bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MagicNET: mobile agents data protection system
Authors: Shibli Muhammad Awais , Masood Rahat , Ghazi Yumna , Muftic Sead
Published: December 2013

Literature study and analysis on mobile agents reveal many challenging and uncovered aspects that still do not have comprehensive solutions. Despite the fact that significant research has been carried out on mobile agents, it is still not widely adopted by industry and research community because of the immaturity of various technical aspects of agent paradigm. One of the main reasons that limits the scope of the potential applications of mobile agents is the lack of reliable security solutions for mobile agents’ code and their baggage. The protection of mobile agents’ codes has been solved by the research community to some extent; however, there is not even a single solution that provides complete protection and access control mechanism for agents’ code and their baggage (data being accumulated/ carried by agent during execution). Most of the existing solutions such as execution tracing, code obfuscation, encrypted code execution and partial result encapsulation mainly cover security threats of mobile agents’ code. In this paper, we present a security solution to overcome the security threats on traditional mobile agents computing paradigm. Our proposed solution is one step ahead of extant solutions in that it provides complete protection and enforces access control on agents’ complex baggage structure. We have extended our previous work that was limited to the protection of agents and the agent platforms only. Our approach provides holistic access control mechanism between users and agents, agents and agent platform resources and platform and agents baggage. By adopting the proposed solution in the mobile agent‐oriented software engineering, secure and complex mobile agent‐based applications can be developed, which will greatly benefit the software industry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design Principles for Data Visualization in Evaluation
Authors: Evergreen Stephanie , Metzner Chris
Published: December 2013

Data visualization is often used in two main ways—as a tool to aid analysis or as a tool for communication. In the context of this issue, in this chapter we are focusing on the latter. At its most essential, the communication goal of data visualization is to grab audience attention and help them engage with the data such that the resulting product is increased understanding, regardless of the software platform or programming ability of the author. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Facilitating Career Development Concerns of Gender Transitioning Individuals: Professional Standards and Competencies
Authors: Sangganjanavanich Varunee Faii , Headley Jessica A.
Published: December 2013

Gender transition is a complex process that entails various psychosocial challenges, including career development, to transitioning individuals. Career development practitioners are required to be knowledgeable of the current professional standards and competencies of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health () and the American Counseling Association () to help gender transitioning individuals address career development concerns. In this article, the authors review these newly proposed professional standards for and competencies in working with gender transitioning individuals and highlight unique career development concerns of this population. Practical implications for career development practitioners are discussed.
Synthetic niches for differentiation of human embryonic stem cells bypassing embryoid body formation
Authors: Liu Yarong , Fox Victoria , Lei Yuning , Hu Biliang , Joo Kye‐Il , Wang Pin
Published: December 2013

The unique self‐renewal and pluripotency features of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer the potential for unlimited development of novel cell therapies. Currently, hESCs are cultured and differentiated using methods, such as monolayer culture and embryoid body (EB) formation. As such, achieving efficient differentiation into higher order structures remains a challenge, as well as maintaining cell viability during differentiation into homogeneous cell populations. Here, we describe the application of highly porous polymer scaffolds as synthetic stem cell niches. Bypassing the EB formation step, these scaffolds are capable of three‐dimensional culture of undifferentiated hESCs and subsequent directed differentiation into three primary germ layers. H9 hESCs were successfully maintained and proliferated in biodegradable polymer scaffolds based on poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA). The results showed that cells within PLGA scaffolds retained characteristics of undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, the scaffolds allowed differentiation towards the lineage of interest by the addition of growth factors to the culture system. The in vivo transplantation study revealed that the scaffolds could provide a microenvironment that enabled hESCs to interact with their surroundings, thereby promoting cell differentiation. Therefore, this approach, which provides a unique culture/differentiation system for hESCs, will find its utility in various stem cell‐based tissue‐engineering applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1101–1112, 2014.
Why is N···Be distance of NH3H+···DBeH shorter than that of NH3D+···HBeH? paradoxical geometrical isotope effects for partially isotope‐substituted dihydrogen‐bonded isotopomers
Authors: Udagawa Taro , Tachikawa Masanori
Published: December 2013

The partial isotope substitution for the change of geometrical parameters, interaction energies, and nuclear magnetic shielding tensors (σ) of dihydrogen‐bonded NH3X+···YBeH (X, Y = H, D, and T) systems is analyzed. Based on the theoretical calculation, the distance between heavy atoms RN···Be of NH3H+···DBeH is clearly found to be shorter than that in NH3D+···HBeH. Such apparently paradoxical geometrical isotope effect (GIE) on RN···Be is revealed by the cooperative effect of two kinds of (1) primary covalent‐bonded GIE and (2) secondary dihydrogen‐bonded one. We have demonstrated that (1) the covalent bond lengths become shorter by heavier isotope‐substitution and (2) the dihydrogen‐bonded distance RX···Y becomes shorter by heavier Y and lighter X isotope‐substitution due to the difference of electronic structure reflected by the nuclear distribution. We have also found that interaction energy of NH3H+···DBeH is stronger than that of NH3D+···HBeH and isotopic deshielding effect of magnetic shielding becomes large in lighter isotope. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activities of Novel Series of 3‐(4‐(2‐substituted thiazol‐4‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐substituted thiazol‐5‐yl)thiazolidin‐4‐one Derivatives
Authors: Shelke Shivaji H. , Mhaske Pravin C. , Narkhade Sachin , Bobade Vivek D.
Published: December 2013

In the present investigation, a novel series of 3‐(4‐(2‐substituted thiazol‐4‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐substituted thiazol‐5‐yl)thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives were synthesized by condensation of 2‐substituted‐4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carbaldehyde with 4‐(2‐substituted thiazol‐4‐yl)benzenamine followed by cyclo‐condensation with thioglycolic acid in toluene. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass) methods. The title compounds were screened for quantitative antibacterial activity (minimal inhibitory concentration). All compounds 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h and 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h show moderate to good antimicrobial activity, whereas compounds (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h) also show moderate antifungal activity.
Trabecular bone structure in the primate wrist
Authors: Schilling Ann‐Marie , Tofanelli Sergio , Hublin Jean‐Jacques , Kivell Tracy L.
Published: December 2013

Trabecular (or cancellous) bone has been shown to respond to mechanical loading throughout ontogeny and thus can provide unique insight into skeletal function and locomotion in comparative studies of living and fossil mammalian morphology. Trabecular bone of the hand may be particularly functionally informative because the hand has more direct contact with the substrate compared with the remainder of the forelimb during locomotion in quadrupedal mammals. This study investigates the trabecular structure within the wrist across a sample of haplorhine primates that vary in locomotor behaviour (and thus hand use) and body size. High‐resolution microtomographic scans were collected of the lunate, scaphoid, and capitate in 41 individuals and eight genera (Homo, Gorilla, Pan, Papio, Pongo, Symphalangus, Hylobates, and Ateles). We predicted that particular trabecular parameters would 1) vary across suspensory, quadrupedal, and bipedal primates based on differences in hand use and load, and 2) scale with carpal size following similar allometric patterns found previously in other skeletal elements across a larger sample of mammals and primates. Analyses of variance (trabecular parameters analysed separately) and principal component analyses (trabecular parameters analysed together) revealed no clear functional signal in the trabecular structure of any of the three wrist bones. Instead, there was a large degree of variation within suspensory and quadrupedal locomotor groups, as well as high intrageneric variation within some taxa, particularly Pongo and Gorilla. However, as predicted, Homo sapiens, which rarely use their hands for locomotion and weight support, were unique in showing lower relative bone volume (BV/TV) compared with all other taxa. Furthermore, parameters used to quantify trabecular structure within the wrist scale with size generally following similar allometric patterns found in trabeculae of other mammalian skeletal elements. We discuss the challenges associated with quantifying and interpreting trabecular bone within the wrist. J. Morphol. 275:572–585, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Failure analysis of an impeller blade
Authors: Ul‐Hamid A. , Al‐Hadhrami L. M. , Mohammed A. I. , Al‐Yousef F. K.
Published: December 2013

A multi‐stage low‐pressure centrifugal air compressor used in the utility section of a manufacturing plant tripped. An increase in vibration was recorded prior to the breakdown. Subsequent inspection revealed that a small part of one blade had fractured and separated from the impeller body. The failure occurred in the 3rd stage impeller blade employed in a three‐stage compressor with two inter‐stage cooling tanks. The air compressor had been in service for 18 years while the current impeller had been used for 18 months. Impeller was made of 17‐4 PH steel. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Vickers hardness testing were used to metallurgically evaluate the broken blade and corrosion deposit obtained from cooling tank. Experimental results indicated that the mode of failure of the impeller blade was corrosion fatigue. Hardness of impeller material was also found to exceed the upper limit required to use it in sulfur bearing environment. Cause of failure can be attributed to intense vibrations in the compressor system responsible for the generation of stresses that led to the fatigue failure of impeller blade already embrittled due to improper heat treatment and exposed to an environment made corrosive due to the presence of sulfur.
Design model for diffusion coatings formed via pack cementation
Authors: Naji A. , Galetz M. C. , Schütze M.
Published: December 2013

Coatings improve the high temperature corrosion resistance of materials by enriching the subsurface zone with elements that form protective oxide scales, which increase the material lifetime. Interesting coatings are aluminum (Al) diffusion coatings formed in a pack cementation process e.g., on austenitic steels. The coating procedure may lead to the risk of crack formation within the coating because of the detrimental combination of high brittleness of the Al‐rich intermetallic phases that form, the coating thickness, and the mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the material and the coating. By means of a new coating design, Al diffusion coatings consisting of less brittle intermetallic phases with a CTE closer to that of the substrate can be applied with a controlled coating thickness. For this purpose, the required coating manufacturing parameters such as process temperature, process time, and powder composition are predicted by the presented coating design model.
Inferring Chemogenomic Features from Drug‐Target Interaction Networks
Authors: Yamanishi Yoshihiro
Published: December 2013

Drug effects are mainly caused by the interactions between drug molecules and target proteins including primary targets and off‐targets. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind overall drugtarget interactions is crucial in the drug design process. In this paper we review recently developed methods to infer chemogenomic features (the underlying associations between drug chemical substructures and protein domains) which are strongly involved in drug‐target interaction networks. We show the usefulness of the methods to detect ligand chemical fragments specific for each protein domain and ligand core substructures important for a wide range of protein families. We also discuss how to use the chemogenomic features for predicting unknown drug‐target interactions on a large scale.
On hazard rate processes
Authors: Kebir Y.
Published: December 2013

Hazard rate processes are discussed in the context of doubly stochastic Poisson processes. We derive an explicit expression for the reliability function corresponding to an increasing hazard rate processes with independent increments. Also, bounds are obtained for the reliability function of a system with a general hazard rate process.
Developing production schedules which balance part usage and smooth production loads for just‐in‐time production systems
Authors: Miltenburg G.J. , Goldstein T.
Published: December 2013

A mixed‐model multilevel manufacturing facility running under a just‐in‐time (JIT) production system is controlled by setting the production schedule for the highest level in the facility, which is usually a mixed‐model final assembly line. The schedule is set to achieve the goals of the organization, which under JIT are (1) to keep a constant rate of part usage, and (2) to maintain a smooth production load. In this article we extend earlier work in the literature, which focused on the first goal, by developing scheduling procedures which satisfy both goals. Properties of the resulting production schedules are analyzed and illustrative examples are presented.
Intramolecular carbolithiation‐cyclization‐electrophilic substitution: solvent effect and mechanistic study
Authors: Rodriguez Cristian , Nudelman Norma Sbarbati
Published: December 2013

The intramolecular carbolithiation‐cyclization‐electrophilic substitution sequence proves to be a promising strategy for synthetic organic chemists. Our current research in this area focuses on the one‐pot halogen/lithium exchange of 2‐bromophenyl‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enyl ether, followed by intramolecular carbolithiation, and trapping of the new lithiated cyclic intermediate by several electrophiles, affording 3‐substituted 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans with some diastereoselectivity. Within this context, a study on the product distribution solvent dependence was carried out using different types of solvents, namely: polar coordinating, polar non‐coordinating, and non‐polar solvents. The results show that the coordinating features of the solvent affect specially the carbolithiation step, whereas the halogen/lithium exchange seems to be barely affected.

Theoretical calculations were carried out to investigate the unexpected diastereoselectivity of the tandem reaction, where two stereocenters are generated. Insights gained from our mechanistic investigations enabled us to propose an inversion of configuration at the lithiated intermediate prior to the reaction, being the electrophile the likely cause for the observed distereoselectivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐sensor signal fusion‐based modulation classification by using wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ansari Nirwan , Su Wei
Published: December 2013

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) is applied as the intermediate step between signal detection and demodulation to identify modulation schemes. AMC is a challenging task, especially in a non‐cooperative environment, owing to the lack of prior information on the transmitted signal at the receiver. The proposed modulation classification scheme based on multi‐sensor signal fusion makes the premise that the combined signal from multiple sensors provides a more accurate description than any one of the individual signals alone. Multi‐sensor signal fusion offers increased reliability and huge processing gains in overall performance as compared with the single sensor, thus making AMC of weak signals in non‐cooperative communication environment more reliable and successful. Signal‐to‐noise ratio improvement through multi‐sensor signal fusion is studied by using second‐order and fourth‐order moments method. The classification performance based on multi‐sensor signal fusion is investigated in the additive white Gaussian noise channel as well as the flat fading channel and is evaluated in terms of correct classification probability by taking the effects of timing synchronization, phase jitter, phase offset, and frequency offset into consideration, respectively. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed multi‐sensor signal fusion‐based AMC algorithm can greatly outperform other existing AMC methods.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐windup linear parameter‐varying control of pitch actuators in wind turbines
Authors: Meisami‐Azad Mona , Grigoriadis Karolos M.
Published: December 2013

Operation of wind turbines in the full‐load region mandates that the produced power is kept at a rated value to minimize structural loads and thereby reduce fatigue damage. This is usually achieved by pitching the rotor blades in order to limit the aerodynamic torque in high wind speeds. The pitch actuators usually present a hard constraint in terms of the amplitude and rate of saturation. In this paper, we propose a method to address pitch actuator amplitude and rate saturation by designing anti‐windup controllers in the linear parameter‐varying framework. The proposed design method guarantees the closed‐loop system stability and a prescribed level of performance while it decreases the pitch activity for regulating the generated power to the nominal power during sudden wind gusts. The anti‐windup controller designed to minimize the norm of the closed‐loop system is gain‐scheduled on the basis of the operating condition of the turbine, as well as the states of amplitude and rate saturation of the pitch actuator. The effectiveness of the proposed control design method is demonstrated using high‐fidelity aeroelastic dynamic simulation tools. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding Change in Recycling and Littering Behavior Across a School Social Network
Authors: Long Jennifer , Harré Niki , Atkinson Quentin D.
Published: December 2013

Understanding how communities change requires examining how individuals’ beliefs and behaviors are shaped by those around them. This paper investigates behavior change across a large social network following a recycling intervention in a New Zealand high school community. We used a mixed methods design, combining focus group data with social network analysis from two waves of a questionnaire that measured friendship networks; recycling and littering behaviors; perceived behavioral norms; and teacher, friend, and parent encouragement for these behaviors. Recycling behavior increased significantly over the course of our study. Supporting the importance of social networks in this context, both littering and recycling behavior showed clear social clustering. Further, the degree of change in an individuals’ littering and recycling behavior across time was predicted by friends’ prior behavior. Focus group data provided insight into students’ perceptions of social interactions and how these contributed to littering and recycling behavior.
Digging deep to open the white black box of snow root phenology
Authors: Onipchenko Vladimir G. , Kipkeev Alii M. , Makarov Mikhail I. , Kozhevnikova Anna D. , Ivanov Victor B. , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A. , Tekeev Dzhamal K. , Salpagarova Fatima S. , Werger Marinus J. A. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C.
Published: December 2013

Snow roots are specialized structures recently discovered in the Caucasian alpine snow‐bed plant Corydalis conorhiza. They form extensive networks that grow into snow packs against gravity, most probably to gather nitrogen from snow. Here we test the hypothesis that snow roots are true winter organs, i.e., they should already start growth early in winter to lay down the infrastructure for N capture from snow packs well before their melt‐out. This would require winter surface and soil temperatures continuously close to or above freezing. Excavations of snow roots from snow packs in January and May, accompanied by temperature recordings and anatomical observations, supported our hypothesis. These findings complete the annual cycle of snow root phenology. They also emphasize the evolutionary and ecological significance of these specialized winter organs. Moreover, their likely association with a particular abiotic temperature and snow regime will facilitate the search for snow roots in other species.
The cyclic AMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) mediates smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to angiotensin II
Authors: Molnar Peter , Perrault Raissa , Louis Sherif , Zahradka Peter
Published: December 2013

The cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that mediates the cellular response to metabolic and mitogenic signals. Whether CREB contributes to vascular function has received little attention, especially in relation to the processes associated with atherosclerotic disease progression and restenosis. This study examined the involvement of CREB in the mitogenic actions of angiotensin II (AngII), a growth factor that promotes neointimal hyperplasia in response to vascular injury. Treatments were performed on quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) obtained from a porcine explant model. Organ culture was performed on porcine hearts subjected to angioplasty ex vivo. Stimulation of VSMCs with AngII resulted in transient CREB phosphorylation. Proliferation of smooth muscle cells in response to AngII was reduced by 90 % after infection with adenovirus expressing dominant‐negative killer CREB (kCREB) mutant. Likewise, expression of kCREB prevented angioplasty‐induced neointimal hyperplasia. AngII‐induced CREB phosphorylation was independent of cAMP activation. Examination of putative CREB kinases revealed that MSK was responsible for phosphorylating CREB. In addition, inhibition of PKC revealed that this kinase operates upstream and activates MSK. These results indicate that activation of CREB via PKC and MSK is essential for SMC proliferation in response to AngII.
Making Political Science Matter? Phronetic Social Science in Theory and Practice
Authors: Gimbel Edward W.
Published: December 2013

Real Social Science: Applied Phronesis, edited by Bent Flyvbjerg, Todd Landman, and Sanford Schram, is an interesting read in the context of the current assault on both the scientific status and the practical utility of social science in general and political science specifically. In it, the editors collect examples of social scientific work that embrace what Flyvbjerg and others have described as phronetic social science. This approach makes creative use of the Aristotelian intellectual virtue of phronesis, or practical wisdom, which the editors identify with the knowledge of how to address and act on social problems in a particular context. Rather than emphasizing the universal truth (episteme) that has traditionally been the summum bonum of social scientific inquiry, or fixating on the know-how (techne) that is characteristic of methodologically driven approaches, Flyvbjerg, Landman, and Schram present examples of social scientific research where contextual knowledge, deep understanding of embedded power dynamics, and immediate relevance to political reality take center stage. In so doing they give the lie to those who would deny the practical relevance of social research. At the same time, however, the editors develop an understanding of phronesis that marginalizes valuable elements of Aristotle's understanding of the intellectual virtue, most notably its basis in self-examination, while simultaneously bringing phronesis much closer to techne by seeking to develop their phronetic social science along methodological lines.
Narrowcasting the Obama Presidency
Authors: Rudalevige Andrew
Published: December 2013

In the United States we like to ‘rate’ a President,” Richard Neustadt observed. “We measure him as ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ and call what we are measuring his ‘leadership.’ We do not wait until a man is dead; we rate him from the moment he takes office.” Half a century later, that habit has been amplified and accelerated by an unending news cycle and the outsized demand for commentary across the online world. The polarizing figure of Barack Hussein Obama has been catnip here: Observers from all spaces on the spectra of partisanship and sanity began weighing in on the Obama presidency long before he actually took office in January 2009.
The Rule of Law, Democracy, and Intelligence
Authors: Isaac Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2013

I began drafting this Introduction on July 30, 2013, the day that Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning was convicted on 19 of 21 charges, including 6 counts of espionage, in a U.S. military court martial. Manning is a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who covertly conveyed to WikiLeaks a massive file of over 700,000 classified documents—including battlefield reports from Iraq, reports from Afghanistan, and State Department cables—thereby publicly disclosing extensive information about U.S. military conduct, and misconduct, of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Manning was subjected to harsh treatment, including solitary confinement during the first nine months of his detention, sparking public outcry and leading a UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to hold that his detention represented cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
E-Bandits in Global Activism: WikiLeaks, Anonymous, and the Politics of No One
Authors: Wong Wendy H. , Brown Peter A.
Published: December 2013

In recent years, WikiLeaks and Anonymous have made headlines distributing confidential information, defacing websites, and generating protest around political issues. Although many have dismissed these actors as terrorists, criminals, and troublemakers, we argue that such actors are emblematic of a new kind of political actor: extraordinary bandits (e-bandits) that engage in the politics of no one via anonymizing Internet technologies. Building on Hobsbawm's idea of the social bandit, we show how these actors fundamentally change the terms of global activism. First, as political actors, e-bandits are akin to Robin Hood, resisting the powers that be who threaten the desire to keep the Internet free, not through lobbying legislators, but by “taking” what has been deemed off limits. Second, e-banditry forces us to think about how technology changes “ordinary” transnational activism. Iconic images of street protests and massive marches often underlie the way we as scholars think about social movements and citizen action; they are ordinary ways we expect non-state actors to behave when they demand political change. E-bandits force us to understand political protest as virtual missives and actions, activity that leaves no physical traces but that has real-world consequences, as when home phone numbers and addresses of public officials are released. Finally, e-banditry is relatively open in terms of who participates, which contributes to the growing sense that activism has outgrown organizations as the way by which individuals connect. We illustrate our theory with the actions of two e-bandits, Anonymous and WikiLeaks.
Response to Gerald M. Easter's review of State-Building and Tax Regimes in Central America
Authors: Schneider Aaron
Published: December 2013

This valuable review of my book identifies core points and three potential areas of deepening: newly emerging elites, additional cases, and the challenge of fiscal sociology research in Central America. I address each in turn. As noted, contemporary elites share many characteristics with traditional elites, who are accurately described as incestuous, exclusive, and self-perpetuating. Some of the newly emerging elites are indeed drawn from the very families and networks that produced prior generations of elites. This evolution has been usefully described in ethnographic work by Central Americans such as Marta Casaús Arzú and North Americans such as Jeffrey Paige. They note that despite continuities, there are important differences in contemporary elites, perhaps because of the democratic regimes in which they operate, and especially because of their location atop transnationally integrated production processes. Still, while this structural position produces both conflicts and coincidences of interest with traditional elite actors, the precise pattern of intraelite relations is the outcome of contingent social processes captured by the dimensions of cohesion and dominance. Different combinations of cohesion and dominance in intraelite relations serve as a useful beginning to the analysis of tax-regime outcomes.
Plasma amino acids imbalance in cirrhotic patients disturbs the tricarboxylic acid cycle of dendritic cell
Authors: Kakazu Eiji , Kondo Yasuteru , Kogure Takayuki , Ninomiya Masashi , Kimura Osamu , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Shimosegawa Tooru
Published: December 2013

An imbalance of plasma amino acids (AA) is observed cirrhotic patients. Here we report that the imbalance suppresses the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) by reducing the intracellular ATP due to interference with the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. We used serum-free culture medium consistent with the average concentration of the plasma AA from a healthy volunteer (HCM) and that from patients with advanced cirrhosis (ACM). We compared the function of DCs and the metabolism of glucose-amino acids under each medium. The maturation and intracellular ATP of immature DCs were lower under ACM in spite of the enhancement of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex genes. Metabolomics revealed that the TCA cycle metabolite, fumarate and 2-oxoglutarate were increased in DCs generated under ACM. Consistent with in vitro, In CD1c+ or CD14+ cells from cirrhotic patients, the gene expression of 2-oxoglutarate-succinate-fumarate transition enzymes were significantly different from the cells of healthy controls.
The effects of ketamine and risperidone on eye movement control in healthy volunteers
Authors: Schmechtig A , Lees J , Perkins A , Altavilla A , Craig K J , Dawson G R , William Deakin J F , Dourish C T , Evans L H , Koychev I , Weaver K , Smallman R , Walters J , Wilkinson L S , Morris R , Williams S C R , Ettinger U
Published: December 2013

The non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine leads to transient psychosis-like symptoms and impairments in oculomotor performance in healthy volunteers. This study examined whether the adverse effects of ketamine on oculomotor performance can be reversed by the atypical antipsychotic risperidone. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 72 healthy participants performed smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM), prosaccades (PS) and antisaccades (AS) while being randomly assigned to one of four drug groups (intravenous 100 ng ml−1 ketamine, 2 mg oral risperidone, 100 ng ml−1 ketamine plus 2 mg oral risperidone, placebo). Drug administration did not lead to harmful adverse events. Ketamine increased saccadic frequency and decreased velocity gain of SPEM (all P<0.01) but had no significant effects on PS or AS (all P⩾0.07). An effect of risperidone was observed for amplitude gain and peak velocity of PS and AS, indicating hypometric gain and slower velocities compared with placebo (both P⩽0.04). No ketamine by risperidone interactions were found (all P⩾0.26). The results confirm that the administration of ketamine produces oculomotor performance deficits similar in part to those seen in schizophrenia. The atypical antipsychotic risperidone did not reverse ketamine-induced deteriorations. These findings do not support the cognitive enhancing potential of risperidone on oculomotor biomarkers in this model system of schizophrenia and point towards the importance of developing alternative performance-enhancing compounds to optimise pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia.
Cardiac tissue engineering: renewing the arsenal for the battle against heart disease
Authors: Georgiadis Vassilis , Knight Richard A. , Jayasinghe Suwan N. , Stephanou Anastasis
Published: December 2013

The development of therapies that lead to the regeneration or functional repair of compromised cardiac tissue is the most important challenge facing translational cardiovascular research today.
Multi‐sensor‐based H∞ estimation in heterogeneous sensor networks with stochastic competitive transmission and random sensor failures
Authors: Song Haiyu , Yu Li , Zhang Wen‐An
Published: December 2013

This study investigates the multi‐sensor‐based centralised estimation problem in heterogeneous sensor networks with a common communication channel. Owing to the heterogeneity of the distributed sensors, it is usually impossible to package the measurements into one packet and transmit them to the fusion centre (FC) together, which implies that the measurements should be forwarded to the FC asynchronously. In view of this, a novel stochastic competitive transmission strategy is proposed to stagger the sensors’ transmissions. By using the asynchronous sampled information from the sensors, an H∞ filter is designed for the FC to periodically generate estimates. The filter parameters are determined by solving a linear‐matrix inequality. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Reconfigurable ultra‐wide band monopole antenna with a continuously tunable band notch
Authors: Loizeau Sylvain , Sibille Alain
Published: December 2013

In this study, the authors introduce a reconfigurable ultra‐wide band (UWB) antenna, which exhibits novel behaviour and could potentially be used in future cognitive radio or software defined radio systems. It is based on an UWB monopole antenna and features a narrow‐band rejection, which can be tuned over the whole matched bandwidth. Reconfigurability is achieved through the use of active semiconductor‐based components. Biasing circuits and components have been taken into account, for simulations as well as measurements, both antennas being prototyped with the embedded active components.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3selectively and reversibly impairs T helper-cell CNS localization
Authors: Grishkan Inna V. , Fairchild Amanda N. , Calabresi Peter A. , Gocke Anne R.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system in health and disease and may be beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis. It prevents CNS autoimmunity in mice by an incompletely understood mechanism. The present study is a systematic evaluation of the vitamin D effects on T lymphocytes at each step of their journey to the CNS. The data demonstrate that vitamin D does not affect generation of pathogenic cells but prevents their presence in the CNS. Unlike current long-acting drugs that impair immune cell trafficking, the effect of vitamin D is quickly reversed after treatment cessation, which could prove advantageous when immune function needs to be reestablished in the setting of infection.
Structure of the ribosome with elongation factor G trapped in the pretranslocation state
Authors: Brilot Axel F. , Korostelev Andrei A. , Ermolenko Dmitri N. , Grigorieff Nikolaus
Published: December 2013

Significance

The ribosome decodes genetic information and synthesizes proteins in all living organisms. To translate the genetic information, the ribosome binds tRNA. During polypeptide chain elongation, the tRNA is moved together with the mRNA through the ribosome. This movement is called translocation and involves precisely coordinated steps that include binding of a protein called elongation factor G (EF-G). How exactly EF-G drives translocation is not fully understood. We show in this study a detailed three-dimensional molecular image of the ribosome bound to EF-G and two tRNAs, just before the tRNAs are translocated. The image provides mechanistic clues to how EF-G promotes tRNA translocation.
Working-memory capacity protects model-based learning from stress
Authors: Otto A. Ross , Raio Candace M. , Chiang Alice , Phelps Elizabeth A. , Daw Nathaniel D.
Published: December 2013

Significance

The physiological response evoked by short-lived stressful events, referred to as acute stress, impacts human decision-making. Past studies assume that stress causes people to fall back, from more cognitive or deliberative modes of choice, to more primitive or automatic modes of choice because stress impairs peoples’ capacity to process information (working memory). We directly examined how acute stress affects choice in a laboratory decision-making task for which the working memory demands of the two forms of decision-making are well understood, finding that stress impaired use of sophisticated choice strategies that require working memory but did not affect use of simpler, more primitive strategies. Further, this impairment was exacerbated in individuals with smaller working memory capacity, which is related to general intelligence.
TRAF3 enforces the requirement for T cell cross-talk in thymic medullary epithelial development
Authors: Jenkinson S. Rhiannon , Williams Joy A. , Jeon Hyein , Zhang Jingjing , Nitta Takeshi , Ohigashi Izumi , Kruhlak Michael , Zuklys Saulius , Sharrow Susan , Adams Anthony , Granger Larry , Choi Yongwon , Siebenlist Ulrich , Bishop Gail A. , Hollander Georg A. , Takahama Yousuke , Hodes Richard J.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Induction of tolerance to self-antigens in developing T cells depends on medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), whose development, in turn, requires signals from mature single-positive (SP) thymocytes, a bidirectional interdependence termed cross-talk. We have probed the mechanism that underlies this requirement for cross-talk. Strikingly, selective deletion in thymic epithelial cells of TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), an inhibitor of nonclassical NF-kB signaling, resulted in development of normal numbers of fully mature mTECs in the complete absence of SP thymocytes. Thus, mTEC development can, in fact, occur in the absence of cross-talk with SP thymocytes, and the role of thymocytes is in overcoming TRAF3-imposed inhibition. We conclude that TRAF3 plays a central role in regulation of mTECs by imposing requirements for T cell cross-talk.
Visualization of two transfer RNAs trapped in transit during elongation factor G-mediated translocation
Authors: Ramrath David J. F. , Lancaster Laura , Sprink Thiemo , Mielke Thorsten , Loerke Justus , Noller Harry F. , Spahn Christian M. T.
Published: December 2013

Significance

One of the most critical and complex steps of the protein synthesis elongation cycle is the coupled translocation of messenger (m)RNA and the A- and P-site transfer (t)RNAs through the ribosome, catalyzed by the elongation factor EF-G. This step involves large-scale molecular movements in the ribosome, including rotational movements of the body and head of the 30S subunit. Previously, structures have been obtained for trapped intermediates containing a single tRNA. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of an intermediate trapped with both tRNAs. This structure represents a previously missing link in understanding the mechanism of translocation, revealing that the ribosome uses two distinct molecular ratchets, involving both intra- and intersubunit rotational movements, to drive the synchronous movement of tRNAs and mRNA.
Pivotal role of NOD2 in inflammatory processes affecting atherosclerosis and periodontal bone loss
Authors: Yuan Huaiping , Zelkha Sami , Burkatovskaya Marina , Gupte Rohit , Leeman Susan E. , Amar Salomon
Published: December 2013

Significance

Apolipoprotein E
−/−
(ApoE
−/−
) mice deficient in nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) and subjected to an oral gavage of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
developed elevated serum inflammatory cytokines, cholesterol, alveolar bone loss, and atherosclerosis. Stimulation of NOD2 by Muramyl DiPeptide (MDP) in ApoE
−/−
mice reduced
P. gingivalis
-induced inflammatory cytokines, cholesterol, alveolar bone loss, and atherosclerosis by reducing the expression of inhibitor of NF-κB kinase-β, NF-κB, JNK mRNA, and TNF-α protein levels. A reduction in body weight gain was observed in ApoE
−/−
mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and injected with MDP compared to ApoE
−/−
mice fed a HFD but saline injected. MDP activation of NOD2 should be considered in the treatment of inflammatory processes affecting atherosclerosis, bone loss, and possibly, weight gain.
Genetic disruption of CD8
+
Treg activity enhances the immune response to viral infection
Authors: Holderried Tobias A. W. , Lang Philipp A. , Kim Hye-Jung , Cantor Harvey
Published: December 2013

Significance

Cellular interactions that regulate the immune response of T cells to viral infection are poorly understood. Here we report that in the absence of activity of CD8 regulatory T-cells (CD8 Treg cells), antiviral immunity is enhanced and the deleterious effects of viral infection are constrained. Using a genetically modified mouse model that displays defective regulatory activity of CD8 Treg cells, the immune response against viruses was substantially enhanced during the acute and chronic phase of viral infection; this enhanced antiviral response prevented tissue damage associated with viral infection. This suggests that protective immunity to viral infection can be achieved by blocking the inhibitory effects of CD8 Treg cells and opens the possibility of unique approaches to treat viral infection.
Mechanosensory responses of osteocytes to physiological forces occur along processes and not cell body and require α
V
β
3
integrin
Authors: Thi Mia M. , Suadicani Sylvia O. , Schaffler Mitchell B. , Weinbaum Sheldon , Spray David C.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Although polarized mechanotransduction in osteocytes has been established, participation of α
V
β
3
integrin still remains to be conclusively demonstrated. We addressed this issue using the novel Stokesian fluid stimulus probe to discretely stimulate the osteocyte processes and cell body with physiologically relevant hydrodynamic forces in the piconewton range while imaging intracellular Ca
2+
signals. We demonstrate that osteocyte cell processes but not the cell bodies are mechanosensitive through discrete attachment sites provided by α
V
β
3
integrin, thereby revealing that integrin attachment sites provide the substrate for polarized osteocyte mechanosignaling and mechanotransduction.
Prediction of shot success for basketball free throws: Visual search strategy
Authors: Uchida Yusuke , Mizuguchi Nobuaki , Honda Masaaki , Kanosue Kazuyuki
Published: December 2013

In ball games, players have to pay close attention to visual information in order to predict the movements of both the opponents and the ball. Previous studies have indicated that players primarily utilise cues concerning the ball and opponents' body motion. The information acquired must be effective for observing players to select the subsequent action. The present study evaluated the effects of changes in the video replay speed on the spatial visual search strategy and ability to predict free throw success. We compared eye movements made while observing a basketball free throw by novices and experienced basketball players. Correct response rates were close to chance (50%) at all video speeds for the novices. The correct response rate of experienced players was significantly above chance (and significantly above that of the novices) at the normal speed, but was not different from chance at both slow and fast speeds. Experienced players gazed more on the lower part of the player's body when viewing a normal speed video than the novices. The players likely detected critical visual information to predict shot success by properly moving their gaze according to the shooter's movements. This pattern did not change when the video speed was decreased, but changed when it was increased. These findings suggest that temporal information is important for predicting action outcomes and that such outcomes are sensitive to video speed.
Cohomology of Deligne-Lusztig varieties for unipotent blocks of 𝐺𝐿_{𝑛}(𝑞)
Authors: Dudas Olivier
Published: December 2013

We study the cohomology of parabolic Deligne-Lusztig varieties associated to unipotent blocks of

G
L

n

(
q
)

\mathrm {GL}_n(q)

. We show that the geometric version of Broué’s conjecture over

Q

¯

ℓ

\overline {\mathbb {Q}}_\ell

, together with Craven’s formula, holds for any unipotent block whenever it holds for the principal

Φ
1

\Phi _1

-block.
Prolate stars due to meridional flows
Authors: Fujisawa Kotaro , Eriguchi Yoshiharu
Published: December 2013

We have shown analytically that shapes of incompressible stars could be prolate if appropriate meridional flows exist. Although this result is strictly valid only if either the meridional flow or the rotation is absent and the vorticity is associated uniformly with meridional flow, this implies that perpendicular forces against centrifugal and/or magnetic forces might play important roles within stars. A consequence of the presence of meridional flows might be to decrease stellar oblateness due to centrifugal and/or magnetic fields.
Identification of residues required for stalled-ribosome rescue in the codon-independent release factor YaeJ
Authors: Kogure Hiroyuki , Handa Yoshihiro , Nagata Masahiro , Kanai Naoto , Güntert Peter , Kubota Kenji , Nameki Nobukazu
Published: December 2013

The YaeJ protein is a codon-independent release factor with peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis (PTH) activity, and functions as a stalled-ribosome rescue factor in Escherichia coli. To identify residues required for YaeJ function, we performed mutational analysis for in vitro PTH activity towards rescue of ribosomes stalled on a non-stop mRNA, and for ribosome-binding efficiency. We focused on residues conserved among bacterial YaeJ proteins. Additionally, we determined the solution structure of the GGQ domain of YaeJ from E. coli using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. YaeJ and a human homolog, ICT1, had similar levels of PTH activity, despite various differences in sequence and structure. While no YaeJ-specific residues important for PTH activity occur in the structured GGQ domain, Arg118, Leu119, Lys122, Lys129 and Arg132 in the following C-terminal extension were required for PTH activity. All of these residues are completely conserved among bacteria. The equivalent residues were also found in the C-terminal extension of ICT1, allowing an appropriate sequence alignment between YaeJ and ICT1 proteins from various species. Single amino acid substitutions for each of these residues significantly decreased ribosome-binding efficiency. These biochemical findings provide clues to understanding how YaeJ enters the A-site of stalled ribosomes.