KRas-transformed epithelia cells invade and partially dedifferentiate by basal cell extrusion

Metastasis is the main cause of carcinoma-related death, yet we know little about how it initiates due to our inability to visualize stochastic invasion events. Classical models suggest that cells accumulate mutations that first drive formation of a primary mass, and then downregulate epithelia-specific genes to cause invasion and metastasis. Here, using transparent zebrafish epidermis to model simple epithelia, we can directly image invasion. We find that KRas-transformation, implicated in early carcinogenesis steps, directly drives cell invasion by hijacking a process epithelia normally use to promote death—cell extrusion. Cells invading by basal cell extrusion simultaneously pinch off their apical epithelial determinants, endowing new plasticity. Following invasion, cells divide, enter the bloodstream, and differentiate into stromal, neuronal-like, and other cell types. Yet, only invading KRasV12 cells deficient in p53 survive and form internal masses. Together, we demonstrate that KRas-transformation alone causes cell invasion and partial dedifferentiation, independently of mass formation.

The TLP 2-DOF as an alternative model for extreme wave application

Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is an offshore platform structure used for deep-sea oil and gas exploration. The main structure of the TLP consists of a deck, pontoon, mooring system, and foundation. TLP operates in a balance of buoyancy, structural weight, and mooring tension. The problem is the construction of TLP in the deep sea, where sometimes extreme waves appear could damage the TLP structure. This paper proposes a new model of TLP that is more stable to extreme waves. The method is to separate the mass of the deck and the mass of the pontoon into two flexible parts, which are connected by a cantilever spring system. Thus the TLP motion becomes two degrees of freedom (TLP 2-DOF). Using the dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) method, the ratio of the deck mass, pontoon mass, and spring stiffness are adjusted so that the primary mass movement is minimal. Furthermore, the ratio of the amplitude of the deck movement as the primary mass to the wave amplitude is analyzed, which is known as the operator response amplitude (RAO). The results showed that the TLP 2-DOF model was more stable. As an illustration, at resonance conditions, this model can reduce RAO to about 67%.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Drop Metastases of Canine Glioma: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Classification

Dissemination of glioma in humans can occur as leptomeningeal nodules, diffuse leptomeningeal lesions, or ependymal lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drop metastasis of glioma is not well-recognized in dogs. Ten dogs with at least two anatomically distinct and histologically confirmed foci of glioma were included in this study. The 10 dogs underwent 28 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, with distant CSF drop metastasis revealed in 13 MRIs. The CSF drop metastases appeared as leptomeningeal nodules in four dogs, diffuse leptomeningeal lesions in six dogs, and ependymal lesions in seven dogs; six dogs had a combination of lesion types. Primary tumors were generally T2-heterogeneous and contrast-enhancing. Many metastases were T2-homogeneous and non-enhancing. Diffuse leptomeningeal lesions were seen as widespread extra-axial contrast-enhancement, again very dissimilar to the intra-axial primary mass. Primary masses were rostrotentorial, whereas metastases generally occurred in the direction of CSF flow, in ventricles, CSF cisterns, and the central canal or leptomeninges of the cervical or thoracolumbar spinal cord. Seven of the dogs had received therapy limited to the primary mass, such as surgery or stereotactic radiation, then developed metastasis in the following months. CSF drop metastasis of glioma may take a very different appearance on MRI to the primary mass, including periventricular lesions that are more homogeneous and less contrast-enhancing, rostral horn signal changes, or leptomeningeal enhancement ventral to the brainstem or encircling the spinal cord.

Free Response of a Rotational Nonlinear Energy Sink: Complete Dissipation of Initial Energy for Small Initial Rectilinear Displacements

For two combinations of a dimensionless rotational damping parameter and a dimensionless inertial coupling parameter, we consider free response of a rectilinearly vibrating linearly sprung primary mass inertially coupled to damped rotation of a second mass, for which Gendelman et al. (2012, “Dynamics of an Eccentric Rotational Nonlinear Energy Sink,” ASME J. Appl. Mech. 79(1), 011012) developed equations of motion in the context of a rotational nonlinear energy sink (NES) with no direct damping of the rectilinear motion. For dimensionless initial rectilinear displacements comparable with those considered by Gendelman et al., we identify a region in the motionless projection of the initial condition space (i.e., for zero values of the initial rectilinear and rotational velocities) in which every initial condition leads to a previously unrecognized zero-energy solution, with all initial energy dissipated by rotation. We also show that the long-time nonrotating, rectilinear solutions of the type found by Gendelman et al. are (orbitally) stable only in limited ranges of amplitude. Finally, we show how direct viscous damping of rectilinear motion of the primary mass affects dissipation, and that results with no direct rectilinear dissipation provide excellent guidance for performance when direct rectilinear dissipation occurs. Some applications are discussed.

Experimental Performance of a Two-Phase Ejector: Nozzle Geometry and Subcooling Effects

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on a two-phase ejector. The main objective is to assess the effects of the nozzle’s divergent and the throat diameter on performance under various working conditions. Under the same conditions, ejector operation with a convergent nozzle, results in higher critical primary mass flow rate and lower critical pressure than with a convergent-divergent nozzle version. Experiments show as well that the flow expansion is higher in the convergent-divergent nozzle. The throat diameter turns out to have an important impact only on the amount of the critical mass flow rate. The nozzle geometry has no impact on its optimal position in the ejector. Globally, the ejector with the convergent-divergent nozzle provides a higher entrainment ratio, due to a reduced primary mass flow rate and an increased secondary flow induction. Tests also show that the ejector with a lower throat diameter provides a higher entrainment ratio, due to better suction with less primary flow. Unlike the convergent-divergent nozzle, the convergent nozzle permits an entrainment ratio almost insensitive to a wide range of primary inlet sub-cooling levels. Primary and secondary mass flow rates increase proportionally with the subcooling level and result in a quasi-constant entrainment ratio.

Moult intensity in blue petrels and a key moult site off West Antarctica

Blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea Gmelin) rapidly moult their flight feathers in Antarctic waters in February–April, immediately following the breeding season, yet the behaviour of moulting birds at sea has not been described. We observed large numbers of moulting blue petrels off West Antarctica from 67–71°S and 78–119°W in mid-February 2017. Most of these birds probably breed at the Diego Ramirez archipelago, southwest of Cape Horn, which is the closest colony to this area. Moulting petrels often sit on the water in dense flocks, just outside the marginal ice zone, at sea temperatures of -0.7 to 0.9°C. Wing moult is intense, with 7–8 inner primaries (62–75% of primary length and 55–69% of primary mass), their corresponding primary coverts and all greater secondary coverts being grown at the same time. Moulting petrels need a reliable food source during this energetically demanding period, so the waters off West Antarctica are probably crucial for the Diego Ramirez population, which makes up more than half of the world's blue petrels.