bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sub‐cellular location of FtsH proteases in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 suggests localised PSII repair zones in the thylakoid membranes
Authors: Sacharz Joanna , Bryan Samantha J. , Yu Jianfeng , Burroughs Nigel J. , Spence Edward M. , Nixon Peter J. , Mullineaux Conrad W.
Published: January 2015

In cyanobacteria and chloroplasts, exposure to HL damages the photosynthetic apparatus, especially the D1 subunit of Photosystem II. To avoid chronic photoinhibition, a PSII repair cycle operates to replace damaged PSII subunits with newly synthesised versions. To determine the sub‐cellular location of this process, we examined the localisation of FtsH metalloproteases, some of which are directly involved in degrading damaged D1. We generated transformants of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 expressing GFP‐tagged versions of its four FtsH proteases. The ftsH2–gfp strain was functional for PSII repair under our conditions. Confocal microscopy shows that FtsH1 is mainly in the cytoplasmic membrane, while the remaining FtsH proteins are in patches either in the thylakoid or at the interface between the thylakoid and cytoplasmic membranes. HL exposure which increases the activity of the Photosystem II repair cycle led to no detectable changes in FtsH distribution, with the FtsH2 protease involved in D1 degradation retaining its patchy distribution in the thylakoid membrane. We discuss the possibility that the FtsH2–GFP patches represent Photosystem II ‘repair zones’ within the thylakoid membranes, and the possible advantages of such functionally specialised membrane zones. Anti‐GFP affinity pull‐downs provide the first indication of the composition of the putative repair zones.
Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 plays a non‐enzymatic role in the malarial asexual blood‐stage lifecycle
Authors: Stallmach Robert , Kavishwar Manoli , Withers‐Martinez Chrislaine , Hackett Fiona , Collins Christine R. , Howell Steven A. , Yeoh Sharon , Knuepfer Ellen , Atid Avshalom J. , Holder Anthony A. , Blackman Michael J.
Published: January 2015

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum replicates in an intraerythrocytic parasitophorous vacuole (PV). The most abundant P. falciparum PV protein, called SERA5, is essential in blood stages and possesses a papain‐like domain, prompting speculation that it functions as a proteolytic enzyme. Unusually however, SERA5 possesses a Ser residue (Ser596) at the position of the canonical catalytic Cys of papain‐like proteases, and the function of SERA5 or whether it performs an enzymatic role is unknown. In this study, we failed to detect proteolytic activity associated with the Ser596‐containing parasite‐derived or recombinant protein. However, substitution of Ser596 with a Cys residue produced an active recombinant enzyme with characteristics of a cysteine protease, demonstrating that SERA5 can bind peptides. Using targeted homologous recombination in P. falciparum, we substituted Ser596 with Ala with no phenotypic consequences, proving that SERA5 does not perform an essential enzymatic role in the parasite. We could also replace an internal segment of SERA5 with an affinity‐purification tag. In contrast, using almost identical targeting constructs, we could not truncate or C‐terminally tag the SERA5 gene, or replace Ser596 with a bulky Arg residue. Our findings show that SERA5 plays an indispensable but non‐enzymatic role in the P. falciparum blood‐stage life cycle.
Divergent host preferences of above‐ and below‐ground Culex pipiens mosquitoes and their hybrid offspring
Authors: FRITZ M. L. , WALKER E. D. , MILLER J. R. , SEVERSON D. W. , DWORKIN I.
Published: January 2015

Culex pipiens form pipiens and Cx. pipiens form molestus (Diptera: Culicidae) belong to a cosmopolitan taxonomic group known as the Pipiens Assemblage. Hybridization between these forms is thought to contribute to human transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America. Complementary choice and no‐choice landing assays were developed to examine host acceptance by North American Cx. pipiens in the laboratory. Populations collected from above‐ and below‐ground sites in suburban Chicago were identified as forms pipiens and molestus using a polymerase chain reaction‐based assay. Avian and human host acceptance was then quantified for the two populations, as well as for their hybrid and backcross offspring. No‐choice tests were used to demonstrate that both the pipiens and molestus forms were capable of feeding on human and avian hosts. Choice tests were used to demonstrate that form pipiens females were strongly avian‐seeking; an individual's probability of accepting the chick host was 85%. Form molestus females were more likely to accept the human host (87%). Rates of host acceptance by F1 and backcross progeny were intermediate to those of their parents. The results suggest that host preferences in Cx. pipiens are genetically determined, and that ongoing hybridization between above‐ and below‐ground populations is an important contributor to epizootic transmission of WNV in North America.
A Safe, Simple Technique for Transseptal Catheterization
Authors: Giudici Michael C. , Mickelsen Steven R. , Bhave Prashant D. , Arteaga Roque B. , Iqbal Omer J.
Published: January 2015

Transseptal catheterization is required for atrial fibrillation ablation and many ablations for atrial tachycardias, left atrial flutters, and accessory pathways. Using a Brockenbrough needle or other specialized device adds time, expense, and risk of potential complications such as atrial or aortic perforation, pericardial effusion, and tamponade to these procedures. We present a simple, low‐risk technique for transseptal catheterization.
MAPPING THE PUBLIC SECTOR DIASPORA: TOWARDS A MODEL OF INTER‐SECTORAL CULTURAL HYBRIDITY USING EVIDENCE FROM THE ENGLISH HEALTHCARE REFORMS
Authors: WARING JUSTIN
Published: January 2015

Public service reforms increasingly blur the boundaries between public and private sectors, involving hybrid modes of service organization. With growing numbers of public services being transferred to private or mutual ownership, the article interprets reform as a public sector diaspora. Drawing upon the diaspora studies literature, the article proposes a model of hybridization that centres on the possibilities for cultural dislocation, adaptation, and hybridity. Focusing on reforms within the English National Health Service, the article presents an ethnographic study of the transfer or diaspora of doctors, nurses, clinical practitioners, and healthcare assistants from a public hospital to a private healthcare provider, exploring their experiences of migration, resettlement, and cultural hybridity. The model addresses a conceptual gap within the public policy and management literature by elaborating the antecedents, processes, and forms of cultural hybridization.
HYBRIDITY, COPING MECHANISMS, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: COMPARING THREE COUNTRIES
Authors: TEELKEN CHRISTINE
Published: January 2015

Recent developments in the higher education sectors of the Netherlands, Sweden, and theUKconcerning accountability and performance measurement in research have resulted in a variety of responses from individual academics. The concept of hybridity enables us to explain these developments over time. Our longitudinal data consisted of 100 interviews in 2007 and 2011. There are more managerial and performance‐oriented measures at the organizational level, involving a stronger output orientation and increased formalization, leading to an altered research culture. At the individual level, the focus on output appraisal expands the potential importance of sanctions, making managerial and professional tasks more connected. The concept of hybridity at the organizational and the individual levels places our theoretically developed coping mechanisms in a more dynamic perspective. This has elaborated our understanding of how academics cope with performance management, within their institutional and national contexts.
Reasons as the Unity Among the Varieties of Goodness
Authors: Cosker‐Rowland Rach
Published: January 2015

Our concepts of good simpliciter, good for, and good as a particular kind of thing must share some common element. I argue that all three types of goodness can be analysed in terms of the reasons that there are for a certain sets of agents to have pro‐attitudes. To this end I provide new and compelling accounts of good for and goodness of a kind in terms of reasons for pro‐attitudes that are more explanatorily illuminating than competing accounts and that evade the objections that undermine previous accounts of good for and goodness of a kind in terms of reasons.
A Breath of Fresh Air: Absence and the Structure of Olfactory Perception
Authors: Roberts Tom
Published: January 2015

The question of whether we can perceive absences, in addition to ‘positives’, has received recent attention in the literature on the nature of vision and audition. The aim is to demonstrate that there can be objectless forms of perceptual consciousness; specifically, to show that such episodes can be distinguished from those in which there is merely no perception at all. The current article explores this question for the domain of olfaction, and argues that there can be experiences of the absence of odours, in addition to positive smell perception. Doing so sheds light upon the structure and spatial content of olfaction.
Buprenorphine Transdermal System Improves Sleep Quality and Reduces Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Moderate‐to‐Severe Chronic Low Back Pain: Results from Two Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yarlas Aaron , Miller Kate , Wen Warren , Lynch Shau Yu , Ripa Steven R. , Pergolizzi Joseph V. , Raffa Robert B.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate the impact of buprenorphine (Butrans®) transdermal System (BTDS) treatment on sleep outcomes for patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods

Two enriched‐enrollment, randomized‐withdrawal, double‐blind, controlled trials examined BTDS treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe CLBP. Trial I evaluated BTDS 10 and 20 mcg/hour against a placebo control among opioid‐naïve patients. Trial II compared BTDS 20 mcg/hour against a lower‐dose control (BTDS 5 mcg/hour) among opioid‐experienced patients. The patient‐reported Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS‐SS) assessed overall sleep quality (Sleep Problems Index [SPI]), Disturbance, and other sleep outcomes. In each trial, MOS‐SS scores were compared between target treatment and control arms during the 12‐week double‐blind phase. Correspondence of changes in sleep outcomes and pain severity and the degree to which pain reduction mediates treatment impact on sleep outcomes were examined.

Results

Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale scores were collected from 541 (Trial I) and 441 (Trial II) patients prior to randomization and from 369 (Trial I) and 274 (Trial II) patients at week 12. Patients receiving target treatment showed statistically significantly more improvement in SPI and Disturbance scores at 12 weeks than their respective controls (Ps < 0.05). Improvements in SPI and Disturbance for target treatment arms were statistically larger those of the controls by week 4 of the double‐blind phase. The clinical significance of these differences was not determined. Pain reduction predicted improvements in sleep outcomes.

Conclusion

Buprenorphine Transdermal System improved sleep quality and disturbance for opioid‐naïve and opioid‐experienced patients with moderate‐to‐severe CLBP. Benefits of BTDS for these sleep outcomes emerged within 4 weeks and were maintained over the entire 12‐week treatment period.
Creation of fragrant rice by targeted knockout of the OsBADH2 gene using TALEN technology
Authors: Shan Qiwei , Zhang Yi , Chen Kunling , Zhang Kang , Gao Caixia
Published: January 2015

Fragrant rice is favoured worldwide because of its agreeable scent. The presence of a defective badh2 allele encoding betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH2) results in the synthesis of 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline (2AP), which is a major fragrance compound. Here, transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) were engineered to target and disrupt the OsBADH2 gene. Six heterozygous mutants (30%) were recovered from 20 transgenic hygromycin‐resistant lines. Sanger sequencing confirmed that these lines had various indel mutations at the TALEN target site. All six transmitted the BADH2 mutations to the T1 generation; and four T1 mutant lines tested also efficiently transmitted the mutations to the T2 generation. Mutant plants carrying only the desired DNA sequence change but not the TALEN transgene were obtained by segregation in the T1 and T2 generations. The 2AP content of rice grains of the T1 lines with homozygous mutations increased from 0 to 0.35–0.75 mg/kg, which was similar to the content of a positive control variety harbouring the badh2‐E7 mutation. We also simultaneously introduced three different pairs of TALENs targeting three separate rice genes into rice cells by bombardment and obtained lines with mutations in one, two and all three genes. These results indicate that targeted mutagenesis using TALENs is a useful approach to creating important agronomic traits.
Improving rice tolerance to potassium deficiency by enhancing OsHAK16p:WOX11‐controlled root development
Authors: Chen Guang , Feng Huimin , Hu Qingdi , Qu Hongye , Chen Aiqun , Yu Ling , Xu Guohua
Published: January 2015

Potassium (K) deficiency in plants confines root growth and decreases root‐to‐shoot ratio, thus limiting root K acquisition in culture medium. A WUSCHEL‐related homeobox (WOX) gene, WOX11, has been reported as an integrator of auxin and cytokinin signalling that regulates root cell proliferation. Here, we report that ectopic expression of WOX11 gene driven by the promoter of OsHAK16 encoding a low‐K‐enhanced K transporter led to an extensive root system and adventitious roots and more effective tiller numbers in rice. The WOX11‐regulated root and shoot phenotypes in the OsHAK16p:WOX11 transgenic lines were supported by K‐deficiency‐enhanced expression of several RR genes encoding type‐A cytokinin‐responsive regulators, PIN genes encoding auxin transporters and Aux/IAA genes. In comparison with WT, the transgenic lines showed increases in root biomass, root activity and K concentrations in the whole plants, and higher soluble sugar concentrations in roots particularly under low K supply condition. The improvement of sugar partitioning to the roots by the expression of OsHAK16p:WOX11 was further indicated by increasing the expression of OsSUT1 and OsSUT4 genes in leaf blades and several OsMSTs genes in roots. Expression of OsHAK16p:WOX11 in the rice grown in moderate K‐deficient soil increased total K uptake by 72% and grain yield by 24%–32%. The results suggest that enlarging root growth and development by the expression of WOX11 in roots could provide a useful option for increasing K acquisition efficiency and cereal crop productivity in low K soil.
Rare heterozygous truncating variations and risk of autism spectrum disorder: Whole‐exome sequencing of a multiplex family and follow‐up study in a Japanese population
Authors: Inoue Emiko , Watanabe Yuichiro , Egawa Jun , Sugimoto Atsunori , Nunokawa Ayako , Shibuya Masako , Igeta Hirofumi , Someya Toshiyuki
Published: January 2015

Aims

Rare heterozygous truncating variations in multiplex families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are suggested to play a major role in the genetic etiology of ASD. To further investigate the role of rare heterozygous truncating variations, we performed whole‐exome sequencing (WES) in a multiplex ASD family with four affected individuals (two siblings and two maternal cousins), and a follow‐up case–control study in a Japanese population.

Methods

WES was performed in four individuals (a proband, his affected and unaffected siblings, and their putative carrier mother) from the multiplex ASD family. Rare heterozygous truncating variations prioritized in WES were genotyped in 243 patients and 667 controls.

Results

By WES of the multiplex family, we prioritized two rare heterozygous truncating variations, RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266. However, we did not identify these variations in patients or controls in the follow‐up study.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that two rare heterozygous truncating variations (RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266) are risk candidates for ASD.
“Dissenters from the Religion of Patriotism”: Women's Poetic Responses to World War I in the Oakland (CA) World
Authors: Brown Kathleen A.
Published: January 2015

This article examines the pacifist, nonresistant, and socialist women who published poetry in the California Socialist Party's newspaper, the Oakland World. These women—Mary Laughlin, Edna Helm, Caroline Wadsworth Turner, Fanny Bixby, Dora V.B. Chapple Hagemeyer, Ruby Herman, Ruth Le Prade, Anna Louise Strong—are unfortunately absent from the otherwise excellent histories of women's resistance to World War I. This examination of the work of eight women poet‐activists who published in the World from April 1917 to April 1918 remedies this omission by revealing their significant influence on wartime discourse.
Formulation of Aluminum Chloride Phthalocyanine in Pluronic™ P‐123 and F‐127 Block Copolymer Micelles: Photophysical properties and Photodynamic Inactivation of Microorganisms
Authors: Vilsinski Bruno Henrique , Gerola Adriana Passarella , Enumo Junior Adalberto , Campanholi Katieli da Silva Souza , Pereira Paulo Cesar de Souza , Braga Gustavo , Hioka Noboru , Kimura Elza , Tessaro André Luiz , Caetano Wilker
Published: January 2015

Aluminum Chloride Phthalocyanine (AlPcCl) can be used as a photosensitizer (PS) for Photodynamic Inactivation of Microorganisms (PDI). The AlPcCl showed favorable characteristics for PDI due to high quantum yield of singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and photostability. Physicochemical properties and photodynamic inactivation of AlPcCl incorporated in polymeric micelles of tri‐block copolymer (P‐123 and F‐127) against microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were investigated in this work. Previously, it was observed that the AlPcCl undergoes self‐aggregation in F‐127, while in P‐123 the PS is in a monomeric form suitable for PDI. Due to the self‐aggregation of AlPcCl in F‐127, this formulation did not show any effect on these microorganisms. On the other hand, AlPcCl formulated in P‐123 was effective against S. aureus and C. albicans and the death of microorganisms was dependent on the PS concentration and illumination time. Additionally, it was found that the values of PS concentration and illumination time to eradicate 90% of the initial population of microorganisms (IC90 and D90, respectively) were small for the AlPcCl in P‐123, showing the effectiveness of this formulation for PDI.
Definition of innovation projects in small firms: A Spanish study
Authors: Marcelino Sádaba Sara , Pérez‐Ezcurdia Amaya , Echeverría‐Lazcano Angel M. , Benito Amurrio Marta
Published: January 2015

Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main holders of the European economy and innovation projects are essential tools for SMEs to ensure their growth. A high percentage of innovation projects implemented by SMEs lacks planning and initial management, which causes the appearance of important problems for the SMEs survival.

The authors have confirmed with a field study of 72 Spanish small firms that a lot of these problems arise from an incomplete project definition, so it is necessary to help SMEs to have a specific methodology that is appropriate to their own characteristics and projects.

The statistical analysis shows how the project management knowledge helps to a better project definition, contributing to the project alignment with the company strategy. Also, it reveals other problems related to the project definition as planning, budget, market and financing.

Of this analysis, it concludes that the definition phase supports the other phases and is essential in order to achieve project success.

This paper presents an ‘integration model of factors’ that helps SMEs in the management of the definition phase of their innovation projects. This model relates the various areas of analysis needed to ensure their integration at the project definition.

The relationships between the different model areas have been defined, showing the way to integrate the technical, economic and strategic outlooks of project objectives management in the definition phase of the project.

This model has been implemented in 21 new innovation project definitions. The users' valuation has been very positive with a 90.4% of success and all of the model users are interested in implementing the model again in next projects. The main advantages highlighted were user‐friendliness, intuitive model and easy application.
Oxygen desaturation and adverse events during 6‐min walk testing in patients with COPD
Authors: Roberts Mary M. , Cho Jin‐Gun , Sandoz Jacqueline S. , Wheatley John R.
Published: January 2015

Background and objective

The 6‐min walk test (6MWT) is a simple test assessing functional capacity, but concerns about risks of substantial oxygen desaturation in pulmonary patients have led to non‐adherence to the standardised American Thoracic Society guideline. We evaluated the safety of the 6MWT in stable COPD patients and compared the incidence of adverse events in patients with and without substantial exertional hypoxaemia.

Methods

6MWT data were obtained for 1136 patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Demographics, adverse events, oxygen saturation (SpO2), 6‐min walk distance, lung function and quality of life measures were compared between patients with substantial exertional hypoxaemia (nadir SpO2 < 85%) and those without (SpO2 ≥ 85%). Comparisons were made using Mann–Whitney U‐test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Results

Twenty‐five patients (2.2%) had adverse events, the most common being dizziness, chest tightness, chest pain and palpitations. Substantial exertional hypoxaemia did not increase the incidence of adverse events. No significant morbidity or mortality was recorded. Patients with adverse events had lower baseline SpO2, worse quality of life scores, and higher depression and anxiety scores. However, no significant differences were seen in anthropometric data, spirometric values or SpO2 during and after the 6MWT.

Conclusions

Asymptomatic exertional hypoxaemia is not associated with an increased incidence of adverse events during 6MWT in COPD patients. Our data support the ATS guideline that the 6MWT should be continued in the absence of symptoms and that intermittent oximetry monitoring does not assist in preventing adverse events.
The psychological process of reintegration following a nine month/260 day solo sailboat circumnavigation of the globe
Authors: Kjærgaard Anders , Leon Gloria R. , Venables Noah C.
Published: January 2015

The focus of this case report is on the psychological reintegration process following the achievement of a highly challenging long‐duration and solitary endeavor. The participant was a 29 year old male who successfully circumnavigated the globe during a 260 day solo sailing expedition. We assessed the psychological aftermath in terms of stability and change in personality characteristics and personal beliefs prior to, and at 180 and 360 days after the completion of the journey. Overall, the personality configuration reflected adaptive personality functioning. A belief in an internal locus of control was consistent throughout, as were perceptions of personal growth as a result of the circumnavigation experience. NEO PI‐R Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, and Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (Tri‐PM) Boldness scores remained stable. Positive personality change was reflected by an elevation in Conscientiousness; negative change by a decline in Agreeableness and an increase in Tri‐PM Disinhibition. While overall the participant exhibited positive change as a result of his journey, there were also some negative aspects of the reintegration phase in regard to interactions with other persons. This latter change may be related to the effects of isolation from usual social contacts over an extended period.
Validation of image analysis techniques to measure skin aging features from facial photographs
Authors: Hamer M. A. , Jacobs L. C. , Lall J. S. , Wollstein A. , Hollestein L. M. , Rae A. R. , Gossage K. W. , Hofman A. , Liu F. , Kayser M. , Nijsten T. , Gunn D. A.
Published: January 2015

Background

Accurate measurement of the extent skin has aged is crucial for skin aging research. Image analysis offers a quick and consistent approach for quantifying skin aging features from photographs, but is prone to technical bias and requires proper validation.

Methods

Facial photographs of 75 male and 75 female North‐European participants, randomly selected from the Rotterdam Study, were graded by two physicians using photonumeric scales for wrinkles (full face, forehead, crow's feet, nasolabial fold and upper lip), pigmented spots and telangiectasia. Image analysis measurements of the same features were optimized using photonumeric grades from 50 participants, then compared to photonumeric grading in the 100 remaining participants stratified by sex.

Results

The inter‐rater reliability of the photonumeric grades was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.65–0.93). Correlations between the digital measures and the photonumeric grading were moderate to excellent for all the wrinkle comparisons (Spearman's rho ρ = 0.52–0.89) bar the upper lip wrinkles in the men (fair, ρ = 0.30). Correlations were moderate to good for pigmented spots and telangiectasia (ρ = 0.60–0.75).

Conclusion

These comparisons demonstrate that all the image analysis measures, bar the upper lip measure in the men, are suitable for use in skin aging research and highlight areas of improvement for future refinements of the techniques.
The histone chaperone complex HIR maintains nucleosome occupancy and counterbalances impaired histone deposition in CAF‐1 complex mutants
Authors: Duc Céline , Benoit Matthias , Le Goff Samuel , Simon Lauriane , Poulet Axel , Cotterell Sylviane , Tatout Christophe , Probst Aline V.
Published: January 2015

Chromatin organization is essential for coordinated gene expression, genome stability, and inheritance of epigenetic information. The main components involved in chromatin assembly are specific complexes such as Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF‐1) and Histone Regulator (HIR), which deposit histones in a DNA synthesis‐dependent or ‐independent manner, respectively. Here, we characterize the role of the plant orthologs Histone Regulator A (HIRA), Ubinuclein (UBN) and Calcineurin Binding protein 1 (CABIN1), which constitute the HIR complex. Arabidopsis loss‐of‐function mutants for the various subunits of the complex are viable, but hira mutants show reduced fertility. We show that loss of HIRA reduces extractable histone H3 protein levels and decreases nucleosome occupancy at both actively transcribed genes and heterochromatic regions. Concomitantly, HIRA contributes to maintenance of silencing of pericentromeric repeats and certain transposons. A genetic analysis based on crosses between mutants deficient in subunits of the CAF‐1 and HIR complexes showed that simultaneous loss of both the CAF‐1 and HIR histone H3 chaperone complexes severely affects plant survival, growth and reproductive development. Our results suggest that HIRA partially rescues impaired histone deposition in fas mutants to preserve nucleosome occupancy, implying plasticity in histone variant interaction and deposition.
Integrated genome sequence and linkage map of physic nut (Jatropha curcasL.), a biodiesel plant
Authors: Wu Pingzhi , Zhou Changpin , Cheng Shifeng , Wu Zhenying , Lu Wenjia , Han Jinli , Chen Yanbo , Chen Yan , Ni Peixiang , Wang Ying , Xu Xun , Huang Ying , Song Chi , Wang Zhiwen , Shi Nan , Zhang Xudong , Fang Xiaohua , Yang Qing , Jiang Huawu , Chen Yaping , Li Meiru , Wang Ying , Chen Fan , Wang Jun , Wu Guojiang
Published: January 2015

The family Euphorbiaceae includes some of the most efficient biomass accumulators. Whole genome sequencing and the development of genetic maps of these species are important components in molecular breeding and genetic improvement. Here we report the draft genome of physic nut (Jatropha curcasL.), a biodiesel plant. The assembled genome has a total length of 320.5 Mbp and contains 27 172 putative protein‐coding genes. We established a linkage map containing 1208 markers and anchored the genome assembly (81.7%) to this map to produce 11 pseudochromosomes. After gene family clustering, 15 268 families were identified, of which 13 887 existed in the castor bean genome. Analysis of the genome highlighted specific expansion and contraction of a number of gene families during the evolution of this species, including the ribosome‐inactivating proteins and oil biosynthesis pathway enzymes. The genomic sequence and linkage map provide a valuable resource not only for fundamental and applied research on physic nut but also for evolutionary and comparative genomics analysis, particularly in the Euphorbiaceae.
Identification of three potent hydroxyproline O‐galactosyltransferases in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ogawa‐Ohnishi Mari , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu
Published: January 2015

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are plant‐specific extracellular glycoproteins implicated in a variety of processes during growth and development. AGP biosynthesis involves O‐galactosylation of hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues followed by a stepwise elongation of the complex sugar chains. However, functionally dominant Hyp O‐galactosyltransferases, such that their disruption produces phenocopies of AGP‐deficient mutants, remain to be identified. Here, we purified and identified three potent Hyp O‐galactosyltransferases, HPGT1, HPGT2 and HPGT3, from Arabidopsis microsomal fractions. Loss‐of‐function analysis indicated that approximately 90% of the endogenous Hyp O‐galactosylation activity is attributable to these three enzymes. AGP14 expressed in the triple mutant migrated much faster on SDS‐PAGE than when expressed in wild‐type, confirming a considerable decrease in levels of glycosylation of AGPs in the mutant. Loss‐of‐function mutant plants exhibited a pleiotropic phenotype of longer lateral roots, longer root hairs, radial expansion of the cells in the root tip, small leaves, shorter inflorescence stems, reduced fertility and shorter siliques. Our findings provide genetic evidence that Hyp‐linked arabinogalactan polysaccharide chains are critical for AGP function and clues to how arabinogalactan moieties of AGPs contribute to cell‐to‐cell communication during plant growth and development.
Simple, effective fabrication of layered carbon nanotube/graphene hybrid field emitters by electrophoretic deposition
Authors: Hong Xuda , Chen Yao , Wu Peter Z. , Zheng Hairong
Published: January 2015

This paper presents a simple, low-cost, and versatile approach based on the technique of electrophoretic deposition for developing high-performance carbon nanotubes (CNT)/graphene hybrid field emitters and examines their field emission properties. The fabricated CNT/graphene hybrid structure is found to display superior field-emission properties compared to those of pure CNT and pure graphene films. Low turn-on field and threshold field values of 1.0 and 2.3 V/μm, respectively, were demonstrated for the fabricated hybrid structure. The paper also presents for the first time a study of field emission stability in CNT/graphene hybrid material fabricated by electrophoretic deposition.
Participation in Organized Sport and Self-Esteem Across Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Perceived Sport Competence
Authors: Wagnsson Stefan , Lindwall Magnus , Gustafsson Henrik
Published: January 2015

The purpose of the study was to test longitudinal (2 years across three occasions) associations between sport participation (SP) and self-esteem (SE) across adolescence (10–18 years), addressing the mediating role of perceived sport competence (PSC) from a developmental perspective. Three waves of data were collected from three age cohorts (10–12, 13–15, and 16–18 years) of school-aged youth (N = 1358). The results demonstrate that SP and SE are related across time and that PSC has an important mediating role in this relationship, both from a skill development and a self-enhancement perspective. In the skill development model, the mediating role of PSC was significantly stronger in the youngest cohort whereas the effect of PSC on subsequent SP in the self-enhancement model was significantly stronger in the 13–15 age group compared with the youngest age group.
Automatic Evaluations and Exercise Setting Preference in Frequent Exercisers
Authors: Antoniewicz Franziska , Brand Ralf
Published: January 2015

The goals of this study were to test whether exercise-related stimuli can elicit automatic evaluative responses and whether automatic evaluations reflect exercise setting preference in highly active exercisers. An adapted version of the Affect Misattribution Procedure was employed. Seventy-two highly active exercisers (26 years ± 9.03; 43% female) were subliminally primed (7 ms) with pictures depicting typical fitness center scenarios or gray rectangles (control primes). After each prime, participants consciously evaluated the “pleasantness” of a Chinese symbol. Controlled evaluations were measured with a questionnaire and were more positive in participants who regularly visited fitness centers than in those who reported avoiding this exercise setting. Only center exercisers gave automatic positive evaluations of the fitness center setting (partial eta squared = .08). It is proposed that a subliminal Affect Misattribution Procedure paradigm can detect automatic evaluations to exercising and that, in highly active exercisers, these evaluations play a role in decisions about the exercise setting rather than the amounts of physical exercise. Findings are interpreted in terms of a dual systems theory of social information processing and behavior.
Heparin is an activating ligand of the orphan receptor tyrosine kinase ALK
Authors: Murray Phillip B. , Lax Irit , Reshetnyak Andrey , Ligon Gwenda F. , Lillquist Jay S. , Natoli Edward J. , Shi Xiarong , Folta-Stogniew Ewa , Gunel Murat , Alvarado Diego , Schlessinger Joseph
Published: January 2015

Heparin binds and activates the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK, which has no known ligand.
Self-limiting recurrent bullous Henoch-Schonlein purpura with lupus anticoagulant
Authors: Gration Betty , Osakwe Edwin
Published: January 2015

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common acute systemic vasculitis of childhood with an incidence of approximately 1:10 000. It commonly presents with skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints and renal system signs and symptoms. We present a case of recurrent self-limiting HSP with lupus anticoagulant presenting with haemorrhagic bullous skin lesions and scrotal swelling. The initial presentation resolved within 4 weeks but over the next 6 months, a few self-limiting but milder skin lesions occurred. Some institutions have advocated the use of steroids in these cases but our case showed that the use of steroids may not be required. This atypical presentation of HSP led to unnecessary investigations that this case report aims to prevent in the future by raising its awareness.
Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hanson Sarah , Jones Andy
Published: January 2015

Objective

To assess the health benefits of outdoor walking groups.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of walking group interventions examining differences in commonly used physiological, psychological and well-being outcomes between baseline and intervention end.

Data sources

Seven electronic databases, clinical trial registers, grey literature and reference lists in English language up to November 2013.

Eligibility criteria

Adults, group walking outdoors with outcomes directly attributable to the walking intervention.

Results

Forty-two studies were identified involving 1843 participants. There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant reductions in mean difference for systolic blood pressure −3.72 mm Hg (−5.28 to −2.17) and diastolic blood pressure −3.14 mm Hg (−4.15 to −2.13); resting heart rate −2.88 bpm (−4.13 to −1.64); body fat −1.31% (−2.10 to −0.52), body mass index −0.71 kg/m2(−1.19 to −0.23), total cholesterol −0.11 mmol/L (−0.22 to −0.01) and statistically significant mean increases in VO2maxof 2.66 mL/kg/min (1.67–3.65), the SF-36 (physical functioning) score 6.02 (0.51 to 11.53) and a 6 min walk time of 79.6 m (53.37–105.84). A standardised mean difference showed a reduction in depression scores with an effect size of −0.67 (−0.97 to −0.38). The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose, SF-36 (mental health) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids. There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies.

Conclusions

Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits. They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity.
BET 2: Should bite guards be used with laryngeal mask airways in adults?
Authors: Heptinstall Elizabeth , Heptinstall Lauren
Published: January 2015

A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether bite blocks should be used when a laryngeal mask airway is used in the emergency department. Eighteen papers were found using the reported searches and a further eight were found by scanning the reference lists. Ten presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that bite guards should be used when laryngeal mask airways are employed in the emergency department.
Discrimination of Schizophrenia Auditory Hallucinators by Machine Learning of Resting-State Functional MRI
Authors: Chyzhyk Darya , Graña Manuel , Öngür Döst , Shinn Ann K.
Published: January 2015

Auditory hallucinations (AH) are a symptom that is most often associated with schizophrenia, but patients with other neuropsychiatric conditions, and even a small percentage of healthy individuals, may also experience AH. Elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying AH in schizophrenia may offer insight into the pathophysiology associated with AH more broadly across multiple neuropsychiatric disease conditions. In this paper, we address the problem of classifying schizophrenia patients with and without a history of AH, and healthy control (HC) subjects. To this end, we performed feature extraction from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data and applied machine learning classifiers, testing two kinds of neuroimaging features: (a) functional connectivity (FC) measures computed by lattice auto-associative memories (LAAM), and (b) local activity (LA) measures, including regional homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF). We show that it is possible to perform classification within each pair of subject groups with high accuracy. Discrimination between patients with and without lifetime AH was highest, while discrimination between schizophrenia patients and HC participants was worst, suggesting that classification according to the symptom dimension of AH may be more valid than discrimination on the basis of traditional diagnostic categories. FC measures seeded in right Heschl's gyrus (RHG) consistently showed stronger discriminative power than those seeded in left Heschl's gyrus (LHG), a finding that appears to support AH models focusing on right hemisphere abnormalities. The cortical brain localizations derived from the features with strong classification performance are consistent with proposed AH models, and include left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), parahippocampal gyri, the cingulate cortex, as well as several temporal and prefrontal cortical brain regions. Overall, the observed findings suggest that computational intelligence approaches can provide robust tools for uncovering subtleties in complex neuroimaging data, and have the potential to advance the search for more neuroscience-based criteria for classifying mental illness in psychiatry research.
Evaluation of Bianchi type VI0 magnetized anisotropic dark energy models with constant deceleration parameter in bimetric theory of gravitation
Authors: Borkar M. S. , Ameen A.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, Bianchi type VI0 magnetized anisotropic dark energy models with constant deceleration parameter have been studied by solving the Rosen's field equations in Bimetric theory of gravitation. The models corresponding to power law expansion and exponential law expansion have been evaluated and studied their nature geometrically and physically. It is seen that there is real visible matter (baryonic matter) suddenly appeared only for small interval of time 0.7 ≤ t < 0.7598 and for the remaining whole range of time t, there is dark energy matter in the universe. Our investigations are supported to the observational fact that the usual matter described by known particle theory is about 4% and the dark energy cause the accelerating expansion of the universe and several high precision observational experiments, especially the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropic Probe (WMAP) satellite experiment (see [C. L. Bennett et al., Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 148 (2003) 1; WMAP Collab. (D. N. Spergel et al.), Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 148 (2003) 175; D. N. Spergel et al., Astrophys. J. Suppl. 170 (2007) 377; WMAP Collab. (E. Komastu et al.), Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180 (2009) 330; WMAP Collab. (G. Hinshaw et al.), Astrophys. J. Suppl. 208 (2013) 19; Plank Collab. (P. A. R. Ade), arXiv:1303.5076; arXiv:1303.5082]) conclude that the dark energy occupies near about 73% of the energy of the universe and dark matter is about 23%. In exponential law of expansion, our model is fully occupied by real visible matter and there is no chance of dark energy and dark matter.
Improved Nonlinear Cyclic Stress–Strain Model for Reinforcing Bars Including Buckling Effect and Experimental Verification
Authors: Yang Hong , Wu Yuntian , Mo Pengcheng , Chen Jinke
Published: January 2015

Buckling is an important nonlinear behavior of steel reinforcing bars subjected to repeated compression and tension strain reversals, which significantly affects the overall cyclic behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) elements and impairs their load-carrying and energy-dissipation capacities during strong earthquakes. The accuracy of numerical assessment of the seismic performance of RC elements can be much improved if the buckling effect is effectively included in the stress–strain model of reinforcing bars. In this paper, modified Gomes–Appleton cyclic steel stress–strain relationship intended for improved accuracy is presented, which is suitable for inclusion in programs based on Opensees platform for the nonlinear analysis of RC elements. The modification is developed to improve the simulation accuracy of the inelastic buckling stress–strain path by a simplified model based on the equilibrium of a plastic mechanism of buckled bar consisting of four plastic hinges. Then an adjustment coefficient is introduced to further modify the developed buckled bar stress–strain model. A comparison of the numerical simulated results with experimental results of 36 steel bars subjected to reversed tension-compression loading is performed to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model.
An Innovative Fuzzy-Neural Decision Analyzer for Qualitative Group Decision Making
Authors: Song Ki-Young , Seniuk Gerald T. G. , Kozinski Janusz A. , Zhang Wen-Jun , Gupta Madan M.
Published: January 2015

Many qualitative group decisions in professional fields such as law, engineering, economics, psychology, and medicine that appear to be crisp and certain are in reality shrouded in fuzziness as a result of uncertain environments and the nature of human cognition within which the group decisions are made. In this paper, we introduce an innovative approach to group decision making in uncertain situations by using fuzzy theory and a mean-variance neural approach. The key idea of this proposed approach is to defuzzify the fuzziness of the evaluation values from a group, compute the excluded-mean of individual evaluations and weight it by applying a variance influence function (VIF); this process of weighting the excluded-mean by VIF provides an improved result in the group decision making. In this paper, a case study with the proposed fuzzy-neural approach is also presented. The results of this case study indicate that this proposed approach can improve the effectiveness of qualitative decision making by providing the decision maker with a new cognitive tool to assist in the reasoning process.
Optical limiting and singlet oxygen generation properties of phosphorus triazatetrabenzcorroles
Authors: Mkhize Colin , Britton Jonathan , Mack John , Nyokong Tebello
Published: January 2015

Novel phosphorus triazatetrabenzcorrole (TBC) tetrasubstituted at the α- and β-positions of the peripheral fused benzene rings with t-butylphenoxy substituents have been prepared and characterized. The effect of the substituents on the electronic structures and optical properties is investigated with TD-DFT calculations and MCD spectroscopy. The optical limiting properties have been investigated to examine whether the lower symmetry that results from the direct pyrrole–pyrrole bond and hence the permanent dipole moment that is introduced result in higher safety thresholds, relative to the values that have been reported for phthalocyanines. The suitability of the compounds for singlet oxygen applications has also been examined.
Protein Adsorption Characteristics and Inflammatory Response of Lipoplexes of DNA andsi-RNA
Authors: Bhavsar Dhiraj , Ramana Lakshmi Narashimhan , Subramanian Krishnakumar , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari
Published: January 2015

Objective: A major limitation in gene delivery applications employing nanocarriers is the inflammatory response elicited when administered in vivo. The mode of complexation of the oligonucleotide with the carrier can alter its interactions with biomolecules, a fact that has not been explored for lipoplexes hitherto. Materials: Liposomes prepared by thin film hydration were used to form lipoplexes of si-RNA and DNA, which exhibited a smaller size and a shift toward negative zeta potential when compared with blank liposomes. Results: The oligonucleotides wrap over the liposome surface and the surface coverage depends on the number of base pairs. The colloidal stability, protein resistance and cell uptake of lipoplexes were found to be dependent on surface charge and PEG. The lipoplexes with si-RNA did not induce cytokine production in BALB/c mice. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of PEGylation for achieving good protein resistance without compromising cell uptake and therapeutic efficiency.