bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thalamic structural connectivity in medial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Barron Daniel S. , Tandon Nitin , Lancaster Jack L. , Fox Peter T. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe thalamus has been implicated in various stages of medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) seizure evolution. The relative density and functional significance (in epileptogenesis) of thalamic projections to MTL subregions, however, remains to be determined. This study used structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate thalamic connection density with distinct MTL subregions in terms of location and volume. Nineteen MTLE patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (HS; 12 right; 10 female) were compared to 19 age‐matched controls. Five regions of interest (ROIs) per hemisphere were created in native space: thalamus, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and parahippocampus. Separate probabilistic tractography analyses were performed between the thalamus and each ipsilateral MTL subregion (four per hemisphere). Individual connectivity profiles and regional volumes were assessed. The medial pulvinar consistently showed the highest connection density with the hippocampus in healthy controls and in MTLE patients. Decreased thalamic connected volume was observed for thalamohippocampal pathways in patients with MTLE, and indicates pathway‐specific deafferentation. Regional hippocampal and thalamic atrophy was also observed, indicating gray and white matter loss in the thalamohippocampal pathway. Consistent localization of dense medial pulvinar (PuM) connectivity with the hippocampus suggests chronic PuM stimulation could modulate the MTLE seizure network. Decreased thalamic connected volume is a promising biomarker for epileptogenesis that merits longitudinal validation.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
The Troika: The Interlocking Roles of Commission v. Luxembourg and Belgium, Van Gend en Loos and Costa v. ENEL in the Creation of the European Legal Order
Authors: Phelan William 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThrough comparisons with dispute resolution procedures in the North American Free Trade Area's Side Agreements, and with the debate over the direct effect of World Trade Organization obligations in the European legal order, this paper demonstrates that three of the European Court of Justice's most important decisions—Commission v. Luxembourg and Belgium, Van Gend en Loos and Costa v. ENEL—should be understood as combining to reorganise general international law's relationship between the EU Member States by substituting national court application of European obligations for the use of interstate retaliation as an enforcement mechanism, and thus providing the foundations for the EU's distinctive legal order.
Primary hyperparathyroidism in a 17‐year‐oldArab ×WelshCob pony mare with a functional parathyroid adenoma
Authors: Cottle H. J. , Hughes K. J. , Thompson H. , Johnston P. E. J. , Philbey A. W. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryPrimary hyperparathyroidism was identified in a 17‐year‐oldArab ×WelshPony mare that experienced weight loss for 6 months and was presented with mild facial asymmetry, right forelimb lameness and weight shifting amongst all limbs. Osteodystrophia fibrosa was demonstrated on radiographic examination of the head and there was radiographic evidence of osteopenia of the appendicular skeleton. The horse had persistent hypercalcaemia (4.0 mmol/l), hypophosphataemia (0.59 mmol/l) and an increased concentration of circulating parathyroid hormone (1401 pg/ml). On scintigraphic examination, a subjective focal increase in uptake of99mtechnetium‐sestamibi was identified in the right thyroid gland and at the thoracic inlet in delayed images. Surgical exploration of the thyroid region was unrewarding, whereas surgery at the thoracic inlet was not undertaken. One year later, the horse developed a pathological fracture of the third metacarpal bone and was subjected to euthanasia. Atpost mortemexamination, a parathyroid adenoma was found at the level of the thoracic inlet adjacent to the trachea. Gross and histological examination also confirmed severe osteodystrophia fibrosa and osteopenia.
Fatigue crack growth law of API X80 pipeline steel under various stress ratios based onJ‐integral
Authors: Li L. , Yang Y. H. , Xu Z. , Chen G. , Chen X. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTLoad‐controlled three‐point bending fatigue tests were conducted on API X80 pipeline steel to investigate the effects of stress ratio and specimen orientation on the fatigue crack growth behaviour. Because of the high strength and toughness of X80 steel, crack growth rate was measured and plotted versus ΔJwith stress ratio. The fatigue crack length is longer in the transverse direction, whereas the fatigue crack growth rates are nearly the same in different orientations. Finally, a new fatigue crack growth model was proposed. The effectiveJ‐integral range was modified by ΔJpin order to correlate crack closure effect due to large‐scale yield of crack tip. The model was proved to fit well for fatigue crack growth rate of API X80 at various stress ratios ofR > 0.
Experimental study on very high cycle fatigue of martensitic steel of 2Cr13 under corrosive environment
Authors: Li S. X. , Zhang P. Y. , Yu S. R. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTRotating bending fatigue test at very high cycle regimes was carried out on martensitic steel of 2Cr13 in air and 3.5% NaCl environment. The result showed that the S–N curve presents a stepwise tendency over the range of 106–108 cycles in both air and 3.5% NaCl environment. In air fatigue, cracks initiated from the sample surface and inclusions at subsurface and no typical fish eye feature in very high cycle fatigue were observed for all samples tested up to 6 × 108 cycles. In 3.5% NaCl solution, a fatigue limit over the range of 106–108 cycles exhibited with the corrosion fatigue strength reduced by 47% compared to the air fatigue. Multiple cracks initiated from surface and the number of crack origins increased with increasing stress level and surface proportion of fatigue propagation increased as number of cycles increased.
Fatigue of rare‐earth containing magnesium alloys: a review
Authors: Mirza F. A. , Chen D. L. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTLightweighting in ground vehicles is today considered as one of the most effective strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce anthropogenic environment‐damaging and climate‐changing emissions. Magnesium (Mg) alloy, as a strategic ultra‐lightweight metallic material, has recently drawn a considerable interest in the transportation industry to reduce the weight of vehicles due to their high strength‐to‐weight ratio, dimensional stability, good machinability and recyclability. However, the hexagonal close‐packed crystal structure of Mg alloys gives only limited slip systems and develops sharp deformation textures associated with strong mechanical anisotropy and tension–compression yield asymmetry. For the vehicle components subjected to dynamic loading, such asymmetry could exert an unfavourable influence on the material performance. This problem could be conquered through weakening the texture via addition of rare‐earth (RE) elements. Thus, a number of RE‐containing Mg alloys have recently been developed. To guarantee the structural integrity, durability and safety of highly loaded structural components, understanding the characteristics and mechanisms of cyclic deformation and fatigue fracture of such RE‐Mg alloys is of vital importance. In this review, the available fatigue properties including stress‐controlled fatigue strength, strain‐controlled cyclic deformation characteristics and fatigue crack propagation behaviour are summarized, along with the microstructural change and crystallographic texture weakening in the RE‐containing Mg alloys in different forms (cast, extruded and heat‐treated states), in comparison with those of RE‐free Mg alloys.
A numerical study on the effect of symmetric crack flank holes on fatigue life extension of a SENT specimen
Authors: Ayatollahi M. R. , Razavi N. , Chamani H.R. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThe crack growth retardation is studied theoretically by drilling two symmetric holes at appropriate locations along the crack flanks. A fatigue crack growth code for two‐dimensional elastic problems is developed to approve the effectiveness of this method. The crack growth retardation was examined using a parametric study both on the arrangements of the flank holes and the diameters of holes. The numerical results reveal that for some cases, the presence of flank holes significantly decreases the stress concentration around the crack tip and its stress intensity factor. The best positions for crack flank holes to provide the highest crack growth retardation are shown to be where the line connecting the two centres of holes passes the crack tip. A larger hole diameter and a closer distance between the flank holes and the crack tip result in lower crack growth rate and higher fatigue life.
Is Crowdfunding Different? Evidence on the Relation between Gender and Funding Success from a German Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform
Authors: Barasinska Nataliya , Schäfer Dorothea 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
According to the literature on traditional banking, lenders often discriminate against female borrowers. However, studies of peer-to-peer lending in the United States find that female borrowers have better chances of obtaining funds than do males. We provide evidence on the success of female borrowers at a large German peer-to-peer lending platform. Our results show that there is no effect of gender on the individual borrower’s chance to receive funds on this platform, ceteris paribus. Several robustness checks confirm this finding. Hence, female discrimination seems to be eased by the ‘wisdom of the lending crowd’.
Comparative cell attachment, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement and white‐coloured mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Wu B. C. , Wei C. K. , Hsueh N. S. , Ding S.‐J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo comparatively examine the cell attachment, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity of radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement (RDSC) and ProRoot white‐coloured mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA).MethodologyAlamarBlue was used for real‐time and repeated monitoring of MG63 cell attachment on freshly mixed and set cements. The pH changes in the growth medium at different time‐points were also measured. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed according to ISO 10993–5 specifications. The antibacterial activity of the cement specimens was evaluated using Enterococcus faecalis.ResultsThere were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two cements for cell attachment either in the fresh groups or in the set groups at all culture times. Neither freshly mixed group nor set groups had significant pH differences. In the case of cytotoxicity, RDSC was significantly (P < 0.05) superior to WMTA at 12 and 24 h of incubation. RDSC and WMTA possessed similar antimicrobial activity, substantiated by the formation of growth inhibition zones and bacteriostasis ratio in E. faecalis strains.ConclusionsThe cell attachment, cytotoxicity and antibacterial efficacy of RDSC were comparable to those reported for ProRoot WMTA. The results of the current study suggest that this RDSC could be used as a root‐end filling material and root sealer.
Population Exchange and its Impact on Literacy, Occupation and Gender – Evidence from the Partition of India
Authors: Bharadwaj Prashant , Khwaja Asim I. , Mian Atif 
Published: May 2014

AbstractHow do large scale, involuntary migrations and population exchanges affect sending and receiving communities? We examine the case of the partition of India in which approximately 17 million people moved within four years, resulting in one of the largest and most rapid population exchanges in human history. We find large effects due to the migration on a district's educational, occupational, and gender composition. Due to higher education levels amongst migrants, districts with 10 per cent greater inflows saw their literacy rates increase by 3 percentage points, while a 10 per cent increase in outflows reduced literacy by 1.2 percentage points. Due to disparities in the amount of land vacated by migrants, Indian districts with 10 per cent greater inflows saw a decline of 11 per centin agricultural occupations. Districts that experienced high inflows and outflows also experienced changes in gender composition. While the partition, driven along religious lines, increased religious homogenization within communities, our results suggest that this was accompanied by increased educational and occupational differences within religious groups. We conclude that these compositional effects, in addition to an aggregate population impact, are probably features of involuntary migrations and population exchanges and, as in the case of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, can have important long‐term consequences.
Induction of protective effector immunity to prevent pathogenesis caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. Implications on therapy and vaccine design
Authors: Espinoza Janyra A. , Bueno Susan M. , Riedel Claudia A. , Kalergis Alexis M. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryHuman respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children around the globe. This pathogen, which was discovered in 1956, continues to cause a huge number of hospitalizations due to respiratory disease and it is considered a health and economic burden worldwide, especially in developing countries. The immune response elicited by hRSV infection leads to lung and systemic inflammation, which results in lung damage but is not efficient at preventing viral replication. Indeed, natural hRSV infection induces a poor immune memory that allows recurrent infections. Here, we review the most recent knowledge about the lifecycle of hRSV, the immune response elicited by this virus and the subsequent pathology induced in response to infection in the airways. Novel findings about the alterations that this virus causes in the central nervous system and potential therapies and vaccines designed to treat or prevent hRSV infection are discussed.
Transcriptional profiling reveals that C5a alters microRNA in brain endothelial cells
Authors: Eadon Michael T. , Jacob Alexander , Cunningham Patrick N. , Quigg Richard J. , Garcia Joe G. N. , Alexander Jessy J. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryBlood–brain barrier (BBB) disturbance is a crucial occurrence in many neurological diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our previous studies showed that experimental lupus serum altered the integrity of the mouse brain endothelial layer, an important constituent of the BBB. Complement activation occurs in lupus with increased circulating complement components. Using a genomics approach, we identified the microRNA (miRNA) altered in mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd3) by lupus serum and the complement protein, C5a. Of the 318 miRNA evaluated, 23 miRNAs were altered by lupus serum and 32 were altered by C5a alone compared with controls. Seven miRNAs (P < 0·05) were differentially expressed by both treatments: mmu‐miR‐133a*, mmu‐miR‐193*, mmu‐miR‐26b, mmu‐miR‐28*, mmu‐miR‐320a, mmu‐miR‐423‐3p and mmu‐miR‐509‐5p. The microarray results were validated by quantitative RT‐PCR. In line with the in vitro results, expression of miR‐26b and miR‐28* were also significantly up‐regulated in lupus mouse brain which was reduced by C5a receptor inhibition. Target prediction analysis revealed miR gene targets encoding components involved in inflammation, matrix arrangement, and apoptosis, pathways known to play important roles in central nervous system lupus. Our findings suggest that the miRNAs reported in this study may represent novel therapeutic targets in central nervous system lupus and other similar neuroinflammatory settings.
Poecilogony in the caenogastropod Calyptraea lichen (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Authors: McDonald Kathryn A. , Collin Rachel , Lesoway Maryna P. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn marine invertebrates, polymorphism and polyphenism in mode of development are known as “poecilogony.” Understanding the environmental correlates of poecilogony and the developmental mechanisms that produce it could contribute to a better understanding of evolutionary transitions in mode of development. However, poecilogony is rare in marine invertebrates, with only ten recognized, well‐documented cases. Five examples occur in sacoglossan gastropods, and five occur in spionid polychaetes. Here, we document the eleventh case, and the first in a caenogastropod mollusc. Females of Calyptraea lichen collected in the field or reared in the laboratory often produce broods of planktotrophic larvae. They can also be collected with mixed broods, in which each capsule contains planktotrophic larvae, nurse embryos, and adelphophagic embryos. Adelphophages eat the nurse embryos and hatch as short‐lived lecithotrophic larvae, or even as juveniles. Mitochondrial COI and 16S DNA sequences for females with different types of broods differ by less than 0.5%, supporting conspecific status. Some females collected in the field with mixed broods subsequently produced planktotrophic broods, demonstrating that females can produce two different kinds of broods. Calyptraea lichen is therefore polyphenic in two ways: mode of development can vary among embryos within a capsule, and females can change the types of broods they produce.
ICH E14‐Compatible Holter Bin Method and its Equivalence to Individual Heart Rate Correction in the Assessment of Drug‐Induced QT Changes
Authors: MALIK MAREK , HNATKOVA KATERINA , KOWALSKI DONNA , KEIRNS JAMES J. , GELDEREN E. MARCEL VAN 
Published: May 2014

E14‐Compatible Holter Bin and QTcIIntroductionThe Holter bin method evaluates QT interval changes in the presence of heart rate changes without correcting the QT interval. However, the method does not allow time‐matched comparisons, thus contradicting available guidance and good practice. We report a modification of the methods that allows time‐matched comparisons without any heart rate correction.Methods and ResultsThe modified Holter bin method (a) finds matching baseline heart rates for each QT reading on treatment and (b) calculates ΔQT values from the QT intervals on baseline and on treatment that match in heart rates. The difference between ΔQT values on active treatment and placebo provides the ΔΔQT value. The method was compared with the individual correction method in the data of the mirabegron thorough QT study in which supratherapeutic doses of this β3‐adrenoceptor agonist led to substantial heart rate changes. The modified Holter bin method reproduced closely the results obtained with the individual heart rate correction. At all time points of the mirabegron study, the differences between the mean ΔΔQT values by the Holter bin method and the individual correction method were below 1 millisecond. Compared to the individual correction, the Holter bin method led to slight increases in the standard deviations of ΔΔQT values, but these were on average below 0.25 millisecond.ConclusionsThe Holter bin methodology can be modified to make it compatible with the available guidance and with good practice of clinical investigations. The results obtained with the modified Holter bin method are practically the same as with individualized heart rate corrected QT intervals. The close correspondence between the 2 methods demonstrates that the present possibilities of comparing QT interval duration in the presence of experiment‐induced heart rate differences are not influenced by methodological artifacts.
C/EBP transcription factors regulate NADPH oxidase in human aortic smooth muscle cells
Authors: Manea Simona‐Adriana , Todirita Andra , Raicu Monica , Manea Adrian 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn atherosclerosis, oxidative stress‐induced vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) dysfunction is partially mediated by up‐regulated NADPH oxidase (Nox); the mechanisms of enzyme regulation are not entirely defined. CCAAT/enhancer‐binding proteins (C/EBP) regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation, and the expression of many inflammatory and immune genes. We aimed at elucidating the role of C/EBP in the regulation of Nox in SMCs exposed to pro‐inflammatory conditions. Human aortic SMCs were treated with interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) for up to 24 hrs. Lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence, real‐time PCR, Western blot, promoter‐luciferase reporter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were employed to investigate Nox regulation. IFN‐γ dose‐dependently induced Nox activity and expression, nuclear translocation and up‐regulation of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ protein expression levels. Silencing of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ or C/EBPδ reduced significantly but differentially the IFN‐γ‐induced up‐regulation of Nox activity, gene and protein expression. In silico analysis indicated the existence of typical C/EBP sites within Nox1, Nox4 and Nox5 promoters. Transient overexpression of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ or C/EBPδ enhanced the luciferase level directed by the promoters of the Nox subtypes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated the physical interaction of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ proteins with the Nox1/4/5 promoters. C/EBP transcription factors are important regulators of Nox enzymes in IFN‐γ‐exposed SMCs. Activation of C/EBP may induce excessive Nox‐derived reactive oxygen species formation, further contributing to SMCs dysfunction and atherosclerotic plaque development. Pharmacological targeting of C/EBP‐related signalling pathways may be used to counteract the adverse effects of oxidative stress.
Treatment with Actovegin improves spatial learning and memory in rats following transient forebrain ischaemia
Authors: Meilin Sigal , Machicao Fausto , Elmlinger Martin 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate whether Actovegin, which is a deproteinized ultrafiltrate derived from calf blood, demonstrates neuroprotective effects in a rat model of transient global cerebral ischaemia. Forty Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to four‐vessel occlusion to induce transient global cerebral ischaemia followed by either saline or Actovegin treatment. Sham operations were performed on 15 rats. Actovegin (200 mg/kg) or saline was administered 6 hrs after carotid artery occlusion and then daily until Day 40. Learning and memory were evaluated using the Morris water maze test over two different 5‐day periods, and grip strength testing was also performed to control for potential motor impairments. Rat brains were harvested for histological analysis on Day 68. In comparison to controls, Actovegin‐treated rats exhibited a decreased latency to reach the hidden platform on the second learning trial of water maze testing (46.82 ± 6.18 versus 27.64 ± 4.53 sec., P < 0.05; 38.3 ± 8.23 versus 13.37 ± 2.73 sec., P < 0.01 for the first and second 5‐day testing periods, respectively). In addition, Actovegin‐treated rats spent more time in the platform quadrant than saline‐treated rats during memory trials (P < 0.05). No differences in grip strength were detected. Histological analyses demonstrated increased cell survival in the CA1 region of the hippocampus following Actovegin treatment (left hemisphere, 166 ± 50 versus 332 ± 27 cells, P < 0.05; right hemisphere, 170 ± 45 versus 307 ± 28 cells, P < 0.05, in saline‐ versus Actovegin‐treated rats, respectively). In rats, Actovegin treatment improves spatial learning and memory following cerebral ischaemia, which may be related to hippocampal CA1 neuroprotection.