bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of the lateral plate mesoderm in medaka Oryzias latipes and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: insight into the diversification of pelvic fin position
Authors: Kaneko Hiroki , Nakatani Yuki , Fujimura Koji , Tanaka Mikiko 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe position of the pelvic fins among teleost fishes has tended to shift rostrally during evolution. This positional shift seems to have led to the diversification of feeding behavior and allowed adaptation to new environments. To understand the developmental basis of this shift in pelvic fin position among teleosts, we investigated the embryonic development of the lateral plate mesoderm, which gives rise to the pelvic fins, at histological levels in the medaka Oryzias latipes (abdominal pelvic fins) and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (thoracic pelvic fins). Our histological analyses revealed that the lateral plate mesodermal cells expand not only ventrally but also rostrally to cover the yolk during embryogenesis of both medaka and Nile tilapia. In medaka, we also found that the lateral plate mesoderm completely covered the yolk prior to the initiation of the pelvic fin buds, whereas in Nile tilapia the pelvic fin buds appeared in the body wall from the lateral plate mesoderm at the thoracic level when the lateral plate mesodermal cells only covered one‐third of the yolk. We discuss the relevance of such differences in the rate of the lateral plate mesoderm expansion on the yolk surface and the position of the pelvic fins.
An epidemiological perspective of personalized medicine: the Estonian experience
Authors: Milani L. , Leitsalu L. , Metspalu A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe Estonian Biobank and several other biobanks established over a decade ago are now starting to yield valuable longitudinal follow‐up data for large numbers of individuals. These samples have been used in hundreds of different genome‐wide association studies, resulting in the identification of reliable disease‐associated variants. The focus of genomic research has started to shift from identifying genetic and nongenetic risk factors associated with common complex diseases to understanding the underlying mechanisms of the diseases and suggesting novel targets for therapy. However, translation of findings from genomic research into medical practice is still lagging, mainly due to insufficient evidence of clinical validity and utility. In this review, we examine the different elements required for the implementation of personalized medicine based on genomic information. First, biobanks and genome centres are required and have been established for the high‐throughput genomic screening of large numbers of samples. Secondly, the combination of susceptibility alleles into polygenic risk scores has improved risk prediction of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and several other diseases. Finally, national health information systems are being developed internationally, to combine data from electronic medical records from different sources, and also to gradually incorporate genomic information. We focus on the experience in Estonia, one of several countries with national goals towards more personalized health care based on genomic information, where the unique combination of elements required to accomplish this goal are already in place.
The unique contribution of elements of smile aesthetics to psychosocial well‐being
Authors: Lukez A. , Pavlic A. , Trinajstic Zrinski M. , Spalj S. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryPleasant smile aesthetics is an important contributory factor to psychosocial well‐being. The aim of this study was to determine the psychosocial influence of smile aesthetics. The study was cross‐sectional on a convenient sample that included patients, pupils, students and faculty staff. A total of 155 subjects (36% male) aged 12–39 (mean age 21, interquartile range 19–23) were included. Occlusal characteristics were recorded by the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need, and smiling frontal view photographs were obtained. Fourteen variables were measured using photogrammetric analysis: smile width, visibility of buccal corridors, maximum teeth exposure, total gingival display, lip thickness, degree of occlusal cant and deviation from golden proportion of the teeth in maxillary intercanine sector. Psychometric instruments included the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Statistical analysis comprised multiple linear regressions. Malocclusion severity is the most important predictor of psychosocial influence of smile aesthetics and self‐esteem, the unique contribution of which accounts for a total of 4–27% of variability. Female gender is associated with higher psychological influence of dental aesthetics while male gender and older age with self‐esteem. Malocclusions have higher psychosocial impact than parameters of mini‐ and micro‐aesthetics of smile related to visibility of buccal corridors, amount of teeth exposure, gingival display, lip thickness, presence of occlusal cant and deviation from golden proportion of the teeth. It appears that people are not as focused on details of their smile as they are on distinctive malposition of teeth.
An antimicrobial protein of the gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis with a MACPF domain of host immune proteins
Authors: Chatzidaki‐Livanis Maria , Coyne Michael J. , Comstock Laurie E. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBacteroidales are the most abundant Gram‐negative bacteria of the human intestinal microbiota comprising more than half of the bacteria in many individuals. Some of the factors that these bacteria use to establish and maintain themselves in this ecosystem are beginning to be identified. However, ecological competition, especially interference competition where one organism directly harms another, is largely unexplored. To begin to understand the relevance of this ecological principle as it applies to these abundant gut bacteria and factors that may promote such competition, we screened Bacteroides fragilis for the production of antimicrobial molecules. We found that the production of extracellularly secreted antimicrobial molecules is widespread in this species. The first identified molecule, described in this manuscript, contains a membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domain present in host immune molecules that kill bacteria and virally infected cells by pore formation, and mutations affecting key residues of this domain abrogated its activity. This antimicrobial molecule, termed BSAP‐1, is secreted from the cell in outer membrane vesicles and no additional proteins are required for its secretion, processing or immunity of the producing cell. This study provides the first insight into secreted molecules that promote competitive interference among Bacteroidales strains of the human gut.
The velamen protects photosynthetic orchid roots against UV‐B damage, and a large dated phylogeny implies multiple gains and losses of this function during the Cenozoic
Authors: Chomicki Guillaume , Bidel Luc P. R. , Ming Feng , Coiro Mario , Zhang Xuan , Wang Yaofeng , Baissac Yves , Jay‐Allemand Christian , Renner Susanne S. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

UV‐B radiation damage in leaves is prevented by epidermal UV‐screening compounds that can be modulated throughout ontogeny. In epiphytic orchids, roots need to be protected against UV‐B because they photosynthesize, sometimes even replacing the leaves. How orchid roots, which are covered by a dead tissue called velamen, avoid UV‐B radiation is currently unknown.

We tested for a UV‐B protective function of the velamen using gene expression analyses, mass spectrometry, histochemistry, and chlorophyll fluorescence in Phalaenopsis × hybrida roots. We also investigated its evolution using comparative phylogenetic methods.

Our data show that two paralogues of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene family are UV‐B‐induced in orchid root tips, triggering the accumulation of two UV‐B‐absorbing flavonoids and resulting in effective protection of the photosynthetic root cortex. Phylogenetic and dating analyses imply that the two CHS lineages duplicated c. 100 million yr before the rise of epiphytic orchids.

These findings indicate an additional role for the epiphytic orchid velamen previously thought to function solely in absorbing water and nutrients. This new function, which fundamentally differs from the mechanism of UV‐B avoidance in leaves, arose following an ancient duplication of CHS, and has probably contributed to the family's expansion into the canopy during the Cenozoic.
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Implantation: Avoiding Problems and Optimizing Outcomes
Authors: Crabtree John H. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe success of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as renal replacement therapy is dependent upon the patient having a functional long‐term peritoneal access. There are a number of identified best practices that must be adhered to during PD catheter placement to achieve a durable and infection‐resistant access. The clinical setting, available resources, and the employed catheter insertion method may not always permit complete adherence to these practices; however, an attempt should be made to comply with them as closely as possible. Although omission of any one of the practices can lead to catheter loss, departures from some are committed more frequently, manifesting as commonly occurring clinical problems, such as drain pain, catheter tip migration, omental entrapment, pericatheter leaks and hernias, and poor exit‐site location. Understanding the technical pitfalls in PD catheter placement that lead to these problems, enable the provider to modify practice habits to avoid them and optimize outcomes.
Policy mobilities in the race for talent: competitive state strategies in international student mobility
Authors: Geddie Kate 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn the first decade of the 21st century, several countries introduced a series of strikingly similar international student mobility policies and initiatives. Driven by a desire to expand their international student market share and to benefit from the potential contributions that international students can make to national innovation agendas, comparable policy tools were introduced in multiple states across the fields of international trade, higher education and immigration. This paper challenges depictions of these changes as a natural evolution of economic globalisation and draws on the policy mobility literature to interrogate the why and the how of the policymaking process. Drawing on research with policymakers, the paper comparatively examines the introduction of international student policies and initiatives in Canada and the UK from 2000 to 2010, and illustrates that the policy development path is the result of a competitive process wherein certain policy ideas become popular and travel, or become mobile. In so doing, I draw attention to the relationship between international student mobility, changing geographies of higher education and global knowledge economy discourses, highlighting the interconnected nature of the policy sphere as competitor jurisdictions seek to outdo each other in their attempt to attract and retain international students.
KV10.1 opposes activity‐dependent increase in Ca2+ influx into the presynaptic terminal of the parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapse
Authors: Mortensen Lena Sünke , Schmidt Hartmut , Farsi Zohreh , Barrantes‐Freer Alonso , Rubio María E. , Ufartes Roser , Eilers Jens , Sakaba Takeshi , Stühmer Walter , Pardo Luis A. 
Published: October 2014

Key points
Voltage‐gated KV10.1 potassium channels are widely expressed in the mammalian brain but their function remains poorly understood.
We report that KV10.1 is enriched in the presynaptic terminals and does not take part in somatic action potentials.
In parallel fibre synapses in the cerebellar cortex, we find that KV10.1 regulates Ca2+ influx and neurotransmitter release during repetitive high‐frequency activity.
Our results describe the physiological role of mammalian KV10.1 for the first time and help understand the fine‐tuning of synaptic transmission.
AbstractThe voltage‐gated potassium channel KV10.1 (Eag1) is widely expressed in the mammalian brain, but its physiological function is not yet understood. Previous studies revealed highest expression levels in hippocampus and cerebellum and suggested a synaptic localization of the channel. The distinct activation kinetics of KV10.1 indicate a role during repetitive activity of the cell. Here, we confirm the synaptic localization of KV10.1 both biochemically and functionally and that the channel is sufficiently fast at physiological temperature to take part in repolarization of the action potential (AP). We studied the role of the channel in cerebellar physiology using patch clamp and two‐photon Ca2+ imaging in KV10.1‐deficient and wild‐type mice. The excitability and action potential waveform recorded at granule cell somata was unchanged, while Ca2+ influx into axonal boutons was enhanced in mutants in response to stimulation with three APs, but not after a single AP. Furthermore, mutants exhibited a frequency‐dependent increase in facilitation at the parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapse at high firing rates. We propose that KV10.1 acts as a modulator of local AP shape specifically during high‐frequency burst firing when other potassium channels suffer cumulative inactivation.
New and notable ion‐channels in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum: do they support the process of intracellular Ca2+ release?
Authors: Takeshima Hiroshi , Venturi Elisa , Sitsapesan Rebecca 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIntracellular Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptor (RyR) and inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) channels is supported by a complex network of additional proteins that are located in or near the Ca2+ release sites. In this review, we focus, not on RyR/IP3R, but on other ion‐channels that are known to be present in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) membranes. We review their putative physiological roles and the evidence suggesting that they may support the process of intracellular Ca2+ release, either indirectly by manipulating ionic fluxes across the ER/SR membrane or by directly interacting with a Ca2+‐release channel. These channels rarely receive scientific attention because of the general lack of information regarding their biochemical and/or electrophysiological characteristics makes it difficult to predict their physiological roles and their impact on SR Ca2+ fluxes. We discuss the possible role of SR K+ channels and, in parallel, detail the known biochemical and biophysical properties of the trimeric intracellular cation (TRIC) proteins and their possible biological and pathophysiological roles in ER/SR Ca2+ release. We summarise what is known regarding Cl− channels in the ER/SR and the non‐selective cation channels or putative ‘Ca2+ leak channels’, including mitsugumin23 (MG23), pannexins, presenilins and the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that are distributed across ER/SR membranes but which have not yet been fully characterised functionally.
An Autonomous Controller for Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps, Residential Solar Thermal Collection, and Hydronic Floor Heating
Authors: Cross Andrew , Hammer Kimberly , Hurt Rick , Boehm Robert F. 
Published: October 2014

A unique autonomous control system was developed to manage the HVAC components of a residence built specifically for an ultra-efficient home competition. Some of the home’s HVAC components that contribute to its ultra-efficiency (and necessitate such an autonomous controller) include multiple ductless mini-split heat pumps, multiple hydronic heated floor loops, multiple circulating ceiling fans, and a closed-loop solar thermal collection and storage system that not only provides hot water to the hydronic heated floors, but also supplies the home with domestic hot water.
The autonomous controller integrates all this equipment with a mixture of technology that includes power-line communications, both wired and wireless TCP/IP network signals, low-voltage wiring, and infrared signals. By utilizing these many different methods to communicate with equipment around the home, the controller is able to simultaneously regulate components and systems that are often considered “stand alone” or impractical to implement in residential buildings due to their need for constant manual operation. The result is an HVAC system that consumes very little energy while still providing an expected level of comfort.
Solar Heating Systems as a Viable Solution Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
Authors: Martinopoulos Georgios 
Published: October 2014

Currently the building sector accounts for almost 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union (EU) making, the reduction in energy consumption and the increased penetration of renewable energy resources important measures in the EU’s effort to reduce its energy dependency and GHG emissions. To that end, 2018 was set as the year that all new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities ought to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), while from the end of 2020 all buildings must be NZEB.
In the present work, a feasibility analysis is performed concerning a typical (12 m2/ 0.65 m3) solar space and water heating system, utilized in a representative 100 m2 “reference house” designed according to the latest national Regulation on the Energy Performance which is in accordance with Directive 2010/31/EC and located in Thessaloniki in the northern part of Greece, as well as variations of the same building with different average Um values representing different options towards NZEB.
For the energy calculations regarding the proposed solar systems and for the buildings heating loads, TRANSOL, a transient simulation software based on TRNSYS was used. Finally, for all cases a financial analysis was performed and the Net Present Value (NPV) and Discounted Pay Back Period (DPBP) were calculated.
From the analysis it was apparent that a typical solar space and water heating system can provide a viable solution towards NZEB, with solar coverage and DPBP being influenced strongly by the type of construction of the building and the fuel substituted. In all cases the proposed system covers at least 50% of the total needs.
Engine Mount Vibration Sensitivity to Stiffness and Mass Properties of Major Components
Authors: Kagnici Fatih 
Published: October 2014

In order to have an optimized NVH design concept, the design engineers must exchange during the development a lot of attributes that together defines the new engine NVH performance. Moreover, each engine NVH system performance is dependent of many variables. In this respect, 6-Sigma methodology (DMAIC and DCOV) is an excellent tool to support engineers to evaluate systems variables and achieve the required performance.
Engine mount brackets’ vibrations have high priority for the NVH performance of the powertrain. Effects of major components on the engine mount vibrations come up as a major topic whenever an error state takes place and improvement is required. This study aims to identify the effect of engine block, ladderframe, head and transmission stiffness and mass properties on 2EO acceleration levels of the 4 cylinder engine power train. Dynamic analysis will be performed under the kinematic engine loadings. There are 2 steps for identifying the objective. The first step is to eliminate the factors which has not significant main and cross effect on engine mount vibrations.
Full factorial DOE runs with two levels are performed for this purpose. Hyperstudy tool is used for the DOE design, simulation automation and post processing. After defining the effective factors, 256 Latin Hypercube DOE runs are performed to obtain response surfaces and meta–model. DOE runs are done in Hyperstudy, results are exported to enCORE and transfer functions are calculated by Kriging method.
According to the results, a proposed course of action for engine mounts’ accelerations DOE study is prepared and a methodology for this course is executed.
Kinematics and Stiffness Modeling of a 4-DOF Parallel Robot for Schönflies Motion Generation
Authors: Bai Shaoping , Andersen Lasse Køgs , Mølgaard Carsten Rebbe 
Published: October 2014

This work deals with the design of parallel robots for the generation of pick-and-place operation, or Schönflies motion. The aim is to develop a robot with workspace optimized for fast pick-and-place operations, namely, a robot with a superellipsoidal reachable volume, which suits best for the pick-and-place operations on conveyers, where robots’ working areas are nearly rectangular.
In this paper, the kinematics and stiffness modeling of the new robot are presented. A method of stiffness modeling by means of Castigliano’s Theorem is developed. Using the new method, the stiffness of the robot is analyzed. The results are compared with FEA simulation, which shows a good agreement between the results. The method is finally applied to the engineering design of the new robot for enhanced static and dynamic performance.
Energy Audits in the Service Sector Buildings
Authors: Zanfardino Antonella , Andreassi Luca , Martini Fabrizio , Ubertini Stefano 
Published: October 2014

In the last decade, the service sector had a very rapid growth, due to the so-called “tertiarisation” of the economy. Accordingly, the energy consumption, mainly attributable to public and private buildings, is rapidly growing, thus making buildings energy saving one of the main issues of the energy policy at regional, national and international levels.
To this aim, we developed an effective methodology to improve energy efficiency of the service sector buildings. This may represent a handy great opportunity to save natural and economic resources, especially where the buildings structure and the technical systems are old, the maintenance activities are not carefully carried out or a systematic energy management is not applied. Nevertheless, actions in this direction are often considered too expensive and complicated, if compared with residential energy optimization, because of the big extension, the variety of activities and the high number of occupants typical of the service sector buildings. The developed approach for energy audits aims to investigate the energy aspects of existing non-domestic buildings in a structured way, in order to clearly identify their energy saving potential and to improve their energy performances. The main goal of the study is defining a general methodology to analyze the current energy use and consumption considering a limited number of their peculiar elements such as dimensions, activities, users behavior, technical systems data and energy bills. Furthermore, these informations are completed by an appropriate energy measuring campaign. All the possible energy uses in service buildings are taken into account (i.e. lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, hot water production). The results obtained from the analysis allow to evaluate a global level of building energy efficiency, and to identify those single areas, specific systems or everyday activities where energy is wasted. These considerations also provide basis for programming cost-effective energy saving action plans.
The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study for an Administrative Center building in Rome, Italy. Results demonstrate the methodology reliability and the cost reduction potentialities.