bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of incubation time on preparation of continuous and flat Ru films
Authors: Funakubo Hiroshi , Shiraishi Takahisa , Oikawa Takahiro , Hirano Masaki , Chiba Hirokazu , Kawano Kazuhisa
Published: December 2014

Ru films were deposited from Ru(C7H11)(C7H9)–O2 and Ru(C7H11)2–O2 systems on SiO2 (native oxide)/(001)Si, HfSiON/SiON/(001)Si, and HfO2/SiON/(001)Si substrates by pulsed metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Ru deposition was hardly observed at 210 °C at the early stage of the deposition, i.e., incubation time, and this time depended on the source systems and the kinds of the substrates as well as the deposition temperature. After this incubation time, the deposition amount almost linearly increased with the deposition time. This slope, i.e., the deposition rate after the incubation time, was hardly independent of the kinds of substrates. This slope changed by the source systems. The minimum deposition amount to get films with the apparent resistivity below 100 μΩ cm and its average surface roughness depended on the kinds of the substrates, the source systems and the deposition temperature. More importantly, the shorter incubation time of the film deposition resulted in the thinner continuous films with smaller surface roughness irrespective of the source systems. This clearly shows the effect of the incubation time on the preparation of continuous and thin flat Ru films.
Exploring New Relationships Between Physical Activity Volume and Intensity and Cardiometabolic Risk in U.S. Adolescents
Authors: Hatfield Daniel P. , Chomitz Virginia R. , Chui Kenneth , Sacheck Jennifer M. , Economo Christina D.
Published: December 2014

Background:

Associations between physical activity (PA) intensity and volume and adolescents’ cardiometabolic health have research, policy, and practice implications. This study compares associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and 1) moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) minutes versus total PA volume (accelerometer-derived total activity counts, TAC) and 2) light PA volume (counts at light intensity, L-TAC) versus moderate-to-vigorous PA volume (counts at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, MV-TAC).

Methods:

2105 adolescents from 2003– 2006 NHANES were included. Independent variables were MVPA minutes, TAC, L-TAC, and MV-TAC. Regression models tested associations between PA variables and continuous metabolic risk index (CMRI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL, insulin, and triglycerides.

Results:

TAC demonstrated a slightly stronger inverse association with CMRI (P = .004) than did MVPA (P = .013). TAC and MVPA were both associated with systolic and diastolic pressure, HDL, and insulin; associations were similar or slightly stronger for TAC. L-TAC and MV-TAC were both associated with CMRI and HDL. Only L-TAC was associated with diastolic pressure. Only MV-TAC was associated with waist circumference, systolic pressure, and insulin.

Conclusions:

Compared with MVPA minutes, TAC demonstrates similar or slightly stronger associations with cardiometabolic risk factors. L-TAC and MV-TAC appear similarly associated with adolescents’ clustered risk but differently associated with individual risk factors.
Chapter 2 Creating a Before-School Physical Activity Program: Pre-Service Physical Educators’ Experiences and Implications for PETE
Authors: McMullen Jaimie , van der Mars Hans , Jahn Julie A.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of physical education teacher education (PETE) majors enrolled in an internship course that provided them with authentic experiences promoting and facilitating a before-school physical activity (PA) program and to examine the associated implications for PETE programs within the Comprehensive School Physical Activity (CSPAP) framework. In this study, five PETE majors were recruited to participate. Data were collected from several sources including participant observation, interviews, systematic observation, and document analysis. The results show that preservice physical educators struggled with PA promotion as a consequence of perceptions of early programmatic success, feelings of nervousness and influences of their existing beliefs about the role of the physical educator. Therefore, when considering the role of the physical educator relative to a CSPAP, PETE programs should consider making adjustments to their curricula to include experiences that allow preservice teachers to practice skills associated with out-of-class PA promotion.
Observation of Fermi arc surface states in a topological metal
Authors: Xu Su-Yang , Liu Chang , Kushwaha Satya K. , Sankar Raman , Krizan Jason W. , Belopolski Ilya , Neupane Madhab , Bian Guang , Alidoust Nasser , Chang Tay-Rong , Jeng Horng-Tay , Huang Cheng-Yi , Tsai Wei-Feng , Lin Hsin , Shibayev Pavel P. , Chou Fang-Cheng , Cava Robert J. , Hasan M. Zahid
Published: December 2014

Nailing down the topology of a semimetal

Topological insulators are exotic materials that have a conducting surface state that can withstand certain types of material imperfection. Theoreticians have predicted a different kind of surface state in related three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetals, which do not have an energy gap in the band structure of the bulk. Xu
et al.
used photoemission spectroscopy to map out the band structure of the material Na
3
Bi and detected the predicted surface state. Their results may lead to further insights into the physics of topological matter.

Science
, this issue p.
294
Impact of regulatory variation from RNA to protein
Authors: Battle Alexis , Khan Zia , Wang Sidney H. , Mitrano Amy , Ford Michael J. , Pritchard Jonathan K. , Gilad Yoav
Published: December 2014

How genetics affect phenotypic variation

How an individual looks depends on their genes, genetic variation, and interactions with the environment. However, the path from genotype to phenotype remains murky. Battle
et al.
examine how an individual's genetic variation affects expression of RNA, ribosome occupancy, and protein levels. They find that RNA expression and ribosome occupancy are generally correlated. However, in contrast, protein levels appear not to depend on RNA levels or ribosome occupancy. Protein levels are thus regulated by posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Science
, this issue p.
664
Comet Breakthrough of the Year + People's choice
Authors: Hand Eric
Published: December 2014

Rosetta's short-lived lander grabbed the headlines, but the ongoing orbital mission is the real news for science. And this year,
Science
decided to give its readers a say in picking their own top breakthroughs of 2014.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bifidobacterium longum 105-A, a Strain with High Transformation Efficiency
Authors: Kanesaki Yu , Masutani Hisayoshi , Sakanaka Mikiyasu , Shiwa Yuh , Fujisawa Takatomo , Nakamura Yasukazu , Yokota Atsushi , Fukiya Satoru , Suzuki Tohru , Yoshikawa Hirofumi
Published: December 2014

Bifidobacterium longum
105-A shows high transformation efficiency and allows for the generation of gene knockout mutants through homologous recombination. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain 105-A. Genes encoding at least four putative restriction-modification systems were found in this genome, which might contribute to its transformation efficiency.
Genome Sequence of the Deep-Sea Denitrifier
Pseudomonas
sp. Strain MT-1, Isolated from the Mariana Trench
Authors: Fujinami Shun , Oikawa Yuji , Araki Takuma , Shinmura Yui , Midorikawa Ryota , Ishizaka Hikari , Kato Chiaki , Horikoshi Koki , Ito Masahiro , Tamegai Hideyuki
Published: December 2014

Pseudomonas
sp. strain MT-1 was the first deep-sea denitrifier isolated and characterized from mud recovered from a depth of 11,000 m in the Mariana Trench. We report here the genome sequence of this bacterium, which contributes to our understanding of denitrification and bioenergetics in the deep sea.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Principal Etiological Agent of Farmer's Lung Disease, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula
Authors: Barrera Coralie , Valot Benoît , Rognon Bénédicte , Zaugg Christophe , Monod Michel , Millon Laurence
Published: December 2014

Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula
is the main cause of farmer's lung disease. The development of recombinant antigens to standardize the serodiagnosis of the disease requires knowledge of the
S. rectivirgula
genome. We sequenced the genome of an environmental strain,
S. rectivirgula
DSM 43113. A total of 3,221 proteins were found to be encoded in a short 3.9-Mb genome.
Human botfly infestation: the tip of the iceberg
Authors: Nduka Jude Chiedu , Mcnair Rory
Published: December 2014

A retired man in his 60s was referred to the on call orthopaedic team by his general practitioner following several attempts to extricate a human botfly larva from his forearm. While on holiday in Belize with his daughter 8 weeks previously they both were bitten by some insects. She developed an infestation which was treated locally. Once back in the UK, he subsequently reported of localised itching and discomfort. A botfly larva was successfully removed in the emergency department following local anaesthetic infiltration.
Improved Navier–Stokes Boundary Conditions Based on Generalized Characteristics
Authors: Kaviani Ramin , Nikkhah-Bahrami Mansour
Published: December 2014

In this paper, the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes characteristic boundary conditions for large-eddy and aeroacoustic simulations are extended to curvilinear coordinates formulations. A robust way of treating the transverse and gradient terms on boundary planes is presented which is different from previous generalized characteristic boundary conditions. The performance of the new formulation is examined via four test problems: an inviscid convective vortex, a two-dimensional mixing layer, a Mach 0.75 round jet, and a Mach 0.51 nozzle/jet. For each test problem, the numerical schemes used to implement the boundary conditions, the numerical parameters employed, and the predicted three-dimensional flow fields are presented. Based on the numerical experiments conducted, the new boundary conditions show promise for high-fidelity simulations of compressible viscous flows.
Physical and Mathematical Representations of Couple Stress Effects on Micro/Nanosolids
Authors: Shaat M.
Published: December 2014

In the present paper, for linear elastic materials, effects of couple stresses on micro/nanosolids are physically discussed and mathematically represented in the context of the classical, the modified and the consistent couple–stress theories. Then, an evaluation is provided showing the validity and the limit of applicability of each one of these theories. At first, the possible couple stress effects on mechanics of particles and on continuum mechanics are represented. Then, a reasoning comparison with examples is performed to discuss and evaluate the way that each one of these theories represents the couple stress effects.

In the context of the classical couple–stress theory, two higher-order material constants are introduced in addition to the conventional ones to capture the microstructure rigid rotation effects. Recently, two alternative theories, the modified couple–stress and the consistent couple–stress theories, with only one additional material constant are introduced with contradictory points of view. Authors of these two alternative theories gave apparently strong motivations for their opposed points of view. Therefore, through the present paper, it will be convenient to analyze the essential points of view based on which these alternative theories are proposed since they lead to exactly opposed conclusions. Thus their essential points of view are discussed and evaluated showing their consistency with the fundamental concepts of the couple stress effects.

It has been shown that the scientific bases of these two alternative theories are not consistent with the representation of the couple–stress effects on micro/nanocontinua. Based on discussions and results through the paper, both the modified theory and the consistent theory represent, only, simplifications for the classical couple–stress theory but they did not able to well represent the possible effects of couple stresses and they are limited for only two categories of linear elastic materials problems. This demolishes the scientific points of view based on which the two theories are proposed.
Crucial Roles of Bond Rebinding in Rupture Behaviors of Single Molecular Bond at Ultralow Loading Rates
Authors: Li Dechang , Ji Baohua
Published: December 2014

Single-molecule dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) is a powerful tool for studying mechanical forces of molecular interactions. Recently, the important role of bond rebinding in DSF experiments was recognized, which intrigued mounting researches in this direction. In this work, we study how the bond rebinding influences the strength of single-molecular bonds using Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations and theoretical modeling. Our results show that bond rebinding significantly enhances the strength of single-molecular bond at ultralow loading rates. The rebinding behavior strongly depends on the loading stiffness, suggesting that the strength of single-molecular bond is not only dependent on its intrinsic property, but also the stiffness of loading device. By connecting our new model with conventional theories that did not consider the rebinding effect and are only applied to high loading rates, we propose a unified scheme to predict the rupture forces in a full range of loading rate in DSF experiments and simulations.
Communication Lower Bounds Using Directional Derivatives
Authors: Sherstov Alexander A.
Published: December 2014

We study the set disjointness problem in the most powerful model of bounded-error communication, the
k
-party randomized number-on-the-forehead model. We show that set disjointness requires Ω(√n/2

k

k
) bits of communication, where
n
is the size of the universe. Our lower bound generalizes to quantum communication, where it is essentially optimal. Proving this bound was a longstanding open problem even in restricted settings, such as one-way classical protocols with
k
=4 parties [Wigderson 1997]. The proof contributes a novel technique for lower bounds on multiparty communication, based on directional derivatives of protocols over the reals.
Nrf2 is essential for timely M phase entry of replicating hepatocytes during liver regeneration
Authors: Zou Yuhong , Hu Min , Lee Joonyong , Nambiar Shashank Manohar , Garcia Veronica , Bao Qi , Chan Jefferson Y. , Dai Guoli
Published: December 2014

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates various cellular activities, including redox balance, detoxification, metabolism, autophagy, proliferation, and apoptosis. Several studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 regulates hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate how Nrf2 modulates the cell cycle of replicating hepatocytes in regenerating livers. Wild-type and Nrf2 null mice were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) and killed at multiple time points for various analyses. Nrf2 null mice exhibited delayed liver regrowth, although the lost liver mass was eventually restored 7 days after PH. Nrf2 deficiency did not affect the number of hepatocytes entering the cell cycle but did delay hepatocyte mitosis. Mechanistically, the lack of Nrf2 resulted in increased mRNA and protein levels of hepatic cyclin A2 when the remaining hepatocytes were replicating in response to PH. Moreover, Nrf2 deficiency in regenerating livers caused dysregulation of Wee1, Cdc2, and cyclin B1 mRNA and protein expression, leading to decreased Cdc2 activity. Thus, Nrf2 is required for timely M phase entry of replicating hepatocytes by ensuring proper regulation of cyclin A2 and the Wee1/Cdc2/cyclin B1 pathway during liver regeneration.
Outcomes of the Use of Fully Covered Esophageal Self-Expandable Stent in the Management of Colorectal Anastomotic Strictures and Leaks
Authors: Cooper Chad J. , Morales Angel , Othman Mohamed O.
Published: December 2014

Introduction. Colorectal anastomotic leak or stricture is a dreaded complication leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The novel use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in the management of postoperative colorectal anastomotic leaks or strictures can avoid surgical reintervention. Methods. Retrospective study with particular attention to the indications, operative or postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes of SEMS placement for patients with either a colorectal anastomotic stricture or leak. Results. Eight patients had SEMS (WallFlex stent) for the management of postoperative colorectal anastomotic leak or stricture. Five had a colorectal anastomotic stricture and 3 had a colorectal anastomotic leak. Complete resolution of the anastomotic stricture or leak was achieved in all patients. Three had recurrence of the anastomotic stricture on 3-month flexible sigmoidoscopy follow-up after the initial stent was removed. Two of these patients had a stricture that was technically too difficult to place another stent. Stent migration was noted in 2 patients, one at day 3 and the other at day 14 after stent placement that required a larger 23 mm stent to be placed. Conclusions. The use of SEMS in the management of colorectal anastomotic leaks or strictures is feasible and is associated with high technical and clinical success rate.
Cartilaginous Choristoma of the Gingiva: A Rare Clinical Entity
Authors: Suganya Ramalingam , Malathi Narasimhan , Vijaya Nirmala Subramani , Ravindran Chinnaswami , Thamizhchelvan Harikrishnan
Published: December 2014

Choristomas are rare entities which are aggregates of microscopically normal cells or tissues in aberrant locations. They are a “heterotopic” rest of cells, as they appear as a tumor-like mass. Herein we report a case of cartilaginous choristoma in a 54-year-old male who presented with a swelling on right lower gingiva. The histopathological examination revealed features of a well circumscribed mass of mature cartilage in a dense fibrous connective tissue stroma.
Improvement of Adaptive GAs and Back Propagation ANNs Performance in Condition Diagnosis of Multiple Bearing System Using Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Wulandhari Lili A. , Wibowo Antoni , Desa Mohammad I.
Published: December 2014

Condition diagnosis of multiple bearings system is one of the requirements in industry field, because bearings are used in many equipment and their failure can result in total breakdown. Conditions of bearings commonly are reflected by vibration signals data. In multiple bearing condition diagnosis, it will involve many types of vibration signals data; thus, consequently, it will involve many features extraction to obtain precise condition diagnosis. However, large number of features extraction will increase the complexity of the diagnosis system. Therefore, in this paper, we presented a diagnosis method which is hybridization of adaptive genetic algorithms (AGAs), back propagation neural networks (BPNNs), and grey relational analysis (GRA) to diagnose the condition of multiple bearings system. AGAs are used in the diagnosis algorithm to determine the best initial weights of BPNNs in order to improve the diagnosis accuracy. In addition, GRA is applied to determine and select the dominant features from the vibration signal data which will provide good diagnosis of multiple bearings system in less features extraction. The experiments results show that AGAs-BPNNs with GRA approaches can increase the accuracy of diagnosis in shorter processing time, compared with the AGAs-BPNNs without the GRA.
Influence of Molybdenum Content and MoOxy-Species on the Textural and Structural ZrO2Properties
Authors: Zapién Alberto Hernández , Enríquez Juan Manuel Hernández , Alamilla Ricardo García , Robles Guillermo Sandoval , García Ulises Páramo , Serrano Luz Arcelia García
Published: December 2014

The present work proposes to study the incorporation of molybdenum into the zirconium oxide precursor (Zr(OH)4), in order to analyze its possible repercussions on the textural and structural zirconia properties (ZrO2). For this, the Zr(OH)4was synthesized by the sol-gel method and modified with 5, 10, and 15 wt% of molybdenum into the stabilized oxide. The synthesized materials were dried at 120°C for 24 h and then were calcined at 600°C for 3 h. The characterization of the solids was carried out by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal analyses results showed that the change from the amorphous to the crystalline phase of ZrO2is shifted to higher temperatures due to the presence of molybdenum content. Tetragonal phase was identified for all synthesized materials, showing a decrease in crystallinity as a function of the metal content. The textural properties were improved due to the incorporation of molybdenum into the ZrO2structure, developing specific surface areas which are above up to four times the area of pure ZrO2. The synthesized materials presented spherical morphology with particle sizes less than 1 µm, with a change of this morphology for high metal contents (15 wt%) being observed.
Cost Analysis for a Supplier in an Inflationary Environment with Stock Dependent Demand Rate for Perishable Items
Authors: Jain Madhu , Sharma G. C. , Rani Varsha
Published: December 2014

The present study is concerned with the cost modeling of an inventory system with perishable multi-items having stock dependent demand rates under an inflationary environment of the market. The concept of permissible delay is taken into account. The study provides the cost analysis of inventory system under the decision criteria of time value of money, inflation, deterioration, and stock dependent demand. Numerical illustrations are derived from the quantitative model to validate the results. The cost of inventory and optimal time are also computed by varying different system parameters. The comparison of these results is facilitated by computing the results with neurofuzzy results.
Comparative Thermal Analysis of Different Cool Roof Materials for Minimizing Building Energy Consumption
Authors: Anand Y. , Gupta A. , Maini A. , Gupta Avi , Sharma A. , Khajuria A. , Gupta S. , Sharma S. , Anand S. , Tyagi S. K.
Published: December 2014

The roof and walls in the urban areas contribute to major share in the absorption of solar radiations and also retard the outflow of the absorbed radiation from the building envelope, thereby increasing the global warming by inducing the heat island effect. The impact of using cool roof technologies on the thermal comfort of the office buildings has been estimated. Cool roofs reduce electricity consumption for maintaining the temperature of the air-conditioned buildings in the comfort level and also increase comfort in buildings merely not relying completely on cooling equipment. The cool roofs and cool pavements, however, can mitigate summer urban heat islands by improving indoor air quality and comfort. The thermal analysis of different materials has been carried out to analyze the impact of the rate of heat transfer on the building envelope and the results obtained indicate that different cool roof techniques are beneficial in maintaining the comfort level of the building which purely depends on the ambient temperature conditions.
Ultrasonic Investigations of Molecular Interaction in Binary Mixtures of Cyclohexanone with Isomers of Butanol
Authors: Md Nayeem Sk. , Kondaiah M. , Sreekanth K. , Rao D. Krishna
Published: December 2014

Ultrasonic speed, u, and density, ρ, have been measured in binary liquid mixtures of cyclohexanone with the isomers of butanol (n-butanol, sec-butanol, and tert-butanol) at 308.15 K over the entire range of composition. Molar volume (Vm), adiabatic compressibility (ks), intermolecular free length (Lf), acoustic impedance (z), and their excess/deviation along with Δu have been calculated from the experimental data. These values have been fitted to Redlich-Kister type polynomial equation. Positive values of VmE, Δks, LfE and negative values of zE, Δu have been observed for all the liquid mixtures indicating the existence of weak interactions between components. Rupture of H-bond or reduction in H-bond strength of isomers of butanol or breaking of the structure of one or both of the components in a solution causes the existence of dispersions in the present investigated binary mixtures. The data obtained from V-m,1, V-m,2, and excess partial molar volumes V-m, 1E, V-m, 2E, reflects the inferences drawn from VmE. Furthermore, FTIR spectra support the conclusions drawn from excess/deviation properties. The measured values of ultrasonic speed for all the investigated mixtures have been compared with the theoretically estimated values using empirical relations such as, Nomoto, Van Dael and Vangeels, Impedance and Rao specific sound speed.
Nonholonomic Motion Planning Strategy for Underactuated Manipulator
Authors: Li Liang , Tan Yuegang , Li Zhang
Published: December 2014

This paper develops nonholonomic motion planning strategy for three-joint underactuated manipulator, which uses only two actuators and can be converted into chained form. Since the manipulator was designed focusing on the control simplicity, there are several issues for motion planning, mainly including transformation singularity, path estimation, and trajectory robustness in the presence of initial errors, which need to be considered. Although many existing motion planning control laws for chained form system can be directly applied to the manipulator and steer it to desired configuration, coordinate transformation singularities often happen. We propose two mathematical techniques to avoid the transformation singularities. Then, two evaluation indicators are defined and used to estimate control precision and linear approximation capability. In the end, the initial error sensitivity matrix is introduced to describe the interference sensitivity, which is called robustness. The simulation and experimental results show that an efficient and robust resultant path of three-joint underactuated manipulator can be successfully obtained by use of the motion planning strategy we presented.
Reestablishment of Active Immunity against HBV Graft Reinfection after Liver Transplantation for HBV-Related End Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Lu Shi-Chun , Jiang Tao , Lai Wei , Liu Yuan , Zhang Jing , Zeng Dao-Bing , Li Chuan-Yun , Wang Meng-Long , Lin Dong-Dong , Zhu Yue , Li You-Ping , Li Ning
Published: December 2014

Background. The aim of this study was to establish a hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination protocol among orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recipients under the coverage of a low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) combined with an antiviral agent prophylaxis protocol.Method. Two hundred OLT recipients were included in this study. The vaccine was injected at months 0, 1, 2, and 6. Low-dose HBIG combined with antiviral agent prophylaxis protocol was continued before reestablishment of active immunity against HBV in order to maintain a steady anti-HBs titer.Results. Active immunity against HBV was reestablished in 50 patients, for an overall response rate of 25%. Of the 50 patients, 24 discontinued HBIG without any HBV graft reinfection during a follow-up period of 26.13 ± 7.05 months. 21 patients discontinued both HBIG and antiviral agents during a follow-up period of 39.86 ± 15.47 months, and 4 patients among them appeared to be HBsAg positive. There was no recipient death or graft loss because of HBV reinfection.Conclusions. Vaccination preventing HBV reinfection for OLT recipients is feasible. The strategy withdrawal of HBIG with induction of active immunity against hepatitis B is reasonable for long-term survivors of OLT; however, discontinuation nucleoside analogues should be cautious.
Unilateral Fusion of Maxillary Lateral Incisor: Diagnosis Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Castro Iury Oliveira , Estrela Carlos , Souza Vinícius Rezende , Lopes Lawrence Gonzaga , de Souza João Batista
Published: December 2014

Objective. The objective of this paper is to report a dental fusion case focusing on clinical and radiographic features for the diagnosis.Method. To report a case of right maxillary lateral incisor fusion and a supernumerary tooth, the anatomy of the root canal and dental united portion were assessed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Results. The clinical examination showed dental juxtaposition with the absence of interdental papilla and esthetic impairment in the right maxillary lateral incisor region. The periapical radiography did not provide enough information for the differential diagnosis due to the inherent limitations of this technique. CBCT confirmed the presence of tooth fusion.Conclusion. CBCT examination supports the diagnosis and provides both the identification of changes in tooth development and the visualization of their extent and limits.
A Novel Compound, NK150460, Exhibits Selective Antitumor Activity against Breast Cancer Cell Lines through Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
Authors: Fukasawa Kazuteru , Kagaya Shigehide , Maruyama Sakiko , Kuroiwa Shunsuke , Masuda Kuniko , Kameyama Yoshio , Satoh Yoshitaka , Akatsu Yuichi , Tomura Arihiro , Nishikawa Kiyohiro , Horie Shigeo , Ichikawa Yuh-ichiro
Published: December 2014

Antiestrogen agents are commonly used to treat patients with estrogen receptor (ER)–positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen has been the mainstay of endocrine treatment for patients with early and advanced breast cancer for many years. Following tamoxifen treatment failure, however, there are still limited options for subsequent hormonal therapy. We discovered a novel compound, NK150460, that inhibits 17β-estradiol (E2)–dependent transcription without affecting binding of E2 to ER. Against our expectations, NK150460 inhibited growth of not only most ER-positive, but also some ER-negative breast cancer cell lines, while never inhibiting growth of non–breast cancer cell lines. Cell-based screening using a random shRNA library, identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) as a key gene involved in NK150460′s antitumor mechanism. siRNAs against not only ARNT but also its counterpart aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and their target protein, CYP1A1, dramatically abrogated NK150460′s growth-inhibitory activity. This suggests that the molecular cascade of AhR/ARNT plays an essential role in NK150460′s antitumor mechanism. Expression of ERα was decreased by NK150460 treatment, and this was inhibited by an AhR antagonist. Unlike two other AhR agonists now undergoing clinical developmental stage, NK150460 did not induce histone H2AX phosphorylation or p53 expression, suggesting that it did not induce a DNA damage response in treated cells. Cell lines expressing epithelial markers were more sensitive to NK150460 than mesenchymal marker-expressing cells. These data indicate that NK150460 is a novel AhR agonist with selective antitumor activity against breast cancer cell lines, and its features differ from those of the other two AhR agonists. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 343–54. ©2014 AACR.
Combining Onartuzumab with Erlotinib Inhibits Growth of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with Activating EGFR Mutations and HGF Overexpression
Authors: Sano Yuji , Hashimoto Eri , Nakatani Noriaki , Abe Masaichi , Satoh Yasuko , Sakata Kiyoaki , Fujii Toshihiko , Fujimoto-Ouchi Kaori , Sugimoto Masamichi , Nagahashi Shigehisa , Aoki Masahiro , Motegi Hiroshi , Sasaki Eiichi , Yatabe Yasushi
Published: December 2014

Erlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-TKI), benefits survival of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor activating EGFR mutations. However, elevated expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a ligand of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase, causes erlotinib resistance. Because onartuzumab, a monovalent antibody to MET, blocks HGF-induced MET activation, the addition of onartuzumab to erlotinib may improve therapeutic efficacy. We engineered the human NSCLC cell line PC-9 (MET-positive cells harboring an exon 19 deletion of EGFR) to overexpress hHGF and evaluated the effects of an onartuzumab and erlotinib combination in vitro and in vivo in xenograft models. A stable clone of PC-9/hHGF was less sensitive to erlotinib than the parental PC-9, and the addition of onartuzumab to erlotinib suppressed the proliferation of these cells in vitro. In PC-9/hHGF xenograft tumors, onartuzumab or erlotinib alone minimally inhibited tumor growth; however, combining onartuzumab and erlotinib markedly suppressed tumor growth. The total MET protein level was decreased in PC-9/hHGF cells, because MET is constitutively phosphorylated by autocrine HGF, leading to its ubiquitination and degradation. Onartuzumab reduced phospho-MET levels, inhibited MET ubiquitination, and consequently restored MET protein levels. Moreover, in NSCLC clinical specimens harboring activating EGFR mutations, more than 30% of patients expressed high levels of HGF. Our findings raised the possibility that patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations who express high levels of HGF may benefit from onartuzumab and erlotinib combination therapy, and that HGF can be a novel biomarker for selecting such patients. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 533–41. ©2014 AACR.
Clinical and Cellular Roles for TDP1 and TOP1 in Modulating Colorectal Cancer Response to Irinotecan
Authors: Meisenberg Cornelia , Gilbert Duncan C. , Chalmers Anthony , Haley Vikki , Gollins Simon , Ward Simon E. , El-Khamisy Sherif F.
Published: December 2014

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite surgery, up to 50% of patients relapse with incurable disease. First-line chemotherapy uses the topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) poison irinotecan, which triggers cell death by trapping TOP1 on DNA. The removal of TOP1 peptide from TOP1–DNA breaks is conducted by tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1). Despite putative roles for TDP1 and TOP1 in colorectal cancer, their role in cellular and clinical responses to TOP1-targeting therapies remains unclear. Here, we show varying expression levels of TOP1 and TDP1 polypeptides in multiple colorectal cancer cell lines and in clinical colorectal cancer samples. TDP1 overexpression or TOP1 depletion is protective. Conversely, TDP1 depletion increases DNA-strand breakage and hypersensitivity to irinotecan in a TOP1-dependent manner, presenting a potential therapeutic opportunity in colorectal cancer. TDP1 protein levels correlate well with mRNA and with TDP1 catalytic activity. However, no correlation is observed between inherent TDP1 or TOP1 levels alone and irinotecan sensitivity, pointing at their limited utility as predictive biomarkers in colorectal cancer. These findings establish TDP1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of colorectal cancer and question the validity of TOP1 or TDP1 on their own as predictive biomarkers for irinotecan response. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 575–85. ©2014 AACR.
Activation of Checkpoint Kinase 2 Is Critical for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Replication in Corneal Epithelium
Authors: Alekseev Oleg , Limonnik Vladimir , Donovan Kelly , Azizkhan-Clifford Jane
Published: December 2014

Background/Aims: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I keratitis remains a leading cause of corneal morbidity, despite the availability of effective antiviral drugs. Improved understanding of virus-host interactions at the level of the host DNA damage response (DDR), a known factor in the development of HSV-1 keratitis, may shed light on potential new therapeutic targets. This report examines the role of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2), a DDR mediator protein, in corneal epithelial HSV-1 infection. Methods: A small-molecule inhibitor of Chk2 (Chk2 inhibitor II) was applied to HSV-1-infected cultured human corneal epithelial cells (hTCEpi and HCE) as well as to explanted and organotypically cultured human and rabbit corneas. Infection levels were assessed by plaque assay and real-time PCR. RNAi-mediated depletion of Chk2 was performed to confirm the effect of the inhibitor. Results: Inhibition of the Chk2 kinase activity greatly suppresses the cytopathic effect, genome replication and infectious progeny production in vitro and ex vivo. Conclusion: This report demonstrates the critical role of Chk2 kinase in the establishment of HSV-1 corneal epithelial infection. These data contribute to our understanding of herpesvirus-host interactions and underscore the significance of DDR activation in HSV-1 keratitis.
Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection: A Virulent Cause of Visual Loss
Authors: Soon Wai Cheong , Pouncey Anna , Ashley Elizabeth , Bowen Elizabeth Frances
Published: December 2014

Bacterial endophthalmitis is endogenous in 2-6% of cases and is frequently misdiagnosed initially. Klebsiella pneumoniae is being increasingly recognised as an aggressive causative organism, and it is particularly prevalent in Asian populations. We describe the case of a 71-year-old female of Southeast Asian origin with type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with visual loss secondary to bacterial endophthalmitis and concomitant cerebral abscesses. Imaging revealed the probable primary source of infection to be a liver abscess. She developed retinal detachment and subsequently underwent an evisceration of her right eye. A Klebsiella spp. was identified from the eye tissue by 16S rRNA amplification. Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis has a characteristic disease phenotype and a particularly aggressive course with poor visual outcomes observed in most cases. This case highlights the risks of metastatic infection including bacterial endophthalmitis in association with Klebsiella infection.
Epitope mapping via selection of anti-FVIII antibody-specific phagepresented peptide ligands that mimic the antibody binding sites
Authors: Kahle Joerg , Orlowski Aleksander , Stichel Diana , Becker-Peters Karin , Kabiri Ali , Healey John F. , Brettschneider Kerstin , Naumann Anja , Scherger Anna Katharina , Lollar Pete , Schwabe Dirk , Königs Christoph
Published: December 2014

The most serious complication in today’s treatment of congenital haemophilia A is the development of neutralising antibodies (inhibitors) against factor VIII (FVIII). Although FVIII inhibitors can be eliminated by immune tolerance induction (ITI) based on repeated administration of high doses of FVIII, 20–30% of patients fail to become tolerant. Persistence of FVIII inhibitors is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Data from recent studies provide evidence for a potential association between ITI outcome and epitope specificity of FVIII inhibitors. Nevertheless the determination of epitopes and their clinical relevance has not yet been established. In this study a general strategy for the identification of anti-FVIII antibody epitopes in haemophilia A patient plasma was to be demonstrated. Phage-displayed peptide libraries were screened against anti-FVIII antibodies to isolate specific peptides. Peptide specificity was confirmed by FVIII-sensitive ELISA binding. Peptide residues essential for antibody binding were identified by mutational analysis and epitopes were predicted via FVIII homology search. The proposed mapping strategy was validated for the monoclonal murine antibody (mAb) 2–76. Binding studies with FVIII variants confirmed the location of the predicted epitope at the level of individual amino acids. In addition, anti-FVIII antibody-specific peptide ligands were selected for 10 haemophilia A patients with FVIII inhibitors. Detailed epitope mapping for three of them showed binding sites on the A2, A3 and C2 domains. Precise epitope mapping of anti-FVIII antibodies using antibody-specific peptide ligands can be a useful approach to identify antigenic sites on FVIII.
Clostridium perfringens e a enterite necrótica em frangos: principais fatores de virulência, genéticos e moleculares
Authors: Albornoz Luis Antonio Llanco , Nakano Viviane , Avila-Campos Mario Julio
Published: December 2014

Clostridium perfringens é o causador da enterite necrótica que afeta a produção de frangos de corte no mundo todo. Essa bactéria produz diversas toxinas e causa lesões no intestino tendo como consequências a elevada mortalidade e perdas econômicas devido à baixa produtividade. Nessa revisão são apresentados os principais fatores de virulência, a susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos e a diversidade genética de C. perfringens isolados de frangos com enterite necrótica.
Morphological characteristics of maize plants in estimate the silage chemical composition
Authors: Martins Cristian Marlon De Magalhães Rodrigues , Bermudes Rogério Fôlha , Cerutti Weiler Giacomazza , Viegas Julio , Correa Márcio Nunes , Muller Regina Cavedon , Tomazi Tiago , Santos Marcos Veiga dos
Published: December 2014

O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a composição bromatológica da silagem por meio de características morfológicas das plantas de milho, e avaliar o efeito de níveis de adubação nitrogenada e da inclusão de inoculante microbiano na ensilagem sobre as características produtivas, morfológicas, bromatológicas e fermentativas de silagem de milho. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro níveis de adubações com uréia: 0; 100; 200 e 300 Kg ha-1, e da inclusão ou não de inoculante microbiano. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 4x2. A composição bromatológica da silagem foi estimada pela altura das plantas (AP) de milho e pelas características da espiga (NLE = número de linhas de grãos por espiga; NGE = Número de grãos por espiga; CCP = Comprimento da espiga com palha; CSP= Comprimento da espiga sem palha) por meio das seguintes equações: PB = -12,44 + 5,871 × AP + 0,01814 × NLE² (R² = 0,89; P < 0,0001); FDN = 587,93 – 0,78 × NGE – 11,67 × CCP – 0,47 × CSP + 0,0000007 × NGE³ + 0,006 × CCP³ (R² = 0,92; P= 0,003); FDA = 41,48 - 0,046 × NLE2 (R2 = 0,42; P = 0,02); NDT = 57,81 – 0,0319 × NLE2 (R2 = 0,42; P = 0,02); DMSE = 56,58 + 0,035 × NLE2 (R2 = 0,42; P = 0,02) e ELL = 1,31 + 0,000757 × NLE2 (R2 = 0,41; P = 0,02). Pode-se concluir que a adubação nitrogenada aumenta o teor de energia e de proteína da silagem; enquanto que a inclusão de inoculante microbiano não altera as características bromatológicas e fermentativas da silagem de milho.
Histomorfometria testicular do morcego Phyllostomus discolor (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) em áreas de Mata Atlântica de Pernambuco
Authors: Lima Júnior Nivaldo Bernardo De , Arandas Maria Juliana Gomes , Marinho Ketsia Sabrina Do Nascimento , Aguiar Júnior Francisco Carlos Amanajás de , Pontes Antonio Rossano Mendes , Santos Katharine Raquel Pereira dos
Published: December 2014

Esse estudo analisou a condição reprodutiva, por meio da histomorfometria, de P. discolor coletados em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica do litoral sul de Pernambuco, durante as estações seca e chuvosa. Os animais são de coleção e foram classificados de acordo com a posição testicular (descendentes e não descendentes). Para as análises histomorfométricas, foram selecionados aleatoriamente 18 espécimes durante as estações seca e chuvosa, dos quais (n = 11) com testículos descendentes e (n = 7) com testículos não descendentes. Os resultados demonstraram que as maiores médias da área de ocupação dos túbulos seminíferos foram na estação chuvosa, independente dos espécimes apresentarem os testículos descendentes ou não. Isso pode estar relacionado a um maior investimento em produção espermática, já que na estação chuvosa, existe uma maior disponibilidade de alimentos devido às precipitações pluviométricas.
Groves of Ambition, Gardens of Desire: Rulin waishi and the Fate of The Portrait of Jiuqing
Authors: Roddy Stephen J.
Published: December 2014

This article examines the confluence of homoerotic desire with career ambition in Wu Jingzi’s (ca. 1701–1754) novel Rulin waishi (ca. 1750), specifically through its allusions to the author’s cousin Wu Qing (1696–1750), owner of the famed portrait by Chen Hu of the actor Xu Ziyun (1644–1675). The study argues that Wu Qing’s inscription on this portrait is subtly reflected in Wu Jingzi’s representation of male-male eroticism as complementary and even instrumental to the literati’s pursuit of social mobility through the examination system. It also compares this juxtaposition of libidinous and career desires to antecedents in earlier fiction, and concludes with a discussion of a second portrait of Xu Ziyun and his lover Chen Weisong (1625–1682) as well as the impact of this artistic and literary legacy on Chen Sen’s Pinhua baojian (1849).
Parmenides’ Epistemology and the Two Parts of his Poem
Authors: Tor Shaul
Published: December 2014

This paper pursues a new approach to the problem of the relation between Alētheia and Doxa. It investigates as interrelated matters Parmenides’ impetus for developing and including Doxa, his conception of the mortal epistemic agent in relation both to Doxa’s investigations and to those in Alētheia, and the relation between mortal and divine in his poem. Parmenides, it is argued, maintained that Doxastic cognition is an ineluctable and even appropriate aspect of mortal life. The mortal agent, however, is nonetheless capable of sustaining the cognition of Alētheia by momentarily coming to think with—or as—his divine (fiery, aethereal) soul.
A Fourth Alternative in Interpreting Parmenides
Authors: Sisko John E. , Weiss Yale
Published: December 2014

According to current interpretations of Parmenides, he either embraces a token-monism of things, or a type-monism of the nature of each kind of thing, or a generous monism, accepting a token-monism of things of a specific type, necessary being. These interpretations share a common flaw: they fail to secure commensurability between Parmenides’ alētheia and doxa. We effect this by arguing that Parmenides champions a metaphysically refined form of material monism, a type-monism of things; that light and night are allomorphs of what-is (to eon); and that the key features of what-is are entailed by the theory of material monism.
Testing of a Cell-Integrated Semi-Lagrangian Semi-Implicit Nonhydrostatic Atmospheric Solver (CSLAM-NH) with Idealized Orography
Authors: Wong May , Skamarock William C. , Lauritzen Peter H. , Klemp Joseph B. , Stull Roland B.
Published: December 2014

A recently developed cell-integrated semi-Lagrangian (CISL) semi-implicit nonhydrostatic atmospheric solver that uses the conservative semi-Lagrangian multitracer (CSLAM) transport scheme is extended to include orographic influences. With the introduction of a new semi-implicit CISL discretization of the continuity equation, the nonhydrostatic solver, called CSLAM-NH, has been shown to ensure inherently conservative and numerically consistent transport of air mass and other scalar variables, such as moisture and passive tracers. The extended CSLAM-NH presented here includes two main modifications: transformation of the equation set to a terrain-following height coordinate to incorporate orography and an iterative centered-implicit time-stepping scheme to enhance the stability of the scheme associated with gravity wave propagation at large time steps. CSLAM-NH is tested for a suite of idealized 2D flows, including linear mountain waves (dry), a downslope windstorm (dry), and orographic cloud formation.
Making operative concepts from Murray Schafer’s soundscapes typology: A qualitative and comparative analysis of noise pollution in Bangkok, Thailand and Los Angeles, California
Authors: Fong Jack
Published: December 2014

Employing components of Murray Schafer’s soundscape typology from his inimitable 1977 work, The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World, my exploratory study qualitatively and comparatively explores the sonic landscape and noise pollution ‘texture’ of Bangkok, Thailand and Los Angeles, California. By employing Schafer’s soundscape concepts to explain how people subjectively accommodate and generate the noises and sounds of cities, I hope to move beyond the conventional quantitative measurements of sound through decibels. The study argues that urban sociology’s blind spot is that qualitative examinations of the sonic environment have not been undertaken. By making operative Schafer’s soundscape concepts I make the preliminary argument that a qualitative understanding of urban noise reveals social structure insofar as cultural accommodations of noise, urban configurations of a city and degrees of development of a city are concerned.