bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Federalism and Subnational Legal Mobilization: Feminist Litigation Strategies in Salta, Argentina
Authors: Ruibal Alba
Published: October 2018

This article draws from a qualitative study of feminist legal strategies in the province of Salta, Argentina, to put forth an argument about the impact of federalism on subnational legal mobilization in a nonindustrialized federal democracy. It argues that the federal architecture of the state can strengthen the ability of local legal activists to pursue litigation strategies, and that it can do so in two main ways: by fostering the institutional autonomy of government agencies and insider activists working for the defense of rights at the local level, and by facilitating the provision of external legal resources and support for local legal activists in civil society. The theoretical perspective connects two research agendas that have not yet been combined to explain feminist legal strategies in federal systems: legal mobilization studies and gender and federalism scholarship, and proposes nuances to both strands of research.
New perspectives on the count–mass distinction: Understudied languages and psycholinguistics
Authors: Lima Suzi
Published: October 2018

Much work has explored the semantics of count and mass nouns from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. In this paper, we explore some of the recent advances in this field, drawing particularly from descriptions of understudied languages and experimental research. We will focus on two dimensions of the count/mass debate. First, we will explore the debate about what can be counted grammatically, that is, how we define atoms and what role extra‐linguistic factors may play in this process. Second, we give an overview of the current debate about counting and measuring, which experimental research suggests are distinct operations, as some scholars in the formal semantics literature have predicted.
Contribution of the cold shock protein CspA to virulence in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Wu Liming , Ma Liumin , Li Xi , Huang Ziyang , Gao Xuewen
Published: October 2018

Summary

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes a damaging bacterial leaf blight disease in rice. Cold shock proteins (Csps) are highly conserved nucleic acid‐binding proteins present in various bacterial genera, but relatively little is known about their functions in Xanthomonas. Herein, we identified four Csps (CspA–CspD) in the Xoo PXO99A strain. Deletion of cspA decreased cold adaptation and a few known pathogenic factors, including bacterial pathogenicity, biofilm formation and polysaccharide production. Furthermore, we performed transcriptomic and chromosome immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments to identify direct targets of CspA and to determine its DNA‐binding sequence. Integrative data analysis revealed that CspA directly regulates two genes, PXO_RS11830 and PXO_RS01060, by binding to a conserved CCAAT sequence in the promoter region. We generated single‐deletion mutants of each gene and the results indicate that both are responsible for Xanthomonas pathogenicity. In addition, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting showed that CspA suppressed the expression of its direct targets. In summary, our study clarifies the characteristics of Csps in Xanthomonas and greatly advances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the contribution of CspA to bacterial virulence.
Responses of respiration in the light to warming in field‐grown trees: a comparison of the thermal sensitivity of the Kok and Laisk methods
Authors: Way Danielle A. , Aspinwall Michael J. , Drake John E. , Crous Kristine Y. , Campany Courtney E. , Ghannoum Oula , Tissue David T. , Tjoelker Mark G.
Published: October 2018

The Kok and Laisk techniques can both be used to estimate light respiration Rlight. We investigated whether responses of Rlight to short‐ and long‐term changes in leaf temperature depend on the technique used to estimate Rlight.

We grew Eucalyptus tereticornis in whole‐tree chambers under ambient temperature (AT) or AT + 3°C (elevated temperature, ET). We assessed dark respiration Rdark and light respiration with the Kok (RKok) and Laisk (RLaisk) methods at four temperatures to determine the degree of light suppression of respiration using both methods in AT and ET trees.

The ET treatment had little impact on Rdark, RKok or RLaisk. Although the thermal sensitivities of RKok or RLaisk were similar, RKok was higher than RLaisk. We found negative values of RLaisk at the lowest measurement temperatures, indicating positive net CO2 uptake, which we propose may be related to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Light suppression of Rdark decreased with increasing leaf temperature, but the degree of suppression depended on the method used.

The Kok and Laisk methods do not generate the same estimates of Rlight or light suppression of Rdark between 20 and 35°C. Negative rates of RLaisk imply that this method may become less reliable at low temperatures.
First evidence for the joint dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi and plant diaspores by birds
Authors: Correia Marta , Heleno Ruben , da Silva Luís Pascoal , Costa José Miguel , Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana
Published: October 2018

Seed dispersal allows plants to colonise new sites and escape from pathogens and intraspecific competition, maintaining plant genetic diversity and regulating plant distribution. Conversely, most plant species form mutualistic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in a symbiosis established immediately after seed germination. Because AM fungi are obligate symbionts, using the same dispersal vector as their host should be highly advantageous for their survival, but the co‐dispersal of seeds and AM fungal spores has never been confirmed.

We aim to clarify the potential role of European birds, essential dispersers for many plant species, as co‐dispersers of seeds and AM fungal spores.

In total, 63 bird droppings with intact seeds were placed in sterilised soil and maintained for 4 months in a protected environment to avoid contamination. Additionally, 173 bird droppings and 729 gauze swabs used to clean birds’ feet were inspected for AM fungal spores.

Although no spores were detected by direct observation of these samples, seven Rubus ulmifolius seedlings obtained from four independent droppings of Erithacus rubecula and Sylvia melanocephala were colonised by AM fungi. Our results show that birds can effectively co‐disperse viable seeds and AM fungal spores, potentially over long distances, providing a pivotal mechanism to understand the cosmopolitan distribution of AM fungi.
Clients’ experiences of one‐to‐one low‐intensity interventions for common mental health problems: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Amos Rebekah , Morris Lydia , Mansell Warren , Edge Dawn
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent and carry significant health care and economic burdens. The UK's improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) initiative was developed as a cost‐effective way of reducing the pernicious effects of these disorders. IAPT interventions, such as guided self‐help, have been subjected to considerable quantitative evaluation. However, there has been minimal investigation into clients’ experiences of the one‐to‐one low‐intensity interventions (LIIs), which form a key component of IAPT service provision. Qualitative exploration could provide rich data regarding experiences of psychological change and factors affecting therapeutic experiences. This will enable informative, client led insights into how low‐intensity therapy can be improved.

Methods

Interpretative phenomenological analysis of eight semi‐structured interviews was used to develop an idiosyncratic understanding of clients’ experiences of one‐to‐one LIIs following entry into a randomized control trial (RCT).

Results

Four superordinate themes were identified from clients’ accounts: goals and expectations of therapy, beneficial aspects of therapy, non‐beneficial aspects of therapy, and the experience of psychological change. A heuristic model of interrelationships between factors is proposed.

Conclusions

Both therapeutic techniques and relationships contribute to beneficial therapeutic experiences. The results reported here can be used to inform practice by harnessing the most beneficial aspects of therapy, such as developing adaptive therapeutic approaches to clients’ clinical needs and facilitating idiosyncratic processes of psychological change. Due to limited qualitative research in this area, further research should be conducted in different service settings to assess differences and similarities in clients’ experiences.

Practitioner points

Therapists who adapted to clients’ individual needs were perceived as more effective than those who did not.

Effective therapeutic experiences were exemplified by a personal therapeutic approach, enough time to discuss issues and normalizing client's experiences.

Clients develop idiosyncratic models of change which should be encouraged by therapists over and above clinical models.
Art and painful emotion
Authors: Strohl Matthew
Published: October 2018

This essay updates Aaron Smuts', 2009 Philosophy Compass piece, “Art and Negative Affect” in light of recent work on the topic. The “paradox of painful art” is the general problem of how it is possible to enjoy or value experiences of art that involve painful emotions. It encompasses both the paradox of tragedy and the paradox of horror. Section lays out a taxonomy of solutions to the paradox of painful art and argues that we should opt for a pluralistic approach rather than seeking a unified solution. Section surveys recent work on the topic, with an emphasis on views holding that it is possible for an experience of art to be pleasant partly in virtue of involving painful emotion. Section suggests a range of phenomena that are not usually considered under the umbrella of the paradox of painful art but that offer promising directions for further research.
Facts as Social Action in Political Debates about the European Union
Authors: Demasi Mirko A.
Published: October 2018

This article focuses on the argumentative role of making factual claims and counterclaims in broadcast political debates. Despite the rise of “post‐truth politics,” this article argues that orientations to issues of “fact” and “truth” are a live and controversial matter when debating the European Union. Using Discursive Psychology (DP), the analysis is on how politicians use fact‐based (counter)claims in multiparty interactions, in the form of debates about the United Kingdom and the European Union. Three types of factual challenges are presented to illustrate the rhetorical function of claims: challenging the essence of an argument, providing another fact to recontextualize the preceding fact and using hypothetical scenarios to undermine facts. The analysis demonstrates that the use of facts is a highly strategic, argumentative, matter. This study, understood against a backdrop of the rise of post‐truth politics, highlights that concepts of “fact” and “truth” are not done away with; rather they are an argumentative resource and need to be understood in their fragmentary and rhetorical context.
The independency of the Bereitschaftspotential from previous stimulus‐locked P3 in visuomotor response tasks
Authors: Quinzi Federico , Berchicci Marika , Bianco Valentina , Perri Rinaldo Livio , Di Russo Francesco
Published: October 2018

The Bereitschaftspotential (BP) and the P3 are well‐known ERPs usually observed during self‐paced and externally triggered tasks. Recently, the BP was also detected in externally triggered tasks before stimulus onset. However, doubts have been raised about the authenticity of the BP in these tasks due to possible overlaps with the previous trial P3 (hereinafter s‐1 P3). Here, we aim to test the authenticity of the BP in externally triggered tasks by comparing ERPs obtained during two visuomotor response tasks with different interstimulus intervals (ISIs) allowing (short‐ISI; 1,000–2,000 ms) or not (long‐ISI; 2,000–4,000 ms) P3‐BP overlaps. In line with previous research, we hypothesize that BP and the s‐1 P3 contribute independently to the scalp‐detected activities during these tasks. ERPs were recorded from 14 healthy participants during the short‐ISI and long‐ISI visuomotor response tasks. Amplitudes and latencies of pre‐ (BP and pN) and poststimulus ERP components (P1, pN1, pP1, N1, pP2, dpP2, N2, P3) were compared between conditions. No effect of ISI was found on the amplitude of any pre‐ and poststimulus components. In contrast, longer ISI is associated with earlier onsets of the BP and pN components. In visuomotor response tasks, the BP is independent from the P3 elicited by the previous trial (s‐1 P3), even using relatively short ISI. Since the different ISIs did not affect the amplitude of the BP and the P3 components, we conclude that also a short ISI can be adopted safely and conveniently to keep a reasonable duration of the overall experiment.
Shellfish culture: a complex driver of planktonic communities
Authors: Hulot Vivien , Saulnier Denis , Lafabrie Céline , Gaertner‐Mazouni Nabila
Published: October 2018

This review features recent updates on planktonic community alteration attributed to shellfish farming across three major drivers: predation, nutrient availability and the hydrodynamic environment. The grazing pressure generated by filter‐feeder communities (shellfish and epibionts) constitutes a ‘top‐down’ control of planktonic communities in aquaculture areas, inducing a significant depletion of planktonic organism concentration. By selecting larger cells during the filtration process, shellfish also favour smaller organisms in the water column, leading to the dominance of the latter. Direct excretion and the benthic alteration process tend to fertilise the water column and significantly stimulate primary production. The associated epibiont community particularly contributes to this regeneration process. The expected consequence of increasing nutrient availability is generally a planktonic shift in favour of small planktonic species. However, investigation on the relationship between planktonic structure and nutrient conditions has revealed a wide complexity and variability. Finally, all structures used in shellfish farming activities interact with water currents and tend to significantly increase the residence time of planktonic organisms inside shellfish farming areas. In grazing‐dominated systems, an increase in residence time tends to increase the exposure time of planktonic populations to detrimental conditions, reducing biomass and production. The general consequences of shellfish farming are a decrease in primary production in farming ecosystems, and a possible alteration of structure and functioning of planktonic communities. The implications of shellfish farming also appear to be quite different from other aquaculture activities such as fish farming, which tend to promote primary production leading to eutrophication process.
‘Take measure of your wide and flaunting garments’: The farthingale, gender and the consumption of space in Elizabethan and Jacobean England
Authors: Bendall Sarah A
Published: October 2018

Farthingales were large stiffened structures placed beneath a woman’s skirts in order to push them out and enlarge the lower half of the body. During the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods in England criticisms of these garments increasingly focused on their spatial ramifications, decrying their monstrous size and inconvenience. Nonetheless farthingales served important social and cultural functions for women in early modern England, shaping and defining status and wealth in both court and urban spaces. Using surviving textual and visual sources, as well as engaging with the process of historical dress reconstruction, this article argues that spatial anxieties relating to farthingales were less about the actual size of this garment and more related to older fears concerning the ability of farthingales to create intimate personal spaces around the female body, mask the appropriation of social status, and physically displace men. In turn, these anxieties led to the establishment of a common and enduring trope regarding the monstrous size of these garments as women in farthingales were perceived to be challenging their social and gendered place in the world.
Sequential Hazards Resilience of Interdependent Infrastructure System: A Case Study of Greater Toronto Area Energy Infrastructure System
Authors: Kong Jingjing , Simonovic Slobodan P. , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2018

Coupled infrastructure systems and complicated multihazards result in a high level of complexity and make it difficult to assess and improve the infrastructure system resilience. With a case study of the Greater Toronto Area energy system (including electric, gas, and oil transmission networks), an approach to analysis of multihazard resilience of an interdependent infrastructure system is presented in the article. Integrating network theory, spatial and numerical analysis methods, the new approach deals with the complicated multihazard relations and complex infrastructure interdependencies as spatiotemporal impacts on infrastructure systems in order to assess the dynamic system resilience. The results confirm that the effects of sequential hazards on resilience of infrastructure (network) are more complicated than the sum of single hazards. The resilience depends on the magnitude of the hazards, their spatiotemporal relationship and dynamic combined impacts, and infrastructure interdependencies. The article presents a comparison between physical and functional resilience of an electric transmission network, and finds functional resilience is always higher than physical resilience. The multiple hazards resilience evaluation approach is applicable to any type of infrastructure and hazard and it can contribute to the improvement of infrastructure planning, design, and maintenance decision making.
Evolution of the depositional environments of the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Wainman Carmine C. , McCabe Peter J.
Published: October 2018

The Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin in eastern Australia host the continent's most significant coal bed methane resources. Previous studies have interpreted the Walloon Coal Measures within a single depositional facies model encompassing a wholly terrestrial setting. Using a multidisciplinary approach (facies analysis, palynology and wireline logs), the evolution of the Walloon Coal Measures is described within a new chronostratigraphic framework defined by accurate and precise U–Pb tuff dates. Analysis of sedimentary facies indicates that the majority of the Walloon Coal Measures was deposited by relatively small (<300 m wide), low gradient rivers on a poorly‐drained floodplain with numerous small lakes and mires. However, this study also identified some marine‐influenced facies with brackish palynomorphs (notably dinoflagellate cysts) and tidal sedimentary structures. These facies appear to have been deposited in estuaries during times of transgression. The evidence for base level shifts suggests that the coals may not have coevally accumulated with at least some of the thicker sandstones. Palaeogeographic maps for eleven time intervals suggest that rivers drained towards to the south/south‐west and south‐east, as indicated by sandstone percentage and gross unit isopach maps, presumably into proximal estuarine complexes. Marine incursions into the continent probably came from the north and east during times of high eustatic sea level and as precursors to those of the more persistent and extensive transgressions of the Early Cretaceous. A similar multidisciplinary approach should help to elucidate the evolution of other fluviolacustrine systems in other basins and aid in resource prediction.
Local institutional actors and globally linked territorial development in Bekasi District: A strategic coupling?
Authors: Indraprahasta Galuh Syahbana , Derudder Ben , Hudalah Delik
Published: October 2018

Ever‐changing spatial divisions of labour have led to an altered integration of many developing countries into global production networks (GPNs), leading to new spaces of territorial development in these countries. Against this background, this paper examines the role of local institutional actors in co‐shaping territorial development driven by global industrial relocation. Drawing on the case of Bekasi District, Indonesia, this paper nuances the notion of ‘strategic coupling’ in specific national and local settings of developing countries. Drawing on empirical material obtained through a series of in‐depth interviews conducted between 2012 and 2016, our analysis reveals that although local institutional actors have participated in Bekasi District's territorial development processes they sometimes exhibit a hesitant and less‐than‐creative attitude in this participation. Meanwhile, non‐local actors, most notably private developers and central government agencies, tend to have a more significant leverage in these development processes at the local level, suggesting complex institutional arrangements in tying Bekasi District's assets with GPNs.
Casualties of debate: A critique of the sociology of emotion
Authors: Cobb Maggie Colleen
Published: October 2018

I argue that the adherence to and reproduction of Western dualisms has rendered the sociology of emotion a hollow, stagnant, and incestuous subfield that privileges dichotomy over complexity, natural science over social science, discourse and display over experience and embodiment, and a single body of recycled, unidimensional mandates over “other” voices that we most desperately need to hear. In conclusion, I reiterate the material consequences brought about by an unyielding and unreflexive devotion to artificial dichotomies for “real” people in the “real” world (including sociologists of emotion.)
Education quality for future doctors: a case study of the introduction of an Education Quality Dashboard (EQD) in a UK teaching hospital
Authors: Carr Sue , Kirtley Joanne , Shaw Liz , Willars Janet , Tarrant Carolyn
Published: October 2018

Background

The quality of postgraduate training environments vary, but measures of the quality of training environments are lacking. This case study describes the use of management principles combined with educational expertise to facilitate the development and evaluation of an Education Quality Dashboard (EQD) for monitoring the quality of training in a large UK NHS teaching hospital.

Methods

Evaluation was conducted through the inspection of data‐reporting trends and interviews with key stakeholders. Fourteen key stakeholders took part in semi‐structured interviews about their experiences of implementing the EQD. Data were analysed thematically using nvivo 10.

Results

The introduction of the EQD drove improvements in completeness of data about education standards, and improvements in performance on key metrics. Interviewees suggested that the EQD was feasible to compile but required infrastructure for data collection to be established and maintained. The use of a dashboard format was seen as helping to raise the profile of education quality standards in the trust, particularly at the board level, although some limitations of the dashboard were noted. The EQD enabled proactive monitoring and managing of problems with the educational environment, and interviewees identified concrete improvements that had resulted from the use of the dashboard. Making the EQD work well required commitment and leadership from senior staff. Feeding back and acting on findings was seen as critical for continuing engagement.

Discussion

The dashboard is now embedded as part of routine practice across the hospital, and has the potential to be implemented nationally to help drive improvements in the quality of education provision.
Determination of surgical exposure obtained with integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in large‐breed cadaveric dogs
Authors: Drury Adam G. , Monnet Eric , Packer Rebecca A. , Marolf Angela J.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To define boundaries of minimally invasive integrated endoscopic hemilaminectomy at 4 sites in the canine thoracolumbar spine.

Study design

Experimental, randomized cadaveric study.

Animals

Six cadaver dogs that had been humanely euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study.

Methods

Hemilaminectomy was performed with an integrated endoscopic system at T11‐12, T12‐13, L1‐2, and L2‐3, 1 at each site, on the left or right side of each dog. Each site was randomly assigned either a 19‐mm or a 23‐mm cannula. The entire procedure, including soft tissue dissection, was performed through the cannula. Afterward, spines were imaged by computed tomography (CT) to measure the cranial and caudal extent of the hemilaminectomy from the center of the disc space.

Results

The mean ± SD cranial extent of the hemilaminectomy was 4.5 ± 1.4 mm for the 19‐mm cannula and 5.6 ± 1.4 mm for the 23‐mm cannulas (P = .0757). The caudal extent of the hemilaminectomy was 9.5 ± 2.2 mm for the 19‐mm cannula and 10.3 ± 1.6 mm for the 23‐mm cannula (P = .206). The mean length of the hemilaminectomy was 13.0 ± 1.5 mm for the 19‐mm cannula and 15.0 ± 2.1 mm for the 23‐mm cannula (P = .022).

Conclusion

Integrated endoscopic systems were reliably used to access the spinal canal within the range of the above measurements relative to the disc space as identified by CT or magnetic resonance imaging.

Clinical significance

Integrated endoscopy can be considered as an option in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusions or other pathology measuring within the parameters defined by this study. Access may be possible beyond the dimensions defined in this study with probing and repositioning.
Biomechanical analysis of unidirectional knotless suture loop weld integrity after passage through a cadaveric body wall
Authors: Bailey Kristin L. , Johnson Matthew , Travers Colin J. , Fox‐Alvarez W. Alexander
Published: October 2018

Objective

To evaluate the integrity of the welded end loop on unidirectional knotless suture after transabdominal passage in a canine cadaver.

Study design

Ex vivo biomechanical study.

Study population

Four variations of unidirectional knotless suture and 1 canine cadaver.

Methods

Welded end loop on strands consisted of 0 Quill polydioxanone (QP; n = 22), 0 Quill monoderm (QM; n = 23), 2‐0 V‐Loc 90 (V9; n = 12), and 2‐0 V‐Loc 180 (V18; n = 12). Half of the suture strands in each group were passed percutaneously through an insufflated cadaveric body wall, and the remaining half served as intact controls. A linear testing machine was used to load the sutures to failure. Modes of and loads to failure were compared within and between suture types.

Results

Loads to failure did not differ between sutures passed through the body wall and their controls when the loop remained intact. Sutures V9, V18, and QM sustained higher loads to failure compared with QP. All Quill suture lines failed at the weld during testing. Thirty‐three percent of QP sutures failed at the weld during initial passage through the body wall. V‐Loc sutures failed at the suture–apparatus interface, within the welded loop, or a combination.

Conclusion

Passing suture through a cadaveric body wall did not affect the integrity of the welded end loop of any of the unidirectional knotless sutures tested here when the loop remained intact.

Clinical significance

Unidirectional knotless suture (V9, V18 and QM) can be safely passed through a canine body wall for use in laparoscopic procedures. The use of QP in this manner cannot be recommended.
Carotid bodies contribute to sympathoexcitation induced by acute salt overload
Authors: da Silva Elaine Fernanda , Bassi Mirian , Menani José Vanderlei , Colombari Débora Simões Almeida , Zoccal Daniel Breseghello , Pedrino Gustavo Rodrigues , Colombari Eduardo
Published: October 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does carotid body input contribute to the hyperosmotic responses?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The response to NaCl overload is sympathorespiratory excitation. Eliminating the carotid body input reduced sympathoexcitation but did not affect the increase in phrenic burst frequency, whereas eliminating the hypothalamus prevented the tachypnoea and sympathoexcitation. We conclude that the carotid body inputs are essential for the full expression of the sympathetic activity during acute NaCl overload, whereas the tachypnoea depends on hypothalamic mechanisms.

Acute salt excess activates central osmoreceptors, which trigger an increase in sympathetic and respiratory activity. The carotid bodies also respond to hyperosmolality of the extracellular compartment, but their contribution to the sympathoexcitatory and ventilatory responses to NaCl overload remains unknown. To evaluate their contribution to acute NaCl overload, we recorded thoracic sympathetic (tSNA), phrenic (PNA) and carotid sinus nerve activities in decorticate in situ preparations of male Holtzman rats (60–100 g) while delivering intra‐arterial infusions of hyperosmotic NaCl (0.17, 0.3, 0.7, 1.5 and 2.0 mol l−1; 200 μl infusion over 25–30 s, with a 10 min time interval between solutions) or mannitol (0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.7 and 3.8 mol l−1) progressively. The cumulative infusions of hyperosmotic NaCl increased the perfusate osmolality to 341 ± 5 mosmol (kg water)−1 and elicited an immediate increase in PNA and tSNA (n = 6, P < 0.05) in sham‐denervated rats. Carotid body removal attenuated sympathoexcitation (n = 5, P < 0.05) but did not affect the tachypnoeic response. A precollicular transection disconnecting the hypothalamus abolished the sympathoexcitatory and tachypnoeic responses to NaCl overload (n = 6, P < 0.05). Equi‐osmolar infusions of mannitol did not alter the PNA and tSNA in sham‐denervated rats (n = 5). Sodium chloride infusions increased carotid sinus nerve activity (n = 10, P < 0.05), whereas mannitol produced negligible changes (n = 5). The results indicate that carotid bodies are activated by acute NaCl overload, but not by mannitol. We conclude that the carotid bodies contribute to the increased sympathetic activity during acute NaCl overload, whereas the ventilatory response is mainly mediated by hypothalamic mechanisms.
Prolonged exercise training improves the acute type II muscle fibre satellite cell response in healthy older men
Authors: Snijders Tim , Nederveen Joshua P. , Bell Kirsten E. , Lau Sean W. , Mazara Nicole , Kumbhare Dinesh A. , Phillips Stuart M. , Parise Gianni
Published: October 2018

Key points

Skeletal muscle stem cells, termed satellite cells, play a crucial role in repair and remodelling of muscle in response to exercise

An age‐related decline in satellite cell number and/or function has been hypothesized to be a key factor in the development of sarcopenia and/or the blunted muscle fibre adaptive response to prolonged exercise training in older persons

We report that performing prolonged exercise training improves the acute type II muscle fibre satellite cell response following a single bout of resistance exercise in older men.

The observed improvement in muscle satellite function is associated with an increase in muscle fibre capillarization following exercise training suggesting a possible functional link between capillarization and satellite cell function.

Age‐related type II muscle fibre atrophy is accompanied by a fibre type‐specific decline in satellite cell number and function. Exercise training restores satellite cell quantity in older adults; however, whether it can restore the impaired satellite cell response to exercise in older adults remains unknown. Therefore we assessed the acute satellite cell response to a single exercise session before and after prolonged exercise training in older men. Fourteen older men (74 ± 8 years) participated in a 12‐week exercise training programme (resistance exercise performed twice per week, high intensity interval training once per week). Before and after training, percutaneous biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were taken prior to and following 24 and 48 h of post‐exercise recovery. Muscle fibre characteristics were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression by RT‐PCR. Whereas no changes were observed in type II muscle fibres, type I muscle fibre satellite cell content increased significantly at 24 and 48 h after a single bout of resistance exercise before the exercise training programme (P < 0.01). Following the exercise training programme, both type I and type II muscle fibre satellite cell content increased significantly at 24 and 48 h after a single bout of resistance exercise (P < 0.05). The greater acute increase in type II muscle fibre satellite cell content at 24 h post‐exercise recovery after training was correlated with an increase in type II muscle fibre capillarization (r = 0.671, P = 0.012). We show that the acute muscle satellite cell response following exercise can be improved by prolonged exercise training in older men.
Effects of annular-cylindrical combined channel Hall thruster length on the discharge characteristics
Authors: Ding Yongjie , Su Hongbo , Jia Boyang , Li Hong , Wei Liqiu , Li Peng , Sun Hezhi , Yu Daren
Published: October 2018

In order to increase the degree of ionization and improve the efficiency, the effects of different cylindrical outer wall lengths on the discharge characteristics of the annular-cylindrical combined channel Hall thruster are studied. The cylindrical outer wall is set to the following positions: 95% (with positive magnetic field gradient), and 100%, 95%, 90%, 75%, and 50% (with negative magnetic field gradient) of the maximum magnetic field. The ionization gain and wall energy loss under different positions are analyzed through numerical simulations. The simulation result shows that when the cylindrical outer wall is set to the position where it is 100%–90% of the maximum magnetic field (negative magnetic field gradient zone), the power deposition on the channel wall is small, the propellant utilization can be largely improved, and the comprehensive performance is optimal for the annular-cylindrical combined channel Hall thruster.
Analysis of conductive filament density in resistive random access memories: a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo approach
Authors: Aldana Samuel , García-Fernández Pedro , Romero-Zaliz Rocío , Jiménez-Molinos Francisco , Gómez-Campos Francisco , Roldán Juan Bautista
Published: October 2018

An in-depth physical study of conductive filaments (CFs) density in Ni/HfO2/Si-n+ unipolar resistive random access memories (RRAMs) has been performed. To do so, the authors have employed both experimental measurements and simulations by means of a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) tool. The kMC simulator accounts for redox reactions and ion migration considering the three dimensional (3D) temperature and electric potential distributions within the device dielectric at each simulation time step. The formation and destruction of conductive filaments are described; in particular, the CF density is calculated making use of a new methodology proposed here. The CF ohmic resistance can be linked to the CF density. Finally, the 2D and 3D percolation paths within the conductive filaments are analyzed to characterize the low resistance state of the RRAM under study.
Iterative solutions of the array equations for rapid design and analysis of large projector arrays
Authors: Noh Eunghwy , Lee Hunki , Chun Wonjong , Ohm Won-Suk , Been Kyounghun , Moon Wonkyu , Chang Woosuk , Yoon Hongwoo
Published: October 2018

A fast computational method for modeling and simulation of large projector arrays is presented. The method is based on the array equations that account for the acoustic interaction among the projector elements as well as the individual characteristics of each projector. Unlike the existing solution method in which the acoustic interaction must be known a priori in the form of interaction impedance matrix Z, the present method seeks the solution of modified array equations through iterations without explicitly evaluating the Z matrix. This significantly speeds up the analysis of complex arrays with surrounding structures, where the evaluation of the Z matrix may require a large number of time-consuming finite element computations. The method is compared with the traditional Z-matrix method for the case of a cylindrical array of 72 × 8 Tonpilz transducers. For the same level of accuracy, the iterative method is shown to be up to 2 orders-of-magnitude faster than the Z-matrix method. The method can be used for rapid design and analysis of active sonar arrays and medical ultrasonic transducers, often made of hundreds and even thousands of elements.
An Experiential Learning Opportunity for Sport Management Students: Manager Interview and Facility Inspection
Authors: Diacin Michael J.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this work is to describe an experiential learning opportunity that sport management educators could integrate into one of their courses to enhance their students’ understanding of facility and risk management concepts. This project best fits into a course that focuses on facility and/or risk management. It consists of three components. First, students visit a sport-activity-focused facility and interview the facility manager. The interview focuses on policies and procedures related to facility, personnel, and risk management. Second, students complete an inspection of the facility to detect hazards that could compromise the safety of employees, user groups, and/or spectators. Third, they compose a critical assessment/reflection of what they learned. The benefit of providing this learning opportunity is that it allows students to witness the application (or lack thereof) of concepts and “best practices” learned in the course. Furthermore, it gives them an opportunity to start developing a “critical eye” that would be needed when assuming the role of managing a multipurpose facility.
Bacterioplankton Metacommunity Processes across Thermal Gradients: Weaker Species Sorting but Stronger Niche Segregation in Summer than in Winter in a Subtropical Bay
Authors: Ren Lijuan , Song Xingyu , He Dan , Wang Jianjun , Tan Meiting , Xia Xiaomin , Li Gang , Tan Yehui , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: October 2018

Understanding the mechanisms of bacterial community assembly across environmental gradients is one of the major goals of marine microbial ecology. Thermal effluents from two nuclear power plants have been present in the subtropical Daya Bay for more than 20 years and have generated a comparatively stable and long thermal gradient (a temperature increase from 0 to 10°C). The environmental patches across thermal gradients are heterogeneous and very strongly interconnected on a microbial scale; thus, this is a useful model for the study of the metacommunity processes (i.e., patch dynamics, species sorting, mass effects, and neutral processes) that underlie marine bacterioplankton assembly. The significance of our research is to reveal how environmental conditions and dispersal-related processes interact to influence bacterioplankton metacommunity processes and their seasonal differences across thermal gradients. Our results may advance the understanding of marine microbial ecology under future conditions of global warming.
Diet Influences Early Microbiota Development in Dairy Calves without Long-Term Impacts on Milk Production
Authors: Dill-McFarland Kimberly A. , Weimer Paul J. , Breaker Jacob D. , Suen Garret
Published: October 2018

The gut microbiota is essential for the survival of many organisms, including ruminants that rely on microorganisms for nutrient acquisition from dietary inputs for the production of products such as milk and meat. While alteration of the adult ruminant microbiota to improve production is possible, changes are often unstable and fail to persist. In contrast, the early-life microbiota may be more amenable to sustained modification. However, few studies have determined the impact of early-life interventions on downstream production. Here, we investigated the impact of agriculturally relevant calf diets, including calf starter and corn silage, on gut microbial communities, growth, and production through the first lactation cycle. Thus, this work serves to further our understanding of early-life microbiota acquisition, as well as informing future practices in livestock management.
The Glycine Lipids of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Are Important for Fitness during Growth
In Vivo
and
In Vitro
Authors: Lynch Alli , Tammireddy Seshu R. , Doherty Mary K. , Whitfield Phillip D. , Clarke David J.
Published: October 2018

The gut microbiome has an important role in both health and disease of the host. The mammalian gut microbiome is often dominated by bacteria from the
Bacteroidales
, an order that includes
Bacteroides
and
Prevotella
. In this study, we have identified an acylated amino acid, called glycine lipid, produced by
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
, a beneficial bacterium originally isolated from the human gut. In addition to identifying the genes required for the production of glycine lipids, we show that glycine lipids have an important role during the adaptation of
B. thetaiotaomicron
to a number of environmental stresses, including exposure to either bile or air. We also show that glycine lipids are important for the normal colonization of the murine gut by
B. thetaiotaomicron
. This work identifies glycine lipids as an important fitness determinant in
B. thetaiotaomicron
and therefore increases our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning colonization of the mammalian gut by beneficial bacteria.
Determining the Mutation Bias of Favipiravir in Influenza Virus Using Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Goldhill Daniel H. , Langat Pinky , Xie Hongyao , Galiano Monica , Miah Shahjahan , Kellam Paul , Zambon Maria , Lackenby Angie , Barclay Wendy S.
Published: October 2018

New antiviral drugs are needed as a first line of defense in the event of a novel influenza pandemic. Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum antiviral which is effective against influenza. The exact mechanism of how favipiravir works to inhibit influenza is still unclear. We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to demonstrate that favipiravir causes mutations in influenza RNA. The greater depth of NGS sequence information over traditional sequencing methods allowed us to precisely determine the bias of particular mutations caused by favipiravir. NGS can also be used in a standard diagnostic pipeline to show that favipiravir is acting on the virus by revealing the mutation bias pattern typical to the drug. Our work will aid in testing whether viruses are resistant to favipiravir and may help demonstrate the effect of favipiravir on viruses in a clinical setting. This will be important if favipiravir is used during a future influenza pandemic.
Hepatitis C Virus Downregulates Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2S Expression To Prevent Proteasomal Degradation of NS5A, Leading to Host Cells More Sensitive to DNA Damage
Authors: Pham Hang T. , Nguyen Tram T. T. , Nguyen Lap P. , Han Sang-Seop , Lim Yun-Sook , Hwang Soon B.
Published: October 2018

Protein homeostasis is essential to normal cell function. HCV infection disturbs the protein homeostasis in the host cells. Therefore, host cells exert an anti-HCV activity in order to maintain normal cellular metabolism. We showed that UBE2S interacted with HCV NS5A and degraded NS5A protein through the Lys11-linked proteasome-dependent pathway. However, HCV has evolved to overcome host antiviral activity. We demonstrated that the UBE2S expression level was suppressed in HCV-infected cells. Since UBE2S is an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and this enzyme activity is involved in DNA damage repair, HCV-infected cells are more sensitive to DNA damage, and thus UBE2S may contribute to viral oncogenesis.
Ecological Analyses of Mycobacteria in Showerhead Biofilms and Their Relevance to Human Health
Authors: Gebert Matthew J. , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Oliverio Angela M. , Webster Tara M. , Nichols Lauren M. , Honda Jennifer R. , Chan Edward D. , Adjemian Jennifer , Dunn Robert R. , Fierer Noah
Published: October 2018

Bacteria thrive in showerheads and throughout household water distribution systems. While most of these bacteria are innocuous, some are potential pathogens, including members of the genus
Mycobacterium
that can cause nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infection, an increasing threat to public health. We found that showerheads in households across the United States and Europe often harbor abundant mycobacterial communities that vary in composition depending on geographic location, water chemistry, and water source, with households receiving water treated with chlorine disinfectants having particularly high abundances of certain mycobacteria. The regions in the United States where NTM lung infections are most common were the same regions where pathogenic mycobacteria were most prevalent in showerheads, highlighting the important role of showerheads in the transmission of NTM infections.
Influenza A Virus Superinfection Potential Is Regulated by Viral Genomic Heterogeneity
Authors: Sun Jiayi , Brooke Christopher B.
Published: October 2018

Superinfection, the sequential infection of a single cell by two or more virions, plays an important role in determining the replicative and evolutionary potential of influenza A virus (IAV) populations. The specific mechanisms that regulate superinfection during natural infection remain poorly understood. Here, we show that superinfection susceptibility is determined by the total number of viral genes expressed within a cell and is independent of their specific identity. Virions that express a complete set of viral genes potently inhibit superinfection, while the semi-infectious particles (SIPs) that make up the bulk of IAV populations and express incomplete subsets of viral genes do not. As a result, viral populations with more SIPs undergo more-frequent superinfection. These findings identify both the primary determinant of IAV superinfection potential and a prominent role for SIPs in promoting coinfection.
Aspartyl Protease 5 Matures Dense Granule Proteins That Reside at the Host-Parasite Interface in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Coffey Michael J. , Dagley Laura F. , Seizova Simona , Kapp Eugene A. , Infusini Giuseppe , Roos David S. , Boddey Justin A. , Webb Andrew I. , Tonkin Christopher J.
Published: October 2018

Toxoplasma gondii
is one of the most successful human parasites. Central to its success is the arsenal of virulence proteins introduced into the infected host cell. Several of these virulence proteins require direct maturation by the aspartyl protease ASP5, and all require ASP5 for translocation into the host cell, yet the true number of ASP5 substrates and complete repertoire of effectors is currently unknown. Here we selectively enrich N-terminally derived peptides using Terminal Amine Isotopic Labeling of Substrates (TAILS) and use quantitative proteomics to reveal novel ASP5 substrates. We identify, using two different enrichment techniques, new ASP5 substrates and their specific cleavage sites. ASP5 substrates include two kinases and one phosphatase that reside at the host-parasite interface, which are important for infection.