bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fission Product Release Under Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor Conditions
Authors: Guzonas D. , Qiu L. , Livingstone S. , Rousseau S.
Published: February 2016

Most supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) concepts being considered as part of the Generation IV initiative are direct cycle. In the event of a fuel defect, the coolant will contact the fuel pellet, potentially releasing fission products and actinides into the coolant and transporting them to the turbines. At the high pressure (25 MPa) in an SCWR, the coolant does not undergo a phase change as it passes through the critical temperature in the core, and nongaseous species may be transported out of the core and deposited on out-of-core components, leading to increased worker dose. It is therefore important to identify species with a high risk of release and develop models of their transport and deposition behavior. This paper presents the results of preliminary leaching tests in SCW of U-Th simulated fuel pellets prepared from natural U and Th containing representative concentrations of the (inactive) oxides of fission products corresponding to a fuel burnup of 60  GWd/ton. The results show that Sr and Ba are released at relatively high concentrations at 400°C and 500°C.
Application of Thermal Hydraulic and Severe Accident Code SOCRAT/V3 to Bottom Water Reflood Experiment QUENCH-LOCA-1
Authors: Vasiliev Alexander , Stuckert Juri
Published: February 2016

This study aims to (1) use the thermal hydraulic and severe fuel damage (SFD) best-estimate computer modeling code SOCRAT/V3 for post-test calculation of QUENCH-LOCA-1 experiment and (2) estimate the SOCRAT code quality of modeling. The new QUENCH-LOCA bundle tests with different cladding materials will simulate a representative scenario for a loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) nuclear power plant (NPP) accident sequence in which the overheated (up to 1050°C) reactor core would be reflooded from the bottom by the emergency core cooling system (ECCS). The test QUENCH-LOCA-1 was successfully performed at the KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany, on February 2, 2012, and was the first test for this series after the commissioning test QUENCH-LOCA-0 conducted earlier. The SOCRAT/V3-calculated results describing thermal hydraulic, hydrogen generation, and thermomechanical behavior including rods ballooning and burst are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. The results demonstrate the SOCRAT code’s ability for realistic calculation of complicated LOCA scenarios.
A Blind, Numerical Benchmark Study on Supercritical Water Heat Transfer Experiments in a 7-Rod Bundle
Authors: Rohde M. , Peeters J. W. R. , Pucciarelli A. , Kiss A. , Rao Y. F. , Onder E. N. , Muehlbauer P. , Batta A. , Hartig M. , Chatoorgoon V. , Thiele R. , Chang D. , Tavoularis S. , Novog D. , McClure D. , Gradecka M. , Takase K.
Published: February 2016

Heat transfer in supercritical water reactors (SCWRs) shows a complex behavior, especially when the temperatures of the water are near the pseudocritical value. For example, a significant deterioration of heat transfer may occur, resulting in unacceptably high cladding temperatures. The underlying physics and thermodynamics behind this behavior are not well understood yet. To assist the worldwide development in SCWRs, it is therefore of paramount importance to assess the limits and capabilities of currently available models, despite the fact that most of these models were not meant to describe supercritical heat transfer (SCHT). For this reason, the Gen-IV International Forum initiated the present blind, numerical benchmark, primarily aiming to show the predictive ability of currently available models when applied to a real-life application with flow conditions that resemble those of an SCWR. This paper describes the outcomes of ten independent numerical investigations and their comparison with wall temperatures measured at different positions in a 7-rod bundle with spacer grids in a supercritical water test facility at JAEA. The wall temperatures were not known beforehand to guarantee the blindness of the study. A number of models have been used, ranging from a one-dimensional (1-D) analytical approach with heat transfer correlations to a RANS simulation with the SST turbulence model on a mesh consisting of 62 million cells. None of the numerical simulations accurately predicted the wall temperature for the test case in which deterioration of heat transfer occurred. Furthermore, the predictive capabilities of the subchannel analysis were found to be comparable to those of more laborious approaches. It has been concluded that predictions of SCHT in rod bundles with the help of currently available numerical tools and models should be treated with caution.
Improvement of Sprint Triathlon Performance in Trained Athletes With Positive Swim Pacing
Authors: Wu Sam S.X. , Peiffer Jeremiah J. , Peeling Peter , Brisswalter Jeanick , Lau Wing Y. , Nosaka Kazunori , Abbiss Chris R.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of 3 swim-pacing profiles on subsequent performance during a sprint-distance triathlon (SDT).

Methods:

Nine competitive/trained male triathletes completed 5 experimental sessions including a graded running exhaustion test, a 750-m swim time trial (STT), and 3 SDTs. The swim times of the 3 SDTs were matched, but pacing was manipulated to induce positive (ie, speed gradually decreasing from 92% to 73% STT), negative (ie, speed gradually increasing from 73% to 92% STT), or even pacing (constant 82.5% STT). The remaining disciplines were completed at a self-selected maximal pace. Speed over the entire triathlon, power output during the cycle discipline, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for each discipline, and heart rate during the cycle and run were determined.

Results:

Faster cycle and overall triathlon times were achieved with positive swim pacing (30.5 ± 1.8 and 65.9 ± 4.0 min, respectively), as compared with the even (31.4 ± 1.0 min, P = .018 and 67.7 ± 3.9 min, P = .034, effect size [ES] = 0.46, respectively) and negative (31.8 ± 1.6 min, P = .011 and 67.3 ± 3.7 min, P = .041, ES = 0.36, respectively) pacing. Positive swim pacing elicited a lower RPE (9 ± 2) than negative swim pacing (11 ± 2, P = .014). No differences were observed in the other measured variables.

Conclusions:

A positive swim pacing may improve overall SDT performance and should be considered by both elite and age-group athletes during racing.
Strong Correlation of Upper-Extremity Blood-Flow Volume With Grip Strength While in a Provocative Shoulder Position in Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Laudner Kevin , Vazquez Jose , Selkow Noelle , Meister Keith
Published: February 2016

Context:

Baseball players, specifically pitchers, with symptomatic neurovascular occlusion often initially complain of arm fatigue and loss of ball control and velocity. As the compression continues complaints may manifest in dull pain, paresthesia, and decreased grip strength.

Objective:

To determine the correlation between upper-extremity blood-flow volume and grip strength among baseball pitchers.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Athletic training room.

Participants:

66 professional baseball pitchers (age 21.6 ± 2.0 y, height 186.9 ± 5.7 cm, mass 91.3 ± 10.9 kg) before the start of spring training.

Main Outcome Measures:

Diagnostic ultrasound was used to measure upper-extremity blood-flow volume with the throwing shoulder in a resting position and in a provocative position. Grip strength was measured with participants seated and their throwing-arm elbow flexed to 90°. Pearson product–moment correlation coefficients were used to determine the strength of the relationships between blood-flow volume in the 2 arm positions and grip strength (P < .05).

Results:

No significant relationship was found between blood-flow volume in the resting position and grip strength (r = .03, P = .81); however, a strong positive correlation was found in the 2nd provocative position (r = .67, P = .001). This relationship indicates that as blood-flow volume tested in a provocative shoulder position decreases, so does grip strength.

Conclusion:

A strong positive relationship was found in pitchers, demonstrating that as upper-extremity blood-flow volume while in the provocative shoulder position decreases, so does grip strength.
Qualitative critical incident study of patients’ experiences leading to emergency hospital admission with advanced respiratory illness
Authors: Karasouli Eleni , Munday Daniel , Bailey Cara , Staniszewska Sophie , Hewison Alistair , Griffiths Frances
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The high volume of emergency admissions to hospital is a challenge for health systems internationally. Patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently admitted to hospital as emergency cases. While the frequency of emergency admission has been investigated, few studies report patient experiences, particularly in relation to the decision-making process prior to emergency admission. We sought to explore patient and carer experiences and those of their healthcare professionals in the period leading up to emergency admission to hospital.

Setting

3 UK hospitals located in different urban and rural settings.

Design

Qualitative critical incident study.

Participants

24 patients with advanced lung cancer and 15 with advanced COPD admitted to hospital as emergencies, 20 of their carers and 50 of the health professionals involved in the patients’ care.

Results

The analysis of patient, carer and professionals’ interviews revealed a detailed picture of the complex processes involved leading to emergency admission to hospital. 3 phases were apparent in this period: self-management of deteriorating symptoms, negotiated decision-making and letting go. These were dynamic processes, characterised by an often rapidly changing clinical condition, uncertainty and anxiety. Patients considered their options drawing on experience, current and earlier advice. Patients tried to avoid admission, reluctantly accepting it, albeit often with a sense of relief, as anxiety increased with worsening symptoms.

Conclusions

Patients with advanced respiratory illness, and their carers, try to avoid emergency admission, and use logical and complex decision-making before reluctantly accepting it. Clinicians and policy-makers need to understand this complex process when considering how to reduce emergency hospital admissions rather than focusing on identifying and labelling admissions as ‘inappropriate’.
Neuroendocrine tumours in rare sites: differences in nomenclature and diagnostics—a rare and ubiquitous histotype
Authors: Guadagno Elia , De Rosa Gaetano , Del Basso De Caro Marialaura
Published: February 2016

The diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours in typical sites, as gastrointestinal tract and lung, is based upon well-coded criteria that have become familiar to most of the pathologists. Much more difficult is the recognition and allocation of proper nomenclature to be referred to the same histotype in locations where these tumours have a lower incidence. The aim of our review was to provide a quick handbook of the main diagnostic pitfalls known in literature that can interpose in the histopathological examination of neuroendocrine tumours in rare sites (urinary system and male genital organs, female genital organs, head and neck and breast).
Comparison of energy supplements during prolonged exercise for maintenance of cardiac function: carbohydrate only versus carbohydrate plus whey or casein hydrolysate
Authors: Oosthuyse Tanja , Millen Aletta M.E.
Published: February 2016

Cardiac function is often suppressed following prolonged strenuous exercise and this may occur partly because of an energy deficit. This study compared left ventricular (LV) function by 2-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) before and after ∼2.5 h of cycling (2-h steady-state 60% peak aerobic power output plus 16 km time trial) in 8 male cyclists when they ingested either placebo, carbohydrate-only (CHO-only), carbohydrate-casein hydrolysate (CHO-casein), or carbohydrate-whey hydrolysate (CHO-whey). No treatment-by-time interactions occurred, but pre-to-postexercise time effects occurred selectively. Although diastolic function measured by pulsed-wave Doppler early-to-late (E/A) transmitral blood flow velocity was suppressed in all trials from pre- to postexercise (mean change post-pre exercise: −0.53 (95% CI −0.15 to −0.91)), TDI early-to-late (e′/a′) tissue velocity was significantly suppressed pre- to postexercise only with placebo, CHO-only, and CHO-whey (septal and lateral wall e′/a′ average change: −0.62 (95% CI −1.12 to −0.12); −0.69 (95% CI −1.19 to −0.20); and −0.79 (95% CI −1.28 to −0.29), respectively) but not with CHO-casein (−0.40 (95% CI −0.90 to 0.09)). LV contractility was, or tended to be, significantly reduced pre- to postexercise with placebo, CHO-only, and CHO-whey (systolic blood pressure/end systolic volume change, mm Hg·mL−1: −0.8 (95% CI −1.2 to −0.4), p = 0.0003; −0.5 (95% CI −0.9 to −0.02), p = 0.035; and −0.4 (95% CI −0.8 to 0.04), p = 0.086, respectively), but not with CHO-casein (−0.3 (95% CI −0.8 to 0.1), p = 0.22). However, ejection fraction (EF) and ventricular-arterial coupling were significantly reduced pre- to postexercise only with placebo (placebo change: EF, −4.6 (95% CI −8.4 to −0.7)%; stroke volume/end systolic volume, −0.3 (95% CI −0.6 to −0.04)). Despite no treatment-by-time interactions, pre-to-postexercise time effects observed with specific beverages may be meaningful for athletes. Tentatively, the order of beverages with least-to-most variables displaying a time effect indicating suppression of LV function following exercise was CHO-casein < CHO-only and CHO-whey < placebo, and calls for further verification.
The dynamics of methionine supply and demand during early development
Authors: McBreairty Laura E. , Bertolo Robert F.
Published: February 2016

Methionine is an indispensable amino acid that, when not incorporated into protein, is converted into the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine as entry into the methionine cycle. Following transmethylation, homocysteine is either remethylated to reform methionine or irreversibly trans-sulfurated to form cysteine. Methionine flux to transmethylation and to protein synthesis are both high in the neonate and this review focuses on the dynamics of methionine supply and demand during early development, when growth requires expansion of pools of protein and transmethylation products such as creatine and phosphatidylcholine (PC). The nutrients folate and betaine (derived from choline) donate a methyl group during remethylation, providing an endogenous supply of methionine to meet the methionine demand. During early development, variability in the dietary supply of these methionine cycle-related nutrients can affect both the supply and the demand of methionine. For example, a greater need for creatine synthesis can limit methionine availability for protein and PC synthesis, whereas increased availability of remethylation nutrients can increase protein synthesis if dietary methionine is limiting. Moreover, changes to methyl group availability early in life can lead to permanent changes in epigenetic patterns of DNA methylation, which have been implicated in the early origins of adult disease phenomena. This review aims to summarize how changes in methyl supply and demand can affect the availability of methionine for various functions and highlights the importance of variability in methionine-related nutrients in the infant diet.
Ultrastructural effects of Helminthosporium maydis race T toxin on isolated corn mitochondria and mitochondria within corn protoplasts
Authors: York D. W. , Earle E. D. , Gracen V. E.
Published: February 2016

Mitochondria isolated from Texas male-sterile cytoplasm (T) corn roots and mitochondria within T protoplasts showed similar ultrastructural changes after treatment with Helminthosporium (Bipolaris) maydis race T (HmT) toxin. These changes included loss of matrix density, disruption of cristae, and swelling. Damage was observed in isolated T mitochondria after 1-min treatments and in mitochondria within T protoplasts after 5-min treatments. At low toxin concentrations or short treatment times, some mitochondria in isolated preparations and in individual protoplasts were altered whereas others were not. With increases in treatment time or toxin concentrations, all mitochondria were damaged. N cytoplasm mitochondria were unaffected by much higher toxin concentrations and longer treatment times. No ultrastructural effects of HmT toxin on other cytoplasmic components were observed, indicating that mitochondria are structurally affected before other cellular sites. The results support the hypothesis that mitochondria are the primary site of HmT toxin damage in living cells.
Temporal variation in habitat use, co-occurrence, and risk among generalist predators and a shared prey
Authors: Bastille-Rousseau Guillaume , Rayl Nathaniel D. , Ellington E. Hance , Schaefer James A. , Peers Michael J.L. , Mumma Matthew A. , Mahoney Shane P. , Murray Dennis L.
Published: February 2016

Generalist predators typically have broad diets, but their diets may become constrained when one species of prey becomes disproportionately available. Yet there is poor understanding regarding whether generalist predators exhibit stereotypic relationships with pulsed prey resources. We used telemetry data from 959 woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788); 146 adult females, 813 calves), 61 coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823), and 55 black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) to investigate how two generalist predators interacted with caribou neonates on the island of Newfoundland. We examined the similarity of patterns of habitat use between caribou and their predators across time and related this similarity to interspecific spatiotemporal co-occurrence and mortality risk for caribou neonates. The similarity in habitat use between coyotes and caribou mirrored variation in juvenile hazard risk, but had weak association with actual co-occurrence with caribou. Bears and caribou exhibited less similarity in habitat use during the calving season than coyotes and caribou. The relationship between habitat use of bear and caribou did not correspond with either co-occurrence patterns or overall risk for caribou neonates. Our work illustrates how risk for a prey species can be shaped differently based upon differences between the behavioural strategies of generalist predator species.
Polygonum multiflorumDecreases Airway Allergic Symptoms in a Murine Model of Asthma
Authors: Lee Chen-Chen , Lee Yueh-Lun , Wang Chien-N , Tsai Hsing-Chuan , Chiu Chun-Lung , Liu Leroy F. , Lin Hung-Yun , Wu Reen
Published: February 2016

The root of Polygonum multiflorum (also called He-Shou-Wu in Chinese) is a common herb and medicinal food in Asia used for its anti-aging properties. Our study investigated the therapeutic potential of an extract of the root of Polygonum multiflorum (PME) in allergic asthma by using a mouse model. Feeding of 0.5 and 1 mg/mouse PME inhibited ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma symptoms, including airway inflammation, mucus production, and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), in a dose-dependent manner. To discern PME’s mechanism of action, we examined the profile and cytokine production of inflammatory cells in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found that eosinophils, the main inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lung of OVA-immunized mice, significantly decreased after PME treatment. Th2 cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], decreased in PME-treated mice. Elevated mRNA expression of Th2 transcription factor GATA-3 in the lung tissue was also inhibited after oral feeding of PME in OVA-immunized mice. Thus, we conclude that PME produces anti-asthma activity through the inhibition of Th2 cell activation.
Dioscorea nipponica Attenuates Migration and Invasion by Inhibition of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator through Involving PI3K/Akt and Transcriptional Inhibition of NF-κB and SP-1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Ju , Yeh Chao-Bin , Chiou Hui-Ling , Hsieh Ming-Chang , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: February 2016

High mortality and morbidity rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Taiwan primarily result from uncontrolled tumor metastasis. In our previous studies, we have reported that Dioscorea nipponica Makino extract (DNE) has anti-metastasis effects on human oral cancer cells. However, the effect of DNE on hepatoma metastasis have not been thoroughly investigated and remains poorly understood. To determine the effects of DNE on the migration and invasion in HCC cells we used a wound healing model, Boyden chamber assays, gelatin/casein zymography and Western blotting. Transcriptional levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) were detected by real-time PCR and promoter assays. In this study, DNE treatment significantly inhibited the migration/invasion capacities of Huh7 cell lines. The results of gelatin/casein zymography and Western blotting revealed that the activities and protein levels of the MMP-9 and u-PA were inhibited by DNE. Tests of the mRNA levels, real-time PCR, and promoter assays evaluated the inhibitory effects of DNE on u-PA expression in human hepatoma cells. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed not only that DNE inhibits u-PA expression, but also the inhibitory effects were associated with the down-regulation of the transcription factors of NF-[Formula: see text]B and SP-1 signaling pathways. Western blot analysis also showed that DNE inhibits PI3K and phosphorylation of Akt. In conclusion, these results show that u-PA expression may be a potent therapeutic target in the DNE-mediated suppression of HCC invasion/migration. DNE may have potential use as a chemo-preventive agent against liver cancer metastasis.
Parallel Rendering for Legible Illustrative Visualizations of Dense Geometries on Commodity CPUs
Authors: Cai Haipeng
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a parallel visualization technique for illustrative rendering of dense three-dimensional (3D) geometry data sets. Our approach maps the depth information in each geometry onto various visual dimensions of graphical representations, including shape, color, brightness, transparency, and size, to achieve legible display in dense geometry environments where visual clutters often hinder perception and navigation in the visualizations. At the same time, we leverage legacy CPU computing power to overcome performance challenges as a result of the depth-dependent illustrations used for the visual legibility enhancement. This is realized by a novel parallel rendering algorithm we developed particularly for illustrative visualizations of depth-dependent stylized dense geometries at interactive frame rates. While the computation could be performed atop modern GPU devices, we target a parallel visualization framework that enables it to efficiently run on commodity CPUs, which are much more available than GPUs for ordinary users. We evaluated our framework with visualizations of depth-stylized geometries derived from 3D diffusion tensor MRI data, by comparing its efficiency with several other alternative parallelization platforms with respect to the same computations. Results show that our approach can efficiently render highly dense 3D geometry data sets and, thus, it offers not only an alternative and complementary, but also more adoptable, solution to users in contrast to parallel visualization environments that rely on GPUs.
Linking mid-scale distributive fluvial systems to drainage basin area: geomorphological and sedimentological evidence from the endorheic Gastre Basin, Argentina
Authors: Bilmes Andres , Veiga Gonzalo D.
Published: February 2016

The analysis of mid-scale distributive fluvial systems (DFS) provides an opportunity to study fluvial depositional patterns in sedimentary basins in a manner similar to megafans, but under the more homogeneous external conditions that control small alluvial fans from the source area to the depositional area. Four mid-scale Quaternary DFS and the areas of their drainage basins were analysed with the aim of understanding and predicting the mechanism and magnitude of fluvial fan deposition. These DFS were located in the Gastre Basin, Argentina, an endorheic basin that has evolved during the Quaternary under relatively uniform climatic and tectonic conditions. Using a geomorphological and sedimentological approach, the measured areas of the DFS were compared with the calculated areas using different regression equations for variables such as the drainage basin area and the drainage basin slope. The results suggest a moderate to high percentage of deviation in all cases, indicating that at an intermediate scale the size of the DFS is not solely a function of the size of the drainage basin. Adjacent DFS with similar depositional areas and catchment bedrock lithologies were linked with very different drainage basin areas and vice versa. This study suggests that the horizontal accommodation space, determined by the incision and distribution of previous deposits, and the drainage basin slope may also influence the size of mid-scale DFS.
Q&A: A Graphics and Hypertext Innovator
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: February 2016

Andries van Dam on interfaces, interaction, and why he still teaches undergraduates.
Architectural Run-time Models for Performance and Privacy Analysis in Dynamic Cloud Applications
Authors: Heinrich Robert
Published: February 2016

Building software systems by composing third-party cloud services promises many benefits such as flexibility and scalability. Yet at the same time, it leads to major challenges like limited control of third party infrastructures and runtime changes which mostly cannot be foreseen during development. While previous research focused on automated adaptation, increased complexity and heterogeneity of cloud services as well as their limited observability, makes evident that we need to allow operators (humans) to engage in the adaptation process. Models are useful for involving humans and conducting analysis, e.g. for performance and privacy. During operation the systems often drifts away from its design-time models. Run-time models are kept insync with the underlying system. However, typical run-time models are close to an implementation level of abstraction which impedes understandability for humans. In this vision paper, we present the iObserve approach to target aforementioned challenges while considering operationlevel adaptation and development-level evolution as two mutual interwoven processes. Central to this perception is an architectural run-time model that is usable for automatized adaptation and is simultaneously comprehensible for humans during evolution. The run-time model builds upon a technology-independent monitoring approach. A correspondence model maintains the semantic relationships between monitoring outcomes and architecture models. As an umbrella a megamodel integrates design-time models, code generation, monitoring, and run-time model update. Currently, iObserve covers the monitoring and analysis phases of the MAPE control loop. We come up with a roadmap to include planning and execution activities in iObserve.
Chronic in vivo or acute in vitro resveratrol attenuates endothelium-dependent cyclooxygenase-mediated contractile signaling in hypertensive rat carotid artery
Authors: Denniss Steven G. , Ford Rebecca J. , Smith Christopher S. , Jeffery Andrew J. , Rush James W. E.
Published: February 2016

Exaggerated cyclooxygenase (COX) and thromboxane-prostanoid (TP) receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent contraction can contribute to endothelial dysfunction. This study examined the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on endothelium-dependent contraction and cell signaling in the common carotid artery (CCA) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Acetylcholine (Ach)-stimulated endothelium-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-mediated relaxation in precontracted SHR CCA was impaired (maximum 73 ± 6% vs. 87 ± 5% in WKY) ( P < 0.05) by competitive COX-mediated contraction. Chronic (28-day) treatment in vivo (drinking water) with a ∼0.075 mg·kg−1·day−1RSV dose affected neither endothelium-dependent relaxation nor endothelium-dependent contraction and associated prostaglandin (PG) production evaluated in non-precontracted NOS-blocked CCA. In contrast, a chronic ∼7.5 mg·kg−1·day−1RSV dose improved endothelium-dependent relaxation (94 ± 6%) and attenuated endothelium-dependent contraction (58 ± 4% vs. 73 ± 5% in No-RSV) and PG production (183 ± 43 vs. 519 ± 93 pg/ml) in SHR CCA, while U46619-stimulated TP receptor-mediated contraction was unaffected. In separate acute in vitro experiments, 20-μM RSV preincubation attenuated endothelium-dependent contraction (6 ± 4% vs. 62 ± 2% in No Drug) and PG production (121 ± 15 vs. 491 ± 93 pg/ml) and attenuated U46619-stimulated contraction (134 ± 5% vs. 171 ± 4%) in non-precontracted NOS-blocked SHR CCA. Compound C, a known AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, did not prevent the RSV attenuating effect on Ach- and U46619 -stimulated contraction but did prevent the RSV attenuating effect on PG production (414 ± 58 pg/ml). These data demonstrate that RSV can attenuate endothelium-dependent contraction both by suppressing arterial wall PG production, which may be partially mediated by AMPK, and by TP receptor hyporesponsiveness, which does not appear to be mediated by AMPK.
The Enigma of Rapamycin Dosage
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Suman , Frias Maria A. , Chatterjee Amrita , Yellen Paige , Foster David A.
Published: February 2016

The mTOR pathway is a critical regulator of cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Dysregulation of mTOR signaling has been observed in most cancers and, thus, the mTOR pathway has been extensively studied for therapeutic intervention. Rapamycin is a natural product that inhibits mTOR with high specificity. However, its efficacy varies by dose in several contexts. First, different doses of rapamycin are needed to suppress mTOR in different cell lines; second, different doses of rapamycin are needed to suppress the phosphorylation of different mTOR substrates; and third, there is a differential sensitivity of the two mTOR complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2 to rapamycin. Intriguingly, the enigmatic properties of rapamycin dosage can be explained in large part by the competition between rapamycin and phosphatidic acid (PA) for mTOR. Rapamycin and PA have opposite effects on mTOR whereby rapamycin destabilizes and PA stabilizes both mTOR complexes. In this review, we discuss the properties of rapamycin dosage in the context of anticancer therapeutics. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(3); 347–53. ©2016 AACR.
Cerebral Processing of Emotionally Loaded Acoustic Signals by Tinnitus Patients
Authors: Georgiewa Petra , Szczepek Agnieszka J. , Rose Matthias , Klapp Burghard F. , Mazurek Birgit
Published: February 2016

This exploratory study determined the activation pattern in nonauditory brain areas in response to acoustic, emotionally positive, negative or neutral stimuli presented to tinnitus patients and control subjects. Ten patients with chronic tinnitus and without measurable hearing loss and 13 matched control subjects were included in the study and subjected to fMRI with a 1.5-tesla scanner. During the scanning procedure, acoustic stimuli of different emotional value were presented to the subjects. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM 99). The activation pattern induced by emotionally loaded acoustic stimuli differed significantly within and between both groups tested, depending on the kind of stimuli used. Within-group differences included the limbic system, prefrontal regions, temporal association cortices and striatal regions. Tinnitus patients had a pronounced involvement of limbic regions involved in the processing of chimes (positive stimulus) and neutral words (neutral stimulus), strongly suggesting improperly functioning inhibitory mechanisms that were functioning well in the control subjects. This study supports the hypothesis about the existence of a tinnitus-specific brain network. Such a network could respond to any acoustic stimuli by activating limbic areas involved in stress reactivity and emotional processing and by reducing activation of areas responsible for attention and acoustic filtering (thalamus, frontal regions), possibly reinforcing negative effects of tinnitus.
Influence of the Inoculum Source on the Cariogenicity of in vitro Microcosm Biofilms
Authors: Signori Cácia , van de Sande Françoise H. , Maske Tamires T. , de Oliveira Elenara F. , Cenci Maximiliano S.
Published: February 2016

This study investigated the cariogenic potential of biofilms originating from different types of inoculum (saliva and dental plaque) from caries-active and caries-free individuals. Ten volunteers were selected from each caries condition for the paired collection of saliva and dental plaque. Microcosm biofilms were grown in triplicate from each inoculum on enamel specimens in 24-well plates under cariogenic challenge. After 10 days, the biofilms were collected for analysis of outcome variables: percentage of surface hardness change (%SHC) and microbiological composition of biofilms. Statistical analysis was performed using the t test, the linear multivariate analysis model and Pearson's correlation coefficients (α = 0.05). A comparative analysis between microbiological baseline data showed higher counts of mutans streptococci in plaque samples within caries-active individuals; a comparative analysis of colony-forming unit (CFU) counts between individuals with different caries status showed higher counts of acid-tolerant microorganisms and mutans streptococci in dental plaque and of acid-tolerant microorganisms in saliva. After 10 days of biofilm growth, the CFU values for total microorganisms, lactobacilli, mutans streptococci and acid-tolerant bacteria, as well as for SHC, were not statistically significant, considering the type of inoculum and caries condition (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found for %SHC and CFU counts of acid-tolerant bacteria (r = 0.406) and lactobacilli (r = 0.379). Under the limits of this study, the cariogenic potential of biofilms, formed under identical conditions in vitro, is similar, regardless of baseline differences between the source and type of inoculum.
Powder Formulation of Antagonists Yeasts, Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus terreus as Biofungicides
Authors: Wiyono Suryo
Published: February 2016

The research has following objectives: 1) to investigate compatibility of yeasts antagonistÂ  C. albidus and C. terreus, 2) to obtain suitable carrier Â in powder formulation for those two yeasts,Â  3) to get appropriate formulation additives for those yeasts, Â and 4) to obtain optimum powder formulation consisting yeasts, carrier materials and additives.Â  Compatibility of C. albidus and Â C. terreus Â was tested through bio-assayÂ  against Lasiodiplodia theobromae on detached banana fruitÂ  and Alternaria solani on detached tomato leaves.Â  Compatibility was indicated by no reduction of antagonistic activity. Â Benomyl-resistant mutant of C. albidus Â and cycloheximide-resistant mutant of Â C. terreus were mixed with sterilized tapioca, talc and kaolin Â to get initial yeasts density of Â 8.5 log cfu/g and water content of 15%, Â then Â packed by plastic bag and stored under room temperature. Survival of formulated yeasts was assessed monthly by plating on PDA medium containing 150 ppm cycloheximide for C. terreus, and 150 ppm benomyl for C. albidus.Â  Yeasts population was expressed in log cfu/g materials. Â To determine effect of carrier materials on antagonistic activity, bio-assay of formulated yeasts against pathogens was conducted after 3 months storage. Tested additives i.e. CaCl2, pure chitin and crab shell powder were added into suspension of C. albidus and C. terreus to get concentration of 1.25%,Â  0.5 %Â  and 0. 1% (w/v). Sterilized aquadest and yeasts without additives was used as control. Then Â the treatments was examined the antagonistic activity through Â bio-asaay Â on detached banana fruits and tomato leaves. Appropriate additive(s) was determined by its ability to increase antagonistic activity of yeasts. Storability and antagonistic activity of Â C. albidus dan C. terreusÂ  in the mixture of best carrier and additive were examined.Â  C. terreusÂ  was compatible to C. albidus. The best carrier materials supporting highest survival of C. terreus was tapioca and talc, those supported survival for four months storage.Â  Talc was best carrier material for C. albidus formulation by maintaining its survival for five months storage. Additives which able to increase antagonistic activity of C. terreus were CaCl2Â  0.1 % , pure chitin Â 0.1 % Â and crab shell powder Â 0.5%. Â Additives providing best increase of antagonistic activity of C. albidus were CaCl2 0.5%, pure chitin Â 1.25 % Â and crab shell 1.25%.Â  Supplementation of chitin and crab shell, both at the rate of 1.25% into talc-base powder formulationÂ  increasedÂ  survival of both yeasts at one months storage, however no significant effect subsequently.Key words: formulation, yeasts antagonists, Cryptococcus terreus, Cryptococcus albidus,Â  carrier agent, talc, tapioca, kaolin, CaCl2, chitin, crab shell powder
Ecological Impact of Merremia peltata (L.) Merrill Invasion on Plant Diversity at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
Authors: Master Jani
Published: February 2016

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) is the third largest protected area in Sumatra.Â  Unfortunately, the area is invaded by Merremia peltata which occupiedÂ  aboutÂ  7 000 ha. The aims of this study was to determine the ecological impacts ofÂ  M. peltata on plant biodiversity at BBSNP. Three locations were selected for vegetation analysis and M.peltata invasion assessment on the vegetation composition in BBSNP, i.e. the primary forest representing undisturbed area, secondary forest representing burned area, and invaded forest representing forest invaded by M. peltata. Three line transectsÂ  were constructed at each locations along1 km, andÂ  the nested sampling plots were constructed every 100 m with the following quadrants : 20 m x 20 m for trees, 10 mÂ  x 10 m for poles, 5 mÂ  x 5 m for sapling, and 2 m x 2 m for seedling. The data collected were invasions of M. peltata, trees species, and diameter of the trees.Â  Invaded forest has lower diversity index (1.90)Â  than the other two. This caused by the invasion of M. peltata as the percentage of coverage in the invaded forest reached 44% compared to secondary and the primary forest which wereÂ  27.11% and 1.00%. It is evidenced by the correlation between the percentage of coverage M. peltata and diversity index (-0.988).
Transcendência e Mundanidade: o processo de construção da pessoa na Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia.
Authors: Barbosa Allan Wine Santos
Published: February 2016

Este artigo tem como objetivo realizar uma discussão sobre a forma pela qual a Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia articula o processo de construção da pessoa ante a noção de salvação. Argumento que tal processo está relacionado à busca pela superação de uma disjunção entre dois domínios ontológicos opostos, o transcendente e o mundano, cujo operador máximo é o pecado. Através da exposição de duas noções da teologia adventista – reavivamento e reforma –, busco aqui demonstrar a especificidade do credo adventista em associar a salvação a uma escatologia voltada para a restauração da unidade entre o transcendente e o mundano. Essas discussões são então utilizadas para refletir sobre a pertinência dos dualismos corpo/alma e transcendente/mundano no adventismo e na antropologia do cristianismo em geral, buscando, a partir das críticas de Fenella Cannell e Joel Robbins, uma abordagem que dê espaço a diferentes mobilizações ou ordenações desses conceitos.
Mulher e Antropóloga: Gênero e trajetórias acadêmicas em debate - Entrevista com Heloísa Buarque de Almeida
Authors: Soares Barbara , Braga Felipe Eduardo Lázaro , Pinto Felipe Nery Alves
Published: February 2016

Mulher e Antropóloga: Gênero e trajetórias acadêmicas em debate
Inhibition of Orai1 Store–Operated Calcium Channel Prevents Foam Cell Formation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Liang Si-Jia , Zeng De-Yi , Mai Xiao-Yi , Shang Jin-Yan , Wu Qian-Qian , Yuan Jia-Ni , Yu Bei-Xin , Zhou Ping , Zhang Fei-Ran , Liu Ying-Ying , Lv Xiao-Fei , Liu Jie , Ou Jing-Song , Qian Jie-Sheng , Zhou Jia-Guo
Published: February 2016

Objective—

To determine the role of orai1 store–operated Ca
2+
entry in foam cell formation and atherogenesis.

Approach and Results—

Acute administration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) activates an orai1-dependent Ca
2+
entry in macrophages. Chelation of intracellular Ca
2+
, inhibition of orai1 store–operated Ca
2+
entry, or knockdown of orai1 dramatically inhibited oxLDL-induced upregulation of scavenger receptor A, uptake of modified LDL, and foam cell formation. Orai1-dependent Ca
2+
entry induces scavenger receptor A expression and foam cell formation through activation of calcineurin but not calmodulin kinase II. Activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells is not involved in calcineurin signaling to foam cell formation. However, oxLDL dephosohorylates and activates apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1 in macrophages. Orai1 knockdown prevents oxLDL-induced apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1 activation. Knockdown of apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1, or inhibition of its downstream effectors, JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, reduces scavenger receptor A expression and foam cell formation. Notably, orai1 expression is increased in atherosclerotic plaques of apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice fed with high-cholesterol diet. Knockdown of orai1 with adenovirus harboring orai1 siRNA or inhibition of orai1 Ca
2+
entry with SKF96365 for 4 weeks dramatically inhibits atherosclerotic plaque development in high-cholesterol diet feeding apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice. In addition, inhibition of orai1 Ca
2+
entry prevents macrophage apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaque. Moreover, the expression of inflammatory genes in atherosclerotic lesions and the infiltration of myeloid cells into the aortic sinus plaques are decreased after blocking orai1 signaling.

Conclusions—

Orai1-dependent Ca
2+
entry promotes atherogenesis possibly by promoting foam cell formation and vascular inflammation, rendering orai1 Ca
2+
channel a potential therapeutic target against atherosclerosis.
Influence of Ejection Fraction on Outcomes and Efficacy of Sacubitril/Valsartan (LCZ696) in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Solomon Scott D. , Claggett Brian , Desai Akshay S. , Packer Milton , Zile Michael , Swedberg Karl , Rouleau Jean L. , Shi Victor C. , Starling Randall C. , Kozan Ömer , Dukat Andrej , Lefkowitz Martin P. , McMurray John J.V.
Published: February 2016

Background—

The angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with enalapril in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (EF) in the Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial. We evaluated the influence of EF on clinical outcomes and on the effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril.

Methods and Results—

Eight thousand three hundred ninety-nine patients with New York Heart Association class II to IV HF with reduced EF [left ventricular EF (LVEF) ≤40%] were randomized to sacubitril/valsartan 97/103 mg twice daily versus enalapril 10 mg twice daily and followed for a median of 27 months. The primary study end point was cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization. LVEF was assessed at the sites and recorded on case report forms. We related LVEF to study outcomes and assessed the effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan across the LVEF spectrum. The mean LVEF in PARADIGM-HF, reported by sites, was 29.5 (interquartile range, 25–34). The risk of all outcomes increased with decreasing LVEF. Each 5-point reduction in LVEF was associated with a 9% increased risk of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.13;
P
<0.001), a 9% increased risk for CV death (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.14), a 9% increased risk in HF hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.14) and a 7% increased risk in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.12) in adjusted analyses. Sacubitril/valsartan was effective across the LVEF spectrum, with no evidence of heterogeneity, when modeled either in tertiles (
P
interaction=0.87) or continuously (
P
interaction=0.95).

Conclusions—

In patients with HF and reduced EF enrolled in PARADIGM-HF, LVEF was a significant and independent predictor of all outcomes. Sacubitril/valsartan was effective at reducing cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization throughout the LVEF spectrum.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01035255.
Age-related Changes in the Sleep-dependent Reorganization of Declarative Memories
Authors: Baran Bengi , Mantua Janna , Spencer Rebecca M. C.
Published: February 2016

Consolidation of declarative memories has been associated with slow wave sleep in young adults. Previous work suggests that, in spite of changes in sleep, sleep-dependent consolidation of declarative memories may be preserved with aging, although reduced relative to young adults. Previous work on young adults shows that, with consolidation, retrieval of declarative memories gradually becomes independent of the hippocampus. To investigate whether memories are similarly reorganized over sleep at the neural level, we compared functional brain activation associated with word pair recall following a nap and equivalent wake in young and older adults. SWS during the nap predicted better subsequent memory recall and was negatively associated with retrieval-related hippocampal activation in young adults. In contrast, in older adults there was no relationship between sleep and memory performance or with retrieval-related hippocampal activation. Furthermore, compared with young adults, postnap memory retrieval in older adults required strong functional connectivity of the hippocampus with the PFC, whereas there were no differences between young and older adults in the functional connectivity of the hippocampus following wakefulness. These results suggest that, although neural reorganization takes place over sleep in older adults, the shift is unique from that seen in young adults, perhaps reflecting memories at an earlier stage of stabilization.
Dopaminergic Genetic Polymorphisms Predict Rule-based Category Learning
Authors: Byrne Kaileigh A. , Davis Tyler , Worthy Darrell A.
Published: February 2016

Dopaminergic genes play an important role in cognitive function. DRD2 and DARPP-32 dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms affect striatal dopamine binding potential, and the Val158Met single-nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene moderates dopamine availability in the pFC. Our study assesses the role of these gene polymorphisms on performance in two rule-based category learning tasks. Participants completed unidimensional and conjunctive rule-based tasks. In the unidimensional task, a rule along a single stimulus dimension can be used to distinguish category members. In contrast, a conjunctive rule utilizes a combination of two dimensions to distinguish category members. DRD2 C957T TT homozygotes outperformed C allele carriers on both tasks, and DARPP-32 AA homozygotes outperformed G allele carriers on both tasks. However, we found an interaction between COMT and task type where Met allele carriers outperformed Val homozygotes in the conjunctive rule task, but both groups performed equally well in the unidimensional task. Thus, striatal dopamine binding may play a critical role in both types of rule-based tasks, whereas prefrontal dopamine binding is important for learning more complex conjunctive rule tasks. Modeling results suggest that striatal dopaminergic genes influence selective attention processes whereas cortical genes mediate the ability to update complex rule representations.