bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a hybrid simulation controller for full‐scale experimental investigation of seismic retrofits for soft‐story woodframe buildings
Authors: Shao Xiaoyun , Pang Weichiang , Griffith Chelsea , Ziaei Ershad , van de Lindt John 
Published: February 2016

SummaryHybrid simulations of a full‐scale soft‐story woodframe building specimen with various retrofits were carried out as part of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research project – NEES‐Soft: seismic risk reduction for soft‐story woodframe buildings. The test structure in the hybrid simulation was a three‐story woodframe building that was divided into a numerical substructure of the first story with various retrofits and a full‐scale physical substructure of the upper two stories. Four long‐stroke actuators, two at the second floor and two at the roof diaphragm, were attached to the physical substructure to impose the simulated seismic responses including both translation and in‐plane rotation. Challenges associated with this first implementation of a full‐scale hybrid simulation on a woodframe building were identified. This paper presents the development and validation of a scalable and robust hybrid simulation controller for efficient test site deployment. The development consisted of three incremental validation phases ranging from small‐scale, mid‐scale, to full‐scale tests conducted at three laboratories. Experimental setup, procedure, and results of each phase of the controller development are discussed, demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of the incremental controller development approach for large‐scale hybrid simulation programs with complex test setup. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation and erosion of sediment cover in an experimental bedrock‐alluvial channel
Authors: Hodge Rebecca , Hoey Trevor , Maniatis Georgios , Leprêtre Emilie 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSediment grains in a bedrock‐alluvial river will be deposited within or adjacent to a sediment patch, or as isolated grains on the bedrock surface. Previous analysis of grain geometry has demonstrated that these arrangements produce significant differences in grain entrainment shear stress. However, this analysis neglected potential interactions between the sediment patches, local hydraulics and grain entrainment. We present a series of flume experiments that measure the influence of sediment patches on grain entrainment. The flume had a planar bed with roughness that was much smaller than the diameters of the mobile grains. In each experiment sediment was added either as individual grains or as a single sediment pulse. Flow was then increased until the sediment was entrained. Analysis of the experiments demonstrates that: (1) for individual grains, coarse grains are entrained at a higher discharge than fine grains; (2) once sediment patches are present, the different in entrainment discharge between coarse and fine grains is greatly reduced; (3) the sheltering effect of patches also increases the entrainment discharge of isolated grains; (4) entire sediment patches break‐up and are eroded quickly, rather than through progressive grain‐by‐grain erosion; (5) as discharge increases there is some tendency for patches to become more elongate and flow‐aligned, and more randomly distributed across the bed. One implication of this research is that the critical shear stress in bedrock‐alluvial channels will be a function of the extent of the sediment cover. Another is that the influence of sediment patches equalizes critical shear stresses between different grain sizes and grain locations, meaning that these factors may not need to be accounted for. Further research is needed to quantify interactions between sediment patches, grain entrainment and local hydraulics on rougher bedrock surfaces, and under different types of sediment supply. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of processing on carbendazim residue in Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Xia Erdong , Tao Wuqun , Yao Xi , Wang Jin , Tang Feng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSamples of Pleurotus ostreatus were exposed to fungicide carbendazim to study the effect of processing on the residues. In most cases, processing operations led to a significant decrease in residue levels in the finished products, particularly through washing, drying, and cooking processes. The results indicated that rinsing under running tap water led to more than 70.30% loss in carbendazim residues. When dried under sunlight could remove more than 70.30% residues. There was a 63.90–97.14% reduction after steaming, with processing time extending, the removal rates increased especially for lower initial residue level samples. The residue was almost completely removed by frying combined with microwave heating. Furthermore, boiling the mushrooms reduced the residue in the mushroom and no carbendazim residues were determined in the broth.
Using the Bayesian network relative risk model risk assessment process to evaluate management alternatives for the South River and upper Shenandoah River, Virginia
Authors: Johns Annie F , Graham Scarlett E , Harris Meagan J , Markiewicz April J , Stinson Jonah M , Landis Wayne G 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

We have conducted a series of regional scale risk assessments using the Bayesian Network Relative Risk Model (BN-RRM) to evaluate the efficacy of 2 remediation options in the reduction of risks to the South River and upper Shenandoah River study area. The 2 remediation options were 1) bank stabilization (BST) and 2) the implementation of best management practices for agriculture (AgBMPs) to reduce Hg input in to the river. Eight endpoints were chosen to be part of the risk assessment, based on stakeholder input. Although Hg contamination was the original impetus for the site being remediated, multiple chemical and physical stressors were evaluated in this analysis. Specific models were built that incorporated the changes expected from AgBMP and BST and were based on our previous research. Changes in risk were calculated, and sensitivity and influence analyses were conducted on the models. The assessments indicated that AgBMP would only slightly change risk in the study area but that negative impacts were also unlikely. Bank stabilization would reduce risk to Hg for the smallmouth bass and belted kingfisher and increase risk to abiotic water quality endpoints. However, if care were not taken to prevent loss of nesting habitat to belted kingfisher, an increase in risk to that species would occur. Because Hg was only one of several stressors contributing to risk, the change in risk depended on the specific endpoint. Sensitivity analysis provided a list of variables to be measured as part of a monitoring program. Influence analysis provided the range of maximum and minimum risk values for each endpoint and remediation option. This research demonstrates the applicability of ecological risk assessment and specifically the BN-RRM as part of a long-term adaptive management scheme for managing contaminated sites. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:100–114. © 2016 SETAC

Key Points
It was possible to evaluate management alternatives in a risk assessment framework by estimating the changes in risk that may occur from these activities. In order to estimate the effectiveness of remediation strategies, it was necessary to include all of the relevant stressors and the endpoints in an assessment framework. The bank stabilization management option reduced risk to some endpoints, but careful planning is necessary to prevent introducing risk due to habitat loss. The uncertainty and sensitivity processes identified key variables for inclusion into a monitoring program to demonstrate the efficacy of the management options.
The use of substrate materials and topography to modify growth patterns and rates of differentiation of muscle cells
Authors: Murray L. M. , Nock V. , Evans J. J. , Alkaisi M. M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCells are cultured on platforms made of a variety of materials with selected topographies during studies of cell response and behavior. Understanding the effects of substrates is essential for such applications as developing effective interfaces between body cells and implanted materials and devices. In this study, the effects of substrate surface properties on cell differentiation and alignment on C2C12 myoblasts cultured on conventional or fabricated polymeric cell culture substrates were investigated. Comparisons were made between cells cultured on tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS), glass, Permanox, and cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of cell markers was used to analyse the extent of differentiation. Alignment and guidance of cell growth and spread were studied using patterned platforms. Gratings were made on polystyrene (PS) and PDMS and differentiation was facilitated after 5 days by media exchange. Differences in cell morphology were observed between cells cultured on TCPS and PDMS substrates. Fully differentiated myotubes were observed in highest numbers on TCPS substrates and were non‐detectable on PDMS substrates in the time frame of 144 h. Muscle cell alignment and their differentiation followed along the grating patterns on PS and elongated along the pattern length. On the other hand, on PDMS cells formed sheets of tissue and peeled from the substrate. We have revealed the potential for the combinations of surface materials and topography on cell behavior to induce accelerated differentiation and coordinated alignment. The results demonstrate that culture environment can be designed or engineered to modify or regulate muscle cell functions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1638–1645, 2016.
Differential Regulation of Bcl‐xL Gene Expression by Corticosterone, Progesterone, and Retinoic Acid
Authors: Morrissy Steve J , Sun Haipeng , Zhang Jack , Strom Joshua , Chen Qin M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTCorticosterone (CT), progesterone (PG), and retinoic acid (RA) are capable of inhibiting Doxorubicin (Dox) from inducing apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, CT, PG, and RA induce increases of Bcl‐xL protein and mRNA, and activate a 3.2 kb bcl‐x gene promoter. CT and RA, but not PG, induced the activity of a 0.9 kb bcl‐x promoter, containing sequences for AP‐1 and NF‐kB binding. RA, but not CT or PG, induced NF‐kB activation. CT, but not PG or RA, induced AP‐1 activation, and induction of the 0.9 kb bcl‐x reporter by CT was inhibited by dominant negative c‐Jun TAM‐67 or removal of AP‐1 binding site. Therefore, although CT, PG, and RA all induce Bcl‐xL mRNA and protein, three independent mechanisms are in operation: while CT induces Bcl‐xL via AP‐1 transcription factor, and RA induces NF‐kB activation and bcl‐x promoter activity, PG induces Bcl‐xL via a mechanism independent of NF‐kB or AP‐1.
Activity of ABCG2 Is Regulated by Its Expression and Localization in DHT and Cyclopamine‐Treated Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Chua Vivian Y.L. , Larma Irma , Harvey Jennet , Thomas Marc A. , Bentel Jacqueline M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTElevated expression of the efflux transporter, ATP‐binding cassette subfamily G isoform 2 (ABCG2) on the plasma membrane of cancer cells contributes to the development of drug resistance and is a key characteristic of cancer stem cells. In this study, gene expression analysis identified that treatment of the MCF‐7 and T‐47D breast cancer cell lines with the androgen, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the Hedgehog signaling inhibitor, cyclopamine downregulated ABCG2 mRNA levels. In MCF‐7 cells, and in Hoechst 33342lo/CD44hi/CD24lo breast cancer stem‐like cells isolated from MCF‐7 cultures, ABCG2 was accumulated in cell‐to‐cell junction complexes and in large cytoplasmic aggresome‐like vesicles. DHT treatments, which decreased cellular ABCG2 protein levels, led to diminished ABCG2 localization in both cell‐to‐cell junction complexes and in cytoplasmic vesicles. In contrast, cyclopamine, which did not alter ABCG2 protein levels, induced accumulation of ABCG2 in cytoplasmic vesicles, reducing its localization in cell‐to‐cell junction complexes. The reduced localization of ABCG2 at the plasma membrane of MCF‐7 cells was associated with decreased efflux of the ABCG2 substrate, mitoxantrone, and increased sensitivity of cyclopamine‐treated cultures to the cytotoxic effects of mitoxantrone. Together, these findings indicate that DHT and cyclopamine reduce ABCG2 activity in breast cancer cells by distinct mechanisms, providing evidence to advocate the adjunct use of analogous pharmaceutics to increase or prolong the efficacy of breast cancer treatments. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2249–2259, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cancer Stem Cells Protect Non‐Stem Cells From Anoikis: Bystander Effects
Authors: Kim Seog‐Young , Hong Se‐Hoon , Basse Per H. , Wu Chuanyue , Bartlett David L. , Kwon Yong Tae , Lee Yong J. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTCancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of initiation and metastasis of tumors. Therefore, understanding the biology of CSCs and the interaction between CSCs and their counterpart non‐stem cells is crucial for developing a novel cancer therapy. We used CSC‐like and non‐stem breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐453 cells to investigate mammosphere formation. We investigated the role of the epithelial cadherin (E‐cadherin)‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk) axis in anoikis. Data from E‐cadherin small hairpin RNA assay and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor study show that activation of Erk, but not modulation of E‐cadherin level, may play an important role in anoikis resistance. Next, the two cell subtypes were mixed and the interaction between them during mammosphere culture and xenograft tumor formation was investigated. Unlike CSC‐like cells, increased secretion of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and growth‐related oncogene (Gro) chemokines was detected during mammosphere culture in non‐stem cells. Similar results were observed in mixed cells. Interestingly, CSC‐like cells protected non‐stem cells from anoikis and promoted tumor growth. Our results suggest bystander effects between CSC‐like cells and non‐stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2289–2301, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Use of Dried Blood Spots for Pharmacokinetic Monitoring of Vemurafenib Treatment in Melanoma Patients
Authors: Nijenhuis Cynthia M. , Huitema Alwin D.R. , Marchetti Serena , Blank Christian , Haanen John B.A.G. , van Thienen Johannes V. , Rosing Hilde , Schellens Jan H.M. , Beijnen Jos H. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPharmacokinetic monitoring is increasingly becoming an important part of clinical care of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Vemurafenib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits mutated serine/threonine protein kinase B‐Raf (BRAF) and is approved for the treatment of adult patients with BRAF V600 mutation‐positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between dried blood spot (DBS) and plasma concentrations of vemurafenib to enable the use of DBS sampling, which is a minimally invasive form of sample collection. In total, 43 paired plasma and DBS samples (in duplicate) were obtained from 8 melanoma patients on vemurafenib therapy and were analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma concentrations were predicted from the DBS concentrations using 2 methods: (1) individual hematocrit correction and blood cell‐to‐plasma partitioning and (2) the calculated slope explaining the relationship between DBS and plasma concentrations (without individual hematocrit correction). Vemurafenib DBS concentrations and plasma concentrations showed a strong correlation (r = 0.964), and the relationship could be described by ([vemurafenib]plasma = [vemurafenib]DBS/0.64). The predicted plasma concentrations were within ±20% of the analyzed plasma concentrations in 97% and 100% of the samples for the methods with and without hematocrit correction, respectively. In conclusion, DBS concentrations and plasma concentrations of vemurafenib are highly correlated. Plasma concentrations can be predicted from DBS concentration using the blood cell‐to‐plasma partition and the average hematocrit value of this cohort (0.40 L/L). DBS sampling for pharmacokinetic monitoring of vemurafenib treatment can be used in clinical practice.
Nutritional leucine supplementation attenuates cardiac failure in tumour‐bearing cachectic animals
Authors: Toneto Aline Tatiane , Ferreira Ramos Luiz Alberto , Salomão Emilianne Miguel , Tomasin Rebeka , Aereas Miguel Arcanjo , Gomes‐Marcondes Maria Cristina Cintra 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe condition known as cachexia presents in most patients with malignant tumours, leading to a poor quality of life and premature death. Although the cancer‐cachexia state primarily affects skeletal muscle, possible damage in the cardiac muscle remains to be better characterized and elucidated. Leucine, which is a branched chain amino acid, is very useful for preserving lean body mass. Thus, this amino acid has been studied as a coadjuvant therapy in cachectic cancer patients, but whether this treatment attenuates the effects of cachexia and improves cardiac function remains poorly understood. Therefore, using an experimental cancer‐cachexia model, we evaluated whether leucine supplementation ameliorates cachexia in the heart.MethodsMale Wistar rats were fed either a leucine‐rich or a normoprotein diet and implanted or not with subcutaneous Walker‐256 carcinoma. During the cachectic stage (approximately 21 days after tumour implantation), when the tumour mass was greater than 10% of body weight, the rats were subjected to an electrocardiogram analysis to evaluate the heart rate, QT‐c, and T wave amplitude. The myocardial tissues were assayed for proteolytic enzymes (chymotrypsin, alkaline phosphatase, cathepsin, and calpain), cardiomyopathy biomarkers (myeloperoxidase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, and total plasminogen activator inhibitor 1), and caspase‐8, ‐9, ‐3, and ‐7 activity.ResultsBoth groups of tumour‐bearing rats, especially the untreated group, had electrocardiography alterations that were suggestive of ischemia, dilated cardiomyopathy, and sudden death risk. Additionally, the rats in the untreated tumour‐bearing group but not their leucine‐supplemented littermates exhibited remarkable increases in chymotrypsin activity and all three heart failure biomarkers analysed, including an increase in caspase‐3 and ‐7 activity.ConclusionsOur data suggest that a leucine‐rich diet could modulate heart damage, cardiomyocyte proteolysis, and apoptosis driven by cancer‐cachexia. Further studies must be conducted to elucidate leucine's mechanisms of action, which potentially includes the modulation of the heart's inflammatory process.
In vivo imaging of the spectral line broadening of the human lung in a single breathhold
Authors: Carinci Flavio , Meyer Cord , Breuer Felix A. , Jakob Peter M. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeTo present a technique, which allows for the in vivo quantification of the spectral line broadening of the human lung in a single breathhold. The line broadening is an interesting parameter of the lung because it can provide information about important lung properties, namely: inflation and oxygen uptake. The proposed technique integrates the asymmetric spin‐echo (ASE) approach, which is commonly used to quantify the line broadening, with a single shot turbo spin‐echo pulse sequence with half‐Fourier acquisition (HASTE), to reduce the acquisition times.Materials and MethodsImaging experiments were performed at 1.5 Tesla on 14 healthy volunteers, using a ASE‐prepared HASTE sequence. The line broadening was quantified using a two‐points method. Data were acquired at different breathing states: functional residual capacity (FRC) and total lung capacity (TLC), and with different breathing gases: room‐air and pure‐oxygen. Image acquisition was accomplished within a single breathhold of approximately 15 s duration. The violation of the Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill conditions, deriving from inhomogeneities of the static magnetic field, was overcome by means of radiofrequency‐phase cycling and generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) reconstruction.ResultsSignificant increase of the line broadening was observed with both lung inflation and oxygen concentration (P < 0.0001). Values of the line broadening obtained within the lung parenchyma at different breathing states (1.48 ± 0.29 ppm at FRC and 1.95 ± 0.43 ppm at TLC) are in agreement with previous reports and show excellent reproducibility, with a coefficient of variation <0.03. The mean relative difference observed with oxygen‐enhancement was approximately 14%.ConclusionThe presented technique offers a robust way to quantify the spectral line broadening of the human lung in vivo. Image acquisition can be accomplished in a single breathhold, which could be suitable for clinical applications on patients with lung diseases. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:745–757.
Spread of regional climate model projections: vertical structure and temporal evolution
Authors: Holtanová Eva , Mikšovský Jiří 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTDue to imperfections inherent to numerical climate simulations, projections of climate change need to be accompanied with an uncertainty estimate, typically derived from multi‐model ensembles. Here, an analysis of regional climate model outputs spread and its temporal evolution is presented, for the European air temperatures simulated over the 21st century. To quantify the overall uncertainty, standard deviation (sd) is used and compared to median absolute deviation and inter‐quartile range. The outcomes are shown for annual and seasonal means of air temperature at 2 m, 850 hPa, 700 hPa, 500 hPa and 300 hPa levels, simulated by ENSEMBLES regional climate models for eight geographical areas across Europe. Our results indicate that the estimated uncertainty of simulated air temperature changes over Europe generally increases during the 21st century, and typically decreases with height of the studied vertical level. The influence of driving global climate model on the regional simulation generally increases with height of the studied vertical level. In lower tropospheric levels, the clustering of regional climate models according to driving global climate model is stronger in winter than in summer.