bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medication Reconciliation Improvement Through the Use of Video
Authors: Dewan Maya , Kraus Blair , Davis Daniela , McCloskey John
Published: February 2015

Accurate medication reconciliation at the time of hospital admission is vital to preventing adverse drug events. Compliance with medication reconciliation in our pediatric intensive care unit was low initially with overall medication reconciliation at 70%. Due to the high front line provider turnover in our unit, we focused on technological reminders for completion and used unique and innovative ways to motivate our supervising staff. Our goal was to reach >95% completion within 24 hours for medication reconciliation for all patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Pre-pilot discussions focused on examples of errors of medication reconciliation within our own institution resulting in patient harm via traditional power point presentation. The initial pilot phase instituted a job aid on how to add the medication reconciliation completion reminder column. Email updates on completion status began one week after initiation. During the implementation and spread phase, fun interactive videos were used to acknowledge roll out to the full unit. Compliance was monitored and humorous biweekly video updates emphasizing accountability were introduced. In the sustain phase, monthly video updates served as education and a reminder for provider staff.

The use of a medication reconciliation completion column and reminder emails resulted in goal completion (>95%) by three weeks post intervention for the pilot unit. Overall medication reconciliation completion also reached goal of >95% completion within the entire unit after three weeks of implementation and spread. Compliance fell below goal so video updates were modified utilizing humor and emphasizing accountability. This resulted in sustained compliance now more than forty weeks post implementation.

Unit compliance currently remains >95% completion within 24 hours now more than forty weeks post intervention. The use of the medication reconciliation reminder column resulted in improvement in compliance; however, that improvement was not sustained. The addition of humorous videos highlighting accountability allowed for sustained improvements.
My road to alternative splicing control: from simple paths to loops and interconnections
Authors: Chabot Benoit
Published: February 2015

With the functional importance of alternative splicing being validated in nearly every mammalian biological system and implicated in many human diseases, it is now crucial to identify the molecular programs that control the production of splice variants. In this article, I will survey how our knowledge of the basic principles of alternative splicing control evolved over the last 25 years. I will also describe how investigation of the splicing control of an apoptotic regulator led us to identify novel effectors and revealed the existence of converging pathways linking splicing decisions to DNA damage. Finally, I will review how our efforts at developing tools designed to monitor and redirect splicing helped assess the impact of misregulated splicing in cancer.
Landslide mobility analysis for design of multiple debris-resisting barriers
Authors: Kwan J.S.H. , Koo R.C.H. , Ng C.W.W.
Published: February 2015

Multiple debris-resisting barriers have been commonly used worldwide to mitigate debris flows in drainage lines. However, a well-developed methodology to assess the mobility of debris flows with consideration of the obstruction of the barriers does not exist. A free-field debris-flow condition that omits the presence of multiple debris-resisting barriers is commonly considered in design, although the effects of the barriers could be critical in determining the dynamics of the landslide debris including debris velocity and debris thickness. This paper proposes a staged debris mobility analysis that accounts for the effects of multiple debris-resisting barriers. The staged analysis adopts solutions of a depth-averaged debris mobility model. The input parameters of the analysis have been established from field data and laboratory test results. Rigorous numerical simulations of debris flows intercepted by multiple debris-resisting barriers have also been undertaken using the three-dimensional finite element program LS-DYNA to provide results for benchmarking the output of the staged analysis.
Molecular modeling of initiation of interlayer swelling in Na–montmorillonite expansive clay
Authors: Katti Dinesh R. , Srinivasamurthy Lakshmikanth , Katti Kalpana S.
Published: February 2015

Expansive soils are found in many parts of the world. A major constituent of these clays is the mineral montmorillonite. Molecular interactions between clay, cations, and water play an important role in swelling. Molecular models of Na–montmorillonite clay are constructed, and solvation studies are conducted using molecular dynamics. Analysis of molecular trajectories, conformations, and interaction energies reveal key mechanisms that initiate interlayer swelling. In the initially dry interlayer, the interlayer collapses due to strong attractive interactions between Na ions and clay sheets. The van der Waals (vdW) radii of the oxygen atoms further reduce available spacing, thus preventing water molecules from entering the interlayer. Further, it was found that clays, when slightly hydrated, allowed flow of water molecules into the interlayer. The speed of water molecules in the interlayer is found at various time intervals, and the speed decreases with time. The simulations elucidate that Na ions have strong attractive interactions with water molecules and are important initially for attracting water molecules into the interlayer and initiate swelling. Subsequently, after the formation of the hydration shell, flow of water molecules continues, potentially through the hydrogen bond network. These studies provide a clear insight into the molecular mechanisms at the beginning of swelling.
Evaluation of fault-slip potential due to shearing of fault asperities
Authors: Sainoki Atsushi , Mitri Hani S.
Published: February 2015

Mining activities in underground mines could induce fault-slip that inflicts devastating damage to mine openings. Thus, enhancing current knowledge about fault-slip taking place in underground mines is of paramount importance. In this study, static and dynamic analyses are performed using mine-wide models encompassing a fault running parallel to a steeply dipping, tabular orebody. In the static analysis, modelled stopes within the orebody are extracted and backfilled in accordance with a sublevel stoping method. Dynamic analyses may be performed, depending on the stress states at the end of each mining stage during the static analysis, to simulate fault-slip induced by a stress drop resulting from asperity shear. Selected seismic source parameters of the simulated fault-slip are then computed for each mining stage. The relation between D/H (where D is distance between the fault and the orebody, and H is height of the mined-out ore) and seismic source parameters is examined. It is shown that seismic moment and radiated seismic energy correlate well with D/H, thus suggesting that this ratio could be used as an indicator of fault-slip potential. On the other hand, no noticeable correlation between the maximum slip rate during fault-slip and D/H could be ascertained.
Fungal endophytes of Festuca rubra increase in frequency following long-term exclusion of rabbits
Authors: Santangelo James S. , Turley Nash E. , Johnson Marc T.J.
Published: February 2015

Plant – fungal endophyte interactions are common in nature and they can shape the ecology of plants. Vertically transmitted endophytes are hypothesized to serve as mutualists, protecting plants from herbivores. If this hypothesis is true, then we expect endophytes to be most abundant in the presence of herbivores and least abundant in their absence, assuming endophytes incur a cost to their host. We tested this prediction by studying the effects of intense rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus) grazing on grass–endophyte interactions at Silwood Park, UK. We examined seeds of red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) collected from 15 natural populations that were protected from rabbits for 0.3–21 years. Contrary to our prediction, the mean proportion of seeds with endophytes increased 1.84×, from 0.45 to 0.83, following 21 years of rabbit exclusion. To better understand the mechanisms driving this increase in frequency, we conducted a fully factorial greenhouse experiment where we manipulated the presence or absence of endophyte infection, intraspecific competition, and simulated grazing on F. rubra plants. In both damaged and undamaged treatments, infected plants produced approximately twice as much biomass as uninfected plants, and endophytes did not influence tolerance to herbivory. These results suggest that endophytes directly change plant growth but not compensatory responses to damage. In the absence of competitors, infected plants produced 2.17× more biomass than uninfected plants, whereas in the presence of competitors, infected plants produced only 1.55× more biomass than uninfected plants. This difference suggests that intraspecific competition might lessen the benefits of endophyte infection. Our results do not support the defensive mutualism hypothesis, but instead suggest that endophyte-induced plant growth is important in shaping the costs and benefits of endophytes in our system.
Numerical model study on ice impact on Lake Superior outflow limit
Authors: Knack Ian , Shen Hung Tao , Huang Fengbin
Published: February 2015

Improved regulation of the wintertime flow from Lake Superior is needed to improve the balance of water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan–Huron to decrease the frequency of extreme levels without unduly affecting Lake Superior interest. The wintertime outflow limit is set as 2410 m3/s by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 1977-A as a result of ice jam flooding during the 1916–1917 winter. This paper presents a numerical model study on the ice conditions in the St. Marys River to assess the maximum allowable Lake Superior wintertime outflow. Freeze-up, frazil transport and accumulation, and breakup were simulated with a thermal-ice dynamic model. The highest potential for flooding exists during ice breakup and simulations were run to determine a safe discharge limit for the breakup period. Simulations indicated the winter flow limit may be increased to 2690 m3/s if flow regulation is managed with care to prevent premature ice cover breakup.
Derivation of the time dependent Gross–Pitaevskii equation with external fields
Authors: Pickl Peter
Published: February 2015

Using a new method [19], it is possible to derive mean field equations from the microscopic N body Schrödinger evolution of interacting particles without using BBGKY hierarchies. This method also allows for error estimates and can be generalized to systems with external fields, of which both points are relevant from a physics perspective.

Recently, this method was used to derive the Hartree equation for singular interactions [11] and the Gross–Pitaevskii equation without positivity condition on the interaction [17] where one had to restrict the scaling behavior of the interaction.

Assuming positivity of the interaction, this paper deals with more general scalings including the so-called Gross–Pitaevskii scaling.
An Adaptive Smoothing Method for Continuous Minimax Problems
Authors: Yin Hongxia
Published: February 2015

A simple and implementable two-loop smoothing method for semi-infinite minimax problem is given with the discretization parameter and the smoothing parameter being updated adaptively. We prove the global convergence of the algorithm when the steepest descent method or a BFGS type quasi-Newton method is applied to the smooth subproblems. The strategy for updating the smoothing parameter can not only guarantee the convergence of the algorithm but also considerably reduce the ill-conditioning caused by increasing the value of the smoothing parameter. Numerical tests show that the algorithm is robust and effective.
A Penalty-Free Method with Trust Region for Nonlinear Semidefinite Programming
Authors: Chen Zhongwen , Miao Shicai
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we propose a class of new penalty-free method, which does not use any penalty function or a filter, to solve nonlinear semidefinite programming (NSDP). So the choice of the penalty parameter and the storage of filter set are avoided. The new method adopts trust region framework to compute a trial step. The trial step is then either accepted or rejected based on the some acceptable criteria which depends on reductions attained in the nonlinear objective function and in the measure of constraint infeasibility. Under the suitable assumptions, we prove that the algorithm is well defined and globally convergent. Finally, the preliminary numerical results are reported.
Approximating the Optimal Algorithm for Online Scheduling Problems via Dynamic Programming
Authors: Chen Lin , Ye Deshi , Zhang Guochuan
Published: February 2015

Very recently Günther et al. [E. Günther, O. Maurer, N. Megow and A. Wiese (2013). A new approach to online scheduling: Approximating the optimal competitive ratio. In Proc. 24th Annual ACM-SIAM Symp. Discrete Algorithms (SODA).] initiate a new systematic way of studying online problems by introducing the competitive ratio approximation scheme (simplified as competitive schemes in this paper), which is a class of algorithms {Aϵ|ϵ > 0} with a competitive ratio at most ρ*(1 + ϵ), where ρ* is the best possible competitive ratio over all online algorithms. Along this line, Günther et al. [E. Günther, O. Maurer, N. Megow and A. Wiese (2013). A new approach to online scheduling: Approximating the optimal competitive ratio. In Proc. 24th Annual ACM-SIAM Symp. Discrete Algorithms (SODA).] provide competitive schemes for several online over time scheduling problems like Qm|rj, (pmtn)|∑wjcj, while the running times are polynomial if the number of machines is a constant. In this paper, we consider the classical online scheduling problems, where jobs arrive in a list. We present competitive schemes for Rm‖C max and [Formula: see text], where the running times are polynomial if the number of machines is a constant. Specifically, we are able to derive a competitive scheme for P‖C max which runs in polynomial time even if the number of machines is an input. Our method is novel and more efficient than that of Günther et al. [E. Günther, O. Maurer, N. Megow and A. Wiese (2013). A new approach to online scheduling: Approximating the optimal competitive ratio. In Proc. 24th Annual ACM-SIAM Symp. Discrete Algorithms (SODA).] Indeed, by utilizing the standard rounding technique for the off-line scheduling problems, we reformulate the online scheduling problem into a game on an infinite graph, through which we arrive at the following key point: Assuming that the best competitive ratio is ρ*, for any online algorithm there exists a list of a polynomial number of jobs showing that its competitive ratio is at least ρ* - O(ϵ). Interestingly such a result is achieved via a dynamic programming algorithm. Our framework is also applicable to other online problems.
Magnetic, structural and dc electrical resistivity studies on the divalent cobalt substituted Ni–Zn ferrite system
Authors: Siva Ram Prasad M. , Prasad B. B. V. S. V. , Rajesh Babu B.
Published: February 2015

Polycrystalline cobalt substituted Ni – Zn ferrite with composition Ni 0.65-x Co x Zn 0.35 Fe 2 O 4(x = 0.00–0.25 insteps of 0.05) have been prepared through the conventional solid state ceramic method. Calcination and sintering have been performed in air atmosphere at 950°C and 1250°C for 4 h and 2 h, respectively followed by natural cooling to room temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples indicated the formation of the single spinel structure and the accurate lattice parameter for each composition has been determined using the Nelson–Riley error function. The increase in lattice constant on cobalt substitution is attributed to the ionic radius difference between the displaced and the substituted ion. The variation in lattice constant on incorporation of Co 2+ ion indicates its solubility into the spinel lattice and noticeable modification in structural properties have been observed. The observed increase in the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature with the increase in the Co 2+ substitution is due to its higher magnetic moment compared to that of Ni 2+, improvement in the A–B exchange interaction mechanism and large positive contribution to magnetic anisotropy due to presence of Co 2+ when they are at the octahedral sites. The observed variation in the initial magnetic permeability and the magnetic loss factor with cobalt substitution measured at a low frequency of 1 KHz have been attributed to the modification in the density, porosity, grain size and anisotropy contributions. A nearly comparable variation is observed in the room temperature dc electrical resistivity and activation energy for conduction and is attributed to the modification in structure, role and nature of cobalt ions and the microstructure aspects like grain size and pore concentration. The activation energy values in the range of 0.28 to 0.36 eV suggest a possible electron hopping. The observed changes in the structural and the magnetic and electrical properties have all been discussed in the light of exiting understanding.
A virtual element method for the Steklov eigenvalue problem
Authors: Mora David , Rivera Gonzalo , Rodríguez Rodolfo
Published: February 2015

The aim of this paper is to develop a virtual element method for the two-dimensional Steklov eigenvalue problem. We propose a discretization by means of the virtual elements presented in [L. Beirão da Veiga et al., Basic principles of virtual element methods, Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci.23 (2013) 199–214]. Under standard assumptions on the computational domain, we establish that the resulting scheme provides a correct approximation of the spectrum and prove optimal-order error estimates for the eigenfunctions and a double order for the eigenvalues. We also prove higher-order error estimates for the computation of the eigensolutions on the boundary, which in some Steklov problems (computing sloshing modes, for instance) provides the quantity of main interest (the free surface of the liquid). Finally, we report some numerical tests supporting the theoretical results.
ncRNAclass: A Web Platform for Non-Coding RNA Feature Calculation and MicroRNAs and Targets Prediction
Authors: Karathanou Konstantina , Theofilatos Konstantinos , Kleftogiannis Dimitrios , Alexakos Christos , Likothanassis Spiros , Tsakalidis Athanasios , Mavroudi Seferina
Published: February 2015

According to the central dogma of Biology it was commonly accepted that most of the genetic information was transacted by proteins. Recent experimental techniques revealed that the majority of mammalian genomes and other complex organisms are in fact transcribed into non-coding RNAs. Typically, non-coding RNAs are small nucleotide sequences that are not transcribed into proteins and have a profound regulatory role. Present advances in computational biosciences linked their abnormal functionality to many diseases and re-stated the principles of basic therapeutic strategies. The effective identification of non-coding RNAs and their biological role emerges as a new and challenging bioinformatics problem. ncRNAclass ( http://biotools.ceid.upatras.gr/ncrnaclass/ ) is a web platform that allows for efficient computation of a set of features that can describe effectively the broad class of non-coding RNAs. Moreover, it enables the calculation of features that include information about the targeting behavior of miRNAs. The tool operates under a user-friendly interface and its pilot implementation incorporates prediction models for the well-known class of microRNAs and for prediction their mRNA targets. The prediction models are based on two novel evolutionary Machine Learning algorithms that achieve very high classification performance in comparison with existing methods. The platform is also equipped with a data warehouse, with manually curated sequences, that enables fast information retrieval and data mining utilities.
WETTING BEHAVIOR IN ULTRASONIC VIBRATION-ASSISTED BRAZING OF ALUMINUM TO GRAPHITE USING Sn-Ag-Ti ACTIVE SOLDER
Authors: YU WEI-YUAN , LIU SEN-HUI , LIU XIN-YA , SHAO JIA-LIN , LIU MIN-PEN
Published: February 2015

In this study, Sn - Ag - Ti ternary alloy has been used as the active solder to braze pure aluminum and graphite in atmospheric conditions using ultrasonic vibration as an aid. The authors studied the formation, composition and decomposition temperature of the surface oxides of the active solder under atmospheric conditions. In addition, the wettability of Sn -5 Ag -8 Ti active solder on the surface of pure aluminum and graphite has also been studied. The results showed that the major components presented in the surface oxides formed on the Sn -5 Ag -8 Ti active solder under ambient conditions are TiO , TiO 2, Ti 2 O 3, Ti 3 O 5 and SnO 2. Apart from AgO and Ag 2 O 2, which can be decomposed at the brazing temperature (773 K), other oxides will not be decomposed. The oxide layer comprises composite oxides and it forms a compact layer with a certain thickness to enclose the melted solder, which will prevent the liquid solder from wetting the base metals at the brazing temperature. After ultrasonic vibration, the oxide layer was destroyed and the liquid solder was able to wet and spread out around the base materials. Furthermore, better wettability of the active solder was observed on the surface of graphite and pure aluminum at the brazing temperature of 773–823 K using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic wave acts as the dominant driving factor which promotes the wetting and spreading of the liquid solder on the surface of graphite and aluminum to achieve a stable and reliable brazed joint.
The well-posedness theory for Euler–Poisson fluids with non-zero heat conduction
Authors: Xu Jiang
Published: February 2015

This paper is devoted to the Euler–Poisson equations for fluids with non-zero heat conduction, arising in semiconductor science. Due to the thermal effect of the temperature equation, the local well-posedness theory by Xu and Kawashima (2014) for generally symmetric hyperbolic systems in spatially critical Besov spaces does not directly apply. To deal with this difficulty, we develop a generalized version of the Moser-type inequality by using Bony's decomposition. With a standard iteration argument, we then establish the local well-posedness of classical solutions to the Cauchy problem for intial data in spatially Besov spaces.
Formation of time patterns in a diffusive plant–herbivore system with toxin-determined functional response
Authors: Zhang Cun-Hua , Yan Xiang-Ping
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we consider a diffusive plant–herbivore system with the toxin-determined functional response and subject to the homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions on the bounded one-dimensional spatial domain. The impacts of diffusion on the dynamical behaviors are investigated and it is found that although the appearance of diffusion does not affect the stability of constant steady states, it can lead to the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation of spatially inhomogeneous periodic solutions at the constant positive steady state. The conclusions show that the occurrence of spatial diffusion can induce more complex dynamical behaviors.
Fiscal Implications of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Expansion in India: A Resource Cost Approach
Authors: Tantri Malini L.
Published: February 2015

This paper analyzes the fiscal implications of special economic zones (SEZs) on the government exchequer. The analysis is based on aggregating data collected from seven conventional SEZs and taking 1990–1991 to 2007–2008 as the reference period. The exercise reveals that the government has spent huge sums of money to play the role of a trade facilitator and has, in the process, lost considerable revenue as a fiscal manager. This, in turn, has affected both revenue and capital expenditure of the government's budget. Given the magnitude of these costs, one cannot but raise questions about the actual contributions of these enclaves to the national fiscal health and the feasibility of relentlessly adopting measures that seeks to promote these zones across the nation.
Two-dimensional finite difference model to study temperature distribution in SST regions of human limbs immediately after physical exercise in cold climate
Authors: Kumari Babita , Adlakha Neeru
Published: February 2015

Thermoregulation is a complex mechanism regulating heat production within the body (chemical thermoregulation) and heat exchange between the body and the environment (physical thermoregulation) in such a way that the heat exchange is balanced and deep body temperatures are relatively stable. The external heat transfer mechanisms are radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation. The physical activity causes thermal stress and poses challenges for this thermoregulation. In this paper, a model has been developed to study temperature distribution in SST regions of human limbs immediately after physical exercise under cold climate. It is assumed that the subject is doing exercise initially and comes to rest at time t = 0. The human limb is assumed to be of cylindrical shape. The peripheral region of limb is divided into three natural components namely epidermis, dermis and subdermal tissues (SST). Appropriate boundary conditions have been framed based on the physical conditions of the problem. Finite difference has been employed for time, radial and angular variables. The numerical results have been used to obtain temperature profiles in the SST region immediately after continuous exercise for a two-dimensional unsteady state case. The results have been used to analyze the thermal stress in relation to light, moderate and vigorous intensity exercise.
Parameter estimation approach for particle flow model of rockfill materials using response surface method
Authors: Li Shouju , Li De , Cao Lijuan , Shangguan Zichang
Published: February 2015

Particle flow code (PFC) is widely used to model deformation and stress states of rockfill materials. The accuracy of numerical modeling with PFC is dependent upon the model parameter values. How to accurately determine model parameters remains one of the main challenges. In order to determine model parameters of particle flow model of rockfill materials, some triaxial compression experiments are performed, and the inversion procedure of model parameters based on response surface method is proposed. Parameters of particle flow model of rockfill materials are determined according to the observed data in triaxial compression tests for rockfill materials. The investigation shows that the normal stiffness, tangent stiffness and friction coefficient of rockfill materials will slightly increase with increase of confining pressure in triaxial compression tests. The experiments in laboratory show that the proposed inversion procedure behaves higher computing efficiency and the forecasted stress–strain relations agree well with observed values.
Permeability and thermal cracking at pressure in Sioux Quartzite
Authors: Siddiqi Gunter , Evans Brian
Published: February 2015

We heated specimens of Sioux Quartzite to 683, 783 and 830 K at confining pressures (
P
c
) of 0.1, 100 and 200 MPa. Following the heat treatments, we measured the permeability under confining pressures that varied from 170 MPa to 60 MPa, with pore-fluid pressures of 10, 16 or 22 MPa, resulting in tests having effective pressures ranging from 36 to 160 MPa. When measured under those effective pressures, the permeability of samples with microstructures formed by cracking at 683–830 K and atmospheric pressure increased by a factor of 3–4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that thermal cracking increases the number of long, narrow cracks, qualitatively explaining the increased sensitivity of permeability to low effective pressure. Fracture mechanics models suggest that confining pressures lower the stress intensity factors to well below the critical value for crack propagation, and the absence of many long cracks is consistent with that prediction. At
P
c
=200 MPa, thermal cracking during the heat treatment is suppressed. Although the heating experiments were performed on nominally dry samples, in samples heated at the highest temperatures SEM revealed microstructural features that are similar to those seen in crack healing experiments.
Role of PGC-1α during acute exercise-induced autophagy and mitophagy in skeletal muscle
Authors: Vainshtein Anna , Tryon Liam D. , Pauly Marion , Hood David A.
Published: February 2015

Regular exercise leads to systemic metabolic benefits, which require remodeling of energy resources in skeletal muscle. During acute exercise, the increase in energy demands initiate mitochondrial biogenesis, orchestrated by the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Much less is known about the degradation of mitochondria following exercise, although new evidence implicates a cellular recycling mechanism, autophagy/mitophagy, in exercise-induced adaptations. How mitophagy is activated and what role PGC-1α plays in this process during exercise have yet to be evaluated. Thus we investigated autophagy/mitophagy in muscle immediately following an acute bout of exercise or 90 min following exercise in wild-type (WT) and PGC-1α knockout (KO) animals. Deletion of PGC-1α resulted in a 40% decrease in mitochondrial content, as well as a 25% decline in running performance, which was accompanied by severe acidosis in KO animals, indicating metabolic distress. Exercise induced significant increases in gene transcripts of various mitochondrial (e.g., cytochrome oxidase subunit IV and mitochondrial transcription factor A) and autophagy-related (e.g., p62 and light chain 3) genes in WT, but not KO, animals. Exercise also resulted in enhanced targeting of mitochondria for mitophagy, as well as increased autophagy and mitophagy flux, in WT animals. This effect was attenuated in the absence of PGC-1α. We also identified Niemann-Pick C1, a transmembrane protein involved in lysosomal lipid trafficking, as a target of PGC-1α that is induced with exercise. These results suggest that mitochondrial turnover is increased following exercise and that this effect is at least in part coordinated by PGC-1α.

Anna Vainshtein received the AJP-Cell 2015 Paper of the Year award. Listen to a podcast with Anna Vainshtein and coauthor David A. Hood at http://ajpcell.podbean.com/e/ajp-cell-paper-of-the-year-2015-award-podcast/ .
A microscopic view on the renal endothelial glycocalyx
Authors: Dane Martijn J. C. , van den Berg Bernard M. , Lee Dae Hyun , Boels Margien G. S. , Tiemeier Gesa L. , Avramut M. Cristina , van Zonneveld Anton Jan , van der Vlag Johan , Vink Hans , Rabelink Ton J.
Published: February 2015

Endothelial cells perform key homeostatic functions such as regulating blood flow, permeability, and aiding immune surveillance for pathogens. While endothelial activation serves normal physiological adaptation, maladaptation of these endothelial functions has been identified as an important effector mechanism in the progression of renal disease as well as the associated development of cardiovascular disease. The primary interface between blood and the endothelium is the glycocalyx. This carbohydrate-rich gel-like structure with its associated proteins mediates most of the regulatory functions of the endothelium. Because the endothelial glycocalyx is a highly dynamic and fragile structure ex vivo, and traditional tissue processing for staining and perfusion-fixation usually results in a partial or complete loss of the glycocalyx, studying its dimensions and function has proven to be challenging. In this review, we will outline the core functions of the glycocalyx and focus on different techniques to study structure-function relationships in kidney and vasculature.
M-wave potentiation after voluntary contractions of different durations and intensities in the tibialis anterior
Authors: Rodriguez-Falces Javier , Duchateau Jacques , Muraoka Yoshiho , Baudry Stéphane
Published: February 2015

The study was undertaken to provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the potentiation of the muscle compound action potential (M wave) after conditioning contractions. M waves were evoked in the tibialis anterior before and after isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of 1, 3, 6, 10, 30, and 60 s, and after 3-s contractions at 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100% MVC. The amplitude, duration, and area of the first and second phases of the M wave, together with the median frequency (Fmedian) and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) were recorded. Furthermore, twitch force, muscle fascicle length, and pennation angle were measured at rest, before, and 1 s after the conditioning contractions. The results indicate that only the amplitude of the second phase of the M wave was significantly increased after conditioning contractions. The extent of this potentiation was similar for MVC durations ranging from 1 to 10 s and augmented progressively with contraction intensity from 30 to 70% MVC. After these conditioning contractions, the duration and area of the two M-wave phases decreased ( P < 0.05), whereas MFCV and Fmedian increased ( P < 0.05). For all of these parameters, the greatest changes occurred 1 s after the conditioning contraction. Changes in MFCV after the contractions were correlated with those in M-wave second-phase amplitude ( r2 = 0.42; P < 0.05) and Fmedian ( r2 = 0.53; P < 0.05). In contrast, fascicle length and pennation angle did not change after the conditioning contractions. It is concluded that the potentiation of the second phase of the M wave is mainly due to an increased MFCV.
Effects of robotically modulating kinematic variability on motor skill learning and motivation
Authors: Duarte Jaime E. , Reinkensmeyer David J.
Published: February 2015

It is unclear how the variability of kinematic errors experienced during motor training affects skill retention and motivation. We used force fields produced by a haptic robot to modulate the kinematic errors of 30 healthy adults during a period of practice in a virtual simulation of golf putting. On day 1, participants became relatively skilled at putting to a near and far target by first practicing without force fields. On day 2, they warmed up at the task without force fields, then practiced with force fields that either reduced or augmented their kinematic errors and were finally assessed without the force fields active. On day 3, they returned for a long-term assessment, again without force fields. A control group practiced without force fields. We quantified motor skill as the variability in impact velocity at which participants putted the ball. We quantified motivation using a self-reported, standardized scale. Only individuals who were initially less skilled benefited from training; for these people, practicing with reduced kinematic variability improved skill more than practicing in the control condition. This reduced kinematic variability also improved self-reports of competence and satisfaction. Practice with increased kinematic variability worsened these self-reports as well as enjoyment. These negative motivational effects persisted on day 3 in a way that was uncorrelated with actual skill. In summary, robotically reducing kinematic errors in a golf putting training session improved putting skill more for less skilled putters. Robotically increasing kinematic errors had no performance effect, but decreased motivation in a persistent way.
Effects of spinal cord injury-induced changes in muscle activation on foot drag in a computational rat ankle model
Authors: Hillen Brian K. , Jindrich Devin L. , Abbas James J. , Yamaguchi Gary T. , Jung Ranu
Published: February 2015

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to changes in muscle activation patterns and atrophy of affected muscles. Moderate levels of SCI are typically associated with foot drag during the swing phase of locomotion. Foot drag is often used to assess locomotor recovery, but the causes remain unclear. We hypothesized that foot drag results from inappropriate muscle coordination preventing flexion at the stance-to-swing transition. To test this hypothesis and to assess the relative contributions of neural and muscular changes on foot drag, we developed a two-dimensional, one degree of freedom ankle musculoskeletal model with gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. Anatomical data collected from sham-injured and incomplete SCI (iSCI) female Long-Evans rats as well as physiological data from the literature were used to implement an open-loop muscle dynamics model. Muscle insertion point motion was calculated with imposed ankle trajectories from kinematic analysis of treadmill walking in sham-injured and iSCI animals. Relative gastrocnemius deactivation and tibialis anterior activation onset times were varied within physiologically relevant ranges based on simplified locomotor electromyogram profiles. No-atrophy and moderate muscle atrophy as well as normal and injured muscle activation profiles were also simulated. Positive moments coinciding with the transition from stance to swing phase were defined as foot swing and negative moments as foot drag. Whereas decreases in activation delay caused by delayed gastrocnemius deactivation promote foot drag, all other changes associated with iSCI facilitate foot swing. Our results suggest that even small changes in the ability to precisely deactivate the gastrocnemius could result in foot drag after iSCI.
Modulation of cerebello-cerebral resting state networks by site-specific stimulation
Authors: Rastogi Anuj , Ghahremani Ayda , Cash Robin
Published: February 2015

Converging evidence from neuroimaging and neuromodulation literature suggests that the cerebellum plays a broad role in motor as well as cognitive processes through its participation in resting-state networks. A recent study by Halko et al. ( J Neurosci 34: 12049–12056, 2014) demonstrates, for the first time, the ability to modulate functional connectivity of some of these distinct resting-state networks using site-specific repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the cerebellum. In this Neuro Forum, we discuss and critically analyze this study, emphasizing important findings, potential therapeutic relevance, and areas worthy of further inquiry.
Subcortical functional reorganization due to early blindness
Authors: Coullon Gaelle S. L. , Jiang Fang , Fine Ione , Watkins Kate E. , Bridge Holly
Published: February 2015

Lack of visual input early in life results in occipital cortical responses to auditory and tactile stimuli. However, it remains unclear whether cross-modal plasticity also occurs in subcortical pathways. With the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging, auditory responses were compared across individuals with congenital anophthalmia (absence of eyes), those with early onset (in the first few years of life) blindness, and normally sighted individuals. We find that the superior colliculus, a “visual” subcortical structure, is recruited by the auditory system in congenital and early onset blindness. Additionally, auditory subcortical responses to monaural stimuli were altered as a result of blindness. Specifically, responses in the auditory thalamus were equally strong to contralateral and ipsilateral stimulation in both groups of blind subjects, whereas sighted controls showed stronger responses to contralateral stimulation. These findings suggest that early blindness results in substantial reorganization of subcortical auditory responses.
A Cooperative Mobile Satellite Communication System with the Dynamic Space-Time Coding
Authors: Wang Gengrun , Zhang Bangning , Pan Kegang , Liu Aijun , Guo Daoxing
Published: February 2015

Channels of mobile satellite communications are affected by multipath fading and shadowing attenuation. At the same time, diversity gains are believed to improve the transmission reliability in fading channels. Considering that the traditional Space-Time Coding (STC) is not suitable for the cooperative mobile satellite communication, in this paper, a new cooperative mobile satellite communication system is proposed based on the Dynamic Space-Time Coding (D-STC). The transmitting energy of the proposed scheme is saved by avoiding forwarding erroneous signals in cooperative users. Meanwhile, this system benefits from diversity gains and the transmission is robust. Additionally, a closed-form expression of the outage probability for the proposed scheme is derived, and then it is demonstrated that this scheme is much better than the existing noncooperative scheme and schemes with traditional STCs in the outage performance. Finally, the analytical result is supported and validated by numerical simulations.
Microcurrent Stimulation at Shenmen Acupoint Facilitates EEG Associated with Sleepiness and Positive Mood: A Randomized Controlled Electrophysiological Study
Authors: Cheung Mei-chun , Chan Agnes S. , Yip Joanne
Published: February 2015

To examine the electrophysiological effects of microcurrent stimulation at the Shenmen acupoint, 40 healthy normal subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo group (sham stimulation) and an experimental group (bilateral electrocutaneous stimulation at the Shenmen). The following two electroencephalographic indicators were used to measure brain activity. (1) Arousal level was measured with reference to log-transformed absolute alpha power and power source and analyzed using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography and (2) frontal alpha asymmetry was used as an indicator of mood. After real stimulation for 10 minutes, absolute alpha power was globally reduced in the experimental group, particularly in the anterior and centrotemporal regions of the brain. This indicates a decline in the brain activity associated with arousal. Moreover, the reduction was more prominent in the left frontal region, as compared to the right frontal region, resulting in significant increase from negative to positive frontal alpha asymmetry scores and reflecting an increase in the brain activity associated with enhanced mood. However, the placebo group exhibited no significant changes in two indicators after sham stimulation. This study provides initial electrophysiological evidence of changes in brain activity associated with reduced arousal (and thus greater sleepiness) and enhanced mood after microcurrent stimulation at the Shenmen acupoint.
Gastric Collision Tumors: An Insight into Their Origin and Clinical Significance
Authors: Michalinos Adamantios , Constantinidou Anastasia , Kontos Michael
Published: February 2015

Collision tumors are rare neoplasms displaying two distinct cell populations developing in juxtaposition to one another without areas of intermingling. They are rare entities with only 63 cases described in English literature. Tumors encountered are gastric adenocarcinomas colliding with lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, squamous cell carcinomas, and neuroendocrine tumors. Their cell origin is obsolete by the time of diagnosis. Different tumorigenesis theories have been suggested to explain their behavior, yet none has managed to provide satisfactory explanation for all cases. Clinically they are indistinguishable from the dominant tumor. Lack of data does not allow detailed assessment of their behavior yet they seem aggressive neoplasms with dismal prognosis. The majority of cases have been diagnosed postoperatively during histologic examination of specimens. There are no guidelines or concrete evidence to support best way of adjuvant or other types of treatment. However, these rare neoplasms might help in unlocking secrets of cancer behavior including tumorigenesis, differentiation, and adhesion and thus clinicians should be aware of their existence.
Suppression of Inflammation and Arthritis by Orally Administrated Cardiotoxin fromNaja naja atra
Authors: Chen Cao-Xin , Chen Jie-Yu , Kou Jian-Qun , Xu Yin-Li , Wang Shu-Zhi , Zhu Qi , Yang Lu , Qin Zheng-Hong
Published: February 2015

Cardiotoxin (CTX) fromNaja naja atravenom (NNAV) reportedly had analgesic effect in animal models but its role in inflammation and arthritis was unknown. In this study, we investigated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiarthritic actions of orally administered CTX-IV isolated from NNAV on rodent models of inflammation and adjuvant arthritis. CTX had significant anti-inflammatory effects in models of egg white induced nonspecific inflammation, filter paper induced rat granuloma formation, and capillary osmosis tests. CTX significantly reduced the swelling of paw induced by egg white, the inflammatory exudation, and the formation of granulomas. CTX reduced the swelling of paw, the AA clinical scores, and pathological alterations of joint. CTX significantly decreased the number of the CD4 T cells and inhibited the expression of relevant proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-6. CTX significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and reduced the level of p-STAT3 in FLS. These results suggest that CTX inhibits inflammation and inflammatory pain and adjuvant-induced arthritis. CTX may be a novel therapeutic drug for treatment of arthritis.
Intralipid Therapy for Inadvertent Peripheral Nervous System Blockade Resulting from Local Anesthetic Overdose
Authors: Kamel Ihab , Trehan Gaurav , Barnette Rodger
Published: February 2015

Although local anesthetics have an acceptable safety profile, significant morbidity and mortality have been associated with their use. Inadvertent intravascular injection of local anesthetics and/or the use of excessive doses have been the most frequent causes of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). Furthermore, excessive doses of local anesthetics injected locally into the tissues may lead to inadvertent peripheral nerve infiltration and blockade. Successful treatment of LAST with intralipid has been reported. We describe a case of local anesthetic overdose that resulted in LAST and in unintentional blockade of peripheral nerves of the lower extremity; both effects completely resolved with administration of intralipid.
Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities ofCola nitidaBark
Authors: Dah-Nouvlessounon Durand , Adoukonou-Sagbadja Hubert , Diarrassouba Nafan , Sina Haziz , Adjanohoun Adolphe , Inoussa Mariam , Akakpo Donald , Gbenou Joachim D. , Kotchoni Simeon O. , Dicko Mamoudou H. , Baba-Moussa Lamine
Published: February 2015

Kola nut is chewed in many West African cultures and is used ceremonially. The aim of this study is to investigate some biological effects ofCola nitida’s bark after phytochemical screening. The bark was collected, dried, and then powdered for the phytochemical screening and extractions. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts ofC. nitidawere used in this study. The antibacterial activity was tested on ten reference strains and 28 meat isolatedStaphylococcusstrains by disc diffusion method. The antifungal activity of three fungal strains was determined on the Potato-Dextrose Agar medium mixed with the appropriate extract. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS methods. Our data revealed the presence of various potent phytochemicals. For the reference and meat isolated strains, the inhibitory diameter zone was from17.5±0.7 mm (C. albicans) to9.5±0.7 mm (P. vulgaris). The MIC ranged from 0.312 mg/mL to 5.000 mg/mL and the MBC from 0.625 mg/mL to >20 mg/mL. The highest antifungal activity was observed withF. verticillioidesand the lowest one withP. citrinum. The two extracts have an excellent reducing free radical activity. The killing effect ofA. salinalarvae was perceptible at 1.04 mg/mL. The purified extracts ofCola nitida’s bark can be used to hold meat products and also like phytomedicine.