bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Anomalous Mycoplasma‐like Organisms in Grapevine Yellows‐diseased Phloem
Authors: Credi R.
Published: June 2015

Pathological changes in Vitis vinifera cv. Caveccia phloem from leaves showing symptoms of a flavescence doreé‐like disease consisted of obliteration, necrosis and collapse of the sieve elements and associated companion cells, and excessive callose accumulation in lateral sieve areas and sieve plates of apparently normal mature sieve elements. Unusual structures, also found in degenerate sieve elements of diseased leaf vein specimens, were strongly electron‐dense and bounded by a unit membrane or an electron‐transparent border, and considered to be senescent forms of mycoplasma‐like organisms. The significance of these findings in relation to possible host responses to the yellows pathogen is discussed.
Detection of the 3a Protein of Cucumber Mosaic Virus in a Cell Wall Fraction from Infected Nicotiana clevelandii Plants
Authors: Burman A. J. , Osman T. A. M. , Buck K. W.
Published: June 2015

The 3a protein of cucumber mosaic virus was expressed in Escherichia coli and, after purification, used to produce an antiserum. The 3a protein was detected in a cell wall fraction obtained from infected Nicotiana clevelandii leaf tissue by immunoblotting using the 3a antiserum. The 3a protein reached a maximum level 4 days after inoculation and remained at this level for a further 8 days before slowly declining. In contrast, the virus capsid protein, detected in an 80 000 g pellet by immunoblotting using a virus particle antiserum, reached a maximum 5 days after inoculation and remained at this level for at least a further 16 days.
Wirkung des pflanzengesundheitsfördernden Rhizobakteriums Agrobacterium radiobacter Stamm G12 gegen den Kartoffelzystennematoden Globodera pallida bei unterschiedlicher Temperatur und Bodenfeuchte
Authors: Hackenberg C. , Sikora R. A.
Published: June 2015

Influence of temperature and soil moisture on the biological control of the potato‐cyst nematode Globodera pallida using the plant plant‐health‐promoting rhizobacterium Agrobacterium radiobacter

Treatment of potato tubers with the plant‐health‐promoting rhizobacterium A. radiobacter (G 12) resulted in significant (P ≤ 0.05) reductions in G. pallida penetration (25%) in green‐house studies conducted in a non‐sterilized sandy‐loam soil. Significant reductions (P ≤ 0.05) in nematode infection were obtained when soil moisture was maintained between 60 and 90% of field capacity. When moisture levels were held at 30% of field capacity, nematode infection was also reduced, but not significantly. A. radiobacter repeatedly reduced nematode root‐infection levels but did not affect the final population density. A. radiobacter reduced the hatch of G. pallida significantly (P ≤ 0.01) in vitro up to 70%. The bacterium effectively reduced nematode hatch at both 20 and 25°C.
Use of Polyclonal Antibodies to Identify Mycoplasma‐like organisms (MLOs) From the Sudan and from Thailand
Authors: Saeed E. , Sarindu N. , Davies D. L. , Clark M. F. , Roux J. , Cousin M. T.
Published: June 2015

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies prepared against faba bean phyllody MLO from the Sudan reacted with its homologous antigen and with extracts of Catharanthus roseus experimentally infected with the same or a related MLO from Crotalaria saltiana showing symptoms of phyllody disease, as well as with extracts of naturally MLO‐infected C. saltiana growing in the field in the Sudan. The antibodies also reacted positively with extracts of C. roseus experimentally infected with Crotalaria juncea phyllody MLO and soybean phyllody MLO from Thailand.

Polyclonal antibodies prepared against an MLO associated with witches' broom disease in C. juncea reacted positively in ELISA tests with homologous antigen extracts from naturally infected C. juncea as well as with extracts from experimentally infected C. roseus and with extracts prepared from Sesamum indicum plants with phyllody symptoms growing in Thailand. There was no reaction between these antibodies and extracts from C. roseus plants infected with the MLOs associated with C. juncea phyllody or with soybean phyllody.

No cross reactions were observed among the antigens and antibodies of the two MLO groups by immunoflorescence, ELISA or western blotting. However, the molecular weight of the principal protein antigen, determined by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and western blotting was the same for both types of MLO.

Serologically‐similar MLOs thus occur in the Sudan and in Thailand, where they are associated with phyllody symptoms in C. saltiana and faba bean and with C. juncea and soybean, respectively. A second, serologically distinct MLO group was also found infecting C. juncea and S. indicum in Thailand but MLOs from this group have not yet been identified in crops from the Sudan.
Book Review
Authors: Heupel M.
Published: June 2015

Stahl, M., H. Umgelter, G. Jörg, F. Merz, and J. Richter, Pflanzenschutz im Zierpflanzenbau. 3. Aufl. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 1993. 396 S., DM 148,—. ISBN 3‐800‐5133‐2.
Genetic selection for increased mean and reduced variance of twinning rate in Belclare ewes
Authors: Cottle D.J. , Gilmour A.R. , Pabiou T. , Amer P.R. , Fahey A.G.
Published: June 2015

It is sometimes possible to breed for more uniform individuals by selecting animals with a greater tendency to be less variable, that is, those with a smaller environmental variance. This approach has been applied to reproduction traits in various animal species. We have evaluated fecundity in the Irish Belclare sheep breed by analyses of flocks with differing average litter size (number of lambs per ewe per year, NLB) and have estimated the genetic variance in environmental variance of lambing traits using double hierarchical generalized linear models (DHGLM). The data set comprised of 9470 litter size records from 4407 ewes collected in 56 flocks. The percentage of pedigreed lambing ewes with singles, twins and triplets was 30, 54 and 14%, respectively, in 2013 and has been relatively constant for the last 15 years. The variance of NLB increases with the mean in this data; the correlation of mean and standard deviation across sires is 0.50. The breeding goal is to increase the mean NLB without unduly increasing the incidence of triplets and higher litter sizes. The heritability estimates for lambing traits were NLB, 0.09; triplet occurrence (TRI) 0.07; and twin occurrence (TWN), 0.02. The highest and lowest twinning flocks differed by 23% (75% versus 52%) in the proportion of ewes lambing twins. Fitting bivariate sire models to NLB and the residual from the NLB model using a double hierarchical generalized linear model (DHGLM) model found a strong genetic correlation (0.88 ± 0.07) between the sire effect for the magnitude of the residual (VE) and sire effects for NLB, confirming the general observation that increased average litter size is associated with increased variability in litter size. We propose a threshold model that may help breeders with low litter size increase the percentage of twin bearers without unduly increasing the percentage of ewes bearing triplets in Belclare sheep.
GFAP and antibodies against NMDA receptor subunit NR2 as biomarkers for acute cerebrovascular diseases
Authors: Stanca Delia Maria , Mărginean Ioan Constantin , Sorițău Olga , Dragoș Cristian , Mărginean Mariana , Mureșanu Dafin Fior , Vester Johannes C. , Rafila Alexandru
Published: June 2015

We studied whether the serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and of antibodies against the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor subunit NR2 (NR2 RNMDA) can discriminate between intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and ischaemic stroke (IS) in stroke patients. We prospectively recruited patients with suspected stroke (72 confirmed) and 52 healthy controls. The type of brain lesion (ICH or IS) was established using brain imaging. The levels of GFAP and of antibodies against NR2 RNMDA were measured in blood samples obtained within 12 hrs after stroke onset and 24, 48 and 72 hrs and 1 and 2 weeks later using ELISA immunoassay. Improvement in diagnostic performance was assessed in logistic regression models designed to predict the diagnosis and the type of stroke. GFAP peaks early during haemorrhagic brain lesions (at significantly higher levels), and late in ischaemic events, whereas antibodies against NR2 RNMDA have significantly higher levels during IS at all time‐points. Neither of the two biomarkers used on its own could sufficiently discriminate patients, but when they are used in combination they can differentiate at 12 hrs after stroke, between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke with a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 91%, respectively.
Cytokine expression in peri‐implant crevicular fluid in relation to bacterial presence
Authors: Renvert Stefan , Widén Cecilia , Persson Gösta Rutger
Published: June 2015

Aim

The aim was to assess clinical inflammatory parameters, cytokine levels and bacterial counts in samples from implant crevicular fluid in cases with untreated peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods

Several bacterial species known to up‐regulate pro‐inflammatory cytokines have been associated with peri‐implantitis. The Luminex magnet bead technology was used to study cytokines in crevicular fluid. The checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization method was used to study bacterial counts in samples from 41 implants (41 individuals).

Results

Profuse bleeding and suppuration was found in 25/41 (61.0%) of the implants. The reliability of duplicate cytokine processing was high. In the presence of profuse bleeding, higher pg/ml levels of IL‐1β (p = 0.02), IL‐8 (p = 0.04), TNF‐α (p = 0.03) and VEGF (p = 0.004) were found. Higher concentrations of IL‐1β were found in the presence of suppuration, and if Escherichia coli (p = 0.001) or Staphylococcus epidermidis (p = 0.05) could be detected.

Conclusion

Profuse bleeding and/or suppuration in untreated peri‐implantitis can be associated with higher concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐8, TNF‐α and VEGF in peri‐implant crevicular fluid. A higher concentration of IL‐1β in peri‐implant crevicular fluid was found in samples that were positive for E. coli or S. epidermidis.
A Combined Arterial and Venous Grading Scale to Predict Outcome in Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Parthasarathy Rajsrinivas , Sohn Sung‐II , Jeerakathil Thomas , Kate Mahesh P. , Mishra Sachin M. , Nambiar Vivek K. , Ahmad Aftab , Menon Bijoy K. , Shuaib Ashfaq
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE

Prognostic evaluation based on cortical vein score difference in stroke (PRECISE) score, a novel venous grading scale better predicted stroke outcomes. Henceforth, we aimed to describe and determine if a physiologically relevant combined arterial and venous grading scale (CRISP grading scale) is accurate in determining 90‐day stroke outcomes in patients with proximal arterial occlusion in the anterior circulation.

METHODS

Data are from the Keimyung Stroke Registry. Consecutive patients with M1 middle cerebral artery (MCA) or terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion on CT‐angiography (CTA) from May‐2004 to July‐2008 were included. The affected hemisphere ‘four veins composite score’ and ‘arterial collaterals’ were each graded ‘good’ and ‘poor’. On the combined scale, a ‘good’ grade represented a ‘good’ score on both scales and a ‘poor’ grade represented a ‘poor’ score on both scales. The ‘other two’ combinations were graded ‘intermediate.’

RESULTS

Eighty‐one patients were included in the study. Dummy variable regression analysis demonstrated that poor outcome was commonly seen in the group with poor arterial and venous grades [OR(95%CI); 48 (8.24, 279.598); P < 0.00001] as opposed to poor arterial collaterals alone [OR(95%CI); 9.6(1.483,62.162); P = 0.018]. In multivariate analysis the CRISP grade [OR(95%CI); 2.638(1.192, 6.039), P = 0.017] and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [OR(95%CI);1.230(1.085, 1.395),P = 0.001(per unit increase)] emerged as the independent predictors of poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale >2) when adjusted for other imaging predictors of outcome.

CONCLUSION

CRISP grading was precise in predicting stroke outcomes when compared to individual imaging scales including arterial collateral grading, PRECISE score and CTA‐SI ASPECTS in patients with proximal arterial occlusion in the anterior circulation.
The expression of high‐mobility group box protein‐1 in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis with disc perforation
Authors: Feng Yaping , Fang Wei , Li Cheng , Guo Huilin , Li Yingjie , Long Xing
Published: June 2015

Background

High‐mobility group box protein‐1 (HMGB‐1), a potent promoter of inflammation, was believed to be a potential trigger of osteoarthritis (OA). Only a few studies have investigated the role of HMGB‐1 in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) OA, especially in disc perforation cases. But in this study, not only the expression of HMGB‐1 in TMJ OA with disc perforation was investigated but also the possible role of HMGB‐1 in TMJ OA was discussed.

Methods

Synovial membrane and disc specimens were collected from patients with TMJ OA, and the expression of HMGB‐1 was detected using immunohistochemistry, real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blotting.

Results

High‐mobility group box protein‐1 expressed strongly in cytoplasm and nucleus of lining layer cells and endothelial cells in osteoarthritic synovium. Staining of HMGB‐1 was found intensive in the frontier tissue of the perforation in the perforated discs. HMGB‐1 expression was also upregulated in osteoarthritic synovial cells and disc cells according to real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis.

Conclusions

High‐mobility group box protein‐1 expression was upregulated in TMJ OA and might promote the progression of TMJ OA.
Effects of Hydrocolloids on the Rheological Characteristics of Dough and the Quality of Bread Made From Frozen Dough
Authors: Gharaie Zahra , Azizi Mohammad Hossein , Barzegar Mohsen , Aghagholizade Roya
Published: June 2015

The influence of tragacanth and salep gums on the rheological characteristics of dough and the quality of flat bread made from frozen dough was investigated.

Dough was prepared with gums at two levels (0.5, 1%). Farinograph and extensograph tests were carried out on dough samples. Dough was frozen at −30C and stored at −18C. At the first and third weeks of storage, the samples were defrosted and the bread was baked. After sensory evaluation, the samples were stored for 1–5 days to conduct staling tests.

The water absorption of the samples containing gums was significantly higher than that for the control. There was a significant difference in dough stability between the control and the samples containing tragacanth. The data also showed significant differences in extensograph parameters. Treatment with gums improved the bread's sensory properties, including firmness and chewiness. This study's results reveal that gums, particularly tragacanth, may improve the rheological characteristics of dough and final product quality.

Practical Applications

Freezing technology in the bread‐making industry is used to preserve dough pieces and partially baked and baked bakery products. However, the quality of the resulting bread is not the same as that produced with fresh dough. Functional ingredients may be added to produce a bread with quality that is close to that produced from fresh dough. This study examined the effect of two functional ingredients – salep and tragacanth – on the quality of dough and bread.
Interferon‐free, direct‐acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Gutierrez J. A. , Lawitz E. J. , Poordad F.
Published: June 2015

The treatment environment for chronic hepatitis C has undergone a revolution, particularly in genotype 1. Gone are interferon‐based therapy and its associated tolerability challenges, inadequate response rates and numerous baseline factors that affect response to therapy. New and emerging treatment regimens employ all‐oral combinations of direct‐acting antiviral agents, and results of clinical trials suggest that these regimens routinely achieve cure rates >90%, even in patients who failed prior interferon‐based triple therapy. In 2015, three all‐oral FDA‐approved regiments will be available for genotype 1 (sofosbuvir /ledipasvir, sofosbuvir/simeprevir, and paritaprevir/r/ombitasvir/dasabuvir). Furthermore, new treatment combinations appear to be more tolerable and require shorter duration of therapy. We provide an overview of the classes of direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs), the clinical factors affecting their integration into combination therapies and recent findings from trials of such combination therapies in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection.
Effect of Feeding an Iodine‐Restricted Diet in Cats with Spontaneous Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Hui T.Y. , Bruyette D.S. , Moore G.E. , Scott‐Moncrieff J.C.
Published: June 2015

Background

Exclusive feeding of an iodine‐restricted diet has been proposed as a method for controlling clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism in hyperthyroid cats.

Objectives

To determine the effect of feeding an iodine‐restricted diet onTT4 concentrations and clinical signs in cats with spontaneous hyperthyroidism.

Animals

Forty‐nine client‐owned cats with spontaneous hyperthyroidism.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Hyperthyroid cats were exclusively fed a commercially available iodine‐restricted diet. Clinical response was assessed by change in weight and heart rate and serumTT4, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine concentrations at various times during dietary management (21–60 days, 60–180 days).

Results

SerumTT4 normalized in 20/48 cats (42%) and 39/47 cats (83%) at 21–60 days and 61–180 days, respectively. Cats in which theTT4 concentrations were still above reference range at 21–60 days had a significantly higher startingTT4 than those that normalized theirTT4 levels during the same time period (P = .038). Body weight did not significantly increase (P = .34) nor heart rate decrease (P = .64) during the study. There was a significant decrease in serum creatinine (P = .028). Cats in the low reference range for serumTT4 concentrations did not have a significant increase in body weight (P = .41) nor creatinine (P = .54) when compared to those with high reference range.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Restricted‐iodine diets were effective at maintaining serumTT4 concentrations within reference ranges for a majority of cats with spontaneous hyperthyroidism over 1 year, although not all clinical signs of hyperthyroidism improved.
Antarctic moss stress assessment based on chlorophyll content and leaf density retrieved from imaging spectroscopy data
Authors: Malenovský Zbyněk , Turnbull Johanna D. , Lucieer Arko , Robinson Sharon A.
Published: June 2015

The health of several East Antarctic moss‐beds is declining as liquid water availability is reduced due to recent environmental changes. Consequently, a noninvasive and spatially explicit method is needed to assess the vigour of mosses spread throughout rocky Antarctic landscapes. Here, we explore the possibility of using near‐distance imaging spectroscopy for spatial assessment of moss‐bed health.

Turf chlorophyll a and b, water content and leaf density were selected as quantitative stress indicators. Reflectance of three dominant Antarctic mosses Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Ceratodon purpureus and Schistidium antarctici was measured during a drought‐stress and recovery laboratory experiment and also with an imaging spectrometer outdoors on water‐deficient (stressed) and well‐watered (unstressed) moss test sites. The stress‐indicating moss traits were derived from visible and near infrared turf reflectance using a nonlinear support vector regression.

Laboratory estimates of chlorophyll content and leaf density were achieved with the lowest systematic/unsystematic root mean square errors of 38.0/235.2 nmol g−1 DW and 0.8/1.6 leaves mm−1, respectively. Subsequent combination of these indicators retrieved from field hyperspectral images produced small‐scale maps indicating relative moss vigour.

Once applied and validated on remotely sensed airborne spectral images, this methodology could provide quantitative maps suitable for long‐term monitoring of Antarctic moss‐bed health.
How to be a Normativist about the Nature of Belief
Authors: Nolfi Kate
Published: June 2015

According to the normativist, it is built into the nature of belief itself that beliefs are subject to a certain set of norms. I argue here that only a normativist account can explain certain non‐normative facts about what it takes to have the capacity for belief. But this way of defending normativism places an explanatory burden on any normativist account that an account on which a truth norm is explanatorily fundamental simply cannot discharge. I develop an alternative account that can achieve explanatory adequacy where this sort of truth privileging account falls short.
Recovery from conflict and revival of intimacy in cohabiting couples
Authors: PRAGER KAREN J. , SHIRVANI FOROUZ , POUCHER JESSE , CAVALLIN GUSTAVO , TRUONG MICHAEL , GARCIA JENNIFER J.
Published: June 2015

Couples who seek a stable and satisfying relationship must recover emotionally and reestablish their intimate connection after their conflicts are over. In a 3‐week diary study, 100 cohabiting couples reported on their daily moods, intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and conflicts. Results indicated that on days following a conflict, couple partners have worse mood, less satisfaction, and less self‐disclosure than on other days. Attachment security and intimacy partially moderated the ability of relationship partners to recover positive and reduce negative affect on days following conflict. Partners of anxiously attached individuals experienced more pronounced postconflict changes in mood and intimacy than partners of securely attached individuals. More intimacy in postconflict interactions was associated with a faster recovery from conflict.
Review of the science and practice of restoration in Argentina: increasing awareness of the discipline
Authors: Rovere Adriana E.
Published: June 2015

The objective of this work was to obtain an overview of studies on ecological restoration carried out in Argentina to date. By means of the Scopus database, we performed two literature searches, one in Spanish (restau* and Argentina) and the other in English (restor* and Argentina). Between 1996 and 2013, 105 publications were registered, representing 2% of publications in Biology and Ecology. Most of these appeared in international journals (87%), in English (86%), and 28% were coauthored with researchers from other countries, favoring visibility at an international level. We observed an increase in the number of studies per year over time, with a significant increase beginning in 2008. Of the 18 ecological regions in Argentina, we found studies relating to 12 as well as four studies relating to restoration in urban areas. This review of the literature is intended to increase awareness of restoration in Argentina and help identify current gaps relating either to this subject or to specific ecological regions.
Skeletal muscle atrophy in advanced interstitial lung disease
Authors: Mendes Polyana , Wickerson Lisa , Helm Denise , Janaudis‐Ferreira Tania , Brooks Dina , Singer Lianne G. , Mathur Sunita
Published: June 2015

Background and objective

A limited number of studies examine skeletal muscle dysfunction in individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD). We compared upper and lower limb muscle size and strength in individuals with advanced ILD with healthy controls. Second, the relationships of muscle size to muscle strength and function were explored.

Methods

Individuals with advanced ILD listed for lung transplant and healthy control subjects were studied. B‐mode ultrasound was performed to assess cross‐sectional area (CSA) of rectus femoris and thickness of gastrocnemius and soleus and biceps brachii. Subjects performed isometric muscle strength testing, Short Physical Performance Battery, Timed Up and Go, and Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise Test.

Results

Twenty‐six individuals with advanced ILD (61 ± 8 years; 73% males; forced vital capacity: 2 ± 0.8 L, 49 ± 13% predicted; diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide: 9.3 ± 4 mL/min/mm Hg, 51 ± 20% predicted) and 12 healthy age and gender‐matched controls (56 ± 9.5 years; 50% males) were included. Compared with controls, people with ILD had a smaller CSA of rectus femoris (7.6 ± 2.1 vs 9.4 ± 2.4 cm2; P = 0.03) and lower strength of knee extensors (119 ± 35 vs 147 ± 39 Nm; P = 0.02) and plantarflexors (37 ± 19 vs 50 ± 15 Nm; P = 0.02), but not of biceps. Individuals with ILD also had impaired performance on all functional tests (P < 0.02). Moderate correlations were found between rectus femoris CSA and knee extensor strength (r = 0.63; P < 0.01) and biceps thickness and elbow flexor strength (r = 0.78; P < 0.01) in the ILD group.

Conclusions

Individuals with advanced ILD presented with lower limb muscle atrophy and weakness. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training on muscle function in advanced ILD.
Partial denture swallowed by patient with dementia
Authors: Saunders Ralph
Published: June 2015

Purpose

To present a rare case of a male dementia patient in a nursing home who swallowed a partial denture which lodged in the airway.

Methods

During breakfast, a patient with moderate dementia experienced a sore throat, labored breathing, and difficulty swallowing. Uncertainty about the cause of these problems was exacerbated by the patient's cognitive losses, his reduced oro‐motor function, and awareness of caregivers that the possible involvement of a denture of this size was unlikely. At the beginning of the third day, he developed a low‐grade fever and was placed on antibiotics. A chest x‐ray was negative.

Results

On the fourth day, a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was performed, which revealed the partial denture resting in the hypopharynx on the patient's vocal cords.

Discussion

Along with pneumonia and viral bronchitis, a swallowed denture needs to be in the differential diagnosis of a dementia patient experiencing difficulty swallowing.

Conclusions

Nursing home caregivers be aware that even a sizable partial denture can be swallowed and extra vigilance is essential in caring for dementia patients.
Stratal composition and stratigraphic organization of stratal elements in an ancient deep‐marine basin‐floor succession, Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Terlaky Viktor , Rocheleau Jonathan , Arnott Robert William Charles
Published: June 2015

Despite a globally growing seismic and outcrop analogue data set, the detailed (centimetre to decametre) internal stratal make up of deep‐marine basin‐floor ‘channelized‐lobe’ strata remain poorly known. An ancient analogue for modern, mixed‐sediment, passive margin, deep‐marine basin‐floor fans is the well‐preserved Neoproterozoic Upper and Middle Kaza groups in the southern Canadian Cordillera. This succession is a few kilometres thick and comprises six sedimentary facies representing deposition from different kinds of sediment‐gravity flows. Representative lateral and vertical assemblages of one or more of these facies comprise six stratal elements, including: isolated scours, avulsion splays, feeder channels, distributary channels, terminal splays, and distal and off‐axis fine‐grained turbidite units. The internal characteristics of the various stratal elements do not differ from more distal to more proximal settings, but the relative abundance of the various stratal elements does. The difference in relative abundance of stratal elements in the kilometre‐scale stratigraphy of the Kaza Group results in a systematic upward change in architecture. The systematic arrangement of the stratal elements within the interpreted larger bodies, or lobes, and then lobes within the basin‐floor fan, suggests a hierarchical organization. In this article a hierarchy is proposed that is based on avulsion but, also importantly, the location of avulsion. The proposed avulsion‐based hierarchical scheme will be a useful tool to bridge the scalar gap between outcrop and seismic studies by providing a single stratigraphic framework and terminology for basin‐floor stratal elements.
Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): impact on molecular and architectural features of musculo‐skeletal ageing
Authors: Narici M. , Conte M. , Salvioli S. , Franceschi C. , Selby A. , Dela F. , Rieder F. , Kösters A. , Müller E.
Published: June 2015

This study investigated features of skeletal muscle ageing in elderly individuals having previously undergone unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and whether markers of sarcopenia could be mitigated by a 12‐week alpine skiing intervention. Novel biomarkers agrin, indicative of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration, tumor suppressor protein p53, associated with muscle atrophy, and a new ultrasound‐based muscle architecture biomarker were used to characterize sarcopenia. Participant details and study design are presented by Kösters et al. (2015). The results of this study show that NMJ degeneration is widespread among active septuagenarians previously subjected to TKA: all participants showed elevated agrin levels upon recruitment. At least 50% of individuals were identified as sarcopenic based on their muscle architecture, supporting the hypothesis that NMJ alterations precede sarcopenia. Notably, sarcopenia was strongly associated with the expression of p53, which seems to confirm its validity as a biomarker of muscle atrophy. Training did not significantly modify any of these biomarkers. In view of the lack of accretion of muscle mass in response to the alpine skiing intervention, we hypothesize that local muscle inflammation and oxidative stress may have blunted the anabolic response to training and promoted muscle breakdown in this elderly post‐TKA population.
Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): symmetric loading during skiing
Authors: Pötzelsberger B. , Stöggl T. , Scheiber P. , Lindinger S. J. , Seifert J. , Fink C. , Müller E.
Published: June 2015

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the pressure distribution, symmetry of load between operated (OP) and non‐operated (NOP) leg, and pain level during alpine skiing in participants with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The responses of the dependent variables were analyzed following a 10‐week guided skiing intervention of 2–3 days of skiing per week. Ground reaction force (GRF) was recorded bilaterally and was determined for 13 participants with TKA (65 ± 4 years) at pre‐ and post‐test. Additionally, pain perception was determined using a numeric rating scale in the OP leg at both test sessions and after each skiing day. No statistical differences were observed between OP and NOP legs for peak and average GRF as well as the asymmetry indices at pre‐test. Pain perception was low and was not increased as a consequence of the skiing intervention. In conclusion, alpine skiing did not lead to increased or decreased loading of the OP leg compared with the NOP leg. Therefore, alpine skiing may be allowed for patients with skiing experience and a good clinical outcome.
Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): effects on gait asymmetries
Authors: Pötzelsberger B. , Lindinger S. J. , Stöggl T. , Buchecker M. , Müller E.
Published: June 2015

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a 12‐week recreational skiing intervention on functional gait performance in people with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Twenty‐three older adults (71 ± 5 years) were assigned to the intervention (IG) or control group (CG). Test time and ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded at pre‐ and post‐intervention and in the retention phase during functional gait tests. Ground contact was recorded bilaterally and divided into the weight acceptance and push‐off phases. In IG, a faster stair descent time (16%) was observed at post‐test with no further change at the retention test. The asymmetry indices for all analyzed variables were decreased in stair descent and during weight acceptance in stair ascent and level walking without further changes between post‐ and retention test. The reduced asymmetries occurred mainly because of increased loading of the operated leg. Most variables were unchanged in CG. Similar to the force data, the asymmetry index for temporal stride characteristics was reduced in all stair descent variables. These results demonstrate that alpine skiing as a leisure‐time activity has a beneficial effect on gait performance and leads to a more balanced load distribution between the legs during daily activities.
QUANTITATIVE PLANAR AND VOLUMETRIC CARDIAC MEASUREMENTS USING 64 MDCT AND 3T MRI VS. STANDARD 2D AND M‐MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: DOES ANESTHETIC PROTOCOL MATTER?
Authors: Drees Randi , Johnson Rebecca A. , Stepien Rebecca L. , Munoz Del Rio Alejandro , Saunders Jimmy H. , François Christopher J.
Published: June 2015

Cross‐sectional imaging of the heart utilizing computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be superior for the evaluation of cardiac morphology and systolic function in humans compared to echocardiography. The purpose of this prospective study was to test the effects of two different anesthetic protocols on cardiac measurements in 10 healthy beagle dogs using 64‐multidetector row computed tomographic angiography (64‐MDCTA), 3T magnetic resonance (MRI) and standard awake echocardiography. Both anesthetic protocols used propofol for induction and isoflourane for anesthetic maintenance. In addition, protocol A used midazolam/fentanyl and protocol B used dexmedetomedine as premedication and constant rate infusion during the procedure. Significant elevations in systolic and mean blood pressure were present when using protocol B. There was overall good agreement between the variables of cardiac size and systolic function generated from the MDCTA and MRI exams and no significant difference was found when comparing the variables acquired using either anesthetic protocol within each modality. Systolic function variables generated using 64‐MDCTA and 3T MRI were only able to predict the left ventricular end diastolic volume as measured during awake echocardiogram when using protocol B and 64‐MDCTA. For all other systolic function variables, prediction of awake echocardiographic results was not possible (P = 1). Planar variables acquired using MDCTA or MRI did not allow prediction of the corresponding measurements generated using echocardiography in the awake patients (P = 1). Future studies are needed to validate this approach in a more varied population and clinically affected dogs.
A PERSPECTIVE ON SEGMENT REPORTING CHOICES AND SEGMENT RECONCILIATIONS
Authors: Hollie Dana
Published: June 2015

In 2014, segment reporting gained third place in SEC comment letters. This article reviews the history of the segment reporting including the segment reporting choices and segment reconciliations, the current concerns as the level of detail in segment disclosures varies widely across organizations, the value relevance of segment reconciliations and its market consequences, and the importance of segment reporting to management. The following are highlights of the manuscript: The third-most-common area discussed in SEC comment letters: segment reporting.The application of SFAS131: the whole may not equal the sum of its parts. The level of detail in segment disclosures varies widely across organizations.Segment reconciliation adds value to consolidated earnings.Segment reconciliation can have significant market consequences.Additional guidance on segment reporting may be beneficial and necessary in the future.
Energy Storage Start-up Strategies for Concentrated Solar Power Plants With a Dual-Media Thermal Storage System
Authors: Xu Ben , Li Peiwen , Lik Chan Cho
Published: June 2015

A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant typically has thermal energy storage (TES), which offers advantages of extended operation and power dispatch. Using dual-media, TES can be cost-effective because of the reduced use of heat transfer fluid (HTF), usually an expensive material. The focus of this paper is on the effect of a start-up period thermal storage strategy to the cumulative electrical energy output of a CSP plant. Two strategies—starting with a cold storage tank (referred to as “cold start”) and starting with a fully charged storage tank (referred to as “hot start”)—were investigated with regards to their effects on electrical energy production in the same period of operation. An enthalpy-based 1D transient model for energy storage and temperature variation in solid filler material and HTF was applied for both the sensible heat storage system (SHSS) and the latent heat storage system (LHSS). The analysis was conducted for a CSP plant with an electrical power output of 60 MWe. It was found that the cold start is beneficial for both the SHSS and LHSS systems due to the overall larger electrical energy output over the same number of days compared to that of the hot start. The results are expected to be helpful for planning the start-up operation of a CSP plant with a dual-media thermal storage system.
A Comparison of the Defect Rate Between Original Equipment Manufacturer and Reprocessed Single-Use Bipolar and Ultrasound Diathermy Devices
Authors: Loftus Terrence J.
Published: June 2015

Reprocessing has emerged as an attempt to control the cost of single-use bipolar and ultrasound diathermy devices despite limited data on defect rates. This study compares the defect rates, as reported by surgical teams, between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) single-use bipolar and ultrasound diathermy devices and reprocessed (RP) devices. Data were retrospectively collected on 3112 devices over a 7-month period for two types of bipolar and ultrasound diathermy devices. There is a significant difference (p < 0.001) in reported bipolar and ultrasound diathermy device defects between OEM and RP. OEM single-use bipolar and ultrasound diathermy devices were reported to be defective more frequently than RP devices based on reports from the surgical team.
Modal Analysis of the Setar: A Numerical–Experimental Comparison
Authors: Mansour Hossein
Published: June 2015

The setar, a Persian long-necked lute, is analyzed by means of experimental modal analysis and finite element (FE) method. The experimental analysis is performed using a combination of impulse hammer and laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV), which has led to the extraction of structural mode shapes, natural frequencies, and modal dampings. The FE model is developed taking into account structural details, such as orthotropic properties of the wood, direction of the grains, nonideal joints, and the effect of strings preload. Numerical results are shown to be in a very good agreement with the experimental data over a wide range of frequencies.
Low temperature temporal and spatial atomic layer deposition of TiO2 films
Authors: Aghaee Morteza , Maydannik Philipp S. , Johansson Petri , Kuusipalo Jurkka , Creatore Mariadriana , Homola Tomáš , Cameron David C.
Published: June 2015

Titanium dioxide films were grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using titanium tetraisopropoxide as a titanium precursor and water, ozone, or oxygen plasma as coreactants. Low temperatures (80–120 °C) were used to grow moisture barrier TiO2 films on polyethylene naphthalate. The maximum growth per cycle for water, ozone, and oxygen plasma processes were 0.33, 0.12, and 0.56 Å/cycle, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry was used to evaluate the chemical composition of the layers and the origin of the carbon contamination was studied by deconvoluting carbon C1s peaks. In plasma-assisted ALD, the film properties were dependent on the energy dose supplied by the plasma. TiO2 films were also successfully deposited by using a spatial ALD (SALD) system based on the results from the temporal ALD. Similar properties were measured compared to the temporal ALD deposited TiO2, but the deposition time could be reduced using SALD. The TiO2 films deposited by plasma-assisted ALD showed better moisture barrier properties than the layers deposited by thermal processes. Water vapor transmission rate values lower than 5 × 10−4 g day−1 m−2 (38 °C and 90% RH) was measured for 20 nm of TiO2 film deposited by plasma-assisted ALD.
Local structure study of (In0.95−xFexCu0.05)2O3 thin films using x-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Ren Yuan , Xing Yaya , Ma Guanxiong , Zhao Xingliang , Wang Shiqi , An Yukai , Liu Jiwen
Published: June 2015

The (In0.95−xFexCu0.05)2O3 (x = 0.06, 0.08, 0.15, and 0.20) films prepared by RF-magnetron sputtering were investigated by the combination of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at Fe, Cu, and O K-edge. Although the Fe and O K-edge XAS spectra show that the Fe atoms substitute for the In sites of In2O3 lattice for all the films, the Cu K-edge XAS spectra reveal that the codoped Cu atoms are separated to form the Cu metal clusters. After being annealed in air, the Fe atoms are still substitutionally incorporated into the In2O3 lattice, while the Cu atoms form the CuO secondary phases. With the increase of Fe concentration, the bond length RFe-O shortens and the Debye–Waller factor σ2Fe-O increases in the first coordination shell of Fe, which are attributed to the relaxation of oxygen environment around the substitutional Fe ions. The forming of Cu relating secondary phases in the films is due to high ionization energy of Cu atoms, leading that the Cu atoms are energetically much harder to be oxidized to substitute for the In sites of In2O3 lattice than Fe atoms. These results provide new experimental guidance in the preparation of the codoped In2O3 based dilute magnetic oxides.
Detection of human brain cancer infiltration ex vivo and in vivo using quantitative optical coherence tomography
Authors: Kut Carmen , Chaichana Kaisorn L. , Xi Jiefeng , Raza Shaan M. , Ye Xiaobu , McVeigh Elliot R. , Rodriguez Fausto J. , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Li Xingde
Published: June 2015

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can distinguish cancer from noncancer tissue in vivo in rodent models of human brain cancer and ex vivo in fresh human brain cancer specimens with high sensitivity and specificity.
MIF: A harbinger of evil
Authors: Lalazar Gadi
Published: June 2015

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in pancreatic cancer exosomes initiates a premetastatic niche in the liver.
Functional Operons in Secondary Metabolic Gene Clusters in
Glarea lozoyensis
(Fungi, Ascomycota, Leotiomycetes)
Authors: Yue Qun , Chen Li , Li Yan , Bills Gerald F. , Zhang Xinyu , Xiang Meichun , Li Shaojie , Che Yongsheng , Wang Chengshu , Niu Xuemei , An Zhiqiang , Liu Xingzhong
Published: June 2015

Operons are multigene transcriptional units which occur mostly in prokaryotes but rarely in eukaryotes. Protein-coding operons have not been reported in the Fungi even though they represent a very diverse kingdom of organisms. Here, we report a functional operon involved in the secondary metabolism of the fungus
Glarea lozoyensis
belonging to Leotiomycetes (Ascomycota). Two contiguous genes,
glpks3
and
glnrps7
, encoding polyketide synthase and nonribosomal peptide synthetase, respectively, are cotranscribed into one dicistronic mRNA under the control of the same promoter, and the mRNA is then translated into two individual proteins, GLPKS3 and GLNRPS7. Heterologous expression in
Aspergillus nidulans
shows that the GLPKS3-GLNRPS7 enzyme complex catalyzes the biosynthesis of a novel pyrrolidinedione-containing compound, xenolozoyenone (compound 1), which indicates the operon is functional. Although it is structurally similar to prokaryotic operons, the
glpks3-glnrps7
operon locus has a monophylogenic origin from fungi rather than having been horizontally transferred from prokaryotes. Moreover, two additional operons,
glpks28-glnrps8
and
glpks29-glnrps9
, were verified at the transcriptional level in the same fungus. This is the first report of protein-coding operons in a member of the Fungi.

IMPORTANCE
Operons are multigene transcriptional units which occur mostly in prokaryotes but rarely in eukaryotes. Three operon-like gene structures for secondary metabolism that were discovered in the filamentous fungus
Glarea lozoyensis
are the first examples of protein-coding operons identified in a member of the Fungi. Among them, the
glpks3-glnrps7
operon is responsible for the biosynthesis of xenolozoyenone, which is a novel tetramic acid-containing compound. Although structurally similar to prokaryotic operons, the
glpks3-glnrps7
operon locus did not result from horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes. In addition, operonlike structures have been predicted
in silico
to be common in other fungi. The common occurrence and operonlike structure in fungi provide evolutionary insight and essential data for eukaryotic gene transcription.
Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Emery Carolyn A , Roy Thierry-Olivier , Whittaker Jackie L , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , van Mechelen Willem
Published: June 2015

Youth have very high participation and injury rates in sport. Sport is the leading cause of injury in youth. Sport injury reduces future participation in physical activity which adversely affects future health. Sport injury may lead to overweight/obesity and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The objective of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of injury prevention neuromuscular training strategies in youth sport. Three electronic databases were systematically searched up to September 2014. Studies selected met the following criteria: original data; analytic prospective design; investigated a neuromuscular training prevention strategy intervention(s) and included outcomes for injury sustained during sport participation. Two authors assessed the quality of evidence using Downs and Black (DB) criteria. Meta-analyses including randomised controlled trials only (RCTs) to ensure study design homogeneity were completed for lower extremity and knee injury outcomes. Of 2504 potentially relevant studies, 25 were included. Meta-analysis revealed a combined preventative effect of neuromuscular training in reducing the risk of lower extremity injury (incidence rate ratio: IRR=0.64 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.84)). Though not statistically significant, the point estimate suggests a protective effect of such programmes in reducing the risk of knee injury (IRR=0.74 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.07)). There is evidence for the effectiveness of neuromuscular training strategies in the reduction of injury in numerous team sports. Lack of uptake and ongoing maintenance of such programmes is an ongoing concern. A focus on implementation is critical to influence knowledge, behaviour change and sustainability of evidence informed injury prevention practice.
Proposed methodology and classification of Infarct in New Territory (INT) after endovascular stroke treatment
Authors: Goyal Mayank , Menon Bijoy K , Demchuk Andrew , Saver Jeffrey L , Eesa Muneer , Majoie Charles , Jayaraman Mahesh , Hill Michael D
Published: June 2015

While the overall complication rates for endovascular treatment for acute stroke has been extremely low in recent trials, it is important to separate out and accurately document complications. One of these complications that is usually related to the endovascular intervention is Infarct in New Territory (INT). We propose a standardized methodology for documenting INT after the procedure. This new classification takes into account variations in vascular anatomy and location of the occlusion. In addition, given that after the recent trials, vascular imaging (eg, CT angiography (CTA)) is now the standard of care in the work up of acute ischemic stroke, this classification utilizes the information on the pre-procedure non-invasive vascular imaging, the angiography images from end of procedure and the location of lesions on the follow-up scan.