bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fault‐tolerant control design using the linear parameter varying approach
Authors: Montes de Oca Saúl , Tornil‐Sin Sebastian , Puig Vicenç , Theilliol Didier 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYIn this paper, a fault‐tolerant control (FTC) design method based on linear parameter varying (LPV) gain‐scheduling theory is proposed. The main contribution is the design of a fault‐tolerant state‐feedback observer‐based controller based on a polytopic LPV representation where faults are considered in the same way that those parameters that vary with the operating point. Within this framework, the ranges of fault magnitudes that are wanted to be tolerated can be specified as design parameters. Control specifications are defined in terms of H ∞  or H2 performance in combination with regional pole placement, as traditionally carried out in conventional LPV control. Passive and active FTC formulations are developed, the latter assuming the availability of online fault estimations. In both cases, the associated controller synthesis methods are based on the well‐established LPV‐LMI framework. Additionally, a fault estimation procedure is provided to allow the implementation of the active formulation. Finally, the use of the proposed method is illustrated by applying it to the FTC of a two‐degree‐of‐freedom helicopter. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐global leader‐following consensus of multiple linear systems with position and rate limited actuators
Authors: Zhao Zhiyun , Lin Zongli 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThis paper studies the semi‐global leader‐following consensus problem for a group of linear systems in the presence of both actuator position and rate saturation. Each follower agent in the group is described by a general linear system subject to simultaneous actuator position and rate saturation. For each follower agent, we construct both a linear state feedback control law and a linear output feedback control law by using low gain approach. We show that semi‐global leader‐following consensus can be achieved by using these control laws when the communication topology among follower agents is a connected undirected graph, and the leader is a neighbor of at least one follower. Simulation results illustrate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal assessment of lung area measurements by two‐dimensional ultrasound in fetuses with isolated left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Ruano R. , Britto I. S. W. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar H. , Bussamra L. C. S. , Da Silva M. M. , Belfort M. A. , Deter R. L. , Lee W. , Tannuri U. , Zugaib M. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate lung growth in healthy fetuses and those with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound.MethodsFetal right lung measurements obtained by 2D ultrasound between 19 and 37 weeks' gestation were evaluated longitudinally in 66 healthy fetuses and 52 fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH. Right lung areas were determined by the ‘tracing’ and ‘longest‐diameters’ methods and, subsequently, lung area‐to‐head circumference ratios (LHRs) were calculated. Functions fitted to these size parameters with respect to gestational age were evaluated for three sets of group‐wise comparisons: (1) healthy vs CDH fetuses; (2) different degrees of severity of CDH; and (3) CDH fetuses that survived vs those that died by 6 months postpartum.ResultsThere was a significantly slower increase in right lung areas and LHRs with advancing gestational age in CDH fetuses than in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Compared to those with milder forms of CDH, lung areas and LHRs of fetuses with more severe forms displayed a smaller increase (P < 0.05) and LHRs of fetuses with severe CDH did not increase during pregnancy (P > 0.05). Individuals who died postpartum did not show any increase in LHR (P > 0.05) throughout gestation.ConclusionsThe right lung area and LHR, calculated using either the longest‐diameters or tracing method, display reduced growth rates during gestation in cases of isolated left‐sided CDH as compared with healthy fetuses. The growth curve characteristics of fetal lung areas and LHRs may be useful for predicting neonatal mortality. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fish Oil Supplementation Decreases Oxidative Stress but Does Not Affect Platelet‐Activating Factor Bioactivity in Lungs of Asthmatic Rats
Authors: Zanatta A. L. , Miranda D. T. S. Z. , Dias B. C. L. , Campos R. M. , Massaro M. C. , Michelotto P. V. , West A. L. , Miles E. A. , Calder P. C. , Nishiyama A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractDietary fish oil supplementation increases the content of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cellular membranes. The highly unsaturated nature of n‐3 PUFA could result in an enhanced lipid peroxidation in the oxidative environment characteristic of asthma. The oxidative reaction cascade culminates in an increased production of components associated to oxidative stress and of an important proinflammatory mediator platelet‐activating factor (PAF)‐like lipid. We evaluated the effect of fish oil supplementation in asthmatic rats upon the PAF bioactivity and parameters related to oxidative stress in the lung. Fish oil supplementation of asthmatic rats resulted in lower concentrations of nitrite (1.719 ± 0.137 vs. 2.454 ± 0.163 nmol/mL) and lipid hydroperoxide (72.190 ± 7.327 vs. 120.200 ± 11.270 nmol/mg protein). In asthmatic animals, fish oil increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) (33.910 ± 2.325 vs. 24.110 ± 0.618 U/mg protein) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) (164.100 ± 31.250 vs. 12.590 ± 5.234 U/mg protein). However, fish oil did not affect PAF bioactivity in lung tissue of asthmatic rats (0.545 ± 0.098 340/380 vs. 0.669 ± 0.101 340/380 nm ratio). Considering the two‐step process—oxidative stress and PAF bioactivity—fish oil exhibited a divergent action on these aspects of asthmatic inflammation, since the supplement lowered oxidative stress in the lungs of asthmatic rats, presenting an antioxidant effect, but did not affect PAF bioactivity. This suggests a dual effect of fish oil on oxidative stress and inflammation in asthma.
Response to Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for autism—An umbrella approach to issues critical to treatment individualization
Authors: Fava Leonardo , Strauss Kristin 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIntegrating knowledge across the disciplines of genetics, neurological, and behavioral science targets, so far, early identification of children with autism and thus early access to intervention. Cross‐discipline collaboration might be substantially improve treatment efficacy via individualized treatment based on the child and family needs, consistency across treatment providers and careful planning of skill curricula, setting and techniques. This paper documents the current state of five main issues critical to treatment individualization where cross‐discipline collaboration is warranted: (1) developmental timing, (2) treatment intensity, (3) heterogeneity in treatment response, (4) program breath and flexibility, and (5) formats of treatment provision.
Perinatal α‐linolenic acid availability alters the expression of genes related to memory and to epigenetic machinery, and the Mecp2 DNA methylation in the whole brain of mouse offspring
Authors: He Fuli , Lupu Daniel S. , Niculescu Mihai D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMany animal and human studies indicated that dietary ω‐3 fatty acids could have beneficial roles on brain development, memory, and learning. However, the exact mechanisms involved are far from being clearly understood, especially for α‐linolenic acid (ALA), which is the precursor for the ω‐3 elongation and desaturation pathways. This study investigated the alterations induced by different intakes of flaxseed oil (containing 50% ALA), during gestation and lactation, upon the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis, memory‐related molecular processes, and DNA methylation, in the brains of mouse offspring at the end of lactation (postnatal day 19, P19). In addition, DNA methylation status for the same genes was investigated. Maternal flaxseed oil supplementation during lactation increased the expression of Mecp2, Ppp1cc, and Reelin, while decreasing the expression of Ppp1cb and Dnmt3a. Dnmt1 expression was decreased by postnatal flaxseed oil supplementation but this effect was offset by ALA deficiency during gestation. Mecp2 DNA methylation was decreased by maternal ALA deficiency during gestation, with a more robust effect in the lactation‐deficient group. In addition, linear regression analysis revealed positive correlations between Mecp2, Reelin, and Ppp1cc, between Gadd45b, Bdnf, and Creb1, and between Egr1 and Dnmt1, respectively. However, there were no correlations, in any gene, between DNA methylation and gene expression. In summary, the interplay between ALA availability during gestation and lactation differentially altered the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis and memory, in the whole brain of the offspring at the end of lactation. The Mecp2 epigenetic status was correlated with ALA availability during gestation. However, the epigenetic status of the genes investigated was not associated with transcript levels, suggesting that either the regulation of these genes is not necessarily under epigenetic control, or that the whole brain model is not adequate for the exploration of epigenetic regulation in the context of this study.
GT-Scan: identifying unique genomic targets
Authors: O’Brien Aidan , Bailey Timothy L. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Summary: A number of technologies, including CRISPR/Cas, transcription activator-like effector nucleases and zinc-finger nucleases, allow the user to target a chosen locus for genome editing or regulatory interference. Specificity, however, is a major problem, and the targeted locus must be chosen with care to avoid inadvertently affecting other loci (‘off-targets’) in the genome. To address this we have created ‘Genome Target Scan’ (GT-Scan), a flexible web-based tool that ranks all potential targets in a user-selected region of a genome in terms of how many off-targets they have. GT-Scan gives the user flexibility to define the desired characteristics of targets and off-targets via a simple ‘target rule’, and its interactive output allows detailed inspection of each of the most promising candidate targets. GT-Scan can be used to identify optimal targets for CRISPR/Cas systems, but its flexibility gives it potential to be adapted to other genome-targeting technologies as well.
Availability and implementation: GT-Scan can be run via the web at: http://gt-scan.braembl.org.au .
Contact: t.bailey@uq.edu.au
Fish growth, reproduction, and tissue production on artificial reefs relative to natural reefs
Authors: Granneman Jennifer E. , Steele Mark A. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The extent to which artificial reefs may be useful for mitigation of environmental impacts, fisheries management, and conservation depends in part upon how well the organisms that live on them fare. We tested whether fish living on artificial reefs were in similar condition (weight-at-length), grew, foraged, reproduced, and produced tissue at rates similar to those on natural reefs. We studied five artificial–natural reef pairs spread over >200 km in the Southern California Bight. Underwater visual transects were used to quantify density and size structure of four target species (Paralabrax clathratus, Paralabrax nebulifer, Semicossyphus pulcher, and Embiotoca jacksoni), which were also collected to measure foraging success, condition, growth, reproductive output, and tissue production. Generally, fish living on artificial reefs fared as well or better than those on natural reefs, with some exceptions. Semicossyphus pulcher fared better on artificial reefs, having higher foraging success, fecundity, densities, and tissue production. Embiotoca jacksoni grew faster on natural reefs, and P. nebulifer was in slightly better condition on natural reefs. Total fish tissue production tended to be higher on artificial reefs than on natural reefs, though this pattern was not evident on all reef pairs. Tissue production was positively correlated with the abundance of large boulders, which was higher on artificial reefs than natural reefs. The similar or greater production of fish tissue per cubic metre on artificial reefs relative to natural reefs indicates that these artificial habitats are valuable in producing fish biomass. Fish living on artificial reefs fared as well as those living on natural reefs, indicating that well-designed artificial reefs can be useful tools for mitigation, conservation, and fisheries management.
TUPE: Ringing the (Wrong) Changes. The Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014
Authors: McMullen John 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Following the review of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills it was feared that a seismic change would be made to the TUPE regulations under the banner of cutting red tape and reducing gold plating of legislation perceived to exceed the minimal requirements of the Acquired Rights Directive. Key headlines in the review were the suggested repeal of the service provision change rules and the abolition of the duty on a transferring employer to provide to the transferee employer a statutory list of employee liability information. The 2014 regulations however reflect a compromise. The thrust of most responses to the Government consultation was to leave well alone and, as a result, the service provision change rules have been retained and the duty to provide employee liability information fortified rather than repealed. But this is a ‘curate's egg’ of a set of regulations. Some elements are followed through by clear thinking. Others reflect a purported compromise between business interests and employee rights that on occasion, we suggest, breaches European Union law.
Non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation in plants
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Chen Xuemei 
Published: May 2014

AbstractCytosine DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification in eukaryotes that maintains genome integrity and regulates gene expression. The DNA methylation patterns in plants are more complex than those in animals, and plants and animals have common as well as distinct pathways in regulating DNA methylation. Recent studies involving genetic, molecular, biochemical and genomic approaches have greatly expanded our knowledge of DNA methylation in plants. The roles of many proteins as well as non-coding RNAs in DNA methylation have been uncovered.
Powerful tests for multi-marker association analysis using ensemble learning
Authors: Padhukasahasram Badri , Reddy Chandan K. , Williams L. Keoki 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTMulti-marker approaches are currently gaining a lot of interest in genome wide association studies and can enhance power to detect new associations under certain conditions. Gene and pathway based association tests are increasingly being viewed as useful complements to the more widely used single marker association analysis which have successfully uncovered numerous disease variants. A major drawback of single-marker based methods is that they do not consider pairwise and higher-order interactions between genetic variants. Here, we describe novel tests for multi-marker association analyses that are based on phenotype predictions obtained from machine learning algorithms. Instead of utilizing only a linear or logistic regression model, we propose the use of ensembles of diverse machine learning algorithms for constructing such association tests. As the true mathematical relationship between a phenotype and any group of genetic and clinical variables is unknown in advance and may be complex, such a strategy gives us a general and flexible framework to approximate this relationship across different sets of SNPs. We show how phenotype prediction obtained from ensemble learning algorithms can be used for constructing tests for the joint association of multiple variants. We first apply our method to simulated datasets to demonstrate its power and correctness. Then, we apply our method to previously studied asthma-related genes in two independent asthma cohorts to conduct association tests.
PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR1 Enhances the E3 Ligase Activity of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 to Synergistically Repress Photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Xiaosa , Paik Inyup , Zhu Ling , Bu Qingyun , Huang Xi , Deng Xing Wang , Huq Enamul 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) is a RING/WD40 repeat–containing ubiquitin E3 ligase that is conserved from plants to humans. COP1 forms complexes with SUPPRESSOR OF PHYTOCHROME A (SPA) proteins, and these complexes degrade positively acting transcription factors in the dark to repress photomorphogenesis. Phytochrome-interacting basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors (PIFs) also repress photomorphogenesis in the dark. In response to light, the phytochrome family of sensory photoreceptors simultaneously inactivates COP1-SPA complexes and induces the rapid degradation of PIFs to promote photomorphogenesis. However, the functional relationship between PIFs and COP1-SPA complexes is still unknown. Here, we present genetic evidence that the pif and cop1/spa Arabidopsis thaliana mutants synergistically promote photomorphogenesis in the dark. LONG HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) is stabilized in the cop1 pif1, spa123 pif1, and pif double, triple, and quadruple mutants in the dark. Moreover, the hy5 mutant suppresses the constitutive photomorphogenic phenotypes of the pifq mutant in the dark. PIF1 forms complexes with COP1, HY5, and SPA1 and enhances the substrate recruitment and autoubiquitylation and transubiquitylation activities of COP1. These data uncover a novel function of PIFs as the potential cofactors of COP1 and provide a genetic and biochemical model of how PIFs and COP1-SPA complexes synergistically repress photomorphogenesis in the dark.
Trait‐based diet selection: prey behaviour and morphology predict vulnerability to predation in reef fish communities
Authors: Green Stephanie J. , Côté Isabelle M. 
Published: May 2014

Summary

Understanding how predators select their prey can provide important insights into community structure and dynamics. However, the suite of prey species available to a predator is often spatially and temporally variable. As a result, species‐specific selectivity data are of limited use for predicting novel predator–prey interactions because they are assemblage specific.

We present a method for predicting diet selection that is applicable across prey assemblages, based on identifying general morphological and behavioural traits of prey that confer vulnerability to predation independent of species identity. We apply this trait‐based approach to examining prey selection by Indo‐Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles), invasive predators that prey upon species‐rich reef fish communities and are rapidly spreading across the western Atlantic.

We first generate hypotheses about morphological and behavioural traits recurring across fish species that could facilitate or deter predation by lionfish. Constructing generalized linear mixed‐effects models that account for relatedness among prey taxa, we test whether these traits predict patterns of diet selection by lionfish within two independent data sets collected at different spatial scales: (i) in situ visual observations of prey consumption and availability for individual lionfish and (ii) comparisons of prey abundance in lionfish stomach contents to availability on invaded reefs at large.

Both analyses reveal that a number of traits predicted to affect vulnerability to predation, including body size, body shape, position in the water column and aggregation behaviour, are important determinants of diet selection by lionfish. Small, shallow‐bodied, solitary fishes found resting on or just above reefs are the most vulnerable. Fishes that exhibit parasite cleaning behaviour experience a significantly lower risk of predation than non‐cleaning fishes, and fishes that are nocturnally active are at significantly greater risk. Together, vulnerable traits heighten the risk of predation by a factor of nearly 200.

Our study reveals that a trait‐based approach yields insights into predator–prey interactions that are robust across prey assemblages. Importantly, in situ observations of selection yield similar results to broadscale comparisons of prey use and availability, which are more typically gathered for predator species. A trait‐based approach could therefore be of use across predator species and ecosystems to predict the outcomes of changing predator–prey interactions on community dynamics.
Enhanced external counterpulsation improves endothelial function and exercise capacity in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Beck Darren T , Martin Jeffrey S , Casey Darren P , Avery Joseph C , Sardina Paloma D , Braith Randy W 
Published: May 2014

SummaryEnhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy decreases angina episodes and improves quality of life in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LVD). However, studies have not elucidated the mechanisms of action and overall effects of EECP in patients with LVD. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of EECP on endothelial function in peripheral conduit arteries and exercise capacity (peak Vo2) in patients with LVD. Patients with ischaemic LVD (ejection fraction (EF) 34.5 ± 4.2%; n = 9) and patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved LV function (EF 53.5 ± 6.6%; n = 15) were studied before and after 35 sessions (1 h) of EECP. Brachial and femoral artery flow‐mediated dilation (bFMD and fFMD, respectively) were evaluated using high‐resolution ultrasound. Enhanced external counterpulsation elicited similar significant improvements in the following FMD parameters in the CAD and LVD groups (P ≥ 0.05 between groups for all): absolute bFMD (+53% and +70%, respectively), relative bFMD (+50% and +74%, respectively), bFMD normalized for shear rate (+70% and +61%, respectively), absolute fFMD (+33% and +21%, respectively) and relative fFMD (+32% and +17%, respectively). In addition, EECP significantly improved plasma levels of nitrate/nitrite (+55% and +28%) and prostacyclin (+50% and +70%), as well as peak Vo2 (+36% and +21%), similarly in both the CAD and LVD groups (P ≥ 0.05 between groups for all). Despite reduced LV function, EECP therapy significantly improves peripheral vascular function and functional capacity in CAD patients with ischaemic LVD to a similar degree to that seen in CAD patients with preserved LV function.
Higher systolic blood pressure with normal vascular function measurements in preterm‐born children
Authors: Edwards Martin O. , Watkins William John , Kotecha Sarah J. , Halcox Julian P. J. , Dunstan Frank D. , Henderson Alexander John , Kotecha Sailesh 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPreterm birth, low birth weight and poor foetal nutrition have been linked to cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We explored prematurity and vascular function by studying a UK cohort of 14 049 children and conducting a systematic review.ConclusionSystolic blood pressure was higher in subjects born preterm than term, but there were no differences in endothelial dysfunction or arterial stiffness. The systematic review revealed no clear association between prematurity and vascular function.