bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Telerehabilitation-Monitored Functional Electrical Stimulation on Walking and Quality of Life in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series
Authors: Gann Elliot J. , Mañago Mark M. , Allen Diane D. , Celnikier Elie , Block Valerie J.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

Foot drop in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly leads to decreased mobility and quality of life (QOL). Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the peroneal nerve can improve the gait of people with foot drop, yet various barriers restrict widespread use. The purpose of this case series was to examine the feasibility of a telerehabilitation-monitored FES device and report changes in functional mobility and QOL in people with moderate MS-related disability.

METHODS:

FES use was progressed over 8 weeks via 3 telerehabilitation sessions. Feasibility of telerehabilitation was assessed by percentage of telerehabilitation visits completed and participant-reported satisfaction. At baseline and study completion, functional mobility with and without FES were assessed by the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). Fatigue was assessed via the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) before and after the intervention.

RESULTS:

Eleven participants (mean age = 50.4 years [SD 10.8]; 2 males) completed the study. All (33/33) telerehabilitation visits were completed and participants attained high levels of satisfaction with no adverse events. At 8 weeks, compared to baseline, there were clinically meaningful improvements on the T25FW, 2MWT, and TUG for 45%, 55%, and 82% of participants, respectively. Clinically meaningful improvements on the MSIS-29 and MSWS-12 were also recorded for 64% and 36% of participants, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Telerehabilitation was safe and feasible for FES intervention, and improvements in functional mobility and QOL were observed. Telerehabilitation to monitor FES may improve access and reduce patient burden; therefore, studying its efficacy is warranted.
Robust Function-on-Function Regression: A Penalized Tau-based Estimation Approach
Authors: Beyaztaş Ufuk
Published: August 2024

This study introduces a novel penalized estimation method tailored for function-on-function regression models, combining the robustness of the Tau estimator with penalization techniques to enhance resistance to outliers. Function-on-function regression is essential for modeling intricate relationships between functional predictors and response variables across diverse fields. However, traditional methods often struggle with outliers, leading to biased estimates and diminished predictive performance. Our proposed approach addresses this challenge by integrating robust Tau estimation with penalization, promoting both robustness and parsimony in parameter estimation. Theoretical foundations of the penalized Tau estimator within function-on-function regression are discussed, along with empirical validations through simulation studies and an empirical data analysis. By incorporating penalization, our method not only ensures robust estimation of regression parameters but also promotes model simplicity, offering enhanced interpretability and generalization capabilities in functional data analysis.
Os subtibiale displacement secondary to pronation-external rotation ankle injury: A case report
Authors: Aydin Deniz , Kucukciloglu Yasemin
Published: August 2024

Os subtibiale is a rare accessory ossicle of the ankle, considered not of clinical significance. But its presence in trauma patients may cause misdiagnosis as malleolar fracture and over-treatment. Because the ossicle is attached to the deltoid ligament, ankle trauma that cause medial compartment injury may detach os subtibiale from medial malleolus. In these situations, MR imaging may help to diagnose the deltoid injury, demonstrate the features of the ossicle, and guide treatment.
Direct and Indirect Salt Effects on Homotypic Phase Separation
Authors: MacAinsh Matthew , Dey Souvik , Zhou Huan-Xiang
Published: August 2024

The low-complexity domain of hnRNPA1 (A1-LCD) phase separates in a salt-dependent manner. Unlike many intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) whose phase separation is suppressed by increasing salt concentrations, the phase separation of A1-LCD is promoted by > 100 mM NaCl. To investigate the atypical salt effect on A1-LCD phase separation, we carried out all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of systems comprising multiple A1-LCD chains at NaCl concentrations from 50 to 1000 mM NaCl. The ions occupy first-shell as well as more distant sites around the IDP chains, with Arg sidechains and backbone carbonyls the favored partners of Cl
-
and Na
+
, respectively. They play two direct roles in driving A1-LCD condensation. The first is to neutralize the high net charge of the protein (+9) by an excess of bound Cl
-
over Na
+
; the second is to bridge between A1-LCD chains, thereby fortifying the intermolecular interaction networks in the dense phase. At high concentrations, NaCl also indirectly strengthens π-π, cation-π, and amino-π interactions, by drawing water away from the interaction partners. Therefore, at low salt, A1-LCD is prevented from phase separation by net charge repulsion; at intermediate concentrations, NaCl neutralizes enough of the net charge while also bridging IDP chains to drive phase separation. This drive becomes even stronger at high salt due to strengthened π-type interactions. Based on this understanding, four classes of salt dependence of IDP phase separation can be predicted from amino-acid composition.
GnRH pulse generator activity in mouse models of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Zhou Ziyue , Han Su Young , Pardo-Navarro Maria , Wall Ellen G , Desai Reena , Vas Szilvia , Handelsman David J , Herbison Allan E
Published: August 2024

One in ten women in their reproductive age suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that, alongside subfertility and hyperandrogenism, typically presents with increased luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility. As such, it is suspected that the arcuate kisspeptin (ARNKISS) neurons that represent the GnRH pulse generator are dysfunctional in PCOS. We used here in vivo GCaMP fiber photometry and other approaches to examine the behavior of the GnRH pulse generator in two mouse models of PCOS. We began with the peripubertal androgen (PPA) mouse model of PCOS but found that it had a reduction in the frequency of ARNKISS neuron synchronization events (SEs) that drive LH pulses. Examining the prenatal androgen (PNA) model of PCOS, we observed highly variable patterns of pulse generator activity with no significant differences detected in ARNKISS neuron SEs, pulsatile LH secretion, or serum testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. However, a machine learning approach identified that the ARNKISS neurons of acyclic PNA mice continued to exhibit cyclical patterns of activity similar to that of normal mice. The frequency of ARNKISS neuron SEs was significantly increased in algorithm-identified ‘diestrous stage’ PNA mice compared to controls. In addition, ARNKISS neurons exhibited reduced feedback suppression to progesterone in PNA mice and their gonadotrophs were also less sensitive to GnRH. These observations demonstrate the importance of understanding GnRH pulse generator activity in mouse models of PCOS. The existence of cyclical GnRH pulse generator activity in the acyclic PNA mouse indicates the presence of a complex phenotype with deficits at multiple levels of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Acquisition of auditory discrimination mediated by different processes through two distinct circuits linked to the lateral striatum
Authors: Setogawa Susumu , Okauchi Takashi , Hu Di , Wada Yasuhiro , Hikishima Keigo , Onoe Hirotaka , Nishizawa Kayo , Sakayori Nobuyuki , Miyawaki Hiroyuki , Kitanishi Takuma , Mizuseki Kenji , Cui Yilong , Kobayashi Kazuto
Published: August 2024

The striatum, the central hub of cortico-basal ganglia loops, contains functionally heterogeneous subregions distinguished by the topographic patterns of structural connectivity. These subregions mediate various processes of procedural learning. However, it remains unclear when and how striatal subregions engage in the acquisition of sensory stimulus-based decision-making. A neuroimaging of regional brain activity shows that the anterior dorsolateral striatum (aDLS) and posterior ventrolateral striatum (pVLS) are activated in a different temporal pattern during the acquisition phase of auditory discrimination. Chronic and transient pharmacologic manipulations show that the aDLS promotes the behavioral strategy driven by the stimulus-response association while suppressing that by the response-outcome association, and that the pVLS contributes to forming and maintaining the stimulus-response strategy. Electrophysiological recording indicates that subpopulations of aDLS neurons predominantly represent the outcome of specific behaviors at the initial period of discrimination learning, and that pVLS subpopulations encode the beginning and ending of each behavior according to the progress of learning. In addition, other subpopulations of striatal neurons indicate sustained activation after obtaining reward with distinct patterns reflecting the stimulus-response associations. Our findings demonstrate that aDLS and pVLS neurons integrate the new learning of auditory discrimination in spatiotemporally and functionally different manners.
Maternal obesity may disrupt offspring metabolism by inducing oocyte genome hyper-methylation via increased DNMTs
Authors: Chao Shuo , Lu Jun , Li Li-Jun , Guo Hong-Yan , Xu Kui-Peng , Wang Ning , Zhao Shu-Xian , Jin Xiao-Wen , Wang Shao-Ge , Yin Shen , Shen Wei , Zhao Ming-Hui , Huang Gui-An , Sun Qing-Yuan , Ge Zhao-Jia
Published: August 2024

Maternal obesity has deleterious effects on oocyte genome methylation establishment, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we first find that maternal obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) disturbs genomic methylation in oocytes, and at least a part of the altered methylation is transmitted to F2 oocytes and livers via females. We further identified that altered metabolites such as methionine and melatonin may play a key role in the re-methylation establishment in oocytes of obese mice. Exogenous melatonin treatment significantly reduces the hyper-methylation of HFD oocytes. The higher expression of DNMT3a and DNMT1 in HFD oocytes is also decreased by melatonin supplement, which may be mediated by cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. These results suggest that maternal obesity-induced genomic methylation alterations in oocytes, can be partly transmitted to F2 in females, and that melatonin is involved in regulating the hyper-methylation of HFD oocytes via increasing the expression of DNMTs mediated by cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.
Decoding the physics of observed actions in the human brain
Authors: Wurm Moritz F , Erigüç Doruk Yiğit
Published: August 2024

Recognizing goal-directed actions is a computationally challenging task, requiring not only the visual analysis of body movements, but also analysis of how these movements causally impact, and thereby induce a change in, those objects targeted by an action. We tested the hypothesis that the analysis of body movements and the effects they induce relies on distinct neural representations in superior and anterior inferior parietal lobe (SPL and aIPL). In four fMRI sessions, participants observed videos of actions (e.g. breaking stick, squashing plastic bottle) along with corresponding point-light-display (PLD) stick figures, pantomimes, and abstract animations of agent–object interactions (e.g. dividing or compressing a circle). Cross-decoding between actions and animations revealed that aIPL encodes abstract representations of action effect structures independent of motion and object identity. By contrast, cross-decoding between actions and PLDs revealed that SPL is disproportionally tuned to body movements independent of visible interactions with objects. Lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) was sensitive to both action effects and body movements. These results demonstrate that parietal cortex and LOTC are tuned to physical action features, such as how body parts move in space relative to each other and how body parts interact with objects to induce a change (e.g. in position or shape/configuration). The high level of abstraction revealed by cross-decoding suggests a general neural code supporting mechanical reasoning about how entities interact with, and have effects on, each other.
Research and progress on the mechanism of lower urinary tract neuromodulation: a literature review
Authors: Pang Shutong , Yan Junan
Published: August 2024

The storage and periodic voiding of urine in the lower urinary tract are regulated by a complex neural control system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral autonomic ganglia. Investigating the neuromodulation mechanisms of the lower urinary tract helps to deepen our understanding of urine storage and voiding processes, reveal the mechanisms underlying lower urinary tract dysfunction, and provide new strategies and insights for the treatment and management of related diseases. However, the current understanding of the neuromodulation mechanisms of the lower urinary tract is still limited, and further research methods are needed to elucidate its mechanisms and potential pathological mechanisms. This article provides an overview of the research progress in the functional study of the lower urinary tract system, as well as the key neural regulatory mechanisms during the micturition process. In addition, the commonly used research methods for studying the regulatory mechanisms of the lower urinary tract and the methods for evaluating lower urinary tract function in rodents are discussed. Finally, the latest advances and prospects of artificial intelligence in the research of neuromodulation mechanisms of the lower urinary tract are discussed. This includes the potential roles of machine learning in the diagnosis of lower urinary tract diseases and intelligent-assisted surgical systems, as well as the application of data mining and pattern recognition techniques in advancing lower urinary tract research. Our aim is to provide researchers with novel strategies and insights for the treatment and management of lower urinary tract dysfunction by conducting in-depth research and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in the neural regulation mechanisms of the lower urinary tract.
Effects of semaglutide on gut microbiota, cognitive function and inflammation in obese mice
Authors: Feng Jing , Teng Zhenjie , Yang Yu , Liu Jingzhen , Chen Shuchun
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effects of semaglutide on gut microbiota, cognitive function, and inflammation in obese mice.

Method

Twenty-four C57BL/6J male mice were randomly assigned to three groups: a normal-chow diet group (NCD, n = 8), high-fat diet group (HFD, n = 8), and HFD+semaglutide group (Sema, n = 8). The mice were fed a HFD to establish an animal model of obesity and then administered with semaglutide or saline for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to explore gut microbiota characteristics in obese mice.

Result

Obese mice showed significant cognitive impairment and inflammation. Semaglutide improved cognitive function and attenuated inflammation induced by a HFD diet. The abundance of gut microbiota was significantly changed in the HFD group, including decreased Akkermansia, Muribaculaceae, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG_002, Clostridia_UCG_014 and increased Romboutsia, Dubosiella, Enterorhabdus. Whereas semaglutide could dramatically reverse the relative abundance of these gut microbiota. Correlation analysis suggested that cognitive function was positively correlated with Muribaculaceae and Clostridia_UCG_014, and negatively associated with Romboutsia and Dubosiella. Romboutsia was positively correlated with TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β. While Clostridia_UCG_014 was negatively related to TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β.

Conclusions

For the first time semaglutide displayed different regulatory effects on HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Semaglutide could regulate the structure and composition of gut microbiota associated with cognitive function and inflammation. Thus, affecting gut microbiota might be a potential mechanism of semaglutide in attenuating cognitive function and inflammation.
Performance of Zero Tillage Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under Different Irrigation Schedules and Nutrient Levels in Northern Telangana Zone (NTZ)
Authors: Ramya P. , Rajanikanth E. , Sreelatha D. , Ravi P.
Published: August 2024

An experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Polasa, Jagtial in Northern Telangana Zone during rabi (winter season), 2023-2024 where the performance of zero tillage safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was tested under different irrigation schedules and nutrient levels. The experiment was executed using a factorial randomized block design with 15 treatment combinations, with three replications. The treatments consisted of two factors i.e., factor-1 included irrigation schedules-; I1: Irrigation at rosette and flower initiation stages, I2: Irrigation at rosette and seed development stages, I3: Irrigation at branching and flower initiation stages, I4: Irrigation at branching and seed development stages and I5: No irrigation (residual moisture) and factor-2 included nutrient levels, S1: 75% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), S2: 100% RDF and S3: 125% RDF. The results revealed that irrigation at branching and seed development stages(I4) reported significantly highest seed (1199 kg ha-1), stalk yield (4724 kg ha-1) and yield attributing traits viz.; number of heads plant-1(22.5), number of seeds head-1(23.4), seed weight plant-1(19.8 g), 100-seed weight (7 g), whereas the lowest yield were observed with no irrigation (residual moisture) (I5) treatment. Among different nutrient levels, application of 125% RDF (S3) resulted in the highest seed (1105 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (4429 kg ha-1) and yield attributing traits viz.; number of heads plant-1(21.4), number of seeds head-1(22.6), seed weight plant-1(19.5 g), 100-seed weight (6.7 g) over 75% RDF (S1). Among different treatments, irrigation at the branching and seed development stages combined with the application of 125% RDF gave the best results.
An Unusual Case of CNS Tuberculoma in a 19-Year-Old Man
Authors: Efe Ubogun Ogheakpobor , Dutta Olivia , Garg Pawan , Zafar Shumaila
Published: August 2024

Background:  Tuberculosis (TB) is ranked as one of the top 10 causes of death. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB) infection, the causative organism for TB affects approximately a quarter of the global population placing a burden on the healthcare system. Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS TB) is seen in 5 to 10% of extrapulmonary TB cases and has the highest mortality. CNS tuberculoma is one of its manifestation. Clinical presentation of CNS tuberculoma depends on its location within the CNS and commonly include headache, seizures, and focal neurological deficits, due to the presence of a space occupying lesion, although patients can be asymptomatic. We report the case of a 19yr old man who had an unusual presentation of CNS tuberculoma, highlighting its clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.
Case Presentation: Index patient is a 19-year-old male college student who resides in a city. He presented with 15 days history of fever, headache, vomiting, vertigo, ataxia, and inability to concentrate. He received antimalarial, anti typhoid and body booster medications but had no improvement and had a history of weight loss despite no dietary change. He had never been diagnosed with TB and had all his childhood vaccinations given.  Plain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan done revealed a posterior fossa mass lesion with perilesional edema. Futher, a contrast MRI brain scan showed multiple ring-enhancing conglomerates of lesion around the tentorium on the posterior fossa with intense contrast enhancement. The largest of this mass measured 4.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm in the right superior cerebellum compressing the 4th ventricle and with effacement of the cerebellopontine angle. Lastly, an MRI spectrometry revealed elevated lipid lactate peak. His chest x-ray was unremarkable. Other blood parameters were essentially within range with the exception of Erythrocyte ESR and mantoux test. He received antitubercular drug (Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Levoflox and Streptomycin) for 18th months with complete remission.
Conclusion: CNS tuberculomas are tuberculous masses that can be located anywhere from the brain to spinal cord. Advanced diagnostic modalities may guide clinicians towards making it's diagnosis. Treatment maybe medical (use of antitubercular drugs) or surgical excision with medical therapy being first choice. While the index patient had no obvious risk factors for his disease, his BCG vaccination pose a possible source of his exposure to TB infection. More research is needed on this however.
Effect of Pre-harvest Nutrient Application and Bagging with Different Colours of Polythene on Quality of Rainy Season Guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) cv. Allahabad Safeda
Authors: Vishen Gaurav Singh , Mishra Saket , Mishra Sudhir Kumar , Pandey Shiwanand
Published: August 2024

An investigation was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment consisted of sixteen treatments viz T0- Control, T1- Ca(NO3)2 (2%), T2- K2SO4 (2%), T3- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%), T4- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + Bagging (Red colour polythene), T5- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + Bagging (Green colour polythene). T6- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + Bagging (Yellow colour polythene), T7- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + Bagging (Silver colour polythene), T8- K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Red colour polythene), T9- K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Green colour polythene), T10- K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Yellow colour polythene), T11- K2SO4 2% + Bagging (Silver colour polythene), T12- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Red colour polythene), T13- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Green colour polythene), T14- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Yellow colour polythene), T15- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Silver colour polythene) which were arranged in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The foliar application of nutrients was done twice at ten days interval. The foliar application of nutrients was done twice at ten days interval days before Fifty-five days harvesting whereas Bagging of fruits was employed approximately at 30 days before harvesting of fruits using red, yellow, silver and green colours polythene bags. Analysis of the data indicated that treatment T14- Ca(NO3)2 (2%) + K2SO4 (2%) + Bagging (Yellow colour polythene) reported to be best for parameters namely Average fruit weight (163.88), Fruit width (cm) (8.37), Fruit length (cm) (6.17),Volume of fruits (cm3) (172.03) Yield/plant (kg) (5.49), Insect damage fruits (%) (0.68), Organoleptic quality (9.78).
Sensitivity of the Mosquito Culex pipiens Diptera: Culicidae towards Temephos in Southern Central Morocco
Authors: Guamri Y. El , Larhbali Y. , Harrak R. , Hilali S. , Melloul A. Ait , Talbi F.Z. , Ouizat S. , Belghyti D. , Darif H.
Published: August 2024

Mosquito species are responsible for the transmission of many parasitic diseases and their control leads to the phenomenon of resistance to insecticides including temephos, mostly used by hygienic services. This article reports the results of studies conducted using WHO sensitivity tests on larvae local populations of Culex pipiens collected in three lodging in the city of Marrakesh (Southern-Central, Morocco), towards temephos. Five concentrations of insecticide in addition to a control, were used to determine the DC50 and DC 90 of Culex pipiens species towards temephos. Sensitivity tests were carried out at the entomology unit and monitoring of insect sensitivity towards insecticides installed at the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory Epidemiological and Environmental Hygiene (LRDEHM), Marrakesh, under the Regional Directorate of Health of Marrakesh-Safi. The bioassay results affirmed the presence of resistance in Culex pipiens larvae towards temephos. This species has also developed similar and comparable resistance levels in the three lodgings studied, with resistance rates recorded varying between 15.2 and 128.5. This study results can be used as database for the control of mosquito resistance to insecticides at local and national level.
Vacuum Technology
Authors: Day Christian
Published: November 2014

The article contains sections titled:1.Introduction2.Fundamental Aspects of Vacuum Science and Technology2.1.Basic Principles and Terminology2.1.1.Pressure Regimes2.1.2.Equation of State of Gases2.1.3.Kinetic Theory2.1.4.Flow Regimes and Knudsen Number2.1.5.Vacuum Pump Characteristics2.1.6.Conductance2.1.7.Pump‐Out Equation2.2.Vacuum Gas Dynamics2.2.1.Numerical Simulation Approaches2.2.2.Pipe Flows3.Vacuum Pumps3.1.Positive Displacement Vacuum Pumps3.1.1.Reciprocating Positive Displacement Pumps3.1.2.Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps3.1.2.1.Single Shaft Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps3.1.2.2.Twin Shaft Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps3.2.Kinetic Vacuum Pumps3.2.1.Working Fluid Jet Pumps3.2.2.Turbomolecular Pumps3.2.3.Vapor Diffusion Pumps3.3.Entrapment Vacuum Pumps3.3.1.Sputter Ion Pumps3.3.2.Getter Pumps3.3.3.Cryopumps4.Vacuum Diagnostics4.1.Total Pressure Measurement4.1.1.Mechanical Vacuum Instruments4.1.2.Transport Coefficient Instruments4.1.3.Ionization Vacuum Gauges4.2.Partial Pressure Measurement4.3.Leaks5.Vacuum System Components5.1.Piping Components5.2.Valves6.Vacuum Applications and Examples6.1.Aspects of Vacuum System Design6.2.Examples of Vacuum Systems6.2.1.Steel Degassing6.2.2.Thin Film Deposition6.2.3.Vacuum Systems of Fusion Devices6.2.4.Ultrahigh Vacuum Systems of Accelerator Storage Rings
Climate field reconstruction uncertainty arising from multivariate and nonlinear properties of predictors
Authors: Evans M. N. , Smerdon J. E. , Kaplan A. , Tolwinski‐Ward S. E. , González‐Rouco J. F.
Published: November 2014

Climate field reconstructions (CFRs) of the global annual surface air temperature (SAT) field and associated global area‐weighted mean annual temperature (GMAT) are derived in a collection of pseudoproxy experiments for the past millennium. Pseudoproxies are modeled from temperature (T), precipitation (P), T+P, and VS‐Lite (VSL), a nonlinear and multivariate proxy system model for tree ring widths. Spatial patterns of reconstruction skill and spectral bias for the T+P and VSL‐derived CFRs are similar to those previously shown using temperature‐only pseudoproxies but demonstrate overall degraded skill and spectral bias for SAT reconstruction. Analysis of GMAT spectra nevertheless suggests that the true GMAT frequency spectrum is resolved by those pseudoproxies (T, T+P, and VSL) that contain some temperature information. The results suggest that mixed temperature and moisture‐responding paleoclimate data may produce actual GMAT reconstructions with skill, error, and spectral characteristics like those expected from univariate and linear temperature responders, but spatially resolved CFR results should be analyzed cautiously.
Potential sea ice predictability and the role of stochastic sea ice strength perturbations
Authors: Juricke Stephan , Goessling Helge F. , Jung Thomas
Published: November 2014

Ensemble experiments with a climate model are carried out in order to explore how incorporating a stochastic ice strength parameterization to account for model uncertainty affects estimates of potential sea ice predictability on time scales from days to seasons. The impact of this new parameterization depends strongly on the spatial scale, lead time and the hemisphere being considered: Whereas the representation of model uncertainty increases the ensemble spread of Arctic sea ice thickness predictions generated by atmospheric initial perturbations up to about 4 weeks into the forecast, rather small changes are found for longer lead times as well as integrated quantities such as total sea ice area. The regions where initial condition uncertainty generates spread in sea ice thickness on subseasonal time scales (primarily along the ice edge) differ from that of the stochastic sea ice strength parameterization (along the coast lines and in the interior of the Arctic). For the Antarctic the influence of the stochastic sea ice strength parameterization is much weaker due to the predominance of thinner first year ice. These results suggest that sea ice data assimilation and prediction on subseasonal time scales could benefit from taking model uncertainty into account, especially in the Arctic.
Inter‐annual and decadal fluctuations of the Kuroshio in East China Sea and connection with surface fluxes of momentum and heat
Authors: Wang Jia , Oey Lie‐Yauw
Published: November 2014

Despite attempts in the literature to link large‐scale wind to long‐term variations of the Kuroshio in East China Sea (ECS), the driving mechanism(s) are unknown. Here we use satellite altimetry data, wind, surface heat fluxes and sea‐surface temperatures (SST) to explain the low‐frequency fluctuations of Kuroshio path (KP) in ECS. The dominant fluctuations occur northeast of Taiwan. The KP correlates best with the PTO index of Chang and Oey (2012), less with the PDO index and a Kuroshio transport index, and poorly with other climate indices. The forcing are wind stress curl and surface heat flux northeast of Taiwan, which produce a thermocline tilt along the Kuroshio. Shelf's SST warms and cools in response to onshore and offshore KP, but prominent change occurs at a localized coastal zone shoreward of the above dominant KP‐fluctuations. Over the past 2 decades, the KP has shifted onshore, coincident with a coastal warming trend.
Kilometer‐scale topographic roughness of Mercury: Correlation with geologic features and units
Authors: Kreslavsky Mikhail A. , Head James W. , Neumann Gregory A. , Zuber Maria T. , Smith David E.
Published: November 2014

We present maps of the topographic roughness of the northern circumpolar area of Mercury at kilometer scales. The maps are derived from range profiles obtained by the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) instrument onboard the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, Geochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission. As measures of roughness, we used the interquartile range of profile curvature at three baselines: 0.7 km, 2.8 km, and 11 km. The maps provide a synoptic overview of variations of typical topographic textures. They show a dichotomy between the smooth northern plains and rougher, more heavily cratered terrains. Analysis of the scale dependence of roughness indicates that the regolith on Mercury is thicker than on the Moon by approximately a factor of three. Roughness contrasts within northern volcanic plains of Mercury indicate a younger unit inside Goethe basin and inside another unnamed stealth basin. These new data permit interplanetary comparisons of topographic roughness.
Re‐Evaluating the Sustainability of Energy Systems: The Nexus of Energy, Water, and Land‐Use
Authors: Stigson Peter , Roth Susanna , Karlsson Anja
Published: November 2014

Scenarios for global developments typically point to a sharp increase in demand for energy as well as for water and land. These developments have a starting point where global ecosystems are already being exploited unsustainably. This has implications for energy systems, which can be designed as more or less water and land‐use intensive. However, evaluating the sustainability of energy systems commonly do not take water and land‐use systems into account. This presents a problem as these three systems—energy, water, land—are intrinsically linked, which provides both barriers and opportunities for these systems' individual as well as collective sustainability. More comprehensive evaluations of energy systems that acknowledge the system interlinkages are therefore needed. This has become known as applying anexus approach. The idea behind the nexus approach is to increase system synergies and resilience through jointly analyzing ecosystem capacities, drivers for resource use, development objectives, capacities to manage linked systems, and the need for new knowledge. This provides a comprehensive perspective on the restrictions and freedom we have in governing, designing, and using the social, technical, and ecological systems. The article thus presents a nexus approach and provides an understanding of challenges for the sustainability of energy systems from a broad system perspective.
Reversible Control of Radius and Morphology of Fluorene‐Azobenzene Copolymer Nanowires by Light Exposure
Authors: Cheng Hoi Lok , Tang Michael T. , Tuchinda Wasin , Enomoto Kazuyuki , Chiba Atsuya , Saito Yuichi , Kamiya Tomihiro , Sugimoto Masaki , Saeki Akinori , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Omichi Masaaki , Sakamaki Daisuke , Seki Shu
Published: November 2014

The preparation of photoresponsive polymer nanowires comprising photochromic azobenzene (Azo) and π‐conjugated fluorene (FO) units is reported. Well‐defined and uniform nanowires of the copolymer (PFOAzo) were successfully fabricated by the single particle nanofabrication technique after optimizing the FO:Azo ratio and the development conditions. Azo units in the PFOAzo nanowires underwent reversible trans–cis–trans isomerization upon exposure to ultraviolet or visible light, leading to changes in the radius (between ca. 6 and 8 nm) and morphology (straight or wavy) of the nanowires. The oligo(alkylfluorene) units in the backbone are found to profit the crosslinking efficiency upon high‐energy ion beam irradiation, and more importantly, provide sufficient flexibility to allow reversible photoswitching. This demonstration of the photoluminescence, semiconducting, and mechanical properties of the PFOAzo nanowires is an important advance in the evolution of electro‐mechanical nanomaterials.
A novel approach to determine wet restitution coefficients through a unified correlation and energy analysis
Authors: Sutkar Vinayak S. , Deen Niels G. , Padding Johan T. , Kuipers J.A.M. , Salikov Vitalij , Crüger Britta , Antonyuk Sergiy , Heinrich Stefan
Published: November 2014

Wet particle interactions are observed in many applications, for example, pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, polymerization, agglomeration, and coating, in which an accurate evaluation of the wet restitution coefficient (ewet) is crucial to understand the particle flowability, operating conditions and product size distribution. Experiments were performed to measure the wet restitution coefficient by impacting a spherical particle on a stationary plate covered with a thin liquid layer of water or glycerol solution in this work. Furthermore, novel approaches for estimation of ewet were developed using dimensional analysis (using the Buckingham π theorem and regression analysis) in combination with energy budget analysis. In the correlation development, the dominant physical properties of solid and liquid, particle impact velocity and liquid layer thickness are grouped into well‐known dimensionless numbers viz. Reynolds, Weber and Stokes. Whereas in the energy analysis, the energy dissipation rates were determined for five distinct collision phases, that is, dipping, dry collision, undipping, formation and breakage of the liquid bridge, and added mass. The efficacy of the developed approaches was analyzed by comparing obtained results with experiments and an elastohydrodynamic model, and a modified elastohydrodynamic model. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 769–779, 2015
Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Allenyl Aldehydes with Alkynes and Related Cyclization
Authors: Oonishi Yoshihiro , Saito Akira , Sato Yoshihiro
Published: November 2014

Rhodium(I)‐catalyzed cyclization of allenyl aldehydes with various alkynes was investigated. The cyclizations of internal alkynes that have both an electron‐rich aromatic ring and an electron‐withdrawing group at the terminus afforded [2+2+2] cycloaddition products in good yields with good to high regio‐ and enantioselectivity, while the reactions of terminal alkynes gave dienyl ketones instead of [2+2+2] cycloaddition products in good yields. These results indicate that the nature of the alkynes greatly influences the reaction course.
Center of mass mechanics of chimpanzee bipedal walking
Authors: Demes Brigitte , Thompson Nathan E. , O'Neill Matthew C. , Umberger Brian R.
Published: November 2014

Center of mass (CoM) oscillations were documented for 81 bipedal walking strides of three chimpanzees. Full‐stride ground reaction forces were recorded as well as kinematic data to synchronize force to gait events and to determine speed. Despite being a bent‐hip, bent‐knee (BHBK) gait, chimpanzee walking uses pendulum‐like motion with vertical oscillations of the CoM that are similar in pattern and relative magnitude to those of humans. Maximum height is achieved during single support and minimum height during double support. The mediolateral oscillations of the CoM are more pronounced relative to stature than in human walking when compared at the same Froude speed. Despite the pendular nature of chimpanzee bipedalism, energy recoveries from exchanges of kinetic and potential energies are low on average and highly variable. This variability is probably related to the poor phasic coordination of energy fluctuations in these facultatively bipedal animals. The work on the CoM per unit mass and distance (mechanical cost of transport) is higher than that in humans, but lower than that in bipedally walking monkeys and gibbons. The pronounced side sway is not passive, but constitutes 10% of the total work of lifting and accelerating the CoM. CoM oscillations of bipedally walking chimpanzees are distinctly different from those of BHBK gait of humans with a flat trajectory, but this is often described as “chimpanzee‐like” walking. Human BHBK gait is a poor model for chimpanzee bipedal walking and offers limited insights for reconstructing early hominin gait evolution. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:422–433, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemical‐vapor‐sensitive materials based on a multiwalled carbon nanotube/hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose/cellulose composite
Authors: Liu Kaihua , He Beihai , Qian Liying , Li Junrong
Published: November 2014

A type of chemical vapor‐sensing material made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes/hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose/cellulose composite films were prepared in the room‐temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIm]Cl). A typical negative vapor coefficient was observed when the film was placed in polar organic solvents, such as methanol and ethanol. The sensitivity of the film to vapors increased significantly with increasing temperature. Interestingly, the resistance of the films increased almost linearly with decreasing vacuum, and the changes in resistance with the vacuum show good repeatability. The surface morphology, thermostability, and stress–strain properties of the composite films were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and an electrical universal testing machine, respectively. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41639.
A solvothermal method to synthesize fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and application to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis
Authors: Hongren Li , Feng Li , Aimin Deng
Published: November 2014

A novel solvothermal approach to synthesize fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) was developed using glucose and ammonium oxalate as the carbon source, and glycol as the solvent. The solution of as‐prepared CNPs emitted blue‐green fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light at 365 nm, and the carbon nanoparticle formation was investigated through XRD, TEM, DLS, FT‐IR, UV, PL, XPS. The particle was well dispersed with an average diameter of about 10–30 nm. In contrast with previous methods, in this synthesis process neither strong acid treatment nor further surface modification was necessary. The solution of as‐prepared CNPs were applied to photocatalytic degradation of mountain green in the present H2O2, and the decolorization rate was over 97% when the reaction time was more than 7 h under visible light. The as‐prepared CNPs were also applied to electrocatalysis and showed excellent electrocatalytic activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological parameters influencing the human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells' response to retinoic acid
Authors: Saraee Farnoosh , Sagha Mohsen , Mohseni Kouchesfehani Homa , Abdanipour Alireza , Maleki Masoud , Nikougoftar Mahin
Published: November 2014

Human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) are multipotent fetal stem cells that differentiate into various cell lineages. In recent years, they have gained attention for therapeutic applications but very little is known about their sensitivity to chemical agents such as widely used retinoic acid (RA). As a morphogen inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, RA has for a long time been known to be a potent teratogen promoting craniofacial and limb abnormality in vertebrate embryos. Here, using MTT assay and EB/AO staining as well as TUNEL assay we show that RA in a concentration‐dependent manner induces apoptosis through upregulating Caspase expression and increasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Moreover, different biological parameters such as initial time seeding, cell density, passage number and duration of RA treatment play a major role in HUCMSCs cytotoxic response to this agent. © 2014 BioFactors, 40(6):624–635, 2014
Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived products: Advances towards robust, scalable and cost‐effective manufacturing strategies
Authors: Jenkins Michael J. , Farid Suzanne S.
Published: November 2014

The ability to develop cost‐effective, scalable and robust bioprocesses for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) will be key to their commercial success as cell therapies and tools for use in drug screening and disease modelling studies. This review outlines key process economic drivers for hPSCs and progress made on improving the economic and operational feasibility of hPSC bioprocesses. Factors influencing key cost metrics, namely capital investment and cost of goods, for hPSCs are discussed. Step efficiencies particularly for differentiation, media requirements and technology choice are amongst the key process economic drivers identified for hPSCs. Progress made to address these cost drivers in hPSC bioprocessing strategies is discussed. These include improving expansion and differentiation yields in planar and bioreactor technologies, the development of xeno‐free media and microcarrier coatings, identification of optimal bioprocess operating conditions to control cell fate and the development of directed differentiation protocols that reduce reliance on expensive morphogens such as growth factors and small molecules. These approaches offer methods to further optimise hPSC bioprocessing in terms of its commercial feasibility.
The molecular interaction of a protein in highly concentrated solution investigated by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ota Chikashi , Noguchi Shintaro , Tsumoto Kouhei
Published: November 2014

We used Raman spectroscopy to investigate the structure and interactions of lysozyme molecules in solution over a wide range of concentrations (2.5–300 mg ml−1). No changes in the amide‐I band were observed as the concentration was increased, but the width of the Trp band at 1555 cm−1 and the ratios of the intensities of the Tyr bands at 856 and 837 cm−1, the Trp bands at 870 and 877 cm−1, and the bands at 2940 (CH stretching) and 3420 cm−1 (OH stretching) changed as the concentration was changed. These results reveal that although the distance between lysozyme molecules changed by more than an order of magnitude over the tested concentration range, the secondary structure of the protein did not change. The changes in the molecular interactions occurred in a stepwise process as the order of magnitude of the distance between molecules changed. These results suggest that Raman bands can be used as markers to investigate the behavior of high‐concentration solutions of proteins and that the use of Raman spectroscopy will lead to progress in our understanding not only of the basic science of protein behavior under concentrated (i.e., crowded) conditions but also of practical processes involving proteins, such as in the field of biopharmaceuticals. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 237–246, 2015.
Was student dismissed due to having ADD?
Authors: Tee Virginia
Published: November 2014

A student with attention deficit disorder enrolled in the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston's physician assistant program. At the time of her enrollment, she took medication to control the ADD.
Single‐ and multiple‐dose study to evaluate pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers: A comparison of extended‐release oxycodone with sequestered naltrexone 40 mg twice daily to oxycontin 40 mg twice daily and extended‐release oxycodone with sequestered naltrexone 80 mg once daily
Authors: Gandelman Kuan , Lamson Michael , Bramson Candace , Matschke Kyle , Salageanu Joanne , Malhotra Bimal
Published: November 2014

ALO‐02 capsules (ALO‐02) contain pellets that consist of extended‐release oxycodone that surrounds sequestered naltrexone. The primary objective was to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oxycodone following single‐ and multiple‐dose oral administration of ALO‐02 40 mg BID in healthy volunteers. Secondary objectives were to characterize (1) the PK of oxycodone following single‐ and multiple‐dose administration of a comparator OxyContin (OXY‐ER) 40 mg BID as well as an alternate regimen of ALO‐02 80 mg QD, and (2) the safety and tolerability assessments. Healthy volunteers received three treatments on a background of oral naltrexone (50 mg). Noncompartmental PK parameters were calculated for oxycodone. All 12 subjects were male with a mean age (SD, range) of 44.6 years (7.6, 25–55). Single‐dose PK results for ALO‐02 indicate that median peak plasma oxycodone concentrations were reached by 12 hours compared to 4 hours for OXY‐ER. Compared to OXY‐ER, mean dose‐normalized, single‐dose Cmax values were approximately 27% and 23% lower for ALO‐02 40 mg BID and ALO‐02 80 mg QD treatments, respectively. Following multiple doses all treatments reached steady state by 3 days. At steady state, oxycodone peak‐to‐trough fluctuation was significantly lower for ALO‐02 BID versus OXY‐ER. Adverse events were consistent with opioid therapy. ALO‐02 40 mg BID treatment provided a PK profile appropriate for around‐the‐clock treatment of chronic pain.