bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drill‐bit seismic monitoring while drilling by downhole wired‐pipe telemetry
Authors: Poletto Flavio , Miranda Francesco , Corubolo Piero , Schleifer Andrea , Comelli Paolo
Published: May 2014

Drill‐bit seismic while drilling provides reverse vertical seismic profiles with large configurations of surface seismic sensors. This seismic while drilling technique makes it possible to predict the formation changes ahead of the bit and to image 2D and 3D structures without interfering with the drilling activity. The method is based on the recording of reference (pilot) signals which enable us to recognize and process the signal of the downhole drill‐bit source, thus obtaining impulsive seismograms after the crosscorrelation and deconvolution of the pilot signals and the seismic data recorded by surface or crosswell geophones. One issue in the application of this methodology can be the loss of the transmitted energy for the reference signal propagated from the bit to the surface through the drill string, when the pilot signals are recorded at the surface, at the top of the drill string. It is well known that with polycrystalline diamond compact bits, the pilot signal recorded at the surface may be weak and consequently the seismic while drilling results are poor. This may also happen during drilling in the sliding mode without pipe rotation, and in highly deviated or horizontal wells. A solution to improve the drill‐bit seismic while drilling method in these conditions is to record the reference signal in the proximity of the bit source, using downhole near‐bit tools to get good‐quality measurements of the pilot signal. We present drill‐bit seismic while drilling results obtained in a drilling test using wired pipes for high‐rate communication from bottom hole to the surface. The results demonstrate the applicability of this integrated approach as a standard procedure. The advantage of this is to provide real‐time synchronized reverse vertical seismic profiles, as well as high‐resolution and good‐quality data in terms of S/N and high‐frequency content. The method improves the use of the working drill bit as a downhole seismic source with different types of bit and drilling conditions.
‘Supernatural Charity’: Astell, Shaftesbury and the Problem of Enthusiasm
Authors: MYERS JOANNE E.
Published: May 2014

In Bart'lemy Fair, Mary Astell identifies a significant instability in Shaftesburian sociability when she argues that his Letter concerning Enthusiasm risks pathologising all social intercourse. Rehabilitating enthusiasm as a source of ‘charity’, Astell argues that sociability must be grounded in reason as well as sentiment. Astell's criticisms help us notice that Shaftesbury's attempts elsewhere to integrate a detoxified enthusiasm into his polite sociability falter when he must balance others’ claims with individual autonomy. By questioning politeness's ethical adequacy, Astell's critique provides evidence of contemporary scepticism about the costs of secularising and sentimentalising social ties.
Large‐scale analysis reveals a functional single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the 5′‐flanking region of PRDM16 gene associated with lean body mass
Authors: Urano Tomohiko , Shiraki Masataka , Sasaki Noriko , Ouchi Yasuyoshi , Inoue Satoshi
Published: May 2014

Genetic factors are important for the development of sarcopenia, a geriatric disorder characterized by low lean body mass. The aim of this study was to search for novel genes that regulate lean body mass in humans. We performed a large‐scale search for 250K single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with bone mineral density (BMD) using SNP arrays in 1081 Japanese postmenopausal women. We focused on an SNP (rs12409277) located in the 5′‐flanking region of the PRDM16 (PRD1‐BF‐1‐RIZ1 homologous domain containing protein 16) gene that showed a significant P value in our screening. We demonstrated that PRDM16 gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with total body BMD in 1081 postmenopausal Japanese women. The rs12409277 SNP affected the transcriptional activity of PRDM16. The subjects with one or two minor allele(s) had a higher lean body mass than the subjects with two major alleles. Genetic analyses uncovered the importance of the PRDM16 gene in the regulation of lean body mass.
A genomics approach identifies senescence‐specific gene expression regulation
Authors: Lackner Daniel H. , Hayashi Makoto T. , Cesare Anthony J. , Karlseder Jan
Published: May 2014

Replicative senescence is a fundamental tumor‐suppressive mechanism triggered by telomere erosion that results in a permanent cell cycle arrest. To understand the impact of telomere shortening on gene expression, we analyzed the transcriptome of diploid human fibroblasts as they progressed toward and entered into senescence. We distinguished novel transcription regulation due to replicative senescence by comparing senescence‐specific expression profiles to profiles from cells arrested by DNA damage or serum starvation. Only a small specific subset of genes was identified that was truly senescence‐regulated and changes in gene expression were exacerbated from presenescent to senescent cells. The majority of gene expression regulation in replicative senescence was shown to occur due to telomere shortening, as exogenous telomerase activity reverted most of these changes.
Complications after resection of colorectal cancer in a public hospital and a private hospital
Authors: Bokey Les , Chapuis Pierre H. , Keshava Anil , Rickard Matthew J. F. X. , Stewart Peter , Dent Owen F.
Published: May 2014

Background

To our knowledge, immediate post‐operative complication rates after resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been compared between public and private hospitals in the Australian health care system. We compared the frequency of surgical and medical complications between a public tertiary referral hospital and a private hospital.

Methods

Data were drawn from a prospective registry of all patients having a resection for CRC between 2000 and 2010 performed by members of the Concord Hospital colorectal surgical unit, either at this hospital or at a single private hospital with which they were affiliated. Complication rates were compared after adjustment for preoperative and perioperative features by logistic regression.

Results

Among the 16 surgical complications, the only significant difference after adjustment for other features was a higher rate of septicaemia in the public hospital (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.6). Among the seven medical complications, the only significant differences were a higher risk of cardiac complications in patients with cardiac co‐morbidity (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.0) and of respiratory complications in patients without respiratory co‐morbidity (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.2–5.9) in the public hospital.

Conclusion

In this study, where the same group of surgeons performed all reported CRC resections in the two hospitals, no independent effect of the type of hospital was found on 15 of 16 surgical complications and 5 of 7 medical complications. Type of hospital had no impact on rates of specific complications apart from septicaemia and cardiorespiratory complications, which were higher in the public hospital.
Maternal smoking in pregnancy and risk for congenital malformations: results of a Danish register‐based cohort study
Authors: Leite Mimmi , Albieri Vanna , Kjaer Susanne. K. , Jensen Allan
Published: May 2014

Objective

To examine the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk for congenital malformations.

Design

Population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting

Denmark.

Population

A total of 838 265 singleton liveborn babies delivered in Denmark between 1997 and 2010 and registered in the Danish Medical Birth Register containing detailed information on smoking during pregnancy and congenital malformations.

Methods

Associations [odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI] between maternal smoking and risk for various groups of congenital malformations, investigated using the generalized estimating equation for binary outcomes, with adjustment for potential confounders.

Main outcome measures

Groups of congenital malformations.

Results

Ever smoking during pregnancy did not increase the overall risk for congenital malformations, but increased risks were observed for multiple malformations (i.e. when two or more malformations are diagnosed in a child) (odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.10) and various main groups of congenital malformations including the cardiovascular system (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.19), the respiratory system (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.41), the digestive system (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.24) and oral clefts (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.46), as well as for some specific congenital malformations including cardiac septal defects, malformations of the pulmonary and tricuspid valves, malformations of the great arteries, pyloric stenosis and clubfoot. Infants of women who quit smoking during the first two trimesters had no increased risk for most groups of congenital malformations.

Conclusions

Maternal smoking increases the risk for a number of congenital malformations. Future smoking cessation programs should focus on this adverse health aspect in order to encourage more women to quit smoking before or in early pregnancy.
Understanding instrumental motivations for social responsibility engagement in a micro‐firm context
Authors: Nybakk Erlend , Panwar Rajat
Published: May 2014

Firms engage in social responsibility activities for diverse reasons. This study focuses on understanding firms' instrumental motivations for engaging in socially responsible activities. We suggest that the instrumental motivations underlying firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement are associated with their market, learning, and risk‐related behaviors; thus, we identify market orientation, learning orientation, and risk‐taking attitudes as three constructs that influence firms' CSR engagement. This research was conducted in the Norwegian firewood sector, in which CSR expectations are high and in which we expect CSR engagement to be encouraged by both instrumental and normative motivations. The firms in this study are micro‐firms with fewer than 10 employees and represent an important but highly neglected segment of firms in CSR research. Data obtained from 230 firms were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Our results indicate that market orientation, learning orientation, and risk‐taking attitudes affect social responsibility toward different stakeholder groups in different ways. In some cases, the size and age of firms also affect these relationships.
A report of three cases of pediatric proliferative fasciitis
Authors: Rosa Gabriela , Billings Steven D.
Published: May 2014

Proliferative fasciitis is a rapidly growing myofibroblastic proliferation that more commonly presents in adults as a subcutaneous mass. Cases in children can cause diagnostic difficulty, as histological features often differ from classic proliferative fasciitis. We present three cases of pediatric proliferative fasciitis, in children age 5–7. Case 1 involved the subcutis and resembled conventional proliferative fasciitis. The lesion was focally positive for desmin. Case 2 involved the subcutis and was more cellular with focal sheet‐like areas of ganglion‐like fibroblasts. Case 3 involved the dermis and subcutis with a diffuse, solid sheet‐like pattern of ganglion‐like myofibroblasts with numerous mitotic figures (4 per 10 high power fields), necrosis and foci of acute inflammation. This case had a circumscribed pushing border rather than the more common infiltrating border seen in proliferative fasciitis. The cells were positive for desmin but negative for cytokeratin and had retained SMARCB1 expression. Proliferative fasciitis in childhood can have a varied histological appearance that can cause confusion with malignancies. Awareness of these histological pitfalls is critical to avoid potentially serious diagnostic errors.
Speaker verification inspired by the physiology of hearing using spiking self‐organising map
Authors: Tashan Tariq , Allen Tony , Nolle Lars
Published: May 2014

In this paper, a speaker verification algorithm, which is inspired by the physiology of hearing in the human auditory system, is proposed. The algorithm uses a modified self‐organising map composed of spiking neurons. The architecture of the algorithm imitates the biomechanical mechanism of the human auditory system, which converts the speech signal from sound vibration waves into electrical spikes inside the cochlea. The paper also suggests a spike‐based rank order coding input feature vector, which is designed to be representative of the real biological spike trains found within the human auditory nerve. During the training phase, the winner neuron in the proposed Spiking Self‐Organising Map is updated only when its activity exceeds a specified threshold. The algorithm is evaluated using 50 speakers from the Centre for Spoken Language Understanding (CSLU2002) speaker verification database and shows a speaker verification performance of 90.1%. This compares favourably with previous non‐spiking self‐organising map that used Discrete Fourier Transform‐based input feature vector with the same dataset.
Contextual reliability discounting in welding process diagnostic based on DSmT
Authors: Jamrozik Wojciech
Published: May 2014

The monitoring and diagnosing of the welding process is an important task in assuring the quality of welded joints. Observation of such a dynamic process is often performed by measuring various signals of different modality. The main problem is how to use several of the possible signals simultaneously. Many techniques that can deal with this kind of task were elaborated and introduced in practical application. One of these is decision fusion, with a group of methods based on belief function theories: Dempster–Shafer and Dezert–Smarandache (DSmT). In this paper, extended fusion scheme for assessment of welding process condition, with contextual discounting of evidence sources reliability in DSmT framework, is presented. Discounting operation was used to distinguish the objective ability of each evidence source, to give a correct assessment of process condition. To validate this method, several series of welded joints representing different process conditions that result in various joint quality were made. On the basis of performed research, it was proven that contextual reliability discounting leads to increase of the condition recognition accuracy.
Sex chromosome complement influences operant responding for a palatable food in mice
Authors: Seu E. , Groman S. M. , Arnold A. P. , Jentsch J. D.
Published: May 2014

The procurement and consumption of palatable, calorie‐dense foods is influenced by the nutritional and hedonic value of foods. Although many factors can influence the control over behavior by foods rich in sugar and fat, emerging evidence indicates that biological sex may play a particularly crucial role in the types of foods individuals seek out, as well as the level of motivation individuals will exert to obtain those foods. However, a systematic investigation of food‐seeking and consumption that disentangles the effects of the major sex‐biasing factors, including sex chromosome complement and organizational and activational effects of sex hormones, has yet to be conducted. Using the four core genotypes mouse model system, we separated and quantified the effects of sex chromosome complement and gonadal sex on consumption of and motivation to obtain a highly palatable solution [sweetened condensed milk (SCM)]. Gonadectomized mice with an XY sex chromosome complement, compared with those with two X chromosomes, independent of gonadal sex, appeared to be more sensitive to the reward value of the SCM solution and were more motivated to expend effort to obtain it, as evidenced by their dramatically greater expended effort in an instrumental task with progressively larger response‐to‐reward ratios. Gonadal sex independently affected free consumption of the solution but not motivation to obtain it. These data indicate that gonadal and chromosomal sex effects independently influence reward‐related behaviors, contributing to sexually dimorphic patterns of behavior related to the pursuit and consumption of rewards.
Breakthrough ideas leading to new futures: next steps
Authors: Willy Christian
Published: May 2014

In 2010, the educational International Surgical Wound Forum (ISWF) was created to facilitate discussion among global experts regarding modern wound treatment challenges and how negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) could be used to address those challenges. This is the second of two supplements, which are based on 2012 and 2013 ISWF presentations and demonstrate the evolution of NPWT's role in wound care. The previous supplement provided an overview of critical health care issues and current clinical practice and reviewed evidence and experience using NPWT with instillation of topical wound solutions. This supplement presents clinical experience using negative pressure over closed surgical incisions, in the open abdomen, and in wounds with enteroatmospheric fistulas.
Presynaptic dysfunction caused by cerebrospinal fluid from a patient with the ataxic form of Hashimoto's encephalopathy
Authors: Mitoma Hiroshi , Yoneda Makoto , Saitow Fumihito , Suzuki Hidenori , Matsunaga Akiko , Ikawa Masamichi , Mizusawa Hidehiro
Published: May 2014

Background

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is an autoimmune disease associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The mechanism underlying the development of ataxia is unclear.

Aim

We examined whether impairment in synaptic transmission underlies the pathomechanism of Hashimoto's encephalopathy.

Methods

We tested the effects of cerebrospinal fluid from Hashimoto's encephalopathy patients on cerebellar synaptic transmission in rat cerebellar slices. The effects of cerebrospinal fluid from six patients with the ataxic form of Hashimoto's encephalopathy were examined using patch‐clamp recording in rat cerebellar slices.

Results

The cerebrospinal fluid of one patient, but not those of the other five patients, impaired presynaptic short‐term plasticity between parallel fiber‐Purkinje cell transmission in the cerebellum. The patient whose cerebrospinal fluid induced presynaptic impairment had hypothyroidism with a high titer of anti‐thyroid antibodies, and was positive for anti‐NH2‐terminal of α‐enolase antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Conclusions

These results suggest that defective glutamate release is a potential pathomechanism in some patients with Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
Cousinia kermanensis and C. pulcherantha spp. nov. (Compositae, sect. Congestae and sect. Leiocaules) from southeastern Iran
Authors: Mirtadzadini Mansour , Attar Farideh
Published: May 2014

Cousinia kermanensis sp. nov. (sect. Congestae Bunge) and C. pulcherantha sp. nov. (sect. Leiocaules Bunge) are described from Kerman in southeastern Iran. These species are compared to their closest related species, C. decurrens Regel and C. oophora Rech. f., respectively. The habitat of C. kermanensis is lowland mountains or hills with poor soils inside the steppe of Artemisia sieberi Besser. Cousinia pulcherantha grows on highland slopes of mountains with deep soils inside the steppe of Artemisia aucheri Boiss. Illustrations of the new species are presented.
Comparative analysis of maize (Zea mays) crop performance: natural variation, incremental improvements and economic impacts
Authors: Leibman Mark , Shryock Jereme J. , Clements Michael J. , Hall Michael A. , Loida Paul J. , McClerren Amanda L. , McKiness Zoe P. , Phillips Jonathan R. , Rice Elena A. , Stark Steven B.
Published: May 2014

Grain yield from maize hybrids continues to improve through advances in breeding and biotechnology. Despite genetic improvements to hybrid maize, grain yield from distinct maize hybrids is expected to vary across growing locations due to numerous environmental factors. In this study, we examine across‐location variation in grain yield among maize hybrids in three case studies. The three case studies examine hybrid improvement through breeding, introduction of an insect protection trait or introduction of a transcription factor trait associated with increased yield. In all cases, grain yield from each hybrid population had a Gaussian distribution. Across‐location distributions of grain yield from each hybrid partially overlapped. The hybrid with a higher mean grain yield typically outperformed its comparator at most, but not all, of the growing locations (a ‘win rate’). These results suggest that a broad set of environmental factors similarly impacts grain yields from both conventional‐ and biotechnology‐derived maize hybrids and that grain yields among two or more hybrids should be compared with consideration given to both mean yield performance and the frequency of locations at which each hybrid ‘wins’ against its comparators. From an economic standpoint, growers recognize the value of genetically improved maize hybrids that outperform comparators in the majority of locations. Grower adoption of improved maize hybrids drives increases in average U.S. maize grain yields and contributes significant value to the economy.
Performance Assessment of a Numerical Simulation Tool for Wooden Boards with Knots by Means of Full‐Field Deformation Measurements
Authors: Lukacevic M. , Füssl J. , Griessner M. , Eberhardsteiner J.
Published: May 2014

In wooden boards, knots and the resulting fibre deviations in their vicinities are mainly responsible for qualitative downgrading of timber elements. Thus, the development of reliable numerical simulation tools for the determination of effective strength and stiffness properties of timber elements and, in a next step, for the development and evaluation of grading criteria is highly desirable. Due to the complexity of such tools, a comprehensive validation is required. Within this work, the suitability of full‐field deformation measurements for four‐point bending tests on wooden boards with knots is evaluated first. Next, the test series is used to validate a previously developed three‐dimensional numerical simulation tool, which combines a geometrical model for the grain course and a micromechanical model for a density and moisture dependent characterisation of the clear‐wood material. The digital image correlation technique proved to be capable to reproduce the strain fields in the vicinity of knots under bending load. Moreover, a very good correlation between numerical and experimental results was obtained.
Understanding an anomaly
Authors: Holstein Barry R.
Published: May 2014

An anomaly is said to occur when a classical symmetry of a system is broken upon quantization. One example is the two-dimensional delta function potential and we discuss this case in detail, showing how the symmetry breaking occurs via both momentum space and coordinate space techniques.
The electric field at the chargeless interface between two regions of space
Authors: McNees Robert A. , Gangopadhyaya Asim
Published: May 2014

A common method for solving Poisson's equation in electrostatics is to patch together two or more solutions of Laplace's equation using boundary conditions on the potential and its gradient. Other methods may generate solutions without the need to check these conditions explicitly, and reconciling these solutions with the appropriate boundary conditions can be surprisingly subtle. As a result, a student may arrive at paradoxical conclusions—even in the case of elementary problems—that seem to be at odds with basic physical intuition. We illustrate this issue by showing how the potential of a uniformly charged ring appears to violate continuity of the normal component of the electric field at a chargeless surface.
Targeting the host immune response to fight infection
Authors: Baillie J. Kenneth
Published: May 2014

Strategies to modify immune responses to infection can be found in our genome
A world of difference
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: May 2014

New data allow researchers to map inequality the world over
Draft Genome Sequence of Pantoea ananatis Strain LMG 2665
T
, a Bacterial Pathogen of Pineapple Fruitlets
Authors: Adam Zaky , Tambong James T. , Lewis Christopher T. , Lévesque C. André , Chen Wen , Bromfield Eden S. P. , Khan Izhar U. H. , Xu Renlin
Published: May 2014

We report the draft genome sequence of
Pantoea ananatis
LMG 2665
T
, the bacterial causal agent of pineapple fruitlet rot.
Back pain, leg swelling and a cardiac arrest: an interesting case of endocarditis
Authors: Donovan Joseph , Hatcher James , Riddell Anna , Tiberi Simon
Published: May 2014

A 66-year-old woman with a history of tissue aortic valve replacement and chronic back pain presented to the emergency department with a suspected right leg deep vein thrombosis. A recent outpatient MRI had revealed discitis. A ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest occurred in the emergency department. Cardiac output was restored on the fifth defibrillation. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed large aortic valve vegetations. Clinical impression was of infective endocarditis with cardiac arrest secondary to coronary artery embolisation. Peripheral blood cultures grewCardiobacterium hominis, and appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered. The infected prosthetic valve was excised. The patient experienced postoperative complete heart block and a right hemisphere cerebrovascular accident, however she is now recovering well. This case describes an unusual case of infective endocarditis secondary toC. hominis, with disc, leg, coronary artery and brain septic embolisation. Infective endocarditis is an important differential diagnosis in multisystem presentations.
The utility of online haemodiafiltration in methotrexate poisoning
Authors: Abdelsalam Mohamed Said , Althaf Mohammed Mahdi , Alfurayh Osman , Maghfoor Irfan
Published: May 2014

We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with a high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who unexpectedly developed toxic plasma levels of methotrexate (MTX) following the first cycle of rituximab-cyclophosphamide, hydroxydanorubicin, oncovin, prednisolone (R-CHOP) with a high-dose MTX chemotherapy protocol. She also developed non-oliguric acute kidney injury secondary to MTX nephrotoxicity. We elected to treat her with online-haemodiafiltration (HDF) and this proved to be efficient with a dramatic response. Rapid clearance of MTX to therapeutic levels was possible within three sessions. Prompt therapy with high-volume online-HDF is an effective choice for rapid MTX clearance and swift reversal of MTX nephrotoxicity.
Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schneider Kathryn J , Meeuwisse Willem H , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , Barlow Karen , Boyd Lara , Kang Jian , Emery Carolyn A
Published: May 2014

Background/aim

Concussion is a common injury in sport. Most individuals recover in 7–10 days but some have persistent symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine if a combination of vestibular rehabilitation and cervical spine physiotherapy decreased the time until medical clearance in individuals with prolonged postconcussion symptoms.

Methods

This study was a randomised controlled trial. Consecutive patients with persistent symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and/or headaches following a sport-related concussion (12–30 years, 18 male and 13 female) were randomised to the control or intervention group. Both groups received weekly sessions with a physiotherapist for 8 weeks or until the time of medical clearance. Both groups received postural education, range of motion exercises and cognitive and physical rest until asymptomatic followed by a protocol of graded exertion. The intervention group also received cervical spine and vestibular rehabilitation. The primary outcome of interest was medical clearance to return to sport, which was evaluated by a study sport medicine physician who was blinded to the treatment group.

Results

In the treatment group, 73% (11/15) of the participants were medically cleared within 8 weeks of initiation of treatment, compared with 7% (1/14) in the control group. Using an intention to treat analysis, individuals in the treatment group were 3.91 (95% CI 1.34 to 11.34) times more likely to be medically cleared by 8 weeks.

Conclusions

A combination of cervical and vestibular physiotherapy decreased time to medical clearance to return to sport in youth and young adults with persistent symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and/or headaches following a sport-related concussion.

Trial registration number

NCT01860755.
Empirical, spatially explicit natural mortality and movement rate estimates for the threatened Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)
Authors: Rudd Merrill B. , Ahrens Robert N.M. , Pine William E. , Bolden Stephania K.
Published: May 2014

Understanding mortality rates and movement patterns across a species’ distribution can provide key insight necessary for developing effective conservation, recovery, and management plans. We directly estimated site fidelity and natural mortality rates for the threatened Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) across a large portion of their range in the northern Gulf of Mexico using acoustic telemetry methods and a simulation-tested, multistate mark–recapture model. Our results suggest that fidelity rates to riverine habitats used during spring and summer are high, but natural mortality rates vary widely. Our results are highly relevant for managing this species. The high fidelity rates, coupled with supporting genetic analyses, suggest that management of individual riverine populations of Gulf sturgeon should be considered. The need for individual river-based management is exacerbated by the variation in natural mortality rates among rivers. The reasons for these differences in mortality are unclear, but are an important area of future research because higher mortality rates may impede recovery of some Gulf sturgeon populations to stated management targets.
Borromean rays and hyperplanes
Authors: Calcut Jack S. , Metcalf-Burton Jules R. , Richard Taylor J. , Solus Liam T.
Published: May 2014

Three disjoint rays in ℝ3form Borromean rays provided their union is knotted, but the union of any two components is unknotted. We construct infinitely many Borromean rays, uncountably many of which are pairwise inequivalent. We obtain uncountably many Borromean hyperplanes.
IMPROVING RESILIENCE OF COMPLEX NETWORKS FACING ATTACKS AND FAILURES THROUGH ADAPTIVE MECHANISMS
Authors: GHEDINI CINARA G. , RIBEIRO CARLOS H. C.
Published: May 2014

Studies have revealed that some topological properties of complex networks are robust to random node failures, but highly sensitive to failures in nodes of high centrality (i.e., attacks). This work proposes mechanisms based on local information for detecting vulnerable network configurations and for promoting changes in the topology to mitigate the impact on network connectivity of successive node losses due to attacks and failures. Two scenarios were evaluated: with maintenance of the number of links in the network, and with the creation of new links. For the first case, we show that the removal of the most central nodes affects networks in such a way that is also difficult to preserve their main topological properties, although improvement in the values of global efficiency at the expense of a reduction of the local efficiency was observed. For the second scenario, there was a significant decrease in the impact from attacks and failures. Notably, for failures the connectivity properties not only remained almost unchanged, but in some cases considerably increased, thus improving the overall network performance. The results were also verified in some benchmark real-network topologies, and a comparative performance evaluation with a random self-regenerating process was also analyzed. The study demonstrates the importance and feasibility of local adaptation mechanisms for link rewiring based on the concept of vulnerability.
Free energy profiles of ion permeation and doxorubicin translocation in TolC
Authors: Wang Beibei , Weng Jingwei , Wang Wenning
Published: May 2014

The outer membrane protein TolC of Escherichia coli forms a channel-tunnel pore spanning the periplasmic space and outer membrane, serving as the main exit duct for bacteria multidrug resistance and protein export. Many aspects of the transport mechanism of TolC are still unclear. Here, we have investigated the substrate permeability and gating mechanism of TolC by calculating the potential of mean forces (PMFs) for transporting sodium ion and doxorubicin through TolC using the adaptive biasing force (ABF) method. The transport mechanism is turned out to be substrate dependent. It is found that the periplasmic gate is required to open for the passage of both Na+and doxorubicin, but the conformational gating does not lead to permeation barrier for Na+at this region. The extracellular loops and K283 residues cause permeation barriers for Na+at the extracellular entrance, but not for doxorubicin due to the extensive interactions between the drug molecule and the protein. TolC exhibits high conformational flexibility during the transport of Na+, while doxorubicin seems to be able to stabilize TolC in the resting state with the periplasmic gate closed. The association of the TolC docking domain of AcrB does not lower the permeation barrier for doxorubicin at the periplasmic gate, while the gate opening induces the dissociation of the TolC–AcrB complex.
PREPARATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CAPACITIVE BEHAVIOR OF GRAPHENE BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED THERMAL REDUCTION OF GRAPHITE OXIDE IN HYDRAZINE HYDRATE
Authors: SUN ZHEN , FU QIANGANG , LI HEJUN , LI KEZHI
Published: May 2014

Graphene platelets with a large scale have been synthesized by reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in aqueous solution of hydrazine hydrate under microwave irradiation (MWI). Microstructure of the graphene was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) together with the selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The electrochemical properties were evaluated by the analysis of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 1 M Na2SO4aqueous solution. The results show that the as-prepared materials consist of crumpled, few-layer (~ 3 nm) thick and electronically conductive graphitic sheets. The supercapacitors fabricated using this material possess a low equivalent series resistance (ESR) value ~ 1.6Ω and a high specific capacitance of 285 F ⋅ g-1. In addition, the graphene reduced under a diverse duration of MWI displays a different interlayer spacing, extent of reduction, level of graphitization and specific capacitances. The duration of MWI and the treatment methods strongly affect the microstructure of graphene, and then dominate its electrochemical properties.
INVESTIGATION ON INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTION IN SUPERSATURATION STATE OF CADMIUM SULPHATE MIXED ZINC tris-THIOUREA SULPHATE SOLUTIONS
Authors: MULEY G. G. , NAIK A. B. , GAMBHIRE A. B.
Published: May 2014

Zinc tris-thiourea sulphate (ZTS) is a well known nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal widely used for various NLO applications. The NLO, physical and chemical properties can be modified by adding impurities and/or modifying crystal growth conditions. The impurities present in the growth solution and growth conditions can affect the crystal growth parameters at great extent. Thus, the study on the nature of intermolecular interaction with the dopant in the solution during crystal growth process becomes important. In the present investigation, the ultrasonic velocity was measured in the aqueous solutions of pure and cadmium sulphate mixed ZTS in the supersaturation state at 313.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, inter molecular free length, acoustic impedance and relative associations have been calculated from the ultrasonic data and densities of water and solutions at 313.15 K, and the nature of intermolecular interaction has been discussed. FT-IR spectra of all mixtures in the solid form at room temperature were recorded and the shifts in the absorption peaks corresponding to the functional groups of ZTS have been reported.
Converging effects of a Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus probiotic strain on mouse intestinal physiology
Authors: Lomasney Kevin W. , Cryan John F. , Hyland Niall P.
Published: May 2014

Evidence has grown to support the efficacy of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders, many of which are associated with dysregulated fluid and electrolyte transport. A growing body of evidence now suggests that the host microbiota and probiotics can influence intestinal ion transport and that these effects often occur in a strain-dependent manner. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of two therapeutically relevant organisms, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118, on small intestinal transit, fecal output and water content, transepithelial resistance (TER), and colonic secretomotor function. Mice fed either strain displayed significantly reduced small intestinal transit in vivo, though neither strain influenced fecal pellet output or water content. Colon from mice fed both organisms displayed increased colonic TER, without a concomitant change in the gene expression of the tight junction proteins claudin 1 and occludin. However, L. salivarius UCC118 selectively inhibited neurally evoked ion secretion in tissues from animals fed this particular probiotic. Consistent with this finding, the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTx) significantly inhibited the short-circuit current response induced by L. salivarius UCC118 following addition to colonic preparations in Ussing chambers. Responses to B. infantis 35624 also displayed sensitivity to TTx, although to a significantly lesser degree than L. salivarius UCC118. Both strains similarly inhibited cholinergic-induced ion transport after addition to Ussing chambers. Taken together, these data suggest that B. infantis 35624 and L. salivarius UCC118 may be indicated in disorders associated with increased small intestinal transit, and, in particular for L. salivarius UCC118, neurally mediated diarrhea.
Reduced skeletal muscle AMPK and mitochondrial markers do not promote age-induced insulin resistance
Authors: Bujak Adam L. , Blümer Regje M. E. , Marcinko Katarina , Fullerton Morgan D. , Kemp Bruce E. , Steinberg Gregory R.
Published: May 2014

In both rodents and humans, aging-associated reductions in skeletal muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and mitochondrial function have been linked to the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance. However, whether reductions in skeletal muscle AMPK and mitochondrial capacity actually precipitate the development of aging-induced insulin resistance is not known. Mice lacking both isoforms of the AMPK β-subunit in skeletal muscle (AMPK-MKO) have no detectable AMPK activity and are characterized by large reductions in exercise capacity, mitochondrial content, and contraction-stimulated glucose uptake making them an ideal model to determine whether reductions in AMPK and mitochondrial content promote the development of aging-induced insulin resistance. In the current study we find that a lack of skeletal muscle AMPK results in a life-long reduction in mitochondrial activity but does not affect body mass, body composition, glucose tolerance, or insulin sensitivity as measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in mice of old age (18 mo). These data demonstrate that reductions in skeletal muscle AMPK and mitochondrial activity do not cause the development of age-induced insulin resistance.
Endothelial AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates Blood Pressure and Coronary Flow Responses Through Hyperpolarization Mechanism in Mice
Authors: Enkhjargal Budbazar , Godo Shigeo , Sawada Ayuko , Suvd Nergui , Saito Hiroki , Noda Kazuki , Satoh Kimio , Shimokawa Hiroaki
Published: May 2014

Objective—

Vascular endothelium plays an important role to maintain cardiovascular homeostasis through several mechanisms, including endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). We have recently demonstrated that EDH is involved in endothelial metabolic regulation in mice. However, it remains to be examined whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important metabolic regulator, is involved in EDH and if so, whether endothelial AMPK (eAMPK) plays a role for circulatory regulation.

Approach and Results—

We examined the role of eAMPK in EDH, using mice with endothelium-specific deficiency of α-catalytic subunit of AMPK, either α
1
(eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
+/+
) or α
2
(eAMPKα
1
+/+
α
2
−/−
) alone or both of them (eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
−/−
). We performed telemetry, organ chamber, electrophysiological, and Langendorff experiments to examine blood pressure, vascular responses, hyperpolarization of membrane potential, and coronary flow responses, respectively. Hypertension was noted throughout the day in eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
−/−
and eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
+/+
but not in eAMPKα
1
+/+
α
2
−/−
mice when compared with respective control. Importantly, endothelium-dependent relaxations, EDH, and coronary flow increase were all significantly reduced in eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
−/−
and eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
+/+
but not in eAMPKα
1
+/+
α
2
−/−
mice. In contrast, endothelium-independent relaxations to sodium nitroprusside (a NO donor), NS-1619 (a Ca
2+
-activated K
+
channel opener), and exogenous H
2
O
2
were almost comparable among the groups. In eAMPKα
1
−/−
α
2
−/−
mice, antihypertensive treatment with hydralazine or long-term treatment with metformin (a stimulator of AMPK) failed to restore EDH-mediated responses.

Conclusions—

These results provide the first direct evidence that α
1
subunit of eAMPK substantially mediates EDH responses of microvessels and regulates blood pressure and coronary flow responses in mice in vivo, demonstrating the novel role of eAMPK in cardiovascular homeostasis.
Vulnerability of the Developing Heart to Oxygen Deprivation as a Cause of Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: Kenchegowda Doreswamy , Liu Hongbin , Thompson Keyata , Luo Liping , Martin Stuart S. , Fisher Steven A.
Published: May 2014

Background

The heart develops under reduced and varying oxygen concentrations, yet there is little understanding of oxygen metabolism in the normal and mal‐development of the heart. Here we used a novel reagent, the
ODD
‐Luc hypoxia reporter mouse (
o
xygen
d
egradation
d
omain,
ODD
) of
Hif‐1
α fused to Luciferase (Luc), to assay the activity of the oxygen sensor, prolyl hydroxylase, and oxygen reserve, in the developing heart. We tested the role of hypoxia‐dependent responses in heart development by targeted inactivation of
Hif‐1
α.

Methods and Results

ODD
‐Luciferase activity was 14‐fold higher in mouse embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) versus adult heart and liver tissue lysates.
ODD
‐Luc activity decreased in 2 stages, the first corresponding with the formation of a functional cardiovascular system for oxygen delivery at E15.5, and the second after birth consistent with complete oxygenation of the blood and tissues. Reduction of maternal inspired oxygen to 8% for 4 hours caused minimal induction of luciferase activity in the maternal tissues but robust induction in the embryonic tissues in proportion to the basal activity, indicating a lack of oxygen reserve, and corresponding induction of a hypoxia‐dependent gene program. Bioluminescent imaging of intact embryos demonstrated highest activity in the outflow portion of the E13.5 heart.
Hif‐1
α inactivation or prolonged hypoxia caused outflow and septation defects only when targeted to this specific developmental window.

Conclusions

Low oxygen concentrations and lack of oxygen reserve during a critical phase of heart organogenesis may provide a basis for vulnerability to the development of common septation and conotruncal heart defects.
A review of the genus Paraleptomenes Giordani Soika, 1970 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae: Odynerini) from the Indian subcontinent,with the description of a new species from the eastern Himalayas
Authors: KUMAR GIRISH P. , CARPENTER JAMES M. , SHARMA GAURAV
Published: May 2014

The genus Paraleptomenes Giordani Soika, 1970 is reviewed for the Indian subcontinent. A new species Paraleptomenes darugiriensis Kumar, Carpenter & Sharma, sp. nov. is described. The male of P. rufoniger Giordani Soika, 1994 is described for the first time. The distribution records of P. humbertianus (de Saussure, 1867), P. miniatus mephitis (Cameron, 1901), P. miniatus miniatus (de Saussure, 1855), and P. rufoniger Giordani Soika, 1994 in the Indian states are augmented. A key to species of the Indian subcontinent and a world checklist of species are provided.
Review of the genus Lasiochira Meyrick, 1931 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae)
Authors: Yin A. h. , Wang S. x. , Park K. T.
Published: May 2014

The genus Lasiochira Meyrick, 1931 is reviewed, based on the specimens collected from China, Korea, and Vietnam. Of the eight species involved in this study, six are described as new: L. flavaterminata sp. nov., L. jianfengensis sp. nov., L. jiulongshana sp. nov., L. pallidiptera sp. nov., L. rosataenia sp. nov. and L. taiwanensis sp. nov. Photographs of adults and genital structures as well as the wing venation are provided, along with a key to all the known species.
A new species of Neolebouria Gibson, 1976 (Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae) from the whitecheek monocle bream, Scolopsis vosmeri (Perciformes: Nemipteridae), from the Panjim coast at Goa, with a checklist of parasites previously reported from this fish
Authors: JAISWAL NEESHMA , UPADHYAY S. K. , MALHOTRA ANSHU , BLEND CHARLES K. , DRONEN NORMAN O. , MALHOTRA SANDEEP K.
Published: May 2014

Neolebouria capoori n. sp. (Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae) is described from the whitecheek monocle bream, Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch) (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from the Panjim coast on the central west coast of India at Goa. The new species differs from both Neolebouria cantherhini (Li, Qiu & Zhang, 1988) as originally described from Thamnaconus modestus (Günther) (syn. Cantherines modestus Günther ) and Neolebouria confusum (Overstreet, 1969) as originally described from Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch) by having the cirrus sac surpassing the ventral sucker posteriorly in N. cantherhini and being entirely preacetabular in N. confusum compared to terminating near the midlevel of the ventral sucker in N. capoori n. sp. The new species is most similar to N. confusum, but it further differs from this species by having the vitelline fields terminating near the level of the esophageal bifurcation compared to terminating near the level of the posterior margin of the pharynx, a larger sucker ratio (1:1.7–1:2.0 compared to 1:1.4–1:1.7), a somewhat shorter cirrus sac relative to body length (160–448, representing 9–18% of the body length compared to about 367, representing 22%), and the egg of the new species has a boss at the anopercular end that is not present in N. confusum. This study represents the first report on an opecoelid from S. vosmeri. A review of the parasites reported from S. vosmeri is included.