bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation and risks of introgression in the wild Coffea arabica gene pool in south‐western Ethiopian montane rainforests
Authors: Aerts Raf , Berecha Gezahegn , Gijbels Pieter , Hundera Kitessa , Van Glabeke Sabine , Vandepitte Katrien , Muys Bart , Roldán‐Ruiz Isabel , Honnay Olivier
Published: July 2012

The montane rainforests of SW Ethiopia are the primary centre of diversity of Coffea arabica and the origin of all Arabica coffee cultivated worldwide. This wild gene pool is potentially threatened by forest fragmentation and degradation, and by introgressive hybridization with locally improved coffee varieties. We genotyped 703 coffee shrubs from unmanaged and managed coffee populations, using 24 microsatellite loci. Additionally, we genotyped 90 individuals representing 23 Ethiopian cultivars resistant to coffee berry disease (CBD). We determined population genetic diversity, genetic structure, and admixture of cultivar alleles in the in situ gene pool. We found strong genetic differentiation between managed and unmanaged coffee populations, but without significant differences in within‐population genetic diversity. The widespread planting of coffee seedlings including CBD‐resistant cultivars most likely offsets losses of genetic variation attributable to genetic drift and inbreeding. Mixing cultivars with original coffee genotypes, however, leaves ample opportunity for hybridization and replacement of the original coffee gene pool, which already shows signs of admixture. In situ conservation of the wild gene pool of C. arabica must therefore focus on limiting coffee production in the remaining wild populations, as intensification threatens the genetic integrity of the gene pool by exposing wild genotypes to cultivars.
Building Communities of Practice: The Research Nurse Round Table
Authors: Larkin Mary E. , Griffith Catherine A. , Pitler Linda , Donahue Lauren , Sbrolla Amy
Published: July 2012

This paper shares the experience of establishing a research nurse forum aimed at knowledge sharing, problem solving, and community building from the perspective of a group of clinical research nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a tertiary care center in Boston, ­Massachusetts. We report on a sequence of developmental steps taken to create this forum as an example of best practice for research nurses. Logistical considerations, mission and goals, as well as outcomes and implications for practice are described, with the intent that others interested in building similar forums can replicate aspects of this model within their own practice settings. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 428–431
Development of a distributed rainfall‐run‐off/flood‐inundation simulation and economic risk assessment model
Authors: Kobayashi K. , Takara K.
Published: July 2012

A distributed rainfall‐run‐off/flood‐inundation (DRR/FI) simulation model is developed based on a one‐dimensional dynamic wave equation for river routing and a two‐dimensional shallow water equation for surface flow simulation. The DRR/FI model can be used in different ways with the prevailing 1D pathway kinematic wave‐based distributed rainfall‐run‐off model. The DRR/FI model is designed to simulate rainfall‐run‐off processes and dike‐break/inland water inundation processes in a catchment in an integrated manner. Additionally, a direct house/crop economic loss estimation model is integrated with the DRR/FI model. With the loss estimation model, the direct house/crop economic damage within the DRR/FI model domain can be estimated in currency all at once. The DRR/FI and economic risk estimation model are applied to the Sayogawa river catchment in Japan, which experienced a severe flood disaster on 9–10 August 2009. The simulated water level/discharge and inundation area values obtained using the DRR/FI model with radar‐composite and radar‐Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS) reanalysis data are in good agreement with the observations. The results also show the range of validity obtained using raw radar data for flood forecasting. Finally, estimation of the direct house/crop economic loss has been carried out. In the results, the economic loss for houses is estimated at 23.0 billion JPY and the crop loss at 0.67 billion JPY. These estimations are in fairly good agreement with the reported values of 18.5 billion and 0.245 billion JPY.
Psychological assessment of chemical injured war veterans compared to non‐chemical injured war veterans
Authors: Mohaghegh‐Motlagh Seyed‐Jafar , Arab Atieh , Momtazi Saeed , Musavi‐Nasab Seyed‐Nureddin , Saburi Amin
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Chemical weapons induce various and long‐lasting physical complications that can affect mental health. We assessed the psychiatric status of chemical and non‐chemical injured war veterans.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on chemical and non‐chemical war injured veterans. The Persian version of the Beck Depressive Inventory, Social Anxiety Scale and both the PTSD Checklist‐Military and Impact of Event Scale‐Revised were used for evaluation of psychiatric condition. Data were analyzed and compared using SPSS version 16 and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of clinical depression was 47.5% and 48.3%, for anxiety it was 11.3% and 7.9%, and for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) it was 40% and 28.1% in chemical and non‐chemical injured veterans, respectively. Depression, anxiety and PTSD prevalence and scales did not show any significant difference between chemical and non‐chemical war injured veterans (P < 0.05). There was a relationship between these variables and some factors, such as type of soldier dispatch by military organizations (P < 0.05) and their occupations (P < 0.05), but there was no relationship between these and accident time, literacy, and type of chemical agents (P > 0.05).

Discussion

In the literature, the mental health of civilians who have been exposed to chemical agents could be affected because of long‐term adverse consequences, but in the present study psychological condition did not show any difference between chemical and non‐chemical war injured veterans. Further investigation on veterans is necessary.
Molecular phylogeny of Ficus section Ficus in China based on four DNA regions
Authors: LI Hong‐Qing , WANG Shuang , CHEN Ji‐Yun , GUI Ping
Published: July 2012

Abstract  We carried out molecular phylogenetic analyses to examine the phylogenetic relationship of Ficus section Ficus (Moraceae) based on 22 species, 73 samples of the section, and 37 species, 41 samples representing other sections of Ficus. Four DNA sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and the plastid trnH‐psbA, psbK‐psbI, and atpF‐atpH intergenetic regions were selected. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods revealed that section Ficus was not monophyletic unless subsection Ficus was removed and that subsection Frutescentiae was monophyletic when excluding species such as F. tikoua Bureau, F. pedunculosa Miq., and F. neriifolia Sm. Ficus tikoua should be transferred from subgenus Ficus to subgenus Sycomorus. Ficus tuphapensis Drake should be transferred into subsection Frutescentiae from section Eriosycea. Our results also supported the placement of F. henryi Warb. ex Diels and F. subincisa Buch.‐Ham. ex Sm. in subgenus Sycidium.
Influence of In-Plane Dynamics of Thin Compression Rings on Friction in Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Baker C. E. , Theodossiades S. , Rahnejat H. , Fitzsimons B.
Published: July 2012

The compression ring-bore conjunction accounts for significant frictional parasitic losses relative to its size. The prerequisite to improving the tribological performance of this contact is a fundamental understanding of ring dynamics within the prevailing transient nature of the regime of lubrication. Studies reported thus far take into account ring-bore conformance based on static fitment of the ring within an out-of-round bore, whose out-of-circularity is affected by manufacturing processes, surface treatment, and assembly. The static fitment analyses presume quasi-static equilibrium between ring tension and gas pressure loading with generated conjunctional pressures. This is an implicit assumption of ring rigidity while in situ. The current analysis considers the global modal behavior of the ring as an eigenvalue problem, thus including its dynamic in-plane behavior in the tribological study of a mixed-hydrodynamic regime of lubrication. The results show that the contact transit time is shorter than that required for the ring to reach steady state condition. Hence, the conjunction is not only subject to transience on account of changing contact kinematics and varied combustion loading, but also subject to perpetual ring transient dynamics. This renders the ring-bore friction a more complex problem than usually assumed in idealized ring fitment analyses. An interesting finding of the analysis is increased ring-bore clearance at and in the vicinity of top dead center, which reduces the ring-sealing effect and suggests a possible increase in blow-by. The current analysis, integrating ring in-plane modal dynamics and mixed regime of lubrication, includes salient features, which are a closer representation of practice, an approach which has not hitherto been reported in literature.
Three-Dimensional Static Modeling of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Karadogan Ernur , Williams Robert L.
Published: July 2012

This paper presents three-dimensional static modeling of the human lumbar spine to be used in the formation of anatomically-correct movement patterns for a fully cable-actuated robotic lumbar spine which can mimic in vivo human lumbar spine movements to provide better hands-on training for medical students. The mathematical model incorporates five lumbar vertebrae between the first lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, with dimensions of an average adult human spine. The vertebrae are connected to each other by elastic elements, torsional springs and a spherical joint located at the inferoposterior corner in the mid-sagittal plane of the vertebral body. Elastic elements represent the ligaments that surround the facet joints and the torsional springs represent the collective effect of intervertebral disc which plays a major role in balancing torsional load during upper body motion and the remaining ligaments that support the spinal column. The elastic elements and torsional springs are considered to be nonlinear. The nonlinear stiffness constants for six motion types were solved using a multiobjective optimization technique. The quantitative comparison between the angles of rotations predicted by the proposed model and in the experimental data confirmed that the model yields angles of rotation close to the experimental data. The main contribution is that the new model can be used for all motions while the experimental data was only obtained at discrete measurement points.
On the Infusion of a Therapeutic Agent Into a Solid Tumor Modeled as a Poroelastic Medium
Authors: Bottaro Alessandro , Ansaldi Tobias
Published: July 2012

The direct infusion of an agent into a solid tumor, modeled as a spherical poroelastic material with anisotropic dependence of the tumor hydraulic conductivity upon the tissue deformation, is treated both by solving the coupled fluid/elastic equations, and by expressing the solution as an asymptotic expansion in terms of a small parameter, ratio between the driving pressure force in the fluid system, and the elastic properties of the solid. Results at order one match almost perfectly the solutions of the full system over a large range of infusion pressures. Comparison with experimental results is acceptable after the hydraulic conductivity of the medium is properly calibrated. Given the uncertain estimates of some model constants, the order zero solution of the expansion, for which fluid and porous matrix are decoupled, yields acceptable values and trends for all the physical fields of interest, rendering the coupled analysis (in the limit of small displacements) of little use. When the deformation of the tissue becomes large nonlinear elasticity theory must be resorted to.
The Mind Inside Our Skull
Neuromania: On the Limits of Brain Science.
Paolo Legrenzi and Carlo Umiltà; translated by Frances Anderson. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2011. 132 pp. $29.95, £14.99. ISBN 9780199591343.
Authors: Garcia Ricardo Basso
Published: July 2012

In this concise overview of brain science, Legrenzi and Umiltà emphasize the broad perspective and sociopolitical implications.
The Art of Ecological Modeling
Authors: Boyd Ian L.
Published: July 2012

Ecological models have limited predictive power, but can provide insights into what makes an ecosystem vulnerable to disturbance.
Aaron Shatkin (1934–2012)
Authors: Sonenberg Nahum , Filipowicz Witold
Published: July 2012

A virologist discovered the eukaryotic mRNA 5′-terminal cap structure and revealed its role in gene expression.
Genome Annotation of Five Mycoplasma canis Strains
Authors: Brown D. R. , May M. , Michaels D. L. , Barbet A. F.
Published: July 2012

To understand its potential to cause invasive disease, the genome of
Mycoplasma canis
strain PG14
T
from a dog's throat was compared to those of isolates from the genital tract or brain of dogs. The average nucleotide identity between strain pairs is 98%, and their genome annotations are similar.
A Longitudinal 6-Year Study of the Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical Campylobacter Isolates in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Authors: Cody Alison J. , McCarthy Noel M. , Wimalarathna Helen L. , Colles Frances M. , Clark Lorraine , Bowler Ian C. J. W. , Maiden Martin C. J. , Dingle Kate E.
Published: July 2012

Temporal and seasonal trends in
Campylobacter
genotypes causing human gastroenteritis were investigated in a 6-year study of 3,300 recent isolates from Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Genotypes (sequence types [ST]) were defined using multilocus sequence typing and assigned to a clonal complex (a cluster of related strains that share four or more identical alleles with a previously defined central genotype). A previously undescribed clonal complex (ST-464) was identified which, together with ST-42, ST-45, and ST-52 complexes, showed increasing incidence. Concurrently, the incidence of ST-574, ST-607, and ST-658 complexes declined. The relative frequencies of three clonal complexes (ST-45, ST-283, and ST-42) peaked during summer and those of two (ST-353 and ST-403) peaked during winter. Nine clonal complexes (ST-22, ST-45, ST-48, ST-61, ST-257, ST-283, ST-403, ST-658, and ST-677) were significantly associated with ciprofloxacin sensitivity (
P
< 0.05). Seven clonal complexes (ST-49, ST-206, ST-354, ST-446, ST-460, ST-464, and ST-607) were associated with ciprofloxacin resistance (
P
< 0.05). Clonal complexes exhibited changing incidence and differences in seasonality and antibiotic resistance phenotype. These data also demonstrated that detailed surveillance at a single site captures information which reflects that observed nationally.
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis-Confirmed Emergence of a Macrolide Resistance-Associated Mutation in Mycoplasma pneumoniae during Macrolide Therapy for Interstitial Pneumonia in an Immunocompromised Child
Authors: Hantz Sébastien , Garnier Fabien , Peuchant Olivia , Menetrey Céline , Charron Alain , Ploy Marie-Cécile , Bébéar Cécile , Pereyre Sabine
Published: July 2012

A child with Job's syndrome was treated for pneumonia due to
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
. A mixed population of wild-type bacteria and an A2059G mutant was detected during josamycin treatment failure. The same multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) type (MLVA type I) was isolated before and after treatment failure. The child recovered after ciprofloxacin treatment.
Homeostasis and Function of Regulatory T Cells in HIV/SIV Infection
Authors: Moreno-Fernandez Maria E. , Presicce Pietro , Chougnet Claire A.
Published: July 2012

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of tolerance as well as in the control of immune activation, particularly during chronic infections. In the setting of HIV infection, the majority of studies have reported an increase in Treg frequency but a decrease in absolute number in all immune compartments of HIV-infected individuals. Several nonexclusive mechanisms have been postulated to explain this preferential Treg accumulation, including peripheral survival, increased proliferation, increased peripheral conversion, and tissue redistribution. The role played by Tregs during HIV infection is still poorly understood, as two opposing hypotheses have been proposed. A detrimental role of Tregs during HIV infection was suggested based on the evidence that Tregs suppress virus-specific immune responses. Conversely, Tregs could be beneficial by limiting immune activation, thus controlling the availability of HIV targets as well as preventing immune-based pathologies. Despite the technical difficulties, getting a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating Treg dynamics remains important, as it will help determine whether we can successfully manipulate Treg function or number to the advantage of the infected host. The aim of this review is thus to discuss the recent findings on Treg homeostasis and function in the setting of HIV infection.
CD8 Marks a Subpopulation of Lung-Derived Dendritic Cells with Differential Responsiveness to Viral Infection and Toll-Like Receptor Stimulation
Authors: Beauchamp Nicole M. , Yammani Rama D. , Alexander-Miller Martha A.
Published: July 2012

An increasing number of studies suggest that individual subsets of dendritic cells (DC) exhibit distinct capabilities with regard to the generation of the adaptive immune response. In this study, we evaluated the properties of a relatively unexplored DC subset present in the lung-draining mediastinal lymph node. This subset expresses the airway dendritic cell marker CD103 together with CD8. These DC were of interest given that our previous studies using a model of respiratory infection with vaccinia virus revealed a distinct difference in the ability of CD103
+
DC to prime T cells that correlated inversely with the expression of CD8, suggesting a differential role of these DC in the context of respiratory virus infection. To expand our understanding of the role of this DC population, we performed analyses to elucidate the phenotype, migratory capacity, responsiveness to innate stimuli, and priming capacity of CD8
+
CD103
+
DC. We found that expression of surface markers on these DC was similar to that of CD8
−
CD103
+
DC, supporting their close relationship. Further, the two DC types were similar with regard to antigen uptake. However, although both CD103
+
subsets originated from the lung, CD8-bearing CD103
+
DC appeared in the lymph node with delayed kinetics following virus infection. While this subset exhibited increased responsiveness to a number of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, their response to infection was virus specific, demonstrating poor responsiveness to vaccinia virus infection but robust maturation following infection with parainfluenza virus 5 or influenza virus. These findings show that CD8 marks a population of lung airway-derived DC with distinct migratory and maturation responses that likely contribute differentially to the immune response depending on the infecting pathogen.
The Adenovirus L4-22K Protein Is Multifunctional and Is an Integral Component of Crucial Aspects of Infection
Authors: Wu Kai , Orozco Diana , Hearing Patrick
Published: July 2012

A variety of cellular and viral processes are coordinately regulated during adenovirus (Ad) infection to achieve optimal virus production. The Ad late gene product L4-22K has been associated with disparate activities during infection, including the regulation of late gene expression, viral DNA packaging, and infectious virus production. We generated and characterized two L4-22K mutant viruses to further explore L4-22K functions during viral infection. Our results show that L4-22K is indeed important for temporal control of viral gene expression not only because it activates late gene expression but also because it suppresses early gene expression. We also show that the L4-22K protein binds to viral packaging sequences
in vivo
and is essential to recruit two other packaging proteins, IVa2 and L1-52/55K, to this region. The elimination of L4-22K gave rise to the production of only empty virus capsids and not mature virions, which confirms that the L4-22K protein is required for Ad genome packaging. Finally, L4-22K contributes to adenovirus-induced cell death by regulating the expression of the adenovirus death protein. Thus, the adenovirus L4-22K protein is multifunctional and an integral component of crucial aspects of infection.
Cryptogenic stroke in low-risk patients, consider a cardiac shunt at your peril
Authors: Parry Laura , Saeed Saad Aldeen , Jaumdally Rumi
Published: July 2012

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) as a cause of cryptogenic stroke from paradoxical embolisation remains a controversial issue. The optimal care between medical and surgical management of these patients for the attending clinician remains a conundrum. We report a case of cryptogenic stroke in a woman aged 59, with a PFO, concomitant venous thrombosis and cryptogenic stroke. The case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing and managing such patients, particularly as recent evidence challenges the clinical practice of percutaneous closure and pathophysiological rationale.
Crossing over does occur in males ofDrosophila ananassaefrom natural populations
Authors: Goñi Beatriz , Matsuda Muneo , Yamamoto Masa-Toshi , Vilela Carlos R. , Tobari Yoshiko N.
Published: July 2012

Spontaneous crossing over in males of Drosophila ananassae has been well demonstrated using F1individuals from crosses between marker stocks and wild type strains. However, the question of its occurrence in males from natural populations remained open. Here we present the cytological evidence that crossing over does occur in males of D. ananassae from two Brazilian populations, sampled nearly 21 years apart, and in two recently sampled populations, one from Indonesia and one from Okinawa, Japan. Cytological analysis of meiosis in males collected from nature and in sons of females from the same population inseminated in nature revealed the presence of chiasmata, inversion chiasmata, and isosite chromosome breakages in the diplotene cells in all sampled populations. These data demonstrate that reciprocal and nonreciprocal exchanges and chromosome breakages, previously reported as related events of male crossing over, do occur at variable frequencies among males from natural populations.
Validation of microsatellite markers for cytotype discrimination in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Giraldo Patricia , Rodríguez-Quijano Marta , Vázquez José F. , Carrillo José M. , Benavente Elena
Published: July 2012

Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv. (2n = 2x = 10) is a small annual grass species where the existence of three different cytotypes (10, 20, and 30 chromosomes) has long been regarded as a case of autopolyploid series with x = 5. However, it has been demonstrated that the cytotypes assumed to be polyploids represent two separate Brachypodium species recently named as Brachypodium stacei (2n = 2x = 20) and Brachypodium hybridum (2n = 4x = 30). The aim of this study was to find a PCR-based alternative approach that could replace standard cytotyping methods (i.e., chromosome counting and flow cytometry) to characterize each of the three Brachypodium species. We have analyzed with four microsatellite (SSR) markers 83 B. distachyon-type lines from varied locations in Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. Within this set of lines, 64, 4, and 15 had 10, 20, and 30 chromosomes, respectively. The surveyed markers produced cytotype-specific SSR profiles. So, a single amplification product was generated in the diploid samples, with nonoverlapping allelic ranges between the 2n = 10 and 2n = 20 cytotypes, whereas two bands, one in the size range of each of the diploid cytotypes, were amplified in the 2n = 30 lines. Furthermore, the remarkable size difference obtained with the SSR ALB165 allowed the identification of the Brachypodium species by simple agarose gel electrophoresis.
Performance of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) rooted cuttings from proliferated dwarf shoots versus seedlings 8 years after planting
Authors: Lu Pengxin , Bell Wayne , Charrette Paul , Thompson Megan
Published: July 2012

Growth and tree form characteristics of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) rooted cuttings propagated from proliferated dwarf shoots (PDS) were compared with seedlings in two field trials 8 years after establishment. Results indicated that jack pine rooted cuttings from PDS can grow as well as seedlings and maintain acceptable tree form. Rooted cuttings of progeny from the 22 top-ranking open-pollinated families in a seedling seed orchard of jack pine were 4.2% taller and 10% larger in diameter at breast height than commercial seedlings tested on the same sites, which indicates that rooted cuttings have potential in realizing genetic gains in jack pine tree improvement programs. Rooted cuttings increased the proportion of trees with normal branching characteristics and reduced the percentage of trees with excessive heavy branches in the Sault St. Marie trial, which had larger tree sizes. However, longer term monitoring (20 to 25 years) is needed to determine stability of jack pine rooted cuttings planted on sandy soil where wind throw may become a problem as tree size increases.
BOOTSTRAPPING PERCEPTION USING INFORMATION THEORY: CASE STUDIES IN A QUADRUPED ROBOT RUNNING ON DIFFERENT GROUNDS
Authors: SCHMIDT NICO M. , HOFFMANN MATEJ , NAKAJIMA KOHEI , PFEIFER ROLF
Published: July 2012

Animals and humans engage in an enormous variety of behaviors which are orchestrated through a complex interaction of physical and informational processes: The physical interaction of the bodies with the environment is intimately coupled with informational processes in the animal's brain. A crucial step toward the mastery of all these behaviors seems to be to understand the flows of information in the sensorimotor networks. In this study, we have performed a quantitative analysis in an artificial agent — a running quadruped robot with multiple sensory modalities — using tools from information theory (transfer entropy). Starting from very little prior knowledge, through systematic variation of control signals and environment, we show how the agent can discover the structure of its sensorimotor space, identify proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensory modalities, and acquire a primitive body schema. In summary, we show how the analysis of directed information flows in an agent's sensorimotor networks can be used to bootstrap its perception and development.
Unravelling the life cycle of ‘Polystomella crispa’: the roles of Lister, Jepps and Myers
Authors: Murray John W.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The meticulous observations of Lister, Jepps and Myers involved the culturing of material, monitoring the behaviour of live individuals over periods of days and weeks and at different times of the year, and decalcifying tests in order to stain and examine the protoplasmic contents with the best available microscopes. They all based their studies at the Laboratory of the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth and Myers and Jepps overlapped in the early 1940s although they chose to work separately. Through their combined efforts they determined that the life cycle of Elphidium crispum (Linné) (formerly called Polystomella crispa) involves an alternation of generations, sexual and asexual, over a two-year period. This has remained the ‘classic’ life cycle of benthic foraminifera, although subsequent studies, including those of Myers, have revealed other patterns. Lister also established that test dimorphism is not related to sex but to the asexual and sexual phases of reproduction.
Photophysiological Expressions of Iron Stress in Phytoplankton
Authors: Behrenfeld Michael J. , Milligan Allen J.
Published: July 2012

Iron is essential for all life, but it is particularly important to photoautotrophs because of the many iron-dependent electron transport components in photosynthetic membranes. Since the proliferation of oxygenic photosynthesis in the Archean ocean, iron has been a scarce commodity, and it is now recognized as a limiting resource for phytoplankton over broad expanses of the open ocean and even in some coastal/continental shelf waters. Iron stress does not impair photochemical or carbon fixation efficiencies, and in this respect it resembles the highly tuned photosynthetic systems of steady-state macronutrient-limited phytoplankton. However, iron stress does present unique photophysiological challenges, and phytoplankton have responded to these challenges through major architectural changes in photosynthetic membranes. These evolved responses include overexpression of photosynthetic pigments and iron-economic pathways for ATP synthesis, and they result in diagnostic fluorescence properties that allow a broad appraisal of iron stress in the field and even the detection of iron stress from space.
Multivariate Statistical Analyses for Neuroimaging Data
Authors: McIntosh Anthony R. , Mišić Bratislav
Published: July 2012

As the focus of neuroscience shifts from studying individual brain regions to entire networks of regions, methods for statistical inference have also become geared toward network analysis. The purpose of the present review is to survey the multivariate statistical techniques that have been used to study neural interactions. We have selected the most common techniques and developed a taxonomy that instructively reflects their assumptions and practical use. For each family of analyses, we describe their application and the types of experimental questions they can address, as well as how they relate to other analyses both conceptually and mathematically. We intend to show that despite their diversity, all of these techniques offer complementary information about the functional architecture of the brain.
Upregulation of ACE2-ANG-(1–7)-Mas axis in jejunal enterocytes of type 1 diabetic rats: implications for glucose transport
Authors: Wong Tung Po , Ho Ka Yan , Ng Enders K. W. , Debnam Edward S. , Leung Po Sing
Published: July 2012

The inhibitory effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-ANG II-angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor axis on jejunal glucose uptake and the reduced expression of this system in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been documented previously. The ACE2-ANG-(1–7)-Mas receptor axis is thought to oppose the actions of the ACE-ANG II-AT1 receptor axis in heart, liver, and kidney. However, the possible involvement of the ACE2-ANG-(1–7)-Mas receptor system on enhanced jejunal glucose transport in T1DM has yet to be determined. Rat everted jejunum and Caco-2 cells were used to determine the effects of ANG-(1–7) on glucose uptake and to study the ACE2-ANG-(1–7)-Mas receptor signaling pathway. Expression of target gene and protein in jejunal enterocytes and human Caco-2 cells were quantified using real-time PCR and Western blotting. T1DM increased jejunal protein and mRNA expression of ACE2 (by 59 and 173%, respectively) and Mas receptor (by 55 and 100%, respectively) in jejunum. One millimolar ANG-(1–7) reduced glucose uptake in jejunum and Caco-2 cells by 30.6 and 30.3%, respectively, effects that were abolished following addition of 1 μM A-779 (a Mas receptor blocker) or 1 μM GF-109203X (protein kinase C inhibitor) to incubation buffer for jejunum or Caco-2 cells, respectively. Finally, intravenous treatment of animals with ANG-(1–7) significantly improved oral glucose tolerance in T1DM but not control animals. In conclusion, enhanced activity of the ACE2-ANG-(1–7)-Mas receptor axis in jejunal enterocytes is likely to moderate the T1DM-induced increase in jejunal glucose uptake resulting from downregulation of the ACE-ANG II-AT1 receptor axis. Therefore, altered activity of both ACE and ACE2 systems during diabetes will determine the overall rate of glucose transport across the jejunal epithelium.
Pyk2 regulates H+-ATPase-mediated proton secretion in the outer medullary collecting duct via an ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Fisher Kimberly D. , Codina Juan , Petrovic Snezana , DuBose Thomas D.
Published: July 2012

Acid-secreting intercalated cells respond to changes in systemic pH through regulation of apical H+transporters. Little is known about the mechanism by which these cells sense changes in extracellular pH (pHo). Pyk2 is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activated by autophosphorylation at Tyr402 by cell-specific stimuli, including decreased pH, and is involved in the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways and transporter activity. We examined whether the Pyk2 and MAPK signaling pathway mediates the response of transport proteins to decreased pH in outer medullary collecting duct cells. Immunoblot analysis of phosphorylated Pyk2 (Tyr402), ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204), and p38 (Thr180/Tyr182) was used to assay protein activation. To examine specificity of kinase activation and its effects, we used Pyk2 small interfering RNA to knockdown Pyk2 expression levels, the Src kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-( t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4- d]-pyrimidine (PP 1) to inhibit Pyk2 phosphorylation, and the MEK inhibitor U0126 to inhibit ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2′-7′-bis(carboxyethyl)-5( 6 )-carboxyfluorescein-acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) was used to assay H+transporter activity. The activity of H+transporters was measured as the rate of intracellular pH (pHi) recovery after an NH4Cl prepulse. We show that Pyk2 is endogenously expressed and activated by acid pH in mouse-derived outer medullary collecting duct (mOMCD1) cells. Incubation of mOMCD1 cells in acid media [extracellular pH (pHo) 6.7] increased the phosphorylation of Pyk2, ERK1/2, and p38. Reduction in pHiinduced by an NH4Cl prepulse also increased the phosphorylation of Pyk2, ERK1/2, and p38. Consistent with our previous studies, we found that mOMCD1 cells exhibit H+-ATPase and H+,K+-ATPase activity. Pyk2 inhibition by Pyk2 siRNA and PP 1 prevented Pyk2 phosphorylation as well as H+-ATPase-mediated recovery in mOMCD1 cells. In addition, ERK1/2 inhibition by U0126 prevented acid-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and H+-ATPase-mediated pHirecovery but not phosphorylation of p38. We conclude that Pyk2 and ERK1/2 are required for increasing H+-ATPase, but not H+,K+-ATPase, activity at decreased pHiin mOMCD1 cells.
Control of Sleep and Wakefulness
Authors: Brown Ritchie E. , Basheer Radhika , McKenna James T. , Strecker Robert E. , McCarley Robert W.
Published: July 2012

This review summarizes the brain mechanisms controlling sleep and wakefulness. Wakefulness promoting systems cause low-voltage, fast activity in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Multiple interacting neurotransmitter systems in the brain stem, hypothalamus, and basal forebrain converge onto common effector systems in the thalamus and cortex. Sleep results from the inhibition of wake-promoting systems by homeostatic sleep factors such as adenosine and nitric oxide and GABAergic neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus, resulting in large-amplitude, slow EEG oscillations. Local, activity-dependent factors modulate the amplitude and frequency of cortical slow oscillations. Non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep results in conservation of brain energy and facilitates memory consolidation through the modulation of synaptic weights. Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep results from the interaction of brain stem cholinergic, aminergic, and GABAergic neurons which control the activity of glutamatergic reticular formation neurons leading to REM sleep phenomena such as muscle atonia, REMs, dreaming, and cortical activation. Strong activation of limbic regions during REM sleep suggests a role in regulation of emotion. Genetic studies suggest that brain mechanisms controlling waking and NREM sleep are strongly conserved throughout evolution, underscoring their enormous importance for brain function. Sleep disruption interferes with the normal restorative functions of NREM and REM sleep, resulting in disruptions of breathing and cardiovascular function, changes in emotional reactivity, and cognitive impairments in attention, memory, and decision making.
An Online Relay Selection Scheme in Power Controllable Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Deng Jing , Huang Scott C.-H. , Han Yunghsiang S.
Published: July 2012

We propose a data forwarding scheme termed dynamic energy-based relaying (DER) for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In the DER scheme, all nodes try to forward their data packets toward the nodes that are optimal distance closer to the data sink. They also take the relaying node estimated lifetime into consideration in the selection process. When necessary, they will choose nodes that are closer to the data sink as relays or even the data sink itself. This distributed approach equalizes energy consumption of different relaying nodes based on their residual energy, balancing their expected lifetimes. We analyze our proposed scheme in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional networks with different setups including different residual energy, traffic rate, and network regions. Our study shows that the proposed scheme achieves a network lifetime close to the scheme based on linear programming techniques and global information or centralized processing.
Disseminated Exfoliative Dermatitis Associated with All-Transretinoic Acid in the Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Ipek Yonal , Hulya Dogru , Melih Aktan
Published: July 2012

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a biologically and clinically separate type of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by a translocation involving the retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARa) locus on chromosome 17, the great majority of which is t(15; 17)(q24.1; q21.1) (Collins (1998), Melnick and Licht (1999), and Grimwade (1999)). Retinoic acid is a critical ligand in the differentiation pathway of multiple tissues, mediated through binding to an RAR. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a subgroup of the retinoid family, which induces complete remission (CR) in APL by causing differentiation and apoptosis in immature malignant promyelocytes rather than inducing cell death by cytotoxicity (Warrell et al. (1993), Liu et al. (2000), and Cassinat et al. (2001)). ATRA-associated toxicity consisting of headache, fever, weakness, fatigue, dry skin, dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and hypertriglyceridemia has been shown to be mild (Kurzrock et al. (1993)). Herein, we describe a patient with APL that developed an erythematous reaction of the whole body followed by desquamation and exfoliation during ATRA therapy.
Developing Targeted Health Service Interventions Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model: Two Australian Case Studies
Authors: Phillips Jane L. , Rolley John X. , Davidson Patricia M.
Published: July 2012

Aims and Objectives. This paper provides an overview of the applicability of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model to the development of targeted nursing led chronic illness interventions.Background. Changing health care practice is a complex and dynamic process that requires consideration of social, political, economic, and organisational factors. An understanding of the characteristics of the target population, health professionals, and organizations plus identification of the determinants for change are also required. Synthesizing this data to guide the development of an effective intervention is a challenging process. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model has been used in global health care settings to guide the identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of various health improvement initiatives.Design. Using a reflective case study approach, this paper examines the applicability of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model to the development of targeted chronic care improvement interventions for two distinct Australian populations: a rapidly expanding and aging rural population with unmet palliative care needs and a disadvantaged urban community at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.Results. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model approach demonstrated utility across diverse health settings in a systematic planning process. In environments characterized by increasing health care needs, limited resources, and growing community expectations, adopting planning tools such as PRECEDE-PROCEED Model at a local level can facilitate the development of the most effective interventions.Relevance to Clinical Practice. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model is a strong theoretical model that guides the development of realistic nursing led interventions with the best chance of being successful in existing health care environments.
A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study of Saffron Supplementation in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Sustained Benefits to Central Retinal Function
Authors: Piccardi M. , Marangoni D. , Minnella A. M. , Savastano M. C. , Valentini P. , Ambrosio L. , Capoluongo E. , Maccarone R. , Bisti S. , Falsini B.
Published: July 2012

Objectives. In a previous randomized clinical trial (Falsini et al. (2010)), it was shown that short-term Saffron supplementation improves retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the observed functional benefits from Saffron supplementation may extend over a longer follow-up duration.Design. Longitudinal, interventional open-label study.Setting. Outpatient ophthalmology setting.Participants. Twenty-nine early AMD patients (age range: 55–85 years) with a baseline visual acuity >0.3.Intervention. Saffron oral supplementation (20 mg/day) over an average period of treatment of 14 (±2) months.Measurements. Clinical examination and focal-electroretinogram-(fERG-) derived macular (18°) flicker sensitivity estimate (Falsini et al. (2010)) every three months over a followup of 14 (±2) months. Retinal sensitivity, the reciprocal value of the estimated fERG amplitude threshold, was the main outcome measure.Results. After three months of supplementation, mean fERG sensitivity improved by 0.3 log units compared to baseline values (P<0.01), and mean visual acuity improved by two Snellen lines compared to baseline values (0.75 to 0.9,P<0.01). These changes remained stable over the follow-up period.Conclusion. These results indicate that in early AMD Saffron supplementation induces macular function improvements from baseline that are extended over a long-term followup.
Index of Quasiconformally Symmetric Semi-Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Tripathi Mukut Mani , Gupta Punam , Kim Jeong-Sik
Published: July 2012

We find the index of∇˜-quasiconformally symmetric and∇˜-concircularly symmetric semi-Riemannian manifolds, where∇˜is metric connection.
Transnational Social Workers: Making the Profession a Transnational Professional Space
Authors: Bartley Allen , Beddoe Liz , Fouché Christa , Harington Phil
Published: July 2012

This paper draws on research conducted in New Zealand from 2009 to 2011 with overseas-qualified social workers as members of a global profession experiencing both great international demand for their skills and unparalleled flows of professional transnationalism. In line with the international social work literature, this cohort of migrant professionals offers a range of needed skill and expertise as well as unique challenges to local employers, client communities, and the social work profession as a whole. With a specific focus on mixed-methods data dealing with participants' induction experiences and engagement with professional bodies, this paper argues that migrant social workers have created in New Zealand a transnational professional space that demands a response from local social work stakeholders.
Consumer Satisfaction and Efficacy of the Hangover Cure After-Effect©
Authors: Verster J. C. , Berthélemy O.
Published: July 2012

A consumer satisfaction study was conducted to examine the effectiveness on hangover of After-Effect©, a new food supplement dedicated to improve well-being after an occasion of alcohol consumption.N=113persons were invited to participate in a home-based open label study to test the effectiveness of After-Effect©. On a night when they intended to consume alcohol, three pills were taken before alcohol consumption and two pills afterwards, before going to bed. The following day, participants completed a survey on the amount of alcohol consumed, hangover symptom severity, and satisfaction of the product.N=103participants completed the study. 88% of participants reported After-Effect©to be effective in reducing alcohol hangover. After-Effect©significantly improved overall hangover severity, and all individual hangover symptoms, except for palpitations. In addition, a significant reduction (P=0.0001) in the severity score on concentration problems was reported when using After-Effect©. No gender differences were observed, and there was no relationship with the number of alcoholic drinks that were consumed. Consumers were satisfied with the product. In conclusion, consumer satisfaction and hangover severity scores suggest that After-Effect©may be effective in reducing alcohol hangover. However, controlled, double-blind clinical trials should confirm these findings.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction and the Fetal Programming of the Hedonic Response to Sweet Taste in Newborn Infants
Authors: Ayres Caroline , Agranonik Marilyn , Portella André Krumel , Filion Françoise , Johnston Celeste C. , Silveira Patrícia Pelufo
Published: July 2012

Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased risk for adult metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, which seems to be related to altered food preferences in these individuals later in life. In this study, we sought to understand whether intrauterine growth leads to fetal programming of the hedonic responses to sweet. Sixteen 1-day-old preterm infants received 24% sucrose solution or water and the taste reactivity was filmed and analyzed. Spearman correlation demonstrated a positive correlation between fetal growth and the hedonic response to the sweet solution in the first 15 seconds after the offer (r=0.864,P=0.001), without correlation when the solution given is water (r=0.314,P=0.455). In fact, the more intense the intrauterine growth restriction, the lower the frequency of the hedonic response observed. IUGR is strongly correlated with the hedonic response to a sweet solution in the first day of life in preterm infants. This is the first evidence in humans to demonstrate that the hedonic response to sweet taste is programmed very early during the fetal life by the degree of intrauterine growth. The altered hedonic response at birth and subsequent differential food preference may contribute to the increased risk of obesity and related disorders in adulthood in intrauterine growth-restricted individuals.
A Note on Approximating Curve with 1‐Norm Regularization Method for the Split Feasibility Problem
Authors: He Songnian , Zhu Wenlong
Published: July 2012

Inspired by the very recent results of Wang and Xu (2010), we study properties of the approximating curve with 1‐norm regularization method for
the split feasibility problem (SFP). The concept of the minimum‐norm solution
set of SFP in the sense of 1‐norm is proposed, and the relationship between the approximating curve and the minimum‐norm solution set is obtained.
Approximate Cubic ∗‐Derivations on Banach ∗‐Algebras
Authors: Yoon Yang Seo , Bodaghi Abasalt , Atan Kamel Ariffin Mohd
Published: July 2012

We study the stability of cubic ∗‐derivations on Banach ∗‐algebras. We also prove the superstability of cubic ∗‐derivations on a Banach ∗‐algebra A, which is left approximately unital.