bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal myofiber vascular endothelial growth factor is required for the exercise training‐induced increase in dentate gyrus neuronal precursor cells
Authors: Rich Benjamin , Scadeng Miriam , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Wagner Peter D. , Breen Ellen C.
Published: June 2017

Key points

Peripheral vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is necessary for exercise to stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis.

Here we report that skeletal myofiber VEGF directly or indirectly regulates exercise‐signalled proliferation of neuronal precursor cells.

Our results found skeletal myofiber VEGF to be necessary for maintaining blood flow through hippocampal regions independent of exercise training state.

This study demonstrates that skeletal myofiber VEGF is required for the hippocampal VEGF response to acute exercise.

These results help to establish the mechanisms by which exercise, through skeletal myofiber VEGF, affects the hippocampus.

Exercise signals neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This phenomenon requires vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) originating from outside the blood–brain barrier, but no cellular source has been identified. Thus, we hypothesized that VEGF produced by skeletal myofibers plays a role in regulating hippocampal neuronal precursor cell proliferation following exercise training. This was tested in adult conditional skeletal myofiber‐specific VEGF gene‐ablated mice (VEGFHSA−/−) by providing VEGFHSA−/− and non‐ablated (VEGFf/f) littermates with running wheels for 14 days. Following this training period, hippocampal cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and neuronal precursor cells (BrdU+/Nestin+) were detected by immunofluorescence. The VEGFf/f trained group showed improvements in both speed and endurance capacity in acute treadmill running tests (P < 0.05). The VEGFHSA−/− group did not. The number of proliferating neuronal precursor cells was increased with training in VEGFf/f (P < 0.05) but not in VEGFHSA−/− mice. Endothelial cell (CD31+) number did not change in this region with exercise training or skeletal myofiber VEGF gene deletion. However, resting blood flow through the hippocampal region was lower in VEGFHSA−/− mice, both untrained and trained, than untrained VEGFf/f mice (P < 0.05). An acute hypoxic challenge decreased CBF (P < 0.05) in untrained VEGFf/f, untrained VEGFHSA−/− and trained VEGFHSA−/− mice, but not trained VEGFf/f mice. VEGFf/f, but not VEGFHSA−/−, mice were able to acutely run on a treadmill at an intensity sufficient to increase hippocampus VEGF levels. These data suggest that VEGF expressed by skeletal myofibers may directly or indirectly regulate both hippocampal blood flow and neurogenesis.
The Effect of Intrinsic Instabilities on Effective Flame Speeds in Under-Resolved Simulations of Lean Hydrogen–Air Flames
Authors: Katzy Peter , Hasslberger Josef , Boeck Lorenz R. , Sattelmayer Thomas
Published: June 2017

The presented work aims to improve computational fluid dynamics (CFD) explosion modeling for lean hydrogen–air mixtures on under-resolved grids. Validation data are obtained from an entirely closed laboratory-scale explosion channel (GraVent facility). Investigated hydrogen–air concentrations range from 6 to 19 vol %. Initial conditions are p = 0.1 MPa and T = 293 K. Two highly time-resolved optical measurement techniques are applied simultaneously: (1) 10 kHz shadowgraphy captures line-of-sight integrated macroscopic flame propagation and (2) 20 kHz planar laser-induced fluorescence of the OH radical (OH-PLIF) resolves microscopic flame topology without line-of-sight integration. This paper presents the experiment, measurement techniques, data evaluation methods, and simulation results. The evaluation methods encompass the determination of flame tip velocity over distance and a detailed time-resolved quantification of the flame topology based on OH-PLIF images. One parameter is the length of wrinkled flame fronts in the OH-PLIF plane obtained through automated postprocessing. It reveals the expected enlargement of flame surface area by instabilities on a microscopic level. A strong effect of mixture composition is observed. Simulations based on the new model formulation, incorporating the microscopic enlargement of the flame front, show a promising behavior, where the impact of the augmented flame front on the observed flame front velocities can be detected.
Loss of Core Cooling Test With One Cooling Line Inactive in Vessel Cooling System of High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor
Authors: Fujiwara Yusuke , Nemoto Takahiro , Tochio Daisuke , Shinohara Masanori , Ono Masato , Takada Shoji
Published: June 2017

In the high-temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR), the vessel cooling system (VCS) which is arranged around the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) removes residual heat and decay heat from the reactor core when the forced core cooling is lost. The test of loss of forced cooling (LOFC) when one of two cooling lines in VCS lost its cooling function was carried out to simulate the partial loss of cooling function from the surface of RPV using the HTTR at the reactor thermal power of 9 MW, under the condition that the reactor power control system and the reactor inlet coolant temperature control system were isolated, and three helium gas circulators (HGCs) in the primary cooling system (PCS) were stopped. The test results showed that the reactor power immediately decreased to almost zero, which is caused by negative feedback effect of reactivity, and became stable as soon as HGCs were stopped. On the other hand, the temperature changes of permanent reflector block, RPV, and the biological shielding concrete were quite slow during the test. The temperature decrease of RPV was several degrees during the test. The numerical result showed a good agreement with the test result of temperature rise of biological shielding concrete around 1 °C by the numerical method that uses a calibrated thermal resistance by using the measured temperatures of RPV and the air outside of biological shielding concrete. The temperature increase of water cooling tube panel of VCS was calculated to be about 15 °C which is sufficiently small in the view point of property protection. It was confirmed that the sufficient cooling capacity of VCS can be maintained even in case that one of two water cooling lines of VCS loses its function.
Quasi-Static Crack Growth Under Symmetrical Loads in Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Shen Wenhao , Zhao Ya-Pu
Published: June 2017

Symmetrical load on the crack surfaces is found in many fluid–solid problems. The combined effect of symmetrical normal and shear stresses is investigated, which impacts on the displacement and stress fields and the predictions of crack initiation and deflection. The boundary integral equations of displacement and stress fields are formulated using the integral-transform method. The equations of the displacement and stress are reduced using the Abel integral equations. The analytical solution of the full space for uniform normal and shear stresses is obtained. The asymptotic solution of the displacement of the crack surface is obtained near the crack tip under specific normal and shear stresses. Results show that shear stress tends to inhibit the crack, and the predictions of crack initiation and deflection could be inappropriate for a slit crack under a singular shear stress. This study may be useful for future investigations of the fluid–solid problems and help to understand the hydraulic fracturing.
Reduced-Order Modeling of Preloaded Bolted Structures in Multibody Systems by the Use of Trial Vector Derivatives
Authors: Pichler Florian , Witteveen Wolfgang , Fischer Peter
Published: June 2017

In order to achieve a correct representation of jointed structures within multibody dynamic simulations, an accurate computation of the nonlinear contact and friction forces between the contact surfaces is required. In recent history, trial vectors based on trial vector derivatives, the so-called joint modes, have been presented, which allow an accurate and efficient representation of this joint contact. In this paper, a systematic adaption of this method for preloaded bolted joints is presented. The new strategy leads to a lower number of additional joint modes required for accurate results and hence to lower computational time. Further, a major reduction of the computational effort for joint modes can be achieved. The potential and also possible limitations of the method are investigated using two numerical examples of a preloaded friction bar and a bolted piston rod bearing cap.
Pairwise Critical Point Detection Using Torque Signals in Threaded Pipe Connection Processes
Authors: Du Juan , Zhang Xi , Shi Jianjun
Published: June 2017

The quality of threaded pipe connections is one of the key quality characteristics of drill pipes, risers, and pipelines. This quality characteristic is evaluated mainly by a pair of critical points, which are corresponding to the mechanical deformations formed in the pipe connection process. However, these points are difficult to detect because of nonlinear patterns generated by latent process factors in torque signals, which conceal the true critical points. To address this problem, we propose a novel three-phase state-space model that incorporates physical interpretations of connection process to detect pairwise critical points. We also develop a two-stage recursive particle filter to estimate the locations of the underlying critical points. Results of a real threaded pipe connection case show that the detection performance of the proposed method is more powerful than that of other existing methods.
Nonlinear Squeezing Time-Frequency Transform and Application in Rotor Rub-Impact Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Shibin , Yang Laihao , Chen Xuefeng , Tong Chaowei , Ding Baoqing , Xiang Jiawei
Published: June 2017

Vibration signal analysis has been proved as an effective tool for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis for rotating machines in the manufacturing process. The presence of the rub-impact fault in rotor systems results in vibration signals with fast-oscillating periodic instantaneous frequency (IF). In this paper, a novel method for rotor rub-impact fault diagnosis based on nonlinear squeezing time-frequency (TF) transform (NSquTFT) is proposed. First, a dynamic model of rub-impact rotor system is investigated to quantitatively reveal the periodic oscillation behavior of the IF of vibration signals. Second, the theoretical analysis for the NSquTFT is conducted to prove that the NSquTFT is suitable for signals with fast-varying IF, and the method for rotor rub-impact fault diagnosis based on the NSquTFT is presented. Through a dynamic simulation signal, the effectiveness of the NSquTFT in extracting the fast-oscillating periodic IF is verified. The proposed method is then applied to analyze an experimental vibration signal collected from a test rig and a practical vibration signal collected from a dual-rotor turbofan engine for rotor rub-impact fault diagnosis. Comparisons are conducted throughout to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method by using Hilbert–Huang transform, wavelet-based synchrosqueezing transform (SST), and other methods. The application and comparison results show that the fast-oscillating periodic IF of the vibration signals caused by rotor rub-impact faults can be better extracted by the proposed method.
Subsurface Deformation Generated by Orthogonal Cutting: Analytical Modeling and Experimental Verification
Authors: Zhang Dong , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Leopold Jürgen , Ding Han
Published: June 2017

Subsurface deformation of the cutting process has attracted a great deal of attention due to its tight relationship with subsurface hardening, microstructure alteration, grain refinement, and white layer formation. To predict the subsurface deformation of the machined components, an analytical model is proposed in this paper. The mechanical and thermal loads exerted on the workpiece by the primary and tertiary shear zones are predicted by a combination of Oxley's predictive model and Fang's slip line field. The stress field and temperature field are calculated based on contact mechanics and the moving heat source theory, respectively. However, the elastic–plastic regime induced by the material yielding hinders the direct derivation of subsurface plastic deformation from the stress field and the work material constitutive model. To tackle this problem, a blending function of the increment of elastic strain is developed to derive the plastic strain. In addition, a sophisticated material constitutive model considering strain hardening, strain rate sensitivity, and thermal softening effects of work material is incorporated into this analytical model. To validate this model, finite element simulations of the subsurface deformation during orthogonal cutting of AISI 52100 steel are conducted. Experimental verification of the subsurface deformation is carried out through a novel subsurface deformation measurement technique based on digital image correlation (DIC) technique. To demonstrate applications of the subsurface deformation prediction, the subsurface microhardness of the machined component is experimentally tested and compared against the predicted values based on the proposed method.
Four-Dimensional Printing: Design and Fabrication of Smooth Curved Surface Using Controlled Self-Folding
Authors: Deng Dongping , Kwok Tsz-Ho , Chen Yong
Published: June 2017

Traditional origami structures fold along predefined hinges, and the neighboring facets of the hinges are folded to transform planar surfaces into three-dimensional (3D) shapes. In this study, we present a new self-folding design and fabrication approach that has no folding hinges and can build 3D structures with smooth curved surfaces. This four-dimensional (4D) printing method uses a thermal-response control mechanism, where a thermo shrink film is used as the active material and a photocurable material is used as the constraint material for the film. When the structure is heated, the two sides of the film will shrink differently due to the distribution of the constraint material on the film. Consequently, the structure will deform over time to a 3D surface that has no folding hinges. By properly designing the coated constraint patterns, the film can be self-folded into different shapes. The relationship between the constraint patterns and their correspondingly self-folded surfaces has been studied in the paper. Our 4D printing method presents a simple approach to quickly fabricate a 3D shell structure with smooth curved surfaces by fabricating a structure with accordingly designed material distribution.
Developing an essential ocean variable for the acoustic environment
Authors: Tyack Peter L. ,   A Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans International Quiet Ocean Experiment Working Group
Published: June 2017

The ocean science community has invested heavily in coordinating systems developed to make ocean observations. The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is a research program developed to coordinate ocean observing systems. Expert panels identify requirements for the systems in terms of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). The absence of sound in the list of EOVs should be striking to most ocean acousticians. Sound propagates so well in the ocean that it is the best way to probe the marine environment over long distances. Marine organisms have evolved ways to use the physics of underwater sound for biosonar, to communicate, and to orient. During the industrial age, humans have developed similar tools, and sources such as commercial shipping have elevated ocean noise. A working group of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans and linked to the International Quiet Ocean Experiment has developed a description of an Essential Ocean Variable for the Acoustic Environment designed to facilitate monitoring of the sound field of the oceans globally over decades, to model how human and natural sources create the sound field, and to define effects of changes in sound fields on marine life at the individual, population, and ecosystem levels.
Examination of Response Shift After Rehabilitation for Orthopedic Conditions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Powden Cameron J. , Hoch Matthew C. , Hoch Johanna M.
Published: June 2017

Context: There is an increased emphasis on the need to capture and incorporate self-reported function to make clinical decisions when providing patient-centered care. Response shift (RS), or a change in an individual’s self-evaluation of a construct, may affect the accurate assessment of change in self-reported function throughout the course of rehabilitation. A systematic review of this phenomenon may provide valuable information regarding the accuracy of self-reported function. Objectives: To systematically locate and synthesize the existing evidence regarding RS during care for various orthopedic conditions. Evidence Acquisition: Electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection) were searched from inception to November 2016. Two investigators independently assessed methodological quality using the modified Downs and Black Quality Index. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy. The magnitude of RS was examined through effect sizes. Evidence Synthesis: Nine studies were included (7 high quality and 2 low quality) with a median Downs and Black Quality Index score of 81.25% (range = 56.25%–93.75%). Overall, the studies demonstrated weak to strong effect sizes (range = −1.58–0.33), indicating the potential for RS. Of the 36 point estimates calculated, 22 (61.11%), 2 (5.56%), and 12 (33.33%) were associated with weak, moderate negative, and strong negative effect sizes, respectively. Conclusions: There is grade B evidence that a weak RS, in which individuals initially underestimate their disability, may occur in people undergoing rehabilitation for an orthopedic condition. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential shift in their patients’ internal standards, as it can affect the evaluation of health-related quality of life changes during the care of orthopedic conditions. A shift in the internal standards of the patient can lead to subsequent misclassification of health-related quality of life changes that can adversely affect clinical decision making.
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains
Authors: Koehler J. W. , Delp K. L. , Kearney B. J. , Conrad T. A. , Schoepp R. J. , Garrison A. R. , Altamura L. A. , Rossi C. A. , Minogue T. D.
Published: June 2017

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a geographically widespread RNA virus with a high degree of genomic diversity that complicates sequence-based diagnostics. Here, we sequenced eight CCHFV strains for improved assay design and deposition into FDA-ARGOS, the FDA’s pathogen database for development and verification of next generation sequencing assays.
Draft Genome of
Halomonas lionensis
RHS90
T
, a Stress-Tolerant Gammaproteobacterium Isolated from Mediterranean Sea Sediments
Authors: Gaboyer Frédéric , Maignien Loïs , Jebbar Mohamed , Alain Karine
Published: June 2017

Members of the genus
Halomonas
are physiologically versatile and harbor ecological adaptations enabling the colonization of contrasted environments. We present here the draft genome of
Halomonas lionensis
RHS90
T
, isolated from Mediterranean Sea sediments. Numerous genes related to stress tolerance, DNA repair, or external signal-sensing systems were predicted, which could represent selective advantages of this marine bacterium.
Draft Genome Report of Bacillus altitudinis SORB11, Isolated from the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Halder Urmi , Banerjee Aparna , Chaudhry Vasvi , Varshney Rajeev K. , Mantri Shrikant , Bandopadhyay Rajib
Published: June 2017

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Bacillus altitudinis
SORB11, which is tolerant to UV radiation. The strain was isolated from the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean at a depth of 3.8 km. The genome sequence information reported here for
B. altitudinis
SORB11 gives the basis of its UV resistance mechanism and provides data for further comparative studies with other bacteria resistant to UV radiation.
Complete Genome Sequence of Vibrio coralliilyticus 58, Isolated from Pacific Oyster (
Crassostrea gigas
) Larvae
Authors: Kim Hyoun Joong , Kim Ji Hyung , Jun Jin Woo , Giri Sib Sankar , Chi Cheng , Yun Saekil , Kim Sang Guen , Kim Sang Wha , Kang Jeong Woo , Jeong Dae Gwin , Park Se Chang
Published: June 2017

We report here the complete genome of
Vibrio coralliilyticus
strain 58, which was originally isolated from inactive Pacific oyster (
Crassostrea gigas
) larvae in Japan. The assembled genome consisted of two chromosomes and one plasmid. These data will provide valuable information and important insights into the biodiversity of this organism.
Metagenomic 16S rRNA Sequencing Analysis of Pacific Oyster (
Crassostrea gigas
) Microbiota from the Puget Sound Region in the United States
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Leyi
Published: June 2017

This is the first study analyzing Pacific oyster microbiota in the Puget Sound estuarine system using a next-generation sequencing method. Taxonomic analysis indicated that
Tenericutes, Chlamydiae
,
Proteobacteria
, and
Firmicutes
were the most abundant phyla. Small numbers of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to the
Vibrio
genus were detected in all the oyster microbiome samples.
Complete Genome Sequences of Five Representative Staphylococcus aureus ST398 Strains from Five Major Sequence Heterogeneity Groups of a Diverse Isolate Collection
Authors: McClure Jo-Ann , Zhang Kunyan
Published: June 2017

Staphylococcus aureus
sequence type 398 (ST398) is a rapidly emerging livestock-associated strain causing zoonotic disease in humans. The course of pathogen evolution remains unclear, prompting whole-genome comparative studies in attempts to elucidate this issue. We present the full, annotated genomes of five newly isolated representative ST398 strains from five major sequence heterogeneity groups of our diverse isolate collection.
Genome Sequence of Paracoccus contaminans LMG 29738
T
, Isolated from a Water Microcosm
Authors: Aurass Philipp , Karste Susanne , Trost Eva , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Kämpfer Peter , Flieger Antje
Published: June 2017

We announce here the complete genome sequence of
Paracoccus contaminans
LMG 29738
T
, which we recently isolated from a contaminated water microcosm. The genome consists of a 2.94-Mb chromosome and a 94-kb plasmid. To our knowledge, we provide the first DNA methylation analysis of a
Paracoccus
species.
Draft Genome Sequence of Serratia proteamaculans MFPA44A14-05, a Model Organism for the Study of Meat and Seafood Spoilage
Authors: Fougy Lysiane , Coeuret Gwendoline , Champomier-Vergès Marie-Christine , Chaillou Stéphane
Published: June 2017

In this study, we present a draft genome sequence of
Serratia proteamaculans
MFPA44A14-05. This strain was isolated from a spoiled organic modified-atmosphere-packed beef carpaccio. The draft genome sequence will contribute to the understanding of the role of the
S. proteamaculans
species in meat and seafood spoilage.
Microbial Impact on Host Metabolism: Opportunities for Novel Treatments of Nutritional Disorders?
Authors: Plovier Hubert , Cani Patrice D.
Published: June 2017

Malnutrition is the cause of major public health concerns worldwide. On the one hand, obesity and associated pathologies (also known as the metabolic syndrome) affect more than 10% of the world population. Such pathologies might arise from an elevated inflammatory tone. We have discovered that the inflammatory properties of high-fat diets were linked to the translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We proposed a mechanism associating the gut microbiota with the onset of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation, a phenomenon that we called “metabolic endotoxemia.” We and others have shown that bacteria as well as host-derived immune-related elements control microbial communities and eventually contribute to the phenotype observed during diet-induced obesity, diabetes, and metabolic inflammation. On the other hand, undernutrition is one of the leading causes of death in children. A diet poor in energy and/or nutrients causes incomplete development of the gut microbiota and may profoundly affect energy absorption, initiating stunted growth, edema, and diarrhea. In this review, we discuss how changes in microbiota composition are associated with obesity and undernutrition. We also highlight that opposite consequences exist in terms of energy absorption from the diet (obesity versus undernutrition), but interestingly the two situations share similar defects in term of diversity, functionality, and inflammatory potential.
Fungi as a Source of Food
Authors: Dupont Joëlle , Dequin Sylvie , Giraud Tatiana , Le Tacon François , Marsit Souhir , Ropars Jeanne , Richard Franck , Selosse Marc-André
Published: June 2017

In this article, we review some of the best-studied fungi used as food sources, in particular, the cheese fungi, the truffles, and the fungi used for drink fermentation such as beer, wine, and sake. We discuss their history of consumption by humans and the genomic mechanisms of adaptation during artificial selection.
Sex and the Imperfect Fungi
Authors: Dyer Paul S. , Kück Ulrich
Published: June 2017

Approximately 20% of species in the fungal kingdom are only known to reproduce by asexual means despite the many supposed advantages of sexual reproduction. However, in recent years, sexual cycles have been induced in a series of emblematic “asexual” species. We describe how these discoveries were made, building on observations of evidence for sexual potential or “cryptic sexuality” from population genetic analyses; the presence, distribution, and functionality of mating-type genes; genome analyses revealing the presence of genes linked to sexuality; the functionality of sex-related genes; and formation of sex-related developmental structures. We then describe specific studies that led to the discovery of mating and sex in certain
Candida
,
Aspergillus
,
Penicillium
, and
Trichoderma
species and discuss the implications of sex including the beneficial exploitation of the sexual cycle. We next consider whether there might be any truly asexual fungal species. We suggest that, although rare, imperfect fungi may genuinely be present in nature and that certain human activities, combined with the genetic flexibility that is a hallmark of the fungal kingdom, might favor the evolution of asexuality under certain conditions. Finally, we argue that fungal species should not be thought of as simply asexual or sexual, but rather as being composed of isolates on a continuum of sexual fertility.
The Mycobiome: Impact on Health and Disease States
Authors: El-Jurdi Najla , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: June 2017

The term “microbiome” refers to microorganisms (microbiota) and their genomes (metagenome) coexisting with their hosts. Some researchers coined the term “second genome” to underscore the importance of the microbiota and its collective metagenome on their host’s health and/or disease. It is now undeniable that the commensal fungal microorganisms, alongside the other components of the microbiota, play a central role in association with the human host. In recognition, projects were launched nationally and internationally to unify efforts to characterize the microbiome and elucidate the functional role of the microbiota and the mechanism(s) by which these organisms and their metabolites (metabolome) may affect health and disease states. In this article, we will highlight the role of the fungal community as an indispensable component of the microbiome.
Fungal Sex: The Basidiomycota
Authors: Coelho Marco A. , Bakkeren Guus , Sun Sheng , Hood Michael E. , Giraud Tatiana
Published: June 2017

Fungi of the Basidiomycota, representing major pathogen lineages and mushroom-forming species, exhibit diverse means to achieve sexual reproduction, with particularly varied mechanisms to determine compatibilities of haploid mating partners. For species that require mating between distinct genotypes, discrimination is usually based on both the reciprocal exchange of diffusible mating pheromones, rather than sexes, and the interactions of homeodomain protein signals after cell fusion. Both compatibility factors must be heterozygous in the product of mating, and genetic linkage relationships of the mating pheromone/receptor and homeodomain genes largely determine the complex patterns of mating-type variation. Independent segregation of the two compatibility factors can create four haploid mating genotypes from meiosis, referred to as tetrapolarity. This condition is thought to be ancestral to the basidiomycetes. Alternatively, cosegregation by linkage of the two mating factors, or in some cases the absence of the pheromone-based discrimination, yields only two mating types from meiosis, referred to as bipolarity. Several species are now known to have large and highly rearranged chromosomal regions linked to mating-type genes. At the population level, polymorphism of the mating-type genes is an exceptional aspect of some basidiomycete fungi, where selection under outcrossing for rare, intercompatible allelic variants is thought to be responsible for numbers of mating types that may reach several thousand. Advances in genome sequencing and assembly are yielding new insights by comparative approaches among and within basidiomycete species, with the promise to resolve the evolutionary origins and dynamics of mating compatibility genetics in this major eukaryotic lineage.
Pathology of Tuberculosis: How the Pathology of Human Tuberculosis Informs and Directs Animal Models
Authors: Basaraba Randall J. , Hunter Robert L.
Published: June 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the pathogenic bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. A wide variety of host- and pathogen-associated variables influence the clinical manifestation of TB in different individuals within the human population. As a consequence, the characteristic granulomatous lesions that develop within the lung are heterogeneous in size and cellular composition. Due to the lack of appropriate tissues from human TB patients, a variety of animal models are used as surrogates to study the basic pathogenesis and to test experimental vaccines and new drug therapies. Few animal models mimic the clinical course and pathological response of
M. tuberculosis
seen in the naturally occurring disease in people. In particular, post-primary TB, which accounts for the majority of cases of active TB and is responsible for transmission between individuals via aerosol exposers, cannot be reproduced in animals and therefore cannot be adequately modeled experimentally. This article describes a new paradigm that explains the pathogenesis of post-primary TB in humans. This new evidence was derived from histological examination of tissues from patients with different stages of
M. tuberculosis
infection and that had not been treated with antimicrobial drugs. Gaining a better understanding of this unique stage of TB disease will lead to more effective treatment, diagnostic, and prevention strategies.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in the Face of Host-Imposed Nutrient Limitation
Authors: Berney Michael , Berney-Meyer Linda
Published: June 2017

Coevolution of pathogens and host has led to many metabolic strategies employed by intracellular pathogens to deal with the immune response and the scarcity of food during infection. Simply put, bacterial pathogens are just looking for food. As a consequence, the host has developed strategies to limit nutrients for the bacterium by containment of the intruder in a pathogen-containing vacuole and/or by actively depleting nutrients from the intracellular space, a process called nutritional immunity. Since metabolism is a prerequisite for virulence, such pathways could potentially be good targets for antimicrobial therapies. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge about the
in vivo
diet of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, with a focus on amino acid and cofactors, discuss evidence for the bacilli’s nutritionally independent lifestyle in the host, and evaluate strategies for new chemotherapeutic interventions.
Gendered negotiations for research participation in community-based studies: implications for health research policy and practice
Authors: Kamuya Dorcas M , Molyneux Catherine, S , Theobald Sally
Published: June 2017

There is a growing literature documenting the complex realities of consent processes in the field, and the negotiations and ethical dilemmas involved. Much has also been written about how gender and power shape household decision-making processes. However, these bodies of literature have rarely been brought together to inform research theory and practice in low-income settings. In this paper, qualitative research (observation, focus group discussions and interviews) were used alongside large clinical community-based studies conducted on the Kenyan Coast to explore how gender and power relations within households and communities and between fieldworkers and communities shape consent processes and interactions. This exploration is embedded in relevant literature and the implications for community-based health research policy and practice are considered. Across diverse forms of households, we observed significant consultation on whether or not to participate in research. Although men are typically described as household decision-makers, in practice, decision-making processes are often far more nuanced, with many women using their agency to control, sometimes subtly, the decisions made. Where decisions are made without adequately consulting women, many find strategies to exercise their choice, in ways that safeguard important relationships within households in the longer term. We also found that the gender of field staff who typically conduct research activities in the field, including consent processes, can influence household dynamics and decision-making processes with important implications for the science and ethics of research. It is essential that frontline field staff and their supervisors are aware of the complex and gendered realities of consent processes at household level, and their implications, and that they develop appropriate context-informed approaches that support ethical practice.
3D printed pathological sectioning boxes to facilitate radiological–pathological correlation in hepatectomy cases
Authors: Trout Andrew T , Batie Matthew R , Gupta Anita , Sheridan Rachel M , Tiao Gregory M , Towbin Alexander J
Published: June 2017

Radiogenomics promises to identify tumour imaging features indicative of genomic or proteomic aberrations that can be therapeutically targeted allowing precision personalised therapy. An accurate radiological–pathological correlation is critical to the process of radiogenomic characterisation of tumours. An accurate correlation, however, is difficult to achieve with current pathological sectioning techniques which result in sectioning in non-standard planes. The purpose of this work is to present a technique to standardise hepatic sectioning to facilitateradiological–pathological correlation. We describe a process in which three-dimensional (3D)-printed specimen boxes based on preoperative cross-sectional imaging (CT and MRI) can be used to facilitate pathological sectioning in standard planes immediately on hepatic resection enabling improved tumour mapping. We have applied this process in 13 patients undergoing hepatectomy and have observed close correlation between imaging and gross pathology in patients with both unifocal and multifocal tumours.
Immunohistochemistry on old archival paraffin blocks: is there an expiry date?
Authors: Grillo Federica , Bruzzone Martina , Pigozzi Simona , Prosapio Stefano , Migliora Paola , Fiocca Roberto , Mastracci Luca
Published: June 2017

Few studies have focused on antigen preservation in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue in old archival material and additional studies are required, especially considering that these samples are an irreplaceable resource for scientific and clinical research. The purpose of this study is to verify antigen preservation in FFPE tissue samples stored for several decades. From the pathology archives, FFPE blocks were selected dating back to the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010. A panel of 12 antibodies was applied and immunoreactivities were compared. While cytoplasmic antigens showed no reduction in immunostaining intensity over time, membrane and nuclear antigens presented reduced staining intensity in older blocks. In particular, the nuclear antigen, Ki67 and CD31 showed the most pronounced antigen decay in the oldest archival blocks. In order to test possible antigen recovery, deep sectioning and lengthening of heat pretreatment were applied. Both strategies partially recover antigenicity, but their simultaneous application shows the best results.
Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Urinary Excretion of Intact and Total Angiotensinogen in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yoshimoto Takuo , Furuki Takayuki , Kobori Hiroyuki , Miyakawa Masaaki , Imachi Hitomi , Murao Koji , Nishiyama Akira
Published: June 2017

We conducted a descriptive case study to examine the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on urinary angiotensinogen excretion, which represents the function of the intrarenal renin–angiotensin system, in patients with type 2 diabetes. An SGLT2 inhibitor (canagliflozin 100 mg/day, ipragliflozin 25 mg/day, dapagliflozin 5 mg/day, luseogliflozin 2.5 mg/day or tofogliflozin 20 mg/day) was administered for 1 month (n=9). ELISA kits were used to measure both urinary intact and total angiotensinogen levels. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors significantly decreased hemoglobin A1c, body weight, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (8.5±1.3 to 7.5%±1.0%, 82.5±20.2 to 80.6±20.9 kg, 143±8 to 128±14 mm Hg, 78±10 to 67±9 mm Hg, p<0.05, respectively), while urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was not significantly changed (58.6±58.9 to 29.2±60.7 mg/g, p=0.16). Both total urinary angiotensinogen/creatinine ratio and intact urinary angiotensinogen/creatinine ratio tended to decrease after administration of SGLT2 inhibitors. However, these changes were not significant (p=0.19 and p=0.08, respectively). These data suggest that treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors does not activate the intrarenal renin–angiotensin system in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Comparison of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study and the Cockcroft-Gault equation in patients with heart failure
Authors: Szummer Karolina , Evans Marie , Carrero Juan Jesus , Alehagen Urban , Dahlström Ulf , Benson Lina , Lund Lars H
Published: June 2017

Background

It is unknown how the creatinine-based renal function estimations differ for dose adjustment cut-offs and risk prediction in patients with heart failure.

Method and results

The renal function was similar with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) (median 59 mL/min/1.73 m2, IQR 42 to 77) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) (59 mL/min/1.73 m2, IQR 43 to 75) and slightly lower with the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation (57 mL/min, IQR 39 to 82). Across the commonly used renal function stages, the CKD-EPI and the MDRD classified patients into the same stage in 87.2% (kappa coefficient 0.83, p<0.001); the CKD-EPI and the CG equation agreed in 52.3% (kappa coefficient 0.39, p<0.001). Hence, a differing number of patients will receive dose adjustment depending on which formula is used as cut-off. The CG equation predicted worse prognosis better (c-statistics 0.740, 95% CI 0.734 to 0.746) than CKD-EPI (0.697, 95% CI 0.690 to 0.703, p<0.001) and MDRD (0.680, 95% CI 0.734 to 0.746). Using net reclassification improvement (NRI), the CG identified 12.8% more patients at higher risk of death as compared with the CKD-EPI equation.

Patients registered in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (n= 40 736) with standardised creatinine values between 2000 and 2012 had their renal function estimated with the CKD-EPI, the MDRD and the CG. Agreement between the formulas was compared for categories. Prediction of death was assessed with c-statistics and with NRI.

Conclusion

The choice of renal function estimation formula has clinical implications and differing results at various cut-off levels. For prognosis, the CG predicts mortality better than the CKD-EPI and MDRD.
Orthopaedics – not just for boys
Authors: Langley‐Hobbs Sorrel
Published: June 2017

Despite an increasing number of women entering the veterinary profession, small animal orthopaedics is dominated by men. Orthopaedic surgeon Sorrel Langley‐Hobbs says the profession needs to mentor and inspire young vets to become surgeons of the future
Search for the footprints of new physics with laboratory and cosmic neutrinos
Authors: Stecker Floyd W.
Published: June 2017

Observations of high energy neutrinos, both in the laboratory and from cosmic sources, can be a useful probe in searching for new physics. Such observations can provide sensitive tests of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which may be the result of quantum gravity physics (QG). We review some observationally testable consequences of LIV using effective field theory (EFT) formalism. To do this, one can postulate the existence of additional small LIV terms in free particle Lagrangians, suppressed by powers of the Planck mass. The observational consequences of such terms are then examined. In particular, one can place limits on a class of non-renormalizable, mass dimension five and six Lorentz invariance violating operators that may be the result of QG.
NJL model with the modified quark-dependent coupling strength G
Authors: Fan Zhou-You , Fan Wen-Kai , Wang Qing-Wu , Zong Hong-Shi
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the coupling strength G of the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model is modified by incorporating quark’s feedback into the gluon propagator. The modified two-flavor NJL model with the quark-dependent coupling strength is explored. The quark condensate in this framework has a conspicuous agreement with the lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) results at finite temperature. Then, it is compared with the original NJL model in both zero (chiral limit) and nonzero current quark mass. The QCD phase diagram and susceptibilities are investigated in the temperature–chemical potential [Formula: see text] plane. Therefore, the pseudo-critical temperature [Formula: see text] and the critical end point (CEP) are worked out and compared with original NJL model or lattice QCD results. In addition, the pion mass and decay constant are studied at finite temperature.
Imaging of strong field dissociative single and double ionization channels of N2O
Authors: Afaneh Feras , Schmidt-Böcking Horst
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study single and double ionizations of N2O in a short elliptically polarized 800 nm laser pulse using the COLTRIMS technique. The molecular-frame photoelectron angular distribution and the ion sum-momentum distribution of single and double ionizations of N2O molecules are reported for the single ionization dissociative channel NO[Formula: see text] + N and the double ionization dissociative channel NO[Formula: see text] + N[Formula: see text]. The ionizations of multiple orbitals for the two studied dissociative channels were identified via studying the orientation dependent ionization rates for their KERs. The results show that the shape of the ionizing orbitals governs the single and double ionization processes of N2O.
Hopf Bifurcation in an Oscillatory-Excitable Reaction–Diffusion Model with Spatial Heterogeneity
Authors: Ambrosio Benjamin
Published: June 2017

We focus on the qualitative analysis of a reaction–diffusion model with spatial heterogeneity. The system is a generalization of the well-known FitzHugh–Nagumo system, in which the excitability parameter is space dependent. This heterogeneity allows to exhibit concomitant stationary and oscillatory phenomena. We prove the existence of a Hopf bifurcation and determine an equation of the center-manifold in which the solution asymptotically evolves. Numerical simulations illustrate the phenomenon.
Bifurcation Analysis of Charged Particles Moving on a Rough Surface Under Different Damping Effects
Authors: Zhang Hao , Luo Pengcheng , Ding Huifang
Published: June 2017

This paper deals with two types of bifurcation behaviors of charged particles moving on rough surface under different damping effects. Based on the derived models, the stability of the particle system is judged by eigenvalue analysis and then the eigenvalue movement of the Jacobian matrix is analyzed to reveal the underlying mechanism of the dynamical evolution. It is shown that in the particle system with constant damping force, the system loses stability via Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, whereas in the system with time-dependent damping force, the stability is lost by way of period-doubling bifurcation. In addition, a powerful tool called manifold is employed to meticulously characterize the phase space so as to clearly describe the process of energy evolution, which leads to the inherent understanding of the complex behaviors and particularly the global dynamical properties in the particle system. Finally, some bifurcation diagrams are obtained to give a more evident explanation of complex behaviors. These results are very useful for the entire transport knowledge of charged particle system.
Realization of Integrable Incommensurate-Fractional-Order-Rössler-System Design Using Operational Transconductance Amplifiers (OTAs) and Its Experimental Verification
Authors: Dar Mohammad Rafiq , Kant Nasir Ali , Khanday Farooq Ahmad
Published: June 2017

In this paper, electronic implementation of fractional-order Rössler system using operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) is presented which until now was only being investigated through numerical simulations. The realization offers the benefits of low-voltage implementation, integrability and electronic tunability. In addition, the proposed circuit is a MOS only design (as no BJTs have been used) which contains only grounded components and is therefore suitable for monolithic VLSI design. The chaotic behavior of the fractional-order Rössler system in consideration with the incommensurate orders has been demonstrated which finds many applications in several fields. The theoretical predictions of the proposed implementation have been verified through experimentation and HSPICE simulator using Austrian Micro System (AMS) 0.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS process and the obtained results have been found in good agreement with the Matlab simulink theoretical results obtained using FOMCON simulink toolbox. Besides, a secure message communication system has been considered to demonstrate fully the usefulness of the chaotic system.
Bifurcations and Exact Solutions of the Equation of Barotropic FRW Cosmologies
Authors: Li Jibin , Zhang Tonghua
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the equation of barotropic Friedmann–Robertson–Walker cosmologies. By using the method of dynamical systems, we obtain bifurcations of the phase portraits of the corresponding planar dynamical system. Corresponding to different level curves, we derive exact explicit parametric representations of bounded and unbounded solutions, such as periodic solutions, periodic peakon solutions, homoclinic and heteroclinic solutions and compacton solutions.