bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second hyperpolarizability of multimetallocenes [Cp–Mn–Cp] of Be, Mg and Ca
Authors: Hatua Kaushik , Nandi Prasanta K.
Published: December 2014

Multimetallocene complexes ( Cp – M n– Cp ) of Be , Mg and Ca have been considered for the theoretical study of static second hyperpolarizability using a number of DFT functionals. Owing to the cooperative effect in bonding, beryllium forms multiberyllocene complexes ( Cp – Be n– Cp ) which have sufficient thermal stability with respect to dissociation into neutral fragments up to n = 10. On the other hand, multimetallocene complexes of Mg and Ca are found to be stable for n ≤ 5 which may be due to the weaker covalent bonding interaction between the larger metal atoms. The rather small variation of linear and cubic polarizabilities of Cp – Be n– Cp complexes beyond n = 5 arises from the rather weaker charge transfer transitions. The difference in NLO property among the investigated metal complexes arises from the extent of charge transfer from the terminal metal atoms and the distance between them. The charge transfer at longer distances in the ground state of Mg and Ca complexes leads to more intense electronic transition — the spectroscopic parameters of which strongly favors the enhancement of second hyperpolarizability.
Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of meso-thiocarboxylate-substituted porphyrin derivatives
Authors: Lourenço Leandro M.O. , Resende João , Iglesias Bernardo A. , Castro Kelly , Nakagaki Shirley , Lima Mário J. , da Cunha António F. , Neves Maria G.P.M.S. , Cavaleiro José A.S. , Tomé João P.C.
Published: December 2014

Considering the versatility of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPPF20) to react with nucleophiles we highlight here the synthesis and characterization of several mono- and tetra-thiocarboxylate derivatives. The selective displacement of the para-fluorine groups in TPPF20 by thiocarboxylic acids demonstrates that TPPF20 is an ideal platform for the rapid formation of thiocarboxylate porphyrins. The optical and electrochemical features of the thiocarboxylate derivatives were also examined thinking on their potential use in photovoltaic devices. From their electrochemical characterization the following parameters were taken into account: (i) electronegative induced effect of the thiocarboxylate dyes owing the presence of the fluorine and sulfur atoms on the molecular structure of the porphyrin; and (ii) the free rotation and flexibility features that such S atom gives to the porphyrin relatively to the semiconductor.
Synthesis, spectroscopic, and cellular properties of α-pegylated cis-A2B2- and A3B-types ZnPcs
Authors: Ongarora Benson G. , Zhou Zehua , Okoth Elizabeth A. , Kolesnichenko Igor , Smith Kevin M. , Vicente M. Graça H.
Published: December 2014

A series of pegylated cis-A2B2- or A3B-type ZnPcs , substituted on the α-positions with tri(ethylene glycol) and hydroxyl groups, were synthesized from a new bis-phthalonitrile. A clamshell-type bis-phthalocyanine was also obtained as a byproduct. The hydroxyl group of one ZnPc was alkylated with 3-dimethylaminopropyl chloride to afford a pegylated ZnPc functionalized with an amine group. All mononuclear ZnPcs were soluble in polar organic solvents, showed intense Q absorptions in DMF, and had fluorescence quantum yields in the range 0.10–0.23. The clamshell-type bis-phthalocyanine adopts mainly open shell conformations in DMF, and closed clamshell conformations in chloroform. All ZnPcs were highly phototoxic to human carcinoma HEp2 cells, particularly the amino- ZnPc mainly protonated under physiological conditions, which showed the highest phototoxicity (IC50 = 0.5 μM at 1.5 J/cm2) dark cytotoxicity (IC50 = 22 μM), in part due to its high cellular uptake. The ZnPcs localized in multiple organelles, including mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi and ER.
System supporting behavioral therapy for children with autism
Authors: Jȩdrzejewska-Szczerska Małgorzata , Karpienko Katarzyna , Landowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2014

In this paper, a system supporting behavioral therapy for autistic children is presented. The system consists of sensors network, base station and a brooch indicating person's emotional states. The system can be used to measure values of physiological parameters that are associated with changes in the emotional state. In the future, it can be useful to inform the autistic child and the therapist about the emotional state of the interlocutor objectively, on the basis of performed measurements. The selected physiological parameters were chosen during the experiment which was designed and conducted by authors. In this experiment, a group of volunteers under controlled conditions was exposed to a stressful situation caused by the picture or sound. For each of the volunteers, a set of physiological parameters, was recorded, including: skin conductance, heart rate, peripheral temperature, respiration rate and electromyography. The bio-statistical analysis allowed us to discern the proper physiological parameters that are most associated to changes due to emotional state of a patient, such as: skin conductance, temperatures and respiration rate. This allowed us to design electronic sensors network for supporting behavioral therapy for children with autism.
Renal oxygenation: preglomerular vasculature is an unlikely contributor to renal oxygen shunting
Authors: Olgac Ufuk , Kurtcuoglu Vartan
Published: December 2014

The primary aim of this study was to assess the plausibility of preglomerular arterial-to-venous oxygen shunting in the kidney. To this end, we have developed a segment-wise three-dimensional computational model that takes into account transport processes in arteries, veins, cortical tissue, and capillaries. Our model suggests that the amount of preglomerular oxygen shunting is negligible. Consequently, it is improbable that preglomerular shunting contributes to the hypothesized regulation of renal oxygenation. Cortical tissue oxygenation is more likely determined by the interplay between oxygen supply, either from the preglomerular vasculature or from capillaries, and oxygen consumption. We show that reported differences in permeability to oxygen between perfused and unperfused tissue may be explained by what we refer to as advection-facilitated diffusion. We further show that the preglomerular vasculature is the primary source of oxygen for the tissue when cortical consumption is high or renal arterial blood is highly oxygenated, i.e., under hyperoxemic conditions. Conversely, when oxygen demand in the tissue is decreased, or under hypoxemic conditions, oxygen is supplied predominantly by capillaries.
Parallax-sensitive remapping of visual space in occipito-parietal alpha-band activity during whole-body motion
Authors: Gutteling T. P. , Selen L. P. J. , Medendorp W. P.
Published: December 2014

Despite the constantly changing retinal image due to eye, head, and body movements, we are able to maintain a stable representation of the visual environment. Various studies on retinal image shifts caused by saccades have suggested that occipital and parietal areas correct for these perturbations by a gaze-centered remapping of the neural image. However, such a uniform, rotational, remapping mechanism cannot work during translations when objects shift on the retina in a more complex, depth-dependent fashion due to motion parallax. Here we tested whether the brain's activity patterns show parallax-sensitive remapping of remembered visual space during whole-body motion. Under continuous recording of electroencephalography (EEG), we passively translated human subjects while they had to remember the location of a world-fixed visual target, briefly presented in front of or behind the eyes' fixation point prior to the motion. Using a psychometric approach we assessed the quality of the memory update, which had to be made based on vestibular feedback and other extraretinal motion cues. All subjects showed a variable amount of parallax-sensitive updating errors, i.e., the direction of the errors depended on the depth of the target relative to fixation. The EEG recordings show a neural correlate of this parallax-sensitive remapping in the alpha-band power at occipito-parietal electrodes. At parietal electrodes, the strength of these alpha-band modulations correlated significantly with updating performance. These results suggest that alpha-band oscillatory activity reflects the time-varying updating of gaze-centered spatial information during parallax-sensitive remapping during whole-body motion.
Serotonin receptor and KCC2 gene expression in lumbar flexor and extensor motoneurons posttransection with and without passive cycling
Authors: Chopek Jeremy W. , Sheppard Patricia C. , Gardiner Kalan , Gardiner Phillip F.
Published: December 2014

Sacrocaudal motoneuron gene expression is altered following a spinal transection. Of interest here is the regulation of serotonin (5-HT) receptors (R), glutamate receptor, metabotropic 1 (mGluR1), and potassium-chloride cotransporter (KCC2), which mediate motoneuron excitability, locomotor recovery, and spasticity posttransection. The examination of these genes in lumbar motoneurons posttransection has not been studied, which is necessary for developing potential pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring locomotion and/or reducing spasticity. Also, if activity is to be used to promote recovery or reduce spasticity postinjury, a further examination of neuromuscular activity on gene expression posttransection is warranted. The purpose of this study was to examine motoneuronal gene expression of 5-HT receptors, KCC2, and mGluR1 at 3 mo following a complete thoracic spinal cord transection, with and without the inclusion of daily passive cycling. Physiological hindlimb extensor and flexor motoneurons were differentially identified with two retrograde fluorescent tracers, allowing for the identification and separate harvesting of extensor and flexor motoneurons with laser capture microdissection and the subsequent examination of mRNA content using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. We demonstrate that posttransection 5-HT1AR, 5-HT2CR, and mGluR1 expression was downregulated, whereas the 5-HT2AR was upregulated. These alterations in gene expression were observed in both flexor and extensor motoneurons, whereas passive cycling influenced gene expression in extensor but not flexor motoneurons. Passive cycling in extensor motoneurons further enhanced 5-HT2AR expression and increased 5-HT7R and KCC2 expression. Our results demonstrate that passive cycling influences serotonin receptor and KCC2 gene expression and that extensor motoneurons compared with flexor motoneurons may be more plastic to activity-based interventions posttransection.
High-voltage-activated calcium current subtypes in mouse DRG neurons adapt in a subpopulation-specific manner after nerve injury
Authors: Murali Swetha S. , Napier Ian A. , Mohammadi Sarasa A. , Alewood Paul F. , Lewis Richard J. , Christie MacDonald J.
Published: December 2014

Changes in ion channel function and expression are characteristic of neuropathic pain. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are integral for neurotransmission and membrane excitability, but relatively little is known about changes in their expression after nerve injury. In this study, we investigate whether peripheral nerve ligation is followed by changes in the density and proportion of high-voltage-activated (HVA) VGCC current subtypes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, the contribution of presynaptic N-type calcium channels in evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) recorded from dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord, and the changes in expression of mRNA encoding VGCC subunits in DRG neurons. Using C57BL/6 mice [8- to 11-wk-old males ( n = 91)] for partial sciatic nerve ligation or sham surgery, we performed whole cell patch-clamp recordings on isolated DRG neurons and dorsal horn neurons and measured the expression of all VGCC subunits with RT-PCR in DRG neurons. After nerve injury, the density of P/Q-type current was reduced overall in DRG neurons. There was an increase in the percentage of N-type and a decrease in that of P/Q-type current in medium- to large-diameter neurons. No changes were found in the contribution of presynaptic N-type calcium channels in evoked EPSCs recorded from dorsal horn neurons. The α2δ-1 subunit was upregulated by 1.7-fold and γ-3, γ-2, and β-4 subunits were all downregulated 1.7-fold in injured neurons compared with sham-operated neurons. This comprehensive characterization of HVA VGCC subtypes in mouse DRG neurons after nerve injury revealed changes in N- and P/Q-type current proportions only in medium- to large-diameter neurons.
Preliminary Anticonvulsant and Toxicity Screening of Substituted Benzylidenehydrazinyl-N-(6-substituted benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)propanamides
Authors: Ali Ruhi , Siddiqui Nadeem
Published: December 2014

Keeping in view the structural requirements suggested in the pharmacophore model for anticonvulsant activity, a new series of 3-(2-(substitutedbenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-N-(substituted benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-propanamides were synthesized with aromatic hydrophobic aryl ring (A), NH–C=O as hydrogen bonding domain (HBD), nitrogen atom as electron donor (D), and phenyl as distal aryl ring (C). Synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR,1H NMR,13C NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Preliminaryin vivoanticonvulsant screening (phase I) was performed by two most adopted seizure models, maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ). Based on anticonvulsant screening results, two compounds,5hand5p, were found to be most active; they exhibited activity comparable to standard drugs phenytoin (PHY) and carbamazepine (CBZ). These active compounds were subjected to phase II and phase III screening, where they displayed much higher protective index (PI) in comparison to the standard drugs. In phase IV screening, the bioavailability of active compounds was assessed on oral administration. Further, preliminary safety profiles of5hand5pwere evaluated by the neurotoxicity testing and liver enzyme estimation.
Understanding Decision Making through Complexity in Professional Networks
Authors: Chung Kon Shing Kenneth
Published: December 2014

The attitudes of general practitioners (GP) play an influential role in their decision making about patient treatment and care. Considering the GP-patient encounter as a complex system, the interactions between the GP and their personal network of peers give rise to “aggregate complexity,” which in turn influences the GP’s decisions about patient treatment. This study models aggregate complexity and its influence in decision making in primary care through the use of social network metrics. Professional network and attitudinal data on decision making responsibility from 107 rural GPs were analysed. Social network measures of “density” and “inclusiveness” were used for computing the “interrelatedness” of components within such a “complex system.” The “number of components” and “degree of interrelatedness” were used to determine the complexity profiles, which was then used to associate with responsibility in decision making for each GP. GPs in simple profiles (i.e., with low components and interactions) in contrast to those in nonsimple profiles, indicate a higher responsibility for the decisions they make in medical care. This study suggests that social networks-based complexity profiles are useful for understanding decision making in primary care as it accounts for the role of influence through the professional networks of GPs.
Cytokine Serum Levels as Potential Biological Markers for the Psychopathology in Schizophrenia
Authors: Dimitrov Dimitre H. , Lee Shuko , Yantis Jesse , Honaker Craig , Braida Nicole
Published: December 2014

We discuss the role of immune system disturbance in schizophrenia and especially changes of serum levels of cytokines in patients with schizophrenia. The cytokines are essential to wide range of functions related to the defense of the organisms from infectious and environmental dangers. However it is not known whether cytokines influence the presentation of psychotic symptoms. Identification of changes in the serum level of certain cytokines and their correlation with distinct psychopathological symptoms may facilitate the identification of subgroups of patients who are likely to benefit from immunotherapy or anti-inflammatory therapy. Such patients may benefit from tailored immunotherapy designed for modulation of abnormal cytokine levels related to specific positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Genetic Algorithms in Antennas and Smart Antennas Design Overview: Two Novel Antenna Systems for Triband GNSS Applications and a Circular Switched Parasitic Array for WiMax Applications Developments with the Use of Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Panagiotou Stylianos C. , Thomopoulos Stelios C. A. , Capsalis Christos N.
Published: December 2014

Genetic algorithms belong to a stochastic class of evolutionary techniques, whose robustness and global search of the solutions space have made them extremely popular among researchers. They have been successfully applied to electromagnetic optimization, including antenna design as well as smart antennas design. In this paper, extensive reference to literature related antenna design efforts employing genetic algorithms is taking place and subsequently, three novel antenna systems are designed in order to provide realistic implementations of a genetic algorithm. Two novel antenna systems are presented to cover the new GPS/Galileo band, namely, L5 (1176 MHz), together with the L1 GPS/Galileo and L2 GPS bands (1575 and 1227 MHz). The first system is a modified PIFA and the second one is a helical antenna above a ground plane. Both systems exhibit enhanced performance characteristics, such as sufficient front gain, input impedance matching, and increased front-to-back ratio. The last antenna system is a five-element switched parasitic array with a directional beam with sufficient beamwidth to a predetermined direction and an adequate impedance bandwidth which can be used as receiver for WiMax signals.
The Selective Intravenous Inhibitor of the MET Tyrosine Kinase SAR125844 Inhibits Tumor Growth inMET-Amplified Cancer
Authors: Egile Coumaran , Kenigsberg Mireille , Delaisi Christine , Bégassat Françoise , Do-Vale Véronique , Mestadier Jessica , Bonche Fabrice , Bénard Tsiala , Nicolas Jean-Paul , Valence Sandrine , Lefranc Céline , Francesconi Elisa , Castell Christelle , Lefebvre Anne-Marie , Nemecek Conception , Calvet Loreley , Goulaouic Hélène
Published: December 2014

Activation of the MET/HGF pathway is common in human cancer and is thought to promote tumor initiation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to diverse therapies. We report here the pharmacologic characterization of the triazolopyridazine derivative SAR125844, a potent and highly selective inhibitor of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), for intravenous administration. SAR125844 displayed nanomolar activity against the wild-type kinase (IC50 value of 4.2 nmol/L) and the M1250T and Y1235D mutants. Broad biochemical profiling revealed that SAR125844 was highly selective for MET kinase. SAR125844 inhibits MET autophosphorylation in cell-based assays in the nanomolar range, and promotes low nanomolar proapoptotic and antiproliferative activities selectively in cell lines with MET gene amplification or pathway addiction. In two MET-amplified human gastric tumor xenograft models, SNU-5 and Hs 746T, intravenous treatment with SAR125844 leads to potent, dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the MET kinase and to significant impact on downstream PI3K/AKT and RAS/MAPK pathways. Long duration of MET kinase inhibition up to 7 days was achieved with a nanosuspension formulation of SAR125844. Daily or every-2-days intravenous treatment of SAR125844 promoted a dose-dependent tumor regression in MET-amplified human gastric cancer models at tolerated doses without treatment-related body weight loss. Our data demonstrated that SAR125844 is a potent and selective MET kinase inhibitor with a favorable preclinical toxicity profile, supporting its clinical development in patients with MET-amplified and MET pathway–addicted tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 384–94. ©2014 AACR.
Evaluation of the In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor AZD1480 against JAK-Mutated Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Suryani Santi , Bracken Lauryn S. , Harvey Richard C. , Sia Keith C.S. , Carol Hernan , Chen I-Ming , Evans Kathryn , Dietrich Philipp A. , Roberts Kathryn G. , Kurmasheva Raushan T. , Billups Catherine A. , Mullighan Charles G. , Willman Cheryl L. , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P. , Houghton Peter J. , Smith Malcolm A. , Lock Richard B.
Published: December 2014

Genome-wide studies have identified a high-risk subgroup of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) harboring mutations in the Janus kinases (JAK). The purpose of this study was to assess the preclinical efficacy of the JAK1/2 inhibitor AZD1480, both as a single agent and in combination with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib, against JAK-mutated patient-derived xenografts. Patient-derived xenografts were established in immunodeficient mice from bone marrow or peripheral blood biopsy specimens, and their gene expression profiles compared with the original patient biopsies by microarray analysis. JAK/STAT and MAPK signaling pathways, and the inhibitory effects of targeted drugs, were interrogated by immunoblotting of phosphoproteins. The antileukemic effects of AZD1480 and selumetinib, alone and in combination, were tested against JAK-mutated ALL xenografts both in vitro and in vivo. Xenografts accurately represented the primary disease as determined by gene expression profiling. Cellular phosphoprotein analysis demonstrated that JAK-mutated xenografts exhibited heightened activation status of JAK/STAT and MAPK signaling pathways compared with typical B-cell precursor ALL xenografts, which were inhibited by AZD1480 exposure. However, AZD1480 exhibited modest single-agent in vivo efficacy against JAK-mutated xenografts. Combining AZD1480 with selumetinib resulted in profound synergistic in vitro cell killing, although these results were not translated in vivo despite evidence of target inhibition. Despite validation of target inhibition and the demonstration of profound in vitro synergy between AZD1480 and selumetinib, it is likely that prolonged target inhibition is required to achieve in vivo therapeutic enhancement between JAK and MEK inhibitors in the treatment of JAK-mutated ALL. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(2); 364–74. ©2014 AACR.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-β Expression in Human Peritoneum
Authors: Seeger Harald , Braun Niko , Latus Joerg , Alscher M. Dominik , Fritz Peter , Edenhofer Ilka , Biegger Dagmar , Lindenmeier Maja , Wüthrich Rudolf P. , Segerer Stephan
Published: December 2014

Introduction: Simple peritoneal fibrosis and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) are important lesions in the peritoneum of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). We have previously described a population of podoplanin-positive myofibroblasts in peritoneal biopsies from patients with EPS. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) is a marker of pericytes, and PDGFs might be involved in the fibrotic response of the peritoneum. This study aimed to describe PDGFRβ in the human peritoneum. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we localized PDGFRβ in peritoneal biopsies from patients with EPS (n = 6) and patients on PD without signs of EPS (n = 5), and compared them with normal peritoneum (n = 4) and peritoneum from uremic patients (n = 5). Consecutive sections were stained for smooth-muscle actin (SMA) and podoplanin. Slides were scored semiquantitatively by 2 observers blinded to the diagnosis. Results: PDGFRβ was expressed by cells of arterial walls in all biopsies. A prominent population of PDGFRβ-positive cells was present in the normal peritoneum, which were SMA negative on consecutive sections. In patients on PD, a high number of PDGFRβ were also positive for SMA. In EPS, the majority of podoplanin-positive cells were positive for PDGFRβ. In peritoneal biopsies from normal and uremic patients, the expression of SMA was mainly restricted to cells of arterial walls. Podoplanin expression was restricted to lymphatic vessels in normal peritoneum, in uremic patients, and in patients on PD without EPS. Conclusions: As podoplanin-positive myofibroblasts express PDGFRβ, these cells might be related to pericytes (rather than other sources of fibroblasts). PDGFRβ might turn out to be a therapeutic target in EPS.
Wnt5a Is Necessary for Normal Kidney Development in Zebrafish and Mice
Authors: Huang Liwei , Xiao An , Choi Soo Young , Kan Quane , Zhou Weibin , Chacon-Heszele Maria F. , Ryu Yun Kyoung , McKenna Sarah , Zuo Xiaofeng , Kuruvilla Rejji , Lipschutz Joshua H.
Published: December 2014

Background: Wnt5a is important for the development of various organs and postnatal cellular function. Little is known, however, about the role of Wnt5a in kidney development, although WNT5A mutations were identified in patients with Robinow syndrome, a genetic disease which includes developmental defects in kidneys. Our goal in this study was to determine the role of Wnt5a in kidney development. Methods: Whole-mount in situ hybridization was used to establish the expression pattern of Wnt5a during kidney development. Zebrafish with wnt5a knockdown and Wnt5a global knockout mice were used to identify kidney phenotypes. Results: In zebrafish, wnt5a knockdown resulted in glomerular cyst formation and dilated renal tubules. In mice, Wnt5a global knockout resulted in pleiotropic, but severe, kidney phenotypes, including agenesis, fused kidney, hydronephrosis and duplex kidney/ureter. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated the important role of Wnt5a in kidney development. Disrupted Wnt5a resulted in kidney cysts in zebrafish and pleiotropic abnormal kidney development in mice.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Endothelial Cells Is Activated by BMPER to Promote Angiogenesis
Authors: Esser Jennifer S. , Rahner Susanne , Deckler Meike , Bode Christoph , Patterson Cam , Moser Martin
Published: December 2014

Objective—

Previously, we have identified bone morphogenetic protein endothelial cell precursor–derived regulator (BMPER) to increase the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In this project, we now investigate how BMPER acts in concert with key molecules of angiogenesis to promote blood vessel formation.

Approach and Results—

To assess the effect of BMPER on angiogenesis-related signaling pathways, we performed an angiogenesis antibody array with BMPER-stimulated endothelial cells. We detected increased basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2) expression after BMPER stimulation and decreased expression of thrombospondin-1. Additionally, FGF receptor-1 expression, phosphorylation, FGF signaling pathway activity, and cell survival were increased. Consistently, silencing of BMPER by small interfering RNA decreased bFGF and FGF receptor-1 expression and increased thrombospondin-1 expression and cell apoptosis. Next, we investigated the interaction of BMPER and the FGF signaling pathway in endothelial cell function. BMPER stimulation increased endothelial cell angiogenic activity in migration, Matrigel, and spheroid assays. To block FGF signaling, an anti-bFGF antibody was used, which effectively inhibited the proangiogenic BMPER effect. Accordingly, BMPER-silenced endothelial cells under bFGF stimulation showed decreased angiogenic activity compared with bFGF control. We confirmed these findings in vivo by subcutaneous Matrigel injections with and without bFGF in C57BL/6_Bmper
+/−
mice. Aortic ring assays of C57BL/6_Bmper
+/−
mice confirmed a specific effect for bFGF but not for vascular endothelial growth factor.

Conclusions—

Taken together, the proangiogenic BMPER effect in endothelial cells is mediated by inhibition of antiangiogenic thrombospondin-1 and enhanced expression and activation of the FGF signaling pathway that is crucial in the promotion of angiogenesis.
Inactivation of PI3Kδ Induces Vascular Injury and Promotes Aneurysm Development by Upregulating the AP-1/MMP-12 Pathway in Macrophages
Authors: Zheng Lingyun , Xing Liying , Zeng Cuiling , Wu Teng , Gui Yali , Li Weidong , Lan Tian , Yang Yongxia , Gu Quliang , Qi Cuiling , Zhang Qianqian , Tang Futian , He Xiaodong , Wang Lijing
Published: December 2014

Objective—

An aneurysm is an inflammatory vascular condition. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases δ is highly expressed in leukocytes, and play a key role in innate immunity. However, the link between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases δ and aneurysm development has not yet been elucidated.

Approach and Results—

Carotid ligation unexpectedly induced characteristic aneurysm formation beneath the ligation point in p110δ
D910A/D910A
mice (n=25;
P
<0.001 versus wild-type). Besides, p110δ inactivation exacerbated CaCl
2
-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms development. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction microarray revealed significant extracellular matrix components degradation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) upregulation in the abdominal aorta of p110δ
D910A/D910A
mice. Similarly, the expression of both collagen I and IV was significantly decreased (n=10;
P
<0.05 versus wild-type) in carotid artery. Western blot assay confirmed that MMP-12 was significantly upregulated in arteries of p110δ
D910A/D910A
mice (n=10;
P
<0.01 versus wild-type). In vitro, p110δ inactivation marked increase peritoneal macrophages recruitment and synergistically enhance tumor necrosis factor-α–induced recruitment. A specific phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases δ inhibitor (IC87114) or genetic p110δ inactivation upregulated MMP-12 expression and c-Jun phosphorylation (n=6;
P
<0.05 versus wild-type macrophages). IC87114 also increased activator protein-1 DNA-binding activity (n=6;
P
<0.001 versus control) and enhanced the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on activator protein-1–binding activity (n=5;
P
<0.01 versus tumor necrosis factor-α treatment groups). Knockdown of c-Jun suppressed the effect of the IC87114 and tumor necrosis factor-α on MMP-12 mRNA expression (n=5 in each group;
P
<0.01 versus scrRNA treatment groups).

Conclusions—

Our findings demonstrate that p110δ inactivation leads to extracellular matrix degradation in vessels and promotes aneurysm development by inducing macrophages migration and upregulating the activator protein-1/MMP-12 pathway in macrophages.
Human Connexin43E42K Mutation From a Sudden Infant Death Victim Leads to Impaired Ventricular Activation and Neonatal Death in Mice
Authors: Lübkemeier Indra , Bosen Felicitas , Kim Jung-Sun , Sasse Philipp , Malan Daniela , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Willecke Klaus
Published: December 2014

Background—

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) describes the sudden, unexplained death of a baby during its first year of age and is the third leading cause of infant mortality. It is assumed that ≤20% of all SIDS cases are because of cardiac arrhythmias resulting from mutations in ion channel proteins. Besides ion channels also cardiac gap junction channels are important for proper conduction of cardiac electric activation. In the mammalian heart Connexin43 (Cx43) is the major gap junction protein expressed in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Recently, a novel Connexin43 loss-of-function mutation (Cx43E42K) was identified in a 2-month-old SIDS victim.

Methods and Results—

We have generated Cx43E42K-expressing mice as a model for SIDS. Heterozygous cardiac-restricted Cx43E42K-mutated mice die neonatally without major cardiac morphological defects. Electrocardiographic recordings of embryonic Cx43+/E42K mice reveal severely disturbed ventricular activation, whereas immunohistochemical analyses show normal localization and expression patterns of gap junctional Connexin43 protein in the Cx43E42K-mutated newborn mouse heart.

Conclusions—

Because we did not find heterogeneous gap junction loss in Cx43E42K mouse hearts, we conclude that the Cx43E42K gap junction channel creates an arrhythmogenic substrate leading to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. The strong cardiac phenotype of Cx43E42K expressing mice supports the association between the human Cx43E42K mutation and SIDS and indicates that Connexin43 mutations should be considered in future studies when SIDS cases are to be molecularly explained.
Risk-Taking Patterns of Male and Female Entrepreneurs in Roodepoort
Authors: Garg Ajay K. , Duvenhage A.
Published: December 2014

This study analyses the risk-taking propensity of male and female entrepreneurs. Primary data were collected from a sample of 400 randomly selected from among the small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Roodepoort and two structured questionnaires were used. The results showed the existence of differences among male and female entrepreneurs’ risk-taking perceptions. However, no significant differences in the mean scores between males and females in the financial and social domains of risk taking perception were found. The results further indicate that there is a significant difference in the means of the entrepreneurs with regard to their overall risk-taking perception in the ethical domain of risk-taking perception, health and safety risk-taking perception, recreational risk-taking perception as well as their business performance perceptions. The study also suggests that there is no correlation between business performance and risk-taking in entrepreneurs. The study highlights that there is no evidence to suggest that risk-taking in different genders plays a role as an indicator in business performance.
Koponenius gen. nov., a new genus of the millipede family Haplodesmidae from the Himalayas of India and Nepal (Diplopoda: Polydesmida)
Authors: GOLOVATCH Sergei I. , VandenSpiegel Didier
Published: December 2014

The first, apparently westernmost indigenous representatives of Haplodesmidae are reported, from the Himalayas of Nepal and India. Both new species belong to a new genus, Koponenius gen. nov., with K. unicornis sp. nov., the type species from Darjeeling District, NE India, and K. biramus sp. nov., from Nepal. The new genus is superficially very similar to Prosopodesmus Silvestri, 1910, most species of which seem to be native to tropical Australia, partly also to southern Japan. However, Koponenius gen. nov. is easily distinguished in showing only 19 body segments, a special ozopore formula (5, 7–18), 4 transverse rows of setigerous isostictic tubercles per postcollum metatergum, and a clearly helicoid, twisted prefemoral portion of the gonopod so that the seminal groove runs mostly laterally, not mesally.
A new species of Alopecosa (Araneae: Lycosidae) from Canada: a morphological description supported by DNA barcoding of 19 congeners
Authors: BLAGOEV GERGIN A. , DONDALE CHARLES D.
Published: December 2014

A new species, Alopecosa koponeni sp. n., is described from the Arctic part of Manitoba. Individuals of A. koponeni most resemble those of A. pictilis (Emerton, 1885), but are smaller than the latter and differ in the epiginum and in colour pattern in both sexes. DNA barcode results show an interspecific distance of 0.93 between A. koponeni sp. n. and A. pictilis, a shallow genetic divergence that suggests a recent separation.
On a new Agyneta species from Ukraine related to A. suecica Holm, 1950 (Araneae: Linyphiidae)
Authors: GNELITSA VALERY A.
Published: December 2014

Agyneta pinicola sp.n. is described from Northeastern Ukraine. Agyneta suecica Holm, 1950 is redescribed and a complete comparison of the two species is given.
Two new species of Pharta Thorell, 1891 with the description of Ibana senagang gen. et sp. nov. (Araneae: Thomisidae)
Authors: BENJAMIN SURESH P.
Published: December 2014

Two new species of Pharta, P. sudmannorum sp. nov. (♂♀, Borneo) and P. koponeni sp. nov. (♂, Thailand) are described. Furthermore, Ibana senagang gen. nov. & sp. nov. from Malaysia is described based on its exceptional palp, which has a reduced, movable conductor and thick-long spines on the distal, ventral surface of the tibia, reminiscent of Epidius Thorell, 1877.
Honouring Seppo Koponen on the occasion of this 70th Birthday
Authors: MARUSIK YURI , FET VICTOR
Published: December 2014

Seppo Koponen was born in Turku, Finland, on November 2, 1944. After graduating from high school, Seppo was admitted to the University of Turku in 1963. He specialised in Ecology and Zoosystematics, and studied also Botany, Genetics, and Geography. He did his M.S. work (1969) on peat bog spiders, and his doctorate research (Phil. Lic. Thesis, 1978), on herbivorous insects living on birch trees in Lapland and Greenland.  Seppo’s mentor and supervisor in Arachnology was Pekka T. Lehtinen (see Marusik & Koponen 2014). While studying in the University of Turku, in the late 1960s Seppo worked as an assistant in the Department of Zoology. After his military service, Seppo was appointed a Curator in the Zoological Museum of the University of Turku in 1971, and continued to work there for 40 years, until his retirement in 2011.
Blown Away: Interns Experience Science, Research, and Life on Top of Mount Washington
Authors: Kelsey Eric , Briedé Cyrena-Marie , O’Brien Kaitlyn , Padham Thomas , Cann Matthew , Davis Luke , Carne Alexander
Published: December 2014

With extreme winds, rapidly changing weather, and myriad weather conditions during any given month, Mount Washington, New Hampshire (1,917 m MSL), is an ideal location to observe and learn about atmospheric sciences. During the summer of 2013, Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) welcomed a select group of interns to experience life at the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather” and develop scientific and meteorological skills. The goals of the internship program are to learn how to observe and forecast mountain weather; develop data analysis and critical thinking skills through individual research projects; and live, work, and collaborate effectively with others at a remote mountain-top observatory. Interns are typically undergraduate students or recent graduates of atmospheric science programs and are selected from a highly competitive field of applicants.

The summer 2013 interns worked on a variety of research projects, ranging from developing a forecast tool for the gustiness of wind at the summit to understanding the evolution of atmospheric and environmental conditions that lead to avalanches in nearby Tuckerman Ravine. To accomplish their research projects, the interns learned how hourly weather observations are made, used data analysis software, and practiced critical thinking about their methods and results. Weekly meetings with the interns and the MWO director of research allowed for the sharing of research progress, peer feedback, and practice presenting scientific results. The internships ended with presentations of their scientific research to MWO observers, staff, and observatory members. Post-internship survey responses revealed the program was highly effective at meeting its goals and provided constructive suggestions for future internship programs.
Global Precipitation Measurement Cold Season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEX): For Measurement’s Sake, Let It Snow
Authors: Skofronick-Jackson Gail , Hudak David , Petersen Walter , Nesbitt Stephen W. , Chandrasekar V. , Durden Stephen , Gleicher Kirstin J. , Huang Gwo-Jong , Joe Paul , Kollias Pavlos , Reed Kimberly A. , Schwaller Mathew R. , Stewart Ronald , Tanelli Simone , Tokay Ali , Wang James R. , Wolde Mengistu
Published: December 2014

As a component of Earth’s hydrologic cycle, and especially at higher latitudes, falling snow creates snowpack accumulation that in turn provides a large proportion of the freshwater resources required by many communities throughout the world. To assess the relationships between remotely sensed snow measurements with in situ measurements, a winter field project, termed the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Cold Season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx), was carried out in the winter of 2011/12 in Ontario, Canada. Its goal was to provide information on the precipitation microphysics and processes associated with cold season precipitation to support GPM snowfall retrieval algorithms that make use of a dual-frequency precipitation radar and a passive microwave imager on board the GPM core satellite and radiometers on constellation member satellites. Multiparameter methods are required to be able to relate changes in the microphysical character of the snow to measureable parameters from which precipitation detection and estimation can be based. The data collection strategy was coordinated, stacked, high-altitude, and in situ cloud aircraft missions with three research aircraft sampling within a broader surface network of five ground sites that in turn were taking in situ and volumetric observations. During the field campaign 25 events were identified and classified according to their varied precipitation type, synoptic context, and precipitation amount. Herein, the GCPEx field campaign is described and three illustrative cases detailed.
The Curious Case of the EL Niño That Never Happened: A Perspective from 40 Years of Progress in Climate Research and Forecasting
Authors: McPhaden Michael J. , Timmermann Axel , Widlansky Matthew J. , Balmaseda Magdalena A. , Stockdale Timothy N.
Published: December 2014

Forty years ago, Klaus Wyrtki of the University of Hawaii launched an “El Niño Watch” expedition to the eastern equatorial Pacific to document oceanographic changes that were expected to develop during the onset of an El Niño event in early 1975. He and his colleagues used a very simple atmospheric pressure index to predict the event and convinced the National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research to support an expedition to the eastern Pacific on relatively short notice. An anomalous warming was detected during the first half of the expedition, but it quickly dissipated. Given the state of the art in El Niño research at the time, Wyrtki and colleagues could offer no explanation for why the initial warming failed to amplify, nor could they connect what they observed to what was happening in other parts of the basin prior to and during the expedition. With the benefit of hindsight, the authors provide a basin-scale context for what the expedition observed, elucidate the dynamical processes that gave rise to the abbreviated warming that was detected, and present retrospective forecasts of the event using modern coupled ocean–atmosphere dynamical model prediction systems. Reviewing this history highlights how early pioneers in El Niño research, despite the obstacles they faced, were able to make significant progress through bold initiatives that advanced the frontiers of our knowledge. It is also evident that, even though the scientific community today has a much deeper understanding of climate variability, more advanced observational capabilities, and sophisticated seasonal forecasting tools, skillful predictions of El Niño and its cold counterpart La Niña remain a major challenge.
Using Occupation to Measure Intergenerational Mobility
Authors: Mazumder Bhashkar , Acosta Miguel
Published: December 2014

Scholarly investigations of intergenerational mobility typically focus on either the occupations of fathers and sons or their incomes. Using an identical sample of fathers and sons, we examine how estimates of intergenerational mobility in income and occupational prestige are affected by (1) measurement that uses long time averages and (2) varying the point in the life cycle when outcomes are measured. We find that intergenerational occupational mobility is overstated when using a single year of fathers’ occupation compared to a 10-year average centered on mid-career. We also find that for both income and occupation, mobility estimates are largest when sons are in their mid-career, suggesting that this may be the ideal period in which to measure their status. Finally, we see differences in the pattern of estimates across the two types of measures: for income, estimates of intergenerational persistence are highest when fathers are in their mid-career; for occupation, estimates are much larger when fathers’ occupations are accounted for late in their careers.
Outside the Classroom and Beyond Psychology
Authors: Tomcho Thomas J. , Foels Rob , Walter Mark I. , Yerkes Kyle , Brady Brittany , Erdman Molly , Dantoni Lindsay , Venables Megan , Manry Allison
Published: December 2014

A primary objective for researchers who publish teaching activities and methods in the Teaching of Psychology (ToP) is to inform best practices in classroom teaching. Beyond the learning effect in the classroom, these ToP teaching activity and method articles may also have a scientific effect that heretofore researchers have overlooked. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric examination of 765 teaching activities published in ToP from 1975 to 2007. Teaching activities are cited a surprisingly high number of times. More important, approximately half of the citations were from sources other than ToP, demonstrating a broader scientific influence. Further, we found that teaching research citation rates are comparable to authors’ other peer-reviewed traditional psychology discipline research. We discuss findings in terms of implications for teaching as research, the potential effect of citations on tenure and promotion decisions, and ToP as a hub science.
Spaceborne remote sensing of the world’s protected areas
Authors: Gillespie Thomas W. , Willis Katherine S. , Ostermann-Kelm Stacey
Published: December 2014

There has been a rapid evolution of satellites, sensors, and techniques to measure, monitor, and manage terrestrial protected areas. There are over 100,000 protected areas around the world and most lack important information on the status and trends of natural resource issues. We review advances and limitations in spaceborne remote sensing that can be applied to all terrestrial protected areas around the world. There have been significant advances in baseline vegetation mapping and land cover classifications by combining field data, data from multiple sensors, and classification techniques. However, global classifications on the extent of non-forest vegetation types (e.g. grasslands and shrublands) are still needed at 30 m pixel resolution. High spatial (< 1 m) and spectral (220 bands) resolution sensors have provided important data on environmental issues (e.g. invasive species, degradation) that are region or site specific. Advances in monitoring protected areas have primarily focused on forest ecosystems and land cover dynamics in and around protected areas using time series data. Landsat imagery can be used to monitor vegetation extent and dynamics at 30 m pixel resolution across the globe, while the MODIS sensors are more appropriate for monthly updates on trends of ecosystem health in protected areas. There has also been an increase in time series remote sensing datasets on anthropogenic impacts, such as light pollution, fire, and land surface temperature, that can be used for all protected areas. Future geographic research should focus on developing global protocols and incorporating near real time and annual metrics that can easily be used by natural resource managers to assess the status and trends of all protected areas.