Lower Flank Research Articles

Tool wear deceleration in turning of Inconel 625

Rapid tool wear is one of the most important problems in rough turning of Inconel 625 nickel-based super alloys which is less considered as a case study in wear analysis researches. Therefore, in this study, high material removal rate and low tool wear of PVD-TiAlN coated carbide were considered as objective factors in rough turning of Inconel 625 super-alloy. By using an adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system; an input-output relationship model was developed to find the effective parameters. Furthermore, simulated annealing algorithm method was used to define an optimum cutting condition considering low flank wear and high material removal rate. The results indicate that cutting speed and depth of cut with their interaction are the most effective factors on tool wear. While, feed rate is almost ineffective on tool wear propagation which can be increased to obtain higher material removal rate.

Electrostatic self-assembly seeding strategy to improve machining performance of nanocrystalline diamond coated cutting tools

To tackle the issue of insufficient adhesion low wear resistance of diamond coated WC-Co inserts during machining Al-13 wt% Si alloy, nanocrystalline diamond films were deposited by HFCVD employing electrostatic self-assembly seeding strategy. The diamond film adhesion, wear resistance, tool lifetime and surface quality were extraordinary enhanced by increasing the diamond nucleation density via stabilizing the seeding solution by [2‑(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (TMAEMC). Due to the unprecedented high nucleation density of 1.2 × 1011 cm−2 on the tools, obtained with this stabilizing agent at pH 4, its flank wear after 90 min machining is at least 15 times lower than the commercially diamond coated insert and the diamond coating seeded without additive. The tool lifetime of the diamond film seeded with TMAEMC at pH 4 was at least 7 times higher than uncoated one and 4 times higher than the untreated one. A long tool lifetime with long phase of nearly constant low flank wear (46 μm till 150 min) was achieved at a diamond nucleation density higher than 1011 cm−2. Meanwhile, the surface roughness of the workpiece machined by optimized insert was 4 times lower than the untreated one. Therefore, the self-assembly seeding approach with the assistance of organic molecule represents a potent solution in order to achieve adherent and high wear resistant diamond coatings for industrial applications.

Self-organized criticality of turbulence in strongly stratified mixing layers

Motivated by the importance of stratified shear flows in geophysical and environmental circumstances, we characterize their energetics, mixing and spectral behaviour through a series of direct numerical simulations of turbulence generated by Holmboe wave instability (HWI) under various initial conditions. We focus on circumstances where the stratification is sufficiently ‘strong’ so that HWI is the dominant primary instability of the flow. Our numerical findings demonstrate the emergence of self-organized criticality (SOC) that is manifest as an adjustment of an appropriately defined gradient Richardson number, $Ri_{g}$, associated with the horizontally averaged mean flow, in such a way that it is continuously attracted towards a critical value of $Ri_{g}\sim 1/4$. This self-organization occurs through a continuously reinforced localization of the ‘scouring’ motions (i.e. ‘avalanches’) that are characteristic of the turbulence induced by the breakdown of Holmboe wave instabilities and are developed on the upper and lower flanks of the sharply localized density interface, embedded within a much more diffuse shear layer. These localized ‘avalanches’ are also found to exhibit the expected scale-invariant characteristics. From an energetics perspective, the emergence of SOC is expressed in the form of a long-lived turbulent flow that remains in a ‘quasi-equilibrium’ state for an extended period of time. Most importantly, the irreversible mixing that results from such self-organized behaviour appears to be characterized generically by a universal cumulative turbulent flux coefficient of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{c}\sim 0.2$ only for turbulent flows engendered by Holmboe wave instability. The existence of this self-organized critical state corroborates the original physical arguments associated with self-regulation of stratified turbulent flows as involving a ‘kind of equilibrium’ as described by Turner (1973, Buoyancy Effects in Fluids, Cambridge University Press).

Effects of workpiece microstructure, mechanical properties and machining conditions on tool wear when milling compacted graphite iron

The aim of the present study was to investigate the tool performance when machining compacted graphite iron (CGI) alloys. A comparison was made between solid solution strengthened CGI including various amounts of silicon (Si-CGI) and the pearlitic-ferritic CGI as a reference material. The emphasis was on examining the influence of microstructure and mechanical properties of the material on tool wear in face milling process. Machining experiments were performed on the engine-like test pieces comprised of solid solution strengthened CGI with three different silicon contents and the reference CGI alloy. The results showed up-to 50% lower flank wear when machining Si-CGI alloys, although with comparable hardness and tensile properties. In-depth analysis of the worn tool surfaces showed that the abrasion and adhesion were the dominant wear mechanisms for all investigated alloys. However, the better tool performance when machining Si-CGI alloys was mainly due to a lower amount of abrasive carbo-nitride particles and the suppression of pearlite formation in the investigated solid solution strengthened alloys.

The Ilioinguinal Approach: State of the Art.

The ilioinguinal approach is the standard approach for the open reduction and internal fixation of the majority of displaced, anteriorly based acetabular fractures as it offers wide access to the acetabulum, is extensile, and has been associated with enhanced recovery. Review the patient's general condition and imaging studies and plan the sequence of reduction and fixation. Position the patient supine on the fracture table, induce anesthesia, prepare the surgical field, administer intravenous antibiotics, and apply traction. Make a long curvilinear incision over the affected lower flank, develop the 3 working windows, and reduce and stabilize the fracture while protecting the neurovascular structures and the bladder (Video 2). For reduction of a both-column acetabular fracture, connect the mobile parts of the acetabulum to the iliac segment that is attached to the sacrum, noting that, in most cases, the usual sequence involves the reduction of the anterior column to the intact ilium followed by the reduction of the posterior column (Video 7). Perform meticulous hemostasis, apply drains, and ensure watertight closure, which are the final steps of the operation (Video 8). The ilioinguinal approach remains 1 of the standard approaches for the management of acetabular fractures10.

Cutting performances and wear characteristics of WC inserts coated with TiAlSiN and CrTiAlSiN by filtered cathodic arc in dry face milling of cast iron

The aim of this work was to study the cutting performances and wear characteristics of Co-WC inserts coated with TiAlSiN and CrTiAlSiN by a filtered cathodic arc process in dry face milling of cast iron. Face milling experiments were conducted on turbine cast iron workpieces with TiAlSiN-coated, CrTiAlSiN-coated and uncoated inserts at various cutting speeds and numbers of inserts. The results showed that Ti-based coatings offered substantially better cutting performances for Co-WC inserts and could effectively protect the inserts over longer cutting lengths than uncoated ones. Specifically, the CrTiAlSiN coating offered the best cutting performances with the lowest workpiece surface roughness, the lowest flank wear rate and the longest maximum cutting length of 10 m, which was about 2.5 times as high as that of uncoated one owing to superior hardness relative to yielding and chemical properties. In addition, the workpiece quality in term of surface roughness was found to improve with increasing cutting speed in the range of 140–300 m/min and decreasing number of inserts ranging from 1 to 3. Microstructural analyses suggested that the CrTiAlSiN-coated inserts exhibited wear due to thermal cracking and partial delamination under high temperature ploughing abrasion while the TiAlSiN-coated ones displayed mainly ploughing abrasive flank wear behaviour, which resulted in a substantially lower flank wear rate than uncoated WC inserts that suffered from the combination of direct cutting and ploughing abrasive wear.

An analytical approach to cutting force prediction in milling of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates

ABSTRACTA prediction model of cutting force for milling multidirectional laminate of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites was developed in this article by using an analytical approach. In the predictive model, an equivalent uniform chip thickness was used in the case of orthogonal plane cutting, and the average specific cutting energy was taken as an empirical function of equivalent chip thickness and fiber orientation angle. The parameters in the model were determined by the experimental data. Then, the analytical model of cutting force prediction was validated by the experimental data of multidirectional CFRP laminates, which shows the good reliability of the model established. Furthermore, the cutting force component of flank contact force was correlated with the surface roughness of workpiece and the flank wear of tool in milling UD-CFRP composites. It was found that surface quality as well as flank wear has a co-incident varying trend with the flank contact force, as confirmed by the observations of the machined surfaces and tool wear at different fiber orientations. So, it can be known that low flank contact force be required to reduce surface damage and flank wear.

Tool wear coated with PCD in high-speed milling of graphite

The rising need for manufacturing molds with increasingly smaller deadlines and costs is demanding from the toolmakers to customize and enhance their fabrication processes; one of the ways to achieve that is by improving their electrode machining, since this process will affect directly in the result of the dimensional precision and production time of the mold. The usage of graphite as raw material for electrodes is known to be highly satisfactory since the graphite has the advantage of machining faster and allowing a great variety of geometrical forms; however, its main disadvantage is that the graphite also has a high level of wear during the machining process. Therefore, this study has evaluated the behavior of the flank wear and the graphite finish by testing specimens against variables, such as cutting speed, feed per tooth, and coating with the use of high-speed milling machining. The results found on the tests have shown that the combination of variables that generated the lowest flank wear was the use of cutting speed of 700 m/min, feed per tooth of 0.07 mm, and application of diamond coating. From those variables, the coating was the one that most influenced the flank wear. Regarding the finish, the parameters that generated the lower surface roughness were the cutting speed of 400 m/min, feed per tooth 0.04 mm, and a diamond coating, in which the parameter that most influenced the finish was the feed.

Effects of adjacent fault systems on drainage patterns and evolution of uplifted rift shoulders: The Lower Cretaceous in the Loppa High, southwestern Barents Sea

Abstract Sedimentological models for rift shoulders have poorly documented the effect of adjacent fault systems on drainage patterns. In this study we investigate the Loppa High, an ancient tilted rift shoulder located in the southwestern Barents Sea. We use seismic and well data, sedimentological log descriptions, and biostratigraphic information to understand the drainage patterns and the Early Cretaceous geological history of the Loppa High. This study provides an example of how the drainage systems in low-gradient flanks of a rift shoulder can be modified and confined by normal faults occurring almost orthogonal to the main fault system. These orthogonal faults might have acted as preferential sediment routes. Thus, potential deposits of the main drainage systems directed to the low gradient flank are found almost exclusively associated with grabens formed due to these orthogonal faults. The Early Cretaceous evolution of the Loppa High is summarized as follow: 1) during the Boreal Berriasian/Volgian to early Barremian, the Asterias and the Bjornoyrenna fault complexes were active. Diachronous shallow to eventually deep-marine fans and incised valleys were developed along the southern and western flanks of the Loppa High; 2) late Barremian–Aptian fault activity is interpreted along the Ringvassoy Loppa Fault Complex. A second generation of incised valleys and their related shallow-marine fans were formed in the western flank of the Loppa High; and 3) during late Aptian–early Albian the Loppa High and the Hammerfest Basin were tilted eastwards. The latter event triggered a switch in depocenter location and development of shelf-margin clinoforms downlapping in close proximity to the eastern flank of the high.

Thermal history of volcanic debris flow deposits on the eastern flanks of Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand: Implications for future hazards

We use palaeomagnetic methods to decipher the thermal histories of a succession of massive to weakly stratified debris flow deposits (Ngatoro and Te Popo formations) of late Holocene age located on the eastern lower flanks of Mt. Taranaki/Egmont Volcano, western North Island, New Zealand. Results from two sites, Vickers Quarry and Surrey Road Quarry, both c. 9.6 km from the present-day summit, enable us to distinguish between clast incorporation temperatures of about 400 °C and emplacement temperatures between 150 and 200 °C, consistent with observation of superficial charring and desiccation of outer podocarp-hardwood tree trunks at Vickers Quarry. Analysis of palaeomagnetic directions and lithofacies architecture suggest that these deposits were likely initiated as a closely-spaced succession of block-and-ash flows (BAFs) that rapidly cooled as they descended the volcano flanks. Radiocarbon chronology and the widespread occurrence of a palaeosol between the products of the preceding Inglewood eruptive phase, c. 3.4 cal. ka B.P., and the overlying Ngatoro Formation suggest that these two events are temporally unrelated. Certainly, there is no field evidence of contemporaneous explosive volcanic activity that might be related to the emplacement of Ngatoro Formation. However, we suggest that these low-temperature deposits might either relate to collapse of a small emergent lava dome or a cooling dome remnant, possibly emplaced in the aftermath of the Inglewood eruption. How collapse was initiated remains uncertain: the remnant dome may have been rendered unstable by volcano-tectonic or tectonic seismic events and/or by adverse meteorological events. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that edifice collapse events generating potentially hazardous debris flows can occur independent of specific eruptive activity.

Microstructure, mechanical and machining properties of LPS and SPS NbC cemented carbides for face-milling of grey cast iron

The effects of spark plasma sintering (SPS), NbC as a major carbide phase and Ni as a Co binder substitute on the microstructure, mechanical properties and cutting insert wear during face-milling of grey cast iron (GCI) BS1452, grade 17, were investigated. Spark plasma sintering refined microstructures increasing the hardness, but lowered the fracture toughness, due to poor binder distribution. Both SPS and liquid phase sintered (LPS) WC based samples had higher hardness than all the NbC based samples. Substitution of Co with Ni in the NbC cemented carbides significantly increased the fracture toughness (by ~5.5MPa·m1/2). During face-milling using inserts produced from the NbC and WC based cemented carbides, the cutting speed (vc) was varied between 100 and 300m/min and the depth of cuts (ap) between 0.5 and 1mm. Face-milling was done under dry and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) conditions. Wear was evaluated by optical microscopy and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). The spark plasma sintered NbC1.0-12Co (wt%) insert had lower flank wear rates than the SPS and LPS WC-0.8Cr3C2-12Co inserts in all machining tests, due to the combination of good chemical stability, attrition and abrasion wear resistance from the refined microstructure. The lower flank wear rate was also attributed to the shorter chamfer width. Use of MQL at a vc of 300m/min and ap of 0.5mm, reduced the cutting temperatures, but increased the cutting force and flank wear rates of all the inserts.

Abstract B139: Promising antitumor effects of SNX-5422 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in an MC38 murine model

Abstract Introduction: SNX-2112 is a potent antitumor compound. In vitro studies have shown that SNX-2112 appears to have epigenetic character (hypomethylation) and interferes with onco-metabolism. SNX-5422 is an orally active prodrug of SNX-2112, a highly selective inhibitor of Hsp90 that has shown antitumor activity in clinical trials. Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a molecular chaperone, is commonly elevated in tumor tissues and plays an important role in immune responses. Preclinical studies have suggested that Hsp90 inhibitors enhance antigen expression on tumor cells while retaining T-cell function, and therefore could possibly be utilized in immunotherapy to augment tumor targeting. Additionally, the characteristics of SNX-2112 interference with epigenetics and cancer metabolism may complement checkpoint inhibitors. For these reasons, the combination of SNX-5422 with checkpoint inhibitors was examined in preclinical studies. Methods: Murine colon cancer model MC38 was selected for in vivo studies. Tumor volume was measured following treatment with SNX-5422 alone and in combination with monoclonal antibodies against PD-1 (RMP1-14) [study 1], or PD-L1 (10F.9G2) or CTLA4 (9D9) [study 2]). In both studies, female C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously at the right lower flank with MC38 tumor cells (1x106). SNX-5422 was dosed every other day for 3 doses followed by 2 days off for a total of 3 weeks. Checkpoint inhibitors were dosed twice weekly for 3 weeks. Treatments were initiated when the mean tumor size reached approximately 130 mm3 (study 1) or 119 mm3 (study 2). Final tumor volume was measured on Day 33 (study 1) or Day 32 (study 2). Results: In study 1, tumor volume was reduced by 45.1% with SNX-5422 (40 mg/kg) and by 24.0% with anti-PD-1 (100 µg/animal) (p=NS vs. control for both). The combination of these 2 agents reduced tumor volume by 66.8% (p=0.014 vs. control; p=0.052 anti-PD-1 vs. combination). Using a lower dose of SNX-5422 (25 mg/kg), the combination reduced tumor volume by 61.5% (p=0.021 vs. control; p=NS vs. higher dose combination). In study 2, tumor volume was reduced by 24.1% with SNX-5422 (40 mg/kg) (p=NS vs. control) and by 77%-83% with the checkpoint inhibitors (P≤0.006 vs. control). The combination of SNX-5422 (40 mg/kg) and anti-PD-L1 (10 mg/kg) reduced tumor volume by 75.2% (p=0.007 vs. control; p=0.012 SNX-5422 alone vs. combination). There was also a 76.0% reduction in tumor volume with the combination using SNX-5422 25 mg/kg (p=0.007 vs. control; p=NS vs. higher dose combination). Similarly, in combination with anti-CTLA4 (10 mg/kg), tumor volume was reduced by 77.5% (p=0.003 vs. control; p=0.015 SNX-5422 alone vs. combination). A 69.9% reduction in tumor volume was observed when using SNX-5422 25 mg/kg in the combination (p=0.006 vs. control; p=NS vs. higher dose combination). The positive effects on tumor volume were achieved without adversely affecting the body weight. Conclusion: SNX-5422 at either 25 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg, in combination with anti-PD1, demonstrated significant antitumor activity in the MC38 murine colon cancer model. Additionally, there was improved antitumor activity of SNX-5422 when combined with the immune checkpoint inhibitors PD-L1 as well as CTLA4. These results support further clinical development of SNX-5422 combined with checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy. Citation Format: Yanmei Sun, Xirou Hu, Everardus Orlemans. Promising antitumor effects of SNX-5422 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in an MC38 murine model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B139.

The Efficacy and Safety of Cryolipolysis for Subcutaneous Fat Reduction.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Excess subcutaneous fat causes not only cosmetic issues but also substantial systemic health problems. Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive method for substantially reducing subcutaneous fat cells with controlled, localized cooling. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cryolipolysis device for body contouring. METHODS: A total of 41 patients underwent noninvasive cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting; ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Pleasanton, CA, USA) from May 2014 to December 2015. The degree of improvement was determined from medical records of patients, including body weight, circumference measurements, and adverse effects. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire. RESULTS: The treated regions were the lower abdomen in 26 cases, lower flank in 18, arm in 17, inner thigh in 10, banana line in 9, upper abdomen in 7, lateral thigh in 4, upper back in 2, axilla in 1, lower back in 1, upper flank in 1, and anterior thigh in 1. Circumferential measurements indicated a mean reduction of 0.69 cm. No significant adverse effect, such as scarring, infection, or burn, was observed. The average satisfaction score was 1.88 of 3. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive selective cryolipolysis is an effective and safe treatment modality for reducing excess fat cells.

The Emergence of Shallow Easterly Jets within QBO Westerlies

A configuration of an idealized general circulation model has been obtained in which a deep, stratospheric, equatorial, westerly jet is established that is spontaneously and quasi-periodically disrupted by shallow easterly jets. Similar to the disruption of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) observed in early 2016, meridional fluxes of wave activity are found to play a central role. The possible relevance of two feedback mechanisms to these disruptions is considered. The first involves the secondary circulation produced in the shear zones on the upper and lower flanks of the easterly jet. This is found to play a role in maintaining the aspect ratio of the emerging easterly jet. The second involves the organization of the eddy fluxes by the mean flow: the presence of a weak easterly anomaly within a tall, tropical, westerly jet is demonstrated to produce enhanced and highly focused wave activity fluxes that reinforce and strengthen the easterly anomalies. The eddies appear to be organized by the formation of strong potential vorticity gradients on the subtropical flanks of the easterly anomaly. Similar wave activity and potential vorticity structures are found in the ERA-Interim for the observed QBO disruption, indicating this second feedback was active then.

Reconstruction of linear dunes from ancient aeolian successions using subsurface data: Permian Auk Formation, Central North Sea, UK

A series of well logs and cores penetrating the predominantly aeolian Auk Formation, Permian Rotliegend Group, Central North Sea, UK, have been evaluated to determine the morphology and style of migratory behaviour of the original dune bedforms, the overall depositional environment, and to assess implications for reservoir heterogeneity. This has been achieved by detailed facies analysis of subsurface datasets and by comparison of the observed sedimentary styles of accumulation to analogous modern aeolian dune fields. Aeolian bedform type, morphology, detailed migratory behaviour, and the nature of the accumulation surface have been interpreted. Analysis of the facies architecture of preserved cross-bedded sets and cosets indicates accumulation on a dry substrate via the migration and climb of large linear bedforms that possessed low-angle inclined lower plinths, up to 15 m thick. Dune plinth elements are dominated by wind-ripple and reworked wind-ripple strata, and were preferentially preserved as successive bedforms migrated over one another at low angles. Packages of grainflow-dominated strata representative of accumulation on the higher part of the bedform lee slope are less common and tend to be preserved mostly in the upper parts of large cosets of strata (∼30 m thick). Large linear bedforms were separated by dry interdune areas. Although the primary direction of sand transport was along the elongated crests of the bedforms, a secondary component of transverse motion enabled the lateral migration and preferential preservation of lee-slope deposits that arose from a minor oblique component of bedform migration. In places, the architecture records the preservation of small barchanoid dune deposits, either within interdune depressions or superimposed on the lower flanks of the large linear bedforms. The preserved aeolian facies types exert a primary control on reservoir quality. Few previous studies have documented linear dunes in ancient successions; these findings represent a valuable case example.

Effects of mechanical repetitive load on bone quality around implants in rat maxillae.

Greater understanding and acceptance of the new concept “bone quality”, which was proposed by the National Institutes of Health and is based on bone cells and collagen fibers, are required. The novel protein Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) is associated with osteoprotection by regulating bone cells. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of mechanical loads on Sema3A production and bone quality based on bone cells and collagen fibers around implants in rat maxillae. Grade IV-titanium threaded implants were placed at 4 weeks post-extraction in maxillary first molars. Implants received mechanical loads (10 N, 3 Hz for 1800 cycles, 2 days/week) for 5 weeks from 3 weeks post-implant placement to minimize the effects of wound healing processes by implant placement. Bone structures, bone mineral density (BMD), Sema3A production and bone quality based on bone cells and collagen fibers were analyzed using microcomputed tomography, histomorphometry, immunohistomorphometry, polarized light microscopy and birefringence measurement system inside of the first and second thread (designated as thread A and B, respectively), as mechanical stresses are concentrated and differently distributed on the first two threads from the implant neck. Mechanical load significantly increased BMD, but not bone volume around implants. Inside thread B, but not thread A, mechanical load significantly accelerated Sema3A production with increased number of osteoblasts and osteocytes, and enhanced production of both type I and III collagen. Moreover, mechanical load also significantly induced preferential alignment of collagen fibers in the lower flank of thread B. These data demonstrate that mechanical load has different effects on Sema3A production and bone quality based on bone cells and collagen fibers between the inside threads of A and B. Mechanical load-induced Sema3A production may be differentially regulated by the type of bone structure or distinct stress distribution, resulting in control of bone quality around implants in jaw bones.

Upper Guadalupian to Lower Lopingian Latentifistularian (Radiolaria) Interval Zones of the Mino Belt in the Mt. Funabuseyama Area, Central Japan

We present a biostratigraphic study of the Latentifistularia (Radiolaria) in the upper Guadalupian to lower Lopingian (upper Capitanian to lower Wuchiapingian; Permian) succession of bedded chert of the Mino Belt in the Mt. Funabuseyama area, central Japan. The rocks examined are interpreted to be of the pelagic facies on the deep-marine lower flank of a mid-Panthalassic seamount. We established six latentifistularian-based interval zones in the chert succession (ca. 12.5 m in thickness) by using the first appearance datum of the latentifistularian species. They are the Foremanhelena triangula, Ruzhencevispongus sp. B, Ruzhencevispongus sp. C, Triplanospongos angustus, Cauletella paradoxa, and Triplanospongos musashiensis interval zones in ascending order. The first interval zone is underlain by an unnamed zone characterized by Follicucullus charveti and Follicucullus spp. with minor F. bipartitus and Pseudoalbaillella sp. On the basis of the radiolarian assemblage, we correlate the Foremanhelena triangula, Ruzhencevispongus sp. B, Ruzhencevispongus sp. C, Triplanospongos angustus interval zones and the Cauletella paradoxa and Triplanospongos musashiensis interval zones with the Follicucullus charveti-Albaillella yamakitai and Neoalbaillella ornithoformis assemblage zones in Japan, respectively. The lower three interval zones and the upper two interval zones are compared with the upper Capitanian and lower Wuchiapingian, respectively. The Triplanospongos angustus Interval Zone presumably includes the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary. Our results show that the latentifistularians can be used to formulate a biostratigraphic zonation of the upper Capitanian to lower Wuchiapingian stages, in which the albaillellarians are much less abundant and diverse. The newly proposed interval zones permit the further subdivision of upper Capitanian to lower Wuchiapingian successions.

Phosphorus and nitrogen resorption from different chemical fractions in senescing leaves of tropical tree species on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo.

Nutrient resorption, a process by which plants degrade organic compounds and resorb their nutrients from senescing tissues, is a crucial plant function to increase growth and fitness in nutrient-poor environments. Tropical trees on phosphorus (P)-poor soils are particularly known to have high P-resorption efficiency (PRE, the percentage of P resorbed from senescing leaves before abscission per total P in green leaves). However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying this greater PRE remain unclear. In this study, we determined the P concentration in easily soluble, nucleic acid, lipid and residual fractions for green and senescent leaves of 22 tree species from three sites, which differed in P availability, on the lower flanks of Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo. PRE varied from 24 to 93% and was higher in species from the P-poor site. P-resorption rate was greatest from the lipid fraction, the nucleic acid fraction, and lowest in the easily soluble fraction and the residual fraction when all the species were pooled. For species with higher PRE, P-resorption rate of the residual fraction was relatively high and was comparable in magnitude to that of the other labile fractions. This suggests that tree species inhabiting P-poor environments increased PRE by improving the degradation of recalcitrant compounds. This study suggests that plants selectively degrade organic compounds depending on environmental conditions, which is a key mechanism underlying the variation of PRE.

Abstract 1591: Inhibition of prostate tumor growth by an extract from the muscadine grape

Abstract Despite decades of advancements, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in the United States with an estimated 1.7 million new cases and over 600,000 deaths predicted for 2016, indicating a clear need for more effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents. While natural products derived from plants have served as an abundant source of anticancer agents, it is predicted that less than 2 percent of the plant species with medicinal value have been investigated. Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) skin and/or seed extracts are a popular nutraceutical supplement due to the high anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects of a distinct phytochemical composition of polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. The current study examines the effects of a proprietary muscadine grape extract formulation (MGE; Piedmont Research & Development Corp.) on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and tumors. MGE inhibited the growth of human LnCaP prostate cancer cells, in both a time- and dose-dependent manner, as quantified using an IncuCyte Zoom Imaging system. Cell growth was reduced by 36.8% after a 5-day treatment with 20 µg/mL MGE compared to untreated cells (n = 6, p < 0.001). Athymic mice (male, 15-20 g, 5-6 weeks of age) were injected subcutaneously on the lower flank with 1.6 x 106 LNCaP cells, to assess the effect of the MGE in vivo. When the tumors reached 100 mm3, the mice were randomized and MGE was added to the drinking water at a concentration of 0.2 µg phenolics/mL (1.0 mg phenolics/mouse/day for a 25 g mouse); control mice drank untreated water. After 5 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the tumors were weighed. The volume of prostate tumors growing in the flank of nude mice drinking water with MGE was markedly reduced compared to the size of the tumors from control mice [252.6 ± 61.73 mm3 (MGE) versus 765.2 ± 101.8 mm3 (control); n=6, p<0.001). Further, the weight of prostate tumors from mice drinking MGE was also significantly decreased [0.96 ± 0.14 g (control) as compared to 0.41 ± 0.11 g (MGE)], a reduction of 57% (p < 0.05). Five microns tumor sections were incubated with an antibody to CD34 and tumor vessels were identified by positive immunoreactivity and morphology. MGE reduced the number of blood vessels/field from 10.25 ± 0.9 to 7.10 ± 0.6 (p < 0.05), suggesting that the extract inhibits angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PLGF) were measured by qPCR, to determine the effect of the extract on angiogenic factors. MGE reduced VEGF mRNA from 1.02 ± 0.06 to 0.72 ± 0.07 relative units (p < 0.05) and PLGF mRNA from 1.03 ± 0.11 to 0.63 ± 0.07 relative units (p < 0.05), providing additional evidence of an anti-angiogenic effect of the extract. Collectively, these results are the first to demonstrate that a novel MGE formulation reduces prostate tumor growth in a mouse model, by inhibiting angiogenesis, suggesting that MGE may be an effective treatment for prostate cancer. Citation Format: Patricia E. Gallagher, E. Ann Tallant. Inhibition of prostate tumor growth by an extract from the muscadine grape [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1591. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1591

A new species of Pseudocalotes (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Bukit Barisan Range of Sumatra with an Estimation of its phylogeny.

We describe a new species of Pseudocalotes from montane forests of the central, western coast of Sumatra. The combination of 3 or 4 interoculabials, slightly enlarged and heavily keeled scales on the lower flanks, a white scapular spot, a relatively long fifth toe, bicarinate lamellae at the base of Toe III, absence of a postrictal modified scale, and three rows of paravertebrals directed dorsally and posteriorly distinguishes the new species from its congeners on Sumatra and Java. Among the new characters defined in this study, counts of subdigital lamellae within the "span of Toe V" proved particularly useful for diagnosing species of Pseudocalotes. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences identified a monophyletic group containing the Sumatran and Javan Pseudocalotes. Based on the phylogeny, we define a P. cybelidermus Group containing P. cybelidermus and P. guttalineatus and a P. tympanistriga Group containing P. tympanistriga, P. rhammanotus, and the new species. Combinations of five morphological characters define each of these two clades. As currently defined, Pseudocalotes is polyphyletic; Javan and Sumatran species are more closely related to other draconines such as Dendragama boulengeri than they are to some mainland species.