bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‫"المونوجرام أنموذجا" (1952-1805) الشارات الكتابية في مصر في عصر أسرة محمد علي‬ (Written Emblems in Egypt during the Era of the Muhammad Ali Family (1805-1952 CE) 'Monogram Model')
Authors: ‫حسن‬ ‫محمد‬
Published: February 2014

Written emblems present an important stage in the history of Arabic calligraphy and Arabic
writing in general, especially that they are one of the emblems of ruling. An important stage
in the history of the written emblems appeared in Egypt during the era of the Muhammad
Ali family, which succeeded, but did not spread; known as ‘the Monogram’. Studying the
phenomenon of emblems in general, and the Monogram in particular, requires a vision that
does not fragment Arabic calligraphy or Arabic writing by isolating them from their historical
and cultural reality, or by studying them as scripts or writings on buildings. Therefore, we
strived to establish methodological steps through which we can widely study written emblems. (Please note that this article is in Arabic).
New species and records of Asymmetrasca (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Empoascini) from China and name changes in Empoasca (Matsumurasca)
Authors: LIU YANG , FLETCHER MURRAY J. , DIETRICH CHRISTOPHER H. , ZHANG YA-LIN
Published: February 2014

Six new species of Asymmetrasca Dlabola are described from China: A. dahaituoensis, A. helica, A. hypercurvata, A. liaoensis, A. reflexilis, A. uncus spp. nov. In addition, A. cienka Dworakowska, 1982, n. comb.; A. decedens Paoli, 1932 and A. sakaii Dworakowska 1971, n. comb., are recorded from China for the first time. The following additional new combinations from Empoasca are also proposed: A. cisiana (Dworakowska, 1971); A. kaicola (Dworakowska, 1982), A. lutowa (Dworakowska, 1971), A. mona (Dworakowska, 1994), A. nipponica (Dworakowska 1982), A. rybiogon (Dworakowska, 1971), and A. uniprossicae (Sohi, 1977). Empoasca (Empoasca) kishtwarensis Sharma, 1984 is proposed as a new synonym of Asymmetrasca kaicola (Dworakowska, 1982). Habitus photos and illustrations of the male genitalia of the new species and a key to Chinese species are provided. New names are proposed to replace two junior homonyms in Empoasca (Matsumurasca).
Internal Control and External Constraints
Authors: Changyin Ge
Published: February 2014

The ‘ecosystem’ of Chinese enterprises is greatly affected by the external environment. This article proposes a behaviour-based internal control framework, defined as ‘3 + 1’, which includes controls at the decision-making, management and operational, as well as behavioural levels. Considering the characteristic Chinese social institution, economic development pattern, policies and regulation, as well as individual values and other external factors, the purpose of this article is to provide new insight and methods to solve fundamental internal control issues by constructing an appropriate institution that can balance internal and external factors to solve both the short- and long-term problems of the control of Chinese enterprises.
Ameloblasts Express Type I Collagen during Amelogenesis
Authors: Assaraf-Weill N. , Gasse B. , Silvent J. , Bardet C. , Sire J.-Y. , Davit-Béal T.
Published: February 2014

Enamel and enameloid, the highly mineralized tooth-covering tissues in living vertebrates, are different in their matrix composition. Enamel, a unique product of ameloblasts, principally contains enamel matrix proteins (EMPs), while enameloid possesses collagen fibrils and probably receives contributions from both odontoblasts and ameloblasts. Here we focused on type I collagen (COL1A1) and amelogenin (AMEL) gene expression during enameloid and enamel formation throughout ontogeny in the caudate amphibian, Pleurodeles waltl. In this model, pre-metamorphic teeth possess enameloid and enamel, while post-metamorphic teeth possess enamel only. In first-generation teeth, qPCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) on sections revealed that ameloblasts weakly expressed AMEL during late-stage enameloid formation, while expression strongly increased during enamel deposition. Using ISH, we identified COL1A1 transcripts in ameloblasts and odontoblasts during enameloid formation. COL1A1 expression in ameloblasts gradually decreased and was no longer detected after metamorphosis. The transition from enameloid-rich to enamel-rich teeth could be related to a switch in ameloblast activity from COL1A1 to AMEL synthesis. P. waltl therefore appears to be an appropriate animal model for the study of the processes involved during enameloid-to-enamel transition, especially because similar events probably occurred in various lineages during vertebrate evolution.
Médias religieux, esprits voyageurs. Diffusion publique et secret dans le Pentecôtisme et dans la religion traditionnelle au Ghana
Authors: De Witte Marleen
Published: February 2014

This article compares the role of media in three religious movements in Ghana, a country where the mediascape has undergone fundamental changes since the 1990s. It shows how visual mediation, mobility and the spiritual domain are intertwined, and demonstrates how media evoke both a public and a secret realm, as distinct yet connected spheres. The ethnography documents how this negotiation of public and secret finds itself at the heart of charismatic Pentecostalism, neo-traditional African religion, and traditional spiritual practices – three religions that situate themselves differently in public space but are interrelated and heavily interdependent.
Robert Merton and Dorothy Emmet
Authors: Turner Stephen
Published: February 2014

Dorothy Emmet, in two books, one of which was based on extensive personal contact with Robert Merton and Columbia sociology, provides the closest thing we have to an authorized philosophical defense of Merton. It features a deflationary account of functionalism which dispenses with the idea of general teleological ends. What it replaces it with is an account of “structures” that have various consequences and that are maintained because, on Emmet’s account, of the mutual reinforcement of motives produced by the structure.
Nonculture Molecular Techniques for Diagnosis of Bacterial Disease in Animals
Authors: Cai H. Y. , Caswell J. L. , Prescott J. F.
Published: February 2014

The past decade has seen remarkable technical advances in infectious disease diagnosis, and the pace of innovation is likely to continue. Many of these techniques are well suited to pathogen identification directly from pathologic or clinical samples, which is the focus of this review. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing are now routinely performed on frozen or fixed tissues for diagnosis of bacterial infections of animals. These assays are most useful for pathogens that are difficult to culture or identify phenotypically, when propagation poses a biosafety hazard, or when suitable fresh tissue is not available. Multiplex PCR assays, DNA microarrays, in situ hybridization, massive parallel DNA sequencing, microbiome profiling, molecular typing of pathogens, identification of antimicrobial resistance genes, and mass spectrometry are additional emerging technologies for the diagnosis of bacterial infections from pathologic and clinical samples in animals. These technical advances come, however, with 2 caveats. First, in the age of molecular diagnosis, quality control has become more important than ever to identify and control for the presence of inhibitors, cross-contamination, inadequate templates from diagnostic specimens, and other causes of erroneous microbial identifications. Second, the attraction of these technologic advances can obscure the reality that medical diagnoses cannot be made on the basis of molecular testing alone but instead through integrated consideration of clinical, pathologic, and laboratory findings. Proper validation of the method is required. It is critical that veterinary diagnosticians understand not only the value but also the limitations of these technical advances for routine diagnosis of infectious disease.
The Effect of Coach Education on Reporting of Concussions Among High School Athletes After Passage of a Concussion Law
Authors: Rivara Frederick P. , Schiff Melissa A. , Chrisman Sara P. , Chung Shana K. , Ellenbogen Richard G. , Herring Stanley A.
Published: February 2014

Background:

Increasing attention has been paid to concussions and especially sports-related concussions in youth. To prevent an inappropriate return to play while symptomatic, nearly all states have now passed legislation on youth sports-related concussions.

Purpose:

To determine (1) the incidence of sports-related concussions in high school athletes using a unique system to collect reports on concussions, (2) the proportion of athletes with concussions who play with concussive symptoms, and (3) the effect of the type and modality of coach education on the likelihood of athletes reporting symptoms to the coach or playing with concussive symptoms.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This study was conducted with high school football and girls’ soccer athletes playing in fall 2012 and their coaches and parents in 20 urban or rural high schools in Washington State. The main outcome was the incidence of concussions per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), the proportion of concussed athletes who played with concussive symptoms, and the association of coach concussion education with coach awareness of athletes with concussive symptoms.

Results:

Among the 778 athletes, the rate of concussions was 3.6 per 1000 AEs and was identical for the 2 sports studied. The cumulative concussion incidence over the course of the season was similar in girls’ soccer (11.1%) and football (10.4%). Sixty-nine percent of concussed athletes reported playing with symptoms, and 40% reported that their coach was not aware of their concussion. Most measures of coach concussion education were not associated with coach awareness of concussions in their athletes, although the modalities of a video and quiz were associated with a lower likelihood of coach awareness.

Conclusion:

More objective and accurate methods are needed to identify concussions. Changes in athlete attitudes on reporting concussive symptoms will likely not be accomplished through legislation alone.
Evaluation of Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver Disease in Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis Before and After the Implementation of Feeding Guidelines
Authors: Tillman Emma M. , Norman Johanna L. , Huang Eunice Y. , Lazar Linda F. , Crill Catherine M.
Published: February 2014

Background: In 2009, an intestinal rehabilitation team implemented feeding guidelines for infants following gastrointestinal surgery at our institution. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of enteral feeding guidelines on the incidence of parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants with surgically managed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Methods: This retrospective study included infants treated during 18‐month time periods before and after the implementation of feeding guidelines. PNALD diagnosis was based on serum direct bilirubin >2 mg/dL after ≥14 days of PN exposure. Results: Of the 140 infants identified, 64 were surgically managed and included in the analysis. The duration of PN and the time nil per os (NPO) were significantly reduced after guideline implementation from a median of 106 days to 65 days (P = .03) and from 29 days to 16 days (P = .02), respectively. The incidence of PNALD decreased from 73% before guideline implementation to 42% after guideline implementation (P = .01). Conclusions: Implementation of feeding guidelines resulted in decreased time NPO and duration of PN support. Significantly fewer infants developed PNALD after guideline implementation. These data suggest that feeding guidelines may expedite the transition from PN to enteral nutrition and may improve outcomes.
Using aircraft as wind sensors for estimating accurate wind fields for air traffic management applications
Authors: Guadaño Laura Hernando , Valdés Rosa M Arnaldo , Nieto Francisco J Sáez
Published: February 2014

A study that examines the use of aircraft as wind sensors in a terminal area for real-time wind estimation in order to improve aircraft trajectory prediction is presented in this paper. We describe not only different sources in the aircraft systems that provide the variables needed to derivate the wind velocity but the capabilities which allow us to present this information for air traffic management applications. Based on wind speed samples from aircraft landing at Madrid-Barajas airport, a real-time wind field will be estimated using a data processing approach through a minimum variance method. Finally, the accuracy of this procedure will be evaluated for this information to be useful to air traffic control.
Experimental and analytical investigation of the thermal necrosis in high-speed drilling of bone
Authors: Shakouri Ehsan , Sadeghi Mohammad H , Maerefat Mehdi , Shajari Shaghayegh
Published: February 2014

Bone loss due to thermo necrosis may weaken the purchase of surgically placed screws and pins, causing them to loosen postoperatively. The heat generated during the bone drilling is proportional to cutting speed and force and may be partially dissipated by the blood and tissue fluids, and somehow carried away by the chips formed. Increasing cutting speed will reduce cutting force and machining time. Therefore, it is of interest to study the effects of the increasing cutting speed on bone drilling characteristics. In this article, the effects of the increasing cutting speed ranging from 500 up to 18,000 r/min on the thrust force and the temperature rise are studied for bovine femur bone. The results of this study reveal that the high-speed drilling of 6000–7000 r/min may effectively reduce the two parameters of maximum cortical temperature and duration of exposure at temperatures above the allowable levels, which in turn reduce the probability of thermal necrosis in the drill site. This is due to the reduction of the cutting force and the increase in the chip disposal speed. However, more increases in the drill bit rotational speed result in an increase in the amount of temperature elevation, not because of sensible change in drilling force but a considerable increase in friction among the chips, drill bit and the hole walls.
The emergence of systemic lupus erythematosus in hypothyroid patients: two case reports and mini review
Authors: Bakr A , Laimon W , El-Ziny MA , Hammad A , El-Hawary AK , Elsharkawy AA , El-Refaey AM , Salem NA , El-Mougy A , Zedan MM , Aboelenin HM , Eid R , Sarhan A
Published: February 2014

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-systemic autoimmune disease that involves almost all the organs in the human body and is characterized by auto antibodies formation. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are organ-specific diseases that are associated with a production of a variety of antibodies such as antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Ro antibodies, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and others. The diagnosis of AITD in patients with SLE is well known, but the reverse is rarely reported. We present two cases of adolescent girls in whom SLE evolved one year after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Management and medicine: why we need a new approach to the relationship
Authors: Kuhlmann Ellen , von Knorring Mia
Published: February 2014

New Public Management has affected the relationship between corporate managerialism and professional modes of governing hospitals. While doctors’ increasing involvement in management may have positive effects on health care, hospital governance, health care policies and medical education have largely failed to support this change. There is a need for new policies and approaches to support the changing connections between medicine and management that abandons both the military discourse of ‘wars’ and ‘battlefields’ and the new rhetoric of ‘clinical leadership’.
Diagnostics and prognostics using switching Kalman filters
Authors: Reuben Lim Chi Keong , Mba David
Published: February 2014

The use of condition monitoring data for diagnostic and prognostic of vehicle health has been growing with increasing use of health and usage monitoring systems. In this article, an approach using the switching Kalman filter framework is explored for both diagnostic and prognostic using condition monitoring data under a single framework. The switching Kalman filter uses multiple dynamical models each describing a different degradation process. The most probable underlying degradation process is then inferred from the observed condition monitoring data using Bayesian estimation. By using the dynamical behavior of the degradation process, pre-established fault detection threshold is no longer required. This approach also provides maintainers with more information for decision-making as a probabilistic measure of the degradation processes is available. This helps maintainers to predict remaining useful life more accurately by distinguishing between the degradation states and performing prediction only when unstable degradation is detected. The proposed switching Kalman filter approach is applied onto sets of condition monitoring data from gearbox bearings that were found defective from the Republic of Singapore Air Force AH64D helicopter. The use of in-service data in a practical scenario shows that the switching Kalman filter approach is a promising tool for maintenance decision-making.
Mandibular tori as an incidental finding in MRI
Authors: Platzek Ivan , Schubert Marika , Sieron Dominik , Laniado Michael
Published: February 2014

Tori (singular: torus) are among the most common benign jaw lesions. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics have not been reported yet. We present a 72-year-old patient with mandibular tori, which were detected as an incidental finding on MRI and provide an overview of the imaging features of tori.
Rare diagnosis of nodular lymphangitis caused by Mycobacterium marinum: MDCT imaging findings
Authors: Tomas Xavier , Pedrosa Margarita , Soriano Alex , Zboromyrska Yuliya , Tudo Griselda , Garcia Sebastian , Pomes Jaime
Published: February 2014

Mycobacterium marinum is an atypical mycobacterium that usually causes a solitary nodule on the hand (“fish tank granuloma”) or less commonly, secondary erythematous channels and nodules spread along lymphatic drainage of the extremity, mimicking sporothricoid skin lesions of nodular lymphangitis. This report presents a case of this rare entity, a nodular lymphangitis caused by Mycobacterium marinum. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging was very useful in determining the morphology (cellulitis with a few small subcutaneous nodules and channels) and the extension of the lesion.
Lack of seasonal variation in the incidence of eosinophilic oesophagitis in adolescent and adult non‐PPI‐responsive oesophageal eosinophilia midwestern US populations
Authors: Frederickson Nicholas W , Bayman Levent , Valestin Jessica , Redd Matthew , Lee Ye-Jin , Soubra Mahmoud , Schey Ron
Published: February 2014

Background

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoO) has been associated with allergic disorders as well as aeroallergens. The current literature has shown a possible association between seasonal variation, mainly in the spring, and the incidence of EoO. However, this data was based on small population studies that did not exclude proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI)‐responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI‐ROE) in their cohort.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a seasonal variation associated with the diagnosis of EoO in patients that had been treated with high‐dose PPI prior to diagnosis.

Methods

Oesophageal biopsies were obtained from a cohort of patients who presented with symptoms of dysphagia, odynophagia, and heartburn during a 10‐year period. Symptomatic patients who had biopsies from the mid and distal oesophagus with ≥20 eosinophils per high‐power field (hpf) while on high‐dose PPI treatment for at least 5 weeks were diagnosed as having EoO. The monthly and seasonal incidences were determined (winter, January–March; spring, April–June; summer, July–September; Autumn, October–December).

Results

A total of 20,718 patients were identified and their records evaluated. From this cohort, 193 (0.93%) symptomatic patients had biopsy‐proven oesophageal eosinophilia (≥20 eosinophils/hpf) and no seasonal variation was seen in this group. However, only 57 (0.28%) had been adequately treated with PPI prior to diagnosis (i.e. non‐PPI‐ROE biopsy‐proven EoO; ≥20 eosinophils/hpf: 39 males, 18 females; age 29.5 years). The most common medical history components included asthma (12.3%) and food allergies (3.5%), and the most common presenting symptoms included dysphagia (50.9%) and heartburn (26.3%). The monthly and seasonal incidences in our cohort were with no apparent trend (p  = 0.713 and 0.703, respectively).

Conclusions

The incidence of EoO was consistent across all 12 months as well as during the four seasons. Our data does not support a seasonal variation in relation to the incidence of EoO in the US midwestern non‐PPI‐ROE population.
High-throughput screening and whole genome sequencing identifies an antimicrobially active inhibitor of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Sergeev Galina , Roy Sambit , Jarek Michael , Zapolskii Viktor , Kaufmann Dieter E , Nandy Ranjan K , Tegge Werner
Published: February 2014

Background

Pathogenic serotypes of Vibrio cholerae cause the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. The increasing development of bacterial resistances against the known antibiotics necessitates the search for new antimicrobial compounds and targets for this pathogen.

Results

A high-throughput screening assay with a Vibrio cholerae reporter strain constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed and applied in the investigation of the growth inhibitory effect of approximately 28,300 structurally diverse natural compounds and synthetic small molecules. Several compounds with activities in the low micromolar concentration range were identified. The most active structure, designated vz0825, displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6 μM and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.2 μM against several strains of V. cholerae and was specific for this pathogen. Mutants with reduced sensitivity against vz0825 were generated and whole genome sequencing of 15 pooled mutants was carried out. Comparison with the genome of the wild type strain identified the gene VC_A0531 (GenBank: AE003853.1) as the major site of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the resistant mutants. VC_A0531 is located on the small chromosome of V. cholerae and encodes the osmosensitive K+-channel sensor histidine kinase (KdpD). Nucleotide exchange of the major mutation site in the wild type strain confirmed the sensitive phenotype.

Conclusion

The reporter strain MO10 pG13 was successfully used for the identification of new antibacterial compounds against V. cholerae. Generation of resistant mutants and whole genome sequencing was carried out to identify the histidine kinase KdpD as a novel antimicrobial target.
Cytotoxic and HIV-1 enzyme inhibitory activities of Red Sea marine organisms
Authors: Ellithey Mona S , Lall Namrita , Hussein Ahmed A , Meyer Debra
Published: February 2014

Background

Cancer and HIV/AIDS are two of the greatest public health and humanitarian challenges facing the world today. Infection with HIV not only weakens the immune system leading to AIDS and increasing the risk of opportunistic infections, but also increases the risk of several types of cancer. The enormous biodiversity of marine habitats is mirrored by the molecular diversity of secondary metabolites found in marine animals, plants and microbes which is why this work was designed to assess the anti-HIV and cytotoxic activities of some marine organisms of the Red Sea.

Methods

The lipophilic fractions of methanolic extracts of thirteen marine organisms collected from the Red Sea (Egypt) were screened for cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines; leukaemia (U937) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) were used as normal non-malignant control cells. The extracts were also tested for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 enzymes, reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR).

Results

Cytotoxicity results showed strong activity of the CnidarianLitophyton arboreumagainst U-937 (IC50;6.5 μg/ml ±2.3) with a selectivity index (SI) of 6.45, while the CnidarianSarcophyton trochliophorumshowed strong activity against HeLa cells (IC50;5.2 μg/ml ±1.2) with an SI of 2.09. Other species showed moderate to weak cytotoxicity against both cell lines. Two extracts showed potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease; these were the Cnidarian jelly fishCassiopia andromeda(IC50;0.84 μg/ml ±0.05) and the red algaeGalaxura filamentosa(2.6 μg/ml ±1.29). It is interesting to note that the most active extracts against HIV-1 PR,C. andromedaandG. filamentosashowed no cytotoxicity in the three cell lines at the highest concentration tested (100 μg/ml).

Conclusion

The strong cytotoxicity of the soft coralsL. arboreumandS. trochliophorumas well as the anti-PR activity of the jelly fishC. andromedaand the red algaeG. filamentosasuggests the medicinal potential of crude extracts of these marine organisms.
Placement, support, and retention of health professionals: national, cross-sectional findings from medical and dental community service officers in South Africa
Authors: Hatcher Abigail M , Onah Michael , Kornik Saul , Peacocke Julia , Reid Stephen
Published: February 2014

Background

In South Africa, community service following medical training serves as a mechanism for equitable distribution of health professionals and their professional development. Community service officers are required to contribute a year towards serving in a public health facility while receiving supervision and remuneration. Although the South African community service programme has been in effect since 1998, little is known about how placement and practical support occur, or how community service may impact future retention of health professionals.

Methods

National, cross-sectional data were collected from community service officers who served during 2009 using a structured self-report questionnaire. A Supervision Satisfaction Scale (SSS) was created by summing scores of five questions rated on a three-point Likert scale (orientation, clinical advising, ongoing mentorship, accessibility of clinic leadership, and handling of community service officers’ concerns). Research endpoints were guided by community service programmatic goals and analysed as dichotomous outcomes. Bivariate and multivariate logistical regressions were conducted using Stata 12.

Results

The sample population comprised 685 doctors and dentists (response rate 44%). Rural placement was more likely among unmarried, male, and black practitioners. Rates of self-reported professional development were high (470 out of 539 responses; 87%). Participants with higher scores on the SSS were more likely to report professional development. Although few participants planned to continue work in rural, underserved communities (n = 171 out of 657 responses, 25%), those serving in a rural facility during the community service year had higher intentions of continuing rural work. Those reporting professional development during the community service year were twice as likely to report intentions to remain in rural, underserved communities.

Conclusions

Despite challenges in equitable distribution of practitioners, participant satisfaction with the compulsory community service programme appears to be high among those who responded to a 2009 questionnaire. These data offer a starting point for designing programmes and policies that better meet the health needs of the South African population through more appropriate human resource management. An emphasis on professional development and supervision is crucial if South Africa is to build practitioner skills, equitably distribute health professionals, and retain the medical workforce in rural, underserved areas.
Deposition of F-doped ZnO transparent thin films using ZnF2-doped ZnO target under different sputtering substrate temperatures
Authors: Wang Fang-Hsing , Yang Cheng-Fu , Lee Yen-Hsien
Published: February 2014

Highly transparent and conducting fluorine-doped ZnO (FZO) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, using 1.5 wt% zinc fluoride (ZnF2)-doped ZnO as sputtering target. Structural, electrical, and optical properties of the FZO thin films were investigated as a function of substrate temperature ranging from room temperature (RT) to 300°C. The cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the FZO thin films were of polycrystalline nature with a preferential growth along (002) plane perpendicular to the surface of the glass substrate. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analyses of the FZO thin films showed that there was incorporation of F atoms in the FZO thin films, even if the substrate temperature was 300°C. Finally, the effect of substrate temperature on the transmittance ratio, optical energy gap, Hall mobility, carrier concentration, and resistivity of the FZO thin films was also investigated.
Oscillation for higher order differential equations with a middle term
Authors: Bartušek Miroslav , Došlá Zuzana , Marini Mauro
Published: February 2014

We study the existence of bounded oscillatory solutions for a higher order differential equation, considered as a perturbation of an associated linear equation. Jointly with this, we study the nonexistence of solutions vanishing at infinity and, as an application, we obtain in the linear case an asymptotic equivalency criterion.
Comparison of the neuropoietic activity of gene-modified versus parental mesenchymal stromal cells and the identification of soluble and extracellular matrix-related neuropoietic mediators
Authors: Aizman Irina , Tirumalashetty Brenna J , McGrogan Michael , Case Casey C
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Transplanting mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or their derivatives into a neurodegenerative environment is believed to be beneficial because of the trophic support, migratory guidance, immunosuppression, and neurogenic stimuli they provide. SB623, a cell therapy for the treatment of chronic stroke, currently in a clinical trial, is derived from bone marrow MSCs by using transient transfection with a vector encoding the human Notch1 intracellular domain. This creates a new phenotype, which is effective in experimental stroke, exhibits immunosuppressive and angiogenic activity equal or superior to parental MSCs in vitro, and produces extracellular matrix (ECM) that is exceptionally supportive for neural cell growth. The neuropoietic activity of SB623 and parental MSCs has not been compared, and the SB623-derived neuropoietic mediators have not been identified.

Methods

SB623 or parental MSCs were cocultured with rat embryonic brain cortex cells on cell-derived ECM in a previously characterized quantitative neuropoiesis assay. Changes in expression of rat neural differentiation markers were quantified by using rat-specific qRT-PCR. Human mediators were identified by using expression profiling, an enzymatic crosslinking activity, and functional interference studies by means of blocking antibodies, biologic inhibitors, and siRNA. Cocultures were immunolabeled for presynaptic vesicular transporters to assess neuronal specialization.

Results

Among six MSC/SB623 pairs, SB623 induced expression of rat neural precursor, oligodendrocyte, and astrocyte markers on average 2.6 to 3 times stronger than did their parental MSCs. SB623 expressed significantly higher FGF2, FGF1, and BMP4, and lower FGFR1 and FGFR2 levels; and human FGF1, FGF2, BMPs, and HGF were implicated as neuropoietic mediators. Neural precursors grew faster on SB623- than on MSC-derived ECM. SB623 exhibited higher expression levels and crosslinking activity of tissue transglutaminase (TGM2). TGM2 silencing reduced neural precursor growth on SB623-ECM. SB623 also promoted the induction of GABA-ergic, but not glutamatergic, neurons more effectively than did MSCs.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that SB623 cells tend to support neural cell growth more effectively than their parental MSCs and identify both soluble and insoluble mediators responsible, at least in part, for enhanced neuropoietic potency of SB623. The neuropoiesis assay is a useful tool for identifying beneficial factors produced by MSCs and their derivatives.
Multiscale modeling of acoustic wave propagation in 2D media
Authors: Gibson Richard L. , Gao Kai , Chung Eric , Efendiev Yalchin
Published: February 2014

Conventional finite-difference methods produce accurate solutions to the acoustic and elastic wave equation for many applications, but they face significant challenges when material properties vary significantly over distances less than the grid size. This challenge is likely to occur in reservoir characterization studies, because important reservoir heterogeneity can be present on scales of several meters to ten meters. Here, we describe a new multiscale finite-element method for simulating acoustic wave propagation in heterogeneous media that addresses this problem by coupling fine- and coarse-scale grids. The wave equation is solved on a coarse grid, but it uses basis functions that are generated from the fine grid and allow the representation of the fine-scale variation of the wavefield on the coarser grid. Time stepping also takes place on the coarse grid, providing further speed gains. Another important property of the method is that the basis functions are only computed once, and time savings are even greater when simulations are repeated for many source locations. We first present validation results for simple test models to demonstrate and quantify potential sources of error. These tests show that the fine-scale solution can be accurately approximated when the coarse grid applies a discretization up to four times larger than the original fine model. We then apply the multiscale algorithm to simulate a complete 2D seismic survey for a model with strong, fine-scale scatterers and apply standard migration algorithms to the resulting synthetic seismograms. The results again show small errors. Comparisons to a model that is upscaled by averaging densities on the fine grid show that the multiscale results are more accurate.
Velocity estimation via registration-guided least-squares inversion
Authors: Baek Hyoungsu , Calandra Henri , Demanet Laurent
Published: February 2014

Least-squares (LS) acoustic-waveform inversion often suffers from a very narrow basin of attraction near the global minimum. To mitigate this problem, we evaluated an iterative inversion scheme in which the notion of proximity of two traces is not the usual LS distance, but instead it involves registration as in image processing. Observed data were matched to predicted waveforms via piecewise-polynomial warpings, obtained by solving a nonconvex optimization problem in a multiscale fashion from low to high frequencies. This multiscale process required defining low-frequency augmented signals to seed the frequency sweep at zero frequency. Custom adjoint sources were then defined from the warped waveforms. The new method, referred to as registration-guided least-squares, was successfully applied to a few scenarios of model velocity estimation in the transmission setting. We determined that the new method can converge to the correct model in situations in which conventional LS inversion suffers from cycle skipping and converges to a spurious model.
High-resolution 3D reflection seismic investigation over a quick-clay landslide scar in southwest Sweden
Authors: Lundberg Emil , Malehmir Alireza , Juhlin Christopher , Bastani Mehrdad , Andersson Magnus
Published: February 2014

Quick-clay landslides often occur in the northern hemisphere in areas that were covered by Pleistocene glaciations. They are particularly common along the shorelines of the Göta River in southwestern Sweden. Characterization of potential landslide areas and identification of features that indicate high risk are necessary to better understand the triggering mechanisms of these events. Therefore, an intensive characterization project was initiated at the Fråstad landslide in Sweden. Part of the characterization program included the acquisition of 3D reflection seismic data to image structures in the normally consolidated sediments, as well as the bedrock topography below the landslide scar. Two seismic horizons within the glacial and postglacial sediments were observed. The shallowest seismic horizon (here, referred to as S1) corresponds to a coarse-grained layer that was previously detected by eight geotechnical boreholes located within the 3D survey area. Discontinuities in S1, mapped by the 3D reflection seismic data, occur across a zone that correlates with the landslide scar boundary, suggesting that this zone may have played a role in triggering and/or in limiting the extension of the landslide. If S1 is truncated by or mixed with clays in this zone, then the outflow of water from the permeable S1 into the clays above may have increased the amount of quick clays above this zone. The increased outflow of water may also have caused a higher pore-water pressure south of the zone, which in turn could have acted as a trigger for the landslide. We evaluated the potential of using the 3D reflection seismic method as a complement to drilling and other geophysical methods when performing landslide site investigations. We also demonstrated the importance of further investigating the relationship between 3D subsurface geometries and landslide development.
Quantitative analysis of neutron-capture gamma-ray energy spectra using direct demodulation
Authors: Wensheng Wu , Wei Niu , Li Luo
Published: February 2014

Because of the effects of background and measurement environment and multiplet effects of different elements, high-precision analysis of mixed capture [Formula: see text]-ray energy spectra of complicated formations remains challenging for geochemical elemental logging. The direct demodulation (DD) method makes full use of the measured data information, enabling physical constraints to be rationally applied to the spectral analysis process, and can yield high-precision elemental content from poor-statistics, low signal-to-noise ratio, and disturbed data. We construct mixed formations of different sandstones and limestones, mixed formations of sandstone and anhydrite, and more complicated mixed formations of multiple lithologies and employ Monte Carlo numerical simulations to obtain the neutron-capture [Formula: see text]-ray energy spectra of these mixed formations. We then employ the DD method and the weighted-least-squares (WLS) method to analyze quantitatively such mixed spectra, respectively, and compare the results with the actual contents of formation elements. The results indicate that the DD method offers higher precision spectral analysis compared with the results of the WLS method. The results for the capture [Formula: see text]-ray energy spectra of the formation for two actual wells also indicate that the DD method can be useful for spectral analysis in actual application.
Tuning the electrical properties of the heart by differential trafficking of KATP ion channel complexes
Authors: Arakel Eric C. , Brandenburg Sören , Uchida Keita , Zhang Haixia , Lin Yu-Wen , Kohl Tobias , Schrul Bianca , Sulkin Matthew S. , Efimov Igor R. , Nichols Colin G. , Lehnart Stephan E. , Schwappach Blanche
Published: February 2014

The copy number of membrane proteins at the cell surface is tightly regulated. Many ion channels and receptors present retrieval motifs to COPI and are retained in the early secretory pathway. In some cases the COPI interaction is prevented by binding of 14-3-3 proteins. However, the functional significance of this COPI/14-3-3 antagonism in terminally differentiated cells is unknown. Here we show that ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels composed of Kir6.2 and SUR1 subunits are stalled in the Golgi complex of ventricular, but not atrial cardiomyocytes. Upon sustained β-adrenergic stimulation, which leads to activation of protein-kinase A (PKA), SUR1-containing channels reach the plasma membrane of ventricular cells. We show that PKA-dependent phosphorylation of the C-terminus of Kir6.2 decreases binding of COPI and thereby silences the Arg-based retrieval signal. Thus, activation of the sympathetic nervous system releases this KATP channel population from storage in the Golgi and hence may facilitate the adaptive response to metabolic challenges.
Requirement for Cdc48/p97 in nuclear protein quality control degradation varies with the substrate and correlates with substrate insolubility
Authors: Gallagher Pamela S. , Clowes Candadai Sarah V. , Gardner Richard G.
Published: February 2014

Cdc48/p97, also known as valosin-containing protein or VCP, is an abundant AAA-ATPase that is essential for many ubiquitin-dependent processes. One well-documented role for Cdc48 is facilitating the delivery of ubiquitinated, misfolded endoplasmic-reticulum proteins to the proteasome for degradation. By contrast, Cdc48's participation in misfolded protein degradation in the nucleus is unknown. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, degradation of misfolded proteins in the nucleus is primarily mediated by the nuclear-localized ubiquitin-protein ligase San1, which ubiquitinates misfolded nuclear proteins for proteasomal degradation. Here, we find that, although Cdc48 is involved in the degradation of some San1 substrates, it is not universally required. The differential Cdc48 requirement correlates with San1 substrate insolubility. The more insoluble the substrate, the more its degradation requires Cdc48. Expression of Cdc48-dependent San1 substrates in mutant cdc48 cells results in increased substrate insolubility, larger inclusion formation, and reduced cell viability. Substrate ubiquitination is increased in mutant cdc48 cells, suggesting that Cdc48 functions downstream of San1. Synthesizing all of the data gathered, we propose that Cdc48 acts, in part, to maintain the solubility or reverse the aggregation of insoluble misfolded proteins prior to their proteasomal degradation.
Fam118B, a novel component in Cajal bodies, is required for Cajal body formation, snRNP biogenesis and cell viability
Authors: Li Yujing , Fong Ka-wing , Tang Mengfan , Han Xin , Gong Zihua , Ma Wenbin , Hebert Michael , Songyang Zhou , Chen Junjie
Published: February 2014

Cajal bodies (CBs) are specialized and dynamic compartments in nucleus that are involved in small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) biogenesis. Because of the dynamic and multifunctional roles of CBs, it is of great interest to identify components in CBs to better understand their functions. We performed a genome-wide screen to identify proteins that co-localize with Coilin, the CB marker protein. In this study, we identified and characterized Fam118B as a novel component of CBs. Fam118B is widely expressed in a variety of cell lines derived from various origins. Overexpression of Fam118B changes the canonical morphology of CBs, whereas depletion of Fam118B disrupts the localization of CB components, including Coilin, the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN) and the Sm protein D1 (SmD1). Moreover, depletion ofFam118B reduces splicing capacity and inhibits cell proliferation. In addition, Fam118B associates with Coilin and SMN proteins. Fam118B depletion reduces symmetric dimethylarginine modification of SmD1, which in turn diminishes SMN binding to this Sm protein. Taken together, these data indicate that Fam118B, by regulating SmD1 symmetric dimethylarginine modification, plays an important role in CB formation, snRNP biogenesis and cell viability.
Established and potential physiological roles of bicarbonate-sensing soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) in aquatic animals
Authors: Tresguerres Martin , Barott Katie L. , Barron Megan E. , Roa Jinae N.
Published: February 2014

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a recently recognized source of the signaling molecule cyclic AMP (cAMP) that is genetically and biochemically distinct from the classic G-protein-regulated transmembrane adenylyl cyclases (tmACs). Mammalian sAC is distributed throughout the cytoplasm and it may be present in the nucleus and inside mitochondria. sAC activity is directly stimulated by HCO3−, and sAC has been confirmed to be a HCO3− sensor in a variety of mammalian cell types. In addition, sAC can functionally associate with carbonic anhydrases to act as a de facto sensor of pH and CO2. The two catalytic domains of sAC are related to HCO3−-regulated adenylyl cyclases from cyanobacteria, suggesting the cAMP pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for sensing CO2 levels and/or acid/base conditions. Reports of sAC in aquatic animals are still limited but are rapidly accumulating. In shark gills, sAC senses blood alkalosis and triggers compensatory H+ absorption. In the intestine of bony fishes, sAC modulates NaCl and water absorption. And in sea urchin sperm, sAC may participate in the initiation of flagellar movement and in the acrosome reaction. Bioinformatics and RT-PCR results reveal that sAC orthologs are present in most animal phyla. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the physiological roles of sAC in aquatic animals and suggests additional functions in which sAC may be involved.
Amphibious hearing in spotted seals (Phoca largha): underwater audiograms, aerial audiograms and critical ratio measurements
Authors: Sills Jillian M. , Southall Brandon L. , Reichmuth Colleen
Published: February 2014

Spotted seals (Phoca largha) inhabit Arctic regions that are facing both rapid climate change and increasing industrialization. While little is known about their sensory capabilities, available knowledge suggests that spotted seals and other ice seals use sound to obtain information from the surrounding environment. To quantitatively assess their auditory capabilities, the hearing of two young spotted seals was tested using a psychophysical paradigm. Absolute detection thresholds for tonal sounds were measured in air and under water over the frequency range of hearing, and critical ratios were determined using octave-band masking noise in both media. The behavioral audiograms show a range of best sensitivity spanning four octaves in air, from approximately 0.6 to 11 kHz. The range of sensitive hearing extends across seven octaves in water, with lowest thresholds between 0.3 and 56 kHz. Critical ratio measurements were similar in air and water and increased monotonically from 12 dB at 0.1 kHz to 30 dB at 25.6 kHz, indicating that the auditory systems of these seals are quite efficient at extracting signals from background noise. This study demonstrates that spotted seals possess sound reception capabilities different from those previously described for ice seals, and more similar to those reported for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). The results are consistent with the amphibious lifestyle of these seals and their apparent reliance on sound. The hearing data reported herein are the first available for spotted seals and can inform best management practices for this vulnerable species in a changing Arctic.
Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Near-infrared-luminescent Ovalbumin-protected Gold Nanoparticles as a Luminescent Glucose Sensor
Authors: Yoshimoto Junya , Tanaka Naoki , Inada Mitsuru , Arakawa Ryuichi , Kawasaki Hideya
Published: February 2014

In this work, highly luminescent ovalbumin-protected Au nanoparticles (OVA–Au NPs) with a quantum yield of 9.3% for emission at 645 nm were demonstrated as a fluorescence probe for sensitive detection of glucose. The fluorescence of the Au NPs originated from the Au(I)–thiol (S) complex on their surfaces, and it was found to be quenched effectively by enzymatically generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The OVA–Au NPs allowed the determination of glucose concentrations in the range varying from 1.0 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−2 M with a detection limit of 1 × 10−5 M.