bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Krebs Cycle Metabolite Profiling for Identification and Stratification of Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas due to Succinate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
Authors: Richter Susan , Peitzsch Mirko , Rapizzi Elena , Lenders Jacques W. , Qin Nan , de Cubas Aguirre A. , Schiavi Francesca , Rao Jyotsna U. , Beuschlein Felix , Quinkler Marcus , Timmers Henri J. , Opocher Giuseppe , Mannelli Massimo , Pacak Karel , Robledo Mercedes , Eisenhofer Graeme 
Published: July 2014

AbstractContext:Mutations of succinate dehydrogenase A/B/C/D genes (SDHx) increase susceptibility to development of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs), with particularly high rates of malignancy associated with SDHB mutations.Objective:We assessed whether altered succinate dehydrogenase product-precursor relationships, manifested by differences in tumor ratios of succinate to fumarate or other metabolites, might aid in identifying and stratifying patients with SDHx mutations.Design, Setting, and Patients:PPGL tumor specimens from 233 patients, including 45 with SDHx mutations, were provided from eight tertiary referral centers for mass spectrometric analyses of Krebs cycle metabolites.Main Outcome Measure:Diagnostic performance of the succinate:fumarate ratio for identification of pathogenic SDHx mutations.Results:SDH-deficient PPGLs were characterized by 25-fold higher succinate and 80% lower fumarate, cis-aconitate, and isocitrate tissue levels than PPGLs without SDHx mutations. Receiver-operating characteristic curves for use of ratios of succinate to fumarate or to cis-aconitate and isocitrate to identify SDHx mutations indicated areas under curves of 0.94 to 0.96; an optimal cut-off of 97.7 for the succinate:fumarate ratio provided a diagnostic sensitivity of 93% at a specificity of 97% to identify SDHX-mutated PPGLs. Succinate:fumarate ratios were higher in both SDHB-mutated and metastatic tumors than in those due to SDHD/C mutations or without metastases.Conclusions:Mass spectrometric-based measurements of ratios of succinate:fumarate and other metabolites in PPGLs offer a useful method to identify patients for testing of SDHx mutations, with additional utility to quantitatively assess functionality of mutations and metabolic factors responsible for malignant risk.
Gaze characteristics of freely walking blowflies in a goal-directed task
Authors: Kress Daniel , Egelhaaf Martin 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn contrast to flying flies, walking flies experience relatively strong rotational gaze shifts, even during overall straight phases of locomotion. These gaze shifts are caused by the walking apparatus and modulated by the stride frequency. Accordingly, even during straight walking phases, the retinal image flow is composed of both translational and rotational optic flow, which might affect spatial vision as well as fixation behavior. We addressed this issue for an orientation task where walking blowflies approached a black vertical bar. The visual stimulus was stationary, or either the bar or the background moved horizontally. The stride-coupled gaze shifts of flies walking towards the bar had similar amplitudes under all visual conditions tested. This finding indicates that these shifts are an inherent feature of walking, which are not even compensated during a visual goal fixation task. By contrast, approaching flies showed a frequent stop-and-go behavior that was affected by the stimulus conditions. As sustained image rotations may impair distance estimation during walking, we propose a hypothesis which explains how rotation-independent translatory image flow containing distance information can be determined. The algorithm proposed works without requiring that the rotational and translational flow components are differentiated at the behavioral level. By contrast, disentangling both has been proposed to be necessary during flight. By comparing the retinal velocities of the edges of the goal, its rotational image motion component can be removed. Consequently, the goal's expansion velocity and, thus, its proximity can be extracted, irrespective of distance-independent stride-coupled rotational image shifts.
K+ absorption by locust gut and inhibition of ileal K+ and water transport by FGLamide allatostatins.
Authors: Robertson Lisa , Donini Andrew , Lange Angela B. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe Scanning Ion-Selective Electrode Technique (SIET) was utilized for the first time in Locusta migratoria to characterize K+ transport along the digestive tract and to determine the effect of two locust FGLamide allatostatins (FGLa/ASTs) on K+ transport: a previously sequenced FGLa/AST from Schistocerca gregaria (Scg-AST-6; ARPYSFGL-NH2) and a newly sequenced FGLa/AST from L. migratoria (Locmi-FGLa/AST-2; LPVYNFGL-NH2). Regional differences in K+ fluxes along the gut were evident, where K+ efflux in vitro (or absorption into the hemolymph in vivo) was greatest at the anterior ileum, and lowest at the colon. Ileal K+ efflux was inhibited by both Scg-AST-6 and Locmi-FGLa/AST-2, with maximal inhibition at 10-10 and 10-11 M, respectively. Both FGLa/ASTs also inhibited cAMP-stimulated K+ efflux from the ileum. Locmi-FGLa/AST-2 also inhibited efflux of water across the ileum. Locusts are terrestrial insects living in dry climates, risking desiccation and making water conservation a necessity. The results suggest that FGLa/ASTs may be acting as diuretics by increasing K+ excretion and therefore increasing water excretion. Thus, it is likely that FGLa/ASTs are involved in the control of hemolymph water and ion levels during feeding and digestion, to help the locust deal with the excess K+ load (and subsequently fluid) when the meal is processed.
Social regulation of cortisol receptor gene expression
Authors: Korzan Wayne J. , Fernald Russell D. , Grone Brian P. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn many social species, individuals influence the reproductive capacity of conspecifics. In a well-studied African cichlid fish species, Astatotilapia burtoni, males are either dominant (D) and reproductively competent or non-dominant (ND) and reproductively suppressed as evidenced by reduced gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH1) release, regressed gonads, lower levels of androgens and elevated levels of cortisol. Here, we asked whether androgen and cortisol levels might regulate this reproductive suppression. A. burtoni has four glucocorticoid receptors (GR1a, GR1b, GR2 and MR) encoded by three genes, and two androgen receptor (ARα and ARβ) encoded by two genes. We previously showed that ARα and ARβ are expressed in GnRH1 neurons in the preoptic area (POA) that regulates reproduction and that the mRNA levels of these receptors are regulated by social status. Here we show that GR1, GR2 and MR mRNAs are also expressed in GnRH1 neurons in the POA, revealing potential mechanisms for both androgens and cortisol to influence reproductive capacity. We measured AR, MR and GR mRNA expression levels in the microdissected region of POA containing GnRH1 neurons, comparing D and ND males. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), we found D males had higher mRNA levels of ARα, MR, total GR1a and GR2 in the POA compared to ND males. In contrast, ND males had significantly higher levels of GR1b mRNA, a receptor subtype with reduced transcriptional response to cortisol. Through this novel regulation of receptor type, neurons in the POA of an ND male will be less affected by the higher levels of cortisol typical of low status suggesting GR receptor type change as a potential adaptive mechanism to mediate high cortisol levels during social suppression.
Female gray treefrogs, Hyla versicolor, are responsive to visual stimuli but unselective of stimulus characteristics
Authors: Reichert Michael S. , Galante Holland , Hoebel Gerlinde 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The visual ecology of nocturnal anurans is poorly understood but there is growing evidence that vision plays a role in important behaviors such as mate choice. While several recent studies demonstrated that females are responsive to visual cues when selecting mates, the forces responsible for these preferences are unknown. We investigated the responsiveness of female gray treefrogs, Hyla versicolor, to video playbacks of calling conspecific males in which we varied attributes of the vocal sac, a conspicuous visual characteristic of calling males and a target of female choice in other species. Females responded surprisingly strongly to the video playbacks but did so indiscriminately with respect to variation in vocal sac characteristics. We followed up on these results with a series of additional tests that examined female responses to abstract stimuli. Females continued to respond to such stimuli, leading us to conclude that their behavior was related to a generalized phototactic response. Because of this, we were unable to make conclusions regarding female preferences for vocal sac characteristics. Nonetheless, our results are significant in two respects. First, we illustrate that despite much effort into improving video playback methodologies, challenges remain, and we offer our experimental design as a method to ensure that appropriate conclusions can be drawn from such studies. Second, we argue that the female phototactic response has potentially significant behavioral implications and in general the consequences of anuran visual preferences deserve further investigation.
Is warmer better? Decreased oxidative damage in notothenioid fish after long-term acclimation to multiple stressors
Authors: Enzor Laura A. , Place Sean P. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAntarctic fish of the suborder Notothenioidei have evolved several unique adaptations to deal with subzero temperatures. However, these adaptations may come with physiological trade-offs, such as an increased susceptibility to oxidative damage. As such, the expected environmental perturbations brought on by global climate change have the potential to significantly increase the level of oxidative stress and cellular damage in these endemic fish. Previous single stressor studies of the notothenioids have shown they possess the capacity to acclimate to increased temperatures, but the cellular level effects remain largely unknown. Additionally, there is little information on the ability of Antarctic fish to respond to ecologically relevant environmental changes where multiple variables change co-comittently. We have examined the potential synergistic effects increased temperature and pCO2 have on the level of protein damage in Trematomus bernacchii, Pagothenia borchgrevinki, and Trematomus newnesi, and combined these measurements with changes in total enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in order to gauge tissue-specific changes in antioxidant capacity. Our findings indicate that total SOD and CAT activity levels displayed only small changes across treatments and tissues. Short-term acclimation to decreased seawater pH and increased temperature resulted in significant increases in oxidative damage. Surprisingly, despite no significant change in antioxidant capacity, cellular damage returned to near basal levels, and in T. bernacchii, significantly decreased, after long-term acclimation. Overall, these data suggest notothenioid fish currently maintain the antioxidant capacity necessary to offset predicted future ocean conditions, but it remains unclear if this capacity comes with physiological trade-offs.
On Clifford analysis for holomorphic mappings
Authors: Luna-Elizarrarás M. E. , Shapiro M. , Struppa D. C. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In the classical theory of several complex variables, holomorphic mappings are just n-tuples of holomorphic functions in m variables, with arbitrary n andm, and no relations between these functions are assumed. Some 30 years ago John Ryan introduced complex, or complexified, Clifford analysis which is, in a sense, the study of certain classes of holomorphic mappings where the components are not independent, and instead obey the relations generated by the Cauchy- Riemann and Dirac-type operators. In this paper, we take a closer look at this theory emphasizing some additional properties that holomorphic mappings satisfy in this context. Our attention is mostly restricted to the case of low dimensions where it is possible to identify new and interesting properties and to single out the special role played by bicomplex analysis.
Efficient computation of pairings on Jacobi quartic elliptic curves
Authors: Duquesne Sylvain , El Mrabet Nadia , Fouotsa Emmanuel 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
This
paper proposes the computation of the Tate pairing, Ate pairing and its variations on the special Jacobi quartic elliptic curve

Y
2

=
d

X
4

+

Z
4

$Y^{2}=dX^{4}+Z^{4}$

. We improve
the doubling and addition steps in Miller's algorithm to compute the Tate pairing. We use the birational equivalence between Jacobi quartic curves and Weierstrass curves, together with a specific point representation to obtain the best result to date among curves with quartic
twists. For the doubling and addition steps in Miller's algorithm for the computation of the Tate pairing,
we obtain a theoretical gain up to

27
%

$27\%$

and

39
%

$39\%$

, depending on the embedding degree and the extension
field arithmetic, with respect to Weierstrass curves and previous results on Jacobi quartic curves. Furthermore and for the first time, we compute and implement Ate, twisted Ate and optimal pairings on the Jacobi quartic curves. Our results are up to

27
%

$27\%$

more efficient compared to the case of Weierstrass curves with
quartic twists.
Aspects of Die Geometry Influencing Drawability of Metals During Wire Drawing: A Literature Review
Authors: Banda Floyd , Siaminwe Levy , Mwenda Henry M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractDrawn metal wires such as copper cables, aluminium wires and steel wires have found several applications which have an impact on the domestic and commercial economic uses, namely power cables, welding cables, wire ropes, wire meshes, electrode and filler wire, etc. All these applications require the use of good quality wires. However, this is not easily achieved since wire production faces many challenges. The influence of the drawing die on drawability and the need to maintain the required quality characteristics of the wire stand out among these challenges. This paper gives a background to wire drawing by highlighting the challenges of attaining the required drawability and quality characteristics during wire drawing. It was found from the literature that the draw die geometry has the greatest influence on the quality of copper, aluminium and steel wire products.
Ultraschall-Messung von Strömungsprofilen in opaker Polymerschmelze während der Extrusion
Authors: Putz Veronika , Burzic Ivana , Zagar Bernhard G. , Miethlinger Jürgen 
Published: July 2014

Zusammenfassung
Bei der Extrusion von Polymeren ist das Strömungsprofil der Polymerschmelze von Interesse. Mit dem Ultraschall-Pulsed-Wave-Verfahren können Strömungsprofile auch in optisch opaken Medien gemessen werden. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt einen neu entwickelten Messeinsatz, der in eine beheizte Kapillardüse integriert werden kann. Er koppelt den Ultraschall-Transducer akustisch an die zu messende Flüssigkeit, während er für Schutz (vor hohen Temperaturen und Drücken in der Schmelze) sorgt. Die gezeigten Messergebnisse wurden in-line während der Extrusion von Polypropylen gewonnen.
Optimization of Machine Repair System with Controlling Arrival and Switching Failure
Authors: Chang Chia-Jung , Chang Fu-Min , Ke Jau-Chuan 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
This study investigates the machine repair problem involving a controlling arrival policy and standbys switching failure. The operation of controlling arrival policy is that when the number of customers reaches the maintenance facility’s capacity, no further arriving failed machines are allowed to enter the system until the system capacity decreases to a certain threshold value. We develop the steady-state solutions and some import system characteristics, such as the expected number of failed machines in the system, machine availability, the average switching failure rate, effective arrival rate, and expected waiting time in the system, etc. A cost model is developed to determine the optimal control policy at a minimum cost. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to investigate the effect of changes in the system parameters on the expected cost function. Finally, we present some managerial insights through an application example.
Virtual Mechanical Testing of Asphalt Mixture Based on X-ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Hu Chichun , Zhang Xiaoning , Wang Yuhong 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In order to study the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures, a program was developed using on Matlab to make three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography image slices. The model was input into ANSYS to make meshing, and indirect tensile test simulation was conducted. The specimen deformation and strain distribution within the mastic and the aggregate were calculated. The research results revealed that the deformation and strain distributions on two sides of the specimen were not symmetrical, and the maximum stress within the mastic was not located in the center of the specimen. In addition, the strain within the mastic was much greater than that within the aggregate. The results suggest that the improvement of the asphalt binder property should be taken into account when designing an asphalt mixture so that early-age plastic deformation and late-age cracking due to greater localized binder strain can be avoided.
Short-term effects of NPH insulin, insulin detemir, and insulin glargine on the GH–IGF1–IGFBP axis in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ma Zhulin , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Laursen Torben , Lauritzen Torsten , Frystyk Jan 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveInsulin regulates the GH–IGF1 axis. Insulin analogs differ from human insulin in receptor affinity and possibly liver accessibility. Therefore, we compared the GH–IGF1 axis response with human NPH insulin, insulin detemir, and insulin glargine in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsA total of 17 patients (seven were women) with T1D (age of 42 (24–63) years (mean and range), BMI of 24.7 (19.5–28.3) kg/m2, HbA1c of 7.2 (6.3–8.0) % (55 (45–64) mmol/mol), T1D duration of 26 (8–45) years) were studied using a randomized, three-period crossover design. Patients received s.c. injections of equal, individual doses of NPH, detemir, and glargine at 1800 h. Plasma glucose, serum total IGF1, bioactive IGF, IGF-binding protein (IGFBPs), and GH were measured hourly for 14 h post-injection.ResultsWhen compared with the area under the curve (AUC) following NPH and glargine, detemir resulted in the lowest 6–14 h AUC (mean and range) of IGFBP1 (1518 (1280–1800)) vs 1621 (1367–1922) vs 1020 (860–1210) μg/l×h) and GH (17.1 (14.1–20.6) vs 15.4 (12.7–18.6) vs 10.2 (8.5–12.3) μg/l×h), but in the highest AUC of bioactive IGF (3.8 (3.5–4.2) vs 3.7 (3.4–4.0) vs 4.4 (4.1–4.8) μg/l×h) (allP<0.01). These differences were unrelated to plasma glucose. By contrast, profiles of total IGF1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP3 were comparable.ConclusionsIndependent of plasma glucose, a single dose of detemir caused larger suppression in serum IGFBP1 than NPH and glargine, whereas bioactive IGF was higher, thereby explaining the lower GH levels. Thus, detemir appears to be more liver specific than NPH insulin and glargine.
Частота виявлення мікоплазм урогенітального тракту жінок у м. Дніпропетровськ
Authors: Bubalo K. V. , Golodok L. P. , Vinnikov A. I. 
Published: July 2014

The frequency of urogenital mycoplasmas detection in women of different ages was studied in culture with the help of DUO test-system in order to determine their etiological significance in the development of inflammatory processes of women urogenital tract. We identified the researched cultures Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum in the diagnostic titer >104 TEM/ml indicating severe contamination by microorganisms, and in the titer <103 TEM/ml, the carrier state of the identified microorganisms. Of 120 studied isolates of women urogenital tract there have been identified 113 strains of genital mycoplasmas, among which 63% – U. urealyticum, 32% – M. hominis, 3% – microbial association of U. urealyticum – M. hominis. According to the study of frequency of detection of urogenital mycoplasma using DUO test-system culture method, it was found that the most frequently observed ones were U. urealyticum in 75 women (63%) of all individuals, M. hominis in 38 women (32%) in different diagnostic titers (>104 TEM/ml, <103 TEM/ml) in 4 women (3%) U. urealyticum – M. hominis was observed in microbial associations and mycoplasma were not found in 3 women (2%) of all surveyed patients. U. urealyticum and M. hominis in the diagnostic titer of >104 TEM/ml was observed in 55 women (46%) and 20 women (17%), respectively, and the titer of <103 CFU/ml U. urealyticum was observed in 20 women (17%), and M. hominis in 18 women (15%). Analysis of genital mycoplasmas distribution among women of different ages has shown that there was the certain correlation between the patient age and frequency of genital mycoplasmas detection: the highest detection rate was observed in women age of 24–29. The dominant pathogen of urogenital tract inflammatory processes in women in 24–29 age group is U. urealyticum. The comparison of DUO test-system and PCR data has shown that DUO test-system in culture allowed more sensitive quantitave characterization of mycoplasmas, however, for the more effective laboratory diagnostics it was necessary to use complex methods to increase the probability of pathogen detection. Incidence of mycoplasmas in women with the presence of inflammation was higher than in women having the inflammation in the genital tract. In this case, potential symptom-free carriers exist for the development of inflammation of urogenital tract of women. Scientists have proved that mycoplasma could cause vulvovaginitis, urethritis, paraurethritis, bartholinitis, adnexitis, salpingitis, endometritis, and ovaritis.