bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors underlying persistently high radon levels in a house located in a karst limestone region of Ireland – lessons learned about remediation
Authors: Long Stephanie C. , Fenton David , Scivyer Chris , Monahan Eugene
Published: September 2016

The remediation of buildings with elevated radon concentrations is generally straightforward. However, in some cases a number of attempts may be needed to reduce concentrations to below the reference level and, occasionally, it may be impossible to reduce concentrations to below the reference level in a cost effective way. This paper details the work carried out between 2004 and 2012 to reduce radon concentrations in a house with initial radon concentrations of almost 1500 Bq/m3. Over this period, high radon levels were consistently recorded despite the introduction of various radon remedial measures. Remedial work was carried out on ten occasions with 29 radon tests carried out to measure the effect of this work. The paper describes the structure of the house and the karst geology that it is built on and the likely contribution of these factors to the difficulties encountered reducing concentrations. Ultimately, radon concentrations were reduced to about 450 Bq/m3 but no further reductions were considered practicable without substantial and costly renovation to the house. Nonetheless, the remedial work carried out to date has resulted in a significant reduction in the risk to the homeowner of developing lung cancer. This work has also added to the understanding of radon remediation techniques in Ireland, particularly for houses built on karst limestone.
Default case, NP-ellipsis, and the theory of control in Polish
Authors: Lindert Patrick
Published: September 2016

The goal of this paper is two-fold. In the first part, I will offer a closer look into the nature of the instrumental case in Polish. In the literature, the instrumental case has been identified as a lexical, predicational, and a default case. In this paper, I will review the arguments for these distinctions, and argue that a default usage of instrumental is empirically not tenable. In the second part, an analysis of obligatory control constructions with the instrumental and agreeing case on predicates is discussed. It will be proposed that predicates that agree with their subjects are bare adjectives, whereas instrumental adjectives are situated within a DP with its head noun being optionally elided. As a last point, I will show how control mechanisms forbid bare adjectives in object control.
Preparation and analysis of polypropylene composites with maleated tea dust particles
Authors: Lanjewar Shital R. , Bari Pravin S. , Hansora Dharmesh P. , Mishra Satyendra
Published: September 2016

In this research work, the recycling of waste tea dust particles was done by preparing the injection moulded polypropylene (PP) composites using different (10–40 wt.%) loadings of tea dust particles as a filler. The tea dust particles were treated with maleic anhydride (MA) and its esterification effect was studied on physico-mechanical (morphology, mechanical, thermal and swelling) properties of tea dust:polypropylene (TD:PP) composites. Surface modification of tea dust particles was observed due to the MA treatment i.e. the esterification effect. The surface morphology of the composites showed better interfacial bonding between the maleated tea dust particles and PP than the untreated particles. The mechanical properties of the maleated TD:PP composites were found to be improved (200–300% higher tensile strength, 250% higher tensile modulus, 43% higher flexural strength and 10% higher hardness) as compared to untreated TD:PP composites. Crystallinity and thermal properties of the maleated TD:PP composites showed increasing trend with increase in filler content. Water absorption tests showed that maleated TD:PP composites absorb less water than that of untreated one. The increment in all these properties is due to the greater compatibility in tea dust particles and PP by MA treatment. Thus, tea dust particles can be suggested for preparation of composite materials.
Micromechanical properties of unidirectional composites filled with single and clustered shaped fibers
Authors: Lei Yong-Peng , Wang Hui , Qin Qing-Hua
Published: September 2016

Computational micromechanics provides an efficient strategy to optimize composite materials by addressing the effect of different material and geometric parameters involved. In the present paper, the effective transverse elastic properties for periodic composite materials reinforced with single and clustered polygonal fibers are evaluated using the micromechanical finite element formulation subject to periodic displacement boundary conditions. The cross-sectional shapes of polygonal fibers are assumed to be triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, and circular to perform comprehensive investigation. By applying a periodic displacement constraint along the boundary of the representative unit cell of the composite to meet the requirement of straight-line constraint during the deformation of the unit cell, the computational micromechanical modeling based on homogenization technology is established for evaluating the effects of fiber shape and cluster on the overall properties. Subsequently, the micromechanical model is divided into four submodels, which are solved by means of the finite element analysis for determining the traction distributions along the cell boundary. Finally, the effective orthotropic elastic constants of composites are obtained using the solutions of the linear system of equations involving traction integrations to investigate the effects of fiber shape and cluster on the overall properties.
Auswertung von Vibrometersignalen zur Bestimmung kardiovaskulärer Parameter
Authors: Mignanelli Laura , Luik Armin , Kroschel Kristian , Scalise Lorenzo , Rembe Christian
Published: September 2016

Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer (LDV) messen kleinste Schwingungsamplituden und haben neben technischen auch biomedizinische
Anwendungen wie zum Beispiel die Schwingungsmessung auf der Haut. Die Überwachung des Herzrhythmus wird aktuell mit dem
Elektrokardiogramm (EKG) durchgeführt, wobei Elektroden auf der Haut befestigt werden. Eine berührungslose Messung wäre
vorteilhaft und würde die Patientenüberwachung (z. B. verbrannte Haut, Traumata auf dem Brustkorb, Frühgeborene und
Athleten unter Belastung) erheblich vereinfachen. In diesem Beitrag zeigen wir, dass optische Vibrokardiographie (VKG) mit
einem LDV nicht nur wie bereits bekannt die Herzfrequenz und deren Variabilität messen kann, sondern auch eine
berührungslose Herzrhythmusmessung mit einer robusten atrioventrikulärer (AV) Block-Klassifikation ermöglicht, da der
Herzschlag als mechanische Quelle zu Schwingungen auf der Haut führt. Dazu haben wir einen geeigneten Bereich auf dem
Thorax identifiziert, der Schwingungen aufweist, die eindeutig dem Schließen von der linken Herzkammer und der linken
Herzvorkammer zugeordnet werden können. Wir diskutieren außerdem verschiedene Signalverarbeitungskonzepte für eine
automatische Signalmustererkennung von charakteristischen Signalabschnitten.
Advanced multi-sensory process data analysis and on-line evaluation by innovative human-machine-based process monitoring and control for yield optimization in polymer film industry
Authors: Kohlert Michael , König Andreas
Published: September 2016

High material waste in the order of more than 1000 millions of Euro/year in polymer film
industry provides an economic as well as environmental incentive for manufacturing
optimization in the polymer film industry. Advanced complex industry processes from
microelectronics to pharmaceutical industries provide huge datasets (big data) from
heterogeneous multi-sensory monitoring. Process optimization, energy efficiency, yield
optimization by higher data analysis, e.g., as in microelectronics could be transfered
to polymer fields. Inspired by Industry 4.0, e.g., big data method approaches,
condition monitoring, recommendation or human-machine interaction should provide options to
be introduced in this way. Analytical tools are available to support manufacturers in
quality and yield optimization, for real-time support. As a research vehicle for the
development of methods for efficient process interfacing, a particular polymer film process
was investigated with focus on novelty, and anomaly detection. A process line with 160
sensory channels has been monitored for several months. 21.900 process datasets of normal
condition samples consist of about 160 dimensions were investigated. Accuracies of
99% were achieved, and a first prototype of a condition monitoring GUI for process
recommendation was conceived. The results now allow process problem prediction in advance of
occurrence. In future work, a broadening of the approach to other production steps and
lines as well as methodological improvements starting from the sensor level with a focus
towards intelligent condition conitoring and self-x properties will be pursued.
Carbontetrachloride induced acute liver damage and protective effect of n-acetylcysteine on rats with regenerated and non-regenerated liver / Karaciğeri rejenere olan ve olmayan sıçanlarda, karbontetraklorürle indüklenen akut karaciğer hasarı ve n-asetilsisteinin koruyucu etkisi
Authors: Bilgiç Sedat , Özerol Elif , Iraz Mustafa , Şahin Nurhan , Tanbek Kevser , Çığlı Ahmet
Published: September 2016

Objective: Our aim was to investigate 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) groups, compare with not subjected to PH groups after exposure to hepatotoxic agents for alterations in the protective effects of antioxidant agents and sensitivity of the liver. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the toxicity of a hepatotoxic agent, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and protective effects of an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in experimental animal model.

Methods: 67 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 2 main groups to total 9 subgroups: group 1, underwent PH; group 2, not subjected to PH. 0.5 ml/kg CCl4 and 50 mg/kg NAC was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the groups. On postoperative day 9, 70% PH was performed according to the method of Higgins and Anderson. Finally, all rats were humanely killed.

Results: Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly lower in both groups when CCl4 was administered. NAC treatment was found to significantly increase these parameters (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels were significantly greater in both groups when CCl4 was administered (P<0.05). NAC treatment was found to significantly reduce these parameters.

Conclusion: These results indicated that CCl4 increased oxidation products, reduced liver enzymatic activity and reduced proliferation activity in both hepatectomised and nonhepatectomised liver. The liver injury of CCl4 and the protective effect of NAC was similarly in both main groups. Consequently, making PH may not create a negative effect and an additional health problems in liver. Thus, these results can positively affect the decisions of the healthy liver donors.
Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs during lipotoxic endoplasmic reticulum stress in RAW264.7 macrophages / RAW264.7 makrofajlarında lipotoksik endoplazmik retikulum stres sürecinde ifadesi değişen mikroRNAların tanımlanması
Authors: Nadir Mısra , Tufanlı Özlem , Erbay Ebru , Atalay Arzu
Published: September 2016

Objective: Increased fatty acids in the circulation and their accumulation in non-adipose tissues play a significant role in the development of obesity related metabolic and inflammatory disorders such as insulin resistance, diabetes and atherosclerosis. While fat tissue has the ability to store excess fatty acids, uptake of excess fatty acids to other tissues burdens intracellular metabolic organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to stress response and lipotoxic cell death. Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a key adaptation of the ER to stress. It is still not completely clear how lipids engage the UPR and how UPR manages both the adaptive and destructive consequences under its control. Increasing evidence point to the importance of miRNA regulation of the UPR as well as UPR’s role in miRNA biogenesis. In order to understand how lipids engage the UPR, we set forth to identify microRNAs regulated by lipotoxic ER stress in macrophages.

Methods: We stressed the mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) with a saturated fatty acid, 500μM palmitate, reflecting the levels found in the circulation of obese patients. We analyzed the microRNAome profiles of this cell line using QRT-PCR based miScript miRNA PCR array which contained all known mouse microRNAs in miRBase release16 and performed pathway analysis for potential targets.

Results: 227 microRNAs showed altered expression levels; 43 microRNAs above 2 fold difference and 13 microRNAs 3-24 fold difference. Pathway analysis enriched the target mRNAs of these lipotoxic ER stress associated miRNAs.

Conclusion: When exposed to high concentrations of saturated fatty acids that can induce ER stress, macrophages display a dynamic range of changes in their microRNAome profiles. Our findings reflect the consequences of lipotoxic stress on circulating monocytes and tissue-associated macrophages in obesity. Further studies are needed to deliniate which UPR arm is reponsible for the microRNA changes reported here.
A Catalogue of the Geophilomorpha Species (Myriapoda: Chilopoda) of Romania
Authors: Ion Constanţa–Mihaela
Published: September 2016

A commented list of 42 centipede species from order Geophilomorpha present in Romania, is given. This comes to complete the annotated catalogue compiled by Negrea (2006) for the other orders of the class Chilopoda: Scutigeromorpha, Lithobiomorpha and Scolopendromorpha. Since 1972, when Matic published the first monograph on epimorphic centipeds from Romania in the series “Fauna României” as the results of his collaboration with his student Cornelia Dărăbanţu, the taxonomical status of many species has been debated and sometimes clarified. Some of the accepted modifications were included by Ilie (2007) in a checklist of centipedes, lacking comments on synonymies. The main goal of this work is, therefore, to update the list of known geophilomorph species from taxonomic and systematic point of view, and to include also records of new species.
Terrestrial Arthropods as a Public Health Issue in South–Eastern Romania
Authors: Preda Cristina , Iosif Ruben , Tudoran Rodica , Tuţă Liliana Ana
Published: September 2016

Little is known about the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions caused by terrestrial arthropods in Romania although bites and stings of arthropods represent a widely recognized public health issue. We conducted a retrospective study in Constanța, the largest city at the Romanian Black Sea coast, and documented 207 cases during 2013–2014, representing 0.5% of the total number of records at the Emergency Department of the County Clinical Emergency Hospital. Young men and women presented themselves more often to the hospital to report this type of injuries and most arthropods causing allergic reactions were not identified. Our study brings novel information on the prevalence of injuries inflicted by terrestrial arthropods on the human adult population at the Romanian Black Sea coast, it highlights existing knowledge gaps and provides information on which to base future guidelines.
Changes in the Trichoptera (Insecta) Communities from Corbii Ciungi Complex of Streams and Springs (Romanian Plain) in the Past Half Century
Authors: Ciubuc Constantin
Published: September 2016

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the present day caddisfly communities structure with that of their previous structure, recorded about 45 years ago in several ecosystems of plain springs in the Romanian Plain, such as Valea Izvorului (Corbi Ciungi), in Motaş et al. (1962). Several structural parameters such as species richness, species diversity (H’), frequency of occurrence and sex ratio of some populations of adult Trichoptera were considered. 41 taxa belonging to nine families of Trichoptera were presently identified in comparison with only 14 taxa (adults and larvae) recorded in Motaş (op. cit.). Out of the 41 taxa, two are recorded for the first time in the Romanian fauna (Hydropsyche contubernalis ssp. iranica and Limnephilus tauricus). Seven out of the 14 taxa recorded by Motaş (op. cit.) disappeared completely from the studied spring ecosystems (Lype reducta, Halesus digitatus, Lithax obscurus, Notidobia ciliaris, Triaenodes bicolor, Adicella syriaca and A. filicornis). The disappearance of the seven species from the studied ecosystems and the occurrence of many species unrecorded by the previous studies which are not characteristic to mountain waters are a clear indication of the deterioration of the quality of those ecosystems, which led to a new structure of Trichoptera communities.
New Records for the Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Romanian Moldova
Authors: Strugariu Alexandru , Gherghel Iulian , Sahlean Tiberiu C. , Ungureanu Eugen , Zamfirescu Ştefan R.
Published: September 2016

The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is a widespread colubrid species, being present in much of central and southern Europe, with isolated populations occuring as far east as Iran. In Romania, the species is known from most of the country’s regions, although it has been reported from very few areas from the Moldova region (eastern and north–eastern Romania). Here we present three new records for Z. longissimus in Romanian Moldova, including the first record for the species in Botoșani County, the north–easternmost region of Romania.
Kinship Between Carabus (Morphocarabus) rothi Dejean, 1829 and Carabus (Morphocarabus) alutensis Săvulescu, 1972
Authors: Prunar Florin , Dreano Stephane , Barloy Jean , Barloy–Hubler Frederique
Published: September 2016

Certain criteria such as geographical proximity and a nearby elytra sculpture has suggested a phylogenetic relationship between Carabus rothi Dejean and Carabus alutensis Săvulescu. The use of mitochondrial markers (COI, cyt b) shows: the presence of 3 haplotypes, geographically presents in two regions: southern Transylvania (distributed in North, Centre, South) and Cozia Mountains. The populations from South stations of Transylvania (Bradu, Cisnădioara, Turnu Roșu) and those from Cozia Mountains are identical genetic structure despite the distance, assuming two independent origins with the same maternal phylogeny. On the left bank of the Olt River and Cozia Mountains, rothi and alutensis are identical to the rothi from south stations and result without any doubt from a common ancestor. Therefore, there is a close parental relation between alutensis on the left bank of the Olt River and rothi from the south, the other geographical origins of Carabus (Morphocarabus) rothi rothi being distinct.
New Records of Eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Romania, Including Two New Species
Authors: Hansson Christer
Published: September 2016

Material from Romania, collected June 30 to July 5 in 2011, included 156 species of the family Eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Of these, 126 species are newly recorded from Romania. One of the new records, Neochrysocharis marginalis Hansson, is also a new record for Europe, previously known only from North America. This material included specimens of two undescribed species which are described here as Diaulinopsis albimaxilla sp. n. and Neochrysocharis pallidicornis sp. n.
Reaction of an Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair with benzophenone: formation of adducts and aluminium alcoholates via β-hydride elimination
Authors: Uhl Werner , Wegener Philipp , Layh Marcus , Hepp Alexander , Würthwein Ernst-Ulrich
Published: September 2016

Treatment of the Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes2P–C(Al
t
Bu2)=C(H)-Ph (1) with benzophenone afforded the simple 1:1 adduct (4) with a O=CPh2 molecule coordinated to the aluminum atom by an Al←O donor-acceptor bond. Steric repulsion may prevent an interaction between the electrophilic carbonyl carbon atom and the Lewis-basic phosphorus atom. 4 is unstable in solution at room temperature, the coordination to aluminium increases the polarisation of the carbonyl group and favours its reduction. As suggested by quantum chemical calculations, a C–H bond of a
t
Bu group approaches the electrophilic center and facilitates β-hydride elimination with the release of isobutene and the formation of an Al–OCHPh2 ligation. An intact O=CPh2 molecule completes the coordination sphere of the metal atom (5). The second
t
Bu group at aluminium reacts similarly by the selective formation of an Al(OCHPh2)2 moiety (6). The thermodynamics of adduct formation and the mechanism of the hydride shift have been evaluated by quantum chemical DFT calculations.
Synthesis and structure of a coordination polymer based on 6-furylpurine
Authors: Sinha Indranil , Kösters Jutta , Müller Jens
Published: September 2016

The synthesis and structure of [Ag(9-methyl-6-furylpurine)(NO3)]
n
are reported. The title compound represents a rare example of a purine derivative metalated at all three endocyclic nitrogen atoms. It forms a two-dimensional coordination polymer comprising 14-membered trinuclear metallacycles. Density functional theory calculations helped to understand the metal-binding behavior of the 6-furylpurine moiety by showing the silver(I)-binding affinities of all three nitrogen donor atoms to be essentially identical under aqueous conditions.
High-pressure high-temperature decomposition of CeCoGa to the Laves phases CeCo0.58Ga1.42, CeCo0.72Ga1.28, and CeCo2
Authors: Niehaus Oliver , Heymann Gunter , Huppertz Hubert , Rodewald Ute Ch. , Heying Birgit , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: September 2016

The monoclinic intermediate-valent gallide CeCoGa decomposes under high-pressure (HP) (9.5 GPa) high-temperature (HT) (1470 K) conditions into the Laves phases CeCo0.58Ga1.42 (MgCu2 type), CeCo0.72Ga1.28 (MgZn2 type; major product phase), and CeCo2 (MgCu2 type). The structures of the ternary Laves phases were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Fd3̅m, a=778.3(1) pm, wR2=0.0310, 63 F
2 values, five variables for CeCo0.58(3)Ga1.42(3) and P63/mmc, a=547.24(5), c=858.76(7) pm, wR2=0.1009, 195 F
2 values, 13 variables for CeCo0.72(1)Ga1.28(1). Partial substitution of cobalt by gallium leads to a significant increase of the distances within the tetrahedral network: 253 pm Co–Co in CeCo2 as compared to 275 pm in CeCo0.58(3)Ga1.42(3) and 265–277 pm in CeCo0.72(1)Ga1.28(1). The crystal chemical consequences are briefly discussed.
Quantitative Characterization of Hypoeutectic Aluminum–Silicon–Copper As-Cast Alloy Microstructures
Authors: Kazakov A. , Kur A. , Kazakova E. , Kiselev D.
Published: September 2016

There are only two kinds of qualitative methods for the estimation of aluminum alloy structures: (1) bar charts (degree of eutectic fineness, porosity content, etc.), and (2) atlases of microstructures, mainly for rejection (overheating, for example). In this paper, the development of quantitative methods for the characterization of hypoeutectic Al-Si-Cu as-cast alloy microstructures using panoramic image analysis is described. As-cast and solution-annealed Al-6Si-2Cu alloy microstructures were studied. Parameters for monitoring the quality of the structure of this alloy were proposed. New algorithms for automatic estimation of eutectic fineness and its volume fraction were developed. Correlations among different microstructural parameters were found and interpreted using thermodynamic simulation. The grade of porosity according to GOST 1583-93 versus pore volume fraction, calculated by ASTM E1245, was defined. Bar charts for estimation of the average length of eutectic silicon particles were proposed. The eutectic modification grade, according to the American Foundry Society chart for microstructure control of hypoeutectic alloys, versus both the length and the elongation of eutectic silicon particles was determined. The relationships between alloy hardness and tensile elongation versus the proposed microstructural parameters for Al-6Si-2Cu alloy were defined. These relationships describe various grades of hypoeutectic Al-Si-Cu alloys in both the as-cast and as-solution-annealed conditions.
Transitional Probabilities Are Prioritized over Stimulus/Pattern Probabilities in Auditory Deviance Detection: Memory Basis for Predictive Sound Processing
Authors: Mittag Maria , Takegata Rika , Winkler István
Published: September 2016

Representations encoding the probabilities of auditory events do not directly support predictive processing. In contrast, information about the probability with which a given sound follows another (transitional probability) allows predictions of upcoming sounds. We tested whether behavioral and cortical auditory deviance detection (the latter indexed by the mismatch negativity event-related potential) relies on probabilities of sound patterns or on transitional probabilities. We presented healthy adult volunteers with three types of rare tone-triplets among frequent standard triplets of high-low-high (H-L-H) or L-H-L pitch structure: proximity deviant (H-H-H/L-L-L), reversal deviant (L-H-L/H-L-H), and first-tone deviant (L-L-H/H-H-L). If deviance detection was based on pattern probability, reversal and first-tone deviants should be detected with similar latency because both differ from the standard at the first pattern position. If deviance detection was based on transitional probabilities, then reversal deviants should be the most difficult to detect because, unlike the other two deviants, they contain no low-probability pitch transitions. The data clearly showed that both behavioral and cortical auditory deviance detection uses transitional probabilities. Thus, the memory traces underlying cortical deviance detection may provide a link between stimulus probability-based change/novelty detectors operating at lower levels of the auditory system and higher auditory cognitive functions that involve predictive processing.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOur research presents the first definite evidence for the auditory system prioritizing transitional probabilities over probabilities of individual sensory events. Forming representations for transitional probabilities paves the way for predictions of upcoming sounds. Several recent theories suggest that predictive processing provides the general basis of human perception, including important auditory functions, such as auditory scene analysis. Our results demonstrate that the memory traces underlying cortical deviance detection form a link between stimulus probability-based change/novelty detectors operating at lower levels of the auditory system and higher auditory cognitive functions that involve predictive processing.
Distinct fMRI Responses to Self-Induced versus Stimulus Motion during Free Viewing in the Macaque
Authors: Russ Brian E. , Kaneko Takaaki , Saleem Kadharbatcha S. , Berman Rebecca A. , Leopold David A.
Published: September 2016

Visual motion responses in the brain are shaped by two distinct sources: the physical movement of objects in the environment and motion resulting from one's own actions. The latter source, termed visual reafference, stems from movements of the head and body, and in primates from the frequent saccadic eye movements that mark natural vision. To study the relative contribution of reafferent and stimulus motion during natural vision, we measured fMRI activity in the brains of two macaques as they freely viewed >50 hours of naturalistic video footage depicting dynamic social interactions. We used eye movements obtained during scanning to estimate the level of reafferent retinal motion at each moment in time. We also estimated the net stimulus motion by analyzing the video content during the same time periods. Mapping the responses to these distinct sources of retinal motion, we found a striking dissociation in the distribution of visual responses throughout the brain. Reafferent motion drove fMRI activity in the early retinotopic areas V1, V2, V3, and V4, particularly in their central visual field representations, as well as lateral aspects of the caudal inferotemporal cortex (area TEO). However, stimulus motion dominated fMRI responses in the superior temporal sulcus, including areas MT, MST, and FST as well as more rostral areas. We discuss this pronounced separation of motion processing in the context of natural vision, saccadic suppression, and the brain's utilization of corollary discharge signals.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTVisual motion arises not only from events in the external world, but also from the movements of the observer. For example, even if objects are stationary in the world, the act of walking through a room or shifting one's eyes causes motion on the retina. This “reafferent” motion propagates into the brain as signals that must be interpreted in the context of real object motion. The delineation of whole-brain responses to stimulus versus self-generated retinal motion signals is critical for understanding visual perception and is of pragmatic importance given the increasing use of naturalistic viewing paradigms. The present study uses fMRI to demonstrate that the brain exhibits a fundamentally different pattern of responses to these two sources of retinal motion.
The Interglomerular Circuit Potently Inhibits Olfactory Bulb Output Neurons by Both Direct and Indirect Pathways
Authors: Liu Shaolin , Puche Adam C. , Shipley Michael T.
Published: September 2016

Sensory processing shapes our perception. In mammals, odor information is encoded by combinatorial activity patterns of olfactory bulb (OB) glomeruli. Glomeruli are richly interconnected by short axon cells (SACs), which form the interglomerular circuit (IGC). It is unclear how the IGC impacts OB output to downstream neural circuits. We combinedin vitroandin vivoelectrophysiology with optogenetics in mice and found the following: (1) the IGC potently and monosynaptically inhibits the OB output neurons mitral/tufted cells (MTCs) by GABA release from SACs: (2) gap junction-mediated electrical coupling is strong for the SAC→MTC synapse, but negligible for the SAC→ETC synapse; (3) brief IGC-mediated inhibition is temporally prolonged by the intrinsic properties of MTCs; and (4) sniff frequency IGC activationin vivogenerates persistent MTC inhibition. These findings suggest that the temporal sequence of glomerular activation by sensory input determines which stimulus features are transmitted to downstream olfactory networks and those filtered by lateral inhibition.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOdor identity is encoded by combinatorial patterns of activated glomeruli, the initial signal transformation site of the olfactory system. Lateral circuit processing among activated glomeruli modulates olfactory signal transformation before transmission to higher brain centers. Using a combination ofin vitroandin vivooptogenetics, this work demonstrates that interglomerular circuitry produces potent inhibition of olfactory bulb output neurons via direct chemical and electrical synapses as well as by indirect pathways. The direct inhibitory synaptic input engages mitral cell intrinsic membrane properties to generate inhibition that outlasts the initial synaptic action.
Soluble Conformers of Aβ and Tau Alter Selective Proteins Governing Axonal Transport
Authors: Sherman Mathew A. , LaCroix Michael , Amar Fatou , Larson Megan E. , Forster Colleen , Aguzzi Adriano , Bennett David A. , Ramsden Martin , Lesné Sylvain E.
Published: September 2016

Despite the demonstration that amyloid-β (Aβ) can trigger increased tau phosphorylation and neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formationin vivo, the molecular link associating Aβ and tau pathologies remains ill defined. Here, we observed that exposure of cultured primary neurons to Aβ trimers isolated from brain tissue of subjects with Alzheimer's disease led to a specific conformational change of tau detected by the antibody Alz50. A similar association was supported by postmortem human brain analyses. To study the role of Aβ trimersin vivo, we created a novel bigenic Tg-Aβ+Tau mouse line by crossing Tg2576 (Tg-Aβ) and rTg4510 (Tg-Tau) mice. Before neurodegeneration and amyloidosis, apparent Aβ trimers were increased by ∼2-fold in 3-month-old Tg-Aβ and Tg-Aβ+Tau mice compared with younger mice, whereas soluble monomeric Aβ levels were unchanged. Under these conditions, the expression of soluble Alz50-tau conformers rose by ∼2.2-fold in the forebrains of Tg-Aβ+Tau mice compared with nontransgenic littermates. In parallel, APP accumulated intracellularly, suggestive of a putative dysfunction of anterograde axonal transport. We found that the protein abundance of the kinesin-1 light chain (KLC1) was reduced selectivelyin vivoandin vitrowhen soluble Aβ trimers/Alz50-tau were present. Importantly, the reduction in KLC1 was prevented by the intraneuronal delivery of Alz50 antibodies. Collectively, our findings reveal that specific soluble conformers of Aβ and tau cooperatively disrupt axonal transport independently from plaques and tangles. Finally, these results suggest that not all endogenous Aβ oligomers trigger the same deleterious changes and that the role of each assembly should be considered separately.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe mechanistic link between amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, the two major proteins composing the neuropathological lesions detected in brain tissue of Alzheimer's disease subjects, remains unclear. Here, we report that the trimeric Aβ species induce a pathological modification of tau in cultured neurons and in bigenic mice expressing Aβ and human tau. This linkage was also observed in postmortem brain tissue from subjects with mild cognitive impairment, when Aβ trimers are abundant. Further, this modification of tau was associated with the intracellular accumulation of the precursor protein of Aβ, APP, as a result of the selective decrease in kinesin light chain 1 expression. Our findings suggest that Aβ trimers might cause axonal transport deficits in AD.
Dopamine Manipulation Affects Response Vigor Independently of Opportunity Cost
Authors: Zénon Alexandre , Devesse Sophie , Olivier Etienne
Published: September 2016

Dopamine is known to be involved in regulating effort investment in relation to reward, and the disruption of this mechanism is thought to be central in some pathological situations such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and depression. According to an influential model, dopamine plays this role by encoding the opportunity cost, i.e., the average value of forfeited actions, which is an important parameter to take into account when making decisions about which action to undertake and how fast to execute it. We tested this hypothesis by asking healthy human participants to perform two effort-based decision-making tasks, following either placebo or levodopa intake in a double blind within-subject protocol. In the effort-constrained task, there was a trade-off between the amount of force exerted and the time spent in executing the task, such that investing more effort decreased the opportunity cost. In the time-constrained task, the effort duration was constant, but exerting more force allowed the subject to earn more substantial reward instead of saving time. Contrary to the model predictions, we found that levodopa caused an increase in the force exerted only in the time-constrained task, in which there was no trade-off between effort and opportunity cost. In addition, a computational model showed that dopamine manipulation left the opportunity cost factor unaffected but altered the ratio between the effort cost and reinforcement value. These findings suggest that dopamine does not represent the opportunity cost but rather modulates how much effort a given reward is worth.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDopamine has been proposed in a prevalent theory to signal the average reward rate, used to estimate the cost of investing time in an action, also referred to as opportunity cost. We contrasted the effect of dopamine manipulation in healthy participants in two tasks, in which increasing response vigor (i.e., the amount of effort invested in an action) allowed either to save time or to earn more reward. We found that levodopa—a synthetic precursor of dopamine—increases response vigor only in the latter situation, demonstrating that, rather than the opportunity cost, dopamine is involved in computing the expected value of effort.
Body Composition and BMI Growth Charts in Children With Down Syndrome
Authors: Hatch-Stein Jacquelyn A. , Zemel Babette S. , Prasad Divya , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Pipan Mary , Magge Sheela N. , Kelly Andrea
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

New US Down syndrome (DS) BMI growth charts were recently published, but their utility in identifying children with excess adiposity or increased cardiometabolic risk (CMR) remains unknown. We sought to compare the ability of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI 85th percentile and DS-specific BMI 85th percentile to identify excess adiposity in children with DS.

METHODS:

Participants with DS aged 10 to 20 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional CMR study. Data from typically developing children enrolled in the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study (BMDCS) were used for comparison. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to assess the CDC BMI 85th percentile in the BMDCS and DS groups, and the DS-specific BMI 85th percentile in the DS group, relative to fat mass index (FMI) ≥80th percentile, a threshold associated with increased CMR.

RESULTS:

Included were 121 DS participants (age 14.8 ± 3.3 years, 57% girls) and 7978 BMDCS reference data points (age 15.0 ± 3.0 years, 51.3% girls). The CDC BMI 85th percentile identified FMI ≥80th percentile with 96.9% sensitivity and 87.4% specificity in typically developing children. Similarly, the CDC BMI 85th percentile identified FMI ≥80th percentile with 100% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity in children with DS. In contrast, the sensitivity of the DS-specific BMI 85th percentile was only 62.3% (P < .0001), but was 100% specific.

CONCLUSIONS:

For children with DS ≥10 years, the CDC BMI growth chart 85th percentile is a better indicator of excess adiposity, than the new DS-specific BMI charts. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relationships of BMI and FMI with CMR in DS.
Current Status of the Left Ventricular Assist Device as a Destination Therapy
Authors: Enciso Jorge Silva ,   Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, Adler Eric ,   Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, Greenberg Barry
Published: September 2016

The heart failure epidemic has led to an increase in the number of patients with advanced heart failure, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current therapies for advanced heart failure are limited to heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, with palliative care reserved for those ineligible to receive advanced therapies. Clinical trials of ventricular assist devices for patients with advanced heart failure demonstrate an improvement in survival and quality of life akin to heart transplantation. The Achilles heal of this therapy is the adverse event burden. Patient selection and multidisciplinary care are two of the strategies being used to improve long-term outcomes. Adjunct therapies in combination with left ventricular assist device therapy and advances in device technology in the near future may lessen the number of adverse events. This review summarizes the clinical outcomes, current challenges and future directions of left ventricular assist device therapy.
New locality data for Stegodyphus tibialis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) (Araneae: Eresidae) from Telangana state, India
Authors: Gunti Pravalikha , Srinivasulu Chelmala , Devender Gundena
Published: September 2016

We present the first record of the velvet spider Stegodyphus tibialis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) from Telangana state, India. A male specimen of this species was collected from Osmania University campus, Hyderabad. We describe the male and provide a map of the global range of the species.
Relações lineares entre incidência e severidade foliar em patossistema multiplo de manchas foliares em arroz irrigado
Authors: Bordin Luiz Carlos , Casa Ricardo Trezzi , Marcuzzo Leandro Luiz , Souza Clovis Arruda , Gheller André , Zancan Rômulo Luís , Stoltz Juan Carlo
Published: September 2016

RESUMO A ocorrência de doenças foliares na cultura do arroz irrigado pode reduzir o rendimento e comprometer a qualidade do grão. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre incidência e severidade na intensidade de manchas foliares em arroz irrigado. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com o cultivar SCS 116 Satoru nas safras 2011/12 e 2012/13, no município de Rio do Oeste, Alto Vale do Itajaí, estado de Santa Catarina. O delineamento foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e seis tratamentos constituídos de aplicações de mistura de fungicidas triazol (difenoconazole) e estrobilurina (azoxistrobina), sendo uma aplicação em final de perfilhamento (V8), duas aplicações (V8 + R0, iniciação da panícula), três aplicações (V8 + R0 + R2, emborrachamento), quatro aplicações (V8 + R0 + R2 + R4, floração), cinco aplicações (V8 + R0 + R2 + R4 + R6, grão leitoso) com objetivo de gerar um gradiente de intensidade de doença. Antes de cada aplicação foi determinada a incidência e a severidade das doenças foliares. Nas duas safras as doenças foliares predominantes foram brusone, mancha parda e escaldadura. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de regressão. Utilizando a equação com melhor ajuste nas duas safras e substituindo o valor de severidade de 1% obtém-se incidência de 30,80; 35,86; 25,91; 30,26; 32,90 respectivamente nos estádios fenológicos de perfilhamento, iniciação da panícula, emborrachamento, floração e grão leitoso. A severidade estimada com base na incidência e vice-versa possibilita seu uso pela assistência técnica no monitoramento das manchas foliares na cultura do arroz irrigado.
Comportamento de Tylenchulus semipenetrans em laranjeira ‘Pera Rio’ enxertada em limoeiro ‘Cravo’
Authors: Gabia Adriana Aparecida , Santos Thiago Rodrigo Gonçalves dos , Wilcken Silvia Renata Siciliano
Published: September 2016

RESUMO Tylenchulus semipenetrans é o principal nematoide em citros, amplamente disseminado nos pomares citrícolas brasileiros, causando perdas que variam de 10 a 30%. Assim, o objetivo dessa pesquisa foi estudar o comportamento de T. semipenetrans em pomar de 14 anos de laranja ‘Pera Rio’ enxertada em limoeiro ‘Cravo’, determinando sua flutuação populacional e correlacionando a produção com os níveis populacionais do nematoide. As amostragens foram realizadas no final de cada estação climática, em dois períodos, um de setembro de 2011 à junho de 2012 e outro de março à dezembro de 2013, numa profundidade de 0-30 cm em 10 plantas sem sintomas, 10 plantas com sintomas e suas adjacentes, totalizando 60 plantas . Os nematoides presentes no solo foram extraídos pela metodologia de flutuação em centrifuga e das raízes pela técnica do liquidificador e centrifugação. Na safra 2012/2013, os frutos de cada planta foram colhidos e pesados. O número de nematoides no solo e na raiz foram plotados em gráficos e correlacionados com dados de temperatura e precipitação pluviométrica pela análise de Pearson; enquanto que os dados de peso de fruto por planta e número de nematoides em solo e raiz, de cada época, foram transformados e submetidos à análise de correlação de Spearman (P=0,05). O maior nível populacional de T. semipenetrans ocorreu no final do inverno e o mais baixo no final da primavera, sendo mais comumente encontrado nas raízes. Temperaturas na faixa de 20oC são favoráveis para melhor desenvolvimento de T. semipenetrans.
Morphological analyses of Pseudoidium anacardii infecting brazilian cashew plants
Authors: Pinto Olienaide Ribeiro de Oliveira , Muniz Celli Rodrigues , Cardoso José Emilson , Oliveira Francisca Samara Assunção de , Lima Joilson Silva
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT Pseudoidium anacardii has emerged as a serious threat to cashew crops in Brazil, where a considerable decrease in production has been attributed to this fungus. This work describes the morphology of the fungus involved in the infection process of Brazilian cashew cultivars to establish differences related to the severity of the disease. Symptomatic and asymptomatic plants of six different cashew cultivars had their leaves or flowers collected and processed for scanning electron microscopy. For the flowers, massive aggregates of erect conidiophores were observed growing side by side on the petals or inserted among the sepal hairs for all cultivars, except cultivar ‘BRS 253’. For the leaves, mycelia covered their entire surface, and appressoria were well developed, multilobed, opposite in pairs or single, and deeply penetrated the epidermis. The asymptomatic leaves of the cultivar ‘BRS 189’ were fully covered by mycelium and conidiophores. These findings provide important information for the early detection of a fungal disease epidemic, which is important for monitoring its spread. The cultivars ‘CCP 76’ and ‘BRS 189’ presented infected flowers and leaves, but only the inflorescences were attacked in other genotypes. We suggest that variability in the anatomy of the cashew plant organs may be involved in plant mechanisms of defence, and this information can be employed in a cashew breeding programme.
Complexo celulolítico produzido por duas espécies de fungos fitopatogênicos isolados de mandioca
Authors: Morais Martival dos Santos , Oliveira Neiva Tinti de , Herculano Polyanna Nunes , Moreira Keila Aparecida
Published: September 2016

RESUMO A partir de coletas realizadas em plantios comerciais de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) em 11 municípios do Estado da Paraíba, obtiveram-se 27 isolados dos fungos Colletotrichum gloeosporoides f. sp. manihotis Henn (Penn.) e Fusarium oxysporum Schlent, fitopatogênicos à cultura. Desses isolados foi obtida a produção enzimática do complexo celulolítico, sob fermentação submersa à 120 rpm e 30 °C durante 7 dias, tendo CMC (Carboximetilcelulose) como fonte de carbono. As atividades enzimáticas foram quantificadas por meio do grau de hidrólise de tiras de papel de filtro (FPAse) e de CMC (CMCase). Utilizou-se a liberação de Paranitrofenol para quantificação das atividades da β-glucosidase (βG). As atividades mais elevadas observadas foram: 23,13 e 1,51 U/ml para FPAse e CMCase pelos isolados de C. gloeosporioides URM 7124 e 7125. Para βG, 0,0014 U/mL, pelo isolado 13.
Agrotransformation of Phytophthora nicotianae: a simplified and optimized method
Authors: Dalio Ronaldo José Durigan , Santos Paulo José Camargo dos , Máximo Heros José , Kawakami Pamela Ayumi , Goulin Eduardo , Machado Marcos Antônio
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT Phytophthora nicotianae is a plant pathogen responsible for damaging crops and natural ecosystems worldwide. P. nicotianae is correlated with the diseases: citrus gummosis and citrus root rot, and the management of these diseases relies mainly on the certification of seedlings and eradication of infected trees. However, little is known about the infection strategies of P. nicotianae interacting with citrus plants, which rises up the need for examining its virulence at molecular levels. Here we show an optimized method to genetically manipulate P. nicotianae mycelium. We have transformed P. nicotianae with the expression cassette of fluorescence protein DsRed. The optimized AMT method generated relatively high transformation efficiency. It also shows advantages over the other methods since it is the simplest one, it does not require protoplasts or spores as targets, it is less expensive and it does not require specific equipment. Transformation with DsRed did not impair the physiology, reproduction or virulence of the pathogen. The optimized AMT method presented here is useful for rapid, cost-effective and reliable transformation of P. nicotianae with any gene of interest.