bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole-body phenylalanine kinetics and skeletal muscle protein signaling in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Authors: Mastro Laurel M. , Adams Amanda A. , Urschel Kristine L. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Objective—To compare whole-body phenylalanine kinetics and the abundance of factors in signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle protein synthesis and protein breakdown between horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and age-matched control horses without PPID.
Animals—12 aged horses (6 horses with PPID and 6 control horses; mean age, 25.0 and 25.7 years, respectively).
Procedures—Plasma glucose, insulin, and amino acids concentrations were determined before and 90 minutes after feeding. Gluteal muscle biopsy samples were obtained from horses 90 minutes after feeding, and the abundance and activation of factors involved in signaling pathways of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown were determined. The next day, horses received a priming dose and 2 hours of a constant rate infusion of 13C sodium bicarbonate followed by a priming dose and 4 hours of a constant rate infusion of 1-13C phenylalanine IV; whole-body protein synthesis was determined.
Results—Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were higher after feeding than they were before feeding for both groups of horses; however, no significant postprandial increase in plasma amino acids concentrations was detected for either group. Phenylalanine flux, oxidation, release from protein breakdown, and nonoxidative disposal were not significantly different between groups. No significant effect of PPID status was detected on the abundance or activation of positive or negative regulators of protein synthesis or positive regulators of protein breakdown.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested that whole-body phenylalanine kinetics and the postprandial activation of signaling pathways that regulate protein synthesis and breakdown in muscles were not affected by PPID status alone in aged horses.
Optimization Of Thermo-Electric Coolers Using Hybrid Genetic Algorithm And Simulated Annealing
Authors: Khanh Doan V.K. , Vasant Pandian , Elamvazuthi Irraivan , Dieu Vo N. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Thermo-electric Coolers (TECs) nowadays are applied in a wide range of thermal energy systems. This is due to their superior features where no refrigerant and dynamic parts are needed. TECs generate no electrical or acoustical noise and are environmentally friendly. Over the past decades, many researches were employed to improve the efficiency of TECs by enhancing the material parameters and design parameters. The material parameters are restricted by currently available materials and module fabricating technologies. Therefore, the main objective of TECs design is to determine a set of design parameters such as leg area, leg length and the number of legs. Two elements that play an important role when considering the suitability of TECs in applications are rated of refrigeration (ROR) and coefficient of performance (COP). In this paper, the review of some previous researches will be conducted to see the diversity of optimization in the design of TECs in enhancing the performance and efficiency. After that, single-objective optimization problems (SOP) will be tested first by using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA) to optimize geometry properties so that TECs will operate at near optimal conditions. Equality constraint and inequality constraint were taken into consideration.
Prediction of correlation between two-phase natural circulation flows in heated and unheated channels of a parallel channel system – based on electrical analogy
Authors: Vyas H. P. , Raj V. Venkat , Nayak A. K. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A common characteristic of many industrial two-phase natural circulation systems is the presence of a large number of parallel boiling channels. Sensitivity of the steady state behavior of such a two-phase natural circulation system to different system parameters has many implications vis-à-vis performance of the system as per the design intent under various operating conditions. Experimental studies were carried out, to study the characteristics of a low pressure two-phase natural circulation system having ten transparent parallel channels with their individual heat sources. In view of its particular significance in nuclear industry, a special system condition with zero power in one of the parallel channels was also studied. The flow in the unheated channel and that in the heated channels were observed to be strongly interdependent in their sensitivity to downcomer resistance. A simple theory based on electrical analogy has been developed to predict the hydraulic behavior in such a system. Agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental observations has been found to be good. This article describes the experimentally observed phenomenon, the electrical analogy and the comparison between the experimental data and the analogical predictions.
Measurement of velocity profiles of nanofluids in laminar channel flow using Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Nayak A. K. , Kulkarni P. P. , Singh R. K. , Verma P. , Gandhi M. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The objective of the paper is to measure the velocity profiles of water based nanofluids for flow through channels in order to understand whether the nanofluids behave Newtonian. For this purpose, experiments were carried for flow through a rectangular channel in laminar regime. Four different nanofluids were used, i. e. Al2O3, CuO, TiO2 and SiO2 with base fluid as water. Experiments were conducted at low concentration of these particles. The velocity profiles were measured using Particle Image Velocimetry. The results indicate that the velocity profiles are similar for all the fluids indicating the flows to be Newtonian.
In-pile modelling of nuclear fuel element for the MTR type reactors – Part 2
Authors: Farhadi K. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In part two of the present paper, neutronic properties of the pool-type research reactor core are used to assess the similitude laws derived for out-of-pile modelling of the fuel element. The benchmark reactor used for this purpose is an IAEA 5 MW thermal pool-type research reactor currently in operation. The neutronic properties analysis are based on typical 2 200 m/sec and neutrons having 0.025 eV energy. The non-leakage capability of the system is estimated in terms of diffusion length. Also the slowing down power and the moderating ratio of the modelled methanol coolant are calculated in terms of lethargy of the diffusing medium. It is shown that the Iron which is substituted for Aluminium cladding is a relatively low absorber of neutrons but has a high neutron leakage. Methanol which replaced ordinary water as coolant is not a suitable coolant due to high neutrons absorbing substance. It is concluded that although Iron as a cladding material and methanol as a coolant meet the modelling out-of-pile criteria but are not satisfying neutronic properties. Therefore, use of them as a model clad and coolant are not suggested for research reactors.
Investigation of (n,γ) reactions in fissionable fluids in a hybrid reactor system
Authors: Günay M. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this study, the effect of (n,γ) reactions in spent fuel-grade (SFG)-PuO2, UO2, NpO2 and UCO contents was investigated in a designed hybrid reactor system. In this system, the molten salt-heavy metal mixtures 93 – 85 % Li20Sn80 + 5 % SFG-PuO2 and 2 – 10 % UO2, 93 – 85 % Li20Sn80 + 5 % SFG-PuO2 and 2 – 10 % NpO2, 93 – 85 % Li20Sn80 + 5 % SFG-PuO2 and 2 – 10 % UCO were used as fluids. Beryllium (Be) is used as neutron multiplier by (n,2n) reactions. Thence, a Be zone with a width of 3 cm was used in order to contribute on fissile fuel breeding between the liquid first wall and blanket. (n,γ) reactions were calculated in the liquid first wall, blanket and shield zones, which SFG-PuO2, UO2, NpO2 and UCO contents. 9Cr2WVTa ferritic steel with the width of 4 cm was used as the structural material. Three-dimensional nucleonic calculations were performed using the most recent version MCNPX-2.7.0 the Monte Carlo code and nuclear data library ENDF/B-VII.0.
One-step synthesis of Pt-reduced graphene oxide composites based on high-energy radiation technique
Authors: Liu Xuqiang , Jiang Shubin , Huang Wei , Song Hongtao 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a novel 60Co-ray-irradiation-based one-step synthesis method of Pt-reduced graphene oxide composites (Pt-RGO) in acid aqueous solution. The compositional distribution of the particles in the samples was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The structure and composition of the nanocomposite has been determined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersion X-ray (EDS) analyzer. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of graphene deposited by the Pt nanoparticles were investigated with the 514.5 nm excitation. It was found that small-sized and highly-dispersed Pt nanoparticles could easily grow on the RGO surface under acidic conditions. In addition, the obtained homogeneous dispersions exhibit long-term stability, which will facilitate the production of homogeneous composites.
The effect of burn up on the kinetic parameters for a pressurized water reactor fueled by MOX using MCNPX code
Authors: Louis H. K. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Reactor kinetic parameters are very important for safety analysis in power reactors. This paper focused on calculations of kinetic parameters such as the effective delayed neutron fraction (βeff), the neutron generation time (Λ) and the prompt neutron lifetime lp for PWR. In this paper the burn-up calculations were performed to calculate kinetic parameters as a function of burn-up for a PWR when fueled with standard UO2 fuel and MOX (Mixed-Oxide) fuel in order to study the impact of burn-up on these parameters. The calculations were performed using the Monte Carlo code MCNPX. The core chosen for the simulation is based on a 4-loop Westinghouse PWR power plant. The calculations were performed from beginning of the life to the end of life 210 days and compared with safety values taken from the design control document of an AP1000 PWR. The results are in agreement for UO2 but not for MOX until end of cycle (EOC).
Diffusion length calculations for one-speed neutrons in a slab with backward, forward and linear anisotropic scattering
Authors: Yıldırım S. , Öztürk H. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The diffusion lengths for one-speed neutrons spreading in a uniform homogeneous slab with backward, forward and linear anisotropic scattering are calculated by using first order approximation of the Chebyshev polynomials of first kind, i. e. T1 method. The method is applied to neutron transport equation by expanding first the neutron angular flux in terms of the Chebyshev polynomials of first kind, and then diffusion lengths for one-speed neutrons are determined for various values of the collision and anisotropy parameters. Numerical results obtained from the present method are tabulated in tables together with the ones already presented in literature.
Hamming generalized corrector for reactivity calculation
Authors: Suescún-Díaz D. , Ibarguen-Gonzalez M. C. , Figueroa-Jiménez J. H. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This work presents the Hamming method generalized corrector for numerically resolving the differential equation of delayed neutron precursor concentration from the point kinetics equations for reactivity calculation, without using the nuclear power history or the Laplace transform. A study was carried out of several correctors with their respective modifiers with different time step calculations, to offer stability and greater precision. Better results are obtained for some correctors than with other existing methods. Reactivity can be calculated with precision of the order h5, where h is the time step.
Age-dependent effective doses for radionuclides uniformly distributed in air
Authors: Van Hung Tran 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Age-dependent effective doses for external exposure to photons emitted by radionuclides uniformly distributed in air are reported. The calculations were performed for 160 radionuclides, which are important for safety assessment of nuclear facilities. The energies and intensities of photons emitted from radionuclides were taken from the decay data DECDC used for dose calculations. The results are tabulated in the form of effective dose per unit concentration and time (Sv per Bq s m−3) for 6 age groups: newborn, 1, 5, 10 and 15 years-old and adult. The effective doses for the adult are also compared to values given in the literature.
Mucosal Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid Improves Protection Elicited by Replicating Influenza Vaccines via Enhanced Dendritic Cell Function and T Cell Immunity
Authors: Pérez-Girón José V. , Belicha-Villanueva Alan , Hassan Ebrahim , Gómez-Medina Sergio , Cruz Jazmina L. G. , Lüdtke Anja , Ruibal Paula , Albrecht Randy A. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Muñoz-Fontela César 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) have the potential to generate CD8 T cell immunity that may limit the virulence of an antigenically shifted influenza strain in a population lacking protective Abs. However, current LAIVs exert limited T cell immunity restricted to the vaccine strains. One approach to improve LAIV-induced T cell responses is the use of specific adjuvants to enhance T cell priming by respiratory dendritic cells, but this hypothesis has not been addressed. In this study, we assessed the effect of the TLR3 ligand polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC) on CD8 T cell immunity and protection elicited by LAIVs. Mucosal treatment with poly IC shortly after vaccination enhanced respiratory dendritic cell function, CD8 T cell formation, and production of neutralizing Abs. This adjuvant effect of poly IC was dependent on amplification of TLR3 signaling by nonhematopoietic radioresistant cells and enhanced mouse protection to homosubtypic, as well as heterosubtypic, virus challenge. Our findings indicate that mucosal TLR3 ligation may be used to improve CD8 T cell responses to replicating vaccines, which has implications for protection in the absence of pre-existing Ab immunity.
IFN Regulatory Factor 10 Is a Negative Regulator of the IFN Responses in Fish
Authors: Li Shun , Lu Long-Feng , Feng Hong , Wu Nan , Chen Dan-Dan , Zhang Yi-Bing , Gui Jian-Fang , Nie Pin , Zhang Yong-An 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 10 belongs to the IRF family and exists exclusively in birds and fish. Most IRFs have been identified as critical regulators in the IFN responses in both fish and mammals; however, the role of IRF10 is unclear. In this study, we identified IRF10 in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and found that it serves as a negative regulator to balance the innate antiviral immune responses. Zebrafish IRF10 (DrIRF10) was induced by intracellular polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid in ZF4 (zebrafish embryo fibroblast-like) cells. DrIRF10 inhibited the activation of zebrafish IFN1 (DrIFN1) and DrIFN3 promoters in epithelioma papulosum cyprinid cells in the presence or absence of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid stimulation through direct interaction with the IFN promoters, and this inhibition was also shown to block IFN signaling. Overexpression of DrIRF10 was able to abolish the induction of DrIFN1 and DrIFN3 mediated by the retinoic acid–inducible gene I–like receptors. In addition, functional domain analysis of DrIRF10 showed that either the DNA binding domain or the IRF association domain is sufficient for its inhibitory activity for IFN signaling. Lastly, overexpression of DrIRF10 decreased the transcription level of several IFN-stimulated genes, resulting in the susceptibility of host cells to spring viremia of carp virus infection. Collectively, these data suggest that DrIRF10 inhibits the expression of DrIFN1 and DrIFN3 to avoid an excessive immune response, a unique regulation mechanism of the IFN responses in lower vertebrates.
Regulation of Osteoclast Homeostasis and Inflammatory Bone Loss by MFG-E8
Authors: Abe Toshiharu , Shin Jieun , Hosur Kavita , Udey Mark C. , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Hajishengallis George 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The glycoprotein milk fat globule–epidermal growth factor factor 8 (MFG-E8) is expressed in several tissues and mediates diverse homeostatic functions. However, whether it plays a role in bone homeostasis has not been established. In this study, we show for the first time, to our knowledge, that osteoclasts express and are regulated by MFG-E8. Bone marrow–derived osteoclast precursors from MFG-E8–deficient (Mfge8−/−) mice underwent increased receptor activator of NF-κB ligand–induced osteoclastogenesis, leading to enhanced resorption pit formation compared with wild-type controls. Consistently, exogenously added MFG-E8 inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand–induced osteoclastogenesis from mouse or human osteoclast precursors. Upon induction of experimental periodontitis, an oral inflammatory disease characterized by loss of bone support of the dentition, Mfge8−/− mice exhibited higher numbers of osteoclasts and more bone loss than did wild-type controls. Accordingly, local microinjection of anti–MFG-E8 mAb exacerbated periodontal bone loss in wild-type mice. Conversely, microinjection of MFG-E8 inhibited bone loss in experimental mouse periodontitis. In comparison with wild-type controls, Mfge8−/− mice also experienced &gt;60% more naturally occurring chronic periodontal bone loss. In conclusion, MFG-E8 is a novel homeostatic regulator of osteoclasts that could be exploited therapeutically to treat periodontitis and perhaps other immunological disorders associated with inflammatory bone loss.
Eastern Carolina Asthma Prevention Program (ECAPP): An Environmental Intervention Study among Rural and Underserved Children with Asthma in Eastern North Carolina
Authors: Kearney Gregory D. , Johnson Lisa C. , Xu Xiaohui , Balanay Jo Anne G. , Lamm Kevin M. , Allen Daniel L. 
Published: June 2014

Objective Asthma is the most common chronic childhood condition affecting 6.3 million (US) children aged less than 18 years. Home-based, multi-component, environmental intervention studies among children with asthma have demonstrated to be effective in reducing asthma symptoms. In this study, a local hospital and university developed an environmental intervention research pilot project, Eastern Carolina Asthma Prevention Program (ECAPP), to evaluate self-reported asthma symptoms, breathing measurements, and number of asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits among low-income, minority children with asthma living in rural, eastern North Carolina. Our goal was to develop a conceptual model and demonstrate any asthma respiratory improvements in children associated with our home-based, environmental intervention. Methods This project used a single cohort, intervention design approach to compare self-reported asthma-related symptoms, breathing tests, and ED visits over a 6 month period between children with asthma in an intervention study group (n = 12) and children with asthma in a control study group (n = 7). The intervention study group received intense asthma education, three home visits, 2 week follow-up telephone calls, and environmental intervention products for reducing asthma triggers in the home. The control group received education at baseline and 2 week calls, but no intervention products. Results At the end of the study period, significant improvements were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group. Overall, the intervention group experienced a 58% (46 ± SD 26.9) reduction in self-reported asthma symptoms; 76% (34 ± SD 29.7) decrease in rescue medicine; 12% (145 ± SD 11.3) increase in controller medicine; 37% decrease in mean exhaled nitric oxide levels and 33% fewer ED asthma-related visits. Conclusion As demonstrated, a combination of efforts appeared effective for improving asthma respiratory symptoms among children in the intervention group. ECAPP is a low cost pilot project that could readily be adapted and expanded into other communities throughout eastern North Carolina. Future efforts could include enhanced partnerships between environmental health professionals at local health departments and pediatric asthma programs at hospitals to carry out ECAPP.
Impact of Parental History of Myopia on the Development of Myopia in Mainland China School-Aged Children
Authors: Lim Lik Thai , Gong Yanhong , Ah-Kee Elliott Y. , Xiao Gexin , Zhang Xiulan , Yu Shicheng 
Published: June 2014

Background Myopia is a very common condition and a significant public health problem in China. The objective of the study was to explore the genetic influence on myopia in Mainland China school-aged children in Beijing. Methods In 2008, the data from 15,316 Chinese school students aged 6–18 years from 19 randomized schools in Beijing were analyzed to evaluate genetic influence on myopia in children. Heritability was calculated by mid-parent–offspring regression and parent–offspring regression. Results The estimate of heritability was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.27–0.33) for refractive value (RV). The adjusted mean refractive error was –2.33D (95% CI, –2.45 to –2.21) in children with two myopic parents compared with –1.13D (95% CI, –1.78 to –1.08) in children with no parental myopia. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.83 (95% CI, 2.47–3.24) in children with two myopic parents compared with no parental myopia. Conclusion The study found a strong association between parental history of myopia and genesis of myopia in the offspring even after adjusting for environmental factors.
Around the Marvelous: Film Music Formulas from an Ethnomusicological Perspective
Authors: Meandri Sanchez Ilario 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Stereotypes and conventions of film music have historically been understood by musicology as evidence of bad artistic practice (think for example of the influential Adorno-Eisler paradigm). But the great repository of musical conventions of the mainstream narratives—a consequence of production practices, true idiomatic competence of the film-music composer—can be scrutinized from the methodological perspective of oral-tradition studies, and understood as a formulaic system.
Synthesis of Acetylene‐Substituted Probes with Benzene‐Phosphate Backbones for RNA Labeling
Authors: Kitamura Yoshiaki , Ueno Yoshihito , Kitade Yukio 
Published: June 2014

AbstractConversion of dimethyl 5‐aminoisophthalate into the iodoarene via the corresponding diazonium intermediate, followed by Sonogashira coupling with trimethylsilylacetylene afford the alkynylarene, which is reduced with LiAlH4 to give 5‐ethynyl‐1,3‐benzenedimethanol (BE). One hydroxyl group is protected with a 4,4′‐dimethoxytrityl (DMTr) group and subsequently another hydroxyl group is phosphitylated to produce the phosphoramidite. The mono‐DMTr compound is also modified to afford the corresponding succinate, which is then reacted with controlled pore glass (CPG) to provide the solid support. Either the phosphoramidite or the solid support is employed in solid‐phase synthesis of RNA containing BE. RNA oligomers bearing BE rapidly react with 4‐fluorobenzylazide to produce the cycloaddition products in good to excellent yield. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 57:4.59.1‐4.59.15. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.