formulation of buprenorphine, compared with effects of regular buprenorphine, for postoperative analgesia in rabbits.

DESIGN Blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

ANIMALS 24 purpose-bred adult male New Zealand White rabbits.

PROCEDURES Rabbits received titanium implants in each tibia as part of another study. Immediately prior to surgery, each rabbit received regular buprenorphine hydrochloride (0.02 mg/kg [0.009 mg/lb], SC, q 12 h for 3 days) or 1 dose of a compounded sustained-release formulation of buprenorphine (0.12 mg/kg [0.055 mg/lb], SC) followed by an equal volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (SC, q 12 h for 3 days) after surgery. For 7 days after surgery, rabbits were evaluated for signs of pain by means of rabbit grimace and activity scoring and for adverse effects.

RESULTS No significant differences were identified between treatment groups in grimace and activity scores at any point. No major adverse effects were detected for either drug. However, 3 rabbits that received regular buprenorphine had pain scores suggestive of moderate to severe pain by the time dose admininistration was due (ie, within the 12-hour administration interval). No clinically important differences were detected in intraoperative anesthetic or postoperative recovery variables.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Sustained-release buprenorphine administered SC at 0.12 mg/kg was at least as effective as regular buprenorphine in providing analgesia for rabbits following orthopedic surgery without any major adverse effects. This sustained-release formulation represents an important alternative for rabbit analgesia with potential to improve rabbit welfare over existing analgesic standards. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2016;248:795–801)
Analysing Data of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) to Detect Patterns of Agricultural Land-Use Change at Municipality Level
Authors: Lüker-Jans Nicola , Simmering Dietmar , Otte Annette
Published: March 2016

European landscapes have featured considerable changes towards intensification and marginalisation. These major trends are expected to continue in the future. Besides, the cultivation of bioenergy crops has become an important factor in agricultural land use. A thorough understanding of land-use processes for management purposes is needed. In this study, the spatial and temporal pattern of agricultural land use and land-use change was classified at the scale of municipalities from 2005 to 2010. The study region was the German federal state Hesse. By using data of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of the European Union and with the help of k-means cluster analysis, five types of agricultural land-use patterns and dynamics (TLPDs) were detected. These TLPDs represent different sub-regions. Sub-regions with favourable physical conditions for cultivation are dominated by arable land. A progressive land-use change occurred by conversion of grassland to arable land. In sub-regions, where physical conditions are rather unfavourable, especially in mountainous areas, grassland is the predominant land use. But on the remaining arable land, there is a slight change in favour of maize. The knowledge of sub-regions with spatially and temporally different agricultural land use could be utilised to develop land management instruments like site-specific agri-environmental schemes.
The effects of virtual reality-based bilateral arm training on hemiplegic children’s upper limb motor skills
Authors: Do Ji-Hye , Yoo Eun-Young , Jung Min-Ye , Park Hae Yean
Published: March 2016

Background:

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy is a neurological symptom appearing on the unilateral arm and leg of the body that causes affected upper/lower limb muscle weakening and dysesthesia and accompanies tetany and difficulties in postural control due to abnormal muscle tone, and difficulties in body coordination.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of virtual reality-based bilateral arm training on the motor skills of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, in terms of their upper limb motor skills on the affected side, as well as their bilateral coordination ability.

Methods:

The research subjects were three children who were diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The research followed an ABA design, which was a single-subject experimental design. The procedure consisted of a total of 20 sessions, including four during the baseline period (A1), 12 during the intervention period (B), and four during the baseline regression period (A2), For the independent variable bilateral arm training based on virtual reality, Nintendo Wii game was played for 30 minutes in each of the 12 sessions. For the dependent variables of upper limb motor skills on the affected side and bilateral coordination ability, a Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) was carried out for each session and the Pediatric Motor Activity Log (PMAL) was measured before and after the intervention, as well as after the baseline regression period. To test bilateral coordination ability, shooting baskets in basketball with both hands and moving large light boxes were carried out under operational definitions, with the number of shots and time needed to move boxes measured. The results were presented using visual graphs and bar graphs.

Results:

The study’s results indicated that after virtual reality-based bilateral arm training, improvement occurred in upper limb motor skills on the affected sides, and in bilateral coordination ability, for all of the research subjects. Measurements of the effects of sustained therapy after completion of the intervention, during the baseline regression period, revealed that upper limb motor skills on the affected side and bilateral coordination ability were better than in the baseline period for all subjects.

Conclusion:

This study confirmed that for children with hemiplegic with cerebral palsy, bilateral arm training based on virtual reality can be an effective intervention method for enhancing the upper limb motor skills on the affected side, as well as bilateral coordination ability.
Application of laser radiation and magnetostimulation in therapy of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kubsik Anna , Klimkiewicz Robert , Janczewska Katarzyna , Klimkiewicz Paulina , Jankowska Agnieszka , Woldańska-Okońska Marta
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common neurological disorders. It is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS, whose etiology is not fully understood. Application of new rehabilitation methods are essential to improve functional status.

OBJECTIVE:

The material studied consisted of 120 patients of both sexes (82 women and 38 men) aged 21–81 years. The study involved patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of laser radiation and other therapies on the functional status of patients with multiple sclerosis.

METHODS:

Patients were randomly divided into four treatment groups. The evaluation was performed three times – before the start of rehabilitation, immediately after rehabilitation (21 days of treatment) and subsequent control – 30 days after the patients leave the clinic. The following tests were performed for all patients to assess functional status: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of Kurtzke and Barthel Index.

RESULTS:

Results of all testing procedures show that the treatment methods are improving the functional status of patients with multiple sclerosis, with the significant advantage of the synergistic action of laser and magneto stimulation. The combination of laser and magneto stimulation significantly confirmed beneficial effect on quality of life. The results of these studies present new scientific value and are improved compared to program of rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis by laser radiation which was previously used.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed that synergic action of laser radiation and magneto stimulation has a beneficial effect on improving functional status, and thus improves the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. The effects of all methods of rehabilitation are persisted after cessation of treatment applications, with a particular advantage of the synergistic action of laser radiation and magneto stimulation, which indicates the possibility to elicitation in these methods the phenomenon of the biological hysteresis.
Effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on affect, pain and attention in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Palm Ulrich , Chalah Moussa A. , Padberg Frank , Al-Ani Tarik , Abdellaoui Mohamed , Sorel Marc , Dimitri Dalia , Créange Alain , Lefaucheur Jean-Pascal , Ayache Samar S.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Pain and cognitive impairment are frequent symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Neglecting experimental pain and paying attention to demanding tasks is reported to decrease the pain intensity. Little is known about the interaction between chronic neuropathic pain and attention disorders in MS. Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was used to modulate various cognitive and motor symptoms in MS. We aimed to study the effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), a form of transcranial electric stimulation, over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on attention and neuropathic pain in MS patients.

Methods: 16 MS patients were included in a randomized, sham-controlled, cross-over study. Each patient randomly received two tRNS blocks, separated by three weeks of washout interval. Each block consisted of three consecutive daily sessions of either active or sham tRNS. The patients were evaluated for pain, attention and mood and further underwent an electrophysiological evaluation.

Results: Compared to sham, tRNS showed a trend to decrease the N2-P2 amplitudes of pain related evoked potentials and improve pain ratings. Attention performance and mood scales did not change after stimulations.

Conclusions: This study suggests the role of tRNS in pain modulation, which could have been more evident with longer stimulation protocols.
Evidence for reading improvement following tDCS treatment in children and adolescents with Dyslexia
Authors: Costanzo Floriana , Varuzza Cristiana , Rossi Serena , Sdoia Stefano , Varvara Pamela , Oliveri Massimiliano , Giacomo Koch , Vicari Stefano , Menghini Deny
Published: March 2016

Purpose: There is evidence that non-invasive brain stimulation transitorily modulates reading by facilitating the neural pathways underactive in individuals with dyslexia. The study aimed at investigating whether multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) would enhance reading abilities of children and adolescents with dyslexia and whether the effect is long-lasting.

Methods: Eighteen children and adolescents with dyslexia received three 20-minute sessions a week for 6 weeks (18 sessions) of left anodal/right cathodal tDCS set at 1 mA over parieto-temporal regions combined with a cognitive training. The participants were randomly assigned to the active or the sham treatment; reading tasks (text, high and low frequency words, non-words) were used as outcome measures and collected before treatment, after treatment and one month after the end of treatment. The tolerability of tDCS was evaluated.

Results: The active group showed reduced low frequency word reading errors and non-word reading times. These positive effects were stable even one month after the end of treatment. None reported adverse effects.

Conclusions: The study shows preliminary evidence of tDCS feasibility and efficacy in improving non-words and low frequency words reading of children and adolescents with dyslexia and it opens new rehabilitative perspectives for the remediation of dyslexia.
Ultrasonic vocalization in murine experimental stroke: A mechanistic model of aphasia
Authors: Palmateer Julie , Pan Jie , Pandya Arushi , Martin Lianna , Kumar Sungita , Ofomata Adaora , Jones Theresa A. , Gore Andrea C. , Schallert Timothy , Hurn Patricia D.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Approximately one-fourth of stroke survivors are aphasic. Speech therapy is the main treatment approach but leaves most patients with chronic disability. Attempts to improve this situation are hampered by a lack of mechanistic understanding of the disability and treatments, reflecting the neglect of this impairment modality in pre-clinical research. Accordingly, we devised a novel murine model of speech-related impairment after stroke to investigate the role of language- and plasticity-associated molecules. Rodents communicate socially with ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), conveying semantic and semiotic information with complex frequency modulated “songs” and alarm calls.

Methods: Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in male C57BL6 mice via either 30 or 45 minutes of reversible right MCAO using the intraluminal filament technique. Nine days post-operatively brains are stained with TTC and analyzed for infarct volume. For behavioral measures health scores are taken (days 1–4), cylinder tests and USV recordings performed at days 3 and 7 post operatively. Real time PCR was performed at 24 and 48 hour and 7 day time points to quantify mRNA expression of communication-related genes ( Foxp2, Foxp1, Srpx2, Cntnap2 and Gapdh). Immunohistochemistry was performed to localize FOXP2 protein.

Results: After middle cerebral artery occlusion of either 30 or 45 minutes duration, mice demonstrate profoundly impaired socially evoked USVs. In addition, there is suppression of the language-associated transcription factor, Forkhead box protein 2 ( Foxp2), and its downstream binding partner, contactin-associated protein 2 ( Cntnap2).

Conclusion: These findings set a foundation for further studies of mechanisms and novel treatment strategies for post-stroke vocalization impairments.
L1.2, the zebrafish paralog of L1.1 and ortholog of the mammalian cell adhesion molecule L1 contributes to spinal cord regeneration in adult zebrafish
Authors: Chen Tianli , Yu Yong , Hu Chengliang , Schachner Melitta
Published: March 2016

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the functional role of L1.2, the zebrafish paralog of L1.1 and ortholog of mammalian L1CAM in adult zebrafish spinal cord regeneration after injury. L1CAM and L1.1 have shown beneficial features in ameliorating nervous system dysfunctions in different experimental paradigms. It thus deemed important to characterize the L1.2 member of the L1CAM family, the functions of which are unknown.

Methods: Spinal cord transection of adult zebrafish, application of anti-sense morpholino to reduce L1.2 expression, qPCR, immunohistology, immunoblotting, in situ hybridization, retrograde tracing, anterograde tracing.

Results: Similar to L1.1, L1.2 expression in adult zebrafish is upregulated after spinal cord transection. By co-localization of in situ hybridization and immunohistology, L1.2 is expressed in neurons and, in contrast to L1.1, it is also expressed in GFAP-immunoreactive glia. Reducing L1.2 protein levels leads to impaired locomotor recovery and reduction of regrowth of severed descending axons from a brain stem nucleus which is composed of neurons innately capable of axonal regrowth.

Conclusions: Our findings support the speculation that paralogs of duplicated genes can exert similar functions and may thus represent an advantage over other species that do not carry duplicated genes.
First‐line low‐dose morphine is better for the control of moderate cancer pain than weaker opioids
Authors: Barton Mary Kay
Published: March 2016

Key Points

Initiating pain control therapy with low‐dose morphine provided better and faster pain relief versus weaker opioids among patients with moderate cancer pain.

The frequency and severity of opioid‐related side effects were similar between the patients treated with morphine and those receiving the weaker opioid.
American Cancer Society Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care Guideline
Authors: Cohen Ezra E. W. , LaMonte Samuel J. , Erb Nicole L. , Beckman Kerry L. , Sadeghi Nader , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Stubblefield Michael D. , Abbott Dennis M. , Fisher Penelope S. , Stein Kevin D. , Lyman Gary H. , Pratt‐Chapman Mandi L.
Published: March 2016

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE

The American Cancer Society Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care Guideline was developed to assist primary care clinicians and other health practitioners with the care of head and neck cancer survivors, including monitoring for recurrence, screening for second primary cancers, assessment and management of long‐term and late effects, health promotion, and care coordination. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed through April 2015, and a multidisciplinary expert workgroup with expertise in primary care, dentistry, surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, clinical psychology, speech‐language pathology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, the patient perspective, and nursing was assembled. While the guideline is based on a systematic review of the current literature, most evidence is not sufficient to warrant a strong recommendation. Therefore, recommendations should be viewed as consensus‐based management strategies for assisting patients with physical and psychosocial effects of head and neck cancer and its treatment. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:203‐239. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Investigation of Polishing Pads Impregnated with Fe and Al2O3 Particles for Single-Crystal Silicon Carbide Wafers
Authors: Ho Jihng-Kuo , Huang Chih-Yung , Tsai Ming-Yi , Tsai Che-Cheng
Published: March 2016

This study focuses on the development of a novel polishing pad for SiC wafers. Fe and Al2O3 particles were impregnated in a polyurethane matrix, thus forming a fixed abrasive polishing pad. Four types of pads with different compositions of Fe and Al2O3 were fabricated. A combination of loose and fixed polishing methods was used for polishing with the fabricated pads and was investigated to improve the polishing process. The surface characteristics of the polished SiC wafer and the SiC removal rate during polishing using the designed pads were examined and compared with those for SiC polished with a conventional polyurethane pad. Experimental results showed that the removal rate for SiC in the case of polishing with the pads consisting 1 wt % Fe and 3 wt % Al2O3 particles was approximately 73% higher than that observed when polishing using the conventional polyurethane polishing pad. Additionally, the surface roughness of the resulting SiC wafers after polishing with the Fe and Al2O3-impregnated pads was identical to that when using the conventional polyurethane pad, without any surface damage. The results indicated that the Fe and Al2O3-impregnated pads can be effectively used for SiC wafer polishing. When the proposed process was employed for polishing single-crystal SiC, both the polishing time and cost were reduced. This novel design can facilitate the extensive use of single-crystal SiC wafers in the future.
Activin A-Smad Signaling Mediates Connective Tissue Growth Factor Synthesis in Liver Progenitor Cells
Authors: Ding Ze-Yang , Jin Guan-Nan , Wang Wei , Sun Yi-Min , Chen Wei-Xun , Chen Lin , Liang Hui-Fang , Datta Pran , Zhang Ming-Zhi , Zhang Bixiang , Chen Xiao-Ping
Published: March 2016

Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) are activated in chronic liver damage and may contribute to liver fibrosis. Our previous investigation reported that LPCs produced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), an inducer of liver fibrosis, yet the regulatory mechanism of the production of CTGF/CCN2 in LPCs remains elusive. In this study, we report that Activin A is an inducer of CTGF/CCN2 in LPCs. Here we show that expression of both Activin A and CTGF/CCN2 were upregulated in the cirrhotic liver, and the expression of Activin A positively correlates with that of CTGF/CCN2 in liver tissues. We go on to show that Activin A induced de novo synthesis of CTGF/CCN2 in LPC cell lines LE/6 and WB-F344. Furthermore, Activin A contributed to autonomous production of CTGF/CCN2 in liver progenitor cells (LPCs) via activation of the Smad signaling pathway. Smad2, 3 and 4 were all required for this induction. Collectively, these results provide evidence for the fibrotic role of LPCs in the liver and suggest that the Activin A-Smad-CTGF/CCN2 signaling in LPCs may be a therapeutic target of liver fibrosis.
Biodegradation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Macrophages through Respiratory Burst Modulation
Authors: Hou Jie , Wan Bin , Yang Yu , Ren Xiao-Min , Guo Liang-Hong , Liu Jing-Fu
Published: March 2016

The biodegradation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be one of major determinants of the toxic outcomes in exposed individuals. In this study, we employed a macrophage/monocyte model, Raw264.7, to investigate the feasibility of regulating the biodegradation of three types of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) (pristine, ox-, and OH-SWCNTs) by respiratory burst modulation. An artificial fluid mimicking the enzymatic reactions of respiratory burst was constituted to reveal the role of respiratory burst played in SWCNT biodegradation. The biodegradation of SWCNTs were characterized by Raman, ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results showed significantly accelerated biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs and OH-SWCNTs in macrophages activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), which could be prevented by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), whereas p-SWCNTs were resistant to biodegradation. Similar tendencies were observed by using the in vitro enzymatic system, and the degradation rates of these SWCNTs are in the order of OH-SWCNTs > ox-SWCNTs >> p-SWCNTs, suggesting a pivotal role of respiratory burst in accelerating the biodegradation of SWCNTs and that defect sites on SWCNTs might be a prerequisite for the biodegradation to occur. Our findings might provide invaluable clues on the development of intervention measurements for relieving the side effects of SWCNTs and would help to design safer SWCNT products with higher biodegradability and less toxicity.
Ocular Stem Cell Research from Basic Science to Clinical Application: A Report from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center Ocular Stem Cell Symposium
Authors: Ouyang Hong , Goldberg Jeffrey , Chen Shuyi , Li Wei , Xu Guo-Tong , Li Wei , Zhang Kang , Nussenblatt Robert , Liu Yizhi , Xie Ting , Chan Chi-Chao , Zack Donald
Published: March 2016

Stem cells hold promise for treating a wide variety of diseases, including degenerative disorders of the eye. The eye is an ideal organ for stem cell therapy because of its relative immunological privilege, surgical accessibility, and its being a self-contained system. The eye also has many potential target diseases amenable to stem cell-based treatment, such as corneal limbal stem cell deficiency, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Among them, AMD and glaucoma are the two most common diseases, affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Recent results on the clinical trial of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in treating dry AMD and Stargardt’s disease in the US, Japan, England, and China have generated great excitement and hope. This marks the beginning of the ocular stem cell therapy era. The recent Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center Ocular Stem Cell Symposium discussed the potential applications of various stem cell types in stem cell-based therapies, drug discoveries and tissue engineering for treating ocular diseases.
Emerging Role of miRNAs in the Drug Resistance of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Riquelme Ismael , Letelier Pablo , Riffo-Campos Angela , Brebi Priscilla , Roa Juan
Published: March 2016

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, most gastric cancer cases are diagnosed in an advanced, non-curable stage and with a limited response to chemotherapy. Drug resistance is one of the most important causes of therapy failure in gastric cancer patients. Although the mechanisms of drug resistance have been broadly studied, the regulation of these mechanisms has not been completely understood. Accumulating evidence has recently highlighted the role of microRNAs in the development and maintenance of drug resistance due to their regulatory features in specific genes involved in the chemoresistant phenotype of malignancies, including gastric cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the miRNAs’ characteristics, their regulation of the genes involved in chemoresistance and their potential as targeted therapies for personalized treatment in resistant gastric cancer.
Modelling, Simulation and Control of the Walking of Biped Robotic Devices—Part I : Modelling and Simulation Using Autolev
Authors: Menga Giuseppe , Ghirardi Marco
Published: March 2016

A biped robot is a mechanical multichain system. The peculiar features, that distinguishes this kind of robot with respect to others, e.g., industrial robots, is its switching nature between different phases, each one is the same mechanics subject to a different constraint. Moreover, because these (unilateral) constraints, represented by the contact between the foot/feet and the ground, play a fundamental role for maintaining the postural equilibrium during the gait, forces and torques returned must be continuously monitored, as they pose stringent conditions to the trajectories that the joints of the robot can safely follow. The advantages of using the Kane’s method to approach the dynamical model (models) of the system are outlined. This paper, divided in three parts, deals with a generical biped device, which can be an exoskeleton for rehabilitation or an indipendent robot. Part I is devoted to modelling and simulation, part II approaches the control of walk in a rectilinear trajectory, part III extends the results on turning while walking. In particular, this part I describes the model of the biped robot and the practicalities of building a computer simulator, leveraging on the facilities offered by the symbolic computational environment Autolev that complements the Kane’s method.
Reduction of Nitroarenes into Aryl Amines and N-Aryl hydroxylamines via Activation of NaBH4 and Ammonia-Borane Complexes by Ag/TiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Andreou Dimitrios , Iordanidou Domna , Tamiolakis Ioannis , Armatas Gerasimos , Lykakis Ioannis
Published: March 2016

In this study, we report the fabrication of mesoporous assemblies of silver and TiO2 nanoparticles (Ag/MTA) and demonstrate their catalytic efficiency for the selective reduction of nitroarenes. The Ag/TiO2 assemblies, which show large surface areas (119–128 m2·g−1) and narrow-sized mesopores (ca. 7.1–7.4 nm), perform as highly active catalysts for the reduction of nitroarenes, giving the corresponding aryl amines and N-aryl hydroxylamines with NaBH4 and ammonia-borane (NH3BH3), respectively, in moderate to high yields, even in large scale reactions (up to 5 mmol). Kinetic studies indicate that nitroarenes substituted with electron-withdrawing groups reduced faster than those with electron-donating groups. The measured positive ρ values from the formal Hammett-type kinetic analysis of X-substituted nitroarenes are consistent with the proposed mechanism that include the formation of possible [Ag]-H hybrid species, which are responsible for the reduction process. Because of the high observed chemo selectivities and the clean reaction processes, the present catalytic systems, i.e., Ag/MTA-NaBH4 and Ag/MTA-NH3BH3, show promise for the efficient synthesis of aryl amines and N-aryl hydroxylamines at industrial levels.
Lateral Modes in Quantum Cascade Lasers
Authors: Dente Gregory , Tilton Michael
Published: March 2016

We will examine the waveguide mode losses in ridge-guided quantum cascade lasers. Our analysis illustrates how the low-loss mode for broad-ridge quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) can be a higher-order lateral waveguide mode that maximizes the feedback from the sloped ridge-wall regions. The results are in excellent agreement with the near- and far-field data taken on broad-ridge-guided quantum cascade lasers processed with sloped ridge walls.
A Proposal for Critical-Pragmatic Pedagogical Approaches to English for Research Publication Purposes
Authors: Corcoran James , Englander Karen
Published: March 2016

Despite the increasing demands on many multilingual scholars outside the centre(s) of scientific knowledge production to publish their research in international scholarly journals, the support for such academic writing for publication is uneven at best. Existing English for research publication purposes (ERPP) instruction typically aims to aid multilingual scholars in achieving genre-based expectations and/or navigating the submission and review process, but it often does not address the politics of English-language knowledge production. In this paper, informed by an empirical case study and a theory building perspective, we address the need for a sustained program of courses/workshops for multilingual scholars in the (semi-) periphery and propose a means of operationalizing a critical-pragmatic approach to such course/workshop content. Our empirically-driven model is informed by the results of a recent case study investigation into an intensive ERPP intervention designed to address multilingual Spanish-speaking L1 scholars’ challenges with writing research articles for publication in indexed (Web of Science) international scientific journals. Our model lays the groundwork for a more critical approach to ERPP pedagogy, one that attempts to attend more fully to the needs of multilingual scholars within an asymmetrical market of global knowledge production.
Creative Commons and Appropriation: Implicit Collaboration in Digital Works
Authors: Skains R.
Published: March 2016

Appropriation is a common practice in art and literature; electronic literature in particular lends itself readily to appropriation and collaboration, due to its multimodal and born-digital nature. This paper presents practice-based research examining the effects of digital appropriation on two works of digital fiction (a hyperfiction and an interactive fiction), demonstrating how it alters the creative writer’s typical process, as well as the resulting narrative itself. This practice of appropriation results in “implicit collaboration” between the digital creative writer and those whose work is appropriated, an arguable form of shared authorship. Questions regarding the ethics of this practice, including copyright concerns and authorship, are discussed.
The Potential Impacts of Climate Change Factors on Freshwater Eutrophication: Implications for Research and Countermeasures of Water Management in China
Authors: Xia Rui , Zhang Yuan , Critto Andrea , Wu Jieyun , Fan Juntao , Zheng Zhirong , Zhang Yizhang
Published: March 2016

Water eutrophication has become one of the most serious aquatic environmental problems around the world. More and more research has indicated climate change as a major natural factor that will lead to the acceleration of eutrophication in rivers and lakes. However, understanding the mechanism of climate change’s effect on water eutrophication is difficult due to the uncertainties caused by its complex, non-linear process. There is considerable uncertainty about the magnitude of future temperature changes, and how these will drive eutrophication in water bodies at regional scales under the effect of human activities. This review collects the existing international and domestic literature from the last 10 years, discussing the most sensitive factors of climate change (i.e., temperature, precipitation, wind, and solar radiation) and analyzing their interaction with water eutrophication. Case studies of serious eutrophication and algal bloom problems in China are discussed to further demonstrate the conclusion. Finally, adaptation countermeasures and related implications are proposed in order to foster the development of sustainability strategies for water management in China.
Regular Deworming: A Missed Opportunity to Prevent Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Infections in Children
Authors: Basu Biswanath , Mahapatra TKS
Published: March 2016

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a common dialysis treatment modality used to treat children with end-stage renal disease. Dialysis-related infections are the leading cause of technique failure. Enterobius vermicularis infestation indirectly increases the infection rate by causing pruritus around the anus, especially at night. We observed a significant decrease in the total infection rate (2.3 vs 5.4 per patient-year) following regular deworming over a 1-year study period. Regular deworming may be considered to prevent secondary bacterial infections in children on chronic PD.
Determination of the compositions of the DIGM zone in nanocrystalline Ag/Au and Ag/Pd thin films by secondary neutral mass spectrometry
Authors: Molnár Gábor Y , Shenouda Shenouda S , Katona Gábor L , Langer Gábor A , Beke Dezső L
Published: March 2016

Alloying by grain boundary diffusion-induced grain boundary migration is investigated by secondary neutral mass spectrometry depth profiling in Ag/Au and Ag/Pd nanocrystalline thin film systems. It is shown that the compositions in zones left behind the moving boundaries can be determined by this technique if the process takes place at low temperatures where solely the grain boundary transport is the contributing mechanism and the gain size is less than the half of the grain boundary migration distance. The results in Ag/Au system are in good accordance with the predictions given by the step mechanism of grain boundary migration, i.e., the saturation compositions are higher in the slower component (i.e., in Au or Pd). It is shown that the homogenization process stops after reaching the saturation values and further intermixing can take place only if fresh samples with initial compositions, according to the saturation values, are produced and heat treated at the same temperature. The reversal of the film sequence resulted in the reversal of the inequality of the compositions in the alloyed zones, which is in contrast to the above theoretical model, and explained by possible effects of the stress gradients developed by the diffusion processes itself.
OPTICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE TYPE IA SUPERNOVA SN 2011fe IN M101 FOR NEARLY 500 DAYS
Authors: Zhang Kaicheng , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang JuJia , Zhang Tianmeng , Ganeshalingam Mohan , Li Weidong , Filippenko Alexei V. , Zhao Xulin , Zheng Weikang , Bai Jinming , Chen Jia , Chen Juncheng , Huang Fang , Mo Jun , Rui Liming , Song Hao , Sai Hanna , Li Wenxiong , Wang Lifan , Wu Chao
Published: March 2016

We present well-sampled optical observations of the bright Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2011fe in M101. Our data, starting from ∼16 days before maximum light and extending to ∼463 days after maximum, provide an unprecedented time series of spectra and photometry for a normal SN Ia. Fitting the early-time rising light curve, we find that the luminosity evolution of SN 2011fe follows a t

n
law, with the index n being close to 2.0 in the VRI bands but slightly larger in the U and B bands. Combining the published ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) photometry, we derive the contribution of UV/NIR emission relative to the optical. SN 2011fe is found to have stronger UV emission and reaches its UV peak a few days earlier than other SNe Ia with similar Δm
15(B), suggestive of less trapping of high-energy photons in the ejecta. Moreover, the U-band light curve shows a notably faster decline at late phases (t ≈ 100–300 days), which also suggests that the ejecta may be relatively transparent to UV photons. These results favor the notion that SN 2011fe might have a progenitor system with relatively lower metallicity. On the other hand, the early-phase spectra exhibit prominent high-velocity features (HVFs) of O i
λ7773 and the Ca ii NIR triplet, but only barely detectable in Si ii 6355. This difference can be caused by either an ionization/temperature effect or an abundance enhancement scenario for the formation of HVFs; it suggests that the photospheric temperature of SN 2011fe is intrinsically low, perhaps owing to incomplete burning during the explosion of the white dwarf.
CHARACTERIZING MID-ULTRAVIOLET TO OPTICAL LIGHT CURVES OF NEARBY TYPE IIn SUPERNOVAE
Authors: de la Rosa Janie , Roming Pete , Pritchard Tyler , Fryer Chris
Published: March 2016

We present early mid-ultraviolet and optical observations of Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) observed from 2007 to 2013. Our results focus on the properties of UV light curves: peak absolute magnitudes, temporal decay, and color evolution. During early times, this sample demonstrates that UV light decays faster than optical, and each event transitions from a predominantly UV-bright phase to an optically bright phase. In order to understand early UV behavior, we generate and analyze the sample's blackbody luminosity, temperature, and radius as the SN ejecta expand and cool. Since most of our observations were detected post maximum luminosity, we introduce a method for estimating the date of peak magnitude. When our observations are compared based on filter, we find that even though these SNe IIn vary in peak magnitudes, there are similarities in UV decay rates. We use a simple semi-analytical SN model in order to understand the effects of the explosion environment on our UV observations. Understanding the UV characteristics of nearby SNe IIn during an early phase can provide valuable information about the environment surrounding these explosions, leading us to evaluating the diversity of observational properties in this subclass.
NEUTRINO-DRIVEN CONVECTION IN CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVAE: HIGH-RESOLUTION SIMULATIONS
Authors: Radice David , Ott Christian D. , Abdikamalov Ernazar , Couch Sean M. , Haas Roland , Schnetter Erik
Published: March 2016

We present results from high-resolution semiglobal simulations of neutrino-driven convection in core-collapse supernovae. We employ an idealized setup with parameterized neutrino heating/cooling and nuclear dissociation at the shock front. We study the internal dynamics of neutrino-driven convection and its role in redistributing energy and momentum through the gain region. We find that even if buoyant plumes are able to locally transfer heat up to the shock, convection is not able to create a net positive energy flux and overcome the downward transport of energy from the accretion flow. Turbulent convection does, however, provide a significant effective pressure support to the accretion flow as it favors the accumulation of energy, mass, and momentum in the gain region. We derive an approximate equation that is able to explain and predict the shock evolution in terms of integrals of quantities such as the turbulent pressure in the gain region or the effects of nonradial motion of the fluid. We use this relation as a way to quantify the role of turbulence in the dynamics of the accretion shock. Finally, we investigate the effects of grid resolution, which we change by a factor of 20 between the lowest and highest resolution. Our results show that the shallow slopes of the turbulent kinetic energy spectra reported in previous studies are a numerical artifact. Kolmogorov scaling is progressively recovered as the resolution is increased.
THE INFLUENCE OF NONUNIFORM CLOUD COVER ON TRANSIT TRANSMISSION SPECTRA
Authors: Line Michael R. , Parmentier Vivien
Published: March 2016

We model the impact of nonuniform cloud cover on transit transmission spectra. Patchy clouds exist in nearly every solar system atmosphere, brown dwarfs, and transiting exoplanets. Our major findings suggest that fractional cloud coverage can exactly mimic high mean molecular weight atmospheres and vice versa over certain wavelength regions, in particular, over the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) bandpass (1.1–1.7 μm). We also find that patchy cloud coverage exhibits a signature that is different from uniform global clouds. Furthermore, we explain analytically why the “patchy cloud-high mean molecular weight” degeneracy exists. We also explore the degeneracy of nonuniform cloud coverage in atmospheric retrievals on both synthetic and real planets. We find from retrievals on a synthetic solar composition hot Jupiter with patchy clouds and a cloud-free high mean molecular weight warm Neptune that both cloud-free high mean molecular weight atmospheres and partially cloudy atmospheres can explain the data equally well. Another key finding is that the HST WFC3 transit transmission spectra of two well-observed objects, the hot Jupiter HD 189733b and the warm Neptune HAT-P-11b, can be explained well by solar composition atmospheres with patchy clouds without the need to invoke high mean molecular weight or global clouds. The degeneracy between high molecular weight and solar composition partially cloudy atmospheres can be broken by observing the molecular Rayleigh scattering differences between the two. Furthermore, the signature of partially cloudy limbs also appears as a ∼100 ppm residual in the ingress and egress of the transit light curves, provided that the transit timing is known to seconds.
SPITZER OBSERVATIONS OF OGLE-2015-BLG-1212 REVEAL A NEW PATH TOWARD BREAKING STRONG MICROLENS DEGENERACIES
Authors: Bozza V. , Shvartzvald Y. , Udalski A. , Novati S. Calchi , Bond I. A. , Han C. , Hundertmark M. , Poleski R. , Pawlak M. , Szymański M. K. , Skowron J. , Mróz P. , Kozłowski S. , Wyrzykowski Ł. , Pietrukowicz P. , Soszyński I. , Ulaczyk K. ,   (OGLE group),and, Beichman C. , Bryden G. , Carey S. , Fausnaugh M. , Gaudi B. S. , Gould A. , Henderson C. B. , Pogge R. W. , Wibking B. , Yee J. C. , Zhu W. ,   (Spitzer team), Abe F. , Asakura Y. , Barry R. K. , Bennett D. P. , Bhattacharya A. , Donachie M. , Freeman M. , Fukui A. , Hirao Y. , Inayama K. , Itow Y. , Koshimoto N. , Li M. C. A. , Ling C. H. , Masuda K. , Matsubara Y. , Muraki Y. , Nagakane M. , Nishioka T. , Ohnishi K. , Oyokawa H. , Rattenbury N. , Saito To. , Sharan A. , Sullivan D. J. , Sumi T. , Suzuki D. , Tristram P. J. , Wakiyama Y. , Yonehara A. ,   (MOA group), Choi J.-Y. , Park H. , Jung Y. K. , Shin I.-G. , Albrow M. D. , Park B.-G. , Kim S.-L. , Lee C.-U. , Cha S.-M. , Kim D.-J. , Lee Y. ,   (KMTNet group), Dominik M. , Jørgensen U. G. , Andersen M. I. , Bramich D. M. , Burgdorf M. J. , Ciceri S. , D’Ago G. , Evans D. F. , Jaimes R. Figuera , Gu S.-H. , Hinse T. C. , Kains N. , Kerins E. , Korhonen H. , Kuffmeier M. , Mancini L. , Popovas A. , Rabus M. , Rahvar S. , Rasmussen R. T. , Scarpetta G. , Skottfelt J. , Snodgrass C. , Southworth J. , Surdej J. , Unda-Sanzana E. , von Essen C. , Wang Y.-B. , Wertz O. ,   (MiNDSTEp), Maoz D. , Friedmann M. , Kaspi S. ,   (Wise group)
Published: March 2016

Spitzer microlensing parallax observations of OGLE-2015-BLG-1212 decisively break a degeneracy between planetary and binary solutions that is somewhat ambiguous when only ground-based data are considered. Only eight viable models survive out of an initial set of 32 local minima in the parameter space. These models clearly indicate that the lens is a stellar binary system possibly located within the bulge of our Galaxy, ruling out the planetary alternative. We argue that several types of discrete degeneracies can be broken via such space-based parallax observations.