bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STATUS OF STANDARD MODEL CALCULATION OF LEPTON g - 2
Authors: KNECHT MARC
Published: December 2014

The contributions from the standard model interactions to the anomalous magnetic moments of the two lightest charged leptons, the electron and the muon, are reviewed. Comparison with the very accurately measured experimental values is made, using the most recent high-precision determination of the fine structure constant.
e+e- HADRON PRODUCTION CROSS SECTIONS AT BELLE
Authors: CRNKOVIC JASON D. ,   for the Belle collaboration
Published: December 2014

A number of production cross sections for electron-positron annihilation to a hadronic final state have been measured using the Belle dataset, which is possible given the general purpose design of the Belle detector and its large solid-angle coverage. The cross section measurements predominantly fall above 3 GeV, which still leaves the opportunity for using the dataset to systematically measure cross sections below 3 GeV. These low-energy cross sections are important for improving the precision of the Standard Model prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment.
CHARM PHYSICS AT HERA
Authors: CORRADI MASSIMO ,   on behalf of the H1 and ZEUS Collaborations
Published: December 2014

Recent measurements of charm production at HERA are presented. They include measurements of charm fragmentation fractions, of charm production in DIS and of inelastic and exclusive J/ψ photoproduction. Charm measurements have been combined and analysed in the framework of a QCD fit to inclusive and charm data.
SEARCH FOR $K^{+} \to \pi^{+} \nu \bar{\nu}$ DECAYS AT NA62 EXPERIMENT AT CERN
Authors: MASSAROTTI PAOLO
Published: December 2014

Rare kaon decays provide unique opportunity to test the Standard Model and probe its possible extensions. The primary goal of the NA62 experiment is the measurement of the [Formula: see text] decay with a precision of 10% in two years of data taking. The detector setup together with the analysis technique is described.
BARYON FORM FACTORS AT BESIII
Authors: WANG YADI ,   on behalf of BESIII Collaboration
Published: December 2014

The electric and magnetic form factors are defined as basic observables which reflect the composite nature of the nucleon. They have long been studied in electron scattering, and now we are here to discuss opportunities that can come from an e+e- collider (in the time-like region) at moderate energies where exclusive cross sections can be measured. With largest data samples and better resolutions, we discuss the status of baryon form factors and a bright opportunity of measurement at BESIII.
DIRECT TESTS OF T AND CPT SYMMETRIES IN THE ENTANGLED NEUTRAL KAON SYSTEM AT A ϕ-FACTORY
Authors: DI DOMENICO ANTONIO
Published: December 2014

A novel method to perform a direct T (or CPT) symmetry test in the neutral kaon system is presented. This is based on the comparison of suitable transition probabilities, where the required interchange of in ↔ out states for a given process is obtained exploiting the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations of neutral kaon pairs produced at a ϕ-factory.

The possibility to perform these tests with the KLOE-2 experiment at DAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ-factory, is also briefly discussed.
RECENT τ LEPTON RESULTS FROM BABAR
Authors: LUSIANI ALBERTO
Published: December 2014

We report recent measurements on τ leptons obtained by the BABAR collaboration using the entire recorded sample of electron-positron collisions at and around the Υ(4S) (about 470fb-1). The events were recorded at the PEP-II asymmetric collider at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The measurements include high multiplicity τ decay branching fractions with 3 or 5 charged particles in the final state, a search for the second class current the τ decay τ → πη′ν, τ branching fractions into final states containing two KS mesons, [Formula: see text], with h = π, K, and preliminary measurements of hadronic spectra of τ decays with three hadrons (τ- → h-h+h-ντ decays, where h = π, K). The results improve the experimental knowledge of the τ lepton properties and can be used to improve the precision tests of the Standard Model.
LOW-ENERGY CONSTANTS AND CONDENSATES FROM THE V – A SPECTRUM
Authors: BOITO DIOGO , GOLTERMAN MAARTEN , JAMIN MATTHIAS , MALTMAN KIM , PERIS SANTIAGO
Published: December 2014

We present an analysis of the isospin-one V – A correlator based on our successful simultaneous description of the OPAL V and A non-strange tau spectral data. We discuss the values obtained for the Chiral Perturbation Theory low-energy constants L10 and C87 as well as the dimension-six and eight condensates and compare them with those in the literature.
RECENT RESULTS OF LIGHT HADRON SPECTROSCOPY FROM BESIII
Authors: SONG XINYING ,   on behalf of BESIII collaboration
Published: December 2014

We present a selection of recent results on light hadron spectroscopy from the BESIII collaboration. The topics include the full partial wave analysis on J/ψ radiative decays, including J/ψ → γηη and γωϕ. Besides, we also cover the topics about baryon spectroscopy, including the partial wave analysis of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
OVERVIEW PROSPECTS AT BINP
Authors: KOOP I. A. ,   on behalf of VEPP-2000, VEPP-4 and VEPP-5 teams
Published: December 2014

In this report the overview of activity at existing and future electron-positron high energy colliders at BINP is presented. VEPP-2000 and VEPP-4M electron-positron colliders are currently being in operation at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk. These two machines cover a wide collision energy range: from 0.32 GeV to 2 GeV (VEPP-2000) and from 1.8 GeV to 11 GeV (VEPP-4M). Both complexes will be upgraded after successful start of operation in 2013 of the new electron-positron injector complex VEPP-5, which should supply both facilities by much more intense beams. Super-tau-charm factory waits for the final government's approval being considered as one of 6 mega-science project in Russia.
STATUS OF SuperKEKB AND BELLE II
Authors: SHWARTZ B.A. ,   on behalf of the Belle II collaboration
Published: December 2014

The current status of the SuperKEKB/Belle II project which is under construction now at KEK is reported. Main motivations and goals of this project are discussed as well.
TO LEARN PRODUCTION OF SCALARS VS. TENSORS IN e+e- COLLISIONS
Authors: ACHASOV N. N. , GONCHARENKO A. I. , KISELEV A. V. , ROGOZINA E. V.
Published: December 2014

The intensity of scalar a0(980), f0(980) and tensor a2(1320), f2(1270) mesons production at VEPP-2000 (BINP, Novosibirsk) and the upgraded DAΦNE (Frascati, Italy) in the processes e+e- → a0(f0, a2, f2)γ is calculated.
SPIN CORRELATIONS OF THE FINAL LEPTONS IN THE TWO-PHOTON PROCESSES γγ → e+e-, μ+μ-, τ+τ-
Authors: LYUBOSHITZ VALERY V. , LYUBOSHITZ VLADIMIR L.
Published: December 2014

The spin structure of the process γγ → e+e- is theoretically investigated. It is shown that, if the primary photons are unpolarized, the final electron and positron are unpolarized as well but their spins are strongly correlated. For the final (e+e-) system, explicit expressions for the components of the correlation tensor are derived, and the relative fractions of singlet and triplet states are found. It is demonstrated that in the process γγ → e+e- one of the Bell-type incoherence inequalities for the correlation tensor components is always violated and, thus, spin correlations of the electron and positron in this process have the strongly pronounced quantum character. Analogous consideration can be wholly applied as well to the two-photon processes γγ → μ+μ- and γγ → τ+τ-, which become possible at considerably higher energies.
ANALYTIC CONTINUATION OF NUCLEONS FORM FACTORS IN TIME-LIKE REGION WITH SKYRME MODEL
Authors: MORETTI SIMONE
Published: December 2014

Using the Skyrme model for nucleons we test the possibility to obtain time-like form factors by analytic continuation of space-like ones. We present a method based on a direct computation of the space-like form factors in the Breit frame, where they are defined as Fourier transform of electromagnetic current. A Padé approximation of the current is implemented in order to solve the integral. The results are compared to data both in space-like and time-like region.
TESTS OF CHPT WITH ${\rm K}_{{\rm e}4}^{+-}$ AND ${\rm K}_{{\rm e}4}^{00}$ DECAYS AT THE NA48/2 EXPERIMENT AT CERN
Authors: RAGGI MAURO
Published: December 2014

The NA48/2 experiment has collected the largest samples to date of semi-leptonic charged kaon decays in the [Formula: see text] (K± → π+π-e±ν) and [Formula: see text] (K± → π0π0e±ν) modes. From 1.1 million [Formula: see text] decays, form factors in the S- and P-wave have been extensively studied. Branching ratio and form factors have been measured at unprecedented precision. From ~ 66000 [Formula: see text] decays, preliminary values of the Branching ratio and form factor have been obtained at a percent level precision. The comparison of Branching ratio and form factor values in both Ke4 modes sheds new light on isospin symmetry breaking effects. Form factor measurements are major inputs to the study of low energy QCD and are powerful tests of Chiral Perturbation Theory predictions.
PROSPECTS FOR DISCOVERY OF THE τ- → π-ℓ+ℓ-ντ DECAYS
Authors: ROIG PABLO
Published: December 2014

We study the phenomenology of the τ- → π-ντℓ+ℓ- decays (ℓ = e, μ), predicting the respective branching ratios and di-lepton invariant-mass spectra. In addition to the model-independent (QED) contributions, we investigate the structure-dependent (SD) terms, encoding features of the hadronization of QCD currents. The relevant form factors are evaluated by supplementing Chiral Perturbation Theory with the inclusion of the lightest (axial-)vector resonance multiplet as dynamical fields. The Lagrangian couplings are fully predicted requiring the known QCD asymptotic behavior to the relevant Green functions and associated form factors in the limit of an infinite number of colours. As a consequence we predict that the τ- → π-ντe+e- decays should be discovered soon while this is not granted for the ℓ = μ case.
STUDY OF ψ(2S) → μ+μ- DECAY WITH KEDR DETECTOR
Authors: AULCHENKO V. M. , BALDIN E. M. , BARLADYAN A. K. , BARNYAKOV A. Yu. , BARNYAKOV M. Yu. , BARU S. E. , BASOK I. Yu. , BATRAKOV A. M. , BLINOV A. E. , BLINOV V. E. , BOBROV A. V. , BOBROVNIKOV V. S. , BOGOMYAGKOV A. V. , BONDAR A. E. , BUZYKAEV A. R. , EIDELMAN S. I. , GRIGORIEV D. N. , GROSHEV V. R. , GLUKHOVCHENKO Yu. M. , GULEVICH V. V. , GUSEV D. V. , KARNAEV S. E. , KARPOV G. V. , KARPOV S. V. , KHARLAMOVA T. A. , KISELEV V. A. , KOLMOGOROV V. V. , KONONOV S. A. , KOTOV K. Yu. , KRAVCHENKO E. A. , KUDRYAVTSEV V. N. , KULIKOV V. F. , KURKIN G. YA. , KUPER E. A. , KUYANOV I. A. , LEVICHEV E. B. , MAKSIMOV D. A. , MALYSHEV V. M. , MASLENNIKOV A. L. , MESHKOV O. I. , MISHNEV S. I. , MOROZOV I. I. , MUCHNOI N. Yu. , NEUFELD V. V. , NIKITIN S. A. , NIKOLAEV I. B. , OKUNEV I. N. , ONUCHIN A. P. , ORESHKIN S. B. , ORLOV I. O. , OSIPOV A. A. , OVTIN I. V. , PELEGANCHUK S. V. , PIVOVAROV S. G. , PIMINOV P. A. , PETROV V. V. , POLUEKTOV A. O. , PRISEKIN V. G. , REZANOVA O. L. , RUBAN A. A. , SANDYREV V. K. , SAVINOV G. A. , SHAMOV A. G. , SHATILOV D. N. , SHWARTZ B. A. , SIMONOV E. A. , SINYATKIN S. V. , SKRINSKY A. N. , SUKHAREV A. M. , SOKOLOV A. V. , STAROSTINA E. V. , TALYSHEV A. A. , TAYURSKY V. A. , TELNOV V. I. , TIKHONOV Yu. A. , TODYSHEV K. Yu. , TUMAIKIN G. M. , USOV Yu. V. , VOROBIOV A. I. , ZHILICH V. N. , ZHULANOV V. V. , ZHURAVLEV A. N.
Published: December 2014

Since 2004 the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M collider has taken several data sets in the ψ(2S) region, acquiring total luminosity of about 7 pb-1, which corresponds to more than 3.5 × 106ψ(2S).

We report the preliminary value of Γee × Γμμ/Γ = 19.4 ± 0.4 ± 1.1 eV for ψ(2S).
DETERMINATION OF THE MAGNETIC DIPOLE MOMENT OF THE RHO MESON
Authors: TOLEDO SÁNCHEZ G. , GARCÍA GUDIÑO D.
Published: December 2014

We determine the magnetic dipole moment of the rho meson using preliminary data from the BaBar Collaboration for the e+e- → π+π-2π0 process, in the center of mass energy range from 0.9 to 2.2 GeV. We describe the γ* → 4π vertex using a vector meson dominance model, including all intermediate resonance contributions. We find that μρ = 2.1 ± 0.5 [e/2mρ].
STATE OFCoANDMnIN HALF-METALLIC FERROMAGNETCo2MnSiEXPLORED BY MAGNETIC CIRCULAR DICHROISM IN HARD X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON EMISSION AND SOFT X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPIES
Authors: FECHER GERHARD H. , EBKE DANIEL , OUARDI SIHAM , AGRESTINI STEFANO , KUO CHANG-YANG , HOLLMANN NILS , HU ZHIWEI , GLOSKOVSKII ANDREI , YAKHOU FLORA , BROOKES NICHOLAS B. , FELSER CLAUDIA
Published: December 2014

The half-metallic Heusler compound Co2MnSi is a very attractive material for spintronic devices because it exhibits very high tunnelling magnetoresistance ratios. This work reports on a spectroscopic investigation of thin Co2MnSi films as they are used as electrodes in magnetic tunnel junctions. The investigated films exhibit a remanent in-plane magnetization with a magnetic moment of about 5 μBwhen saturated, as expected. The low coercive field of only 4 mT indicates soft magnetic behavior. Magnetic dichroism in emission and absorption was measured at the Co and Mn  2p core levels. The photoelectron spectra were excited by circularly polarized hard X-rays with an energy of 6 keV and taken from the remanently magnetized film. The soft X-ray absorption spectra were taken in an induction field of 4 T. Both methods yielded large dichroism effects. An analysis reveals the localized character of the electrons and magnetic moments attributed to the Mn atoms, whereas the electrons related to the Co atoms contribute an itinerant part to the total magnetic moment.
The topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitor ICRF-193 preferentially targets telomeres that are capped by TRF2
Authors: Chen Lianxiang , Zhu Xiaowei , Zou Yaru , Xing Jun , Gilson Eric , Lu Yiming , Ye Jing
Published: December 2014

The increased level of chromosome instability in cancer cells is not only a driving force for oncogenesis but also can be the Achille's heel of the disease since many chemotherapies kill cells by inducing a nontolerable rate of DNA damage. A wealth of published evidence showed that telomere stability can be more affected than the bulk of the genome by several conventional antineoplastic drugs. In the present study, HT1080 cell lines compromised for either telomere repeats binding factor 2 (TRF2) or POT1 were treated with ICRF-193 (3 μM, 24 h) or bleomycin (1 μM, 24 h). DNA damage was assayed by combining telomeric DNA staining of a (CCCTAA)n PNA probe with immunofluorescence of 53BP1 to score the rate of telomere colocalization with 53BP1 foci. We found that ICRF-193, but not bleomycin, leads to DNA damage preferentially at telomeres, which can be rescued by TRF2 inhibition. POT1 inhibition exacerbates telomere dysfunction induced by ICRF-193. Thus, ICRF-193 induces damage at telomeres properly capped by TRF2 but not by POT1. These findings are expected to broaden our view on the mechanism by which conventional therapeutic molecules act to eliminate cancer cells and how to use TRF2 and POT1 levels as surrogate markers for anti-topoisomerase II sensitivity.
Short-chain fatty acids and acidic pH upregulate UT-B, GPR41, and GPR4 in rumen epithelial cells of goats
Authors: Lu Zhongyan , Gui Hongbing , Yao Lei , Yan Lei , Martens Holger , Aschenbach Jörg R. , Shen Zanming
Published: December 2014

Currently, the mechanism(s) responsible for the regulation of urea transporter B (UT-B) expression levels in the epithelium of the rumen remain unclear. We hypothesized that rumen fermentation products affect ruminal UT-B expression. Therefore, the effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH, ammonia, and urea on mRNA and protein levels of UT-B were assayed in primary rumen epithelial cell cultures and in rumen epithelium obtained from intact goats. In vitro, SCFA and acidic pH were found to synergetically stimulate both mRNA and protein expression of UT-B, whereas NH4Cl decreased mRNA and protein levels of UT-B at pH 6.8. Treatment with urea increased both levels at pH 7.4. When goats received a diet rich in nitrogen (N) and nonfiber carbohydrates (NFC), their rumen epithelium had higher levels of UT-B, and the rumen contained higher concentrations of SCFA and NH3-N with a lower pH. An increase in plasma urea-N concentration was also observed compared with the plasma of the goats that received a diet low in N and NFC. In a second feeding trial, goats that received a NFC-rich, but isonitrogenous, diet had higher mRNA and protein levels of UT-B, and higher levels of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 41 and GPR4, in their rumen epithelium. The ruminal concentrations of SCFA and NH3-N also increased, while a lower pH was detected. In contrast, the serum urea-N concentrations remained unchanged. These data indicate that ruminal SCFA and pH are key factors, via GPR4 and GPR41, in the dietary regulation of UT-B expression, and they have priority over changes in plasma urea.
Chronic and acute effects of stress on energy balance: are there appropriate animal models?
Authors: Harris Ruth B. S.
Published: December 2014

Stress activates multiple neural and endocrine systems to allow an animal to respond to and survive in a threatening environment. The corticotropin-releasing factor system is a primary initiator of this integrated response, which includes activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The energetic response to acute stress is determined by the nature and severity of the stressor, but a typical response to an acute stressor is inhibition of food intake, increased heat production, and increased activity with sustained changes in body weight, behavior, and HPA reactivity. The effect of chronic psychological stress is more variable. In humans, chronic stress may cause weight gain in restrained eaters who show increased HPA reactivity to acute stress. This phenotype is difficult to replicate in rodent models where chronic psychological stress is more likely to cause weight loss than weight gain. An exception may be hamsters subjected to repeated bouts of social defeat or foot shock, but the data are limited. Recent reports on the food intake and body composition of subordinate members of group-housed female monkeys indicate that these animals have a similar phenotype to human stress-induced eaters, but there are a limited number of investigators with access to the model. Few stress experiments focus on energy balance, but more information on the phenotype of both humans and animal models during and after exposure to acute or chronic stress may provide novel insight into mechanisms that normally control body weight.
Acute intermittent optogenetic stimulation of nucleus tractus solitarius neurons induces sympathetic long-term facilitation
Authors: Yamamoto Kenta , Lalley Peter , Mifflin Steve
Published: December 2014

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) induces sympathetic and phrenic long-term facilitation (LTF), defined as a sustained increase in nerve discharge. We investigated the effects of AIH and acute intermittent optogenetic (AIO) stimulation of neurons labeled with AAV-CaMKIIa, hChR2(H134R), and mCherry in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of anesthetized, vagotomized, and mechanically ventilated rats. We measured renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), phrenic nerve activity (PNA), power spectral density, and coherence, and we made cross-correlation measurements to determine how AIO stimulation and AIH affected synchronization between PNA and RSNA. Sixty minutes after AIH produced by ventilation with 10% oxygen in balanced nitrogen, RSNA and PNA amplitude increased by 80% and by 130%, respectively ( P < 0.01). Sixty minutes after AIO stimulation, RSNA and PNA amplitude increased by 60% and 100%, respectively, ( P < 0.01). These results suggest that acute intermittent stimulation of NTS neurons can induce renal sympathetic and phrenic LTF in the absence of hypoxia or chemoreceptor afferent activation. We also found that while acute intermittent optogenetic and hypoxic stimulations increased respiration-related RSNA modulation ( P < 0.01), they did not increase synchronization between central respiratory drive and RSNA. We conclude that mechanisms that induce LTF originate within the caudal NTS and extend to other interconnecting neuronal elements of the central nervous cardiorespiratory network.
Erythropoietin's inhibiting impact on hepcidin expression occurs indirectly
Authors: Gammella Elena , Diaz Victor , Recalcati Stefania , Buratti Paolo , Samaja Michele , Dey Soumyadeep , Noguchi Constance Tom , Gassmann Max , Cairo Gaetano
Published: December 2014

Under conditions of accelerated erythropoiesis, elevated erythropoietin (Epo) levels are associated with inhibition of hepcidin synthesis, a response that ultimately increases iron availability to meet the enhanced iron needs of erythropoietic cells. In the search for erythroid regulators of hepcidin, many candidates have been proposed, including Epo itself. We aimed to test whether direct interaction between Epo and the liver is required to regulate hepcidin. We found that prolonged administration of high doses of Epo in mice leads to great inhibition of liver hepcidin mRNA levels, and concomitant induction of the hepcidin inhibitor erythroferrone (ERFE). Epo treatment also resulted in liver iron mobilization, mediated by increased ferroportin activity and accompanied by reduced ferritin levels and increased TfR1 expression. The same inhibitory effect was observed in mice that do not express the homodimeric Epo receptor (EpoR) in liver cells because EpoR expression is restricted to erythroid cells. Similarly, liver signaling pathways involved in hepcidin regulation were not influenced by the presence or absence of hepatic EpoR. Moreover, Epo analogs, possibly interacting with the postulated heterodimeric β common EpoR, did not affect hepcidin expression. These findings were supported by the lack of inhibition on hepcidin found in hepatoma cells exposed to various concentrations of Epo for different periods of times. Our results demonstrate that hepcidin suppression does not require the direct binding of Epo to its liver receptors and rather suggest that the role of Epo is to stimulate the synthesis of the erythroid regulator ERFE in erythroblasts, which ultimately downregulates hepcidin.
Mechanisms of brain renin angiotensin system-induced drinking and blood pressure: importance of the subfornical organ
Authors: Coble Jeffrey P. , Grobe Justin L. , Johnson Alan Kim , Sigmund Curt D.
Published: December 2014

It is critical for cells to maintain a homeostatic balance of water and electrolytes because disturbances can disrupt cellular function, which can lead to profound effects on the physiology of an organism. Dehydration can be classified as either intra- or extracellular, and different mechanisms have developed to restore homeostasis in response to each. Whereas the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is important for restoring homeostasis after dehydration, the pathways mediating the responses to intra- and extracellular dehydration may differ. Thirst responses mediated through the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2R) respond to extracellular dehydration and intracellular dehydration, respectively. Intracellular signaling factors, such as protein kinase C (PKC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, mediate the effects of central angiotensin II (ANG II). Experimental evidence also demonstrates the importance of the subfornical organ (SFO) in mediating some of the fluid intake effects of central ANG II. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of the SFO in mediating fluid intake responses to dehydration and ANG II.
Tankyrase-mediated β-catenin activity regulates vasopressin-induced AQP2 expression in kidney collecting duct mpkCCDc14 cells
Authors: Jung Hyun Jun , Kim Sang-Yeob , Choi Hyo-Jung , Park Eui-Jung , Lim Jung-Suk , Frøkiaer Jørgen , Nielsen Søren , Kwon Tae-Hwan
Published: December 2014

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) mediates arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced water reabsorption in the kidney collecting duct. AVP regulates AQP2 expression primarily via Gsα/cAMP/PKA signaling. Tankyrase, a member of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase family, is known to mediate Wnt/β-catenin signaling-induced gene expression. We examined whether tankyrase plays a role in AVP-induced AQP2 regulation via ADP-ribosylation of G protein-α (Gα) and/or β-catenin-mediated transcription of AQP2. RT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis revealed the mRNA and protein expression of tankyrase in mouse kidney and mouse collecting duct mpkCCDc14 cells. dDAVP-induced AQP2 upregulation was attenuated in mpkCCDc14 cells under the tankyrase inhibition by XAV939 treatment or small interfering (si) RNA knockdown. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer image analysis, however, revealed that XAV939 treatment did not affect dDAVP- or forskolin-induced PKA activation. Inhibition of tankyrase decreased dDAVP-induced phosphorylation of β-catenin (S552) and nuclear translocation of phospho-β-catenin. siRNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin decreased forskolin-induced AQP2 transcription and dDAVP-induced AQP2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt, which was associated with decreased nuclear translocation of β-catenin, diminished dDAVP-induced AQP2 upregulation, further indicating that β-catenin mediates AQP2 expression. Taken together, tankyrase plays a role in AVP-induced AQP2 regulation, which is likely via β-catenin-mediated transcription of AQP2, but not ADP-ribosylation of Gα. The results provide novel insights into vasopressin-mediated urine concentration and homeostasis of body water metabolism.
Norepinephrine stimulates the epithelial Na+ channel in cortical collecting duct cells via α2-adrenoceptors
Authors: Mansley Morag K. , Neuhuber Winfried , Korbmacher Christoph , Bertog Marko
Published: December 2014

There is good evidence for a causal link between excessive sympathetic drive to the kidney and hypertension. We hypothesized that sympathetic regulation of tubular Na+ absorption may occur in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron, where the fine tuning of renal Na+ excretion takes place. Here, the appropriate regulation of transepithelial Na+ transport, mediated by the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), is critical for blood pressure control. To explore a possible effect of the sympathetic transmitter norepinephrine on ENaC-mediated Na+ transport, we performed short-circuit current ( Isc) measurements on confluent mCCDcl1 murine cortical collecting duct cells. Norepinephrine caused a complex Isc response with a sustained increase of amiloride-sensitive Isc by ∼44%. This effect was concentration dependent and mediated via basolateral α2-adrenoceptors. In cells pretreated with aldosterone, the stimulatory effect of norepinephrine was reduced. Finally, we demonstrated that noradrenergic nerve fibers are present in close proximity to ENaC-expressing cells in murine kidney slices. We conclude that the sustained stimulatory effect of locally elevated norepinephrine on ENaC-mediated Na + absorption may contribute to the hypertensive effect of increased renal sympathetic activity.
Acute effects of aldosterone on the epithelial Na channel in rat kidney
Authors: Frindt Gustavo , Palmer Lawrence G.
Published: December 2014

The acute effects of aldosterone administration on epithelial Na channels (ENaC) in rat kidney were examined using electrophysiology and immunodetection. Animals received a single injection of aldosterone (20 μg/kg body wt), which reduced Na excretion over the next 3 h. Channel activity was assessed in principal cells of cortical collecting ducts as amiloride-sensitive whole cell clamp current ( INa). INaaveraged 100 pA/cell, 20–30% of that reported for the same preparation under conditions of chronic stimulation. INawas negligible in control animals that did not receive hormone. The acute physiological response correlated with changes in ENaC processing and trafficking. These effects included increases in the cleaved forms of α-ENaC and γ-ENaC, assessed by Western blot, and increases in the surface expression of β-ENaC and γ-ENaC measured after surface protein biotinylation. These changes were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those of chronic stimulation. This suggests that altered trafficking to or from the apical membrane is an early response to the hormone and that later increases in channel activity require stimulation of channels residing at the surface.
Learning and generalization in an isometric visuomotor task
Authors: Rotella Michele F. , Nisky Ilana , Koehler Margaret , Rinderknecht Mike D. , Bastian Amy J. , Okamura Allison M.
Published: December 2014

Adaptation is a prominent feature of the human motor system and has been studied extensively in reaching movements. This study characterizes adaptation and generalization during isometric reaching in which the arm remains stationary and the participant controls a virtual cursor via force applied by the hand. We measured how learning of a visual cursor rotation generalizes across workspace 1) to determine the coordinate system that predominates visual rotation learning, and 2) to ascertain whether mapping type, namely position or velocity control, influences transfer. Participants performed virtual reaches to one of two orthogonal training targets with the applied rotation. In a new workspace, participants reached to a single target, similar to the training target in either hand or joint space. Furthermore, a control experiment measured within-workspace generalization to an orthogonal target. Across position and velocity mappings, learning transferred predominantly in intrinsic (joint) space, although the transfer was incomplete. The velocity mapping resulted in significantly larger aftereffects and broader within-workspace generalization than the position mapping, potentially due to slower peak speeds, longer trial times, greater target overshoot, or other factors. Although we cannot rule out a mixed reference frame in our task, the predominance of intrinsic coding of cursor kinematics in the isometric environment opposes the extrinsic coding of arm kinematics in real reaching but matches the intrinsic coding of dynamics found in prior work. These findings have implications for the design of isometric control systems in human-machine interaction or in rehabilitation when coordinated multi-degree-of-freedom movement is difficult to achieve.
Deconstructing multisensory enhancement in detection
Authors: Pannunzi Mario , Pérez-Bellido Alexis , Pereda-Baños Alexandre , López-Moliner Joan , Deco Gustavo , Soto-Faraco Salvador
Published: December 2014

The mechanisms responsible for the integration of sensory information from different modalities have become a topic of intense interest in psychophysics and neuroscience. Many authors now claim that early, sensory-based cross-modal convergence improves performance in detection tasks. An important strand of supporting evidence for this claim is based on statistical models such as the Pythagorean model or the probabilistic summation model. These models establish statistical benchmarks representing the best predicted performance under the assumption that there are no interactions between the two sensory paths. Following this logic, when observed detection performances surpass the predictions of these models, it is often inferred that such improvement indicates cross-modal convergence. We present a theoretical analyses scrutinizing some of these models and the statistical criteria most frequently used to infer early cross-modal interactions during detection tasks. Our current analysis shows how some common misinterpretations of these models lead to their inadequate use and, in turn, to contradictory results and misleading conclusions. To further illustrate the latter point, we introduce a model that accounts for detection performances in multimodal detection tasks but for which surpassing of the Pythagorean or probabilistic summation benchmark can be explained without resorting to early cross-modal interactions. Finally, we report three experiments that put our theoretical interpretation to the test and further propose how to adequately measure multimodal interactions in audiotactile detection tasks.
Cell-selective modulation of theDrosophilaneuromuscular system by a neuropeptide
Authors: Ormerod Kiel G. , Krans Jacob L. , Mercier A. Joffre
Published: December 2014

Neuropeptides can modulate physiological properties of neurons in a cell-specific manner. The present work examines whether a neuropeptide can also modulate muscle tissue in a cell-specific manner using identified muscle cells in third-instar larvae of fruit flies. DPKQDFMRFa, a modulatory peptide in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, has been shown to enhance transmitter release from motor neurons and to elicit contractions by a direct effect on muscle cells. We report that DPKQDFMRFa causes a nifedipine-sensitive drop in input resistance in some muscle cells (6 and 7) but not others (12 and 13). The peptide also increased the amplitude of nerve-evoked contractions and compound excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) to a greater degree in muscle cells 6 and 7 than 12 and 13. Knocking down FMRFamide receptor (FR) expression separately in nerve and muscle indicate that both presynaptic and postsynaptic FR expression contributed to the enhanced contractions, but EJP enhancement was mainly due to presynaptic expression. Muscle ablation showed that DPKQDFMRFa induced contractions and enhanced nerve-evoked contractions more strongly in muscle cells 6 and 7 than cells 12 and 13. In situ hybridization indicated that FR expression was significantly greater in muscle cells 6 and 7 than 12 and 13. Taken together, these results indicate that DPKQDFMRFa can elicit cell-selective effects on muscle fibers. The ability of neuropeptides to work in a cell-selective manner on neurons and muscle cells may help explain why so many peptides are encoded in invertebrate and vertebrate genomes.
Adult spinal V2a interneurons show increased excitability and serotonin-dependent bistability
Authors: Husch Andreas , Dietz Shelby B. , Hong Diana N. , Harris-Warrick Ronald M.
Published: December 2014

In mice, most studies of the organization of the spinal central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion, and its component neuron classes, have been performed on neonatal [postnatal day (P)2-P4] animals. While the neonatal spinal cord can generate a basic locomotor pattern, it is often argued that the CPG network is in an immature form whose detailed properties mature with postnatal development. Here, we compare intrinsic properties and serotonergic modulation of the V2a class of excitatory spinal interneurons in behaviorally mature (older than P43) mice to those in neonatal mice. Using perforated patch recordings from genetically tagged V2a interneurons, we revealed an age-dependent increase in excitability. The input resistance increased, the rheobase values decreased, and the relation between injected current and firing frequency ( F/ I plot) showed higher excitability in the adult neurons, with almost all neurons firing tonically during a current step. The adult action potential (AP) properties became narrower and taller, and the AP threshold hyperpolarized. While in neonates the AP afterhyperpolarization was monophasic, most adult V2a interneurons showed a biphasic afterhyperpolarization. Serotonin increased excitability and depolarized most neonatal and adult V2a interneurons. However, in ∼30% of adult V2a interneurons, serotonin additionally elicited spontaneous intrinsic membrane potential bistability, resulting in alternations between hyperpolarized and depolarized states with a dramatically decreased membrane input resistance and facilitation of evoked plateau potentials. This was never seen in younger animals. Our findings indicate a significant postnatal development of the properties of locomotor-related V2a interneurons, which could alter their interpretation of synaptic inputs in the locomotor CPG.
Mulberry Extracts Alleviate Aβ25–35‐Induced Injury and Change the Gene Expression Profile in PC12 Cells
Authors: Song Nan , Yang Hongpeng , Pang Wei , Qie Zhiwei , Lu Hao , Tan Long , Li Haiqiang , Sun Shoudan , Lian Fuzhi , Qin Chuan , Jiang Yugang
Published: December 2014

Mulberry, which contained high amounts of anthocyanins, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Mulberry fruit extracts (ME) have demonstrated the antioxidant activity and neuroprotection. The study was to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of ME against β‐amyloid 25–35‐ (Aβ25–35‐) induced PC12 cells injury. Cells preincubated with or without ME (200 μg/mL) for 24 h were treated with Aβ25–35 (20 μmol/L) for another 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by MTT, gene expression profiles were examined by cDNA microarrays, and RT‐PCR were used to confirm the results of microarray assays. ME pretreatment was found to neutralize the cytotoxicity and prevent Aβ25–35‐induced cells injury. Analyses of gene expression profile revealed that genes involving cell adhesion, peptidase activity, cytokine activity, ion binding activity, and angiogenesis regulation were significantly modulated by ME pretreatment. Among those genes, Apaf1, Bace2, and Plcb4 were enriched in the “Alzheimer’s disease‐reference pathway” and downregulated after ME intervention. RT‐PCR results showed that ME preincubation could significantly inhibit Aβ25–35 increased mRNA levels of these three genes. Overall, ME pretreatment could substantially alleviate PC12 cells injury and downregulate expression of AD‐related genes, such as Apaf1, Bace2, and Plcb4. This study has a great nutrigenomics interest and brings new and important light in the field of AD intervention.
Malignant Pediatric Gliosarcoma Defies General Survival Data
Authors: Martin Jovita , Devadoss Premkumar , Kannan Kalaichelvi , Kumar Sundarraj Suresh
Published: December 2014

Gliosarcoma, a variant of glioblastoma multiforme, is a dimorphic tumor known for its intra-axial occurrence and poor survival of less than a year. Here is an 11-year-old boy with gliosarcoma. He had a near total excision and postoperative chemoradiotherapy. He has lived through the disease for over 34 months with a residual disease.This case report is to report an unusual long survival of gliosarcoma in a teenager (Ravisankar et al., 2012).
Metabolic Changes and Serum Ghrelin Level in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Ucak Haydar , Demir Betul , Cicek Demet , Erden Ilker , Aydin Suleyman , Dertlioglu Selma Bakar , Arica Mustafa
Published: December 2014

Background. Serum ghrelin levels may be related to metabolic and clinical changes in patients with psoriasis.Objective. This study was performed to determine the possible effects of serum ghrelin in patients with psoriasis.Methods. The study population consisted of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis. The patients were questioned with regard to age, gender, age of onset, duration of disease, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, insulin, and ghrelin levels were measured.Results. The mean serum ghrelin level was 45.41 ± 22.41 in the psoriasis group and 29.92 ± 14.65 in the healthy control group. Serum ghrelin level was significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (P=0.01). The mean ghrelin level in patients with a lower PASI score was significantly higher than in those with a higher PASI score (P=0.02).Conclusion. The present study was performed to determine the effects of ghrelin in psoriasis patients. We found a negative correlation between severity of psoriasis and ghrelin level. Larger and especially experimental studies focusing on correlation of immune system-ghrelin levels and severity of psoriasis may be valuable to clarify the etiopathogenesis of the disease.
Chemical Assessment and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Endophytic Fungi Extracts Isolated from Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe (Costaceae)
Authors: Marson Ascêncio Poliana Guerino , Ascêncio Sérgio Donizeti , Aguiar Aline Aires , Fiorini Adriana , Pimenta Raphael Sanzio
Published: December 2014

Costus spiralis (Costaceae) is a species native to the Amazon region and is used in traditional medicine. The endophytic fungi used in this study were obtained from leaves of this plant. 13 strains were selected to obtain hydroethanolic extracts and were submitted to hydroalcoholic extraction and evaluated for antioxidant activity by DPPH (2,2‐difenil‐1‐picrilhidrazil) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and all of the fungi had positive results. The antimicrobial action of crude extracts had a good range of activities. All extracts had inhibitory activities against the yeasts of Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis, with 125 to 500 μg/mL MIC. Eight extracts had antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis (MIC from 62.4 to 125 μg/mL), 5 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC from 125 to 500 μg/mL), 2 against Salmonella enterica (MIC from 125 to 62.5 μg/mL), and 2 against Enterococcus faecalis (MIC from 500 to 125 μg/mL). The presence of secondary metabolites, including coumarins, was observed during chemical evaluation by thin layer chromatography. Total phenol content was estimated, and a strong positive correlation to antioxidant activity was observed, according to its Pearson coefficient. This is the first report of the bioactive potential of endophytic fungi isolated from the Costaceae family in Brazilian ecosystems.
Impacts of Improved Switchgrass and Big Bluestem Selections on Yield, Morphological Characteristics, and Biomass Quality
Authors: Delaquis Erik , Samson Roger , Seguin Philippe , Mustafa Arif , Martel Huguette
Published: December 2014

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardiiV.) are promising warm-season grasses for biomass production. Understanding the morphological and quality-related traits of these grasses can guide breeders in developing strategies to improve yield and quality for bioindustrial applications. Elite selections were made in Southern Quebec from four promising varieties of switchgrass and one of big bluestem. Biomass yield, morphological characteristics, and selected quality traits were evaluated at two sites in 2011 and 2012. Significant variation was detected for all measured characteristics, with differences varying by site and year. In some cases the selection process modified characteristics including increasing height and reducing tiller mortality. Switchgrasses reached a similar tiller equilibrium density in both years of 690 m−2and 379 m−2at a productive and marginal site, respectively. Differences in yield were pronounced at the marginal site, with some advanced selections having a higher yield than their parent varieties. Switchgrass yields were generally greater than those of big bluestem. A delayed spring harvest date greatly reduced yield but reduced moisture content and slightly increased cellulose concentration. Big bluestem had a higher cellulose content than switchgrass, likely due to greater stem content.
Intraurban Analysis of Domestic Solid Waste Disposal Methods in a Sub-Sahara African City
Authors: Ojewale Oluwole Samuel
Published: December 2014

The study examined the influence of socioeconomic attributes of residents on domestic solid waste disposal methods in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained through questionnaire administered on residents in Eti-Osa, Ikeja, and Mushin Local Government Areas (LGAs) representing the low, medium, and high densities, respectively, into which the sixteen LGAs in Lagos metropolis were stratified. One out of every four wards in each LGA was selected for survey. From a total of 15,275 residential buildings in the ten wards, one out of every forty buildings (2.5%) was selected using systematic random sampling where a household head was sampled. Information obtained includes the residential characteristics and the disposal methods. Enquiries into the socioeconomic attributes of the residents showed that 59.9% were high income earners and 76.6% had attained tertiary school education. This study concluded that six disposal methods were common in the study area. Furthermore, through multinomial logistic regression, the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of residents (density, income, age of respondents, educational status, and length of stay) on domestic solid waste disposal methods varied significantly in Lagos metropolis. The study established that most of the solid waste disposal methods utilized by residents in Lagos metropolis were not environment-friendly.
Freedom and Confinement: Patients’ Experiences of Life with Home Haemodialysis
Authors: Vestman C. , Hasselroth M. , Berglund M.
Published: December 2014

Patients with chronic end stage renal disease need dialysis to survive; however, they also need a treatment that suits their life situation. It is important that healthcare providers provide reliable, up-to-date information about different dialysis treatment options. Since home haemodialysis is a relatively new treatment, it is necessary to gather more knowledge about what the treatment entails from the patient’s perspective. The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences of having home haemodialysis. To gain access to the patients’ experiences, they were asked to write narratives, which describe both their good and bad experiences of life with the treatment. The narratives were analysed with a qualitative method. The results of this analysis are subdivided into five themes: freedom to be at home and control their own treatment, feeling of being alone with the responsibility, changes in the home environment, need for support, and security and well-being with home haemodialysis. The conclusion is that home haemodialysis provides a certain level of freedom, but the freedom is limited as the treatment itself is restrictive. In order to improve patients’ experiences with home haemodialysis, more research based on patients’ experiences is needed and it is necessary to involve the patients in the development of the care.
Proving and Generalizing Desargues’ Two-Triangle Theorem in 3-Dimensional Projective Space
Authors: Kodokostas Dimitrios
Published: December 2014

With the use of only the incidence axioms we prove and generalize Desargues’ two-triangle Theorem in three-dimensional projective space considering an arbitrary number of points on each one of the two distinct planes allowing corresponding points on the two planes to coincide and three points on any of the planes to be collinear. We provide three generalizations and we define the notions of a generalized line and a triangle-connected plane set of points.