bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La dorsoventralité initiale de l'ébauche foliaire du Manihot esculenta
Authors: Médard R.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this work was to investigate the basis of early dorsiventrality of the leaf and to determine what effects mature dorsiventral leaf characteristics, such as collateral bundles or lamina with adaxial palisade parenchyma and abaxial spongy parenchyma. Dorsiventrality was expressed initially by the differentiation of the primordium into two areas, one abaxial and the other adaxial, in contact with each other. From this contact and through meristematic activity arise the collateral bundles and the lamina. Any significant injury to the primordia caused total or partial disappearance of the more delicate adaxial area and, consequently, total or partial lack of collateral bundles and (or) lamina. This modification led to the development of various abnormal leaves, such as centric organs, scyphi, and leaves with round-tipped lobes. Minor injuries restricted to the abaxial–adaxial contact could induce lamina teratogenesis in the form of organoid enations. These results indicate that this contact controls the organogenesis of the lamina.
Étude de la plasticité phénotypique chez le Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. I. Croissance, allocation de la biomasse et reproduction
Authors: Boutin Céline , Morisset Pierre
Published: June 2017

Phenotypic plasticity was experimentally studied in plants sampled from two tetraploid populations of ox-eye daisy, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. Plants were cloned and ramets were grown in an outdoor garden, in two independent experiments aimed at measuring the effects of light intensity (three treatments) and nutrient level (three treatments). When plants of the same genotype were grown under different light intensities, phenotypic plasticity was high for the following characteristics: total biomass, root weight to total weight ratio, leaf area, leaf area to total weight or specific leaf weight ratio, stem height, branching, number of heads, and time of flowering and fruiting. Genotypes grown under the three nutrient levels showed less plasticity, especially for leaf-related features. Biomass allocation patterns were also measured. Generally, lower light intensities resulted in an increase of allocation to leaves and a corresponding decrease of allocation to roots. On the other hand, lower nutrient levels caused an increase of allocation to roots accompanied by a decrease of allocation to heads, but had little effects on allocation to leaf material. The effective reproductive effort (percentage of biomass allocated to mature achenes) was higher under the lowest light intensity level, but did not change significantly with nutrient levels. The results are discussed in relation to the specificity of plastic responses with respect to the nature of environmental stresses. The prolific production of heads that remained immature at the onset of cold autumn temperatures is interpreted as a nonadaptative tactic in C. leucanthemum.
Distribution of virulence in two populations of Puccinia coronata f.sp. avenae in Canada
Authors: Kolmer J. A. , Chong J.
Published: June 2017

The distributions of virulence in the eastern (Ontario and Quebec) and prairie (Manitoba and Saskatchewan) populations of Puccinia coronata f.sp. avenae in Canada were examined from virulence survey data in 1974 and 1990 to determine if these populations resemble previously characterized sexual or asexual cereal rust populations. Single uredinial isolates from both populations were evaluated for virulence phenotype on single gene differential host lines. The eastern and prairie populations in 1974 were dominated by relatively simple phenotypes that were avirulent or virulent to one of the single gene lines. In 1990, after virulence to crown rust resistance genes Pc39 and Pc38/Pc39 increased in frequency in the eastern and prairie populations, respectively, the eastern population had an increased proportion of isolates with virulences to one to two genes, and the prairie population was dominated by isolates with one to four virulences. Increasing virulence to Pc39 in the eastern population and Pc38 and Pc39 in the prairie population also contributed to a greater number of phenotypes in both populations in 1990 compared with 1974. The distributions of virulence differences among isolates in both populations in 1974 and 1990 appeared to be nearly random, approximating Poisson distributions. Associations between pairs of specific virulences to 10 single gene lines were examined in both populations during 1974 – 1990. Relatively few pairs of virulences in both populations were found to be nonrandomly associated. No associations between pairs of virulences persisted for more than 3 years in either population. Sexual recombination most likely functions in evenly distributing virulences among phenotypes in both populations. Key words: oat, oat crown rust, sexual reproduction, specific virulence.
A new marine Dryosphaera (Ascomycotina) from the tropics
Authors: Kohlmeyer Jan , Volkmann-Kohlmeyer Brigitte
Published: June 2017

The marine ascomycete Dryosphaera tropicalis Kohlm. & Volkm.-Kohlm., sp.nov., is described from the Caribbean (Tobago), the Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka, Thailand), and the Pacific Ocean (Hawaiian Islands: Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai). The new species occurs on intertidal and supratidal wood on sandy beaches. It is compared with the type species, Dryosphaera navigans from temperate waters, and differs mainly by ascospore dimensions and appendages. Key words: arenicolous fungi, ascomycetes, Dryosphaera, marine fungi, tropics.
A preliminary phytogeographical analysis of inter- and intra-populational chloroplast DNA variation in Packera pseudaurea (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) from southwestern Alberta and adjacent Montana
Authors: Yates J S , Golden J L , Bain J F
Published: June 2017

Packera pseudaurea (Rydb.) Weber & Löve has previously been identified as a species containing an unusually high level of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) polymorphism. Proposed sources of this intrapopulational variation have included hybridization and introgression, either ongoing or resulting from migrations associated with past glacial events. Restriction site analysis was performed on individuals from seven populations of P. pseudaurea from southern Alberta and adjacent Montana to assess variation more precisely. High levels of intrapopulational polymorphisms comprising a total of nine different haplotypes, only one apparently unique to the species, were detected in all but one southern population. The haplotypes separate into two groups upon phylogenetic analysis, a separation that corresponds to that detected in a wider sampling of Packera species. With one or two exceptions, the haplotypes of one group are also found in species based west of the Rocky Mountains. Those of the other are found in species based all over North America. These results lend support to the hypothesis that the variation in P. pseudaurea originated when the ranges of different Packera species were brought together by glaciation.Key words: Packera, cpDNA, phytogeography, haplotype variation, glaciation.
Studies in the Alismataceae. XI. Development of the inflorescence and flowers of Wiesneria triandra (Dalzell) Micheli
Authors: Charlton W A
Published: June 2017

Wiesneria triandra (Dalzell) Micheli is an unusual annual plant of the Alismataceae with spike-like inflorescences bearing unisexual flowers. Shoot development follows the sympodial pattern of other Alismataceae, but the cycle is so condensed that initiation of each foliage leaf is followed by inflorescence formation. The plant develops a tufted habit by the formation of an unusual accesory bud adjacent to each inflorescence. Male flowers have three sepals, three petals, three stamens, and usually three carpellodes; female flowers have a similar perianth, three staminodes, and three or more carpels. Up to the first three carpels, floral parts are arranged in alternating trimerous whorls. Additional carpels may occur above and between those of the first whorl. The androecium is particularly unusual for the Alismataceae since it has conventional alternation of stamens with petals rather than the antipetalous pairs of stamens commonly perceived in the family, but the phylogenetic postion of Wiesneria within the family (as revealed by other studies) indicates that the apparently conventional androecium of Wiesneria represents a derived state rather than a primitive one. The unisexual flowers also represent a derived state.
Fire induces clonal sprouting of riparian cottonwoods
Authors: Gom Lori A , Rood Stewart B
Published: June 2017

The principal native trees in the semiarid regions of southern Alberta are riparian cottonwoods. These include narrowleaf cottonwood, Populus angustifolia James, balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera L., black cottonwood, Populus balsamifera ssp.trichocarpa Torr. & Gray, and prairie cottonwood, Populus deltoides Bartr., and interspecific hybrids. These phreatophytic poplars occur on the moist floodplains along streams and require flood disturbance for seedling recruitment. The present study investigated the responses of cottonwoods to another physical disturbance, fire. Two fires occurred in April 1992, in adjacent groves along the Oldman River at Lethbridge, Alberta. The fires occurred prior to bud flushing and the cottonwoods responded by vigorous sprouting, particularly in the first summer. By September of 1992 about 75% of the burned trees had produced coppice sprouts, new shoots from the remnant stumps. Root suckers, adventitious shoots from the roots of the burned trees, were also common, averaging 1 sucker/3 m2 in the burned zone. Five years after the burns, the number of clonal sprouts was reduced by about half and those had reached an average height of 3 m. Because of the difficulties of species identification for juvenile cottonwoods, sprouts were designated as Populus section Aigeiros (P. deltoides) or section Tacamahaca (the other species). After 5 months, 90% of the sprouting trunks and 80% of the suckers belonged to section Tacamahaca. After 5 years, this ratio had increased to 97% of the sprouting trunks and 98% of the suckers. This indicates that Tacamahaca cottonwoods produced more numerous sprouts with better survival than P. deltoides. This pattern across Populus sections was also observed at seven other cottonwood burn sites in western North America, from northern British Columbia to southern Utah. The Aigeiros cottonwoods, P. deltoides and P. fremontii S. Wats., produced few clonal shoots following fire, whereas Tacamahaca trees sprouted profusely. This study demonstrates that fire disturbance can stimulate clonal regeneration of riparian cottonwoods, particularly of section Tacamahaca.
Dark energy density in SUGRA models and degenerate vacua
Authors: Froggatt C. D. , Nielsen H. B. , Nevzorov R. , Thomas A. W.
Published: June 2017

In N[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]1 supergravity the tree-level scalar potential of the hidden sector may have a minimum with broken local supersymmetry (SUSY) as well as a supersymmetric Minkowski vacuum. These vacua can be degenerate, allowing for a consistent implementation of the multiple point principle. The first minimum where SUSY is broken can be identified with the physical phase in which we live. In the second supersymmetric phase, in flat Minkowski space, SUSY may be broken dynamically either in the observable or in the hidden sectors inducing a tiny vacuum energy density. We argue that the exact degeneracy of these phases may shed light on the smallness of the cosmological constant. Other possible phenomenological implications are also discussed. In particular, we point out that the presence of such degenerate vacua may lead to small values of the quartic Higgs coupling and its beta function at the Planck scale in the physical phase.
A study of the process e+ + e−→ e+ + e− + p + p̄ by the two-photon mechanism γγ → pp̄ at high energies
Authors: Ahmadov Azad I.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we consider the exclusive production of proton–antiproton pairs in the interaction between two quasireal photons in [Formula: see text] collision. The differential and total cross-section of the process [Formula: see text] at a beam energy of photons from 2.1 GeV to 4.5 GeV in the center-of-mass and for different values of [Formula: see text] is calculated. At energy [Formula: see text] the total cross-section process of the [Formula: see text] is calculated by the two-photon mechanism. The results are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.
Codimension one Fano distributions on Fano manifolds
Authors: Araujo Carolina , Corrêa Mauricio , Massarenti Alex
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we investigate codimension one Fano distributions on Fano manifolds with Picard number one. We classify Fano distributions of maximal index on complete intersections in weighted projective spaces, Fano contact manifolds, Grassmannians of lines and their linear sections, and describe their moduli spaces. As a consequence, we obtain a classification of codimension one del Pezzo distributions on Fano manifolds with Picard number one.
Re-Examination of the Cable Capacitance in the Key Distribution System Using Resistors and Noise Sources
Authors: Liu Pao-Lo
Published: June 2017

The effect of cable capacitance in the classical key distribution system based on resistors and band-limited noise sources is re-examined. Both the lumped element analysis and the transmission line analysis are performed. As long as the cable capacitance and inductance are fully taken into account, the lumped element analysis and the transmission line analysis generate identical results. When the cable is bootstrapped with a driven shield, the capacitance can be neglected, but the transit time should not be overlooked.
Stability of Tumor Growth Under Immunotherapy: A Computational Study
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Sharma Prabha , Singh Phool
Published: June 2017

We present a mathematical model to study the growth of a solid tumor in the presence of regular doses of lymphocytes. We further extend it to take care of the periodic behavior of the lymphocytes, which are used for stimulating the immune system. Cell carrying capacity has been specified and a cell kill rate under immunotherapy is used to take care of how different metabolisms will react to the treatment. We analyze our model with respect to its stability and its sensitivity to the various parameters used.
Microsphere-Based Scaffolds in Regenerative Engineering
Authors: Gupta Vineet , Khan Yusuf , Berkland Cory J. , Laurencin Cato T. , Detamore Michael S.
Published: June 2017

Microspheres have long been used in drug delivery applications because of their controlled release capabilities. They have increasingly served as the fundamental building block for fabricating scaffolds for regenerative engineering because of their ability to provide a porous network, offer high-resolution control over spatial organization, and deliver growth factors/drugs and/or nanophase materials. Because they provide physicochemical gradients via spatiotemporal release of bioactive factors and nanophase ceramics, microspheres are a desirable tool for engineering complex tissues and biological interfaces. In this review we describe various methods for microsphere fabrication and sintering, and elucidate how these methods influence both micro- and macroscopic scaffold properties, with a special focus on the nature of sintering. Furthermore, we review key applications of microsphere-based scaffolds in regenerating various tissues. We hope to inspire researchers to join a growing community of investigators using microspheres as tissue engineering scaffolds so that their full potential in regenerative engineering may be realized.
Seasonal factors influence quantal transmitter release and calcium dependence at amphibian neuromuscular junctions
Authors: Ge Dengyun , Lavidis Nickolas
Published: June 2017

Amphibian neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are composed of hundreds of neurotransmitter release sites that exhibit nonuniform transmitter release probabilities and demonstrated seasonal modulation. We examined whether recruitment of release sites is variable when the extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]o) is increased in the wet and dry seasons. The amount of transmitter released from the entire nerve terminal increases by approximately the fourth power as [Ca2+]o is increased. Toad ( Bufo marinus) NMJs were visualized using 3,3′-diethyloxardicarbocyanine iodide [DiOC2(5)] fluorescence, and focal loose patch extracellular recordings were used to record the end-plate currents (EPCs) from small groups of release sites. Quantal content ( m̄e), average probability of quantal release ( pe), and the number of active release sites ( ne) were determined for different [Ca2+]o. Our results indicated that the recruitment of quantal release sites with increasing [Ca2+]o differs spatially (between different groups of release sites) and also temporally (in different seasons). These differences were reflected by the nonuniform alterations in pe and ne. Most release site groups demonstrated an increase in both pe and ne when [Ca2+]o increased. In ~30% of release site groups examined, pe decreased while ne increased only during the active period (wet season). Although the dry season induced parallel right shift in the quantal release versus extracellular calcium concentration when compared with the wet season, the dependence of quantal content on [Ca2+]o was not changed. These results demonstrate the flexibility, reserve, and adaptive capacity of neuromuscular junctions in maintaining appropriate levels of neurotransmission.
Clinicodemographic Profile of Children with Seizures in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Chaudhary Nagendra , Gupta Murli Manohar , Shrestha Sandeep , Pathak Santosh , Kurmi Om Prakash , Bhatia B. D. , Agarwal K. N.
Published: June 2017

Seizures are one of the common causes for hospital admissions in children with significant mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to study the prevalence and clinicodemographic profile of children with seizures in a tertiary care hospital of western Nepal. This prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 2 years included all admitted children (2 months–16 years) with seizures. Among 4962 admitted children, seizures were present in 3.4% (n=168) of children, with male preponderance. 138 (82.1%) children had generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and 30 (17.9%) children had partial seizures. GTCS were more common than partial seizures in both sexes (male = 82.7%; female = 81.2%) and age groups. There was no statistical significance in the distribution of seizures (GTCS and partial seizures) with sexes (P=0.813) and age groups (P=0.955). Mean ages of children having GTCS and partial seizures were8.2±4.6years and8.2±4.2years, respectively. Loss of consciousness (55.4%), fever (39.9%), vomiting (35.1%), and headache (16.1%) were common complaints in seizure patients. Significant number of GTCS cases had fever (P=0.041) and neurocysticercosis (n=72; 43%) was the most common etiology in seizure patients. Idiopathic epilepsy (38 (22.6%)), meningoencephalitis (26 (15.5%)), and febrile convulsions (14 (8.33%)) were other leading disorders in children with seizures.
Optimization of a Functionally Graded Material Stem in the Femoral Component of a Cemented Hip Arthroplasty: Influence of Dimensionality of FGM
Authors: Ait Moussa Abdellah , Yadav Rohan
Published: June 2017

The longevity of hip prostheses is contingent on the stability of the implant within the cavity of the femur bone. The cemented fixation was mostly adopted owing to offering the immediate stability from cement-stem and cement-bone bonding interfaces after implant surgery. Yet cement damage and stress shielding of the bone were proven to adversely affect the lifelong stability of the implant, especially among younger subjects who tend to have an active lifestyle. The geometry and material distribution of the implant can be optimized more efficiently with a three-dimensional realistic design of a functionally graded material (FGM). We report an efficient numerical technique for achieving this objective, for maximum performance stress shielding and the rate of early accumulation of cement damage were concurrently minimized. Results indicated less stress shielding and similar cement damage rates with a 2D-FGM implant compared to 1D-FGM and Titanium alloy implants.
Characterization of Oral Microbiota in Removable Dental Prosthesis Users: Influence of Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Marchi-Alves Leila Maria , Freitas Dayana , Andrade Denise de , Godoy Simone de , Toneti Adrielle Naiara , Mendes Isabel Amélia Costa
Published: June 2017

Introduction. Studies have described the possible relation between oral infections and atherosclerotic events.Objective. To characterize the oral microbiota of normotensive and hypertensive users of dental prostheses.Methods. The sample consisted of 41 complete dental prosthesis users, divided into groups: 21 participants with systemic arterial hypertension and 20 normotensive participants. The data collection included the characteristics of the sociodemographic variables and the determination of the microbial load in the saliva. For the descriptive analyses, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used. The description of the proportional differences between the groups was based on the application of Mann–Whitney’s statistical test. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p< 0.05).Results. The analysis of the oral microbiota showed the vast growth of aerobic microorganisms in all samples from both groups. The microbial load of streptococci and staphylococci was significantly higher among hypertensive participants.Candidayeasts were detected in the saliva culture of most samples. The hypertensive participants rank in the category of very high colonization index/high risk of infection related to this microorganism.Conclusions. The mouth of dental prosthesis users, especially when hypertensive, can constitute an important reservoir of pathogens, indicating an established inflammatory or infectious condition or risk for developing this condition.
Assessment of Smartphone Positioning Data Quality in the Scope of Citizen Science Contributions
Authors: Lopez Angel J. , Semanjski Ivana , Gautama Sidharta , Ochoa Daniel
Published: June 2017

Human travel behaviour has been addressed in many transport studies, where travel survey methods have been widely used to collect self-reported insights of daily mobility patterns. However, since the introduction of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and more recently smartphones with built-in GNSS, researchers have adopted these ubiquitous devices as tools for collecting mobility behaviour data. Although most studies recognize the applicability of this technology, it still has limitations. These are rarely addressed in a quantified manner. Often the quality of the collected data tends to be overestimated and these errors propagate into the aggregated results providing incomplete knowledge of the levels of confidence of the results and conclusions. In this study, we focus on the completeness aspects of data quality using GNSS data from four campaigns in the Flanders region of Belgium. The empirical results are based on mobility behaviour data collected through smartphones and include more than 450 participants over a period of twenty-nine months. Our findings show which transport mode is affected the most and how land use affects the quality of the collected data. In addition, we provide insights into the time to first fix that can be used for a better estimation of travel patterns.
Star-Supermagic Decompositions of the Complete Bipartite Graph Minus a One-Factor
Authors: Wichianpaisarn Tanawat , Mato Uthoomporn
Published: June 2017

Let G be a graph and let H be a subgraph of G. Assume that G has an H-decomposition T={H1,H2,…,Ht} such that Hi≅H for all 1≤i≤t. An H-supermagic decomposition of G is a bijection f:V(G)∪E(G)→1,2,…,VG+EG such that ∑v∈V(Hi)f(v)+∑e∈E(Hi)f(e) is a constant k for each Hi in the decomposition T and fVG=1,2,…,VG. If G admits an H-supermagic decomposition, then G is called H-supermagic decomposable. In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of K1,n-1-supermagic decomposition of the complete bipartite graph Kn,n minus a one-factor.
Antioxidant Properties of “Natchez” and “Triple Crown” Blackberries Using Korean Traditional Winemaking Techniques
Authors: Joh Youri , Maness Niels , McGlynn William
Published: June 2017

This research evaluated blackberries grown in Oklahoma and wines produced using a modified traditional Korean technique employing relatively oxygen-permeable earthenware fermentation vessels. The fermentation variables were temperature (21.6°C versus 26.6°C) and yeast inoculation versus wild fermentation. Wild fermented wines had higher total phenolic concentration than yeast fermented wines. Overall, wines had a relatively high concentration of anthocyanin (85–320 mg L−1 malvidin-3-monoglucoside) and antioxidant capacity (9776–37845 µmol Trolox equivalent g−1). “Natchez” berries had a higher anthocyanin concentration than “Triple Crown” berries. Higher fermentation temperature at the start of the winemaking process followed by the use of lower fermentation/storage temperature for aging wine samples maximized phenolic compound extraction/retention. The Korean winemaking technique used in this study produced blackberry wines that were excellent sources of polyphenolic compounds as well as being high in antioxidant capacity as measured by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test.
Continuous Dependence for Two Implicit Kirk-Type Algorithms in General Hyperbolic Spaces
Authors: Rauf K. , Wahab O. T. , Alata S. M.
Published: June 2017

This paper aims to study extensively some results concerning continuous dependence for implicit Kirk-Mann and implicit Kirk-Ishikawa iterations. In order to equipoise the formation of these algorithms, we introduce a general hyperbolic space which is no doubt a free associate of some known hyperbolic spaces. The present results are extension of other results and they can be used in many applications.
An Exploratory Study of Intensive Neurofeedback Training for Schizophrenia
Authors: Nan Wenya , Wan Feng , Chang Lanshin , Pun Sio Hang , Vai Mang I. , Rosa Agostinho
Published: June 2017

Schizophrenia is a chronic and devastating brain disorder with ongoing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional deteriorated functions. Neurofeedback training, which enables the individuals to regulate their brain activity using a real-time feedback loop, is increasingly investigated as a potential alternative intervention for schizophrenia. This study aimed to explore the effect of short but intensive neurofeedback training for schizophrenic patients with difficulty for long-time training. A middle-aged woman with chronic schizophrenia completed the intensive training of alpha/beta2 (20–30 Hz) in four consecutive days with a total training duration of 13.5 hours. The results showed that her alpha/beta2 increased over sessions, and her behavior performance including short-term memory, mood, and speech pattern was improved at the end of neurofeedback training. Importantly, a 22-month follow-up found a dramatic improvement in both positive and negative symptoms. These positive outcomes suggest that such intensive neurofeedback training may provide new insight into the treatment of schizophrenia and thus deserves further study to fully examine its scope.
Assessment of Emotional Expressions after Full-Face Transplantation
Authors: Topçu Çağdaş , Uysal Hilmi , Özkan Ömer , Özkan Özlenen , Polat Övünç , Bedeloğlu Merve , Akgül Arzu , Döğer Ela Naz , Sever Refik , Barçın Nur Ebru , Tombak Kadriye , Çolak Ömer Halil
Published: June 2017

We assessed clinical features as well as sensory and motor recoveries in 3 full-face transplantation patients. A frequency analysis was performed on facial surface electromyography data collected during 6 basic emotional expressions and 4 primary facial movements. Motor progress was assessed using the wavelet packet method by comparison against the mean results obtained from 10 healthy subjects. Analyses were conducted on 1 patient at approximately 1 year after face transplantation and at 2 years after transplantation in the remaining 2 patients. Motor recovery was observed following sensory recovery in all 3 patients; however, the 3 cases had different backgrounds and exhibited different degrees and rates of sensory and motor improvements after transplant. Wavelet packet energy was detected in all patients during emotional expressions and primary movements; however, there were fewer active channels during expressions in transplant patients compared to healthy individuals, and patterns of wavelet packet energy were different for each patient. Finally, high-frequency components were typically detected in patients during emotional expressions, but fewer channels demonstrated these high-frequency components in patients compared to healthy individuals. Our data suggest that the posttransplantation recovery of emotional facial expression requires neural plasticity.
Effects of Injection Rate Profile on Combustion Process and Emissions in a Diesel Engine
Authors: Bai Fuqiang , Zhang Zuowei , Du Yongchen , Zhang Fan , Peng Zhijun
Published: June 2017

When multi-injection is implemented in diesel engine via high pressure common rail injection system, changed interval between injection pulses can induce variation of injection rate profile for sequential injection pulse, though other control parameters are the same. Variations of injection rate shape which influence the air-fuel mixing and combustion process will be important for designing injection strategy. In this research, CFD numerical simulations using KIVA-3V were conducted for examining the effects of injection rate shape on diesel combustion and emissions. After the model was validated by experimental results, five different shapes (including rectangle, slope, triangle, trapezoid, and wedge) of injection rate profiles were investigated. Modeling results demonstrate that injection rate shape can have obvious influence on heat release process and heat release traces which cause different combustion process and emissions. It is observed that the baseline, rectangle (flat), shape of injection rate can have better balance between NOx and soot emissions than the other investigated shapes. As wedge shape brings about the lowest NOx emissions due to retarded heat release, it produces the highest soot emissions among the five shapes. Trapezoid shape has the lowest soot emissions, while its NOx is not the highest one. The highest NOx emissions were produced by triangle shape due to higher peak injection rate.
Genomic Alterations in Fatal Forms of Non-Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Identification of MED12 and RBM10 as Novel Thyroid Cancer Genes Associated with Tumor Virulence
Authors: Ibrahimpasic Tihana , Xu Bin , Landa Iñigo , Dogan Snjezana , Middha Sumit , Seshan Venkatraman , Deraje Shyam , Carlson Diane L. , Migliacci Jocelyn , Knauf Jeffrey A. , Untch Brian , Berger Michael F. , Morris Luc , Tuttle R. Michael , Chan Timothy , Fagin James A. , Ghossein Ronald , Ganly Ian
Published: June 2017

Purpose: Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) have a very high death rate. In contrast, deaths from non-anaplastic thyroid (NAT) cancer are much less common. The genetic alterations in fatal NAT cancers have not been reported.

Experimental Design: We performed next-generation sequencing of 410 cancer genes from 57 fatal NAT primary cancers. Results were compared with The Cancer Genome Atlas study (TCGA study) of papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) and to the genomic changes reported in ATC.

Results: There was a very high prevalence of TERT promoter mutations, comparable with that of ATC, and these co-occurred with BRAF and RAS mutations. A high incidence of chromosome 1q gain was seen highlighting its importance in tumor aggressiveness. Two novel fusion genes DLG5–RET and OSBPL1A–BRAF were identified. There was a high frequency of mutations in MED12 and these were mutually exclusive to TERT promoter mutations and also to BRAF and RAS mutations. In addition, a high frequency of mutations in RBM10 was identified and these co-occurred with RAS mutations and PIK3CA mutations. Compared with the PTCs in TCGA, there were higher frequencies of mutations in TP53, POLE, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway effectors, SWI/SNF subunits, and histone methyltransferases.

Conclusions: These data support a model, whereby fatal NAT cancers arise from well-differentiated tumors through the accumulation of key additional genetic abnormalities. The high rate of TERT promoter mutations, MED12 mutations, RBM10 mutations, and chromosome 1q gain highlight their likely association with tumor virulence. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5970–80. ©2017 AACR.
Pleural Adhesion Assessment as a Predictor for Pneumothorax after Endobronchial Valve Treatment
Authors: van Geffen Wouter H. , Klooster Karin , Hartman Jorine E. , Ten Hacken Nick H.T. , Kerstjens Huib A.M. , Wolf Rienhart F.E. , Slebos Dirk-Jan
Published: June 2017

Background: Pneumothorax after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using one-way endobronchial valves (EBVs) in patients with advanced emphysema occurs in approximately 20% of patients. It is not well known which factors predict the development of pneumothorax. Objective: To assess whether pleural adhesions on pretreatment high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are associated with pneumothorax occurrence after EBV treatment. Methods: HRCT scan analyses were performed on all patients who received EBV treatment in a randomized controlled trial. Three blinded readers scored adhesions by number and by measuring the longest axis of each pleural adhesion in the treated lung. The Pleural Adhesion Score (PAS) was calculated by adding 1 point for each small pleural lesion (<1 mm), 5 points for each medium-sized lesion (1-5 mm), and 10 points for each large lesion (>5 mm). Results: The HRCT scans of 64 treated patients were assessed, of whom 14 developed pneumothorax. Patients who developed pneumothorax had a higher median number of pleural adhesions, 2.7 (IQR 1.9-4) compared to 1.7 (1-2.7) adhesions in the group without pneumothorax (p < 0.01). The PAS in the group with pneumothorax was higher compared to that in the group without: 14.3 (12.4-24.1) versus 6.7 (3.7-11.2) (p < 0.01). A threshold PAS of ≥12 was associated with a higher risk of pneumothorax (OR 13.0, 95% CI 3.1-54.9). A score <12 did not rule out the occurrence of pneumothorax. Conclusion: A higher number of pleural adhesions on HRCT with a subsequent higher PAS in the treated lung is associated with a higher occurrence of pneumothorax after EBV treatment.
Effects of Injection of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Agonists into the Nucleus Accumbens on Naloxone-Induced Morphine Withdrawal
Authors: Topkara Betilay , Yananli Hasan R. , Sakallı Eren , Demirkapu Mahluga Jafarova
Published: June 2017

Aims: This study was to investigate the effects of local administration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal symptoms. Methods: Bilateral guide cannulas were stereotaxically implanted in the shell or core regions of the NAc of Sprague-Dawley rats. After a recovery period, 3 morphine pellets, each consisting of 75 mg morphine base, were placed subcutaneously on the first and third days of the study with the rats under mild ether anaesthesia. The GABA agonists, baclofen hydrochloride or muscimol hydrobromide, were injected into the NAc, and morphine withdrawal was induced by naloxone on the fifth day. Results: Administration of baclofen to the shell or core regions of the NAc of Sprague-Dawley rats led to statistically significant decreases in both behavioural and locomotor activity parameters during the morphine withdrawal period, compared to the control group. However, there were no statistically significant changes in locomotor activity or withdrawal behavioural parameters, with the exception of wet dog shakes, between control and muscimol-treated groups. Conclusion: These findings show that GABAergic conduction in the NAc is effective on the morphine withdrawal symptoms, and that both the shell and core regions of the NAc are associated with this effect.
The Preoperative Composite Physiologic Index May Predict Mortality in Lung Cancer Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema
Authors: Ueno Fumika , Kitaguchi Yoshiaki , Shiina Takayuki , Asaka Shiho , Miura Kentaro , Yasuo Masanori , Wada Yosuke , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Hanaoka Masayuki
Published: June 2017

Background: It remains unclear whether the preoperative pulmonary function parameters and prognostic indices that are indicative of nutritional and immunological status are associated with prognosis in lung cancer patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) who have undergone surgery. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify prognostic determinants in these patients. Methods: The medical records of all patients with lung cancer associated with CPFE who had undergone surgery at Shinshu University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed to obtain clinical data, including the results of preoperative pulmonary function tests and laboratory examinations, chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and survival. Results: Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that a high pathological stage of the lung cancer, a higher preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, and a higher preoperative composite physiologic index (CPI) were associated with a high risk of death. Multivariate analysis showed that a high pathological stage of the lung cancer (HR: 1.579; p = 0.0305) and a higher preoperative CPI (HR: 1.034; p = 0.0174) were independently associated with a high risk of death. In contrast, the severity of fibrosis or emphysema on chest HRCT, the individual pulmonary function parameters, the prognostic nutritional index, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were not associated with prognosis. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the log-rank test showed significant differences in survival between the high-CPI and the low-CPI group (p = 0.0234). Conclusion: The preoperative CPI may predict mortality and provide more powerful prognostic information than individual pulmonary function parameters in lung cancer patients with CPFE who have undergone surgery.
Understanding the Mechanisms behind the Northward Extension of the West African Monsoon during the Mid-Holocene
Authors: Gaetani Marco , Messori Gabriele , Zhang Qiong , Flamant Cyrille , Pausata Francesco S. R.
Published: June 2017

Understanding the West African monsoon (WAM) dynamics in the mid-Holocene (MH) is a crucial issue in climate modeling, because numerical models typically fail to reproduce the extensive precipitation suggested by proxy evidence. This discrepancy may be largely due to the assumption of both unrealistic land surface cover and atmospheric aerosol concentration. In this study, the MH environment is simulated in numerical experiments by imposing extensive vegetation over the Sahara and the consequent reduction in airborne dust concentration. A dramatic increase in precipitation is simulated across the whole of West Africa, up to the Mediterranean coast. This precipitation response is in better agreement with proxy data, in comparison with the case in which only changes in orbital forcing are considered. Results show a substantial modification of the monsoonal circulation, characterized by an intensification of large-scale deep convection through the entire Sahara, and a weakening and northward shift (~6.5°) of the African easterly jet. The greening of the Sahara also leads to a substantial reduction in the African easterly wave activity and associated precipitation. The reorganization of the regional atmospheric circulation is driven by the vegetation effect on radiative forcing and associated heat fluxes, with the reduction in dust concentration to enhance this response. The results for the WAM in the MH present important implications for understanding future climate scenarios in the region and in teleconnected areas, in the context of projected wetter conditions in West Africa.
Stem Cell–Mediated Paracrine Signaling Alters Fibroplasia in Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts in Vitro
Authors: Hiwatashi Nao , Bing Renjie , Kraja Iv , Branski Ryan C.
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

Interactions between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and native vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) have not been described in spite of promising preliminary data regarding the effects of MSCs on vocal fold repair in vivo. The current study employed a conditioned media (CM) model to investigate the paracrine effects of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on VFFs.

Methods:

Human VFFs were treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1; 10 ng/mL), CM from human BMSCs following 48 hours of TGF-β1 stimulation, or CM+TGF-β1. Proliferation, immunocytochemistry for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), migration, and collagen gel contraction were quantified as well as transcription of components of the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Results:

Transforming growth factor-β1 accelerated proliferation and induced αSMA in VFFs; these effects were suppressed with CM ( P = .009, P < .001, respectively). The CM+TGF-β1 condition increased cell migration ( P = .02) and decreased gel contraction; CM+TGF-β1 also inhibited TGF-β signaling via significant upregulation of NR4A1 as well as downregulation of S MAD3 and TGF-β1 relative to TGF-β1 stimulation in the absence of CM ( P = .002, P < .001, and P = .005, respectively).

Conclusions:

Conditioned media affected many profibrotic cell activities in TGF-β1–stimulated VFFs, likely related to altered TGF-β signaling. These data provide preliminary insight regarding the antifibrotic effects of MSCs and further support their progression to clinical utility.
Searching for Affective and Cognitive Restoration: Examining the Restorative Effects of Casual Video Game Play
Authors: Rupp Michael A. , Sweetman Richard , Sosa Alejandra E. , Smither Janan A. , McConnell Daniel S.
Published: June 2017

Objective:

We investigated the effects of a passive break, relaxation activity, and casual video game on affect, stress, engagement, and cognitive performance.

Background:

Reducing stress and improving cognitive performance is critical across many domains. Previous studies investigated taking a break, relaxation techniques, or playing a game; however, these methods have not been compared within a single experiment.

Method:

Participants completed a baseline affective and cognitive assessment (ACA), which included the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, shortened version of the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire, and backward digit-span. Next, participants completed a vigilance task, followed by another ACA. Participants were then assigned at random to complete a break or relaxation activity or play a casual video game, followed by a final ACA.

Results:

Participants who played the casual video game exhibited greater engagement and affective restoration than the relaxation condition. The break condition slightly decreased affect and prevented cognitive restoration.

Conclusion:

Playing a casual video game even briefly can restore individuals’ affective abilities, making it a suitable activity to restore mood in response to stress. However, future research is needed to find activities capable of cognitive restoration.

Application:

Many activities in life require sustained cognitive demand, which are stressful and decrease performance, especially for workers in performance-critical domains. Our research suggests some leisure activities are better than others for restoring fatigued affective processes.
Numerical investigation of fiber random distribution on the mechanical properties of yarn in-plain woven carbon fiber-reinforced composite based on a new perturbation algorithm
Authors: Zhu Chao , Zhu Ping , Liu Zhao , Tao Wei
Published: June 2017

Interior fibers in yarns of plain woven carbon fiber-reinforced composite are distributed randomly, which further influences the mechanical properties of yarns. To explore the stochastic nature of fibers’ distribution in yarn and its effect on the properties of yarn, this study proposes a new perturbation algorithm named Sequential Random Perturbation algorithm to reconstruct the microstructure of randomly distributed fibers, based on which representative volume element micromechanical models consisting of three phases to accurately predict the mechanical properties of yarn are established. The algorithm is based on successive smart perturbations of fibers to gain microstructures of arbitrary volume fraction, and statistical study shows that the algorithm is in good agreement with experimental results. Finally, representative volume element models are simulated to predict the whole mechanical properties of composite yarns to reflect the failure mechanisms and microstructure–property relations. The randomness of fiber distribution has some degree of influence on mechanical properties of yarn, especially strength responses. The failures under axial tension and compression are dominated by fiber breakage, while under transverse and shear loading conditions, the failures are mostly decided by interface debonding and matrix damage.
Neoliberalism and the Psychology of Time
Authors: Sugarman Jeff , Thrift Erin
Published: June 2017

An analysis is given of how the contemporary neoliberal order is reshaping the experience and understanding of time, the ways the neoliberal transmutation of time is reorienting and reorganizing individual and collective psychological life, and psychology’s response to the malaise of temporal acceleration. It is argued that the capitalist dynamics of competition and profitability, the collapse of Fordism and rise of neoliberal economics and market rationality, technological innovation, the supplanting of clock time by “network” time, increasing burdens of individual risk and responsibility, the proliferation of choice, and erosion of the distinction between private and public are accelerating the pace of life. The result is a culture of urgency and shift in the understanding of human fulfillment. The proposed psychological solution of time management strategies and its inadequacies also are discussed.
Coach Professional Development in the Urban Emergent Context
Authors: Woulfin Sarah L.
Published: June 2017

This article explicates the structure, content, and pedagogy of an urban district’s professional development for literacy coaches. To analyze qualitative data on a district’s yearlong coach professional development, I utilize situated cognition theory. Observation and interview data reveal that the coach community of practice (CCOP) was a venue in which coaches engaged in a variety of learning activities regarding literacy instruction, coaching, and school reform. The content of CCOP addressed a band of literacy instruction (e.g., assessment and intervention programs) and coaching methods. The pedagogy of CCOP was loosely aligned with two dimensions of situated cognition: social interaction and authentic activity. There were limited opportunities to critically examine contextualized problems of practice regarding instruction, coaching, or the district context. Coaches rarely discussed their own work routines, teacher practice, or student learning. Although coaches received support around how to coach, this occurred in the absence of clarity around the substance of this coaching. Coaches reported benefiting from opportunities to interact professionally with other coaches from across the district. This article has implications for research on district capacity-building efforts, situated cognition, and the design and implementation of professional development for instructional leaders.