bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurite orientation and dispersion density imaging (NODDI) detects cortical and corticospinal tract degeneration in ALS
Authors: Broad Rebecca J , Gabel Matt C , Dowell Nicholas G , Schwartzman David J , Seth Anil K , Zhang Hui , Alexander Daniel C , Cercignani Mara , Leigh P Nigel 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundCorticospinal tract (CST) degeneration and cortical atrophy are consistent features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We hypothesised that neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), a multicompartment model of diffusion MRI, would reveal microstructural changes associated with ALS within the CST and precentral gyrus (PCG) ‘in vivo’.Methods23 participants with sporadic ALS and 23 healthy controls underwent diffusion MRI. Neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI) and free water fraction (isotropic compartment (ISO)) were derived. Whole brain voxel-wise analysis was performed to assess for group differences. Standard diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters were computed for comparison. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate for NODDI parameter differences relating to bulbar involvement. Correlation of NODDI parameters with clinical variables were also explored. The results were accepted as significant where p<0.05 after family-wise error correction at the cluster level, clusters formed with p<0.001.ResultsIn the ALS group NDI was reduced in the extensive regions of the CST, the corpus callosum and the right PCG. ODI was reduced in the right anterior internal capsule and the right PCG. Significant differences in NDI were detected between subgroups stratified according to the presence or absence of bulbar involvement. ODI and ISO correlated with disease duration.ConclusionsNODDI demonstrates that axonal loss within the CST is a core feature of degeneration in ALS. This is the main factor contributing to the altered diffusivity profile detected using DTI. NODDI also identified dendritic alterations within the PCG, suggesting microstructural cortical dendritic changes occur together with CST axonal damage.
Arbitrary Waveform Generators Using Current-Controlled Current Conveyor Transconductance Amplifier and Current Conveyor Analog Switches
Authors: Kumngern Montree , Nonthaputha Thanat , Khateb Fabian 
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a new amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) waveform generators using current current-controlled conveyor transconductance amplifier (CCCTA) and current conveyor analog switches (CCASs). The CCCTA around with capacitors and resistors are used to generate high-frequency carrier which is worked as a quadrature oscillator. The oscillating frequency of oscillator can be controlled using the bias current of CCCTA, therefore FM and FSK waveforms can be obtained by applying information signal through the bias current of CCCTA. Unlike previous waveform generators, proposed circuit uses second generation current conveyor (CCII) to work as CCAS and AM, ASK, PSK and QAM waveforms can be obtained by putting information signals to control switches that realized using CCIIs. The proposed circuit has been simulated using 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS [Formula: see text]-well process from TSMC. The simulation results are used to confirm workability of the proposed circuit.
Age and geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic Bhatwari Gneiss of Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, NW India: implications for the pre-Himalayan magmatic history of the Lesser Himalayan basement rocks
Authors: Sen Aranya , Sen Koushik , Srivastava Hari B. , Singhal Saurabh , Phukon Purbajyoti 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

The Bhatwari Gneiss of Bhagirathi Valley in the Garhwal Himalaya is a Paleoproterozoic crystalline rock from the Inner Lesser Himalayan Sequence. On the basis of field and petrographic analyses, we have classified the Bhatwari Gneiss into two parts: the Lower Bhatwari Gneiss (LBG) and the Upper Bhatwari Gneiss (UBG). The geochemical signatures of these rocks suggest a monzonitic protolith for the LBG and a granitic protolith for the UBG. The UBG has a calc-alkaline S-type granitoid protolith, whereas the LBG has an alkaline I-type granitoid protolith; the UBG is more fractionated. The trace element concentrations suggest a volcanic arc setting for the LBG and a within-plate setting for the UBG. The U–Pb geochronology of one sample from the LBG gives an upper intercept age of 1988 ± 12 Ma (
n
= 10, MSWD = 2.5). One sample from the UBG gives an upper intercept age of 1895 ± 22 Ma (
n
= 15, MSWD = 0.82), whereas another sample does not give any upper intercept age, but indicates magmatism from
c.
1940 to 1840 Ma. Based on these ages, we infer that the Bhatwari Gneiss has evolved due to arc magmatism and related back-arc rifting over a time period of
c.
100 Ma during the Proterozoic. This arc magmatism is related to the formation of the Columbia supercontinent.

Supplementary material:
LA–ICP-MS calibration and adjusted major element data used for computing the isometric log-ratio transformations are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4272158
5-HT3 receptor signaling in serotonin transporter-knockout rats: a female sex-specific animal model of visceral hypersensitivity
Authors: El-Ayache Nadine , Galligan James J. 
Published: October 2018

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal motor and visceral sensation disorder that is more common in women than men. Female serotonin transporter (SERT)-gene knockout (KO) rats exhibit hypersensitivity to colorectal balloon distention (CRD) that mimics colonic hypersensitivity occurring in female IBS patients. Alosetron (5-HT3 receptor antagonist) is used to treat diarrhea-predominant IBS in female patients. Other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are ineffective at treating IBS symptoms. The visceromotor response (VMR) to CRD in SERT-KO and wild-type (WT) rats was measured following subcutaneous (sc), intracerobroventricular (icv), or intrathecal (it) treatment with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and an agonist. Alosetron (sc) and granisetron (antagonists) caused a paradoxical increase in the VMR to CRD in SERT-KO female rats. Alosetron (sc) increased the VMR to CRD in WT male rats. Alosetron (it) increased the VMR to CRD in SERT-KO female rats only, and the 5-HT3 receptor agonist SR-52772 increased the VMR to CRD in SERT-KO male rats. Depletion of spinal 5-HT using 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine prevented the increase in VMR to CRD in SERT-KO female and male rats treated it with alosetron and SR-52772, respectively. Alosetron (icv) did not affect the VMR to CRD in WT or KO female rats, but it increased the VMR in male SERT-KO but not WT male rats. These data suggest that 5-HT3 receptor signaling at the dorsal spinal cord mediates visceral hypersensitivity in female SERT-KO rats. Such differences could facilitate development of sex-specific drug treatments for visceral pain. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We studied a model of female sex-specific visceral hypersensitivity using rats that had a loss of function of the serotonin transporter (SERT) caused by gene truncation. Female SERT-KO rats exhibited visceral hypersensitivity in response to colorectal balloon distention. We found that increased 5-HT signaling at dorsal spine 5-HT3 receptors was responsible for visceral hypersensitivity in female but not male SERT-KO rats.
Asymmetric cell division-dominant neutral drift model for normal intestinal stem cell homeostasis
Authors: Sei Yoshitatsu , Feng Jianying , Chow Carson C. , Wank Stephen A. 
Published: October 2018

The normal intestinal epithelium is continuously regenerated at a rapid rate from actively cycling Lgr5-expressing intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that reside at the crypt base. Recent mathematical modeling based on several lineage-tracing studies in mice shows that the symmetric cell division-dominant neutral drift model fits well with the observed in vivo growth of ISC clones and suggests that symmetric divisions are central to ISC homeostasis. However, other studies suggest a critical role for asymmetric cell division in the maintenance of ISC homeostasis in vivo. Here, we show that the stochastic branching and Moran process models with both a symmetric and asymmetric division mode not only simulate the stochastic growth of the ISC clone in silico but also closely fit the in vivo stem cell dynamics observed in lineage-tracing studies. In addition, the proposed model with highest probability for asymmetric division is more consistent with in vivo observations reported here and by others. Our in vivo studies of mitotic spindle orientations and lineage-traced progeny pairs indicate that asymmetric cell division is a dominant mode used by ISCs under normal homeostasis. Therefore, we propose the asymmetric cell division-dominant neutral drift model for normal ISC homeostasis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The prevailing mathematical model suggests that intestinal stem cells (ISCs) divide symmetrically. The present study provides evidence that asymmetric cell division is the major contributor to ISC maintenance and thus proposes an asymmetric cell division-dominant neutral drift model. Consistent with this model, in vivo studies of mitotic spindle orientation and lineage-traced progeny pairs indicate that asymmetric cell division is the dominant mode used by ISCs under normal homeostasis.
Long-term effects of NO3– on the relationship between oxygen uptake and power after three weeks of supplemented HIHVT
Authors: Finkel Armin , Röhrich Magdalena Aleksandra , Maassen Norbert , Lützow Moritz , Blau Larissa Sarah , Hanff Erik , Tsikas Dimitrios , Maassen Mirja 
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the later effects of daily [Formula: see text] supplementation over 3 wk of training on the relationship between O2 uptake and power at different intensities with an incremental test (IT), a double-wingate test (WT), and an endurance capacity test at 80% Wmax (ECT) before and after the supplementation period. Seventeen male recreational athletes participated in this double-blind placebo (PL)-controlled study. Subjects participated in a 3-wk intermittent high-intensity, high-volume training period with 45 intervals of Wmax − 10 W and an active recovery period of 10 W in between with dietary [Formula: see text] (NaNO3) or placebo supplementation (NaCl) (both 8.5 mg·kg−1·day−1) on a cycle ergometer. During a training session, plasma [[Formula: see text]] ( P < 0.001) and plasma [[Formula: see text]] ( P < 0.01) were higher in nitrate (N), whereas in pre- and posttests mean plasma [[Formula: see text]] and [[Formula: see text]] were not different between groups. In the WT [48 h after cessation of supplementation (C)], the ratio between V̇o2 and power decreased in N ( P < 0.01) with no changes in PL. Endurance capacity (4–5 days after C) similarly increased in both groups ( P < 0.01). However, the total oxygen consumption decreased by 5% ( P < 0.01) in N, with no change in PL. The slope of V̇o2·W−1 in IT (5–7 days after C) decreased in N ( P < 0.01), whereas no changes were found in PL. During low- and moderate-intensity workloads, no changes and differences in V̇o2 could be detected. We conclude that nitrate supplementation causes a sustaining reduction of the oxygen cost per watt during exercise with a large recruitment of type II muscle fibers without affecting endurance capacity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Because most studies focused on the acute effects of [Formula: see text] supplementation on exercise performance during a supplementation period, the sustainability of the effects of the [Formula: see text] supplementation remain unknown. We followed the development of V̇o2/W at different intensities during the first week after cessation of daily [Formula: see text] supplementation over 3 wk. The results indicate that [Formula: see text] supplementation has a long-term effect for at least 7 days after cessation during heavy all-out workloads without affecting endurance capacity.
Experimental Study on the Transport of Light Gas Molecules through Low-Density Polyethylene Films
Authors: Checchetto Riccardo 
Published: October 2018

An original experimental procedure for the study of gas permeation process through thin polymer films is presented. Employing mass spectroscopy techniques, this procedure allows the detection of the permeation flux with a signal-to-noise ratio large enough to obtain accurate measurements of the gas diffusivity also in processes with transient transport conditions lasting for short-interval times (~few seconds). The procedure is validated using as test material a thin low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film: the transport of four test gases with different molecular sizes and condensation properties (CO2, N2, D2, and He) is studied in the 295 to 350 K temperature interval. The CO2 diffusivity values well compare with values previously obtained studying the same LDPE film samples by integral permeation technique measuring the time lag value. Original data on the diffusivity of the He and D2 penetrant molecules are reported: in the examined temperature range, the diffusivity values of these small-size penetrants are in the 10−6 cm2/s range and follow an Arrhenius behavior with temperature. The activation energy values for diffusion are 18.8 ± 0.4 and 10.0 ± 0.4 kJ/mol for D2 and He, respectively.
Homophilic CD44 Interactions Mediate Tumor Cell Aggregation and Polyclonal Metastasis in Patient-Derived Breast Cancer Models
Authors: Liu Xia , Taftaf Rokana , Kawaguchi Madoka , Chang Ya-Fang , Chen Wenjing , Entenberg David , Zhang Youbin , Gerratana Lorenzo , Huang Simo , Patel Dhwani B. , Tsui Elizabeth , Adorno-Cruz Valery , Chirieleison Steven M. , Cao Yue , Harney Allison S. , Patel Shivani , Patsialou Antonia , Shen Yang , Avril Stefanie , Gilmore Hannah L. , Lathia Justin D. , Abbott Derek W. , Cristofanilli Massimo , Condeelis John S. , Liu Huiping 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) seed cancer metastases; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. CTC clusters were less frequently detected but more metastatic than single CTCs of patients with triple-negative breast cancer and representative patient-derived xenograft models. Using intravital multiphoton microscopic imaging, we found that clustered tumor cells in migration and circulation resulted from aggregation of individual tumor cells rather than collective migration and cohesive shedding. Aggregated tumor cells exhibited enriched expression of the breast cancer stem cell marker CD44 and promoted tumorigenesis and polyclonal metastasis. Depletion of CD44 effectively prevented tumor cell aggregation and decreased PAK2 levels. The intercellular CD44–CD44 homophilic interactions directed multicellular aggregation, requiring its N-terminal domain, and initiated CD44–PAK2 interactions for further activation of FAK signaling. Our studies highlight that CD44+ CTC clusters, whose presence is correlated with a poor prognosis of patients with breast cancer, can serve as novel therapeutic targets of polyclonal metastasis.

Significance:
CTCs not only serve as important biomarkers for liquid biopsies, but also mediate devastating metastases. CD44 homophilic interactions and subsequent CD44–PAK2 interactions mediate tumor cluster aggregation. This will lead to innovative biomarker applications to predict prognosis, facilitate development of new targeting strategies to block polyclonal metastasis, and improve clinical outcomes.
See related commentary by Rodrigues and Vanharanta, p. 22.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1
The Mechanisms Leading to a Stratospheric Hydration by Overshooting Convection
Authors: Dauhut Thibaut , Chaboureau Jean-Pierre , Haynes Peter H. , Lane Todd P. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOvershoots are convective air parcels that rise beyond their level of neutral buoyancy. A giga-large-eddy simulation (100-m cubic resolution) of “Hector the Convector,” a deep convective system that regularly forms in northern Australia, is analyzed to identify overshoots and quantify the effect of hydration of the stratosphere. In the simulation, 1507 individual overshoots were identified, and 46 of them were tracked over more than 10 min. Hydration of the stratosphere occurs through a sequence of mechanisms: overshoot penetration into the stratosphere, followed by entrainment of stratospheric air and then by efficient turbulent mixing between the air in the overshoot and the entrained warmer air, leaving the subsequent mixed air at about the maximum overshooting altitude. The time scale of these mechanisms is about 1 min. Two categories of overshoots are distinguished: those that significantly hydrate the stratosphere and those that have little direct hydration effect. The former reach higher altitudes and hence entrain and mix with air that has higher potential temperatures. The resulting mixed air has higher temperatures and higher saturation mixing ratios. Therefore, a greater amount of the hydrometeors carried by the original overshoot sublimates to form a persistent vapor-enriched layer. This makes the maximum overshooting altitude the key prognostic for the parameterization of deep convection to represent the correct overshoot transport. One common convection parameterization is tested, and the results suggest that the overshoot downward acceleration due to negative buoyancy is too large relative to that predicted by the numerical simulations and needs to be reduced.
Verification of Seasonal Climate Forecast toward Hydroclimatic Information Needs of Rice Farmers in Northern Ghana
Authors: Nyadzi Emmanuel , Werners E. Saskia , Biesbroek Robbert , Long Phi Hoang , Franssen Wietse , Ludwig Fulco 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face many difficulties when making farming decisions due to unexpected changes in weather and climate. Access to hydroclimatic information can potentially assist farmers to adapt. This study explores the extent to which seasonal climate forecasts can meet hydroclimatic information needs of rice farmers in northern Ghana. First, 62 rice farmers across 12 communities were interviewed about their information needs. Results showed that importance of hydroclimatic information depends on the frequency of use and farming type (rain-fed, irrigated, or both). Generally, farmers perceived rainfall distribution, dam water level, and temperature as very important information, followed by total rainfall amount and onset ranked as important. These findings informed our skills assessment of rainfall (Prcp), minimum temperature (Tmin), and maximum temperature (Tmax) from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF-S4) and at lead times of 0 to 2 months. Forecast bias, correlation, and skills for all variables vary with season and location but are generally unsystematic and relatively constant with forecast lead time. Making it possible to meet farmers’ needs at their most preferred lead time of 1 month before the farming season. ECMWF-S4 exhibited skill in Prcp, Tmin, and Tmax in northern Ghana except for a few grid cells in MAM for Prcp and SON for Tmin and Tmax. Tmin and Tmax forecasts were more skillful than Prcp. We conclude that the participatory coproduction approach used in this study provides better insight for understanding demand-driven climate information services and that the ECMWF-S4 seasonal forecast system has the potential to provide actionable hydroclimatic information that may support farmers’ decisions.
A new fracture permeability model of CBM reservoir with high-dip angle in the southern Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Yang Shiyu , Cai Yidong , Wei Ren , Zhou Yingfang 
Published: October 2018

Predicting the permeability of coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs is significant for coalbed methane exploration and coalbed methane development. In this work, a new fracture permeability model of coalbed methane reservoir with high-dip angle in the southern Junggar Basin, NW China is established based on the Poiseuille and Darcy laws. The fracture porosity in coalbed methane reservoir is calculated by applying 3D finite element method. The formation cementing index m was calculated by combining fractal theory and the data of acoustic logging, compensated neutron logging, and density logging with the space method. Based on Poiseuille and Darcy laws, the curvature τ is introduced to derive this new method for obtaining the permeability of the original fractures in coalbed methane reservoirs. Moreover, this newly established permeability model is compared with the permeability from the well testing, which shows a very good correlation between them. This model comprehensively includes the effects of fracture porosity, reservoir pore structure, and development conditions on fracture permeability. Finally, the permeability prediction of coalbed methane reservoir with high-dip angle in the southern Junggar Basin, NW China is conducted, which correlates very well with the well test permeability ( R2 = 0.83). Therefore, this model can be used to accurately predict the coalbed methane reservoir permeability of low rank coals in the southern Junggar Basin. The permeability of the No.43 coalbed methane reservoir for the coalbed methane wells without well testing data is evaluated, which ranges from 0.000251 to 0.379632 mD. This significant change in permeability may indicate a complex coalbed methane reservoir structure in the southern Junggar Basin, NW China.
Blood damage in Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Pump thrombosis or system thrombosis?
Authors: Selmi Matteo , Chiu Wei-Che , Chivukula Venkat Keshav , Melisurgo Giulio , Beckman Jennifer Ann , Mahr Claudius , Aliseda Alberto , Votta Emiliano , Redaelli Alberto , Slepian Marvin J , Bluestein Danny , Pappalardo Federico , Consolo Filippo 
Published: October 2018

Introduction: Despite significant technical advancements in the design and manufacture of Left Ventricular Assist Devices, post-implant thrombotic and thromboembolic complications continue to affect long-term outcomes. Previous efforts, aimed at optimizing pump design as a means of reducing supraphysiologic shear stresses generated within the pump and associated prothrombotic shear-mediated platelet injury, have only partially altered the device hemocompatibility. Methods: We examined hemodynamic mechanisms that synergize with hypershear within the pump to contribute to the thrombogenic potential of the overall Left Ventricular Assist Device system. Results: Numerical simulations of blood flow in differing regions of the Left Ventricular Assist Device system, that is the diseased native left ventricle, the pump inflow cannula, the impeller, the outflow graft and the anastomosed downstream aorta, reveal that prothrombotic hemodynamic conditions might occur at these specific sites. Furthermore, we show that beyond hypershear, additional hemodynamic abnormalities exist within the pump, which may elicit platelet activation, such as recirculation zones and stagnant platelet trajectories. We also provide evidences that particular Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation configurations and specific post-implant patient management strategies, such as those allowing aortic valve opening, are more hemodynamically favorable and reduce the thrombotic risk. Conclusion: We extend the perspective of pump thrombosis secondary to the supraphysiologic shear stress environment of the pump to one of Left Ventricular Assist Device system thrombosis, raising the importance of comprehensive characterization of the different prothrombotic risk factors of the total system as the target to achieve enhanced hemocompatibility and improved clinical outcomes.