bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution and feeding habitat characterization of whale sharks Rhincodon typus in a protected area in the north Caribbean Sea
Authors: Cárdenas‐Palomo N. , Herrera‐Silveira J. , Velázquez‐Abunader I. , Reyes O. , Ordoñez U.
Published: December 2014

The relationship between the distribution of the whale shark Rhincodon typus and hydrobiological variables in the Caribbean Sea during 2005–2009 was analysed. Monthly trips were made to the R. typus aggregation area during the months when this species is present in the region (May to September) to record sightings and hydrological data and to collect samples to determine nutrients, chlorophyll a (Chl a) and zooplankton biomass. A total of 2104 R. typus were counted and three zones of high abundance were identified: Cabo‐Catoche, Contoy (both within the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve, WSBR) and the zone knows as Afuera. The zones of greatest R. typus density within the WSBR were characterized by high Chl a concentrations (median: 1·1 mg m−3, interpercentile range: 0·5–1·8 mg m−3) and high nutrient concentrations, such as ammonium (median: 2·5 µmol l−1, interpercentile range: 0·5–6·4 µmol l−1), due to the influence of local upwelling. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to explore the relationship between R. typus distribution and the environmental variables inside WSBR. Zooplankton biomass was the most influential environmental variable, supporting the close relationship between R. typus distribution and biological productivity. Copepods were the dominant zooplankton group within the WSBR. In the Afuera zone, there were large R. typus aggregations (>80 individuals) associated with zooplankton dominated by fish eggs and significantly higher mean ± s.d. biomass (3356·1 ± 1960·8 mg m−3) compared with that recorded inside the WSBR (103·5 ± 57·2 mg m−3). The differences among zones generated changes in R. typus distribution patterns and provided opportunities to develop local management strategies for this species.
Techniques for RNA in vivo imaging in plants
Authors: TILSNER JENS
Published: December 2014

Since the discovery of small RNAs and RNA silencing, RNA biology has taken a centre stage in cell and developmental biology. Small RNAs, but also mRNAs and other types of cellular and viral RNAs are processed at specific subcellular localizations. To fully understand cellular RNA metabolism and the various processes influenced by it, techniques are required that permit the sequence‐specific tracking of RNAs in living cells. A variety of methods for RNA visualization have been developed since the 1990s, but plant cells pose particular challenges and not all approaches are applicable to them. On the other hand, plant RNA metabolism is particularly diverse and RNAs are even transported between cells, so RNA imaging can potentially provide many valuable insights into plant function at the cellular and tissue level. This Short Review briefly introduces the currently available techniques for plant RNA in vivo imaging and discusses their suitability for different biological questions.
The Invention of Work in Modernity: Hegel, Marx, and Weber
Authors: Just Daniel
Published: December 2014

In the modern era, a wide range of human activities has been redefined as work. This essay traces a genealogy of the modern conception of work, from early Protestant ethic of work as worship of God, through secularization of this ethic and the emergence of the idea of progress, to the later model of work as personal duty and source of stability. Analyzing Hegel, Marx, and Weber's interpretations of the growing centrality of work in the modern epoch, as well as later reflections on these interpretations by Kojève, Arendt, and Foucault, the paper argues that in modernity work is no longer a mere instrument of power and tool for repressing human life, but a mode of power of its own accord: a privileged means of shaping life by cultivating and regulating its productive potential. Modern society is reorganized according to the principles of productivity, efficiency, and economic welfare of population as a whole that recalibrate individual existence and posit virtually all activities as a form of work.
Quantification of Global Cerebral Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis from 3T MRI Using SPM: The Role of Misclassification Errors
Authors: Dell’Oglio Elisa , Ceccarelli Antonia , Glanz Bonnie I. , Healy Brian C. , Tauhid Shahamat , Arora Ashish , Saravanan Nikila , Bruha Matthew J. , Vartanian Alexander V. , Dupuy Sheena L. , Benedict Ralph H.B. , Bakshi Rohit , Neema Mohit
Published: December 2014

PURPOSE

We tested the validity of a freely available segmentation pipeline to measure compartmental brain volumes from 3T MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our primary focus was methodological to explore the effect of segmentation corrections on the clinical relevance of the output metrics.

METHODS

Three‐dimensional T1‐weighted images were acquired to compare 61 MS patients to 30 age‐ and gender‐matched normal controls (NC). We also tested the within patient MRI relationship to disability (eg, expanded disability status scale [EDSS] score) and cognition. Statistical parametric mapping v. 8 (SPM8)‐derived gray matter (GMF), white matter (WMF), and total brain parenchyma fractions (BPF) were derived before and after correcting errors from T1 hypointense MS lesions and/or ineffective deep GM contouring.

RESULTS

MS patients had lower GMF and BPF as compared to NC (P<.05). Cognitively impaired patients had lower BPF than cognitively preserved patients (P<.05). BPF was related to EDSS; BPF and GMF were related to disease duration (all P<.05). Errors caused bias in GMFs and WMFs but had no discernable influence on BPFs or any MRI‐clinical associations.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the validity of a segmentation pipeline for the detection of MS‐related brain atrophy with 3T MRI. Longitudinal studies are warranted to extend these results.
The evolutionary dynamics of postcolonial Englishes: A Hong Kong case study
Authors: Evans Stephen
Published: December 2014

Schneider's () ground‐breaking Dynamic Model is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and coherent theory to account for the evolution of postcolonial Englishes, but has yet to be validated by evidence from detailed historical research. This article seeks to bridge this gap by presenting an empirically‐grounded case study of the evolution of Hong Kong English based on the four parameters in Schneider's () framework, viz. sociopolitical background, identity constructions, sociolinguistic conditions, and linguistic effects. Whereas previous applications of the framework have relied on synchronic data, this study draws on sets of primary data spanning 170 years. These diachronic datasets make it possible to demarcate distinct phases in the use of English in society and the evolution of its community of users. The study casts doubt on the accuracy of Schneider's account of the evolution of Hong Kong English and, more generally, the applicability of the Dynamic Model to Outer Circle contexts.
Paradoxical (REM) sleep deprivation in mice using the small‐platforms‐over‐water method: polysomnographic analyses and melanin‐concentrating hormone and hypocretin/orexin neuronal activation before, during and after deprivation
Authors: Arthaud Sebastien , Varin Christophe , Gay Nadine , Libourel Paul‐Antoine , Chauveau Frederic , Fort Patrice , Luppi Pierre‐Herve , Peyron Christelle
Published: December 2014

Studying paradoxical sleep homeostasis requires the specific and efficient deprivation of paradoxical sleep and the evaluation of the subsequent recovery period. With this aim, the small‐platforms‐over‐water technique has been used extensively in rats, but only rare studies were conducted in mice, with no sleep data reported during deprivation. Mice are used increasingly with the emergence of transgenic mice and technologies such as optogenetics, raising the need for a reliable method to manipulate paradoxical sleep. To fulfil this need, we refined this deprivation method and analysed vigilance states thoroughly during the entire protocol. We also studied activation of hypocretin/orexin and melanin‐concentrating hormone neurones using Fos immunohistochemistry to verify whether mechanisms regulating paradoxical sleep in mice are similar to those in rats. We showed that 48 h of deprivation was highly efficient, with a residual amount of paradoxical sleep of only 2.2%. Slow wave sleep and wake quantities were similar to baseline, except during the first 4 h of deprivation, where slow wave sleep was strongly reduced. After deprivation, we observed a 124% increase in paradoxical sleep quantities during the first hour of rebound. In addition, 34% of hypocretin/orexin neurones were activated during deprivation, whereas melanin‐concentrated hormone neurones were activated only during paradoxical sleep rebound. Corticosterone level showed a twofold increase after deprivation and returned to baseline level after 4 h of recovery. In summary, a fairly selective deprivation and a significant rebound of paradoxical sleep can be obtained in mice using the small‐platforms‐over‐water method. As in rats, rebound is accompanied by a selective activation of melanin‐concentrating hormone neurones.
Virologic response and haematologic toxicity of boceprevir‐ and telaprevir‐containing regimens in actual clinical settings
Authors: Butt A. A. , Yan P. , Shaikh O. S. , Freiberg M. S. , Lo Re V. , Justice A. C. , Sherman K. E. ,   the ERCHIVES (Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans) Study Team
Published: December 2014

Effectiveness, safety and tolerability of boceprevir (BOC) and telaprevir (TPV) in actual clinical settings remain unknown. We determined rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and haematologic adverse effects among persons treated with BOC‐ or TPV‐containing regimens, compared with pegylated interferon/ribavirin (PEG/RBV). Using an established cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected persons, Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans (ERCHIVES), we identified those treated with a BOC‐ or TPV‐containing regimen and HCV genotype 1‐infected controls treated with PEG/RBV. We excluded those with HIV coinfection and missing HCV RNA values to determine SVR. Primary endpoints were SVR (undetectable HCV RNA ≥12 weeks after treatment completion) and haematologic toxicity (grade 3/4 anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia). We evaluated 2288 persons on BOC‐, 409 on TPV‐containing regimen and 6308 on PEG/RBV. Among these groups, respectively, 31%, 43% and 9% were treatment‐experienced; 17%, 37% and 14% had baseline cirrhosis; 63%, 54% and 48% were genotype 1a. SVR rates among noncirrhotics were as follows: treatment naïve: 65% (BOC), 67% (TPV) and 31% (PEG/RBV); treatment experienced: 57% (BOC), 54% (TPV) and 13% (PEG/RBV); (P‐value not significant for BOC vs TPV; P < 0.0001 for BOC or TPV vs PEG/RBV). Haematologic toxicities among BOC‐, TPV‐ and PEG/RBV‐treated groups were as follows: grade 3/4 anaemia 7%, 11% and 3%; grade 4 thrombocytopenia 2.2%, 5.4% and 1.7%; grade 4 neutropenia 8.2%, 5.6% and 3.4%. SVR rates are higher and closer to those reported in pivotal clinical trials among BOC‐ and TPV‐treated persons compared with PEG/RBV‐treated persons. Haematologic adverse events are frequent, but severe toxicity is uncommon.
Application of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in a European setting. What can we learn from clinical practice?
Authors: Edenvik Pia , Davidsdottir Loa , Oksanen Antti , Isaksson Bengt , Hultcrantz Rolf , Stål Per
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis is recommended in clinical guidelines. In real‐life management, surveillance rates below 20% have been reported from the United States. We aimed to determine the use of HCC‐surveillance in patients diagnosed with HCC in a European setting, and to identify the reasons for surveillance failures.

Methods

Age, gender, tumour characteristics, BCLC classification, Child–Pugh stage, pre‐existing liver disease, treatment, survival, frequency of HCC surveillance and reasons for surveillance failures were retrospectively determined in 616 patients diagnosed with HCC at Karolinska University Hospital 2005‐2012.

Results

Hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were the most common diagnoses. The proportion of HCC patients diagnosed through surveillance was 22%. In 35% of cases, surveillance was missed due to doctor′s failure to order surveillance or to diagnose the underlying liver disease. Diagnosis of NAFLD or alcoholic liver disease increased the risk of not receiving surveillance more than two‐fold. Undiagnosed liver disease was most common in NAFLD patients. Patients who underwent surveillance had smaller tumours, more frequently received curative treatment, and had better survival compared to those in whom surveillance was indicated but missed.

Conclusion

In a European setting, only 22% of HCCs were diagnosed by surveillance, and in more than one‐third of cases, surveillance was indicated but missed. NAFLD and alcoholic liver disease were associated with deficient surveillance. Survival was significantly better in patients who underwent surveillance compared with those in whom surveillance was missed although indicated.
Safely expanding the donor pool: brain dead donors with history of temporary cardiac arrest
Authors: Hoyer Dieter P. , Paul Andreas , Saner Fuat , Gallinat Anja , Mathé Zoltan , Treckmann Juergen W. , Schulze Maren , Kaiser Gernot M. , Canbay Ali , Molmenti Ernesto , Sotiropoulos Georgios C.
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims

Cardiac arrest (CA) in deceased organ donors can potentially be associated with ischaemic organ injury, resulting in allograft dysfunction after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of cardiac arrest in liver donors.

Methods

We evaluated 884 consecutive adult patients undergoing LT at our Institution from September 2003 to December 2011. Uni‐ and multivariable analyses was performed to identify predictive factors of outcome and survival for organs from donors with (CA donor) and without (no CA donor) a history of cardiac arrest.

Results

We identified 77 (8.7%) CA donors. Median resuscitation time was 16.5 (1–150) minutes. Allografts from CA donors had prolonged CIT (p = 0.016), were obtained from younger individuals (p < 0.001), and had higher terminal preprocurement AST and ALT (p < 0.001) than those of no CA donors. 3‐month, 1‐year and 5‐year survival for recipients of CA donor grafts was 79%, 76% and 57% and 72.1%, 65.1% and 53% for no CA donor grafts (log rank p = 0.435). Peak AST after LT was significantly lower in CA donor organs than in no CA donor ones (886U/l vs 1321U/l; p = 0.031). Multivariable analysis identified CIT as a risk factor for both patient and graft survival in CA donors.

Conclusion

This analysis represents the largest cohort of liver donors with a history of cardiac arrest. Reasonable selection of these donors constitutes a safe approach to the expansion of the donor pool. Rapid allocation and implantation with diminution of CIT may further improve the outcomes of livers from CA donors.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in Caucasian patients with non‐viral cirrhosis: the importance of prior obesity
Authors: Archambeaud Isabelle , Auble Hélène , Nahon Pierre , Planche Lucie , Fallot Guillaume , Faroux Roger , Gournay Jérôme , Samuel Didier , Kury Sebastien , Féray Cyrille
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims

In patients with cirrhosis, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends upon age, gender and the etiology of liver disease. Few studies are available in Caucasian patients with alcoholic or metabolic cirrhosis without viral hepatitis.

Methods

Cross‐sectional clinical data from 905 HCV‐ and HBV‐negative Caucasian patients with alcoholic or metabolic cirrhosis were prospectively collected in four French centres. The risk factors for HCC were identified by logistic regression analysis in the whole population and in a nested case–control study.

Results

The etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic (48%), metabolic (7%) or mixed (45%). Patients were predominantly male (80%), mean age 62 years old and 31% had HCC. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27 ± 5 and 30% were obese at inclusion. The maximum BMI reached throughout life was 31 ± 6 and 63% had been obese. Ninety percent of the population had daily alcohol consumption, 73% were smokers.

Hepatocellular carcinoma was independently related to male gender (P < 0.0001), older age (P < 0.0001), past obesity (P = 0.007), diabetes (P = 0.037), abnormal levels of transaminases (P < 0.0001) and tobacco consumption (P = 0.007). The case–control study (200 HCC cases matched with 400 non‐HCC cases for gender, age and Child‐Pugh score) confirmed past obesity, tobacco and abnormal levels of transaminases.

Conclusions

Beside diabetes, male gender and age, a past history of obesity, but not an existing overweight, as well as exposure to tobacco and elevated transaminases were three risk factors which could improve the strategy for HCC screening in Caucasian cirrhotic patients without hepatitis B or C.
RNA‐seq reveals regional differences in transcriptome response to heat stress in the marine snail Chlorostoma funebralis
Authors: Gleason Lani U. , Burton Ronald S.
Published: December 2014

To investigate the role of gene expression in adaptation of marine ectotherms to different temperatures, we examined the transcriptome‐wide thermal stress response in geographically separated populations of the intertidal snail Chlorostoma funebralis. Snails from two southern (heat tolerant) and two northern (heat sensitive) populations were acclimated to a common thermal environment, exposed to an environmentally relevant thermal stress and analysed using RNA‐seq. Pooling across all populations revealed 306 genes with differential expression between control and heat‐stressed samples, including 163 significantly upregulated and 143 significantly downregulated genes. When considered separately, regional differences in response were widely apparent. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) were upregulated in both regions, but the magnitude of response was significantly greater in northern populations for most Hsp70s, while the southern populations showed greater upregulation for approximately half of the Hsp40s. Of 177 stress‐responsive genes in northern populations, 55 responded to heat stress only in northern populations. Several molecular chaperones and antioxidant genes that were not differentially expressed in southern populations showed higher expression under control conditions compared with northern populations. This suggests that evolution of elevated expression of these genes under benign conditions preadapts the southern populations to frequent heat stress and contributes to their higher thermal tolerance. These results indicate that evolution has resulted in different transcriptome responses across populations, including upregulation of genes in response to stress and preadaptation of genes in anticipation of stress (based on evolutionary history of frequent heat exposure). The relative importance of the two mechanisms differs among gene families and among populations.
Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion injectisomes form regularly spaced clusters, which incorporate new machines upon activation
Authors: Kudryashev Mikhail , Diepold Andreas , Amstutz Marlise , Armitage Judith P. , Stahlberg Henning , Cornelis Guy R.
Published: December 2014

Bacterial type III secretion systems or injectisomes are multiprotein complexes directly transporting bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells. To investigate the distribution of injectisomes in the bacterium and the influence of activation of the system on that distribution, we combined in vivo fluorescent imaging and high‐resolution in situ visualization of Yersinia enterocolitica injectisomes by cryo‐electron tomography. Fluorescence microscopy showed the injectisomes as regularly distributed spots around the bacterial cell. Under secreting conditions (absence of Ca2+), the intensity of single spots significantly increased compared with non‐secreting conditions (presence of Ca2+), in line with an overall up‐regulation of expression levels of all components. Single injectisomes observed by cryo‐electron tomography tended to cluster at distances less than 100 nm, suggesting that the observed fluorescent spots correspond to evenly distributed clusters of injectisomes, rather than single injectisomes. The up‐regulation of injectisome components led to an increase in the number of injectisomes per cluster rather than the formation of new clusters. We suggest that injectisome clustering may allow more effective secretion into the host cells.
Vibrational spectroscopy of fossils
Authors: Olcott Marshall Alison , Marshall Craig P.
Published: December 2014

Over the last two decades, there has an been increasing interest in applying vibrational spectroscopy in palaeontological research. For example, this chemical analytical technique has been used to elucidate the chemical composition of a wide variety of fossils, including Archaean putative microfossils, stromatolites, chitinozoans, acritarchs, fossil algae, fossil plant cuticles, putative fossil arthropods, conodonts, scolecodonts and dinosaur bones. The insights provided by these data have been equally far ranging: to taxonomically identify a fossil, to determine biogenicity of a putative fossil, to identify preserved biologically synthesized compounds and to elucidate the preservational mechanisms of fossil material. Vibrational spectroscopy has clearly been a useful tool for investigating various palaeontological problems. However, it is also a tool that has been misapplied and misinterpreted, and thus, this review is dedicated to providing a palaeontologist who is new to vibrational spectroscopy with a basic understanding of these techniques, and the types of chemical information that can be obtained. Two example applications of these techniques are discussed in detail, one looking into fossil palynomorph taxonomy and other into the enigmatic Burgess Shale‐type preservation.
Genome‐wide identification of candidate phosphate starvation responsive genes and the development of intron length polymorphism markers in maize
Authors: He Chunmeng , Liu Hailan , Su Shunzong , Lu Yanli , Luo Bowen , Nie Zhi , Wu Ling , Liu Dan , Zhang Xiao , Rong Tingzhao , Gao Shibin
Published: December 2014

To develop genetic markers associated with tolerance to low phosphorus, we identified candidate phosphate starvation responsive (PSR) genes and developed their intron length polymorphism (ILP) markers in maize on a genome‐wide scale. Based on the known plant PSR genes, 161 candidate PSR genes were identified. Of these genes, 138 genes contained at least one intron and were then used to develop 606 PSR‐ILP markers by designing PCR primers to the intron‐flanking exonic regions. PCR evaluation was performed on 43 randomly selected PSR‐ILP markers in 30 maize inbred lines. Of the primers, 88.4% amplified stable and pure products in all maize inbred lines, and 53.5% of the markers showed ILP, with PIC values ranging from 0.06 to 0.80. The result of clustering analysis of the 30 maize inbred lines, based on the polymorphism of 23 ILP markers, suggests that the ILP markers developed in this study are not only efficient for genetic diversity analysis but also potentially useful for marker assisted selection for tolerance to low phosphorus.
Motion blur disturbs – the influence of motion‐blurred images in photogrammetry
Authors: Sieberth T. , Wackrow R. , Chandler J. H.
Published: December 2014

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become an interesting and active research topic for photogrammetry. Current research is based on images acquired by UAVs which have a high ground resolution and good spectral resolution due to low flight altitudes combined with a high‐resolution camera. One of the main problems preventing full automation of data processing of UAV imagery is the unknown degradation effect of blur caused by camera movement during image acquisition. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of blur on photogrammetric image processing. Images with precisely known motion blur were produced to determine the effect. It was found that even small blurs affect normal photogrammetric processes significantly. Although operator intervention might be time consuming, it can ensure that the results are still of acceptable accuracy.
Public Incentives, Market Motivations, and Contaminated Properties: New Public Management and Brownfield Liability Reform
Authors: Eckerd Adam , Heidelberg Roy L.
Published: December 2014

Brownfields pose challenges to both communities and policy makers. Public funds are insufficient to remediate these contaminated sites, but, given the uncertainty of contamination and the complexity of liability, private interests are reluctant to become involved for fear of future litigation. From a New Public Management perspective, market incentives can be used to encourage private sector remediation of sites. However, this change implies a shift in administrative function from regulation to “getting the incentives right.” In this research, the authors investigate whether state and federal reforms aimed at increasing private sector involvement have actually done so, and they consider the implications for other goals of brownfield remediation, such as providing economic development assistance in communities where such change is needed. Findings show that developers respond to insurance and tax incentives, but the authors question whether public incentives are making unattractive redevelopment opportunities worth investing in or simply making profitable redevelopment opportunities more profitable.
The Control of Reactive Oxygen Species Influences Porcine Oocyte In Vitro Maturation
Authors: Alvarez GM , Morado SA , Soto MP , Dalvit GC , Cetica PD
Published: December 2014

Contents

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of varying intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during oocyte in vitro maturation with enzymatic ROS production systems (xanthine + xanthine oxidase or xanthine + xanthine oxidase + catalase), scavenger systems (catalase or superoxide dismutase + catalase) or cysteine on porcine oocyte maturation. Oocyte ROS levels showed an increase when H2O2 or O2∙‐ production systems were added to the culture medium (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the presence of ROS scavengers in the maturation medium did not modify oocyte ROS levels compared with the control after 48 h of maturation, but the addition of cysteine induced a decrease in oocyte ROS levels (p < 0.05). The ROS production systems used in this work did not modified the percentage of oocyte nuclear maturation, but increased the decondensation of sperm head (p < 0.05) and decreased the pronuclear formation (p < 0.05). In turn, the addition of O2∙‐ and H2O2 scavenging systems during in vitro maturation did not modify the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II nor the oocytes with decondensed sperm head or pronuclei after fertilization. However, both parameters increased in the presence of cysteine (p < 0.05). The exogenous generation of O2∙‐ and H2O2 during oocyte in vitro maturation would not affect nuclear maturation or later sperm penetration, but most of the spermatozoa cannot progress to form the pronuclei after fusion with the oocyte. The decrease in endogenous ROS levels by the addition of cysteine would improve pronuclear formation after sperm penetration.
The Intensity and Shape of Inequality: The ABG Method of Distributional Analysis
Authors: Chauvel Louis
Published: December 2014

Inequality is anisotropic: its intensity varies by income level. We here develop a new tool, the isograph, to focus on local inequality and illustrate these variations. This method yields three coefficients which summarize the shape of inequality: a main coefficient, α, which measures inequality at the median; and two correction coefficients, β and γ, which pick up any differential curvature at the top and bottom of the distribution. The analysis of a set of 232 microdata samples from 41 different countries in the LIS datacenter archive allows us to provide a systematic overview of the properties of the ABG (α β γ) coefficients, which are compared to a set of standard indices including Atkinson indices, generalized entropy, Wolfson polarization, and the GB2 distribution. This method also provides a smoothing tool that reveals the differences in the shape of distributions (the strobiloid) and how these have changed over time.
Nature, origin and evolution of a Late Pleistocene incised valley‐fill, Sunda Shelf, Southeast Asia
Authors: Alqahtani Faisal A. , Johnson Howard D. , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Som Mohd Rapi B.
Published: December 2014

Understanding the stratigraphic fill and reconstructing the palaeo‐hydrology of incised valleys can help to constrain those factors that controlled their origin, evolution and regional significance. This condition is addressed through the analysis of a large (up to 18 km wide by 80 m deep) and exceptionally well‐imaged Late Pleistocene incised valley from the Sunda Shelf (South China Sea) based on shallow three‐dimensional seismic data from a large (11 500 km2), ‘merge’ survey, supplemented with site survey data (boreholes and seismic). This approach has enabled the characterization of the planform geometry, cross‐sectional area and internal stratigraphic architecture, which together allow reconstruction of the palaeo‐hydrology. The valley‐fill displays five notable stratigraphic features: (i) it is considerably larger than other seismically resolvable channel forms and can be traced for at least 180 km along its length; (ii) it is located in the axial part of the Malay Basin; (iii) the youngest part of the valley‐fill is dominated by a large (600 m wide and 23 m deep), high‐sinuosity channel, with well‐developed lateral accretion surfaces; (iv) the immediately adjacent interfluves contain much smaller, dendritic channel systems, which resemble tributaries that drained into the larger incised valley system; and (v) a ca 16 m thick, shell‐bearing, Holocene clay caps the valley‐fill. The dimension, basin location and palaeo‐hydrology of this incised valley leads to the conclusion that it represents the trunk river, which flowed along the length of the Malay Basin; it connected the Gulf of Thailand in the north with the South China Sea in the south‐east. The length of the river system (>1200 km long) enables examination of the upstream to downstream controls on the evolution of the incised valley, including sea‐level, climate and tectonics. The valley size, orientation and palaeo‐hydrology suggest close interaction between the regional tectonic framework, low‐angle shelf physiography and a humid‐tropical climatic setting.
‘We Will Re‐Member Them’: Muslims in the Great War Semi‐Centenary
Authors: Tinsley Meghan
Published: December 2014

In August 1964, the semi‐centenary of the First World War's onset coincided with uncertainty about Britain's future: decolonization had resulted in a diminished role in the international sphere, and migration had begun to alter the dominant ethnic and religious character of the metropolis. Britons increasingly confronted the question of what it meant to belong to the postcolonial nation. In this context, First World War commemorations served a twofold purpose: first, they revised prior representations of colonial subjects in the war, in light of contemporary realities; and second, they served as an outlet for imperial nostalgia. This article considers the relationship between race, nation, and collective memory by analysing representations of Muslim colonial subjects in the 1964 BBC documentary, The Great War. A content analysis aims to explain how Britain's evolving collective memory reveals its dominant national identity and, by extension, its willingness to accommodate postcolonial newcomers.
A new ABCG2 null allele with a 27‐kb deletion including the promoter region causing the Jr(a−) phenotype
Authors: Ogasawara Kenichi , Osabe Takahiro , Suzuki Yumi , Tsuneyama Hatsue , Isa Kazumi , Kawai Miho , Obara Kumi , Ogiyama Yoshiko , Ito Shoichi , Uchikawa Makoto , Satake Masahiro , Tadokoro Kenji
Published: December 2014

Background

The high‐prevalence antigen Jra is carried on the ATP‐binding cassette transporter ABCG2. The ABCG2 gene consists of 16 exons and its translation start codon is located on the second exon. Although the occurrence of the Jr(a−) phenotype is rare, several ABCG2 null alleles have been reported. We report a new ABCG2 null allele having a large deletion in this study.

Study Design and Methods

The Jra status was determined by standard serologic tests and genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Exons 1 to 16 and the 5′‐untranslated region of the ABCG2 gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Expression of the ABCG2 protein on red blood cells was examined by immunoblotting.

Results

A Jr(a−) blood donor had a novel allele having a 27‐kb deletion including noncoding Exon 1 and the promoter region of ABCG2, and the donor was apparently homozygous for the allele. In addition, we found three more individuals having heterozygosity for the same allele, with ABCG2*01N.01 having c.376C>T (p.Q126X), but did not find the allele having the 27‐kb deletion in 3000 Jr(a+) individuals. Immunoblotting revealed that the ABCG2 protein was not found to be expressed in the individual with homozygosity for the ABCG2 27‐kb deleted and in two individuals with an ABCG2 27‐kb deleted/ABCG2*01N.01 genotype, which indirectly allows to conclude that the 27‐kb deletion is responsible for a null ABCG2 allele.

Conclusion

We first identified an ABCG2 null allele (provisional ISBT allele number ABCG2*01N.23) having a large deletion including the promoter region.
DETERMINATION OF BLOOD VOLUME IN DOG BY MEANS OF VISUALLY LABELLED ERYTHROCYTES
Authors: Nizet A.
Published: December 2014

A new technique is described for the measurement of circulating blood volume, using visually labelled erythrocytes. These elements are prepared by the action in vitro of phenylhydrazine on the erythrocytes. The granular elements remain in the circulating blood long enough to allow good mixing. Successive determinations in the same animal show good agreement. The average circulating blood volume of the normal dog is found to be 66 c.c. per kg. body‐weight.
Mechanism of stimulation of aortic chemoreceptors by natural stimuli and chemical substances
Authors: Paintal A. S.
Published: December 2014

1. Impulses were recorded in single fibres of aortic chemoreceptors of cats anaesthetized with chloralose. There was no demonstrable difference between the responses of the endings of medullated and non‐medullated fibres respectively to any of the natural stimuli, such as hypoxia, reduction in blood pressure, or reduction in O2 content. This indicates that the generator processes are qualitatively and quantitatively identical at the endings of both types of fibres.

2. Most of the endings were practically silent while ventilating the lungs with air. The maximum frequency of discharge averaged over 4‐10 sec while ventilating the lungs with 4% O2 ranged from 1·5 to 24 impulses/sec; in most fibres (twenty‐one out of twenty‐six endings) it was less than 12 impulses/sec.

3. All the chemoreceptors tested were considerably stimulated following administration of 0·2 or 2% CO at a time when the O2 content was greater than 4 ml./100 ml.

4. All the chemoreceptors were markedly and rapidly stimulated following circulatory arrest while the cat was ventilated with air. This stimulation fell considerably within 3 min of circulatory arrest. Very little or no excitation followed circulatory arrest while ventilating the cat with pure N2. These results suggest that excitation following circulatory arrest is not produced by a metabolite.

5. There was a remarkable difference between the sensitivities of endings of medullated and non‐medullated fibres to drugs. The former were either unaffected by relatively large doses of ACh (100‐200 μg) or phenyl diguanide, or if they were stimulated, the excitation so produced was much less than that produced in endings of non‐medullated fibres. This supports the hypothesis that drugs produce their effects by an action at the regenerative regions of the endings, i.e. regions where the nerve impulse is initiated (Paintal, 1964). It also indicates that ACh is not likely to be a transmitter in the normal processes of excitation of chemoreceptors.

6. A mechanism of stimulation of chemoreceptors not involving metabolites is presented.
Current spread in the smooth muscle of the guinea‐pig vas deferens
Authors: Tomita T.
Published: December 2014

1. The membrane polarization in response to intracellular stimulation and external stimulation, the junction potentials evoked by nerve and field stimulation and the spontaneous junction potentials were studied in the guinea‐pig vas deferens.

2. The responses to intracellular stimulation differed from those to external stimulation applied through a large electrode in the following ways: short time constant of the electrotonic potential; linearity of current—voltage relation; all‐or‐none spike only in a small proportion of the cells; high critical firing level; short latency; weak tendency for repetitive activity during depolarization; and sharp spatial decay of the response.

3. The difference between intracellular and external stimulation could be explained by differences in current distribution in the tissue, if many muscle fibres were aggregated in functional bundles, with three‐dimensional cell‐to‐cell connexions, so that the membrane near an intracellular stimulating electrode was shunted by a large area of surrounding membrane.

4. The time course of the junction potentials depended on the manner by which they were produced. The junction potential evoked by hypogastric nerve stimulation was recorded in every cell with almost the same amplitude. The spontaneous junction potential decayed very sharply with distance and the time course of the falling phase was about 10 times faster than that of the evoked junction potential.

The difference between the time course of the junction potentials was also explained by the difference in current distribution in the tissue.
The response of foetal sheep and lambs to pulmonary inflation
Authors: Hughes D. T. D. , Parker H. R. , Williams J. V.
Published: December 2014

1. Pulmonary inflation through a tracheostomy consistently produces an inspiratory response or gasp in the foetal lamb. This response is reversibly removed by vagal cooling or xylocaine local anaesthesia to the air passages. It is abolished by bilateral vagotomy. It is therefore suggested that this gasp response involves a reflex whose afferent pathway is in the vagus nerve.

2. This gasp reflex is also found in lambs aged 1 hr to 30 days.

3. Lambs and foetuses possess a cough reflex.

4. A Hering—Breuer inflation reflex can be demonstrated in lambs.

5. The gasp reflex is distinct from either of these last two.

6. The significance of the gasp reflex in pre‐ and post‐natal life is discussed.
The electrical properties of resting and secreting pancreas
Authors: Clark D. G. , Greenwell J. R. , Harper A. A. , Sankey Alison M. , Scratcherd T.
Published: December 2014

1. The electrical properties of the resting and stimulated pancreas have been studied in the anaesthetized cat. There is an inverse relationship between the frequency of applied alternating current and the resistivity and dielectric constant of the resting pancreas. The resistivity is also affected by the fat content of the gland. The impedance locus of the pancreas is similar to that of other tissues.

2. On intravenous injection of secretin there is a brief increase, followed by a more marked decrease, in conductance and capacitance of the pancreas. The phase of decreased conductance is related to the flow of pancreatic juice. The decrease in conductance and the flow rate can be characterized by two closely related empirical equations.

3. During secretin stimulation the sodium concentration in pancreatic tissue increases, and the potassium concentration falls.

4. It is tentatively suggested that the decreased conductance across the secreting gland is mostly due to swelling of the secretory cells and to a minor degree is the result of changes in the composition of the secretion in the pancreatic ducts.

5. In the anaesthetized cat the mean half life of the secretory action of secretin is 199 sec.
Responses of single units in the inferior olive to stimulation of the limb nerves, peripheral skin receptors, cerebellum, caudate nucleus and motor cortex
Authors: Sedgwick E. M. , Williams T. D.
Published: December 2014

1. Extra‐ and intracellular responses of single units in the inferior olive following stimulation of the cerebellum, limb nerves, skin receptors, the caudate nucleus and cerebral cortex have been described.

2. Responses following cerebellar stimulation were assumed to be antidromic spikes when they occurred after a latency of less than 4 msec and followed stimulus frequencies greater than 220/sec. Other responses with longer latencies were thought to be transynaptic. Evidence for recurrent inhibition of the Renshaw type is given.

3. Following limb nerve stimulation two types of units have been observed; units responding after a short latency and to stimulation of one limb only and units responding with a long latency following stimulation of one or more of the limbs.

4. Units responding to stimulation of the limb nerve after a short latency could often be excited by hair movement and/or light touch on the pads. Other units were excited by pinching and others could not be excited by a physiological stimulus. The receptive field of these units was small and there was no evidence of fringe inhibition.

5. Most units observed represented the contralateral forelimb but there was a significant number of units representing the ipsilateral limbs.

6. The caudato‐olivary pathway has been shown to be excitatory. Short latency limb units do not receive afferents from the caudate nucleus.

7. Afferents from the motor cortex excite units in the inferior olive. A remarkable correlation of latencies of responses from both the cerebral cortex and the limbs on to individual units has been described.

8. The results suggest a complex organization of neurones within the inferior olive. A possible plan of the organization of neurones is given and discussed.
The egress of oxygen from human HbO2 in solution and in the erythrocyte
Authors: Sirs John A.
Published: December 2014

1. Spectrophotometric measurements, using the rapid‐mixing constantflow and stopped‐flow techniques, have been made of the rate of egress of oxygen from human HbO2 in solution and in erythrocytes.

2. By 1:20 dilution in a medium containing a high concentration of carbon monoxide k4, the rate constant of the reaction Hb4O8 → Hb4O6+O2 has been determined. At pH 7·4 and 20° C, k4 in solution was 42·0 sec−1 and within the intact cell 41·4 sec−1. The respective activation energies were 19·3 and 18 kcal.

3. The rate of dissociation of HbO2 to Hb, after mixing an erythrocyte suspension with Na2S2O4, was identical, over at least 50% of the reaction, with the change of HbO2 to HbCO above.

4. An analysis of the data indicates that the cell membrane has little or no resistance to the passage of oxygen and the internal contents are effectively mixed.
Observations on the rhythmic variation in the cat carotid body chemoreceptor activity which has the same period as respiration
Authors: Biscoe T. J. , Purves M. J.
Published: December 2014

1. The activity in carotid body chemoreceptor afferent fibres in the cat has been recorded and found to have a rhythm with the same period as respiration.

2. This rhythm is not an artifact; it is not due to arterial pressure changes with respiration nor to cyclical changes in pulmonary venous admixture. It is caused by changes in blood gas tensions during each respiratory cycle.

3. The amplitude of the rhythm is modified by transient and long‐term changes in inspired oxygen or CO2 so that a rise or fall in O2 or CO2 tensions of arterial blood (Pa,O2, Pa,CO2) from the physiological range reduces it. The ratio of the rhythm amplitude to the mean rate of chemoreceptor discharge increases with Pa,O2 over the range 40‐240 mm Hg.

4. The rhythm is modified by changes in respiratory frequency and volume.

5. The fluctuations of arterial oxygen tension which have the same period as respiration are shown to be conducted up the vertebral artery at least as far as the vertebro‐occipital anastomosis.

6. It is proposed that the chemoreceptor rhythm reflects the moment to moment changes in blood gas tensions.
Factors affecting the cat carotid chemoreceptor and cervical sympathetic activity with special reference to passive hind‐limb movements
Authors: Biscoe T. J. , Purves M. J.
Published: December 2014

1. Recordings have been made of the activity in carotid body chemoreceptor afferent fibres and in the cervical sympathetic of the cat during passive movement of the hind limbs.

2. The chemoreceptor activity increases immediately the limbs are moved and is maintained at a raised level with preservation of the chemoreceptor rhythm fluctuations throughout. In some cases, the increase persists for a time after the movements are stopped.

3. This early change does not occur if the cervical sympathetic on the same side as the carotid body from which recordings are made is cut, nor does it occur if the femoral and sciatic nerves are cut.

4. The carotid artery oxygen tension (Pa, O2) increases early; in the majority of experiments, there was no significant change in end‐tidal PCO2 although the minute volume of ventilation (V̇) increased by about 20% of control with passive movement of the hind limbs.

5. Passive movement of the hind limbs also causes an immediate rise in cervical sympathetic activity which is sustained, and which is abolished if the femoral and sciatic nerves are cut.

6. Electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic causes an increase in chemoreceptor afferent discharge.

7. Bilateral cervical sympathectomy causes the respiratory lag to increase from approximately 1 sec to some 20 sec and, when passive movements cease, the fall in V̇ is more sluggish than control.

8. These results are discussed in the light of the controversy regarding humoral and neurogenic causes for the increase in respiration in exercise.
Carotid body chemoreceptor activity in the new‐born lamb
Authors: Biscoe T. J. , Purves M. J.
Published: December 2014

1. Tidal volume, carotid artery oxygen tension (Pa,O2) and blood pressure and chemoreceptor activity in the sinus nerve have been continuously measured and recorded in nine lambs anaesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium, and varying in age from some minutes after birth to 5 days after birth.

2. Inhalation of 100% oxygen caused, after a delay of 3‐4 sec, a rise in Pa,O2, a fall in minute ventilation (V̇) and chemoreceptor activity. The respiratory response was abolished after section of both sinus nerves.

3. Inhalation of 10% oxygen in nitrogen caused a fall in carotid Pa,O2, a rise in respiration and in chemoreceptor activity. The respiratory response was abolished after both sinus nerves had been cut.

4. Minute ventilation, carotid Pa,O2 and chemoreceptor activity increased on breathing 5% CO2 in air. Section of both sinus nerves did not affect the maximum increase in ventilation but the lag of the respiratory response approximately doubled while respiration increased more slowly.

5. From these results, it was calculated that the chemoreceptors had a latency of 0·25‐0·5 sec and the time constant of the rate of change of chemoreceptor activity was 10‐15 sec.

6. The chemoreceptors responded to changes in Pa,O2 of ±5‐10 mm Hg.

7. Comparison of these results with those reported in adult animals suggest that the peripheral chemoreceptors are fully mature at birth, that their response does not differ with the age of the lamb and that the carotid body chemoreceptors are concerned both in the mediation of the hypoxic drive to ventilation and in the respiratory response to inhaled CO2.