bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bulk particle size distribution and magnetic properties of particle‐sized fractions from loess and paleosol samples in Central Asia
Authors: Zan Jinbo , Fang Xiaomin , Yang Shengli , Yan Maodu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractRecent studies demonstrate that particle size separation based on gravitational settling and detailed rock magnetic measurements of the resulting fractionated samples constitutes an effective approach to evaluating the relative contributions of pedogenic and detrital components in the loess and paleosol sequences on the Chinese Loess Plateau. So far, however, similar work has not been undertaken on the loess deposits in Central Asia. In this paper, 17 loess and paleosol samples from three representative loess sections in Central Asia were separated into four grain size fractions, and then systematic rock magnetic measurements were made on the fractions. Our results demonstrate that the content of the <4 μm fraction in the Central Asian loess deposits is relatively low and that the samples generally have a unimodal particle distribution with a peak in the medium‐coarse silt range. We find no significant difference between the particle size distributions obtained by the laser diffraction and the pipette and wet sieving methods. Rock magnetic studies further demonstrate that the medium‐coarse silt fraction (e.g., the 20–75 μm fraction) provides the main control on the magnetic properties of the loess and paleosol samples in Central Asia. The contribution of pedogenically produced superparamagnetic (SP) and stable single‐domain (SD) magnetic particles to the bulk magnetic properties is very limited. In addition, the coarsest fraction (>75 μm) exhibits the minimum values of χ, χARM, and SIRM, demonstrating that the concentrations of ferrimagnetic grains are not positively correlated with the bulk particle size in the Central Asian loess deposits.
Procedural failure of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from a multicenter US registry
Authors: Sapontis James , Christopoulos Georgios , Grantham J. Aaron , Wyman R. Michael , Alaswad Khaldoon , Karmpaliotis Dimitri , Lombardi William L. , McCabe James M. , Marso Steven P. , Kotsia Anna P. , Rangan Bavana V. , Christakopoulos Georgios E. , Garcia Santiago , Thompson Craig A. , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundThe hybrid approach to chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly increased procedural success rates, yet some cases still fail. We sought to evaluate the causes of failure in a contemporary CTO PCI registry.MethodsWe examined 380 consecutive patients who underwent CTO‐PCI at 4 high volume CTO PCI centers in the United States using the “hybrid” approach. Clinical, angiographic, complication, and efficiency outcomes were compared between successful and failed cases. Failed cases were individually reviewed by an independent reviewer to determine the cause of failure.ResultsProcedural success was 91.3%. Compared with patients in whom CTO PCI was successful, those in whom CTO PCI failed had similar baseline clinical characteristics, but were more likely to have longer occlusion length, more tortuosity, more proximal cap ambiguity and blunt stump, and higher mean J‐CTO scores (2.8 ± 1.1 vs. 3.5 ± 1.0, P < 0.001), and less likely to have collaterals suitable for the retrograde approach (66% vs. 45%, P = 0.021). Failure was due to a complication in 10 cases (30%). In the remaining 23 cases (70%) failure was due to inability to wire the lesion (n = 21, 4 of which were CTOs due to in‐stent restenosis), or poor antegrade flow after PCI (n = 5).ConclusionsCompared with successful cases, failed CTO‐PCI cases are more likely to have higher J‐CTO scores, longer occlusion length, ambiguous proximal cap and no appropriate collaterals for retrograde crossing. Development of novel CTO crossing techniques is needed to further increase CTO PCI success rates. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deletion of RIC8A in neural precursor cells leads to altered neurogenesis and neonatal lethality of mouse
Authors: Kask Keiu , Ruisu Katrin , Tikker Laura , Karis Kirstin , Saare Merly , Meier Riho , Karis Alar , Tõnissoo Tambet , Pooga Margus 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTRIC8A is a noncanonical guanine nucleotide exchange factor for a subset of Gα subunits. RIC8A has been reported in different model organisms to participate in the control of mitotic cell division, cell signalling, development and cell migration. Still, the function of RIC8A in the mammalian nervous system has not been sufficiently analysed yet. Adult mice express RIC8A in the brain regions involved in the regulation of memory and emotional behaviour. To elucidate the role of RIC8A in mammalian neurogenesis we have inactivated Ric8a in neural precursor cells using Cre/Lox system. As a result, the conditional knockout mice were born at expected Mendelian ratio, but died or were cannibalized by their mother within 12 h after birth. The cerebral cortex of the newborn Nes;Ric8aCKO mice was thinner compared to littermates and the basement membrane was discontinuous, enabling migrating neurons to invade to the marginal zone. In addition, the balance between the planar and oblique cell divisions was altered, influencing the neuron production. Taken together, RIC8A has an essential role in the development of mammalian nervous system by maintaining the integrity of pial basement membrane and modulating cell division. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 984–1002, 2015
All you can eat: is food supply unlimited in a colonially breeding bird?
Authors: Hoi Herbert , Krištofík Ján , Darolová Alžbeta 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFood availability is generally considered to determine breeding site selection and therefore plays an important role in hypotheses explaining the evolution of colony formation. Hypotheses trying to explain why birds join a colony usually assume that food is not limited, whereas those explaining variation in colony size suggest that food is under constraint. In this study, we investigate the composition and amount of food items not eaten by the nestlings and found in nest burrows of colonially nesting European bee‐eaters (Merops apiaster). We aimed to determine whether this unconsumed food is an indicator of unlimited food supply, the result of mistakes during food transfer between parents and chicks or foraging selectivity of chicks. Therefore, we investigated the amount of dropped food for each nest in relation to reproductive performance and parameters reflecting parental quality. Our data suggest that parents carry more food to the nest than chicks can eat and, hence, food is not limited. This assumption is supported by the facts that there is a positive relationship between dropped food found in a nest and the number of fledglings, nestling age, and chick health condition and that the amount of dropped food is independent of colony size. There is variation in the amount of dropped food within colonies, suggesting that parent foraging efficiency may also be an important determinant. Pairs nesting in the center of a colony performed better than those nesting on the edge, which supports the assumption that quality differences between parents are important as well. However, dropped food cannot be used as an indicator of local food availability as (1) within‐colony variation in dropped food is larger than between colony variation and, (2) the average amount of dropped food is not related to colony size.
Positioning activated carbon amendment technologies in a novel framework for sediment management
Authors: Kupryianchyk Darya , Rakowska Magdalena I , Reible Danny , Harmsen Joop , Cornelissen Gerard , van Veggel Marc , Hale Sarah E , Grotenhuis Tim , Koelmans Albert A 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Contaminated sediments can pose serious threats to human health and the environment by acting as a source of toxic chemicals. The amendment of contaminated sediments with strong sorbents like activated C (AC) is a rapidly developing strategy to manage contaminated sediments. To date, a great deal of attention has been paid to the technical and ecological features and implications of sediment remediation with AC, although science in this field still is rapidly evolving. This article aims to provide an update on the recent literature on these features, and provides a comparison of sediment remediation with AC to other sediment management options, emphasizing their full-scale application. First, a qualitative overview of advantages of current alternatives to remediate contaminated sediments is presented. Subsequently, AC treatment technology is critically reviewed, including current understanding of the effectiveness and ecological safety for the use of AC in natural systems. Finally, this information is used to provide a novel framework for supporting decisions concerning sediment remediation and beneficial reuse. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:221–234. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
Successful sediment management requires site-specific balancing of the potential benefits, adverse ecological effects, costs, time, and energy. Sediment treatment with AC is an efficient and safe innovative remediation method that can be applied in a wide range of settings, in situ or ex situ, alone or in combination with other approaches. A novel framework for decision-support concerning sediment remediation and re-use presented here will be a useful tool for planning the complex technological process of sediment remediation, before, during, and after remediation actions are taken.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease Produces Chronic Hip Synovitis and Elevation of Interleukin-6 in the Synovial Fluid
Authors: Kamiya Nobuhiro , Yamaguchi Ryosuke , Adapala Naga Suresh , Chen Elena , Neal David , Jack Obrien , Thoveson Alec , Gudmundsson Paul , Brabham Case , Aruwajoye Olumide , Drissi Hicham , Kim Harry KW 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a childhood hip disorder of ischemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Hip joint synovitis is a common feature of LCPD, but the nature and pathophysiology of the synovitis remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the chronicity of the synovitis and the inflammatory cytokines present in the synovial fluid at an active stage of LCPD. Serial MRI was performed on 28 patients. T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced MR images were used to assess synovial effusion and synovial enhancement (hyperemia) over time. A multiple-cytokine assay was used to determine the levels of 27 inflammatory cytokines and related factors present in the synovial fluid from 13 patients. MRI analysis showed fold increases of 5.0 ± 3.3 and 3.1 ± 2.1 in the synovial fluid volume in the affected hip compared to the unaffected hip at the initial and the last follow-up MRI, respectively. The mean duration between the initial and the last MRI was 17.7 ± 8.3 months. The volume of enhanced synovium on the contrast MRI was increased 16.5 ± 8.5 fold and 6.3 ± 5.6 fold in the affected hip compared to the unaffected hip at the initial MRI and the last follow-up MRI, respectively. In the synovial fluid of the affected hips, IL-6 protein levels were significantly increased (LCPD: 509 ± 519 pg/mL, non-LCPD: 19 ± 22 pg/mL; p = 0.0005) on the multi-cytokine assay. Interestingly, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were not elevated. In the active stage of LCPD, chronic hip synovitis and significant elevation of IL-6 are produced in the synovial fluid. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of IL-6 on the pathophysiology of synovitis in LCPD and how it affects bone healing. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
RECQL4 Regulates p53 Function In Vivo During Skeletogenesis
Authors: Lu Linchao , Harutyunyan Karine , Jin Weidong , Wu Jianhong , Yang Tao , Chen Yuqing , Joeng Kyu Sang , Bae Yangjin , Tao Jianning , Dawson Brian C , Jiang Ming-Ming , Lee Brendan , Wang Lisa L 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

RECQ DNA helicases play critical roles in maintaining genomic stability, but their role in development has been less well studied. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, RAPADILINO, and Baller-Gerold syndrome are rare genetic disorders caused by mutations in the RECQL4 gene. These patients have significant skeletal developmental abnormalities including radial ray, limb and craniofacial defects. To investigate the role of Recql4 in the developing skeletal system, we generated Recql4 conditional knockout mice targeting the skeletal lineage. Inactivation of Recql4 using the Prx1-Cre transgene led to limb abnormalities and craniosynostosis mimicking the major bone findings in human RECQL4 patients. These Prx1-Cre+;Recql4fl/fl mice as well as Col2a1-Cre+;Recql4fl/fl mice exhibited growth plate defects and an increased p53 response in affected tissues. Inactivation of Trp53 in these Recql4 mutants resulted in genetic rescue of the skeletal phenotypes, indicating an in vivo interaction between Recql4 and Trp53, and p53 activation as an underlying mechanism for the developmental bone abnormalities in RECQL4 disorders. Our findings show that RECQL4 is critical for skeletal development by modulating p53 activity in vivo. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Wnt Acts as a Prosurvival Signal to Enhance Dentin Regeneration
Authors: Hunter Daniel J , Bardet Claire , Mouraret Sylvain , Liu Bo , Singh Gurpreet , Sadoine Jérémy , Dhamdhere Girija , Smith Andrew , Tran Xuan Vinh , Joy Adrienne , Rooker Scott , Suzuki Shigeki , Vuorinen Annukka , Miettinen Susanna , Chaussain Catherine , Helms Jill A 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Wnt proteins are lipid-modified, short-range signals that control stem cell self-renewal and tissue regeneration. We identified a population of Wnt responsive cells in the pulp cavity, characterized their function, and then created a pulp injury. The repair response was evaluated over time using molecular, cellular, and quantitative assays. We tested how healing was impacted by wound environments in which Wnt signaling was amplified. We found that a Wnt-amplified environment was associated with superior pulp healing. Although cell death was still rampant, the number of cells undergoing apoptosis was significantly reduced. This resulted in significantly better survival of injured pulp cells, and resulted in the formation of more tertiary dentin. We engineered a liposome-reconstituted form of WNT3A then tested whether this biomimetic compound could activate cells in the injured tooth pulp and stimulate dentin regeneration. Pulp cells responded to the elevated Wnt stimulus by differentiating into secretory odontoblasts. Thus, transiently amplifying the body's natural Wnt response resulted in improved pulp vitality. These data have direct clinical implications for treating dental caries, the most prevalent disease affecting mankind. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Activation of the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway Induces Cementum Regeneration
Authors: Han Pingping , Ivanovski Saso , Crawford Ross , Xiao Yin 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Canonical Wnt signaling is important in tooth development but it is unclear whether it can induce cementogenesis and promote the regeneration of periodontal tissues lost because of disease. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of canonical Wnt signaling enhancers on human periodontal ligament cell (hPDLCs) cementogenic differentiation in vitro and cementum repair in a rat periodontal defect model. Canonical Wnt signaling was induced by (1) local injection of lithium chloride; (2) local injection of sclerostin antibody; and (3) local injection of a lentiviral construct overexpressing β-catenin. The results showed that the local activation of canonical Wnt signaling resulted in significant new cellular cementum deposition and the formation of well-organized periodontal ligament fibers, which was absent in the control group. In vitro experiments using hPDLCs showed that the Wnt signaling pathway activators significantly increased mineralization, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and gene and protein expression of the bone and cementum markers osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), cementum protein 1 (CEMP1), and cementum attachment protein (CAP). Our results show that the activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway can induce in vivo cementum regeneration and in vitro cementogenic differentiation of hPDLCs. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Bone Disease: Insights Into the Relationship Between Bone and Sleep
Authors: Swanson Christine M , Shea Steven A , Stone Katie L , Cauley Jane A , Rosen Clifford J , Redline Susan , Karsenty Gerard , Orwoll Eric S 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and low bone mass are two prevalent conditions, particularly among older adults—a section of the U.S. population that is expected to grow dramatically over the coming years. OSA, the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing, has been linked to multiple cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory derangements and may have adverse effects on bone. However, little is known about how OSA (including the associated hypoxia and sleep loss) affects bone metabolism. In order to gain insight into the relationship between sleep and bone, we review the growing information on OSA and metabolic bone disease and discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms by which OSA may affect bone metabolism/architecture. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Investigation of local flow features in Istanbul. Part I: high‐resolution sensitivity simulations
Authors: Ezber Yasemin , Sen Omer Lutfi , Boybeyi Zafer , Karaca Mehmet 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTThe three‐dimensional non‐hydrostatic mesoscale model, OMEGA (Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity), is utilized to investigate the thermally driven local flows and their interaction with each other over the province of Istanbul, Turkey. Idealized case simulations are conducted in order to describe the contribution of sea–land breezes and urban heat island (UHI) circulation to the local flow over the city. The city of Istanbul is located between two water bodies, Black Sea in the north and Sea of Marmara in the south. A convergence zone is observed at about 1000 LST over the region due to the merge of two sea breezes that develop at both sides and advance towards inland areas. Investigation further indicates that the other geographic features of the city have substantial effects on the local flow. The Bosphorus Strait, which connects Black Sea to Sea of Marmara and divides the city into two parts, channels the flow. Although not significantly high and steep, the topography enhances the flow strength. Besides, urbanized regions in the south, by generating UHI circulation, prevent the inland penetration of the sea breeze that develops in the south. The numerical simulations reveal that the large‐scale wind direction controls the inland penetration of the sea breeze. One of the outstanding features of the local flows is that all hypothetical simulations including the Bosphorus indicate a strong fan‐like airflow in the immediate south of the strait. The flow is more intense in the northerly prevailing wind case. It is also found that stronger large‐scale flows (e.g. 2.5 and 10 m s−1) do not allow the formation of a sea breeze over the region. A warmer sea surface than land surface (about 2 °C) makes changes in the duration and extension of the land–sea breeze circulation. The duration of a land breeze circulation is long, and the southerly sea breeze is onset close to the south coast under the northeasterly flow conditions.
Species richness and distributions of boreal waterbird broods in relation to nesting and brood‐rearing habitats
Authors: Lewis Tyler L. , Lindberg Mark S. , Schmutz Joel A. , Bertram Mark R. , Dubour Adam J. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIdentification of ecological factors that drive animal distributions allows us to understand why distributions vary temporally and spatially, and to develop models to predict future changes to populations–vital tools for effective wildlife management and conservation. For waterbird broods in the boreal forest, distributions are likely driven by factors affecting quality of nesting and brood‐rearing habitats, and the influence of these factors may extend beyond singles species, affecting the entire waterbird community. We used occupancy models to assess factors influencing species richness of waterbird broods on 72 boreal lakes, along with brood distributions of 3 species of conservation concern: lesser scaup (Aythya affinis), white‐winged scoters (Melanitta fusca), and horned grebe (Podiceps auritus). Factors examined included abundance of invertebrate foods (Amphipoda, Diptera, Gastropoda, Hemiptera, Odonata), physical lake attributes (lake area, emergent vegetation), water chemistry (nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll a concentrations), and nesting habitats (water edge, non‐forest cover). Of the 5 invertebrates, only amphipod density was related to richness and occupancy, consistently having a large and positive relationship. Despite this importance to waterbirds, amphipods were the most patchily distributed invertebrate, with 17% of the study lakes containing 70% of collected amphipods. Lake area was the only other covariate that strongly and positively influenced species richness and occupancy of scaup, scoters, and grebes. All 3 water chemistry covariates, which provided alternative measures of lake productivity, were positively related to species richness but had little effect on scaup, scoter, and grebe occupancy. Conversely, emergent vegetation was negatively related to richness, reflecting avoidance of overgrown lakes by broods. Finally, nesting habitats had no influence on richness and occupancy, indicating that, at a broad spatial scale, brood distributions are largely driven by the presence of quality brood‐rearing lakes, not nesting habitats. Our findings are relevant to generating conservation plans or management goals; specifically, boreal lakes with abundant amphipods and surface areas >25 ha are important habitat for waterbird broods and merit conservation, especially given the patchy distribution of amphipods. Moreover, these high quality brood‐rearing lakes are much rarer, and thus more constraining, than are quality nesting habitats, which are likely abundant in the boreal. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
InGaN/GaN dot‐in‐a‐wire: ultimate terahertz nanostructure
Authors: Sun Guan , Chen Ruolin , Ding Yujie J. , Nguyen Hieu P. T. , Mi Zetian 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe terahertz (THz) radiation from InGaN/GaN dot‐in‐a‐wire nanostructures has been investigated. A submicrowatt THz signal is generated with just ten vertically stacked InGaN quantum dots (QDs) in each GaN nanowire. Based on the experimental results and analysis, a single quantum wire is expected to generate an output power as high as 10 pW, corresponding to 1 pW per dot. These structures are among the most efficient three‐dimensional quantum‐confined nanostructures for the THz emission. By applying a reverse bias along the wires in a light‐emitting device (LED) consisting of such nanostructures, the THz output power is increased more than fourfold. Based on THz and photoluminescence (PL) experiments, the mechanism for the THz emission is attributed to dipole radiation induced by internal electric fields and enhanced by external fields.
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