bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subcellular localisation of anillin is associated with different survival outcomes in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Liang Peir-In , Chen Wan Tzu , Li Chien-Feng , Li Ching-Chia , Li Wei-Ming , Huang Chun-Nung , Yeh Hsin-Chih , Ke Hung-Lung , Wu Wen-Jeng , Chai Chee-Yin
Published: July 2015

Background

The protein anillin (ANLN) has important roles in cell cytokinesis. Until now, no studies have evaluated the role of ANLN expression in a large cohort of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UCUT).

Methods

This study analysed 156 cases of primary localised UCUT. Pathological slides were reviewed and clinical findings were collected. An immunohistochemical study was performed and the cytoplasmic and nuclear staining results of UCUT were recorded. Expressions of ANLN were analysed to identify correlations with various clinicopathological parameters, disease-specific survival (DSS) and metastasis-free survival (MeFS).

Results

Overexpression of ANLN in the nucleus had significant positive associations with tumour stage (p=0.017), histological grade (p=0.040), mitotic count (p=0.023), tumour necrosis (p=0.009), invasion patterns (p<0.001) and simultaneous involvement of the renal pelvis and ureter (p=0.032). Overexpression of ANLN in the cytoplasm had a significant negative correlation with patient age (p=0.004), tumour grade (p=0.021) and vascular invasion (p=0.013). Notably, univariable analysis showed that overexpression of ANLN in the nucleus was significantly associated with a poor DSS (p=0.006) and MeFS (p=0.010), and multivariable analysis showed that it was an independent predictor of adverse DSS outcome (p=0.031, relative risk 1.535). Low expression of ANLN in the cytoplasm was strongly associated with a poor DSS (p=0.045) and MeFS (p=0.041) in univariable analysis but not in Cox regression analysis.

Conclusions

Subcellular localisation of ANLN is correlated with different tumour phenotypes and probably confers different tumorigenicity. Since high nuclear expression of ANLN is also an independent predictor of poor DSS, it is a useful prognostic marker of UCUT.
Spatial social polarisation: using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes jointly for income and race/ethnicity to analyse risk of hypertension
Authors: Feldman Justin M , Waterman Pamela D , Coull Brent A , Krieger Nancy
Published: July 2015

Background

Growing spatial social and economic polarisation may be an important societal determinant of health, but only a few studies have used the recently developed Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE) to analyse the impact of joint concentrations of privilege and privation on health outcomes. We explore use of the ICE to investigate risk of hypertension in an urban, multiracial/ethnic, and predominantly working-class study population of US adults.

Methods

We generated novel ICE measures at the census tract level that jointly assess extreme concentrations of both income and racial/ethnic composition. We then linked the ICE measures to data from two observational, cross-sectional studies conducted in the Boston metropolitan area (2003–2004; 2008–2010; N=2145).

Results

The ICE measure for extreme concentrations of white compared with black residents was independently associated with lower odds of hypertension (OR=0.76; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.93), controlling for race/ethnicity, age, gender, smoking, body mass index, household income, education and self-reported exposure to racial discrimination. Even stronger associations were observed for the ICE measures that compared concentrations of high-income white residents versus low-income residents of colour (OR=0.61; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.96) and high-income white versus low-income black residents (OR=0.48; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.81).

Conclusions

Results suggest public health studies should explore the joint impact of racial/ethnic and economic spatial polarisation on population health.
Neutrino mixing with nonzero θ13 and CP violation in the 3-3-1 model based on A4 flavor symmetry
Authors: Vien Vo Van , Long Hoang Ngoc
Published: July 2015

We propose a 3-3-1 model with neutral fermions based on [Formula: see text] flavor symmetry responsible for fermion masses and mixings with nonzero [Formula: see text]. To get realistic neutrino mixing, we just add a new [Formula: see text] triplet being in [Formula: see text] under [Formula: see text]. The neutrinos get small masses from two [Formula: see text] antisextets and one [Formula: see text] triplet. The model can fit the present data on neutrino masses and mixing as well as the effective mass governing neutrinoless double beta decay. Our results show that the neutrino masses are naturally small and a little deviation from the tri-bimaximal neutrino mixing form can be realized. The Dirac CP violation phase [Formula: see text] is predicted to either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
First-principles study of electronic, dynamical and thermodynamic properties of γ-Li4SiO4
Authors: Guan Qiushi , Gao Tao , Shen Yanhong , Ma Shenggui , Lu Tiecheng , Chen Xiaojun , Xiao Chengjian , Long Xinggui
Published: July 2015

We have studied the structural, electronic and dynamic properties of γ- Li4SiO4(lithium orthosilicate) using density functional theory (DFT) with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The crystal structure is fully relaxed. The electronic band structure and Density of States (DOS) calculations indicate that γ- Li4SiO4is an insulator with an indirect band gap of 5.19 eV and it has a conduction band with the width of 5.92 eV and two valance bands with the width of 4.45 eV and 0.57 eV, respectively. In the partial DOS, Li and Si electronic densities increase more sharply than O atoms. Comparing with previous works, the phonon dispersion curves without negative frequencies are calculated along high symmetry points. By adding the Born effective charges in the phonon calculation, the LO–TO splittings are also calculated which indicate that γ- Li4SiO4is polar and anisotropic. The optical modes of phonon frequencies at Γ point are assigned as Raman and Infrared-active modes. Additionally, the thermodynamic functions (entropy, internal energy, Helmholtz free energies and constant-volume specific heats) were determined by using the phonon DOS. The calculated results may provide useful guidance of γ- Li4SiO4for future experimental studies in some degree.
A Trust-Driven Placement Approach: A New Perspective on Design for Hardware Trust
Authors: Shekarian Seyed Mohammad Hossein , Zamani Morteza Saheb
Published: July 2015

During the last few years, hardware Trojan horses (HTHs) have become one of the most important threats to the security of very large scale integrated (VLSI) chips. Many efforts have been made to facilitate the process of HTH detection, mostly based on the power analysis of chips. The techniques would be more beneficial if trust-driven techniques are used during the system design. Whereas design for hardware trust (DFHT) is one of the fields of interest, most current approaches include ad-hoc and gate-level design techniques. This paper discusses the advantage of physical-level design approaches with integrated strategies for improving the HTH-detection probability. As a proof of concept, a placement technique is presented with the goal of enhancing the ability of HTH detection techniques based on local power signal analysis. Our results show that the background effects on power pads can be leveraged by a simple partitioning-based placement algorithm. Minimizing the background effects leads to a better Trojan-to-background-effect ratio and more (by about 1.7 times) Trojan detectability.
A Technique to Determine the Designable Inductance Value(s) in Wide-Band CMOS-Amplifier System Employing Shunt-Peaking
Authors: Raut R. , Gibson G.
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a technique towards obtaining an estimate of the value of inductor(s) to expand the bandwidth of operation in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) amplifier system which exploits shunt peaking principle. The basic principle is placement of the zeros of the transfer function in an interleaved manner relative to the uncompensated RC time-constant frequency (TCF) and the band-edge frequency (BEF) (i.e., product of the poles) of the transfer function. Application of the analytical results has been demonstrated for (i) a common-gate (CG) amplifier stage in a 0.18-μm CMOS process and (ii) an inter-stage inductor coupling network which serves as an interface between two amplifier stages. MATLAB simulation has been used to obtain the range of design inductance values. The TSMC 180-nm CMOS process has been used in Cadence CAD environment to validate the theoretical predictions. The inductors laid out have been modeled using the ASITIC program to obtain more realistic results. The proposed technique provides a bandwidth extension of the CMOS common-gate amplifier from 6.68 GHz to 10.4 GHz with 1 dB peaking using only a 1.85-nH inductor. For the inter-stage coupling network, the suggested design procedure leads to a bandwidth extension ratio (BWER) exceeding three, with less than 3-dB ripple.
A Passive Wake-Up Circuit for Event Driven Wireless Sensor Network Applications
Authors: Shekhar Chandra , Varma Shirshu , Radhakrishna M.
Published: July 2015

The lifetime of battery operated sensor nodes is a critical issue. In the case of event driven applications where events take place infrequently, most of the energy is wasted in idle listening by the sensor nodes. The sensor node in continuous idle listening mode drains the batteries approximately in two days. This paper describes a passive wake-up circuit (PWUC), designed for 2.45 GHz ISM band, to suppress the idle listening by waking-up the sensor nodes asynchronously. The proposed PWUC consists of receiving antenna, RF rectifier and matching network. The impedance and number of stages of the RF rectifier have been optimized to yield the maximum sensitivity and conversion efficiency. The lumped component based external matching network has also been proposed to boost-up the received input voltage through antenna. The purpose behind the use of external matching network is to reduce the fabrication cost of RF rectifier. Very few realizations of passive wake-up circuits are reported in the literature and none of them presents the sensitivity and global conversion efficiency above -11 dBm and 30–40%, respectively. The designed PWUC gives an output voltage of 1.8 V for a -23 dBm received RF power and a 1 MΩ load, which translates to 69% global power conversion efficiency (GPCE). RF rectifier is designed in UMC 180-nm 1P6M CMOS standard process.
A Low-Power Multiplier Using an Efficient Single-Supply Voltage Level Converter
Authors: Moghaddam Majid , Moaiyeri Mohammad Hossein , Eshghi Mohammad , Jalali Ali
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a new high-performance and low-power single-supply voltage level converter (SSLC) and a new carry save array multiplier based on clustered-voltage scaling (CVS) technique for ultra-low-power applications. The multiplier operates with low and high supply voltage (V DDL , V DDH ) and at its end stage, the proposed low-power SSLC is utilized to prevent static power dissipation at the next stage working with V DDH and to enhance the output driving capability. In the proposed SSLC, dynamically-controlled source-body voltage, reduced drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL) effect and diode-connected transistor with body-biasing have been utilized properly in order to reduce the power consumption significantly without considerable speed degradation. The results of the simulations conducted using Cadence with standard 90-nm CMOS technology demonstrate the superiority of the proposed multiplier utilizing the proposed LC in terms of static and total power consumptions as well as power-delay product (PDP) as compared to the multipliers utilizing the previous level converters (LCs) and the single supply multiplier. It is worth mentioning that the static power, total power and PDP of the proposed low-power multiplier are on average 75%, 73% and 16%, respectively lower than the single-supply multiplier.
Recurrent Self-Tuning Neuro-Fuzzy for Speed Induction Motor Drive
Authors: Douiri Moulay Rachid , Belghazi Ouissam , Cherkaoui Mohamed
Published: July 2015

This paper proposes a hybrid recurrent neuro-fuzzy (RNF) architecture for rotor speed regulation of indirect field oriented controlled (IFOC) induction motor (IM) drive. This approach incorporates Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) model-based fuzzy logic (FL) laws with a four-layer artificial neural networks (ANNs) scheme. Moreover, for the proposed RNF an improved self-tuning method is developed based on the IM theory and its high performance requirements. The principal task of the tuning method is to adjust the parameters of the FL in order to minimize the square of the error between actual and reference output. The convergence/divergence of the weights is discussed and investigated by simulation.
Evidence for event horizons: Long-lived modes in ultracompact objects
Authors: Macedo Caio F. B. , Crispino Luís C. B. , Cardoso Vitor , Okawa Hirotada , Pani Paolo
Published: July 2015

Gravitational compact astrophysical objects are excellent laboratories to test the strong field regime of theories of gravity. Among these compact objects, lies the ultracompact class: stellar structures that possess a light ring (circular null geodesic). Such ultracompact stars were presented in literature in the earlier solutions of general relativity, and some are claimed to be good candidates to the supermassive objects present at the center of galaxies. In this paper, we present evidences for the claim that compact objects with a light ring should be black holes, based on the existence of long-lived modes obtained through a first-order perturbation theory. These first-order long-lived modes can source nonlinear terms which could turn the star unstable. We show, in particular, a comparison between modes computed through an exact direct integration and through the WKB approximation. Moreover, we present the time evolution of wavepackets for different field configurations. We conjecture some possible outcomes of the nonlinear instability. The discussion presented in this work complements our previous paper [Phys. Rev. D90 (2014) 044069].
Photon regions and shadows of accelerated black holes
Authors: Grenzebach Arne , Perlick Volker , Lämmerzahl Claus
Published: July 2015

In an earlier paper, we have analytically determined the photon regions and the shadows of black holes of the Plebański class of metrics which are also known as the Kerr–Newman–NUT–(anti-)de Sitter metrics. These metrics are characterized by six parameters: Mass, spin, electric and magnetic charges, gravitomagnetic NUT charge and the cosmological constant. Here, we extend this analysis to the Plebański–Demiański class of metrics which contains, in addition to these six parameters, the so-called acceleration parameter. All these metrics are axially symmetric and stationary type D solutions to the Einstein–Maxwell equations with a cosmological constant. We derive analytical formulas for the photon regions (i.e. for the regions that contain spherical lightlike geodesics) and for the boundary curve of the shadow as it is seen by an observer at Boyer–Lindquist coordinates (rO, ϑO) in the domain of outer communication. Whereas all relevant formulas are derived for the whole Plebański–Demiański class, we concentrate on the accelerated Kerr metric (i.e. only mass, spin and acceleration parameter are different from zero) when discussing the influence of the acceleration parameter on the photon region and on the shadow in terms of pictures. The accelerated Kerr metric is also known as the rotating C-metric. We discuss how our analytical formulas can be used for calculating the horizontal and vertical angular diameters of the shadow and we estimate these values for the black holes at the center of our Galaxy and at the center of M87.
Magnetic field and EoS of neutron star matter at finite temperature
Authors: Wang Qingwu , Lü Xiaofu
Published: July 2015

In this paper, magnetic field and equation of state (EoS) of neutron star matter are studied under relativistic mean field theory. A nonzero mass term of magnetic field in the Lagrangian is introduced, which depends on baryon density of charged particles. The magnetic field has not been treated as external as usual and the calculations of magnetic field strength at finite temperature reveal the existence of inflection points in certain densities.
In-medium decay widths of hidden and open charm vector mesons in a field theoretic model for composite hadrons
Authors: Mishra Amruta , Misra S. P. , Greiner W.
Published: July 2015

We calculate the decay widths of the charmonium states, J/ψ, ψ(3686) and ψ(3770), to [Formula: see text] pairs, as well as the decay width of D* → Dπ, in isospin asymmetric strange hadronic matter, using a field theoretical model for composite hadrons with quark constituents. For this purpose, we use the quark–antiquark pair creation term of the free Dirac Hamiltonian written in terms of the constituent quark field operators, and use explicit charmonium, D, [Formula: see text], D* and π states to evaluate the matrix elements for the charmonium as well as D* decay amplitudes. The medium modifications of the partial decay widths of charmonium to [Formula: see text] pair, arising from the mass modifications of the [Formula: see text] and the charmonium states calculated in a chiral effective model, are also included. The results of the present investigations are then compared with the decay widths computed earlier, in a model using light quark pair creation in 3P0 state. As in 3P0 model, the decay amplitude in the present model is multiplied with a strength parameter for the light quark pair creation, which is fitted from the observed vacuum decay width. The effects of the isospin asymmetry, the strangeness fraction of the hadronic matter on the masses of the charmonium states and [Formula: see text] mesons and hence on the decay widths, have also been studied. The isospin asymmetry effect is observed to be dominant for high densities, leading to appreciable difference in the decay channels of the charmonium to D+ D- and [Formula: see text] pairs. The decay width of D* → Dπ in the hadronic matter has also been calculated within the composite quark model in the present work, accounting for the medium modifications of the D and D* masses. The density modifications of the charmonium states and D(D*) mesons, which are observed to be appreciable at high densities, will be of relevance in the compressed baryonic matter (CBM) experiments at the future facility of FAIR, GSI, where charmed hadrons will be produced by annihilation of antiprotons on nuclei. The interactions of the charmonium states and D(D*) with the nuclear medium could lead to the possibility of the formation of exotic bound states of the nuclei with the (excited) charmonium states as well as with D(D*) mesons.
Compact Crank–Nicolson and Du Fort–Frankel Method for the Solution of the Time Fractional Diffusion Equation
Authors: Al-Shibani Faoziya , Ismail Ahmad
Published: July 2015

In this paper, two compact implicit finite difference methods are developed and analyzed for solving the one-dimensional time fractional diffusion equation. The temporal derivative is approximated by using Grünwald–Letnikov formula. Compact finite difference approximation is used for the second-order derivative in space. The local truncation errors are discussed. The stability analysis and the convergence of the proposed methods are investigated by means of Fourier series method. A comparison between the results of these methods and the exact solution is made. Numerical tests are given to verify the feasibility and accuracy of the methods.
P. vortex-mediated strategies for polysaccharides decomposition
Authors: Polikovsky Mark , Ben-Jacob Eshel , Finkelshtein Alin
Published: July 2015

Cellulose hydrolysis has many industrial applications such as biofuel production, food, paper and textile manufacture. Here, we present a novel approach to cellulose hydrolysis using a consortium of motile bacteria, Paenibacillus vortex, that can swarm on solid medium carrying a non-motile recombinant E. coli cargo strain expressing the β-glucosidase and cellulase genes that facilitate the hydrolysis of cellulose. These two species cooperate; the relationship is mutually beneficial: the E. coli is dispersed over long distances, while the P. vortex bacteria gain from the supply of cellulose degradation products. This enables the use of such consortia in this area of biotechnology.
Co-Control of GHGs and Local Pollutants Under New Climate Regime
Authors: LIU Zhe , FENG Zhaoxiang , TIAN Chunxiu , ZHANG Yiqiang , ZHAO Wei
Published: July 2015

China is under great pressure to make a legally binding commitment to reduce GHGs emissions under the upcoming agreement to be reached through UNFCCC talks in 2015. China will move toward a new era in addressing climate change. Against this background, the new regime for international climate governance is undergoing profound changes, manifested in economic development, GHGs emissions, and international cooperation. In the meantime, the domestic response to climate change will get deeper and more closely linked with environmental protection and ecological governance, covering the fog and haze control, GHGs reduction in industrial sectors, and short-lived climate pollutants control. In the view that climate change adaptation and mitigation, to some extent, facilitates environmental protection, and vice versa, adequate attention and recognition should be given to co-control of GHGs and local pollutants.
Tentative Analysis of the Relationship between the Implementation of the Coming Post-2015 SDGs and the Principle of CBDR
Authors: YE Jiang
Published: July 2015

This paper focuses on the relationship between the principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities" (CBDR) and the implementation of post-2015 agenda. Based on analysis of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's report "The Road to Dignity by 2030" and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the studies of the evolution of the principle of "CBDR" and its impact on the implementation of the coming SDGs, the paper sums up that following the principle of "CBDR" will lead developed and developing countries, i.e. North and South, to more successfully implementing post-2015 sustainable goals and targets, both at home and in international development cooperation in the future.
Analytical valuation of autocallable notes
Authors: Guillaume Tristan
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a general form of autocallable note is analytically valued, which includes the following features: regular coupons, reverse convertible provision and possible participation in the growth of the underlying equity asset. Simpler notes can be designed and analytically priced on the basis of this general structure. The equity asset follows a jump-diffusion process, while interest rates are driven by a two-factor model. Equity and interest rate sources of randomness are correlated. The numerical implementation is easy and very efficient compared to alternative valuation techniques. The formula provided in this paper can thus be expected to be a valuable tool for both buyers and issuers in terms of pricing and risk management.
An accumulator pricing method based on Fourier cosine series expansions
Authors: Ding Deng , Wang Wenfei
Published: July 2015

Accumulator is a highly path dependant derivative structure, whose underlying assets can be currency rate, stock price, power source and so on. This paper studies the accumulator pricing problems under different setting of the contract. First, we review pricing an accumulator in which the barrier is applied continuously. Second, without analytical formulae, the price of an accumulator with barrier applied discretely has to be determined by approximation or numerical methods. The Fourier cosine expansions method, initiated by Fang and Oosterlee [SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 31(2), 826–848], is applied to present a numerical method to solve it. The numerical results, compared with Barrier Correction method and Monte Carlo simulation method, are given to show the efficiency of the presented method. The last part gives a financial analysis about the risk hidden in an accumulator.
El Niño–La Niña cycles and biogeochemical sampling: variability of element concentrations within
E. camaldulensis
leaves in semi-arid Australia
Authors: Mitchell C. , Hill S. M. , Giles D. , Hulme K.
Published: July 2015

We conducted the analysis of the chemistry of leaves from
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
(Australian River Red gums) growing in a creek system that crosscuts known Pb-Zn mineralization to assess the influence of cyclic El Niño and La Niña weather patterns on biogeochemical exploration. Samples were collected over two periods: in 2005 immediately after a severe El Niño event where the previous year’s rainfall was 188 mm; and in 2012 after a La Niña event where the previous year’s rainfall was 605 mm. During both periods, elemental components of the mineral system (Ag, Pb, Zn and Cu) were present within the samples at elevated concentrations. Following the El Niño years of low rainfall, the trees directly overlying mineralization contained higher values of both Pb (up to 323 ppm) and Ag (up to 821 ppb) than in the wet La Niña year (Pb up to 69.2 ppm and Ag up to 165 ppb). The spatial distribution for Pb and Ag in both the 2005 and 2012 samples was nearly identical, but with consistently higher concentrations (averaging four times higher) in the 2005 samples. Zinc and Cu values in leaves are also elevated adjacent to mineralization but show less contrast between the two sampling periods, presumably because the uptake of these trace nutrients is largely determined by biological factors. We interpret the large seasonal variations in Pb and Ag to reflect passive uptake of these non-nutrient elements, the concentrations of which in the plant tissues was controlled by the chemistry of the available stream base aquifer, which was comparatively diluted in the La Niña sampling period. These results demonstrate that changes in available water play a significant role in diluting the resulting metal concentration within the trees. These results have implications for mineral exploration sampling programs, particularly those that may take place over multiple field seasons. These implications include changes to anomaly/background cut-off for different years and changes to the dispersion halo.
A continental-scale geochemical atlas for resource exploration and environmental management: the National Geochemical Survey of Australia
Authors: de Caritat P. , Cooper M.
Published: July 2015

The National Geochemical Survey of Australia (NGSA) was carried out to bridge a vast knowledge gap about the concentration and distribution of chemical elements at the Earth’s surface in Australia and consequent poor understanding of processes controlling their distribution here. The aim of the project was to contribute to improving exploration for energy and mineral resources through the pre-competitive delivery of a new spatial layer of compositional data and information.

Surface (0–10 cm depth) and shallow (
c
. 60–80 cm) samples of catchment outlet sediments were collected from 1315 sites located near the outlet of 1186 catchments (
c
. 10% of which were sampled in duplicate) from across Australia. The total area covered by the survey was 6.174 million km
2
, or
c
. 81% of Australia, at an average sampling density of 1 site per
c
. 5200 km
2
. A number of field parameters (e.g. soil colour, pH), bulk parameters (e.g. electrical conductivity, particle size distribution) and geochemical parameters (i.e. multi-element composition of dry sieved <2 mm and <75 μm grain-size fractions) were determined. The grain-size fractions were analysed to determine (1) total, (2) aqua regia soluble, and (3) Mobile Metal Ion (MMI®) extractable element contents.

These data were collated into a spreadsheet and graphically represented as a series of 529 geochemical maps (
http://www.ga.gov.au/ngsa
). These constitute the first continental-scale series of geochemical maps for Australia based on internally consistent, state-of-the-art data pertaining to the same sampling medium collected, prepared and analysed in a uniform and thoroughly documented manner and over a short time period. They are being used to better understand the accumulation, mobility and significance of chemical elements in the near-surface environment. Applications to date and ongoing and future directions are discussed.

Supplementary material:

Appendices 1-4 of summary statistics are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18853
Importance of 3-D regolith-landform control in areas of transported cover: implications for geochemical exploration
Authors: Anand Ravi R.
Published: July 2015

Two-dimensional (2-D) regolith-landform mapping has gained greater importance and wider acceptance and usage in the minerals industry over the last 20 years. This 2-D method is generally adequate in residual areas but is a poor indicator of the complexity of the deep regolith and thickness of transported cover in depositional environments. This paper highlights the importance of three-dimensional (3-D) regolith-landform control as an aid to: (a) identify major controls on metals dispersion; (b) assist anomaly interpretation; and (c) selection of suitable sample media in areas of transported cover from the Yandal greenstone belt (YGB; 260 × 40 km) of the Yilgarn Craton. It represents the first fully integrated study of the regolith on a single greenstone belt. This greenstone belt has been intensively drilled and its regolith units systematically logged. The YGB has less than 10% fresh and weathered rock outcrop and
c
. 90% of the area is covered by deep regolith consisting of weathered bedrock (locally up to 160 m) under sediments (up to 100 m thick). The application of 3-D mapping in the YGB is restricted to areas of precise and accurate subsurface regolith data-sets comprising
c
. 50,000 drill-holes covering
c
. 70% of the belt.

The data-sets for the 3-D mapping comprise transported cover, oxidized saprolite, lower saprolite and bedrock and gold geochemistry. The regolith surfaces show that the variability of transported cover, the depth of the oxidized saprolite and the lower saprolite are controlled by the palaeorelief, lithology, mineralization and deformation. The nature and thickness of transported cover determines the suitability of a particular sampling medium. Thus, prototype derivative maps showing residual areas and areas with varying thickness of transported cover (e.g. <5 m, 5–20 m, >20 m) are required for devising a suitable sampling strategy program in depositional environments. Three-dimensional relationships between regolith and gold distribution both at regional and deposit/prospect scales have provided information that may indicate the size of geochemical dispersion and suggest sampling strategies in different transported cover domains. It also allows testing of possible vectors to mineralized sources for anomalies in transported materials. An important feature of the palaeosurface reconstructions below deep transported cover is its considerable relief which shows striking anomalies at a number of deposits and prospects in the YGB. This reinforces the importance of precisely defining this palaeosurface through 3-D mapping as it may host the best direct geochemical indicators of buried mineral systems in areas of deep cover.
Experimental petrology of monotonous intermediate magmas
Authors: Caricchi Luca , Blundy Jon
Published: July 2015

Large-volume, high-crystallinity, chemically homogeneous ignimbrites, dubbed ‘monotonous intermediates’, provide a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of crustal magmatic reservoirs. We present the results of hydrothermal experiments on a dacite from Fish Canyon Tuff (FCT) in Colorado (USA), a classic example of a monotonous intermediate deposit, in order to characterize the variations in chemical and physical properties of hydrous dacite magmas as a function of temperature. The experiments (200 MPa, 720–1100°C) span the inferred pre-eruptive conditions of FCT magmas, and are shown to provide the best match to the chemical and physical properties of the erupted magmas at 790±10°C under conditions at or close to water-saturation. The results show the important effect of water content in controlling the chemical and physical evolution of magma, and the contrasted behaviour of water-saturated v. water-undersaturated magmas. In both cases, however, there is a broad interval of temperature (200°C) over which crystal fraction changes little. By recasting this behaviour in terms of enthalpy, rather than temperature, as the independent variable we show that this interval corresponds to a minimum in the change in crystallinity per unit of energy added or subtracted from the system, such that small perturbations to the heat content of the system (e.g. by cooling or new magma injections) results in very little change in magma properties. The crystal content in this interval is 55–65 wt%, which is close to the phenocryst content (40–55 wt%) of monotonous intermediates. We propose that crystal-rich magmas tend to settle in this ‘petrological trap’, changing little in physical and chemical properties over time as the system grows. Petrological trapping enables very large volumes of intermediate magma to accumulate in the shallow crust until such time as the net buoyancy force of these crystal-rich magma is sufficient to overcome the strength of the roof rocks, leading to a potentially very large eruption.
Interstellar Dust Grain Alignment
Authors: Andersson B-G , Lazarian A. , Vaillancourt John E.
Published: July 2015

Interstellar polarization at optical-to-infrared wavelengths is known to arise from asymmetric dust grains aligned with the magnetic field. This effect provides a potentially powerful probe of magnetic field structure and strength if the details of the grain alignment can be reliably understood. Theory and observations have recently converged on a quantitative, predictive description of interstellar grain alignment based on radiative processes. The development of a general, analytical model for this radiative alignment torque (RAT) theory has allowed specific, testable predictions for realistic interstellar conditions. We outline the theoretical and observational arguments in favor of RAT alignment, as well as reasons the “classical” paramagnetic alignment mechanism is unlikely to work, except possibly for the very smallest grains. With further detailed characterization of the RAT mechanism, grain alignment and polarimetry promise to not only better constrain the interstellar magnetic field but also provide new information on the dust characteristics.
Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is cleaved intracellularly: impact of distance between O-glycosylation and cleavage sites
Authors: Nishikimi Toshio , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Minamino Naoto , Ikeda Masashi , Tabei Kyoko , Fujishima Aoi , Takayama Kentaro , Akimoto Kazumi , Yamada Chinatsu , Nakao Kazuhiro , Minami Takeya , Kuwabara Yoshihiro , Kinoshita Hideyuki , Tsutamoto Takayoshi , Ishimitsu Toshihiko , Kangawa Kenji , Kuwahara Koichiro , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: July 2015

We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the processing of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP). Rat neonatal atrial and ventricular myocytes were cultured separately. We examined the molecular forms of secreted and intracellular BNP in atrial and ventricular myocytes; levels of corin and furin mRNA in atrial and ventricular myocytes; the effect their knockdown on proBNP processing; plasma molecular forms of BNP from rats and humans with and without heart failure; and the impact of the distance between the glycosylation and cleavage sites in wild-type and mutant human proBNP, expressed in rat myocytes transfected with lentiviral vectors. BNP was the major molecular form secreted by atrial and ventricular myocytes. Transfection of furin siRNA reduced proBNP processing in both atrial and ventricular myocytes; however, transfection of corin siRNA did not reduce it. BNP was the major molecular form in rat plasma, whereas proBNP was the major form in human plasma. The relative fraction of human BNP in rat myocytes expressing human proBNP was about 60%, but increasing the distance between the glycosylation and cleavage sites through mutation, increased the processed fraction correspondingly. These results suggest that proBNP is processed into BNP intracellularly by furin. The level of proBNP processing is lower in humans than rats, most likely due to the smaller distance between the O-glycosylation and cleavage sites in humans.
The role of efferent cholinergic transmission for the insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects of GLP-1
Authors: Plamboeck Astrid , Veedfald Simon , Deacon Carolyn F. , Hartmann Bolette , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K. , Holst Jens J.
Published: July 2015

The importance of vagal efferent signaling for the insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was investigated in a randomized single-blinded study. Healthy male participants ( n = 10) received atropine to block vagal cholinergic transmission or saline infusions on separate occasions. At t = 15 min, plasma glucose was clamped at 6 mmol/l. GLP-1 was infused at a low dose (0.3 pmol·kg−1·min−1) from t = 45–95 min and at a higher dose (1 pmol·kg−1·min−1) from t = 95–145 min. Atropine blocked muscarinic, cholinergic transmission, as evidenced by an increase in heart rate [peak: 70 ± 2 (saline) vs. 90 ± 2 (atropine) beats/min, P < 0.002] and suppression of pancreatic polypeptide levels [area under the curve during the GLP-1 infusions (AUC45–145): 492 ± 85 (saline) vs. 247 ± 59 (atropine) pmol/l × min, P < 0.0001]. More glucose was needed to maintain the clamp during the high-dose GLP-1 infusion steady-state period on the atropine day [6.4 ± 0.9 (saline) vs. 8.7 ± 0.8 (atropine) mg·kg−1·min−1, P < 0.0023]. GLP-1 dose-dependently increased insulin secretion on both days. The insulinotropic effect of GLP-1 was not impaired by atropine [C-peptide AUCs45–145: 99 ± 8 (saline) vs. 113 ± 13 (atropine) nmol/l × min, P = 0.19]. Atropine suppressed glucagon levels additively with GLP-1 [AUC45–145: 469 ± 70 (saline) vs. 265 ± 50 (atropine) pmol/l × min, P = 0.018], resulting in hypoglycemia when infusions were suspended [3.6 ± 0.2 (saline) vs. 2.7 ± 0.2 (atropine) mmol/l, P < 0.0001]. To ascertain whether atropine could independently suppress glucagon levels, control experiments ( n = 5) were carried out without GLP-1 infusions [AUC45–145: 558 ± 103 (saline) vs. 382 ± 76 (atropine) pmol/l × min, P = 0.06]. Our results suggest that efferent muscarinic activity is not required for the insulinotropic effect of exogenous GLP-1 but that blocking efferent muscarinic activity independently suppresses glucagon secretion. In combination, GLP-1 and muscarinic blockade strongly affect glucose turnover.
Renal mineralocorticoid receptor and electrolyte homeostasis
Authors: Terker Andrew S. , Ellison David H.
Published: July 2015

The renal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a steroid hormone receptor essential for maintaining electrolyte homeostasis. Its role in mediating effects of aldosterone was likely vital in enabling the evolution of terrestrial life. Dysregulated aldosterone-MR signaling has been identified as the cause of multiple clinical diseases, suggesting the physiological importance of the MR. While the physiology of this pathway has been studied for over 60 years, only more recently have genetic mouse models been available to dissect its function in vivo. This review will focus on recent advances in our knowledge of MR function with an emphasis on these models.
Dopamine, vesicular transporters, and dopamine receptor expression in rat major salivary glands
Authors: Tomassoni Daniele , Traini Enea , Mancini Manuele , Bramanti Vincenzo , Mahdi Syed Sarosh , Amenta Francesco
Published: July 2015

The localization of dopamine stores and the expression and localization of dopamine (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT) type-1 and -2 and of dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptor subtypes were investigated in rat submandibular, sublingual, and parotid salivary glands by HPLC with electrochemical detection, as well as immunochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Male Wistar rats of 2 mo of age were used. The highest dopamine levels were measured in the parotid gland, followed by the submandibular and sublingual glands. Western blot analysis revealed DAT, VMAT-1, VMAT-2, and dopamine receptors immunoreactivity in membrane preparations obtained from the three glands investigated. Immunostaining for dopamine and transporters was developed within striated ducts. Salivary glands processed for dopamine receptors immunohistochemistry developed an immunoreaction primarily in striated and excretory ducts. In the submandibular gland, acinar cells displayed strong immunoreactivity for the D2receptor, while cells of the convoluted granular tubules were negative for both D1-like and D2-like receptors. Parotid glands acinar cells displayed the highest immunoreactivity for both D1and D2receptors compared with other salivary glands. The above localization of dopamine and dopaminergic markers investigated did not correspond closely with neuron-specific enolase (NSE) localization. This indicates that at least in part, catecholamine stores and dopaminergic markers are independent from glandular innervation. These findings suggest that rat major salivary glands express a dopaminergic system probably involved in salivary secretion. The stronger immunoreactivity for dopamine transporters and receptors in striated duct cells suggests that the dopaminergic system could regulate not only quality, but also volume and ionic concentration of saliva.
Medial frontal ∼4-Hz activity in humans and rodents is attenuated in PD patients and in rodents with cortical dopamine depletion
Authors: Parker Krystal L. , Chen Kuan-Hua , Kingyon Johnathan R. , Cavanagh James F. , Narayanan Nandakumar S.
Published: July 2015

The temporal control of action is a highly conserved and critical mammalian behavior. Here, we investigate the neuronal basis of this process using an interval timing task. In rats and humans, instructional timing cues triggered spectral power across delta and theta bands (2–6 Hz) from the medial frontal cortex (MFC). Humans and rodents with dysfunctional dopamine have impaired interval timing, and we found that both humans with Parkinson's disease (PD) and rodents with local MFC dopamine depletion had attenuated delta and theta activity. In rodents, spectral activity in this range could functionally couple single MFC neurons involved in temporal processing. Without MFC dopamine, these neurons had less functional coupling with delta/theta activity and less temporal processing. Finally, in humans this 2- to 6-Hz activity was correlated with executive function in matched controls but not in PD patients. Collectively, these findings suggest that cue-evoked low-frequency rhythms could be a clinically important biomarker of PD that is translatable to rodent models, facilitating mechanistic inquiry and the development of neurophysiological biomarkers for human disease.
Distinctive receptive field and physiological properties of a wide-field amacrine cell in the macaque monkey retina
Authors: Manookin Michael B. , Puller Christian , Rieke Fred , Neitz Jay , Neitz Maureen
Published: July 2015

At early stages of visual processing, receptive fields are typically described as subtending local regions of space and thus performing computations on a narrow spatial scale. Nevertheless, stimulation well outside of the classical receptive field can exert clear and significant effects on visual processing. Given the distances over which they occur, the retinal mechanisms responsible for these long-range effects would certainly require signal propagation via active membrane properties. Here the physiology of a wide-field amacrine cell—the wiry cell—in macaque monkey retina is explored, revealing receptive fields that represent a striking departure from the classic structure. A single wiry cell integrates signals over wide regions of retina, 5–10 times larger than the classic receptive fields of most retinal ganglion cells. Wiry cells integrate signals over space much more effectively than predicted from passive signal propagation, and spatial integration is strongly attenuated during blockade of NMDA spikes but integration is insensitive to blockade of NaV channels with TTX. Thus these cells appear well suited for contributing to the long-range interactions of visual signals that characterize many aspects of visual perception.
Consequence of Menin Deficiency in Mouse Adipocytes Derived by In Vitro Differentiation
Authors: Parekh Vaishali I. , Modali Sita D. , Desai Shruti S. , Agarwal Sunita K.
Published: July 2015

Lipoma in patients with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome is a type of benign fat-cell tumor that has biallelic inactivation ofMEN1that encodes menin and could serve as a model to investigate normal and pathologic fat-cell (adipocyte) proliferation and function. The role of menin and its target genes in adipocytes is not known. We used in vitro differentiation to derive matched normal and menin-deficient adipocytes from wild type (WT) and menin-null (Men1-KO) mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), respectively, or 3T3-L1 cells without or with menin knockdown to investigate cell size, lipid content, and gene expression changes. Adipocytes derived from Men1-KO mESCs or after menin knockdown in 3T3-L1 cells showed a 1.5–1.7-fold increase in fat-cell size. Global gene expression analysis of mESC-derived adipocytes showed that lack of menin downregulated the expression of many differentially methylated genes including the tumor suppressor long noncoding RNA Meg3 but upregulated gene expression from the prolactin gene family locus. Our results show that menin deficiency leads to fat-cell hypertrophy and provide model systems that could be used to study the regulation of fat-cell size.
Conformational States of the Spiropyran Molecule
Authors: Kovalenko Olha , Kondratenko Petro , Lopatkin Yuriy
Published: July 2015

The form of the potential surface of the ground state was investigated on the basis of indoline spiropyran. As a result of this work the rotamers of an open-ring form of the spiropyran molecule were discovered, and the existence of the most probable rotamers was justified. The 3D potential surface of the ground state of the spiropyran molecule was built. The route of the isomerization of the molecule was discovered and values of barriers for this reaction were found. The part of the isomerization route that is responsible for changing the hybridization of spiroatom from sp3to sp2was found.
An Analysis and Application of Fast Nonnegative Orthogonal Matching Pursuit for Image Categorization in Deep Networks
Authors: Wang Bo , Guo Jichang , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2015

Nonnegative orthogonal matching pursuit (NOMP) has been proven to be a more stable encoder for unsupervised sparse representation learning. However, previous research has shown that NOMP is suboptimal in terms of computational cost, as the coefficients selection and refinement using nonnegative least squares (NNLS) have been divided into two separate steps. It is found that this problem severely reduces the efficiency of encoding for large-scale image patches. In this work, we study fast nonnegative OMP (FNOMP) as an efficient encoder which can be accelerated by the implementation ofQRfactorization and iterations of coefficients in deep networks for full-size image categorization task. It is analyzed and demonstrated that using relatively simple gain-shape vector quantization for training dictionary, FNOMP not only performs more efficiently than NOMP for encoding but also significantly improves the classification accuracy compared to OMP based algorithm. In addition, FNOMP based algorithm is superior to other state-of-the-art methods on several publicly available benchmarks, that is, Oxford Flowers, UIUC-Sports, and Caltech101.