bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avian abundance and reproductive success in the intermountain west: Local‐scale response to the conservation reserve program
Authors: Haegen W. Matthew Vander , Schroeder Michael A. , Chang Wan‐Ying , Knapp Shannon M.
Published: March 2015

Conversion of extensive shrubsteppe communities to cropland has greatly reduced the habitat available to grassland‐ and sagebrush‐obligate birds in the Intermountain West of the United States. In Washington State, approximately 600,000 ha of converted farmland have been planted to perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), currently the largest‐scale effort creating perennial grassland habitat in this region. From 2003 to 2005 we sampled breeding birds and vegetation characteristics on 48 study sites in CRP and in native shrubsteppe. We used generalized linear models to examine characteristics associated with avian abundance and reproductive success. Abundance of shrubland and grassland birds was more closely associated with site vegetation than either management (planting of native vs. exotic grasses) or landscape factors, with cover of shrubs the dominant variable both for shrubland (positive effect) and for grassland (negative effect) birds. Daily survival rate of 1,377 nests in CRP was equal to or greater than that for nests in shrubsteppe and was similar for CRP planted with native versus exotic grasses. Seasonal reproductive success (young/breeding pair) of 2 focal species—Brewer's sparrow (Spizella breweri; n = 81pairs) and Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis; n = 58)—also was similar between CRP and native shrubsteppe. The CRP has the potential to significantly increase habitat available to shrubland and grassland birds in the Intermountain West and to increase local populations. Because shrubs take significantly longer than herbaceous plants to achieve a size beneficial to birds, CRP grasslands with a well‐developed sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) component should be viewed as a long‐term investment. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
The role of the microbiota in ageing: current state and perspectives
Authors: Lynch Denise B. , Jeffery Ian B. , O'Toole Paul W.
Published: March 2015

Since the application of high‐throughput technologies to investigate complex microbial communities, alterations in the human gut microbiota have been associated with an increasing number of diseases and conditions. This field of research has developed into an area of intense study which is quite different to the microbial investigations that have preceded it in terms of both the broadness of the area of research and the complexity of the analyses. In this review, we discuss gut microbiota changes observed in ageing in the context of the physiological changes that accompany senescence, examine what correlations can be established or inferred, and we discuss what key questions remain to be answered in the field. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2015, 7:131–138. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1293

This article is categorized under:

Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease

Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
Mixed Picture of Readiness for Adoption of Evidence‐Based Prevention Programs in Communities: Exploratory Surveys of State Program Delivery Systems
Authors: Spoth Richard , Schainker Lisa M. , Redmond Cleve , Ralston Ekaterina , Yeh Hsiu-Chen , Perkins Daniel F.
Published: March 2015

An emerging literature highlights the potential for broader dissemination of evidence‐based prevention programs in communities through existing state systems, such as the land grant university Extension outreach system and departments of public education and health (DOE–DPH). This exploratory study entailed surveying representatives of the national Extension system and DOE–DPH, to evaluate dissemination readiness factors, as part of a larger project on an evidence‐based program delivery model called PROSPER. In addition to assessing systems’ readiness factors, differences among US regions and comparative levels of readiness between state systems were evaluated. The Extension web‐based survey sample N was 958 and the DOE–DPH telephone survey N was 338, with response rates of 23 and 79 %, respectively. Extension survey results suggested only a moderate level of overall readiness nationally, with relatively higher perceived need for collaborative efforts and relatively lower perceived resource availability. There were significant regional differences on all factors, generally favoring the Northeast. Results from DOE–DPH surveys showed significantly higher levels for all readiness factors, compared with Extension systems. Overall, the findings present a mixed picture. Although there were clear challenges related to measuring readiness in complex systems, addressing currently limited dissemination resources, and devising strategies for optimizing readiness, all systems showed some readiness‐related strengths.
Roasted Sunflower Kernel Paste (Tahini) Stability: Storage Conditions and Particle Size Influence
Authors: Mureşan Vlad , Danthine Sabine , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Racolţa Emil , Muste Sevastiţa , Socaciu Carmen , Blecker Christophe
Published: March 2015

Sunflower tahini faces quality problems due to the tendency of oil to exudate, causing accelerated rancidity and low marketability. In this study, the colloidal and oxidative stability of different trimodal particle size distributions of sunflower tahini (cumulative volume percentages of small, middle and large class populations of 9.61–16.67, 43.03–55.03 and 47.36–28.3) was evaluated during storage at three different temperatures. Decreasing sample particle size decreased the sunflower tahini colloidal stability. The coarsest prototype, being the most stable tahini in terms of oil separation, was included in the oxidative stability storage test together with a commercial tahini. The peroxide values of the studied sunflower tahini samples increased significantly (p < 0.05) with storage time, irrespective of storage temperature, while the p‐anisidine values showed an irregular pattern. Considering 30‐meq O2/kg as a PV limit, the commercial tahini showed good oxidative stability as it was under this when stored 3 months at 4 °C, 2 months at room temperature and 1 month at 40 °C. The coarsest tahini sample was under the limit when stored 2 months at 4 °C, 1 month at room temperature and 2 weeks at 40 °C. Particle size was shown to be an essential parameter for controlling sunflower tahini's overall stability.
Practical Head and Neck Cytopathology
Authors: Shah Ketan A.
Published: March 2015

Practical Head and Neck Cytopathology provides an engaging and holistic approach to the cytologic diagnosis of head and neck masses, covering both the technique of needle aspiration and its microscopic interpretation. A suitable sample is critical for arriving at the diagnosis and this book provides organ-specific tips on the FNA technique. Presence of different organs and structures in the head and neck region, as well as morphologic overlap amongst disparate entities, adds to the complexity of cytologic diagnosis. This book presents an easy-to-follow, stepwise approach to diagnosis, using concise bulleted text to highlight key features. Common and infrequently encountered mimics are included and interpretative challenges are discussed, facilitating a robust diagnosis. Numerous high-quality photomicrographs aid recognition of both common and rare features. A valuable resource for trainee and practising pathologists alike, this book is based on universally-used techniques and routinely prepared material, which are relevant to cytopathologists across the globe.
Redistribution of Emergency Department Patients After Disaster-Related Closures of a Public Versus Private Hospital in New York City
Authors: Lee David C. , Smith Silas W. , Carr Brendan G. , Goldfrank Lewis R. , Polsky Daniel
Published: March 2015

Sudden hospital closures displace patients from usual sources of care and force them to access facilities that lack their prior medical records. For patients with complex needs and for nearby hospitals already strained by high volume, disaster-related hospital closures induce a public health emergency. Our objective was to analyze responses of patients from public versus private emergency departments after closure of their usual hospital after Hurricane Sandy. Using a statewide database of emergency visits, we followed patients with an established pattern of accessing 1 of 2 hospitals that closed after Hurricane Sandy: Bellevue Hospital Center and NYU Langone Medical Center. We determined how these patients redistributed for emergency care after the storm. We found that proximity strongly predicted patient redistribution to nearby open hospitals. However, for patients from the closed public hospital, this redistribution was also influenced by hospital ownership, because patients redistributed to other public hospitals at rates higher than expected by proximity alone. This differential response to hospital closures demonstrates significant differences in how public and private patients respond to changes in health care access during disasters. Public health response must consider these differences to meet the needs of all patients affected by disasters and other public health emergencies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:256-264).
The Limits of Serial Surveillance Cultures in Predicting Clearance of Colonization with Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Lewis Jessica D. , Enfield Kyle B. , Mathers Amy J. , Giannetta Eve T. , Sifri Costi D.
Published: March 2015

An accepted practice for patients colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms is to discontinue contact precautions following 3 consecutive negative surveillance cultures. Our experience with surveillance cultures to detect persistent carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonization suggests that extrapolation of this practice to CPE-colonized patients may not be appropriate.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(7):835–837
NABONIDUS AND FORTY THIEVES OF URUK
Authors: Sandowicz M.
Published: March 2015

This paper studies a group of documents produced in the course of investigation into the activities of a gang that operated in Uruk in the latter part of Nabonidus’ rule. It examines the composition of this criminal group and the offences committed by its members. Above all, however, it seeks to reconstruct the procedures implemented by the temple officials in response to a hitherto unpublished royal writ BM 114574, a document that throws new light on the involvement of the king in the administration of justice in the Neo-Babylonian period.
NEW FRAGMENTS OF GILGAMEŠ AND OTHER LITERARY TEXTS FROM KUYUNJIK
Authors: Jiménez E.
Published: March 2015

The public availability of photographs of the entire British Museum Kuyunjik collection has allowed the identification of many hitherto unplaced fragments. Some of them are particularly relevant for the reconstruction of passages in a number of ancient Mesopotamian literary texts. These are published here for the first time. They include three new fragments of theGilgamešepic, one or two of theTheodicy, several of theDiviner's Manualand of theRituals of the Diviner, several prayers previously only poorly known, and fragments from the seventh tablet of the exorcistic seriesMuššuʾu.
MESAG REPORTS A MURDER: CUNEIFORM TABLETS IN THE COLLECTIONS OF NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Authors: Robson E. , Zólyomi G.
Published: March 2015

We present editions of five cuneiform tablets in the collection of Norwich Castle Museum and two held by Cambridge University Library. The Norwich tablets comprise three tablets from the well-known “Mesag archive” or “Umma C” from the Sargonic period; one small tablet from Ur III Umma; and a fragment of an unprovenanced Old Babylonian account. Those in Cambridge are both from Ur III Girsu: a wool receipt and part of a balanced labour account.
An extensively hydrolysed casein-based formula for infants with cows' milk protein allergy: tolerance/hypo-allergenicity and growth catch-up
Authors: Dupont Christophe , Hol Jeroen , Nieuwenhuis Edward E. S. ,   the Cow's Milk Allergy Modified by Elimination and Lactobacilli study group
Published: March 2015

Children with cows' milk protein allergy (CMPA) are at risk of insufficient length and weight gain, and the nutritional efficacy of hypo-allergenic formulas should be carefully assessed. In 2008, a trial assessed the impact of probiotic supplementation of an extensively hydrolysed casein-based formula (eHCF) on acquisition of tolerance in 119 infants with CMPA. First analysis of the study results showed that the studied formula allowed improvement of food-related symptoms. The scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index was assessed at randomisation and after 6 months of feeding. A post hoc analysis was performed using WHO growth software's nutritional survey module (WHO Anthro version 3.2.2). All infants who were fed the study formula tolerated it well. The SCORAD index significantly improved from randomisation to 6 months of feeding with the study formula. Anthropometric data indicated a significant improvement in the weight-for-age, length-for-age and weight-for-length z scores, as well as in the restoration of normal BMI. The probiotic supplementation did not show any impact on these parameters. The present data showed that this eHCF was clinically tolerated and significantly improved the SCORAD index and growth indices.
History, Politics, and Economic Development in Liberia
Authors: Dalton George
Published: March 2015

American and European economists who work in the least developed countries of Africa, Asia, or the Middle East sometimes come away with the feeling of having learned more than they imparted. Nor is this surprising: the minds of economists are often more receptive to development than are the exotic economies in which they now work. In considering problems of underdevelopment and processes of development we learn—inadvertently, as it were—new things about conventional fields of economics and about the developed economies of Europe and America. These feedbacks have been particularly valuable to economic historians who have given us fresh insights into European, Russian, Japanese, and American development as a direct consequence of the present concern with developing the backward countries. Economic history is now wedded to economic development.
Can the same species of Platynosomum (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae) infect both mammalian and avian hosts?
Authors: Pinto H.A. , Mati V.L.T. , Melo A.L.
Published: March 2015

The importance of platynosomiasis has increased in feline veterinary practice, but aspects related to the specificity of Platynosomum spp. in definitive hosts requires further study. Although morphological traits suggest that the same species, P. illiciens, may infect both birds and mammals, the synonymies previously proposed have not been widely accepted, likely because host specificity is assumed. In addition, the name P. fastosum has frequently been used for parasites recovered from mammals. In the present study, metacercariae (n= 100/animal) of P. illiciens recovered from lizards (Hemidactylus mabouia) in Brazil were fed to Australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) and mice. Two parasites were recovered from the liver of one M. undulatus specimen during a necropsy that was performed 105 days after infection, and all mice were found to be infected with 37 ± 12 (18–48) parasites. The morphology of the P. illiciens obtained from the parakeet was similar to that of parasites obtained from mice and those described previously from naturally infected birds and mammals. Non-specificity of P. illiciens in hosts is discussed briefly, based on the parasitological and morphological results obtained during the avian experimental platynosomiasis and the epidemiology and geographical distribution of this parasite.
Surgical treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis in patients co-infected with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Ran B. , Shao Y. , Guo Y. , Yimiti Y. , Aji T. , Jia J. , Shayiding P. , Jiang T. , Cheng L. , Li J. , McManus D.P. , Zhang W. , Wen H.
Published: March 2015

Co-infections of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and HIV/AIDS is rare. We report four CE cases that were HIV positive. Three out of the four patients underwent a surgical operation to remove the hydatid cysts in their livers. The operation confirmed that in two of the cases their cysts had ruptured. These patients were given 3 months of albendazole after the operation. Follow-up showed they were remarkably improved in term of their health, although they were still HIV antibody positive 6 months after surgical treatment. Interestingly, the treatment remarkably increased their CD4+ cell population. We showed that surgery is suitable for treating hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HIV/AIDS co-infection.
The utility of FloSeal haemostatic agent in the management of epistaxis
Authors: Khan M K , Reda El Badawey M , Powell J , Idris M
Published: March 2015

Background:

FloSeal, a locally applied haemostatic agent, has been shown to be effective in a variety of clinical situations. This study investigated its potential benefits in the management of epistaxis.

Methods:

The outcomes of a series of patients with epistaxis presenting to one ENT unit, over a two-month period, were compared. Patients were either treated with FloSeal or traditional epistaxis management techniques. Success of FloSeal was classed as complete haemostasis after its application, without the need for further interventions and no readmission with epistaxis within 7 days.

Results:

Our study comprised 101 adults, with a mean age of 70 years (range, 22–98 years). The overall success rate for FloSeal was 14 per cent (5 out of 36 cases). It was successful in 66 per cent of anterior epistaxis cases (2 out of 3) and in only 9 per cent of posterior epistaxis cases (3 out of 33). There was a significantly higher failure rate of FloSeal compared with nasal packing in posterior epistaxis (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that FloSeal has a limited role in the management of epistaxis.
Self-organized field structures in electron-depleted multi-ion dusty plasma
Authors: Iqbal M. , Gondal S. M. , Shuaib A. , Qurat-ul-ain
Published: March 2015

It is shown that there exists a strong interaction between the magnetic and kinetic aspects of a multi-ion plasma. The interaction appears as a system of simultaneous equations which show the alignment of vortices to flows and satisfy the Beltrami condition. Solving these equations lead to a non-force-free magnetic field which can be cast as a superposition of three multiscale force-free magnetic field configurations. It is the consequence of different Beltrami parameters of positive and negative ion fluids. It is also shown that self-organized paramagnetic and diamagnetic field structures could be created by varying the vorticities and flows of ion fluids.
Morphometric analysis of two sympatric species ofPerinereis(Annelida: Nereididae) from the Brazilian coast
Authors: Coutinho Marina Cyrino Leal , Paiva Paulo Cesar , Santos Cinthya Simone Gomes
Published: March 2015

Species definition is not an easy task, when considering the more than 27 known species concepts. Among them, the morphospecies concept has been one of the most applied since it is based on the use of observable morphological features. Morphometry has been used to delimitate morphospecies or similar taxa complementing the morphological observations and contributing to clarify taxonomic problems. Specimens from the sympatric speciesPerinereis anderssoniandPerinereis ponteni,collected from the north-eastern to southern coast of Brazil and considered synonymous by some authors, were compared through morphometric analyses for the evaluation of their taxonomic status. Morphometric analysis indicates that notopodial cirri lengths in the median and posterior regions on the body clearly allowed differentiation between the two species. Our results indicate that the number and arrangement of paragnaths demonstrate a pattern of variation that effectively differs and could be used to discriminate these twoPerinereisspecies. This distinction was confirmed by the restricted among-population variability within each species, even when populations that are geographically very distant from each other were considered.
Neural correlates of prenatal stress in young women
Authors: Favaro A. , Tenconi E. , Degortes D. , Manara R. , Santonastaso P.
Published: March 2015

Background

Prenatal stress is hypothesized to have a disruptive impact on neurodevelopmental trajectories, but few human studies have been conducted on the long-term neural correlates of prenatal exposure to stress. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between prenatal stress exposure and gray-matter volume and resting-state functional connectivity in a sample of 35 healthy women aged 14–40 years.

Method

Voxel-based morphometry and functional connectivity analyses were performed on the whole brain and in specific regions of interest (hippocampus and amygdala). Data about prenatal/postnatal stress and obstetric complications were obtained by interviewing participants and their mothers, and reviewing obstetric records.

Results

Higher prenatal stress was associated with decreased gray-matter volume in the left medial temporal lobe (MTL) and both amygdalae, but not the hippocampus. Variance in gray-matter volume of these brain areas significantly correlated with depressive symptoms, after statistically adjusting for the effects of age, postnatal stress and obstetric complications. Prenatal stress showed a positive linear relationship with functional connectivity between the left MTL and the pregenual cortex. Moreover, connectivity between the left MTL and the left medial-orbitofrontal cortex partially explained variance in the depressive symptoms of offspring.

Conclusions

In young women, exposure to prenatal stress showed a relationship with the morphometry and functional connectivity of brain areas involved in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. These data provide evidence in favor of the hypothesis that early exposure to stress affects brain development and identified the MTL and amygdalae as possible targets of such exposure.
The diplomacy of empire: Fatimids and Zirids, 990–1062
Authors: Brett Michael
Published: March 2015

Over a period of some forty years, 380/990–421/1030, the Fatimids in Egypt exchanged embassies with their Zirid viceroys in Ifrīqiya after these had been recognized as a hereditary dynasty, and to a lesser extent with their Kalbid deputies in Sicily.Sijillātor official letters of the Fatimid chancery, accompanied by sumptuous presents, invested the Zirids with their authority and favoured them with important announcements, while the Zirids replied in kind. The embassies were ostentatiously welcomed by the Zirids as proof of their legitimacy, while serving to maintain the connection with Cairo on which the Fatimids were similarly dependent for the sake of their imperial standing in the world. The importance of that connection to both dynasties was shown in the 440s/1050s, when it was broken by the Zirids and restored by a Fatimid intervention, celebrated in a fresh series ofsijillāt. With their emphasis on the style as much as the substance of the messages, the exchanges are excellent illustrations of mediaeval diplomatic correspondence as described by John Wansbrough inLingua Franca in the Mediterranean.
Kitāb Sulaym ibn Qaysrevisited
Authors: Bayhom-Daou Tamima
Published: March 2015

Kitāb Sulaymis possibly the earliest Shīʿī work in existence and analysis of its constituent reports could shed light on aspects of early Shīʿī thought and doctrine. This paper examines one of its reports on the subject ofikhtilāfin Propheticḥadīthbetween the Shīʿa and their opponents, and the related subjects of the status of the Companions of the Prophet and the Prophet's transmission of his knowledge to ʿAlī. It suggests dates and contexts for the composition of the report and the updating it seems to have undergone. It shows that the report reflects moderate Imāmī attitudes and doctrines similar to those attested for other leading pre-ghaybaImāmīs.
The trace of prostration and other distinguishing bodily marks in the Quran
Authors: Rippin Andrew
Published: March 2015

The mark known as the “trace of prostration” (sīmā) that is mentioned in the Quran is well established in Islam as being a physical blemish on the forehead. Such marks on the forehead are widespread in religious traditions, often denoting community membership and piety. The Quranic instance fits this tendency. The forelock is also a symbol associated with the forehead that the Quran mentions, although that piece of hair carries negative connotations. This common feature of a person's appearance can, in other cultural situations, denote membership and piety just like a mark on the forehead. The vocabulary of the Quran incorporates images from the past, although the evidence is too slight to allow origins to be traced; popular religious ideas and practices have many sources beyond scripture.
Wa-bi-Rādhān mā bi-Rādhān...: The landed property of ʿAbdallāh ibn Masʿūd
Authors: Lecker Michael
Published: March 2015

Digitized text repositories (such asal-Jāmiʿ al-Kabīr,al-Maktaba al-ShāmilaandMaktabat Ahl al-Bayt) open new horizons in the study of early Islamic history. By employing them it was found that ʿAbdallāh ibn Masʿūd had at least four courts, two in Kūfa and two in Medina, and at least two estates cultivated by sharecroppers, one in Rādhān near Kūfa and another in Saylaḥīn near Qādisiyya. His situation is comparable to that of a member of the pre-Islamic Sassanian landed aristocracy of absentee landlords. He also had three households in three different places. The desire for control and worldly assets is human, and those who lack it never make it to the highest echelons of power. Put differently, hagiography should not be mistaken for historiography. Whether or not Ibn Masʿūd's Rādhān should be linked with the Rādhānite Jewish merchants remains an open question.
Compositional and Chemical Segregation in Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 Cathode Materials Characterized by Atom Probe Tomography and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy
Authors: Devaraj A. , Colby R. , Gu M. , Wang C. , Tyliszczak T. , Zhang J. , Xiao J. , Zheng J. , Belharouak I. , Wang D. , Amine K. , Thevuthasan S.
Published: March 2015

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
How do patients receiving radiotherapy in a Dutch hospital value their time? A contingent valuation study
Authors: Portrait France , Bakker Marjolein , Slotman Ben , Gafni Amiram , van den Berg Bernard
Published: March 2015

Aim

Cancer patients spend a lot of time receiving medical care. Our study investigates patients’ preferences regarding reducing the time involved in non-palliative radiotherapy care.

Methods

A total of 142 Dutch patients were included in our study. Using a contingent valuation survey, we measured the proportion of patients who preferred to reduce their patients’ time, splitting it into five different categories, and, for those who did, whether and how much they were willing to pay for this to happen.

Results

About 50% of the patients preferred to reduce their time waiting for admission by 1 week and their travel time by half; 20 and 62% wanted to reduce their waiting time by half and their treatment time from 20 to 5 minutes, respectively; 36% preferred to be treated 7 instead of 5 days a week; and 20% of those wishing to reduce their patients’ time were willing to pay, and their mean willingness to pay (WTP) ranged from £0·32 to £18·1 per hour’s reduction of their time.

Conclusion

Half of the patients seem to assess their patients’ time as reasonable. The other half preferred to reduce it, but only about 20% of them were willing to pay for it to happen and their mean WTP was low.
Variation in tolerance to drought among Tunisian populations ofMedicago truncatula
Authors: Badri Mounawer , Bouhaouel Imen , Arraouadi Soumaya , Taamalli Wael , Huguet Thierry , Aouani Mohamed Elarbi
Published: March 2015

We analysed the natural variation of drought response in 11 Tunisian populations ofMedicago truncatulasampled from environments that varied in soil composition, salinity and water availability. Plants were cultivated in a greenhouse under well-irrigated and water-deficit treatments (50% of field capacity), and a number of traits associated with drought response were measured. Variance analysis indicated that the variation of phenotypic traits was explained by the effects of population, line, treatment, and population × treatment and line × treatment interactions, with treatment being the one with the greatest effect. A large degree of phenotypic variation for most traits in the two water treatments was found within populations. Most of the measured characters showed higher broad-sense heritabilities (H2) in well-irrigated treatment than in water-deficit treatment. Furthermore, the largest population differentiation (QST) for most of the measured traits was observed under drought stress. Most of the correlations between measured traits under both treatments were positive. Four groups of lines differing in drought tolerance were identified, with 45 susceptible, 14 moderately susceptible, 31 tolerant and 23 most tolerant lines. The tolerant group experienced lowest reductions in the length of plagiotropic axes, length of stems, number of internodes and number of leaves. The large phenotypic variation ofM. truncatulain response to drought stress can be used to identify genes and alleles important for the complex trait of drought tolerance.
Quota Nonadoption in Japan: The Role of the Women's Movement and the Opposition
Authors: Gaunder Alisa
Published: March 2015

In 2003, Japan's dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) committed to the goal of 30% female representation in management and political positions by 2020 to conform with the international norm to promote women's leadership. This nonbinding commitment received widespread media attention. In 2012, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe reemphasized this goal before the lower house election. Yet, in his first cabinet, Abe appointed only two women. Moreover, in the 2013 upper house election, the LDP fielded only 9 women out of 79 candidates, nowhere near the 30% candidate goal (Torres 2013). In September 2014, Abe appointed five new women in his cabinet reshuffle, two of whom were forced to resign a month later due to scandals. Four women currently sit on the cabinet due to one female replacement (Flackler 2014). Despite Abe's attempts to increase women in his cabinet, most agree that Japan is not on target to meet the 30% benchmark (Gender Equality Bureau 2012).
On the origin of mascon basins on the Moon (and beyond)
Authors: Dombard Andrew J. , Hauck Steven A. , Balcerski Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2015

Mascon basins on the Moon are large craters that display significant positive free‐air and Bouguer gravity anomalies. An important question is why is not every large crater a mascon, as less than half have been previously determined to be. We detrend the free‐air, topographic, and Bouguer gravity anomalies and find that most large basins (28 of 41) display mascon characteristics (e.g., strong positive Bouguer anomalies narrower than the surface rims). Negative free‐air gravity annuli surrounding the central highs generally are absent in the Bouguer gravity, implicating surface topography. We propose that beneath a forming large basin, the relatively narrow transient crater drives mantle uplift, while upward and inward collapse forms the surface topography. Furthermore, the nonmascon basins are all ancient and heavily degraded, indicating a postimpact evolutionary process. Our results suggest that mascon formation is the standard for large impacts on the Moon and by extension on other terrestrial planets.
Rise and fall of subclones from diagnosis to relapse in pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Ma Xiaotu , Edmonson Michael , Yergeau Donald , Muzny Donna M. , Hampton Oliver A. , Rusch Michael , Song Guangchun , Easton John , Harvey Richard C. , Wheeler David A. , Ma Jing , Doddapaneni HarshaVardhan , Vadodaria Bhavin , Wu Gang , Nagahawatte Panduka , Carroll William L. , Chen I-Ming , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Relling Mary V. , Smith Malcolm A. , Devidas Meenakshi , Auvil Jaime M. Guidry , Downing James R. , Loh Mignon L. , Willman Cheryl L. , Gerhard Daniela S. , Mullighan Charles G. , Hunger Stephen P. , Zhang Jinghui
Published: March 2015

There is incomplete understanding of genetic heterogeneity and clonal evolution during cancer progression. Here we use deep whole-exome sequencing to describe the clonal architecture and evolution of 20 pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemias from diagnosis to relapse. We show that clonal diversity is comparable at diagnosis and relapse and clonal survival from diagnosis to relapse is not associated with mutation burden. Six pathways were frequently mutated, with NT5C2, CREBBP, WHSC1, TP53, USH2A, NRAS and IKZF1 mutations enriched at relapse. Half of the leukaemias had multiple subclonal mutations in a pathway or gene at diagnosis, but mostly with only one, usually minor clone, surviving therapy to acquire additional mutations and become the relapse founder clone. Relapse-specific mutations in NT5C2 were found in nine cases, with mutations in four cases being in descendants of the relapse founder clone. These results provide important insights into the genetic basis of treatment failure in ALL and have implications for the early detection of mutations driving relapse.
Microstructure of Transparent Strontium Fresnoite Glass-Ceramics
Authors: Wisniewski Wolfgang , Takano Kazuya , Takahashi Yoshihiro , Fujiwara Takumi , Rüssel Christian
Published: March 2015

Glass-ceramics grown from a glass of the composition Sr2TiSi2.45O8.9 (STS 45) are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Oriented nucleation with the c-axes preferably perpendicular to the surface is detected. A very strong 001-texture is observed after only 10 μm of growth into the bulk, making this the first system in which an orientation preferred during nucleation prevails during growth into the bulk in glass-ceramics. Piezoelectric measurements are performed and d33-values presented and discussed. The obtained results are critically viewed with respect to the two growth models describing Sr2TiSi2O8 growth in glasses.
Progranulin Knockout Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Aging Mice
Authors: Zhao Yun-peng , Tian Qing-yun , Liu Ben , Cuellar Jason , Richbourgh Brendon , Jia Tang-hong , Liu Chuan-ju
Published: March 2015

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common degenerative disease, yet much is unknown about the mechanisms during its pathogenesis. Herein we investigated whether progranulin (PGRN), a chondroprotective growth factor, is associated with IVD degeneration. PGRN was detectable in both human and murine IVD. The levels of PGRN were upregulated in murine IVD tissue during aging process. Loss of PGRN resulted in an early onset of degenerative changes in the IVD tissue and altered expressions of the degeneration-associated molecules in the mouse IVD tissue. Moreover, PGRN knockout mice exhibited accelerated IVD matrix degeneration, abnormal bone formation and exaggerated bone resorption in vertebra with aging. The acceleration of IVD degeneration observed in PGRN null mice was probably due to the enhanced activation of NF-κB signaling and β-catenin signaling. Taken together, PGRN may play a critical role in homeostasis of IVD and may serve as a potential molecular target for prevention and treatment of disc degenerative diseases.
Oseltamivir Expands Quasispecies of Influenza Virus through Cell-to-cell Transmission
Authors: Mori Kotaro , Murano Kensaku , Ohniwa Ryosuke L. , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Nagata Kyosuke
Published: March 2015

The population of influenza virus consists of a huge variety of variants, called quasispecies, due to error-prone replication. Previously, we reported that progeny virions of influenza virus become infected to adjacent cells via cell-to-cell transmission pathway in the presence of oseltamivir. During cell-to-cell transmission, viruses become infected to adjacent cells at high multiplicity since progeny virions are enriched on plasma membrane between infected cells and their adjacent cells. Co-infection with viral variants may rescue recessive mutations with each other. Thus, it is assumed that the cell-to-cell transmission causes expansion of virus quasispecies. Here, we have demonstrated that temperature-sensitive mutations remain in progeny viruses even at non-permissive temperature by co-infection in the presence of oseltamivir. This is possibly due to a multiplex infection through the cell-to-cell transmission by the addition of oseltamivir. Further, by the addition of oseltamivir, the number of missense mutation introduced by error-prone replication in segment 8 encoding NS1 was increased in a passage-dependent manner. The number of missense mutation in segment 5 encoding NP was not changed significantly, whereas silent mutation was increased. Taken together, we propose that oseltamivir expands influenza virus quasispecies via cell-to-cell transmission and may facilitate the viral evolution and adaptation.
Collisions of deformable cells lead to collective migration
Authors: Löber Jakob , Ziebert Falko , Aranson Igor S.
Published: March 2015

Collective migration of eukaryotic cells plays a fundamental role in tissue growth, wound healing and immune response. The motion, arising spontaneously or in response to chemical and mechanical stimuli, is also important for understanding life-threatening pathologies, such as cancer and metastasis formation. We present a phase-field model to describe the movement of many self-organized, interacting cells. The model takes into account the main mechanisms of cell motility – acto-myosin dynamics, as well as substrate-mediated and cell-cell adhesion. It predicts that collective cell migration emerges spontaneously as a result of inelastic collisions between neighboring cells: collisions lead to a mutual alignment of the cell velocities and to the formation of coherently-moving multi-cellular clusters. Small cell-to-cell adhesion, in turn, reduces the propensity for large-scale collective migration, while higher adhesion leads to the formation of moving bands. Our study provides valuable insight into biological processes associated with collective cell motility.
Unexpected behavioural consequences of preterm newborns' clothing
Authors: Durier Virginie , Henry Séverine , Martin Emmanuelle , Dollion Nicolas , Hausberger Martine , Sizun Jacques
Published: March 2015

Restrictions of preterm newborns' movements could have consequences ranging from stress enhancement to impairment of their motor development. Therefore, ability to freely express motor activities appears crucial for their behavioural and physiological development. Our aim was to evaluate behavioural issues of two types of clothing used in NICU. We observed 18 healthy 34–37 post-conception week-old preterm newborns, during resting periods, when they were undisturbed by any interventions. Newborns wore either light clothing (bodysuit and a light wrapping) or heavy clothing (pyjamas, cardigan and sleep-sack). The percentages of time each subject spent in different postures were compared between clothing situations. Arm and hand postures differed in relation to clothing: babies bent their arms more and held their hands nearer their heads when in bodysuits than when in sleepwear. Consequently, babies in bodysuits spent more time touching their body or their environment whereas the others generally were touching nothing. Self-touch is an important way to comfort one's self. Heavy clothing may impair self-soothing behaviours of preterm newborn babies that already lack other forms of contact. Results suggest that more attention should be paid to apparently routine and marginal decisions such as choice of clothes.
Enantiospecific photoresponse of sterically hindered diarylethenes for chiroptical switches and photomemories
Authors: Li Wenlong , Li Xin , Xie Yongshu , Wu Yue , Li Mengqi , Wu Xin-Yan , Zhu Wei-Hong , Tian He
Published: March 2015

Light-driven transcription, replication and enzyme catalysis are critically dependent upon a delicate transfer between molecular and supramolecular chirality. Chemists have well realized the impressive stereospecificity over many thermally accessible cycloaddition with chiral catalysts, but making light work in the enantiomer control of diarylethene photocyclization has proved to be more challenging. Here, we report a unique sterically hindered diarylethene (BBTE) system with absolute enantiospecific photocyclization and cycloreversion. Moreover, we have fully separated all the five thermally stable isomers, consisting of one achiral parallel conformer, one pair of anti-parallel ring-open enantiomers and another pair of ring-closed enantiomers, whose absolute chiral configurations are entirely elucidated by single X-ray crystallographic analyses. The photo-responsive feature exhibits a reversible, complete enantio-control transformation without racemism, offering an unrivaled unimolecular enantiospecific platform for potential applications as bistable chiroptical switches and all-photonic photomemories with optical rotation as non-destructive readout.
Single cell visualization of transcription kinetics variance of highly mobile identical genes using 3D nanoimaging
Authors: Annibale Paolo , Gratton Enrico
Published: March 2015

Multi-cell biochemical assays and single cell fluorescence measurements revealed that the elongation rate of Polymerase II (PolII) in eukaryotes varies largely across different cell types and genes. However, there is not yet a consensus whether intrinsic factors such as the position, local mobility or the engagement by an active molecular mechanism of a genetic locus could be the determinants of the observed heterogeneity. Here by employing high-speed 3D fluorescence nanoimaging techniques we resolve and track at the single cell level multiple, distinct regions of mRNA synthesis within the model system of a large transgene array. We demonstrate that these regions are active transcription sites that release mRNA molecules in the nucleoplasm. Using fluctuation spectroscopy and the phasor analysis approach we were able to extract the local PolII elongation rate at each site as a function of time. We measured a four-fold variation in the average elongation between identical copies of the same gene measured simultaneously within the same cell, demonstrating a correlation between local transcription kinetics and the movement of the transcription site. Together these observations demonstrate that local factors, such as chromatin local mobility and the microenvironment of the transcription site, are an important source of transcription kinetics variability.
Biomarkers of early stage osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and musculoskeletal health
Authors: Ahmed Usman , Anwar Attia , Savage Richard S. , Costa Matthew L. , Mackay Nicola , Filer Andrew , Raza Karim , Watts Richard A. , Winyard Paul G. , Tarr Joanna , Haigh Richard C. , Thornalley Paul J. , Rabbani Naila
Published: March 2015

There is currently no biochemical test for detection of early-stage osteoarthritis (eOA). Tests for early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies require refinement to improve clinical utility. We developed robust mass spectrometric methods to quantify citrullinated protein (CP) and free hydroxyproline in body fluids. We detected CP in the plasma of healthy subjects and surprisingly found that CP was increased in both patients with eOA and eRA whereas anti–CCP antibodies were predominantly present in eRA. A 4-class diagnostic algorithm combining plasma/serum CP, anti-CCP antibody and hydroxyproline applied to a cohort gave specific and sensitive detection and discrimination of eOA, eRA, other non-RA inflammatory joint diseases and good skeletal health. This provides a first-in-class plasma/serum-based biochemical assay for diagnosis and type discrimination of early-stage arthritis to facilitate improved treatment and patient outcomes, exploiting citrullinated protein and related differential autoimmunity.
Limbus- Versus Fornix-Based Trabeculectomy for Open-Angle Glaucoma Eyes with Prior Ocular Surgery: The Collaborative Bleb-Related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study
Authors: Yokota Satoshi , Takihara Yuji , Inatani Masaru
Published: March 2015

We compared the surgical successes of limbus- and fornix-based trabeculectomies in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes that had prior ocular surgery in the Collaborative Bleb-Related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study (CBIITS), Japan. From the 1,098 glaucoma eyes in 34 clinical centers in CBIITS, 195 OAG eyes that had undergone previous trabeculectomy and/or lens extraction were included. Limbus- or fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were performed. Surgical failure (IOP ≥ 21, 18, or 15 mmHg for criterion A, B or C, respectively; <20% decrease from baseline; reoperation for glaucoma; or loss of light perception vision) was counted. There were 106 and 89 eyes treated with limbus- and fornix-based trabeculectomies, respectively. At 3 years, IOP (mean ± SD) was 12.5 ± 5.9 and 14.1 ± 6.4 mmHg and the cumulative probabilities of failure during 3 years were 30.2% and 50.5% for criterion A, 40.3% and 57.4% for criterion B and 57.9% and 65.8% for criterion C in the limbus- and the fornix-based group, respectively. Fornix-based incisions were associated with surgical failure in Cox-proportional multivariable analysis for criterion A [relative risk (RR) = 1.96] and B [RR = 1.60]. Limbus-based trabeculectomy had a higher probability of success in OAG eyes with prior ocular surgery.
In Vitro Epithelial Organoid Generation Induced by Substrate Nanotopography
Authors: Shen Yusheng , Hou Youmin , Yao Shuhuai , Huang Pingbo , Yobas Levent
Published: March 2015

The extracellular matrix (ECM) exhibits tissue-specific topography and composition and plays a crucial role in initiating the biochemical and biomechanical signaling required for organizing cells into distinct tissues during development. How single cells assemble into structures featuring specific shapes in response to external cues is poorly understood. We examined the effect of substrate nanotopography on the morphogenesis of several types of epithelial cells and found that in response to the topography, Calu-3 and MDCK-II cells formed organoids that closely resemble their morphology in vivo. This finding represents the first demonstration that substrate nanotopography, one of the first physical cues detected by cells, can by itself induce epithelial tissue-like organization. Our results provide insights, in terms of a new aspect of ECM topography, into the design of future tissue-engineering systems and the study of mechanosignaling in the epithelium during normal development and tumor progression.